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Title: Exploring the Paradox of Mike Pence: A Hero Stuck Between Tribes
Introduction:
Let’s indulge in a theory that cannot be tested but rings true: If Mike Pence, Republican presidential hopeful, were to venture into a crowd of fervent Donald Trump supporters, security would become an absolute necessity. However, even with a security detail, one cannot guarantee Pence’s safety. It’s inconceivable to imagine any Secret Service team willingly accompany him on such an expedition. The distrust and animosity toward Pence from a significant number of Trump supporters are simply too intense.
Contrastingly, Pence would likely be able to navigate a Joe Biden event crowd, like the recent rally in Philadelphia, without any security measures. Though some Biden supporters might make snide remarks, there is an equal chance that others would extend their gratitude and shake his hand for his role in preserving the nation on January 6, 2021.
Jonathan V. Last: Recognizing Mike Pence’s Heroism
To state the obvious, Pence finds himself in a predicament. As a Republican running for president, this poses a problem. Yet, for the nation, it is more than just a problem — it approaches the realm of a biblical tragedy. Mike Pence stands as the individual who dared to convey the truth to his tribe, only to be forsaken by them. Now, seeking acceptance once more, he finds himself desperate.
Pence dedicated over a quarter-century to conservatism, firmly rooted in his talk radio roots resembling a “Rush Limbaugh on decaf” persona. Even within the House of Representatives, he fearlessly challenged George W. Bush’s significant legislative achievements, such as No Child Left Behind and Medicare expansion, due to his commitment to conservative principles. Nevertheless, the Republican Party forgave these deviations, leading Pence to ascend to the No. 3 leadership position within the House GOP.
From there, Pence moved on to serve as the governor of Indiana and subsequently landed on the presidential ticket as Donald Trump’s running mate. Throughout their four-year tenure, Pence played the role of Trump’s loyal defender while discreetly striving to be the composed presence in the midst of chaos. Remember the fly on his face during a televised appearance? That was the least of his worries. And then came the coup.
As part of the coup attempt, Trump encouraged his supporters to march on the U.S. Capitol and prevent Pence from fulfilling his constitutional duty of certifying the electoral votes. The same supporters who had once proudly voted Pence into the role of vice president began erecting gallows and storming the Capitol, all while chanting, “Hang Mike Pence.” Surprisingly, Pence remains unperturbed by this unpleasantness. During an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Pence confidently claimed that those engaging in such acts were not representative of the patriotic, law-abiding Americans who support him, vehemently rejecting generalizations.
Never before in American politics has a candidate so faithfully adhered to Jesus’ teachings: “If someone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also.” Regardless of personal opinions about Mike Pence, it’s safe to assume that should a group of MAGA Proud Boys demand his tunic, Pence would willingly offer his cloak. God bless him.
In many ways, Pence bears resemblance to an Old Testament prophet, braving the disdain and hostility of the very people he strives to protect.
Title: God’s Plan Unfolds: A Complicated Journey for Mike Pence
A couple of weeks back, Pence attended an evangelical-forward town-hall event in Iowa, organized by the Family Leader. This gathering harmonized with Pence’s long-standing support base—conservative Christians from the Midwestern region. Tucker Carlson, serving as the event’s moderator, unleashed a barrage of criticism directed towards Pence, including his refusal to overturn the 2020 election and unwavering support for military aid to Ukraine. Pence held his ground, staying true to his conservative convictions, despite Carlson’s relentless onslaught.
This confrontation epitomized a perplexing dilemma faced by Pence. When given a choice between a TV personality who privately expresses passionate hatred towards Trump and Trump’s own vice president, who steadfastly served conservative causes for decades, evangelical attendees overwhelmingly cheered for Tucker Carlson and booed Pence.
The rest of America grapples with how to perceive Pence. He emerges as a complex figure with a contradictory track record. On one hand, Pence tolerated and defended Trump’s numerous transgressions throughout his presidency. By vouching for Trump among evangelical voters in 2016, he inadvertently facilitated Trump’s dominance within the Republican Party. Pence stood by Trump following the Charlottesville incident, throughout the first impeachment, and even attempted to mitigate the fallout from Trump’s mishandling of the COVID pandemic. Pence acted as a loyal running mate during the 2020 election, all while remaining aware of Trump’s flaws.
Yet, when Trump tried to undermine the peaceful transfer of power, Pence became the solitary figure standing between the preservation of the Constitution and its collapse. After years of submissive behavior, Pence demonstrated courage when it mattered most on January 6. Had he not adhered to the law, the repercussions could have been catastrophic.
Critics argue that Pence should not be lauded for merely following the law. Although understandable, the magnitude of Pence’s heroism in upholding his duty cannot be understated. On January 6, he faced physical and professional risks, jeopardizing not only his career but also the safety of his family. Pence risked it all to fulfill his legal obligations. While it’s comforting to believe we would all act the same in such circumstances, one cannot be certain. Most Republicans would not have made the same choices as Pence.
Moreover, Pence stands as one of the few Republican presidential candidates who consistently and candidly addresses January 6 and the importance of upholding the rule of law. His criticisms of Trump extend beyond a mere consideration of their impact on Republican prospects. Pence embodies the qualities that the pro-democracy movement seeks in a Republican candidate. In many ways, he represents the ideal model for a Republican Party seeking restoration and embracing liberal principles.
This very quality makes Pence reviled by a substantial number of Republicans, resulting in a favorability rating that barely manages to break even.
Pence finds himself in an oddly perplexing situation. Having broken free from a lifetime of political tribalism, he now attempts to reclaim the support of those who once sought his demise. It is a peculiar scenario, where Pence fails to recognize the change he inadvertently helped unleash within his own party.
One theory postulates that the Trump era revealed the existence of two axes on our political spectrum. While we are familiar with the left-right, progressive-conservative axis, we often overlook the up-down, liberal-illiberal axis. This additional axis has existed since the founding of America but, with the end of Jim Crow, faded from our collective memory. The assumption that all conservatives placed on the right-hand side of the x-axis, such as Reagan, Bush, Dole, McCain, and Romney, also occupied the liberal end of the y-axis became prevalent. Trump’s emergence shattered this assumption. Both voters and elected officials began to recognize… [SEO: to explore the concept further]
Overall, Mike Pence embarks on a journey fraught with contradictions and challenges. He now faces the daunting task of wooing back the very voters who once turned on him. Will he succeed? Only time will tell.
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