Man, remember 2016? That election was like nothing we'd seen before. When Trump named Mike Pence as his running mate, honestly, my first thought was "Who?" I mean, sure, political junkies knew him, but your average voter? Not so much. Turns out that pick became way more important than anyone guessed.
Let's get real about Trump's vice president 2016 choice. It wasn't just some random decision. There was serious strategy behind it. See, Trump needed someone to calm the GOP establishment while keeping the base fired up. Pence seemed perfect for that tightrope walk.
The VP Selection Process: How Mike Pence Got Chosen
Trump's team looked at over a dozen names. They had binders full of research, did background checks, the whole nine yards. I talked to a staffer who was in the room during vetting - said they spent weeks debating this. Timing was nuts too. Trump actually announced Pence right before the RNC convention kicked off in Cleveland. Classic Trump move, stealing the spotlight.
Why Pence over others? Three big things:
- Midwest appeal: As Indiana governor, he could help in swing states like Wisconsin and Ohio
- Evangelical cred: Trump needed those voters badly
- Washington experience: Pence knew how Congress worked from his House years
| Potential VP Candidate | Strengths | Why Not Chosen |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Christie | Early Trump supporter, tough image | Bridgegate scandal too damaging |
| Newt Gingrich | Policy heavyweight, name recognition | Too similar to Trump's bombastic style |
| Jeff Sessions | First Senator to endorse Trump | Already slated for Attorney General |
| Mike Pence | Swing state appeal, conservative credentials | SELECTED |
The rollout was messy though. Trump's plane had mechanical issues flying to the announcement event. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up. Then he tweeted the news before telling Pence officially. Typical 2016 chaos.
Mike Pence's Background Before Becoming Trump's Running Mate
Pence wasn't some overnight success. Dude worked his way up the hard way. Lost two congressional races before finally winning Indiana's 2nd district in 2000. Served 12 years in the House, even chaired the Republican Conference.
Fun fact: Before politics, he hosted a local radio show in Indiana. Always thought that explained his smooth delivery on camera. But here's where it gets interesting - as governor, he signed that Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 2015. Caused massive backlash from businesses. I remember Apple's Tim Cook and even NASCAR slamming it.
Key Milestones in Pence's Career
| Year | Position | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2001-2013 | U.S. Representative | Authored 90 bills; House Republican Conference Chair |
| 2013-2017 | Indiana Governor | Largest state tax cut in Indiana history |
| 2016 | VP Candidate | Selected as Trump's running mate on July 15, 2016 |
That governor stint was crucial. See, Trump had zero government experience. Pence gave the ticket executive branch credibility. Smart move, honestly. Though I still think his social conservatism turned off some suburban women.
The Campaign Impact of Trump's 2016 VP Choice
Pence's debate performance against Tim Kaine? Absolute clinic. Kaine came out swinging, interrupting constantly. Pence just stayed calm behind that podium, barely changing expression. "Did you work on your poker face or what?" my buddy texted me during the debate. He nailed the traditional VP role - attack dog without looking mean.
Campaign Trail Reality Check: Travel schedules showed Pence spent 42% of his time in just three states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, and North Carolina. That wasn't accidental - it was surgical targeting of must-win states.
The ticket balanced each other strangely well. Trump's rallies were all fire and energy. Pence would follow with policy-heavy events for the think tank crowds. Saw this firsthand at a Philadelphia event - room full of policy wonks nodding along to Pence's detailed tax reform talk.
Key Contributions During Campaign
- Fundraising: Helped raise $100M+ in final two months
- Evangelical Outreach: Secured 81% white evangelical vote (Pew Research)
- Debate Performance: 48% of viewers said Pence won vs. 28% for Kaine (CNN poll)
Pence as Vice President: What He Actually Did
Once elected, Trump's vice president 2016 became something unusual - a traditional conservative inside a chaotic administration. Pence chaired the coronavirus task force (remember those daily briefings?), cast tie-breaking Senate votes, and made 42 international trips.
He kept this unreal schedule. Read somewhere he averaged 14-hour days. The West Wing staff called him "the most disciplined man in Washington." Kinda ironic considering who his boss was, right?
| Responsibility | Specific Actions | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Senate President | Cast 13 tie-breaking votes | Key for tax reform and judicial confirmations |
| Administration Liaison | Weekly lunches with Trump | Reported to smooth policy implementation |
| Foreign Envoy | Visited 46 countries | Strengthened alliances in Asia and Middle East |
But here's what people forget - Pence had real influence on policy. He pushed hard for that space force thing. And when the administration rolled back environmental regulations? Yeah, that had Pence's fingerprints all over it.
The Trump-Pence Dynamic: Better Than People Think?
Everyone assumed they'd clash constantly. Honestly? For three years it worked surprisingly well. Trump gave Pence wide latitude on domestic policy stuff. Saw this at a governors' meeting - Pence running the show while Trump listened.
"Pence was the transmission belt between Trump and the Republican establishment" - GOP strategist who worked with both
But January 6th changed everything. When Pence refused to overturn the election results? Man, that was political divorce papers. Trump supporters chanting "Hang Mike Pence" outside the Capitol - still gives me chills thinking about it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trump's 2016 VP
Not really. Documents show Trump seriously considered Christie and Gingrich first. But Pence emerged as the safest pick after weeks of internal debate.
Huge in the Midwest. His Indiana connections helped deliver Wisconsin (+0.7%) and Michigan (+0.2%) by razor-thin margins. Without those 26 electoral votes? Trump loses.
$230,700 annually - same as all modern VPs. But get this: He donated his congressional pension to charity while serving.
At the Naval Observatory (the official VP residence). Funny story - he installed a basketball hoop despite security concerns. Classic Indiana move.
The Lasting Significance of This VP Pick
Looking back, Mike Pence as Trump's 2016 running mate accomplished exactly what he was hired to do. He bridged gaps Trump couldn't. Delivered Indiana and helped secure the Midwest. Gave evangelicals comfort. That ticket might've lost without him.
But man, that ending. Never seen a president-VP relationship implode so spectacularly. Makes you wonder if Pence regrets taking the job knowing how it would finish. He got his place in history, but at what cost?
Trump's vice president 2016 choice remains fascinating years later. It showed how VP picks can actually sway elections. Changed how campaigns vet candidates too - now they do deeper background checks after the Pence experience. Love him or hate him, Mike Pence shaped that administration in ways we're still figuring out.
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