Jonathan Martin reports on the groundwork that Mike Pence is laying for a 2024 presidential run with a special focus on how Pence is separating himself from Trump. For instance, Pence is campaigning with Georgia governor Brian Kemp, who similarly refused to let Trump cajole him into disputing the 2020 election results. Pence also refers in his speeches to his gratitude toward people who thank him for standing up for the constitutional process on January 6, 2021. He also refuses to rule out a run if Trump decides to run.
Now, I personally don’t think Pence would stand a chance against Trump one-on-one. In his days as governor of Indiana, I wish Pence had been as defiant in defense of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act with Apple Computers as Ron DeSantis has been on the Florida education bill with Disney.
Also, it may be tiresome for Pence, but naturally the media will focus relentlessly on his relationship with Trump and try to elicit more and more from him about his willingness to run against Trump.
If I were Ron DeSantis, Bill Lee, or another ambitious Republican and wanted to run for president in 2024, come what may, I’d want Pence to be in the field. Pence is likely to be a focus for Trump’s ire. And the drama between Trump and Pence would be a great opportunity to present oneself as a candidate for looking ahead in hope, rather than back in anger.