It’s worth remembering that Trump knew, from the moment he picked him, that Pence was on familiar terms with the GOP Establishment. Remember when Pence chose not to endorse Trump in the Indiana primary, enddorsing Cruz instead? But there’s more to the story than that. If you remember, his “endorsement” of Cruz was rather lackluster and ended up sounding more like an endorsement of Trump. It seemed clear at the time that Pence was conflicted and had been forced into endorsing Cruz over Trump. What leverage the string pullers had over him is unknown.
Trump knew all this about Pence before he even picked him. I think it’s reasonable to argue that, though Pence had ties with the Establishment, he was not entirely happy with the relationship. It seems likely to me that Trump picked Pence for that very reason. Did Trump fully trust him or not? Either way he could be useful.
Choosing Pence as his running mate may have given the GOP Establishment enough reassurance that they would be able to control Trump, that they consented to his nomination. Remember in the weeks leading up to the convention there were threats from the RNC bigwigs of denying Trump the nomination?
So whether or not Pence ultimately proves to be loyal, I’m pretty confident that POTUS already knows, one way or the other, and has planned accordingly.
So whether or not Pence ultimately proves to be loyal, I’m pretty confident that POTUS already knows, one way or the other, and has planned accordingly.
******************************
That’s the hope. So many traitors.
Choosing Pence as his running mate may have given the GOP Establishment enough reassurance that they would be able to control Trump, that they consented to his nomination. Remember in the weeks leading up to the convention there were threats from the RNC bigwigs of denying Trump the nomination?....
Pence shored up the religious right for Trump.
I agree that Trump knew and knows. Pence has seemed pretty loyal once he got settled into his job and Trump purged much of the GOP swamp from his administration. Pence did give a great speech about China some time ago. He may have been a hindrance to Trump early on but I think he’s been “converted” since then. Time will tell. IF Trump does keep him on as vp, that should give us the answer. I’m wondering now where Gen. Flynn is going to fit in to the next four years.
However, it’s still good to know what happened leading up to Trump’s win and the years that followed. It’s still quite apparent that the GOP elites don’t want to have anything to do with him. That just makes me love Trump more.