In the 2016 election, the naysayers in the media, even on the Right, didn’t think that Donald Trump would pull in evangelical and conservative support like former President George W. Bush or Mitt Romney.
But he named a movement leader as his running mate, then Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, and the GOP ticket beat the predictions significantly, winning 81% of conservatives and evangelicals.
Since then, Pence has been at his side as Trump has become the most anti-abortion president ever, a promoter of religious freedom, and a tax and regulations cutter.
And now as they ready the 2020 reelection campaign, the vice president is marshaling conservatives with a steady outreach effort that is even bringing in some of the Never Trumpers who’ve switched over.
Over the weekend, for example, Pence flew to Georgia to address one-time Never Trumper Erick Erickson’s huge Resurgent Gathering.
With the support of everyone at The Resurgent Gathering, with conservatives elected in statehouses and Congress across this country, with President @realDonaldTrump in the @WhiteHouse, and with God’s help, we will make America more prosperous and secure than ever before! pic.twitter.com/ElOuMhNRfm
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) August 2, 2019
Erickson told Secrets, “Georgia is undoubtedly going to be a state Democrats target. I think the vice president coming to this event sends a big signal that the Trump team takes nothing for granted in the run up to 2020 and also that they understand mobilization of conservatives will be a key part of their strategy.”
Also, he said, “having been a vocal member of Never Trump in 2020, I hope it sends a signal that a lot of us who didn’t support the president in 2016 are doing so now and might help others do the same.”
Care and feeding of conservatives is a passion for Pence, who is part of the key political team in the West Wing.
The last week was typical for him. He started the week speaking to the Leadership Institute with conservative icon Morton Blackwell, spoke to the Young America’s Foundation on Wednesday, and is attending the Teneo Network’s retreat on Friday.
#YAFCon has outdone itself once again. So grateful for this amazing experience to get to know @VP Mike Pence and hear about his commitment to free speech. pic.twitter.com/4B0SDp6Bk4
— Sarah Long (@sarahlongUF) July 31, 2019
Young America’s Foundation’s Spencer Brown said, “Like Reagan, the vice president realizes that the Conservative Movement is not simply about winning the next election, we exist to win over the next generation.”
2020 reelection campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said, “Vice President Pence is a great asset to the Trump administration and the reelection campaign, communicating the message of the president’s successes that appeal to conservatives across the country.”
For many in Washington, Pence’s laser focus on conservatives and their issues is nothing new and dates to his days as a House leader in the 2000s.
We were honored to attend the discussion with VP Mike Pence and to speak to the Leadership Institute’s field rep class this week! https://t.co/GzebxJYFT4
— CFACT Campus (@CFACTCampus) July 31, 2019
“Since his time in Congress, Vice President Pence has been a trusted friend of conservatives,” said Tommy Binion, vice president of government relations for the Heritage Foundation. “His latest efforts aren’t new, but a continuation of a lifetime of work together in the trenches of politics and public policy. Pence’s actions as vice president to protect life, rebuild the military, and preserve our founding values speak louder than any politician’s words,” he added.
I interviewed Pence in 2010 as he readied to run for governor and was wrapping up a series of speeches on the presidency, one of his favorite topics since he was a Democrat and fan of JFK.
At the time he criticized former President Barack Obama as an “example of excess,” and urged him to let American ingenuity take over. “You get government under control; you get government out of the way; then America will come roaring back. And America will be the story again.”
With his and Trump’s leadership, he sees that happening. “I just turned 60, and over the last 60 years we’ve seen the conservative movement rise, and it’s been my great honor to be a small part of that,” he told Blackwell’s group.
“We elected President Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States of America. And now we’re putting into practice all those things that this movement was always all about: appointing strong conservatives to our federal courts at every level, cutting taxes, rolling back regulation, developing America’s energy, and rebuilding our military, and standing for a strong national defense.”
