Dear Commons Community,
During this hellish week of news with the killing of innocents in Nice, a bloody aborted coup attempt in Turkey, and Newt Gingrich calling for loyalty tests of all Muslims, Donald Trump has picked Mike Pence (Republican Governor of Indiana) as his vice presidential running mate. Mr. Trump’s choice came down to Pence, Chris Christie, and Newt Gingrich. Of these three finalists, Pence was probably the best choice.
Chris Christie has fallen very far from the can-do governor he once was in New Jersey. After bridge-gate, his popularity plummeted in his home state. On the Trump tour, he has looked more like a gofer than a political leader. He also would have little appeal in much of the country outside of the northeast.
Newt Gingrich is a bitter ex-politician who is good in debates and a favorite with the Fox News crowd but his political future burned when he attempted to shut down the government when he was speaker of the house during the Clinton presidency. Clinton called his bluff and the Republicans backed down and his House colleagues wanted Gingrich out.
That leaves Mike Pence who is the best candidate that Trump has at this time. It will be interesting to see how Pence gets along with Trump. The Huffington Post in a piece yesterday commented:
“Many have questioned how Pence will mesh with Trump, as speculation grew this week about the Indiana governor being tapped for the VP slot. Pence is pro-trade and pro-Iraq War, two positions that directly conflict with Trump’s campaign platform. And he didn’t even support Trump earlier this year.
Pence penned an op-ed in May ahead of the Indiana GOP primary, giving a half-hearted endorsement to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R). At the same time, he gave an interview in which he was careful to “particularly commend” Trump for “giving voice to the frustration of millions of working Americans with the lack of progress in Washington, D.C.”
Not everyone bought Pence’s diplomatic approach, however.
The National Review’s Tim Alberta reported in April that longtime friends of Pence’s said the governor “loathes” Trump. Alberta stood by that reporting on Friday.”
It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Next week we have the Republican National Convention and right after there will be the Hillary watch as she decides who her running mate will be.
Tony
