A Potentially Potent Running Mate (sponsored)

As most of my readers know when it comes to politics I am a registered Independent. Most other Independents that I spend time around are individual thinkers who appreciate space and time to make up their minds before voting They are not party hardliners as are many Democrats and Republicans. Most Independents that I actually have met several times and waded into great exchanges of political conversation with struck me as voters who are very careful giving their vote to anyone. Independents do not like waste and they usually choose to cast their ballot rather than sit home and avoid the ballot box. They definitely want to use this national and constitutional right. They tend to listen carefully to most of the contestants for office and more than once. A candidate's tone of voice, his/her facial expressions, the body language, and how the facts are presented truthfully or not affect every voter, but definitely an Independent weighs the scales of information carefully before an election. Independents also tend to do research on candidates so as a voter there is knowledge to work with — staying aware is important. And that is why Mike Pence, Donald Trump's running mate, might just do it for me. He might just persuade me to vote Republican. There were three things that got my attention while he was here in Carson City with a campaign appearance. I was not in the crowd at the Nugget in downtown Carson City, but I was watching via live "streaming" from my home.

First, Mike Pence came across as a very likeable person--non threatening in addressing crowd questions, even when a disagreeing mother of a service son accosted verbally Donald Trump's remarks regarding the Khan family's son and his death while fighting ISIS forces. The Nugget crowd booed her loudly, but Pence calmed the crowd down quietly and rather quickly all the while reminding the crowd that this was an example of freedom of speech in motion. This was democracy. This was the First Amendment in action. It was a classic classroom demonstration of why we are so unique as a nation, as a people, and as a government. And then what spoke to me as a voter was how Pence was able to not only defend Trump's remarks by putting them in context, but to assure the listeners and that mother that he had spoken with Trump before ever getting the call from Trump to be his Vice Presidential running mate. And in that conversation with Trump where Pence had a great opportunity to size up the man, Pence was able to show me a level of discernment that he possesses about assessing people correctly. I instinctively felt that he, Pence, would NOT have accepted Trump's invitation to be his running mate unless Pence felt very comfortable with Donald Trump. the man.

Secondly, Mike Pence has ample experience not only in his 12 years in Congress, but in the last four years being governor of Indiana. His efforts to restore successfully a "rust belt" state back into the black financially, and to offer other choices to Obama's health care mandate illustrate a sense of openness to new and innovative alternatives that do not penalize people. Pence recognizes that Hoosiers as well as the residents of the other states may not be able to afford health insurance under Obama Care, may not need insurance, or may not want it. Obama Care, he stated, is set to be repealed IF Trump and Pence win the White House. Pence also spoke emphatically about the States' rights to set up the educational standards for school age children, and for parents to have the final say as to how they want/choose to educate their children. The Core Curriculum of the Obama administration has been extremely controversial for both states' governments and for parents.

Finally, Pence is a man of faith. There is a humbleness about him that exudes strength — not weakness. Trump can learn much from Pence's convictions and the ways in which he shares them with a crowd. Pence did not say that America was a divided nation, as he perhaps thought personally, but rather he quoted Scripture with the book of 2 Chronicles 7:14. "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." That was a definite call to come together and unify our selves as a people and as a nation.

It is REALLY hard to dislike the man. He applies humor, not ridicule. He seems to know the bounds of human endeavors. He shares hope for a better future with conviction. And he believes that we are Americans first and foremost when it comes to unification. He exudes promise. Thanks to the people responsible for helping the rest of us in Carson City get to hear Governor Mike Pence. It was a worthwhile experience. I will look forward to the other candidates and their presentations for office, both Republicans and Democrats. Can we trust what any of them say? Do any of them have the gift of leadership that is absolutely required? Do they have the health and stamina? We will learn much more in the 98 days left before the November election. And Mr. Pence has led the pack very well so far. Perhaps a very wise choice, Mr.Trump!! But I am still holding on to my vote. Are you?

Carol Paz's columns appear exclusively on CarsonNow.org. Please email comments to npazcar@aol.com or visit the Women to Women website at womentowomennv.com. She welcomes your comments.

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