Pence calls for Republicans to ‘come home’ to elect Trump

GOP vice presidential nominee Mike Pence on Tuesday called for Republicans to “come home” and support Donald Trump.

“It’s time for Republicans to come home, to come home to elect the Trump-Pence team to the White House,” Pence said in an interview airing Tuesday night on MSNBC’s “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams.”

{mosads}”We’re calling on Republicans to come home, to reelect strong Republican majorities in the House and Senate,” Pence said, adding it was that combination that would allow “us to bring real change to Washington, D.C.”

“And Donald Trump and I look forward to carrying that message all across the country over the next two weeks,” he added.

Republican National Committee chief strategist Sean Spicer insisted on Fox News on Tuesday morning that there is evidence Republicans are rallying for Trump.

“Yes, there is, and we need more of them to come home. The stakes are too high,” he said.

Trump has faced lagging polling figures nationally and in key battleground states two weeks out from the presidential election.

But his running mate insisted Tuesday that the real estate tycoon was committed to reaching as many voters as possible, including Democrats who are “tired of these trade deals” and the “liberal policies coming out of Washington.”

Trump has also been reaching out to independents “tired of gridlock in Washington,” Pence said.

Pence also weighed in on the various Republicans distancing themselves from Trump after a tape leaked earlier this month in which Trump speaks in lewd terms about women.

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said he would no longer campaign with or defend the GOP nominee, though he did not rescind his endorsement.

Pence told MSNBC that Ryan is “focusing on reelecting his team, but Paul Ryan’s voting for Donald Trump.”

“He’s made that very clear, and we’re very grateful to have his support,” Pence said.