Pence Rejects Trump Populism: Former VP Mike Pence has begun his 2024 White House campaign. As the campaign begins, he’s becoming more critical of his old boss, ex-President Donald Trump. During the primary race, Pence balanced his criticisms of Trump’s leadership with praise for their administration’s accomplishments.
Pence’s attacks on Trump have worsened, giving Republican voters a choice in the 2024 race. Pence questioned the Republican Party’s future in a speech at Saint Anselm College’s New Hampshire Institute of Politics: “Will we choose conservatism or populism without conservative principles?” He stated the party must choose between two paths.
Pence expressed concern about the populist movement in the Republican Party, prioritizing personal grievances and fake anger over conservative principles, limited government, and traditional values. He said Trump and his supporters are like leftists and “fellow travelers on the road to ruin.” Pence admitted he and Trump governed as conservatives but said the present Republican Party, including Trump and his followers, no longer makes such promises.
Pence urged the party to consider Reagan as a model, highlighting his belief in freedom and economic freedom and his respectful and polite leadership. He mocked Trump’s 2015 presidential announcement on a golden escalator. He compared it to the party’s past before Trump’s rise.
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In response to Pence’s speech, Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trump’s campaign, defended Trump’s presidency by highlighting the divide between voters and Beltway insiders in the 2016 election. Miller said Trump improved the conservative movement and the Republican Party.
When asked about comparing Trump to Reagan at the 2016 Republican National Convention, Pence said he didn’t mind and noted their shared conservative leadership. But he said Trump and some imitators were moving away from conservative ideas. In the 2024 election season, Pence’s direct criticism of Trump highlights the Republican Party’s division. The party must decide between populism and traditional conservatism, and Pence’s presidential bid will be closely watched as he navigates this ideological landscape.
Our Reader’s Queries
Was Pence a Republican?
From 2005 to 2007, he led the Republican Study Committee, and from 2009 to 2011, he headed the House Republican Conference. In 2012, he became the governor of Indiana. During his time as governor, Pence implemented Indiana’s biggest tax cut and advocated for increased funding for private education programs.
What did Mike Pence do?
Vice President Pence, while serving as Governor of Indiana, bolstered school funding, broadened school choice, and established the inaugural state-funded Pre-K initiative in Indiana. He prioritized career and technical education in all high schools.
How much is Mike Pence’s net worth?
Pence’s representative did not reply to inquiries about this article. Even though Pence’s retirement funds are a substantial part of his $4 million wealth, they are not his sole assets anymore, amounting to about $1.1 million altogether.
What is populism ideology?
Populism encompasses a variety of political positions that prioritize the concept of “the people” and often contrast this collective with “the elite”. It is commonly linked with resistance against established authorities and hostility towards traditional politics.