On Friday morning, presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump officially confirmed that he had chosen Governor Mike Pence (R-IN) as his running mate. And the reaction from both pro-lifers and abortion supporters was instantaneous.
Trump has raised some concerns among the pro-life community for his statements on abortion and Planned Parenthood. However, he has won the praise of some in the pro-life community thanks to his decision to bring on to his team some notable pro-lifers, including Pence.
Pence also served in the U.S. House of Representatives and had a 100 percent rating from the National Right to Life Committee. In 2007, 2009 and 2011, he sponsored the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act to defund Planned Parenthood and other entities which provide abortions. As governor, Pence signed a bill into law which is now facing lawsuits and injunctions. The law would have made it illegal to abort a child on the basis of race, gender, or disability, making it the second state with such a ban. It also mandated ultrasounds before abortion.
In light of the Planned Parenthood baby parts scandal which was exposed a year ago this month, Pence opened up an investigation of the abortion giant he fought to defund at the state level as well.
Americans United for Life ranked Indiana the seventh most pro-life state for their 2016 Life List. When it comes to the Infants Protection Project, Indiana was ranked fourth most protective.
AUL references Indiana for the following which were enacted:
- A measure amending its abortion reporting requirements to include those on chemical abortions/abortion-inducing drugs.
- A measure “requiring the dignified disposition of aborted unborn children”
Students for Life of America’s Kristan Hawkins called Trump’s VP selection the “best decision Donald Trump has made in his campaign so far.” SFLA also referred to Pence as one who “fought in the trenches with pro-lifers and is a proven pro-life warrior” and said that Pence “as a VP pick is a good start towards making sure our voices are heard.”
Carol Tobias of NRLC said that Pence is “an excellent choice” and “has proven himself to be a strong leader for the right to life.” Tobias also contrasted Pence with Democrats. “Mike Pence brings a strong pro-life background to the Republican ticket, which contrasts with the extreme pro-abortion position of Hillary Clinton and the Democrats,” she said.
Democrats have taken notice of Pence.
Democratic National Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz linked to her statement on Twitter, which mentioned Pence’s pro-life record.
By choosing Pence, Trump doubled down on all of the qualities that make him unfit for the presidency: https://t.co/JEshAlJA8J
— D Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) July 15, 2016
The Clinton campaign came up with a post criticizing Pence’s stance on abortion and Planned Parenthood. It was advertised along with several other tweets.
Mike Pence: He’s Donald Trump with a different haircut. pic.twitter.com/R2hYduGaym
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 15, 2016
If you had any doubts about Trump sticking with his dangerous plan for America, say hello to his VP pick. pic.twitter.com/xuFClfZeLi
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 15, 2016
It’s official: @realDonaldTrump just chose Mike Pence as his running mate. What you need to know about him:https://t.co/VpmloblDhS
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 15, 2016
While the Clinton campaign calls Pence “divisive,” it is the Democratic Party which has released an extreme platform to call for taxpayer subsidized abortions, something members of its own party are against.
Pro-abortion organizations are also taking note. Planned Parenthood said Pence “couldn’t be worse,” and on Twitter said:
We can stop the most hateful, divisive presidential tickets in a generation. Fight back: https://t.co/I7XpzNkAhI pic.twitter.com/ku7s4piOXH
— Planned Parenthood (@PPact) July 15, 2016
.@realDonaldTrump makes clear his anti-women’s health care agenda by naming @GovPenceIN his VP. The same Pence who first endorsed @tedcruz.
— Planned Parenthood (@PPact) July 15, 2016
.@realDonaldTrump‘s potential VP @GovPenceIN has a long history of legislative attacks on #reprohealth: https://t.co/WGsEflDhXo @SLAwrites
— Planned Parenthood (@PPact) July 14, 2016
After Pence signed the abortion ban, abortion advocates reacted, not by protesting with logical arguments, but by contacting the governor’s office to inform him about their monthly menstruation, despite the fact that dismembering children in utero is a far cry from monthly menstruation. You can see this clearly in the video of a second-trimester D&E, explained by former abortionist, Dr. Anthony Levatino, below:
And Planned Parenthood again urged its supporters to tell Trump and Pence about their periods:
.@realDonaldTrump is set to undermine your #reprorights so maybe they both should hear about your periods? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ https://t.co/lIHCnTFcob
— Planned Parenthood (@PPact) July 14, 2016
NARAL Pro-Choice America followed suit, with their tweets about periods and Pence’s record:
Mike Pence’s record on #abortion rights is long and horrifying. pic.twitter.com/21c8tQkJZL
— NARAL (@NARAL) July 14, 2016
.@GovPenceIN has been a disaster for the women of Indiana & he’d be a disaster for all U.S. women. #WontVoteTrump pic.twitter.com/qEKV3ktlXn
— NARAL (@NARAL) July 15, 2016
.@realDonaldTrump & @GovPenceIN are VERY interested in your uterus. Tweet them, let them know how yours is #PeriodsForPence #TamponsForTrump
— NARAL (@NARAL) July 15, 2016
Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America issued a statement full of loaded language meant to gin up fear from the pro-abortion community.
.@ilyseh of @NARAL on @GovPenceIN as @realDonaldTrump VP selection pic.twitter.com/vvg3Cn0VX2
— Kaylie Hanson Long (@KaylieEHanson) July 14, 2016
It appears the pro-abortion community is running scared from a Pence pick — and this should be good news for pro-lifers.