Donald Trump walked away from his term as President with several key relationships that went sour and one of his biggest critics is his former Vice President Mike Pence.
But Pence just made his old boss’ month thanks to a massive announcement.
The former VP announced he would officially press pause on his attempt to try to defeat Trump in 2024 himself.
“After much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to suspend my campaign for President effective today,” Pence explained in a somewhat bitter message during a conference in Las Vegas. “I’m leaving this campaign, but let me promise you, I will never leave the fight for conservative values and I will never stop fighting to elect principled Republican leaders to every office in the land. So help me God.”
Of course, everyone can read “suspend” in all likelihood as never to resume.
The writing has been on the walls for months since Pence regularly polled in the low single digits.
In fact, his announcement may have been a strategic move on Pence’s part to save face.
Pence was reportedly in grave danger of not making the cut for the third Republican Presidential Primary debate that took place on Tuesday.
That he would rather suspend his campaign than face the prospect of his ego being unable to endure the humiliation of missing the cut seemingly stands as confirmation both were true.
Pence was making a play for the White House more than a decade ago long before Trump was on the scene.
Some Washington, D.C. insiders suspected Pence’s main purpose in running for President was rooted in distancing himself from Trump following January 6.
After hearing about Pence’s announcement, Trump lit into his former Vice President’s “disloyalty.”
“Because I had a great, successful Presidency and he was the Vice President, he should endorse me,” Trump declared. “I chose him, made him Vice President, but… people in politics can be very disloyal.”
Trump’s response was in sharp contrast with Ron DeSantis’ reaction.
The Florida Governor lauded Pence as “a principled man of faith who has worked tirelessly to advance the conservative cause.”
Meanwhile, Nikki Haley, former South Carolina Governor and Trump’s UN Ambassador, awkwardly announced that she wanted to “say just a special point to Vice President Mike Pence.”
“He’s been a good man of faith,” Haley said. “He’s been a good man of service. He has fought for America, and he has fought for Israel. And we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”
“The [former] Vice President has been a prayer partner, a friend, and a man of integrity and deep conviction,” Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) announced. “The Republican Party is stronger today because of Mike’s leadership.”
Pence’s decision to bow out of the race – albeit a technical suspension – marks a significant development that will benefit Pence’s fellow establishment Republicans still in the race like Nikki Haley.
The GOP’s RINO wing will almost assuredly consolidate around Haley in hopes she’ll outpace the conservative-wing’s favored Trump alternative Ron DeSantis for the privilege of going head to head with the former Republican President.
Political Animal News will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this ongoing story.
