Regarding your first observation, I think that people who are very religious and anti-abortion expect their agenda to now be championed by the new administration. I have my doubts whether that will actually come to be.
Will the real direction on those issues come from Trump or the mass of influence in political power under him? I think the latter. I think his grand plans will be largely neutered by a more level-headed GOP (relatively speaking), but they will also have more strength to push socially conservative issues.
More years spent getting caught up on intraspecies drama (bathroom use!) rather than working on big ideas.
The religious right are ultimately tools. I wonder if they will ever realize it and form their own party. It's laughable that they think Trump is means to achieve their goals.
Kaine was probably promised the VC role when he resigned from the DNC and was succeeded by Debbie Wasserman Schultz. As far as I remember he even recommended her for the post. Everything was in place for a Hillary nomination except Berney...
