Hillary Clinton’s campaign blasted Donald Trump’s running mate as “divisive and unpopular” and “the most extreme pick in a generation.”
“By picking Mike Pence as his running mate, Donald Trump has doubled down on some of his most disturbing beliefs by choosing an incredibly divisive and unpopular running mate known for supporting discriminatory politics and failed economic policies that favor millionaires and corporations over working families,” Hillary for America chair John Podesta said in a statement just minutes after Trump announced his pick.
“Pence is the most extreme pick in a generation and was one of the earliest advocates for the Tea Party,” the Clinton campaign aide added, noting that Pence was among the first in the GOP to join the Tea Party Caucus. Podesta reminded voters that Pence spearheaded the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a piece of legislation that Clinton called “an anti-LGBT law,” in Indiana.
In an email to voters, the Clinton campaign wrote, “Mike Pence is just as discriminatory as Trump.” The message went on to say that “Pence’s immigration record passes the Trump test.”
Pence also led the fight to defund Planned Parenthood, while working to pass Indiana’s anti-abortion law in 2016. The Indiana governor is also an opponent of comprehensive immigration reform and raising the federal minimum wage.
“Voters deserve better than more of their divisive policies and ‘me-first’ economic proposals,” Podesta said. “This new Trump-Pence ticket stands in dramatic contrast to Hillary Clinton’s vision of our future – one where we are stronger together, where unity prevails over division and the economy works for all Americans, not just those at the top.”
