The Latest: Pence visits Gettysburg battlefield

WASHINGTON – The Latest on Mike Pence in the U.S. presidential campaign (all times EDT):

11:50 a.m.

Mike Pence is making a quick tour of the battlefield at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, before addressing a rally at a nearby hotel.

The Republican vice-presidential nominee is campaigning through Pennsylvania en route to Ohio.

Pence saw where soldiers from his home state of Indiana fought. The governor and his daughter Charlotte placed flowers at a memorial on the site.

Heading to the hotel for his speech, Pence asked his bus driver to stop near the cemetery where President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address in November 1863.

Pence and his daughter walked up the hill to the high point in the cemetery past hundreds of the markers of unknown soldiers of the Civil War.

___

8:20 a.m.

Mike Pence says both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have “many admirable qualities young people can look up to.”

The Republican vice-presidential candidate’s unexpected praise for the Democratic nominee came Thursday on NBC’s “Today” show when he was asked whether he thinks his running mate is a role model for children.

The question has become a tricky one for Republicans.

Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte made news this week by initially answering yes, but then changing her answer to no.

Pence was more diplomatic — and prepared. Without directly calling either candidate a role model, he offered praise for both candidates.

He said the Republican businessman is an example of a “strong leader” and Clinton should be recognized for becoming the first female nominee from a major party.