Mediaboss Marketing

What is Mike Pence thinking, I often ask myself.

That bespeaks a dull life, for sure. Still the more broken the Trump presidency, the more intriguing the question. The vice president is usually as loyal as a St. Bernard, sticking with a version of the platitude he uttered right after the Comey firing suitable for any scandal: Whatever Washington, D.C., may be focused on at any given time, rest assured, President Donald Trump will never stop fighting for the issues that matter most to the American people.

And so on. But last week, the vice-presidential veneer cracked at an event a few miles from the White House when whatever Washington, D.C., was focused on was Trumps eldest son emailing I love it about a meeting promising damaging information about Hillary Clinton delivered aspart of Russia and its governments support for Mr. Trump.

Whats not to love?

A day earlier Pence had already washed his hands of the latest debacle. Through his spokesman, Pence said,He was not aware of the meeting, or stories about it, especially those pertaining to the time before he joined the campaign.

He continued the distancing in the form of Pep Talk to Self before student leaders at American University the next morning as Time magazine wasrolling off the presses with the headline Red Handed placed over Don Jr.s face. He described good leaders as those in their physical lives and organizations who practice self-control and practice discipline, and have humilitystarkly at odds with you-know-who. Alluding to his own position, he described the attributes of servant leadership as requiring respect for authority, and listening and deferring to those who have been placed above you.

The good servant then asked the question, Whats it like to be the 48thvice president of the United States? And answered himself: You need to keep your arms and legs in the ride at all times. Pull the roll bar down, because you just got to hang on.

This is how it happens: One day youre spouting nostrums about the privilege of working every day to advance the presidents agenda, the next youre talking to portraits on the walls of the West Wing or comparing the job to the Banshee roller coaster at Kings Island in Ohio where you hang from the track with your body swinging wildly. You hire yourself a high-powered personal attorney and replace your chief of staff with a political whiz. And you prepare for the worst. While vice presidents usually focus on raising money for the top of the ticket, in an unusual move Pence formed his very own PAC. A token of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryans preference for Pence over his boss is that they are hosting a $5,000 a head event to fill his coffers later this month.

If the leader to whom he has to show respect werent such a disaster, Pence wouldnt be that different from other veeps. The job comes with a chunk of indignity written in to it: that the vice presidentwill eat a lot of crow, nod in approval like Nancy Reagan, and visit the rust belt while the president wings off for another handshake competition (and first lady ogling) with French President Emanuel Macron. Like others, Pences future is dependent on that of the principal but in his case theres a twist: Trump needed to balance the ticket character-wise. He needed a rock-ribbed, church going, once-married TV Dad with the hair God gave him.

The failing governor from Indiana filled the bill perfectly. Pences salvation now lies in Trump failing. Two terms of Trump and some of the muck is bound to trickle down so that Pence would most certainly not be measuring the drapes in 2024.

Right now, Republicans long for Pence. He not only knows how a bill becomes a law, he would end their torment of having to answer for the man-child in the White House. Democrats quietly say they want the pursuit of Trump to slow down so that they can defeat him in 2020, not face Pence whom the nation might elect in a spasm of gratitude. They also dont want a far more conservative replacement. Pence risked his governorship on a bill to ensure a bakery wouldnt be obligated to put a bride and a bride atop a wedding cake.

So far, Pence may be complicit but hes no co-conspirator. He used to call the Russia hacking a bizarre rumor because he was out of that loop. He luckily was asked to leave the Oval Office when Trump pulled Comey aside to ask him to go easy on former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Although as transition-head Pence failed to vet Flynn adequately, hes protected by Trumps ardent desire to have a Friend of Putin in that position no matter what. When Trump had a choice to keep his national security adviser or banish him immediately for lying to Pence, Trump chose the liar over his veep.

Get The Beast In Your Inbox!

Start and finish your day with the top stories from The Daily Beast.

A speedy, smart summary of all the news you need to know (and nothing you don't).

Subscribe

Thank You!

You are now subscribed to the Daily Digest and Cheat Sheet. We will not share your email with anyone for any reason.

Now Pence isnt just being sullied by the father but by Don Jr. and who knows what family members to come. Last week just before Trump took off for Bastille Day, Pence joined him in the Oval Office at a gathering of evangelists. Pence stayed on the periphery and did not participate in the laying of hands on the president.

As Trump was about to leave for Bastille Day in Paris, Pence bowed his head in prayer, in gratitude perhaps, that he would have the place to himself for a few days to ask himself the question: What is Mike Pence thinking?

Read the original:
Mike Pence's Prayer - Daily Beast

Matthew Tully, Indianapolis Star Opinion Published 3:53 p.m. ET July 12, 2017 | Updated 4:36 p.m. ET July 12, 2017

A formal article of impeachment for obstruction of justice against President Trump. Veuer's Nick Cardona (@nickcardona93) has that story. Buzz60

Vice President Pence(Photo: Malcolm Benemark, USA TODAY Network)

What must Mike Pence be thinking?

If I had to bet, itd be this: It will all be worth it. All the drama and all the craziness, as well as the close proximity to scandal and the spot forever etched in history next to an inept, mean-spirited president it will all be worth it. Yes, theres a decent chance Mike Pence will someday be president perhaps sooner rather than later and for many, winning trumps everything else.

Still, there must be a part of our former governor that has regrets.

There must be a piece of the vice president that wonders if hed be better off in his old job as governor, announcing new road projects in Terre Haute and holding press conferences in Indianapolis. With every passing day, the decision by Pence to join forces with Donald J. Trump looks even more cynical, more hypocritical and ickier than it did last summer. And to be clear, it looked quite cynical, hypocritical and icky then.

But thats ambition. It can take you to strange places. And Pence is certainly in a strange place these days.

Trump could learn from these social media tips for kids

Practice saying President Mike Pence: Matthew Tully

This week, a vice president who by all accounts has been a model of loyalty issued a loftier-than-thou statement that, to those of us who covered him as governor, sounded very much like Mike Pence. The statement came after Donald Trumps Jr. outrageous dalliance with the Russians came to light and quickly overshadowed everything else going on in American politics.

Heres what Pence said, through a spokesman: The vice president is working every day to advance the presidents agenda, which is what the American people sent us here to do. He is not focused on stories about the campaign, particularly stories about the time before he joined the ticket.

Classic Pence.

Start with flattery. Then act as if your administration actually has a coherent agenda. Scoff at the notion that youd ever spend one moment focused on something as petty as politics. Portray yourself as above it all. Then make sure everyone knows that whatever shenanigans went on occurred before you joined the team.

As Donald Trump Jr. would say: I love it.

The statement left many of us chuckling for a few reasons. First, as a politician Pence has always been more about campaigns and insider politics than policies and legislative agendas. Second, once you team up with a guy like Trump you have forever surrendered the right to portray yourself as above the petty messiness in politics. Finally, theres that popular video of him speaking to CBSs Face the Nation in January.

Did any adviser or anybody in the Trump campaign have any contact with the Russians who were trying to meddle in the elections? he was asked.

Pence didnt pause.

Oh, of course not, he said, pursing his lips, shaking his head from left to right, and squinting as he often does when shooting for sincerity. And I think to suggest that is to give credence to some of these bizarre rumors that have swirled around the candidacy.

Don Jr. Russia emails trap Trump and his whole circus. They have no good choices.

POLICING THE USA:Alook atrace, justice, media

Pence then talked about media bias, just as his President Trump did Wednesday after egg was splattered all over the face of his administration and his family.

Blame the media if you want, but heres the bottom line: Pence once again looked either disingenuous or out of the loop. In this administration, with all of the scandals and investigations swirling, out of the loop is obviously the far better option. That reality explains the final line of Pences statement, the one making clear this latest scandal preceded his time in the Trump orbit.

Much was made of Pences distancing himself from the White House. Is Mike Pence betting it will all come crashing down on Trump? oneThe Washington Postcolumnist asked, raising questions about whether President Trump will survive the Russia investigations. Is Mike Pence the next president? Newsweek asked, noting the many recent steps by Pence to bolster his own political future.

Those are good questions. They boil down to this: What is Mike Pence thinking? Well, he must be thinking that this is all going to be worth it. But even he must have doubts.

Matthew Tully is a columnist forThe Indianapolis Star,where this piecefirst appeared. Follow him on Twitter:@matthewltully

You can readdiverse opinions from ourBoard of Contributorsand other writers ontheOpinion front page,on Twitter@USATOpinionand in our dailyOpinion newsletter.To submit a letter, comment or column, check oursubmission guidelines.

Read or Share this story: https://usat.ly/2uSpnIU

View post:
Mike Pence's Trump ordeal will be worth it in the end. He hopes. - USA TODAY

Vice President Mike Pence will be the keynote speaker at Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalts Basque Fry event on Aug. 26.

Vice President Mike Pence will be the keynote speaker at Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalts Basque Fry event on Aug. 26.

The appearance by the vice president is a major coup for Laxalt, who has laid the groundwork for a widely expected 2018 gubernatorial campaign. Its also a signal to Treasurer Dan Schwartz, a fellow Republican mulling his own bid for governor, that Laxalt has the support of D.C. powerbrokers as well as grass-roots Nevada Republicans.

Laxalt hosts the Basque Fry in Gardnerville, south of Carson City, to support his Morning in Nevada PAC.

We are truly excited for Nevada to welcome Vice President Mike Pence to this years 3rd Annual Basque Fry event, Laxalt said in a statement. This has truly become the grass-roots event for Nevada conservatives and Republicans, attracting residents from all 17 counties.

Pences appearance could present an awkward dilemma for Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., whos running for re-election next year. After Heller announced his opposition to Republican legislation to replace Obamacare, a PAC connected to Pence associates announced it would run ads targeting Heller. While the group eventually backed off, Heller could be the deciding vote on the Senates new Obamacare replacement bill.

No matter what Heller does now, his standing with Nevada conservatives has taken a hit. Perennial candidate Danny Tarkanian is mulling a primary challenge to Heller. The response from grass-roots Republicans to Heller, if he decides to attend Laxalts event, could be a good indication of how much traction a primary challenge might have.

The 2015 event sold out, with 1,500 attendees, but the Corley Ranch, which hosts the event, has made changes to accommodate a larger crowd this year. General admission tickets cost $40 until July 29, when the price jumps to $55. Kids get in free.

I expect the event to sell out quickly and that attendance will exceed either of the two previous Basque Fries, said Andy Matthews, executive director of the Morning in Nevada PAC.

Laxalt patterned the Basque Fry gatherings after events his grandfather, former Nevada Gov. and U.S. Sen. Paul Laxalt, held during his time in office. The Basque Fry has attracted many Republican elected officials and candidates trying to connect with the Republican base. Headliners at previous Basque Fries have included Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton and Dr. Ben Carson, the current HUD secretary.

Contact Victor Joecks at vjoecks@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4698. Follow @victorjoecks on Twitter.

Original post:
Mike Pence coming to Nevada to headline Laxalt's Basque Fry - Las Vegas Review-Journal

The governors office and a disability rights group in Ohio are rejecting Vice President Mike Pences false claim about Medicaid benefits for the states disabled citizens.

Pence was making the case for Senate Republicans Obamacare repeal efforts during remarks at a Friday gathering of the National Governors Association in Rhode Island. Defending the newest version of the Senate Republican health care bill, which includes massive cuts to Medicaid funding, Pence said Obamacares expansion of the program had resulted in far too many able-bodied adults on Medicaid, specifically calling out Ohio Gov.John Kasich(R).

I know Gov. Kasich isnt with us, but I suspect that hes very troubled to know that in Ohio alone, nearly 60,000 disabled citizens are stuck on waiting lists, leaving them without the care they need for months or even years, Pence said.

Kasich spokesman Jon Keeling first responded to the remarkwith a Friday tweetsaying,thats what we call #fakenews, later telling The Washington Post the assertion is not accurate.

Keeling said theres zero connection between those asking for support services and Medicaid expansion, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

In fact, after we expanded, the governor signed into law the largest investment in the system for the developmentally disabled in the history of the program $286 million. To say Medicaid expansion had a negative impact on the (developmental disabilities) system is false, as it is just the opposite of what actually happened.

Health care advocates have also rejected Pences claim.

Ohio Disability Rights executive director Michael Kirkman told HuffPosts Jonathan Cohn that there is no question the Affordable Care Acts Medicaid expansion has been an overall positive for people with disabilities and their families in Ohio.

And Medicaid officials told the Dispatch that theres no truth to Pences claim that Medicaid recipients in the state are being put ahead of 60,000 disabled Ohioans who rely on Medicaid but are currently on a waiting list.

Kasich on Friday called the latest version of the Senate Republican health care bill unacceptable, criticizing the plan for its too deep cuts to Medicaid.

While there are some provisional changes in the latest version of the Senate health care bill,it is largelythe same as the old one: the Medicaid program still stands to lose millions of dollars in funding, and those with pre-existing conditions will suffer weakened protections, should it pass. Organizations representing U.S. insurance agencies have lambasted the bill as simply unworkable, saying premiums would skyrocket for citizens with pre-existing conditions.

For more on how the House and Senate health care bills compare against the Affordable Care Act, go here.

Originally posted here:
Ohio Pushes Back Against Mike Pence's 'False' Health Care Claims - HuffPost

Vice President Mike Pence spent his one year anniversary since being announced as President Trumps running mate working to drum up support for their 2016 campaign promise to repeal and replace Obamacare.

This week at the bipartisan National Governors Association meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, Pence was met by skepticism from state leaders concerned about proposed cuts to Medicaid expansion.

On Saturday night, while speaking to a crowd of cheering young conservatives at the Maverick PAC conference in Washington, Pence said hes confident the Senate will be able to move forward on the health care bill.

We're on the verge of a historic accomplishment here in our nations capital, said Pence. Because in the coming days, President Trump, working with the Congress that you helped elect, is going to keep our promise to the American people, and we are going to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Just two days ago, building on the good work of the House of Representatives, Senate leadership unveiled a new version of the Senate health care bill, said Pence. The Senate health care bill is the right bill at the right time to begin to repeal and replace Obamacare, and to rescue the American people from this disastrous policy.

Republicans are struggling to find consensus and enough support to hit 50 yea votes on the bill, despite Trump taking to Twitter on Friday to pressure Republican senators currently on the fence, and Pences pitches in closed door meetings with governors and in a his speech tonight.

The task of whipping up support for the bill during the crucial week before voting seems to have largely rested on Pences shoulders this week, as Trump traveled to Paris and Bedminster, New Jersey. The vice president told supporters tonight to ignore what theyre hearing on cable television, saying hes certain Republican senators will come together in support of the legislation.

President Trump and I are confident, that when the time comes as early as next week, that Republicans and Senators are going to come together and they're going to move this bill forward and we will see the beginning of the end of the nightmare of Obamacare, he said.

See the original post:
VP Mike Pence on healthcare: 'We're on the verge of a historic accomplishment' - ABC News