Vice Presidential picks tend to be inconsequential to an election, but they do have more potential to harm the presidential candidate than to help notably in the polls. And honestly, Trump didn’t have very many ‘non-negative’ options to choose from. Still, it may seem surprising that Trump chose Mike Pence, a relatively unknown, devout Evangelical Christian who happens to disagree with Trump on his two campaign-defining issues: trade and immigration. Pence is in favor of free trade and strongly supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal (as opposed to Trump’s 45% tariff on foreign imports), and railed against Trump’s anti-Muslim immigration stance as “offensive and unconstitutional”. Despite their differences, there are a number of reasons why Trump’s pick stands out as an actual good choice among his long list of campaign screw-ups.

Unifies the Republican base

Mike Pence happens to be very socially conservative, a trait that him and Trump share. As Indiana governor, he’s a fairly controversial figure for his efforts to pass the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which allows companies to legally refuse service to LGBT members of the community on the grounds of free exercise of religion. In addition to that, he signed a bill banning abortion in Indiana, sparking the social media campaign #PeriodsforPence. His unpopularity manifested in thousands of women calling his office and tweeting him to talk about their menstrual cycles.

While his conservative policies may not have fared well in his already red-leaning state, his ideology is quite favorable with the specific votes that Trump is trying to secure. The extreme right-wing vote is something that a more moderate running mate, like Chris Christie, wouldn’t have helped him with. Additionally, knowing that Pence is on the ballot could help Trump shore up some Ted Cruz supporters, as he was Pence’s original endorsement.

Won’t steal his thunder

Despite their somewhat similar ideologies, Pence is almost a direct contrast to Trump’s pompous and grandiloquent manner. Pence’s demeanor makes him a safe choice, as he won’t steal from Trump’s presence on stage or in the press. Chris Christie may have been a viable nominee if it weren’t for BridgeGate and his extreme unpopularity with Republicans everywhere (excluding the Northeast.) Gingrich is broadly unpopular as well, and his ostentatious nature may be too similar to Trump’s to the point of incompatibility. Opting for a more level-headed vice president assures voters that the bombastic rhetoric he uses to gain attention in the election may not extend as much into his time in office.

Peace offering to the Establishment

In light of Trumps staunch stance against the establishment, his choice serves as a compromise with the establishment politicians he needs to work with if he is in office. Pence served on the House of Representatives for over a decade, was elected to the position of Republican conference chairman, and served a term as Indiana governor with great "numbers” (according to Trump.) His time in Congress allowed him to make close ties with important figures such as Paul Ryan, and left him deeply respected within Republican circles. An experienced politician brings legitimacy to his ticket, and extends an olive branch to establishment Republicans without completely ruining his anti-establishment stance.

Not a "bad" choice

Pence is generally unknown to the public, with 86 percent of voters having no opinion of him. This makes him the best option given the circumstances– he offers the political experience that Gingrich and Christie can offer, with none of the public baggage. Trump is controversial enough on his own, and picking an unbranded, normal Republican candidate was a solid decision. He already has enough writing on his slate - so he doesn't need someone with too much writing of his own.

Weighing the costs and benefits of having Pence as a running mate, and comparing him to the rest of the field, Mike Pence seems to be the most logical option. They certainly are a good fit for each other. But overall, his vice presidential pick doesn’t hold much electoral utility, and it doesn’t "make" him as a candidate. But it certainly doesn’t "break" him either.