I would like to remind everyone that just because the GOP lost the popular vote in 2016 for President does not mean they will never win the popular vote again. Despite Democratic vote sinks the GOP won the overall house popular vote in 2016!
Yes, but Pence isn't the one to do it. Those districts had candidates who were able to fit well with their districts, including people that outran Trump in SoCal, South FL, suburban parts of TX, Atlanta suburbs, SE PA, Chicagoland, etc etc.
You need to be able to pull off the following number ranges.
TX 58%-60%
CA 38%-42%
ILL - 44%-45%
NY - 40%-42%
GA - 52%-53%
AZ - 52%-53%
Pence would not hold up well enough in SoCal, ILL collar counties and NY Suburbs. Pence also doesn't do as well as Trump in upstate NY or many of the rural Northern areas that reacted positively to the protectionist angle and more secular campaign message.
