washington shortly donald trump u.s. presidential election november vice president-elect mike pence visit country large manufacture lobby group six block white house brainstorm trump legislative agenda conversation national association manufacturers friendly lot give take say aric newhouse nam senior vice president government relations business group felt pence speak language would full-steam ahead long-sought goals simplify tax code repeal obamacare president barack obama signature legislation aim extend health insurance cover americans past week trump sow confusion legislative aim criticize key element republican party tax plan know border adjustment tax also seem muddy water promise repeal obamacare call healthcare insurance nam unduly alarm episode highlight challenge face pence 57 serve chief emissary capitol hill trump new york businessman swear 45th u.s. president friday pence spend dozen years congressman begin 2001 forge number personal relationships especially conservatives reputation hill deal-maker lawmakers hill aid lobbyists describe affable good communicator respectful deal friend foe nam experience show pence big obstacle strike deal congress may trump people negotiate pence may always know speak boss pence trump study contrast trump combative chase limelight pence recently governor indiana even-keeled calm man describe republicans democrats articulate upbeat vice presidents modern u.s. history occupy central role legislative affairs pence former vice president dick cheney cut deal cajole lawmakers president george w. bush pence assignment may broad trump first 100 days office pence lead charge number initiatives congress rewrite obamacare overhaul tax code senior trump adviser kellyanne conway tell reuters assurance green light president trump conway say major part every serious conversation important decision make especially come legislative agenda say pence certainly appear part trump inner circle far clear close new president whether tend agree pence even though republicans control chamber congress pence need plenty political finesse rally party sometimes unruly rank-and-file lawmakers behind trump agenda fully flesh conservative tea party faction moderate republicans party remain divide many republicans differ trump issue free trade worry might will spend money could increase budget deficits home state indiana 1990s pence hone communication skills talk radio host low-key style stand stark contrast many conservative radio host call rush limbaugh decaf refer influential right-wing talk show host famous flame-throwing statements pence raise catholic late become evangelical christian would sometimes host bible study office house representatives texas representative john carter attend meet recall pence little setup radio station reminder former career republican president george w. bush administration pence firmly establish fiscal hawk resist initiatives view government overreach include 2002 child leave behind education reform emphasize standardize test way gauge well school raise student performance pence staunch opposition big government make one forerunners late become tea party say michael steel former spokesman house speaker paul ryan predecessor john boehner republican senator jeff flake serve house pence 2000s say two fashion self-appointed fiscal watchdogs keep close eye late-night sessions lawmakers would seek get government spend approve without anyone notice mike would wait night rush house floor burst doors object measure flake recount interview somebody say one point burst look like saloon doors butch cassidy sundance kid flake say refer 1969 film two wild west outlaw representative jim jordan ohio lead conservative voice say pence role model republicans advance conservative principles without hard-edged always remember line pence conservative mad ... line use many time say mike pence always use say jordan say pence call speaker ryan struggle staunch conservatives caucus close friend tie may help smooth tensions arise ryan trump 2016 campaign cultivate republicans pence job republicans house representatives rally around trump agenda democrats tool block senate democrats use procedural move stop legislation otherwise support 60 senators republicans control 52 vote 100-member chamber pence smooth demeanor go far give ideological gulf congressional democrats raise ire democrats outspoken stance abortion work gay right opposition measure aim women pay equity workplace determination repeal obamacare republican senator roy blunt missouri part house republican leadership mid-2000s say expect pence would stick conservative principles even clash trump think effective argue feel blunt say think smart enough go president say supportive president vice president go good salesman particular issue trump emissary congress mike pence face potential obstacle boss