On Saturday, in a speech to the Federalist Society, former Vice President Mike Pence stated that “President Trump is wrong, I had no right to overturn the election.”
This statement has gotten a lot of attention, primarily because the vast majority of Republican politicians agree with Pence but refuse to say as much because remaining in power has become more important to them than defending the Constitution and preserving democracy.
But it shouldn’t be much of a surprise. By refusing to follow through on Trump’s plan to overturn the election, he made it clear that he thought Trump was wrong. By certifying the election of President Biden against Trump’s orders, Pence clearly indicated – through word and deed – that he thought Trump was wrong.
Still, I’m pleased to hear someone with the stature of Pence in the GOP defend democracy, but let us remember:
Mike Pence is still a terrible person.
It took him 395 days after the January 6 attack on the Capitol to say these words, so his come-to-Jesus moment is a little late in coming.
Also, for some context:
Mike Pence also began his political career in 1990 by losing a race for Congress because he was caught using campaign funds to pay his mortgage and personal expenses. Polling numbers turned dramatically against him when his personal use of campaign funds was exposed by the press.
Mike Pence ended his political career – at least for now – cowering in the basement of the US Capitol as his Republican supporters attempted to locate and hang him.
Not exactly the most illustrious bookends framing your career in government.
Mike Pence also decided to join a Presidential ticket in 2015 alongside a running mate who:
- Called for a “complete and total shut down of Muslims entering America”
- Repeatedly denigrated the military service of Senator John McCain
- Attacked Gold Star families
- Mocked of the disabled
Pence remained on the ticket after it was revealed that his running mate had confessed to repeated sexual assault, admitted to stealing money from Americans via a fake university, and demonstrated little or no knowledge of basic things like three parts of the nuclear triad, the means by which tariffs function, and basic geography.
Then Pence stood by Trump through two impeachments, the Mueller report, Charlottesville, Helsinki, the doctoring of weather maps, the separation of migrant children from their parents on the border, the reference to African nations as “shithole countries,” the disregard of the emoluments clause, payments of hush money to a porn star, the longest government shutdown in US history, the use of tear gas and force to clear peaceful protesters from Lafayette Park so he could hold a Bible upside down for a photo shoot, the total and complete mismanagement of the pandemic, and much, much more.
I am happy that Pence finally spoke the truth, but let us not forget who he was prior to finding the courage to say something that a large majority of Americans already knows is true, and who he continues to be.
