Former Vice President Mike Pence officially launched his presidential campaign on Wednesday, June 7, marking a significant break from his former boss, Donald Trump.
Pence delivered a speech in Ankeny, Iowa, where he criticized Trump’s conduct, particularly regarding the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol and his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Pence emphasized his commitment to the Constitution, stating that anyone who places themselves above it should never be president. He also highlighted his policy differences with Trump on issues such as abortion, entitlement programs, and relations with Russia.
While Pence expressed pride in the accomplishments of the Trump-Pence administration, his campaign video released earlier in the day did not include any images of Trump, and his campaign website focused more on his tenure as the governor of Indiana.
Pence’s decision to run for president presents a unique challenge as a former vice president taking on his former boss. He aims to promote his experience while offering himself as a strong alternative to Trump. Pence’s campaign strategy includes discussing Trump’s conduct when necessary but also focusing on his own vision for the presidency.
While Pence faces skepticism about his chances, he believes that the Republican base has not become as extreme as some may think and that he can capitalize on the policy successes of the Trump-Pence administration without the controversies associated with Trump himself.
Pence’s campaign will heavily invest in Iowa, where he has already made several visits, and plans to travel to all 99 counties in the state. However, Pence faces a tough path to the nomination as he struggles to gain traction in national polls. Despite his name recognition, many Republican voters do not consider him a top choice for the party’s nominee.
Pence has attempted to differentiate himself from other candidates through his support for Ukraine, calls for entitlement reform, and a strong anti-abortion stance. He testified before a federal grand jury about Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and recently received clearance from the Justice Department for potentially sensitive government documents.
