Pence ticket set as GOP prepares to gather in Cleveland

You may have missed Donald Trump’s introduction Saturday of Mike Pence as his running mate, because it turned into another nationally-televised, rambling demonstration of how the Republican campaign is all about Trump.

Gov. Mike Pence wasn’t exactly in lockstep Friday night with running mate Donald Trump’s proposed ban on Muslim immigrants – but in his first interview as Trump’s VP pick, he seemed a far cry from his repudiation of it previous year.

“It is unacceptable to me, and it should be unacceptable to you … that anyone who signed that pledge is now not adhering to that pledge”, Christie said at a breakfast for Michigan’s GOP delegates, referring to the pledge signed by the now-vanquished Republican primary candidates – including him – to support their party’s nominee.

Trump’s strategy was to bring someone with significant political experience to the ticket, and someone who could help shape Trump’s campaign “in a way that appears more legitimate and presidential”, he said, referring to the frequently heard criticism that Trump’s manner is both brash and unfitting of a presidential candidate.

Several times he said “Now back to Mike Pence”, as if he suddenly remembered the point of the event, before dashing off down another avenue of disjointed thoughts.

When he finally got to Pence, Trump didn’t convey much excitement, and eventually read from notes that described the wonders of Indiana’s economy and how Pence made it so.

Brandishing his running mate’s job-creating credentials, Trump ticked through a list of statistics he said showed how Pence had pulled IN out of economic recessions: an unemployment rate that fell to less than 5 percent on his watch, an uptick IN the labor force and a decrease IN IN residents on unemployment insurance.

“I trust the people of the state party will make the right choice”, said Tom John, a committee member representing the Indianapolis area.

The governor joined Mr Trump on stage and described him as “a good man” who “will make a great president”. “Grateful to God for his fantastic grace”.

He presented his new boss’s outsider status as an asset, saying the real estate tycoon understands the frustrations and the hopes of the American people like no leader since Ronald Reagan.

“Well, of course I am”, Pence told MSNBC when asked if he favored blocking the entire federal budget in an effort to strip the group of funding.

“If Donald Trump wanted to pick someone who was anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender he hit that right on the head”, Ted Martin, Executive Director of Equality PA, said.

Republicans who have criticized Trump on various issues praised his selection of Pence. He will get better at that and, at the very least, he will stick to something resembling a script, in contrast to his running mate, who still wavers dizzily between mudslinging improv and reading things off a piece of paper that he holds up in front of his face.

Mr Trump spoke first, while Mr Pence stood off stage out of view – he then exited the stage while Mr Pence spoke, and the two shook hands afterward and posed for pictures with supporters.

“It was the single greatest non-endorsement I’ve ever had”, Mr Trump said.

Pence got choked-up when he arrived home to a cheering crowd celebrating his addition to Trump’s presidential campaign.

Trump’s campaign also named staffers Saturday to manage the efforts of Pence. Pence also endorsed Sen. “This is the nightmare the Trump-Pence ticket is offering: to unite their party against women”.

Pence spent 10 years in the House of Representatives before assuming the in governorship in 2013.

Pence said that trade agreements like the TPP can go back to the bargaining table.

Trump insisted the governor was his first choice, despite an erratic decision-making process and reports that he reconsidered late.

“Hillary Clinton is a crook”.