“For those of you who don’t know me – which is most of you – I grew up on the front row of the American Dream.” Indiana Governor Mike Pence began introducing himself to America at the Republican National Convention, as he accepted the GOP’s nomination for vice president with a career-defining speech.
The stakes could hardly have been any higher for Mike Pence. The name at the top of the ticket has been plastered all over buildings, ties, steaks, resorts, vodka, an ethically questionable university…you get the idea. Hardly anyone outside of Indiana knew the Pence brand before last night. He also had the added burden of reclaiming the narrative from Ted Cruz, who was booed off the stage following his pointed non-endorsement of Donald Trump.
Pence introduced himself as a family man, from an apolitical family, who only joined the GOP during the Reagan Revolution. He proudly showed off his two daughters and his son, who is a Marine. He praised his wife of thirty-one years as the best thing that ever happened to him. Pence even lauded the Trump kids: “As we say back home, you can’t fake good kids! How about his amazing children?”
If Donald Trump is a shot, then Mike Pence is a chaser – standard, pleasant, and takes the sting out.
Pence touted his economic record as governor of Indiana. He shrunk the size of the state government’s bureaucracy, cut taxes every year he was in office, and built a $2 billion surplus. This dose of proven fiscal conservatism could sway voters who are concerned about Donald Trump’s lack of policy experience. Pence also served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The speech was full of vague praise for Donald Trump. “On the world stage, Donald Trump will lead from strength.” “I’ve seen this good man up close, his utter lack of pretense, his respect for the people who work for him, and his devotion to his family.” Much like Melania Trump’s speech, it had not a single anecdote to illustrate Trump’s character.
Pence gave a brief survey of conservative positions. Schools? We should choose them! Coal? We should mine it! Pence had plenty to say about Hillary Clinton, even giving her a Trumpian nickname: “Secretary of the Status Quo.” The GOP, he contends, is the party of innovation and change.
Since Hillary Clinton has not named her VP, Pence does not know who he’ll be debating on the national stage in a few weeks. He gave America an outline of what he believes – and now he needs to color within those lines, creating a consistent image that lends credibility to the Trump-Pence ticket.
