It is difficult to imagine anyone thinking, "I wasn't going to vote for that Trump guy, but I really like Mike Pence, so I'll vote for Trump now." Insert any other name for "Mike Pence" and the effect does not change. This election is all about Trump: people who want him will vote for him, people who don't will vote against him. (No one is actually voting for that other candidate.)
Same here--first election voted in, was 1972.
It is good to see that Mike Pence has some conservative credentials and he seems well-rounded and decent. He's definitely a guy who won't embarrass Trump. Must say I'm still lukewarm on him now. I really have to see him in action on the campaign trail to form a better opinion. But the article here makes a good case with regard to him being a solid pick.
Paul Ryan
John McCain
Mittens
I also doubt that Pence's selection, or any other VP pick, would convince anyone who dislikes Trump to vote for him. What selecting a VP the establishment tolerates will do, however, is make it less likely for the NeverTrumpers to actively sabotage Trump's efforts or covertly back Hillary.
This selection was made not to win over any new voters so much as to put an end to hostility from the RNC and other GOP power brokers. I'm guessing that Romney, the Bushes, Kristol, and similar rodents will be much more quiet and circumspect about trying to subvert Trump's campaign now.
Very good point.
“It is difficult to imagine anyone thinking, “I wasn’t going to vote for that Trump guy, but I really like Mike Pence, so I’ll vote for Trump now.” Insert any other name for “Mike Pence” and the effect does not change. This election is all about Trump: people who want him will vote for him, people who don’t will vote against him.”
Indeed. I was disappointed with Pence as the pick, but I understand it. The VP is a non-entity and always has been in the modern history. Looks like that’s not going to change with Trump.
Pence is a “safe” pick because he’s essentially a non-entity, and I suspect a non-entity is who Trump wants because a firebrand like Newt or Christie would draw substantial media attention away from Trump and Trump’s message, and Trump and his message IS Trump’s brand, nothing more and nothing less. With Pence, there’s not a lot the media can say that matters other than that he’s a “safe” pick and a non-entity.