Donald Trump has picked Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to be his vice-presidential canidate, a choice that is likely to be welcomed by Republicans looking for a solid conservative voice on the ticket.
Here’s what they are saying about the news that Pence will be joining Trump as a running mate.
Upending the political landscape in Indiana
"Donald Trump acknowledged via Twitter on Friday what the IndyStar confirmed Thursday: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence will be his running mate. (From Thursday night's story) "Gov. Mike Pence is dropping his re-election bid in Indiana to become Donald Trump's running mate. IndyStar has confirmed that Trump plans to announce Pence as his selection for vice president, ending a weeks-long vice presidential casting call during which Trump vetted a handful of high-profile Republicans. … The long-awaited decision upends the political landscape in Indiana and at least partially remakes the Trump campaign in Pence's image."
Pence was strong favorite
"Donald Trump announced Friday that he had selected Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate, ending days of feverish speculation and recruiting to the GOP ticket a soft-spoken and seasoned conservative who could help unify the divided Republican Party. “I am pleased to announce that I have chosen Governor Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential running mate,” Trump wrote on Twitter Friday morning. “News conference tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.” "
A clash in styles
"Donald Trump said Friday Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is his choice to be his running mate. "I am pleased to announce that I have chosen Governor Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential running mate. News conference tomorrow at 11:00 A.M.," the presumptive Republican nominee tweeted. CNN reported Thursday that Trump had called Pence and offered him the vice presidential slot on his ticket. Pence has accepted. The pick sets up a stark clash in styles: a brash presumptive nominee with a tendency to freelance into controversies alongside a cautious former congressional leader who's stuck close to conservative orthodoxy since starting his career in talk radio."
Keeping the party happy
“Donald Trump announced on Friday that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is his vice-presidential pick. Trump has done all sorts of unconventional,controversial things during this campaign, but making Pence his running mate is one of the least puzzling. Trump didn’t need to make a splash with his pick, and vice-presidential selections usually don’t matter. Moreover, Pence satisfies two key needs for the Trump campaign: He is less likely to harm the ticket than the other candidates on Trump’s VP shortlist, and he will likely make the conservative base of the Republican Party happy."
Pence: Casually anti-gay, startlingly craven
"Multiple media outlets reported on Thursday that Donald Trump has chosen Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to join his ticket in the vice president slot. Nationally, Pence is perhaps best known for signing into law a mean-spirited “religious liberty” bill targeting LGBTQ people—then revising the measure after its discriminatory purpose sparked coast-to-coast outcry. The religious liberty flap demonstrated that Pence is casually anti-gay, startlingly craven, and extraordinarily vacuous. All these qualities make him the ideal choice for Trump’s vice president."
He represents a safe choice
“Donald Trump has picked Mike Pence to be his vice-presidential candidate, the Guardian has learned. Pence, the governor of Indiana, represents a safe choice who would solidify the Republican base and is popular with social conservatives. … Trump’s campaign chair, Paul Manafort, insisted the decision had not yet been made on Thursday. But a Republican source confirmed to the Guardian that the choice will be Pence.”
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