Mike Pence as VP: Donald Trump's Stroke of Genius (Evangelicals Rejoice)



It's a stroke of genius. By choosing Mike Pence as his vice-presidential running mate, Donald Trump just gave his campaign a huge booster shot of credibility. In one pivotal move, Trump was able to accomplish a myriad of outstanding matters.

First of all, picking a rock-ribbed conservative like Pence will give Republicans on Capitol Hill a big sigh of relief and should get them much more excited about the GOP ticket. After spending more than a decade in Congress, Pence is respected on the Hill and is considered a thoughtful, measured conservative. In essence, he's statesman-like.

That helps Trump in immeasurable ways considering the presumptive presidential nominee is the equivalent of chugging multiple five-hour energy drinks after an all-night toga party. Pence is more like drinking chamomile tea on a breezy afternoon in the English countryside. He's soothing. It's just what the ticket needs. This is the unity move.

Secondly, Pence is beloved in the evangelical community. He's always been solid on the life and marriage issues and is as pro-Israel as they come. For the most part, he's been very good on the religious liberty issue but he'll get some pushback from some evangelical leaders because they say he caved to LGBT pressure on the controversial religious freedom law in Indiana.

This will be something he'll have to navigate but other than that issue, it's pretty much clear sailing with evangelicals. The bigger point here is that Trump’s choice of Pence signals to evangelicals that a faithful conservative Christian will have a major influence in a Trump administration. That's a big deal and should provide comfort to skeptical evangelical voters.

Another important point here: Pence is made of presidential timber. He looks presidential, sounds presidential, and has the resume. He's also from the heartland of the country, which means he has a way of relating to, "Regular Joes." That plays well with Trump’s blue-collar message. Plus, Pence could help in nearby swing states like Ohio, Michigan, etc.

Finally, in a Trump/Pence ticket it should not be lost on anyone that what we have here are two very savvy communicators with two very distinctive styles. We know Trump is a master of the mainstream media. That's been proven but remember Pence is a former radio talk show host who is very good in front of the camera and doesn't get flustered. He didn't have his best moment with George Stephanopoulos when he fumbled during a discussion of the religious freedom law in Indiana. But overall, he's solid and is low risk of making major mistakes.

This is such a smart pick for all the reasons listed above. Trump didn't need to pick a game-changer VP pick. He didn't need a firebrand attack dog. What he needed was someone who was going to get the Republican Party much more excited and engaged about a Trump administration.

Trump has done that. He has shown that, while he may not be the typical conservative blueprint candidate, he's smart enough to understand that he needs solid conservatives like Pence around him to not only get elected but to govern too.

Trump knows the "art of the deal" and by choosing Pence, he's taken a giant step towards sealing the deal with the GOP.

http://www1.cbn.com/thebrodyfile/arc...licals-rejoice