Trump introduces VP pick Pence as ‘solid’ and a unifier

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.

Ultimately, Trump’s decision to go with Pence was at least a partial concession to those in his inner circle – choosing someone that would help balance him out, both in terms of temperament and skills. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama’s foreign policy of leading from behind, moving red lines, failing resets is a testament to this truth of history, and we must bring a change to America’s standing in the world.

“Today’s news gives a similar hope that Mike Pence will be effective in pulling the Republican ticket toward economic conservatism and limited government”, the group said. He added: “He’s a solid, solid person”. Where Trump makes conservatives suspicious, Pence has credibility.

The two men are scheduled to formally become their party’s nominees at next week’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

“I’m really just a small-town boy who grew up in southern in with a big family and a cornfield in the backyard”, Pence said. “I want to be an outsider”.

Past vice presidential announcements have seldom been like that.

On stage, they made scant eye contact and shook hands rather than raising arms together in the classic pose of running mates.

Pence, whose calm demeanor forms a marked counterpoint to the fiery Trump, was chosen in part to ease concerns in some GOP corners about the billionaire’s impulsive style and lack of political experience.

Pence – who spoke after almost 30 minutes of Trump talking more about himself than his new running mate – described himself as he frequently does, as “a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican — in that order”.

At Saturday’s press conference, Trump noted the difference between Pence and “crooked Hillary Clinton”, saying that Pence would not be afraid to use the phrase “radical Islamic terrorism” and the he would serve as a partner to “fix our rigged system”.

Other reasons for his pick: “He looks very good, and he’s got an incredible family”. I think it’s one of the reasons I won in landslides.

The event – the culmination of a vice presidential rollout that featured mixed signals, second-guessing and a 24-hour delay – was meant to assert that Trump and Pence would stand up to America’s enemies while being “the law-and-order candidates” at home. Just as Trump was settling on Pence, Republicans gathering in Cleveland essentially quelled the movement to oust Trump at the convention, all but assuring he’ll be the GOP nominee.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has officially accepted Donald Trump’s offer to join him on the Republican presidential ticket. In 2015 he provoked a national backlash after signing a law that critics said would have allowed businesses to deny service to gay people for religious reasons.

Some conservatives who had fought against Trump’s ascendancy in the Republican nominating race welcomed his announcement that he had picked Pence, a well-known social and evangelical conservative.

Trump viewed Gingrich as “too volatile” on the campaign trail. Late Thursday night, Trump asked top advisers if he could pull out of his decisions, and was told he could not, sources told CNN’s Dana Bash.

Calling Pence his “first choice” as the running mate, Trump also touted Pence’s job-creating credentials.

Trump and Pence will appear at a midtown Manhattan hotel on Saturday morning. He bragged about his primary victories, bashed Democrat Hillary Clinton and, in a perplexing diversion, promised to reverse a 1954 law that prohibits churches and other tax-exempt organizations for endorsing political candidates and participating in campaigns. Ted Cruz, while still lavishing praise on Trump.