In the end Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick emerged in typical style, blurted out on Twitter. On Thursday night, as the horrors from Nice played out on TV screens, the bombastic billionaire said he was cancelling Friday’s event to unveil his running mate. A rare moment of sensitivity. It didn’t last. Hours later he ended speculation with a Twitter announcement. ‘I am pleased to announce that I have chosen Governor Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential running mate. News conference tomorrow at 11:00am,’ he wrote.
It marked the end of what CNN had clumsily dubbed the VPprentice, with Trump publicly announcing his three final candidates almost as if it were a reality TV show. Chris Christie, governor of New Jersey, and Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, were the two runners-up.
Here’s why Pence won through.
Firstly, he brings the base. Pence is known to describe himself as ‘a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order’.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in