GOP delegates applaud Trump's VP pick
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 Date: November 8, 2016 |
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July 18, 2016
By Jim Barnes
This is one of multiple surveys Ballotpedia will be publishing during the conventions. Stay tuned for additional results in the coming days ahead.
Cleveland, Ohio— In a Ballotpedia survey of nearly 300 Republican National Convention delegates, Donald Trump’s selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to be his running mate was widely applauded. More than four out of five who responded said they were satisfied with Trump’s tapping of Pence—and half of the respondents said they were “enthusiastic” about the pick. While some delegates expressed reservations about Pence, even those who were not Trump delegates were pleased with the selection, with roughly two out of five saying that they were “enthusiastic” about the choice of the Indiana governor.
One of Trump’s goals in Cleveland is to unify his party for the fall campaign. While Pence may not have been an outspoken voice, like former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, or a political chum, like New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Pence is a reassuring choice for many Republicans.
“The selection of Gov. Pence will unify the Republican Party, uniting conservatives with Trump’s populism,” predicted Gordon Denlinger of Pennsylvania. “Mike Pence is a strong conservative and will help Donald Trump pull a lot of weight on the ticket,” added Linda Brickman of Arizona. “He's strong on the Second [Amendment],” noted Theresa Manzella of Montana. “Good on taxes.”
Ballotpedia emailed questions to Republican convention delegates on Sunday and Monday, and 291 responded. The geographic make-up of the respondents resembles the overall regional composition of the 2,472 convention delegates.
While the stagecraft of introducing Trump’s running mate got poor marks from some reporters, that doesn’t seem to have dampened the delegates’ support for Pence. “He is a great Governor,” said James Stansbury of Kentucky, chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. “It shows that Mr. Trump knows how to select talent.”
Others felt that Pence’s six terms in the House of Representatives would be an asset in a Trump White House. “He has knowledge of Congress which is important in a VP,” said Ada Fisher of North Carolina. “As a governor he has done well with Indiana’s economy which is important.”
Some delegates noted that Pence is not the most charismatic candidate. “He is perfect, just not exciting, white toast,” said Gloria Lee Snover of Pennsylvania. Another wondered about the chemistry between the straight-laced Pence and the theatrical Trump. “I do not think they will be able to work together,” said Anita Stapleton of Colorado.
Not all of the delegates were impressed by Pence. “A mediocre governor and poor advocate of the policies he tried to advance,” judged Melanie Sturm of Colorado.
And while Pence may generate a lot of goodwill from the delegates here in Cleveland, that isn’t always transferred to the man whom they will watch accept their nomination on Thursday night. “Pence would be a better presidential nominee than the presumptive one,” cracked a delegate from a southern delegation, who chose to remain anonymous. “It does not make me feel better about the presumptive nominee, but Pence is a good choice,” echoed another. Added a third from a midwestern state, Pence’s selection was “not enough to make me vote for Trump.”
James A. Barnes is a senior writer at Ballotpedia who has covered every Democratic and Republican national convention since 1984. He is in Cleveland and Philadelphia for Ballotpedia in July. Contact media@ballotpedia.org with interview inquiries.
See also
- Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016
- Mike Pence vice presidential campaign, 2016
- Republican National Convention, 2016
