Donald Trump’s understudy: Who is Mike Pence?

He is the understudy to the most powerful man in the Western world – but how much do we know about Vice President-elect Mike Pence?
:: Will he be a ‘yes’ man?
Unlikely. The 57-year-old was a supportive running mate through most of the campaign, defending Mr Trump when he appeared to suggest people take arms against Hillary Clinton – but there are notable divisions.
While Mr Trump appears willing to extend a definitely-not-small hand in friendship to Vladimir Putin, Mr Pence wants to see more “American strength” in the face on Russian provocations.
Then there is Mr Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims entering the US, which Mr Pence labelled “offensive and unconstitutional” prior to being put on the ticket.
And while the VP-elect is unlikely to be joining Greenpeace any time soon, he is at least prepared to admit “there’s no question” that human activity affects the climate.

Image Caption: Mr Trump and Mr Pence embrace – but they have notable divisions

:: Why did Mr Trump pick him, then?
He needed someone who possessed the things he lacked: popularity in the Republican party, access to wealthy donors and, perhaps most importantly, vast experience operating at the heart of Washington.
Before becoming Indiana governor in 2013, Mr Pence spent 12 years in the House of Representatives.
For two of these he chaired the House Republican Conference, the third ranked position in the Republican leadership. He also spent time on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
:: So he doesn’t court controversy like Mr Trump?
Think again. As Indiana governor he angered the LGBT community by signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law, which allowed businesses to refuse service over religious beliefs. Under pressure from Washington, he later signed an amendment that businesses could not discriminate against gay people.
During his governorship, Indiana also became the second US state to ban women from seeking an abortion where the child would be born with a disability.
One other thing: he once likened the Supreme Court upholding the Affordable Health Care Act to 9/11. He would later apologise.

Image Caption: Mike Pence with mother Nancy, daughters Audrey (L) and Charlotte (C), son Michael, and wife Karen (R) at the Republican convention in July

:: Didn’t he used to be a Democrat?
He once name-checked John F Kennedy as one of his political heroes and in 1980 voted for Jimmy Carter over Ronald Reagan.
His political views changed upon joining an evangelical fellowship at Hanover College, where he met wife Karen during a church service at which she was playing guitar.
He went on to host a conservative talk show and these days describes himself as “a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order”.
:: Does he have ambitions to run for president one day?
Possibly. It is thought Mr Pence, who has three adult children, considered standing himself in 2016, while he fuelled speculation about a run in 2012 by visiting early primary states.

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