Weekly Standard writer Terry Eastland has uncovered an old quote by Mike Pence that flies in the face of the way Donald Trump operates.
The Indiana governor, just tapped as Trump's vice-presidential running mate,
said in a 2010 speech that a president should "know when to withdraw, to hold back, and to forgo attention, publicity, or advantage" — something Trump is the antithesis of.
"Is Trump capable of meeting such a standard?"
Eastland writes in The Standard, adding he later interviewed Pence about his views on the presidency.
"Looking again at that piece today, I am struck by Pence's criticism of Obama for having appeared on so many media programs, including even 'America's Most Wanted,' as to become a 'ubiquitous figure in the popular culture,''' he says.
"For Pence, the presidency is best served by someone who refuses to see it — or himself — as the center of American life, and who instead takes a "half step back" and lets 'America be the lead story.'
"Trump spent years becoming 'a ubiquitous figure in the popular culture.' If he were elected, would he 'forgo attention, publicity or advantage' and let America be 'the lead story?' Or would he be so full of himself as to drive his vice president crazy?"
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