RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s campaign event in Raleigh, North Carolina (all times local):
12:35 p.m.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence says he’s learned “sometimes things don’t always come out like you mean” in politics but that he and running mate Donald Trump will stand shoulder to shoulder on the direction they want to take the country.
Eleven-year-old Matthew Schricker told Pence at a town hall meeting in Raleigh on Thursday that it seemed like he was “kind of softening up on Mr. Trump’s policies and words” and asked whether that would be his role in a Trump administration.
The Republican vice presidential candidate has been in damage control the past week after Trump’s comments critical of the parents of an Army captain killed in Iraq and for Trump refusing to endorse Sen. John McCain and House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Pence told Matthew “differences in style should never be confused with differences in conviction.”
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10:55 a.m.
Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence is telling a North Carolina crowd that Donald Trump’s politically incorrect style shows he’s the genuine article and distinctly American.
The Indiana governor spoke to about 300 people Thursday morning in a Raleigh auditorium, saying Trump’s straight talk reflects his ability to get things done.
Pence criticized President Barack Obama’s recent comments that Trump lacks the judgment to be president. Instead, Pence said actions of Obama and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton reflect their poor judgment and set up a vacuum of power in Iraq that led to the rise of the Islamic State.
This is Pence’s second visit in as many weeks to North Carolina, where a Trump victory is likely needed to win the White House in November.
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3:20 a.m.
Republican nominee for vice president Mike Pence is campaigning again in North Carolina, a battleground state running mate Donald Trump probably needs in his column to win the White House this November.
The Indiana governor planned to participate in a “town hall” meeting Thursday morning in downtown Raleigh before heading to campaign events in Norfolk, Virginia, later in the day.
Pence visited the first time as a candidate last week in Winston-Salem during a joint appearance with Trump. Now, he’ll be on his own promoting a Trump presidency and attempting to link President Barack Obama’s policies to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
Clinton’s running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, held a rally Wednesday in Greensboro.