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Neither Ronald Reagan or Donald Trump had complete control, or freedom to choose, their running mate. Our elections are political and there are many layers of compromise along the way to winning an election. Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan faced a faction of RINOs who were promoting the idea of a co-presidency such as Gerald Ford. George Bush was the alternative and Reagan got the message and accepted Bush. Candidate Trump likewise had a choice of Pence or Pence. This was not a hill he wanted to waste time on as it would get no better. Trump will have more control of whom he chooses to run with next time. Right wingers can be obstinate and self righteous in insisting on their choice so it is not necessarily a given that a candidate will prevail if he does not acquiesce in some measure to political realities. RINOs deserve no consideration but they can influence their local voters and must be listened to.