It's Pence! . . . We think

By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host

Stunner?  Perhaps.  It is being reported that Donald Trump's probable pick for his running mate is Indiana Governor Mike Pence.  The official announcement will be on Friday.

Pence, if he is the choice, is a great choice.  A social conservative, a person who believes in cutting spending, and an experienced executive as governor of a State, Pence is a Vice Presidential pick that should draw in both conservatives, and the supporters of the Republican establishment.  The announcement has led to Pence dropping his re-election bid in Indiana to become Donald Trump’s running mate.

While much of the speculation revolved around Newt Gingrich or Chris Christie, Pence was always in the conversation, and of the three, was the pick that would most likely encourage conservative voter support.  That said, the pick is not official, yet.  According to Trump's national campaign spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, "a decision has not been made."

The official announcement is scheduled for Friday, July 15 at 11 a.m. in Manhattan, and if you know Trump, you know that nothing is quite set in stone, just yet.  Unpredictability, in this presidential campaign, has been a trademark of Trump's candidacy.

On Thursday, Pence arrived in Teterboro, N.J., near Manhattan.

Pence, in addition to being the governor of Indiana, is a former U.S. House member and chairman of the House Republican Conference.  The addition of Pence to Trump's campaign would also bring fundraising power and political credibility on a wide range of policy issues that are important to conservatives.

The Republican National Convention begins July 18 in Cleveland, Ohio.

With Pence accepting the V.P. bid, it could put Indiana in a very precarious position, suddenly needing to seek a GOP candidate for governor this late in the season.  The race for governor was already tight, with Pence only leading the Democrat in his State by four percentage points, making the race at this point a virtual tie.  Having to bring in a newcomer may play in favor of the Democrat in the race.

Pence has been a vocal Trump supporter since The Donald clinched the Republican nomination.  Although the Trump campaign has already been making ground on Hillary, and even leads her in the Rasmussen Poll by seven points, the addition of Pence should enable the polls to move in Trump's direction even more.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary