Donald Trump announces Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate (update)

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I was saving time today to write about Donald Trump’s Vice President-announcement, but as the tragedy unfolded last night in Nice, France, Trump ended up canceling his New York event to announce his running mate. The sheer volume of loss in Nice is unimaginable: more than 80 people are now dead and 100 injured after a terrorist driving an eighteen-wheeler drove through a crowd of people (including small children) who were simply enjoying Bastille Day fireworks. Trump tweeted:

Another horrific attack, this time in Nice, France. Many dead and injured. When will we learn? It is only getting worse. In light of the horrible attack in Nice, France, I have postponed tomorrow’s news conference concerning my Vice Presidential announcement. My prayers and condolences to the victims and families of the terrible tragedy in Nice, France. We are with you in every way!

[From Trump’s Twitter]

Hillary Clinton canceled events as well, and she issued a statement:

“Once again, it appears that terrorists have struck at one of our closest allies in Europe, attacking families celebrating the history and culture of their country on Bastille Day. Every American stands in strong solidarity with the people of France, and we say with one voice: we will not be intimidated. We will never allow terrorists to undermine the egalitarian and democratic values that underpin our very way of life. This cowardly attack only strengthens our commitment to our alliance and to defeating terrorism around the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured, and with all our friends in France.”

[From People]

President Obama, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and leaders around the world also reacted to the latest French terrorist attack, and one of the most surreal moments I have ever seen was watching Francois Hollande address the people of France at 3:30 am in Paris.

As for Donald Trump’s running mate, he’s reportedly chosen Governor Mike Pence. Pence apparently got the call last night and was all prepared to do an event today with Trump, but Trump postponed the formal announcement and now there’s a rumor going around that Trump changed his mind (because executive leadership!!). Pence is the (unpopular) governor of Indiana, known for being a hardline conservative. He signed that “Religious Freedom” bill which basically gave homophobes the right to discriminate against LGBTQ people. He’s anti-union, anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-science, anti-immigrant and pro-gun. You can read Media Matters’ primer on Pence here. Even with that record, he’s seen as the “safe” choice compared to the other people on Trump’s VP shortlist. I was sort of hoping for Chris Christie, because that would have been the biggest, angriest mess of a ticket in history. I never thought Newt Gingrich really had a shot, and it sort of seemed like Newt didn’t even want it.

Update: Trump officially announced Gov. Pence as his running mate.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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125 Responses to “Donald Trump announces Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate (update)”

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  1. Lucy2 says:

    I’m glad it wasn’t Chris Christie- he has spent the second term of his governorship campaigning for himself and then campaigning for Trump, and ignoring the state which hired him. I’m glad after all that brown nosing, he now has to crawl back and maybe do his job for once.

    • Lahdidahbaby says:

      Hope he doesn’t take his disappointment out on the bridges.

      • Kitten says:

        LOL!

      • lucy2 says:

        He already has (and not by walking over them, ba-dum-dum). He shut down a ton of road and bridge projects in the state because he and the Senate are bickering over a big gas tax increase.

    • gwen says:

      He’s probably crouched down in a closet somewhere emotionally eating a couple of big macs.

      • Bread and Circuses says:

        As much as I dislike Christie, he probably dodged a bullet. Trying to stay on the good side of Trump, keep your sanity, and keep track of all the head-spinning inconsistencies that arise around Racist Cheeto can’t possibly be easy.

    • EM says:

      I was hoping to unload him on Trump for good.

      • SwissJess says:

        Sorry! It is Indiana’s honor this round to unload our wonderful governor…enjoy learning about all the fantastic (not) and beneficial (def. not) things he has done for the Hoosier state. Bye, Felicia!

  2. lilacflowers says:

    Poor Chris Christie, always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Well, in this case, he isn’t even the bridesmaid;, he’s the guest book attendant. Maybe Eppie Calvin can teach him how to rant on Twitter.

    • Lahdidahbaby says:

      Yup. He was never to be Trump’s bride, more like Trump’s bridge.

      Karma, I guess, Chris.

  3. lisa2 says:

    Does Chris Christie wake up everyday and realize that he is Donald Trump’s B****. That He sold his soul for nothing. He should have known better. Trump IMO would have never ever picked Christie. He played him, used him. And like all bullies Christie is just that sad kid waiting in the background for Trump to throw him crumbs. He’s pathetic at this point. Just a sad JOKE

    • Tate says:

      He really does look so completely pathetic. What a fool.

    • Esmom says:

      Seriously.

    • Jayna says:

      Christie is a joke at this point. The guy lost all of his dignity kissing up to Trump, or what little dignity he had left. LOL

    • EM says:

      I have true disdain for Christie but he’s not a dumb man. If Trump is elected (and the polls are freaking me out!), he will have a very good position in the administration (i.e. AG).

      • Dlo says:

        This! Who Trump surrounds himself with scares me more than Trump! Heaven forbid Sarah Palin may be tapped for something, giving myself nightmares now

  4. Megan says:

    Pence’s so-called religious freedom law goes beyond discrimination of gay people. It can also be used to discriminate against people of other faiths.

    • lilacflowers says:

      Yup.

    • Lahdidahbaby says:

      …and he likes women about the same as he likes gays. So on that count he’ll be perfect for the Donald.

    • lucy2 says:

      No wonder Trump likes him.

      • Sarah says:

        The only group Donald hadn’t insulted and demonized was LGBTs, so now his work is complete.

    • Esmom says:

      I was driving through NW Indiana last weekend (it’s a red state but that corner is very blue) and I was just tickled by so many “Fire Pence” signs, a few different varieties of them, planted on all the lawns. Warmed my heart.

      • Lahdidahbaby says:

        Love hearing that, Esmom. Gives me hope when people will publicly defy such a draconian figure.

      • SweetCaroline says:

        I live in NW Indiana, and most of us here really despise Pence. He’s totally anti-unions, teachers, social programs, etc. He cut so many programs while hoarding our tax money, so he could act like he saved the state from financial ruin. He’s a total douche!!!

    • Size Does Matter says:

      So it’s Trump and Trumper, basically.

      • Pabena6 says:

        BaZING!

      • Belle Epoch says:

        Trump and Trumper! We have a winner!

        This guy is heinous. Despicable. An atrocity. He signed a bill forcing pregnant women to carry grossly disabled and deformed babies to term. Fortunately the courts threw it out. He shut down Planned Parenthood clinics, including those that did NOT do abortions. Without readily available STD testing, he started an HIV epidemic in one of his own towns. And on and on…..

    • saras says:

      Oh don’t forget he wants to make women cremate or bury miscarriages and abortions plus not allow women who are pregnant with developmentally disabled/ birth defects to be able to terminate the pregnancies! This guy is freaking awful! Women are under attack! Get out and vote!

  5. Merritt says:

    Pence is a terrible governor. He has cut public health funding to the point that roughly a third of pregnant women in Indiana don’t receive prenatal care. He is also anti-gay and has supported conversion therapy.

    • Zip says:

      I wonder how people like this get elected. Who is voting for them when all they seem to do is make everything worse?

      • Lynnie says:

        Ignorance, misinformation, “fiscal responsibility”, and “good Christian values.”

      • Tate says:

        Those “good Christian values” are hurting a lot of people in this country. And Trump pretending to be a good Christian is vomit inducing.

      • Insomniac says:

        Unfortunately, the people who support this kind of stuff seem way more likely to show up at the polls for non-Presidential elections.

    • K says:

      Wait that’s terrible a 1/3 of women aren’t getting care they need while pregnant? So their unborn children aren’t either? Horrifying.

      Venturing a guess this man who made it so women who want their children can’t get medical care while pregnant also made it nearly impossible to get an abortion for those who don’t right?

      • Megan says:

        Yep, he signed into law one of the most restrictive abortion bills in the country. He also slashed funding for Planned Parenthood, which forced the closure of five clinics and drastically reduced access to STD testing. As a result, Indiana is experiencing an HIV outbreak crisis.

      • Carol says:

        The opioid epidemic is being blamed for the HIV outbreak in Indiana, not Pence’s conservative ways.

    • Tiffany says:

      @Merritt. Yes, that is horrible. I am from Missouri and our state and local elections are coming up and it is stomach churning that these people are proud of the paltform them are running on.

      There could be a silver lining, if he is chosen he cannot run for Governor this term.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      ” a third of pregnant women in Indiana don’t receive prenatal care”

      This is completely unacceptable in a first world country. We have both the means and ability to get these women the care they need.

      Health problems for babies and children lead to societal problems later in life. It impacts education, earning potential, crime, etc. I have been reading about the impact of lead contaminated water on crime rates, and it is truly amazing. If we want to do better for ourselves, we must do better for our young people. I do not have children and don’t plan to , but I agree with Whitney: the children are our future.

  6. DeepThoughtsWithFolgers says:

    “He’s anti-union, anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-science, anti-immigrant and pro-gun.” So he’s anti-life?

    • Llc says:

      I live in Indiana. He is absolutely that awful. You nailed it. He even tried to get a state run news service off the ground. People were calling it Pravda on the Plains. Fortunately, critcism was so harsh that he dropped the project.

  7. Eener says:

    Check out Periods For Pence on Facebook. He gives me serial killer vibes. How did he get to be governor with the rhetoric?

    • Lahdidahbaby says:

      I have a hobby of reading faces, have done for decades, and for whatever it’s worth (probably not very much!), I find his face deeply unsettling because I see a kind of smug judgment in it and a creepy insularity that suggests this is a self-righteous man who listens to no one but himself and feels superior to normal mortals, as if he were ordained by a higher power. Sadly for him, that higher power is the Cheeto-faced Donald Trump.

      • Belle Epoch says:

        I agree about his face. Usually you can’t see his eyes at all. Who is back there?

    • Jayna says:

      I agree. He gives me the creeps. He has a Stepford look about him, also. He’s a total zealot, obviously.

  8. Franklymydear... says:

    Long time reader, first time commenter here. I live in Indiana and it’s embarrassing what Pence has done (or tried to do) in this state. I am surrounded by Trump supporters where I live and it’s so painful. No one can even explain why they like Trump except to say that they think Clinton is such a liar and murderer. Watch Fox News much??? Pence will make a nice running mate to that asshat and they can spread the hateful garbage Pence has been spewing in IN nationwide. Ugh.

    • Kitten says:

      Oh man, I’m sorry to hear this but not surprised. I have a friend from Kokomo and he is a fervent Trump-supporter.

      He’s a good dude and all but I just CANNOT talk politics with him. He’s the type of guy who thinks that racism is a figment of black people’s imagination. Ugh.

      • Toot says:

        That’s a good dude?

      • Kitten says:

        Yeah he really is.
        His politics suck but he’s a genuinely good person.

      • mary s says:

        @Kitten, this is a sincere question. I’m not trying to start drama. Unfortunately, I tend to hold grudges, and it’s hard for me to let go. If I know someone who has beliefs like your friend does towards racism, I completely define the person by that belief. I wouldn’t be able to ever get past it. It’s not little things, like canceling plans at the last minute, it’s more thoughts or beliefs about others’ religion, race, gender, etc. How do you reconcile that? How are you able to see the good in people despite icky things they might believe? It’s a good trait to have.

      • Kitten says:

        @MaryS- just to clarify: it’s not like he denies slavery or pretends that black people NEVER faced discrimination, but he subscribes to the idea that “we had a black president so racism is obviously a thing of the past”. It’s a very privileged and simple view, which…that’s kind of who he is.

        I maintain a casual friendship with him by avoiding the topic of politics. We have fun and we crack jokes and we both love the Patriots and that’s what we bond over.

        But yeah, I could never have a close friendship with him because of that barrier between our beliefs so I TOTALLY get where you’re coming from.

      • mary s says:

        Thanks, Kitten!

    • The Eternal Side-Eye says:

      Welcome to the comments section! Stick around, grab a muffin and join in.

      So would you rate Pence better or worse than Kansas’s Brownback who is also inventing new and amazing ways to kill a state while totally ignoring facts and realities?

      • Fl girl says:

        or Florida’s excuse for a governor, alien look-alike Rick Scott.

      • Kate says:

        Brownback is the absolute worst. Pence at least (previously) tweeted that Trump’s Muslim ban was stupid and he did expand Medicaid under Obamacare. There isn’t anything marginally good that could be said about Brownback. People not from Kansas may scoff, but for a long long time, Kansas had a very good public school system, particularly in suburban Kansas City and Wichita. Brownback took a sledge hammer to that. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of stupid for this guy. He’s turned the place into a dumpster fire.

    • Lahdidahbaby says:

      Welcome to the mix, Frankly. Thanks for weighing in with some inside observations.

    • EM says:

      Describes my neighborhood too – I am THIS close to driving over a Trump sign (oopsie).

  9. Kitten says:

    I’m so sad about Nice. If you’ve ever been there then you know what a gorgeous city it is. I know that no city is immune but it’s just really hard for me to wrap my head around the idea of a terrorist attack in one of the most lovely cities that I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting.

    It’s terrifying to think of how much security they had in place, and this still happened. It will keep happening too. France will always be a huge target for terrorism.
    Positive vibes and love to the citizens of France ♥

    • RedWeatherTiger says:

      It’s terrible, just terrible. And we were just talking about France being targeted so often…why do you think it will always be so? I’m really curious, and I don’t know enough about France to even hazard a decent public guess (or series of guesses).

      • Melly says:

        A significant number of French citizens have left to join ISIS in Syria, one of the highest of any Western nation. French intelligence is trying to monitor over 11,000 people in France on their version of a terrorist watch list.

    • Cran says:

      I have walked all over Nice. That promenade is gorgeous. My heart is aching for the people, the city, the country. Nice is soooo beautiful. This is such a desecration in my eyes.

  10. Lynnie says:

    If you’re anti-public education, how do you sell that? It’s not like even a majority of his constituents could afford private schools/get into charter ones? Ugh, why do people do this to themselves.

    I read that Pence was picked as a way of legitimizing Trump, bringing the evangelical block, and appealing to the moderates who’ve been put off by Trump before. How true is that, because I don’t need this race getting any closer than it already is.

    • Kitten says:

      The evangelicals: YES. The moderates though???
      I can’t imagine Pence appealing to any moderates…

    • Pleaseicu says:

      Evangelicals will be over the moon but they were already lining up to kiss Trump’s behind anyway so I don’t think that will help Trump much.

      Establishment DC Republicans will be happy because “one of their own” is on the ticket to represent them.

      I would imagine moderates would be turned off by Pence once they actually learn his stance on issues and what he’s done in Indiana. He’s far far right on all social issues. Most moderates tend to be centrist or centrist-left or don’t give a rip about issues that religious social conservatives like Pence are obsessed with forcing on everyone. He basically aligns with the Santorum and Cruz’s of the GOP.

      • Lynnie says:

        Ah good. That makes me feel better 😊. Thank you both!

      • Melly says:

        Evangelicals and major GOP donors will like Pence. Personally I hate the guy. But the GOP establishment loves him. He’s a personal friend of Paul Ryan. Pence will help rally the republican base, but he certainly won’t help to broaden it.

    • Imqrious2 says:

      My dad actually liked Trump (ugh!) and was going to vote for him. When I read to him Pence’s laundry list of abominable actions as Gov. he said, “Well, that’s it. He lost my vote.” Yay! Lol.

  11. Triple Cardinal says:

    It really doesn’t matter whom Trump picks as his VP. I’ll still happily vote against him.

  12. Lucy says:

    Mr Pence sure does sound like a catch…

  13. The Eternal Side-Eye says:

    All I really want is for Trump to announce and for a camera to be trained on the loser’s face.

    That is ALL. I. WANT.

    Christie makes the best “What Have I Done?” faces when he realizes he’s lost and while I despise everything associated with that mop bucket an evil wizard cast a spell on called Donald Trump I kinda want an encore of that glorious sight.

    I’m also willing to take Pence losing if he’s also terrible at concealing his feelings while on camera.

  14. Betsy says:

    In lieu of incisive politically commentary, I offer this shallow, but telling bit: this man looks like Voldemort.

    Same policies, too!

  15. Catherine says:

    Trump/Pence ….. Has anyone noticed it sounds and feels like a “tuppence”

    Tuppence Defined: “a sum of two pennies”, “a trivial sum, worthless”
    #waytogoamerica

    • EM says:

      Yes, if you read The Guardian some of the commenters began this last night and some of those comments were hysterical.

  16. Andrea says:

    Wow, will this sink the ship like Palin did for MCCain? I sure hope so!

    • Esmom says:

      I don’t know that it’s the best analogy, as I already see Trump as Palin-esque.

      But nothing about this election cycle would surprise me anymore.

    • Jayna says:

      I just watched Game Change again this past weekend. It’s free on Amazon Prime. It still floors me about Palin.

      • Esmom says:

        Good to know, thanks. I read the book, really good, but have never seen the movie.

      • gwen says:

        I loved that movie and have watched it numerous times. I hope someone’s writing another juicy behind the scenes book about this election cycle.

    • Melly says:

      Pence is NOT good at answering difficult questions. Watching him trying to defend some bill on George Stephanopoulos and Pence makes himself look like an inept doofus. I hope Hillary picks someone with some debate skills so they can trounce Pence during the debates. The Hillary campaign and supporting super PACS should have a field day creating adds against both Trump and Pence. The Clintons are very good at trying to define an opposing candidate early on. They should be trying to portray Pence as an out of touch, corrupt, zealot. Remember Pence committed what would now be campaign fraud by paying off his mortgage and his wife’s car off with campaign funds. So many other things to say about Pence, but hopefully H-Rod-C will nail that shit down.

  17. Amelie says:

    Trump also issued a public statement re: events in Nice:
    “My prayers and condolences to the victims and families of the terrible tragedy in Nice, France. We are with you in every way!”

    I am interested in running mate choices for both candidates….from what the talking heads say, Pence balances Trump out: Trump=bombastic, in your face, Pence=calm, always polite. Pence has government experience, Trump does not. Pence will help appeal to evangelicals, a group that Trump is struggling with. Pence is thought to be able to handle any VP debates as well. And Pence will hopefully be able to bring in Indiana, Ohio etc.

    Although both Dems and GOP advisors are-I’m sure-providing lots of input to both presidential candidates, whomever they choose will make a statement about them.

    As I have thought about the candidates, that Trump considered-including a retired general-I think Pence was the best choice-IMO.

    • Sam says:

      The former general was widely hated in conservative circles because he is adamantly pro-choice and has said so on multiple occasions. Once that was known, he had no shot. Trump has struggled with social conservatives, due to his own, uh, varied personal life. I know a decent amount of conservatives, especially Christians, who were feeling very icky about Trump as a person. Pence is probably expected to bring in the social conservatives. Pence also is a governor, which means he has real life executive governing experience, something Trump severely lacks.

      I do feel cheated that we missed Chris Christie. Though maybe Trump ditched him once the whole country saw Mrs. Christie rolling her eyes behind Trump. Not that I can blame her. I think Trump doesn’t tolerate any dissent in the ranks.

      • Lambda says:

        Could be that Trump dangles some Attorney General promise in front of Christie? I’ve no basis for this, just speculation.

      • Amelie says:

        @Sam:
        Thanks for your comment. I heard that Lt. General Flynn was a bit too blunt for the Obama administration re: ISIS strategy and that’s what got him fired….

        Re: Trump’s “varied” personal life, the divorce rate in the U.S. is climbing and second marriages/divorces are also becoming all too common. I’ve seen high numbers in groups who consider themselves “religious” too, so I find myself wondering how anyone can use this as a criticism against a candidate. The concept of marriage is no longer, ‘until death due we part.’

        The talking heads are saying that the GOP convention should be calmer with Pence as V.P. choice and that Trump may have successfully derailed any dump trump movement by this choice.

        Christie as VP choice would have been amazing from a debate point of view. Yea, I remember the thing with Christie’s wife and honestly, early on there were multiple video clips with Christie on the dias with Trump looking like, ‘what the heck have I gotten into here?’

        Re: Pence, I will be interested in seeing the polls re: his selection.

      • Amelie says:

        @Lambda:
        Ditto your thought.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        There are so many areas where Trump lacks knowledge. He doesn’t understand international complexities, how government works in regards to the legislative and executive branches, etc. While I think that having a former governor as VP might help in regard to the Federal government working with states, I don’t see him bringing any international relations experience to the ticket…which is sorely needed. Of course, getting a VP that fills all of Trumps flaws would be nearly impossible.

      • Amelie says:

        @Tiffany :):
        I guess everyone has their own priority, mine is foreign policy as I think that the middle east is going to erupt into WW III. The candidate I thought who was well equipped to handle foreign policy and domestic issues didn’t make it out of the primaries. The best equipped people are far too often rejected by the parties.

        Obama had no foreign policy experience and having Biden as V.P.-he was on the Senate Foreign Relations Cmte.-IMO did nothing to strengthen foreign policy under Obama, I remain baffled why Obama-who is 1/2 African-didn’t have robust outreach to Africa at the very least…Then one looks at pulling out of Iraq, despite signs that indicated the situation was still fragile, Libya, etc etc.

        I don’t know what the answer is, but my primary concern is foreign policy and national security and no candidate-including Sec, Clinton-is someone that I have any confidence in.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        Clinton has a great understanding of world relations. She has met with so many world leaders and has been involved in international matters for decades now. She knows about the history and the relationships between the major world powers and areas of the world that are mired in conflict. As someone who is concerned about foreign policy, I think you’d see incredibly vast difference between what Trump has to offer and Hillary Clinton.

      • Amelie says:

        Just to clarify, I didn’t compare Trump & Sec Clinton in my post. In fact, I stated that none of the candidates had the qualifications that I was looking for. But I want to respond to your comments.

        Good Foreign policy includes many skills. I will mention just a few here. Yes, it includes basics of understanding culture, history, foreign governments etc.-I would call these the academic portion-but it also includes the ability to form alliances/working relationships with the players, forecast with accuracy how actions taken now will create future events. It also includes the ability to make
        ” deals”–i.e. treaties etc and use strategy to obtain what is best for the U.S. What is also needed is skill at working with different kinds of people-including those one may have a personal antipathy for. The academic skills can be learned and I am sure that is how Hillary learned them. The latter skills I have mentioned are not academic skills; I would call them innate talent for lack of a better word. Hillary doesn’t have these skills. Also,her reputation over many years as someone who is not honest goes beyond the U.S. and I think it would greatly handicap any work she would do as president in engaging in foreign policy.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        I know that you didn’t specifically compare them, but as there are a limited number of options to chose from when you reference candidates, it is implied that they are being compared. While neither candidate might be your ideal, surely there are ways to compare which one is closer to what you’d like, especially with the vast difference between the candidates in this area.

        I disagree that Hillary doesn’t have the ability to make deals. In fact, she has been involved in treaties and international agreements. Getting China and Russia to agree to strict UN sanctions on Iran. Negotiating a cease fire between Israel and Hamas in 2012. I think saying she doesn’t have the skills isn’t an accurate reflection of what she has already done.

  18. Hollz says:

    This guy might make the Bernie supporters who were leaning towards Trump vote for HRC.
    I’m Canadian, so it’s not like I have a vote, but until I read about Pence, my non-vote would have been a write in for Bernie or Jill. Now I am going to push HRC so frickin’ hard, even though I can’t stand her. Kinda gives a bit of credence to the “Trump is trying to get HRC elected” theories.

    • EM says:

      I think those that were leaning are most likely never Hillary people and will vote for Stein. According to yesterday’s polls though Trump has a double digit lead with independents.

  19. jferber says:

    I think it would have been worse if he chose Newt Gingrich, who is a smart, unscrupulous, wily mofo (who left his wife with cancer for a new piece). Gingrich reminds me more of a Cheney, an oligarch who could very well take over the presidency, just as Cheney did with Bush’s presidency (even Bush’s dad doesn’t like Cheney). This guy Pence reminds me of Rick Perry of Texas–dumb and of no real substance, except getting elected by trampling everybody else’s rights. He is egocentric like the Donald, so they have that in common. And the will-to-power (which they have in common with many dictators). How did we get here? I’m beginning to see how Nazi Germany happened. I see Ruth Bader Ginsburg as truly heroic for standing up for this country. No one else of her stature is willing to do so! Help! We NEED the two Bush presidents to step up and campaign AGAINST Trump. It’s not enough not to get involved. They owe it to their country, although they’re so lazy and entitled they know THEY’LL be fine no matter what happens to this country.

    • Sarah says:

      I agree. Gingrich scared me more, because he’s not stupid.

    • Esmom says:

      Really good points, this actually makes me feel a lot better. Thank you. In fact it did cross my mind earlier that by choosing Pence, maybe Trump actually is trying to lose the election as some have speculated??

  20. Jayna says:

    With all of Hillary’s problems lately and her ratings taking a hit, I’ve developed, for the first time, a fear Trump could win the election because of apathy towards Hillary and not enough voters coming out who are Democrats.

    Please tell me I’m wrong, please. Trump choosing Pence should help her cause as far as getting people out to the polls voting for her, but I still am worried.

    • gwen says:

      I’m afraid you’re not wrong…very afraid.

    • mary s says:

      + another person fearing the worst

      • KBeth says:

        Agreed, the possibility of a Trump presidency is terrifying. My 7 year old would be a better choice.

    • Veronica says:

      No, you should be afraid. My friend is an adamant Bernie supporter, and she’d support Stein before Hillary. I get that Stein’s donations have tripled since the email information came out, but the idea of an independent catching up at this point in the game? If this had happened much earlier in the election, I could be more optimistic because never has the field had more potential for independents than now. Stein would’ve had time to build a base, compete at a more significant level. But it’s TOO LATE now. Trump has too much momentum. I’m angry with Hillary for lying. I’m angry at the DNC for being arrogant enough to think this stuff wouldn’t come out during the election. I’m angry at a country that would bring a man like Trump to power. I’m angry that as an independent, I don’t feel there’s a viable candidate I can support without feeling pressured to vote for the “lesser evil.” But most of all, I’m scared for what this election may mean for America in the future.

      • Amelie says:

        I think that the media bears much responsibility for not covering all primary candidates equally- rather the candidates seen as each party’s front runner( and who have the financial backing of the big bucks people) get coverage.

      • Veronica says:

        That I absolutely agree with.

  21. mellie says:

    From all of us in the great state of Indiana, that have been made to look like a bunch of bigots due to Gov. Pence’s idiocy….good riddance!

  22. Sarah says:

    Perfect!!! Trump is anti-black, anti-Hispanic, anti-Muslim and Pence just completed the Circle of Hate because he is anti-LGBT!! All bases covered, Donald!!!

  23. The Eternal Side-Eye says:

    To all the citizens of New Jersey you have my deepest consolences as the hot air balloon formerly known as Chris Christie will be returning to your still fragile shores.

    Hide your bridges and protect your reporters.

  24. Jonas says:

    Wahhabists in Saudi Arabia…Why hasn’t the US govt released these 28 pages? Why were these 28 pages redacted to begin with?

    http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/14/politics/28-pages-on-alleged-saudi-arabia-ties-to-sept-11-attacks-to-be-released/index.html

  25. Veronica says:

    I was going to vote independent this election, but Pence scares the hell out of me where women’s rights and LGBT issues are concerned. I get that the VP doesn’t do much, but…holy sh*t, this election. This f*%#ing election.

    • Jayna says:

      His choice says everything about the mindset of the the Republican Party pairing those two up together to cover all the the bases to tap into the far right zealot base that Trump wants to support him to win the election. There is nothing progressive happening in the GOP. Promoting hate, fear, racism, trying to squash women’s rights, on and on.

      When will the Republican Party ever learn? I thought they would have the last election. They are still trying to run on a platform that shouldn’t work in today’s society. The rhetoric Trump used to become the nominee is frightening, that so many in our country loved it and voted for him in the primaries.

  26. Ariadne says:

    Can we delete this year from existence?

  27. Dangles says:

    So who’s Wall Street Hillary going to name as her running mate? Sanders?

  28. jferber says:

    Dangles, my bet is Corey Booker.

  29. Cerys says:

    A well-matched pair of nutters. I fear for us all if Trump is elected.

  30. jinglebellsmell says:

    Oh how I wish he had taken Chris Christie to get him OUT OF NEW JERSEY!!!!!