RENO, Nevada — It’s a role that Vice President Mike Pence has perfected during the past four years. And on Friday, once again, he will be called on to play clean up, smoothing over feathers ruffled by President Trump when Pence flies to Arizona as part of a last push to keep the state Republican and give embattled Sen. Martha McSally a lift in a hard-fought race.
Local media is still buzzing with Trump’s dismissive welcome during a rally in Goodyear, Arizona, two days ago.
“Martha, come up just fast. Fast. Fast. Come on. Quick. You got one minute! One minute, Martha! They don’t want to hear this, Martha,” he said.
“A woman who’s running for the Senate, currently a Senator, respected by everybody…Martha McSally. Martha, great. Martha, come on. Fast. Fast. Fast. C’mon on, quick. You got one minute. One minute Martha!…C’mon let’s go. Quick quick quick quick.”
“Thank you President Trump.” pic.twitter.com/OKvjbTr6rU
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) October 29, 2020
McSally is considered one of the Senate’s most endangered Republicans. As a result, she has frequently struck a Trumpian tone, attacking the media while also trying to woo independents in a state that has been moving away from the president.
A former administration official said the vice president would find that an easier line to navigate than the president.
“It’s a great example of how Pence is the consummate diplomat and a caring person. So, instead of the harsh TV producer that Trump is, Pence is a more natural conciliator,” the official said.
“I don’t think anyone said go make up for the president. He was always planning to be there, but it’s fortuitous and probably more helpful for her with swing voters to be seen with Pence than Trump.”
The latest Ipsos poll suggests she will struggle, trailing astronaut Mark Kelly by 51% to 41% among likely voters.
Sweeping demographic changes mean Democrats believe Joe Biden also has a chance to pick up a state with a rapidly expanding Hispanic population. Bill Clinton won Arizona in 1996, turning it Democratic for the first time since 1948.
With four days to go, a rolling average of polls maintained by RealClearPolitics lists the race as a dead heat.
As a result, candidates have made a beeline for Phoenix and other cities during the final week of campaigning.
Pence will be joined by the Arizona senator for airport rallies in the college town of Flagstaff and then in Tucson.
Trump made a swing through the state on Wednesday, as did vice presidential Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
Pence’s return on Friday was taken by many observers to underline its growing status as a purple state, even if stumping for McSally is at the top of his mind.
Arizona pollster Mike O’Neil said the senator’s race had been harmed by the way Trump appeared to diminish her, and Pence would have to help her rebuild.
“It was embarrassing the way he disrespected her,” he said.
“The media is abuzz with that, and the first thing he has to do is show her some respect and do a little of quiet damage control.”
Appearing with the vice president may actually be a better vote winner in a state that seems to be turning away from Trump.
“He has to have her on the stage, say we have to have her in Washington, and all the standard kind of stuff,” he added.
