Trump Picks Mike Pence As VP Nominee

[MWmetalhead]

I'm not a big Pence fan (because of his social stances and history of supporting TPP), but I will say he's a considerably better pick than Fiorina.

[MWmetalhead]

For as much as Trump is talking up Pence, many Indiana citizens seem to have a different opinion of Mr. Pence's job performance and political views.

Some interesting articles on Pence's background and popularity (or lack thereof) in the Hoosier State:
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/t ... ent-225387

40 percent approve of his job performance; 42 percent disapprove:
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/poli ... /84616830/

Many women in Indiana do not like Pence:
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/poli ... /82749486/

His support for the RFPA caused his approval ratings to drop by at least 15 percent:
http://heavy.com/news/2016/07/mike-penc ... ation-act/

Approval & disapproval ratings for each governor by state; the results for Mass. and Maryland (two traditionally blue states) really caught my attention:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016 ... .html?_r=0

If you are a Republican in Maryland holding statewide office with a 71 percent approval rating, in my view, you ought to be strongly considered for a Vice Presidential pick!

BTW, look where our very own Tricky Ricky sits on that list!!! Third from the very bottom!!! He's one of only 11 governors in the nation whose disapproval numbers are higher than his/her approval numbers. His +/- score is one of only three worse than (-30). His disapproval score is only 2 percentage points from being tied for the worst among all the governors.

[Deleted User 8570]

For as much as Trump is talking up Pence, many Indiana citizens seem to have a different opinion of Mr. Pence's job performance and political views.

Some interesting articles on Pence's background and popularity (or lack thereof) in the Hoosier State:
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/t ... ent-225387

40 percent approve of his job performance; 42 percent disapprove:
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/poli ... /84616830/

Many women in Indiana do not like Pence:
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/poli ... /82749486/

His support for the RFPA caused his approval ratings to drop by at least 15 percent:
http://heavy.com/news/2016/07/mike-penc ... ation-act/

Approval & disapproval ratings for each governor by state; the results for Mass. and Maryland (two traditionally blue states) really caught my attention:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016 ... .html?_r=0

If you are a Republican in Maryland holding statewide office with a 71 percent approval rating, in my view, you ought to be strongly considered for a Vice Presidential pick!

BTW, look where our very own Tricky Ricky sits on that list!!! Third from the very bottom!!! He's one of only 11 governors in the nation whose disapproval numbers are higher than his/her approval numbers. His +/- score is one of only three worse than (-30). His disapproval score is only 2 percentage points from being tied for the worst among all the governors.

His disapproval numbers are a testament to how rejected the religious right has been over the last 20 or so years and how that gets worse and he may not help Trump at all...

[audiophile]

For as much as Trump is talking up Pence, many Indiana citizens seem to have a different opinion of Mr. Pence's job performance and political views.

Some interesting articles on Pence's background and popularity (or lack thereof) in the Hoosier State:
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/t ... ent-225387

40 percent approve of his job performance; 42 percent disapprove:
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/poli ... /84616830/

Many women in Indiana do not like Pence:
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/poli ... /82749486/

His support for the RFPA caused his approval ratings to drop by at least 15 percent:
http://heavy.com/news/2016/07/mike-penc ... ation-act/

Approval & disapproval ratings for each governor by state; the results for Mass. and Maryland (two traditionally blue states) really caught my attention:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016 ... .html?_r=0

If you are a Republican in Maryland holding statewide office with a 71 percent approval rating, in my view, you ought to be strongly considered for a Vice Presidential pick!

BTW, look where our very own Tricky Ricky sits on that list!!! Third from the very bottom!!! He's one of only 11 governors in the nation whose disapproval numbers are higher than his/her approval numbers. His +/- score is one of only three worse than (-30). His disapproval score is only 2 percentage points from being tied for the worst among all the governors.

You almost have to wonder if Pence's support of Cruz lowered Cruz's performance in the Primary.

MW, I don't think many governors want to be associated with Trump. Kasich would have been a great pick, but Kasich doesn't want to run with the diarrhea-of-the-mouth-man.

[MWmetalhead]

You are 100% correct re: Kasich.

You almost have to wonder if Pence's support of Cruz lowered Cruz's performance in the Primary.

I've been wondering that myself. My conclusion is the (negative) impact to Cruz from strictly the endorsement was low.

Cruz's on the ground campaign strategy in Indiana was inherently flawed, which is quite remarkable considering we all kept hearing how wonderful his ground game was throughout much of the primary season. He spent nowhere nearly enough time in & around the Indianapolis metro.

Trump made overtures to Indiana voters early & often during the campaign; Cruz did not.

Indiana is very much a middle-of-the-road state with regard to political philosophy. Evan Bayh (D), Richard Lugar (R), Dan Coats (R), Joe Donnelly (D) and Mitch Daniels (R) are all pretty much middle-of-the-road guys. I think Cruz's reputation as a hardliner was perhaps the characteristic that was most damaging to his candidacy.

(BTW, Lugar's primary defeat in 2012 without question cost the Republicans that senate seat. Pretty remarkable Lugar got defeated in the primary considering the massive landslide victories he received for re-election bids in every election from 1988 to 2006. He is a very decent man, one of the earliest proponents of a national sales tax in lieu of an income tax, and a true statesman.)

[Deleted User 8570]

You are 100% correct re: Kasich.

You almost have to wonder if Pence's support of Cruz lowered Cruz's performance in the Primary.

I've been wondering that myself. My conclusion is the (negative) impact to Cruz from strictly the endorsement was low.

Cruz's on the ground campaign strategy in Indiana was inherently flawed, which is quite remarkable considering we all kept hearing how wonderful his ground game was throughout much of the primary season. He spent nowhere nearly enough time in & around the Indianapolis metro.

Trump made overtures to Indiana voters early & often during the campaign; Cruz did not.

Indiana is very much a middle-of-the-road state with regard to political philosophy. Evan Bayh (D), Richard Lugar (R), Dan Coats (R), Joe Donnelly (D) and Mitch Daniels (R) are all pretty much middle-of-the-road guys. I think Cruz's reputation as a hardliner was perhaps the characteristic that was most damaging to his candidacy.

(BTW, Lugar's primary defeat in 2012 without question cost the Republicans that senate seat. Pretty remarkable Lugar got defeated in the primary considering the massive landslide victories he received for re-election bids in every election from 1988 to 2006. He is a very decent man, one of the earliest proponents of a national sales tax in lieu of an income tax, and a true statesman.)

The Republican base shifted too far to the right (or more likely the far right folks voted in higher numbers) for Lugars opponent in the 2012 primary.. Middle of the road people are the ticket to winning in a country that is becoming more liberal and secular all the time...

[Bryce]

BTW, look where our very own Tricky Ricky sits on that list!!! Third from the very bottom!!! He's one of only 11 governors in the nation whose disapproval numbers are higher than his/her approval numbers. His +/- score is one of only three worse than (-30). His disapproval score is only 2 percentage points from being tied for the worst among all the governors.

His pick to head the MDEQ isn't gonna move those numbers up any.

Its almost like a sick joke.

[MWmetalhead]

The optics look bad given her employment background; I'll certainly grant you that.

I am not going to automatically dismiss her as unqualified or unfit -- at least not yet. Unlike her predecessor, at least she has a collegiate education in an environment-related field of study:

http://www.espp.msu.edu/about/mission.php

I agree with Senator Ananich's recommendation for a Senate hearing on the nomination, although regardless of whether or not a hearing takes place, I have zero doubt she'll be confirmed given who controls the Senate.

Snyder's refusal to take questions on the pick makes him look like a total asshole, and frankly, he's throwing away an opportunity to potentially build goodwill for himself and his nominee. By being reclusive, those of us outside of state government are left with little choice other than to review her resume and draw conclusions based on that.

Grether herself hasn't been made available to the media, although this might be due to the fact she doesn't start (assuming the Senate confirms her) until August 1. I would hope that if she receives confirmation, a press conference is held.

[screen glare]

Mike Pence's wife did not look very happy when introduced to the RNC crowd last night.

He's probably thinking, "Even if this ticket loses I can still run for president some day, and as a VP running mate I've increased my fame and become a household name".

But she's probably thinking, "By cozying up to Trump here goes my husband's high principles image and the squeaky clean reputation we've worked hard to foster over the years".

I bet in private they've had some knock down drag out fights about the long term wisdom of teaming up with Trump. Evangelical Mike has succumbed to temptation. And the devil's first name is Donald.

[audiophile]

I'm disappointed with Mike. I bet he thought he was getting the VP slot or he was simply trying to help his daughter.

Pence gave such a glowing account of Trump it made me want to vomit. So you might be right on his wife.