Afterward, Pence privately urged Fiorina to set up a meeting with Trump, according to a source with knowledge of their conversation. The following week, Fiorina indeed sat down with the president-elect at his eponymous tower in Manhattan, where they discussed China’s influence and other foreign policy matters.
But here’s the rub: Pence was not in the room for that meeting, and although those in Fiorina’s circle did call to set up the private powwow, Pence didn’t have enough clout to make it happen on his own. And since then, Fiorina’s name has not been seriously floated for any role within the administration.
“I sure don’t get where Mike Pence’s influence matters,” said the source, “other than, that meeting happened because he said it should happen.”
If some of Trump’s skeptics have pinned their hopes on his VP, they might find themselves disappointed. Pence’s approach to the vice presidency, while still percolating, so far suggests a role of modest influence.
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