Day 321: Trump and Pence: Not a Match Made in Heaven

Donald Trump and Mike Pence are polar opposites. On religion, worldly outlook, upbringing, life style, family, friends, even politics prior to Trump’s candidacy, there is no semblance of overlap between the two men.

So it’s unsurprising to learn that the neither family likes the other, as The Atlantic’s piece about Pence clearly illustrates.

For instance, Trump thought it was tacky for the Pences to bring their pets to Washington D.C.

When it was reported last January that the Pences would be moving some of their family pets — which include two cats, a rabbit, and a snake — into the Naval Observatory, Trump ridiculed the menagerie to his secretary, according to a longtime adviser. “He was embarrassed by it; he thought it was so low class,” says the adviser. “He thinks the Pences are yokels.”

He also thought Pence was “prudish, stiff, and embarrassingly poor.”

Karen Pence, meanwhile, finds Trump repulsive.

In the short time they’d known each other, Trump had made an effort to convince Pence that — beneath all the made-for-TV bluster and bravado — he was a good-hearted man with faith in God. On the night of the vice-presidential debate, for example, Trump had left a voicemail letting Pence know that he’d just said a prayer for him. The couple was appalled by the [Access Hollywood] video, however. Karen in particular was “disgusted,” says a former campaign aide. “She finds him reprehensible — just totally vile.”

While it’s not necessary for the two families to get along, it certainly helps. Barack Obama and Joe Biden — and their families — had a kinship and respect that was able to help drive Obama’s policy, but also given Biden a real voice in the room.

Tension between the first and second family cannot possibly be a good thing, especially for someone like Trump. Pence is Trump’s inside man who establishment and tea party Republicans alike go to if they need something from Trump. He knows the players and how to govern far more efficiently than Trump.

Trump, thrice divorced, is stuck married to Pence, not matter how different the men are.

321 days in, 1141 to go

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