Donald Trump has some problems from my point of view, but deserves credit for his choice of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate.
Apparently the two finalists were Pence and Newt Gingrich. The latter has been a ringleader in the sentencing reduction (usually called sentencing "reform") movement. Pence, by contrast, knows the value of mandatory minimums and -- so the Indiana Lawyer reports -- signed a bill four months ago to make some of them even tougher:
Gov. Mike Pence toughened sentences for drug dealers Monday, signing legislation that would mandate repeat offenders serve at least 10 years if their crime involves methamphetamine or heroin.The measure, House Enrolled Act 1235, was included in a bill-signing ceremony the governor held this morning at Hope Academy in Indianapolis, a high school for students recovering from drug and alcohol addiction."...I believe that any strategy to address drug abuse must start with enforcement. We need to make it clear that Indiana will not tolerate the actions of criminals, and I'm pleased to sign into law HEA 1235 to increase penalties on drug dealers."
It will be a long day in December before we hear that from Hillary. In addition, any candidate who gets this kind of headline from a liberal publication has to have a lot going for him: "Gov. Mike Pence Makes Certain Indiana Stays Stupid on Crime."
Unfortunately, this election is not going to be won or lost based upon substantive issues, like sentencing reform. Rather, it is the racial divide that exists in America that will determine this election. Can Trump/Pence bring out white voters is massive numbers in the battleground states? Can HRC bring out massive numbers of minorities in those states?
A lot has changed in America. But a lot has remained the same.