Donald Trump’s running mate is set to address the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night, likely hoping to define himself as the responsible adult of this year’s GOP ticket.
His speech will essentially boil down to this: “Don’t worry about Trump; I’ll be there to keep him in check.”
Sure, standing next to Trump could make the most deranged individual look level-headed, but Pence is as extreme as they come.
Here are some handy quotes to keep in mind as Trump’s new running mate introduces himself to the country tonight:
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Abortion rights: During Mike Pence’s 10+ years as a United States congressman, he did his best to go after women’s rights. He even said, “I long for the day that Roe v. Wade is sent to the ash heap of history.”
Women in the military: The military should be dudes-only; at least that’s what Trump’s running mate believes. He once said, “Many young women find many young men to be attractive sexually. Put them together, in close quarters, for long periods of time, and things will get interesting … Moral of the story: women in military, bad idea.”
Global warming: Upwards of 95 percent of scientists agree that the climate is changing and that humans are likely the cause of it – hardly a mixed opinion. Pence, though, seems to disagree, once saying, “I think the science is very mixed on the subject of global warming.” Nope, it’s not.
Smoking cigarettes: “Time for a quick reality check,” Pence once said about smoking. “Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media, smoking doesn’t kill.” Of course, this should come as no surprise from a guy who voted against the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009.
Planned Parenthood: “If Planned Parenthood wants to be involved in providing counseling services and HIV testing, they ought not be in the business of providing abortions,” Pence said in 2011. “As long as they aspire to do that, I’ll be after them.” Of course, Planned Parenthood cannot legally use federal dollars to provide abortion services, and abortions only make up 3 percent of all services they provide. Still, the Indiana governor has made it his mission to destroy a health care provider that gives care to millions of Americans each year.
Gay rights: Pence once said that gay couples will bring about ‘societal collapse.’ He is likely most remembered for signing into law a “religious liberty” measure that would allow businesses to discriminate against the LGBT community.
U.S. History: “Republicans, from George Washington to George W. Bush just have better ideas.” While we can spend an infinite amount of time debating the (in)effectiveness of Republican policies, it cannot possibly be argued that George Washington was a Republican. In fact, the nation’s first president warned against political parties in general.
As Mike Pence introduces himself to the country on Wednesday night, it’s important we don’t lose sight of what he really is: a right-wing extremist that has no business being Vice President of the United State.
Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.
