Trump to pick Pence

Roll Call reports:

Donald Trump is planning to announce that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is his choice for his vice presidential running mate, according to a Republican with direct knowledge of the decision.

This looks a pretty sound decision. VP picks rarely lift a ticket, except maybe in the VP’s home state – and then only by around 2% on average.

But a bad VP pick can hurt a ticket, such as Curtis Le May did for George Wallace in 1968 and Thomas Eagleton for George McGovern in 1972.

Pence has legislative and executive experience. He was in Congress from 2000 to 2012 and elected Governor of Indiana in 2012 by around 3%. He was leading by around 4% in the polls to be re-elected but will have to withdraw if he is the VP nominee.