10/17/2019

ELECTION/MIKE PENCE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The first time Donald Trump ran for president, Karen Pence, the wife of his running mate, rarely hit the campaign trail to stump for the pair. Camera shy and appalled by Trump’s treatment of women, Pence surfaced only to support her husband in his October 2016 vice presidential debate and join him at rallies in the final weeks before the election. But when Trump began asking friends this summer for their thoughts about Vice President Mike Pence, the second lady decided it was time to step up. Fearful that the president might boot her husband — who has long had his eye on the 2024 presidential race — from his reelection ticket, she became eager to assist the campaign as a loyal surrogate…The second lady’s sudden transformation, her participation in Trump campaign events and her gushing praise of the president stem from a desire to protect her husband’s political future and fiercely defend him in an election contest that seems to get uglier by the day, according to eight current and former administration officials and people close to the Pence family who spoke to POLITICO on the condition of anonymity.”

Gabby Orr, “Karen Pence sticks her neck out for Trump to protect her husband,” Politico, October 17, 2019 5:05 am