Trump And The Conservatives

48:08

July 20, 2016

Mike Pence and Republican conservatism in the time of Donald Trump.

Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., gives a thumbs up standing next to wife Karen and former Republican presidential candidate Sen. Bob Dole during the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland (Paul Sancya/AP)

It is Indiana’s Mike Pence center stage tonight at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. He is Donald Trump’s VP running mate. He is a staunch, hardcore conservative. But what is Donald Trump? Trump has changed parties five times since 1987. He’s been far from standard conservative on free trade, social issues, social security, maybe even war. Now, he is the official nominee of the Republican Party. This hour On Point, live from Cleveland, Republicans and conservatism in the age of Trump. — Tom Ashbrook

Guests

Glenn Thrush, chief political correspondent for POLITICO and host of the podcast, Off Message. (@GlennThrush)

Eliana Johnson, Washington editor for the National Review. (@elianayjohnson)

Mark Murray, senior political editor for NBC News. (@mmurraypolitics)

From Tom’s Reading List

Washington Post: Why Mike Pence said ‘yes’ to Donald Trump — "If Trump loses, Pence can make the case to the real estate mogul's supporters that he is the natural landing spot for them in 2020. And he can make the case to the GOP establishment that he took on the VP slot for the good of the Republican Party — in hopes of modulating Trump and making him more electable. Would anyone blame Pence for failing in that endeavor? Hard to see how."

NBC News: Who Is Mike Pence? -- "In choosing Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate this fall, Donald Trump adds to his ticket someone who offers a rich background of policy-making and governing experience — and also carries with him scars from the kinds of ideological fights that electrify social conservatives."

National Review: Cruz Prepares for High-Stakes Convention Speech with Eye on 2020 — "When Ted Cruz takes the stage here on Wednesday evening, what he doesn’t say will be as important as what he does: Though he accepted a primetime speaking spot at the convention that officially nominated Donald Trump on Tuesday, Cruz will not endorse the Republican nominee, according to two sources familiar with his plans."

This program aired on July 20, 2016.

2016 Republican National Convention Election 2016