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Donald Trump introduced Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate on Saturday, calling him his first choice to join him on the Republican presidential ticket. Pence publically accepted Trump's offer calling Trump a "good man." (July 16) AP
The GOP's presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump shakes hand with his vice presidential running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on July 16, 2016, during a press conference in New York.(Photo: Kena Betancur, AFP/Getty Images)
NEW YORK<span style="color: Red;">*</span>— Donald Trump said Saturday that Indiana Gov.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Mike Pence will be "my partner" in a fight to change the United States by rebuilding the manufacturing sector at home and fighting terrorism from abroad.
"We are in a rigged, rigged system," Trump said in unveiling his new running mate<span style="color: Red;">*</span>during a Saturday morning event in New York City.
Pence — who spoke after nearly 30 minutes of Trump talking more about himself than his new running mate —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>described himself as he frequently does, as "a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican -— in that order."
In thanking Trump for his appointment, the Indiana governor<span style="color: Red;">*</span>described the New York businessman as a "builder," a "fighter," and a "patriotic American" who will bring "no-nonsense leadership" to Washington, D.C.
Hitting another major theme of the campaign, Pence drew a standing ovation from Trump supporters when he declared that the<span style="color: Red;">*</span>main reason he accepted the<span style="color: Red;">*</span>offer is “because Hillary Clinton can never become president of the United States.”
The formal introduction<span style="color: Red;">*</span>came<span style="color: Red;">*</span>a day after the Republican candidate had planned to make it. The real estate mogul had postponed the event<span style="color: Red;">*</span>after the terrorist attack in the French city of<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Nice,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>and amid reports that he was wavering on the Pence pick.
Pushing back on those reports, Trump said Saturday Pence was "my first choice" for the running mate slot.
Contrasting his new running mate with his Democratic election opponent, Trump said Pence is "a man of honor," while "Hillary Clinton is the embodiment of corruption."
There appeared to be as many Trump supporters as journalists in attendance at the announcemetn, as the businessman's backers<span style="color: Red;">*</span>filled five rows of seats in a Hilton<span style="color: Red;">*</span>ballroom that<span style="color: Red;">*</span>was not expanded to its full size.
The Trump-ites reacted most enthusiastically to Pence's denunciation of Clinton.
“That totally resonated with me,” said Scott Fintz, a “born and bred” New Yorker and newly registered Republican who added that<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Pence would not have been his choice.
“I’m not a fan of the evangelical side,” Fintz said, though he added that he understands how Pence rounds out the anti-Clinton<span style="color: Red;">*</span>ticket.
“To prevent the alternative?" he said. "Totally understandable."
Trump picked Pence in part because of the governor's popularity with religious conservatives. In introducing him, the nominee-in-waiting<span style="color: Red;">*</span>made sure to speak at length about changing a federal law that bars churches from engaging in political activity.
In praising Pence's record, Trump also said that "one of the big reasons I chose Mike is party unity, I have to be honest."
Trump introduced<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Pence two days before the start of the Republican convention in Cleveland.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Saying that "we're going to have an incredible convention," the candidate<span style="color: Red;">*</span>also taunted "Never Trump" opponents who failed to change the voting rules in a bid to somehow derail his nomination.
"They got crushed," Trump said.
USA TODAY
Trump makes it official: Mike Pence is his running mate
After the joint appearance with Trump at the New York Hilton Midtown, Pence flew<span style="color: Red;">*</span>back for a "welcome home rally" in Zionsville, Ind. — an event<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Trump is not scheduled to attend.
USA TODAY
Pence 'very excited' to be Trump's No. 2 on GOP ticket
In an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Pence downplayed or reversed past differences he has had with Trump.
The Indiana governor, who had criticized the businessman<span style="color: Red;">*</span>for his proposed temporary ban on Muslim entry into the United States, told Fox News "I<span style="color: Red;">*</span>am very supportive of Donald Trump's call to temporarily suspend immigration from countries where terrorists (have)<span style="color: Red;">*</span>influence."
And on trade,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Pence said that while he supports free trade, he agrees with Trump that current agreements should be revisited.
"When we elect one of the best negotiators in the world as president of the United States, I'm open to renegotiating<span style="color: Red;">*</span>these trade agreements," Pence said.
USA TODAY
Analysis: For Trump, Pence pick is all about conservatives
In his remarks introducing Pence, Trump noted that the governor actually endorsed Ted Cruz during the Indiana primary.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>But Trump, whose win in Indiana forced Cruz from the race and virtually clinched the Republican nomination, noted that Pence also had nice things to say about him at the time, calling it<span style="color: Red;">*</span>"the greatest non-endorsement in history."
Trump also<span style="color: Red;">*</span>discussed<span style="color: Red;">*</span>the Nice attack,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>criticizing<span style="color: Red;">*</span>the Obama administration and<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Clinton over their foreign policy, and vowing<span style="color: Red;">*</span>to protect the United States from terrorism through "strength." He described himself and Pence as the "law and order" candidates.
Republicans who have criticized Trump on various<span style="color: Red;">*</span>issues praised his selection of<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Pence.
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush, who has refused to endorse Trump, tweeted that<span style="color: Red;">*</span>"Mike Pence is a good man," and "he<span style="color: Red;">*</span>will add value to the ticket."
USA TODAY
Republicans praise Pence as Trump running mate
Democrats mocked the selection, saying Pence's efforts to block abortion rights and promote the interests of the wealthy will turn off moderate voters. The campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton denounced Trump as "the most extreme VP pick in a generation."
Trump and Pence meet the press after a somewhat chaotic selection process that played out in recent days.
The candidate and his aides reacted angrily over news leaks Thursday about Pence's selection. In the meantime, Trump heard last-minute pleas from backers of the other two vice presidential finalists, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former House speaker Newt Gingrich.
As late as Thursday —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>even as Pence sat in a New York hotel, having flown in from Indiana — Trump told Fox News that he had not yet made his "final, final decision."
Late Friday morning, however,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Trump confirmed his choice on Twitter:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>“I am pleased to announce that I have chosen Governor Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential running mate," he tweeted. Trump's campaign denied he had ever wavered on Pence.
Reporters on<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Saturday<span style="color: Red;">*</span>chuckled at one of the pre-event musical selections: The Rolling Stones'<span style="color: Red;">*</span>“You Can’t Always Get What You Want."
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[h=2]More coverage of the Republican presidential ticket:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>[/h]USA TODAY
Clinton campaign: Pence 'most extreme' VP pick in generation
USA TODAY
Pence pick brings abortion debate to the forefront
USA TODAY
Trump-Pence logo raises eyebrows on Twitter
USA TODAY
3 times Mike Pence distanced himself from Donald Trump
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