“DECENCY AND CIVILITY”
Pence, who in a launch video earlier Wednesday insisted that “God is not done with America yet”, is the first modern vice president to challenge his old running mate for his party’s nomination.
His announcement speech underscored the tightrope that Pence will have to walk on the campaign trail as he attempts to distance himself from the chaos of the Trump years while taking credit for the gains he believes the country made.
Pence attacked Trump for backing off conservative policies such as tough abortion curbs and fiscal responsibility, and accused him of breaking a promise “on day one” to govern with “decency and civility” as he vilified fellow Republicans.
“I’ll always be grateful for what president Trump did for this country. I’ve often prayed for him over the past few years and I prayed for him again today,” added the Indiana native, who was celebrating his 64th birthday.
“I had hoped he would come around and see that he had been misled about my role that day but that was not to be.”
Pence announced his presidential run a day after former New Jersey governor Chris Christie joined the contest. Florida governor Ron DeSantis and two former, governors Nikki Haley and Asa Hutchinson, are also in the race.
Polls show Trump as the overwhelming early frontrunner, regularly posting leads on DeSantis in excess of 30 points. None of the other candidates – Pence included – is achieving double figures.
But the former president is facing multiple criminal investigations into his personal and professional conduct that have already yielded dozens of felony charges.
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