Donald Trump’s 2016 choice of Mike Pence seemed a smart move. Pence roundly beat Tim Kaine in the vice presidential debates, helped solidify Trump’s base against a veritable mutiny by deep state opponents, and, unlike other Trump picks, Pence has been publicly loyal.
The Mueller probe fizzled and the economy roared under Trump, while his court appointments and stands on immigration, China, and Iran boosted him with grassroots Republicans.
Everything looked rosy for Trump and Pence, then came the double whammy resets from the coronavirus and George Floyd. Faced with high unemployment, rising fear and falling polls, Trump can no longer afford promising more of the same.