DES MOINES (Iowa) — Former Vice-President Mike Pence, whose certification of the 2020 election results was threatened by supporters of the then-President Donald Trump’s administration, launched a bid to the Oval Office Wednesday.
Pence, former Indiana governor and six term congressman, released , a launch video, taking swipes at Trump and President Joe Biden.
Pence, in a 2 1/2 minute self-narrated montage of Americana, says that “President Joe Biden has weakened America both at home and abroad.” “We can change the course of this country. Different times require different leadership.
Pence said that, addressing Trump directly, “Today our party and country need a leadership that will appeal to the better aspects of our nature, as Lincoln once said.”
Later in the day, he will address supporters in Des Moines.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie entered the race on Tuesday. North Dakota Governor. Doug Burgum will announce his candidacy on Wednesday. Pence believes Iowa’s caucus, the first in the nation, is fertile ground for a conservative brand based on tradition and faith.
It is clear that DeSantis will have a tough time competing for the Republican nomination, given Trump’s majority in national polls. Ron DeSantis comes in second place with , the RealClearPolitics average of recent polls.
Pence, who is behind Trump, DeSantis, and Nikki Haley (the former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.), comes in fourth with less than 4% of the RealClearPolitics’ average.
A Pence comeback, however, would require a dramatic reversal in the political dynamics of the GOP.
Pence was hiding in the Capitol less than three years before when a mob led by Trump ransacked it. Angry at his refusal to stop the certification of Trump-Pence’s 2020 defeat, some in the crowd chanted “Hang Mike Pence!”
Pence’s support for Trump was crucial at times, especially when they first ran together in 2016. Pence’s backing was at times crucial for Trump, especially when they ran together in 2016.
The conservatives, particularly the evangelical Christians, were worried that Trump might stray away from his Republican base. Some were horrified by his conduct, such as the release of a “Access Hollywood” video in which Trump boasted about how easily he could sexually abuse women without consequence.
Pence, as Indiana’s governor and in Congress, Pence fought to limit gay rights and abortion . He was a key validator of Trump.
Like the other Republicans, he now faces the enormous challenge of cutting Trump’s support, and consolidating the universe GOP voters who are anti-Trump or simply open to another nominee.
While Pence’s name is known to nearly all voters, which would be a plus for any candidate, his low polling numbers indicate that his challenges are complicated by the fact the electorate has already formed an opinion of him.
Dan Eberhart is a GOP contributor who supports DeSantis. He said, “Mike Pence has a reputation as a conservative and an excellent public servant.” “He doesn’t have enough support from Republicans to be competitive.”
Pence’s campaign officials know that they must recast public perception of him. They hope to reintroduce Pence not as Trump’s Vice President or as the man that stood between the mobs and the Constitution, but as the conservative leadership he was at Congress and Indiana.
Pence, a supporter of President George W. Bush’s wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, has been unwavering in his support of U.S. assistance to Ukraine, even when Trump and DeSantis questioned its wisdom.
He also stands out from the other candidates by calling for Medicare and Social Security cuts, a position popular among economic conservatives while anathema to populist Republicans.
Pence was a House member who led a rebel group against Bush’s enactment a Medicare prescription drug program. He was a strong advocate of conservative-faction budgets, which would have cut entitlement programs.
Pence called for a ban on abortions, a topic that has divided the GOP ever since the Supreme Court ruled against federal protections for the procedure in 2017. Trump, who appointed the three justices who voted with the majority, stopped short. DeSantis has not answered the question about whether he will sign a law outlawing abortion nationwide. He recently signed into law a Florida six-week ban.
Pence’s throwback Republican program — a strong national defense, spending reductions and conservative social policies — has allowed his allies to see some hope in Iowa. That is why he launched his campaign in Iowa.
A person familiar with Pence ‘s plans said in the past week . It’s a state that values Mike Pence’s principles – traditional conservative principles – deep faith and uncommon character.
