As a Johnny-Come-Lately to Hoosierland when Mannequin Mike Pence was governor it was obvious to me that he lead from behind.
When influenced by Mother or his Evangelical cohorts, he was a disaster. He had to backtrack on an anti-gay bill when the state's leading employers squawked and conventions were canceled.
Had not he been picked by Trump to be his beard for the Evangelicals, he'd be just a other former governor.
One political aspect not shown so obviously when in Congress or the governorship was his joy in being a fawning sycophant, with no sense of shame.
I’ve seen examples of how most cults seem to end: Jonestown, Branch Davidians, Heaven’s Gate. I can’t wait to see how the cult of Trump ends. Do they all have a cyanide-laced beverage when he dies? Maybe someone else can step into the role of Dear Leader, but Pence just doesn’t have the right vibe. Trump’s failsons don’t either.
The strength of democracy and recognized elections is that it provides for succession from leader to leader. That’s the problem the GOP has now I’m not recognizing Trump lost. They can’t put him in the past. It’s why monarchies failed and Rome collapsed. It’s unsustainable.
Trump needed Pence to reel in the evangelical Christians for their votes and pick their pockets. Pence needs to stay "public" to earn a living - make speeches, write articles, etc. There's "no getting" and there's no lane. The party is in the vise of the vulgarian.
When Mike Pence was being floated as Trumps VP, he is so wooden and appeared to be a milquetoast. I have heard that odds were he wasn’t going to be reelected and Trump needed him. Trump used him for what he needed him for, but Pence doesn’t have any personality and doesn’t come across as anyone who wanted to move on to the presidency. The presidency may be what he aspires to be, however, perception is part of this and I can’t see it. He has no lane anyway, so he will be quickly ending his campaign.
As a Born Again Christian, Pence has Faith in his message and is used to those who deny--his Born Again beliefs, his personal Faith in his righteousness, and his desire to show his Faith publicly.
Essentially he’s a Dreamer, and fantasizes about becoming the President, he believes it is God’s will that a true believer be in that Position.
He’s a well meaning but very limited guy, due for obscurity in a few months, after the primaries. Go home to Mother now, Mike, and save yourself a lot of time, money, and disappointment!
I think what the Republican base was looking for back In 2016 that they found in Trump was the guy that they heard on the radio everyday they wanted someone like Rush Limbaugh.
My guess is that he will raise about $100M from anti Trump hopefuls, and then shovel that money to second tier GOP consultants who will then gladly line their pockets, while burning the cash on mailers and obscure direct marketing before he flames out before even the Iowa caucuses.
As a Johnny-Come-Lately to Hoosierland when Mannequin Mike Pence was governor it was obvious to me that he lead from behind.
When influenced by Mother or his Evangelical cohorts, he was a disaster. He had to backtrack on an anti-gay bill when the state's leading employers squawked and conventions were canceled.
Had not he been picked by Trump to be his beard for the Evangelicals, he'd be just a other former governor.
One political aspect not shown so obviously when in Congress or the governorship was his joy in being a fawning sycophant, with no sense of shame.
Thank you for reminding me that Mike Pence is running for President in 2024.
I’ve seen examples of how most cults seem to end: Jonestown, Branch Davidians, Heaven’s Gate. I can’t wait to see how the cult of Trump ends. Do they all have a cyanide-laced beverage when he dies? Maybe someone else can step into the role of Dear Leader, but Pence just doesn’t have the right vibe. Trump’s failsons don’t either.
The strength of democracy and recognized elections is that it provides for succession from leader to leader. That’s the problem the GOP has now I’m not recognizing Trump lost. They can’t put him in the past. It’s why monarchies failed and Rome collapsed. It’s unsustainable.
*in not recognizing Trump lost*
Would it kill Substack to allow editing of comments?
I have about as much chance of winning the Republican Presidential nomination as former VP Pence does.
Trump needed Pence to reel in the evangelical Christians for their votes and pick their pockets. Pence needs to stay "public" to earn a living - make speeches, write articles, etc. There's "no getting" and there's no lane. The party is in the vise of the vulgarian.
I believe you meant to say “And the rationale…“
It is indeed, rational to discuss his rationale for running.
Among the candidates who have no lane, he *really* has no lane.
FWIW, I don't get Mike Pence
Excellent article! As a Canadian looking in, I really don't "get" Mike Pence. You have provided me some context i didn't have.
Also, I love your style of commentary, filled with great metaphors and similes that never fail to make me smile or say aha
When Mike Pence was being floated as Trumps VP, he is so wooden and appeared to be a milquetoast. I have heard that odds were he wasn’t going to be reelected and Trump needed him. Trump used him for what he needed him for, but Pence doesn’t have any personality and doesn’t come across as anyone who wanted to move on to the presidency. The presidency may be what he aspires to be, however, perception is part of this and I can’t see it. He has no lane anyway, so he will be quickly ending his campaign.
Very well said, Chris. Totally agree. You could pretty much write the same column, with ideological tweaks, about Asa Hutchinson or Nikki Haley
'biden' makes no sense either as he is senile.
Pence at least can formulate a sentence.
As a Born Again Christian, Pence has Faith in his message and is used to those who deny--his Born Again beliefs, his personal Faith in his righteousness, and his desire to show his Faith publicly.
Essentially he’s a Dreamer, and fantasizes about becoming the President, he believes it is God’s will that a true believer be in that Position.
He’s a well meaning but very limited guy, due for obscurity in a few months, after the primaries. Go home to Mother now, Mike, and save yourself a lot of time, money, and disappointment!
I think what the Republican base was looking for back In 2016 that they found in Trump was the guy that they heard on the radio everyday they wanted someone like Rush Limbaugh.
"This much is clear: Mike Pence is going to run for president in 2024.
The thing I don’t get is why."
Because he's clueless.
Why is he running?
My guess is that he will raise about $100M from anti Trump hopefuls, and then shovel that money to second tier GOP consultants who will then gladly line their pockets, while burning the cash on mailers and obscure direct marketing before he flames out before even the Iowa caucuses.
That feels about right