In the news today, former vice president Mike Pence has suspended his campaign for president. The longtime evangelical, who arguably should have garnered the support of the evangelicals who elected President Trump to office, never gained a following. His obsequious support of the former president — up to the point of refusing to violate his oath of office on January 6 — was seen by the base as a betrayal, not an act of allegiance to the U.S. Constitution. Pence was too much of a loyal milquetoast who betrayed Trump when it truly mattered. The MAGA base remains committed to the former president, despite the numerous indictments, violations of the norms of office, and lack of human decency.
As Mike Pence exits stage right, Mike Johnson enters stage left, elected this week to serve as the Speaker of the House replacing ousted Kevin McCarthy. The relatively unknown representative from Louisiana, who was only elected in 2016, distinguished himself by opposing the certification of the 2020 election, in the House on January 6 and earlier lawsuits filed in various states.
An evangelical and MAGA conservative, Johnson
supported bills that would institute a nationwide ban on abortion, and advocated for overturning the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision Obergefell v. Hodges, which affirmed a fundamental right for same-sex couples to marry. (Source: Wikipedia)
Announcing his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, Pence urged a gathering of Jewish Republicans to choose a Republican candidate that will
“appeal to the better angels of our nature, and not only lead us to victory, but lead our nation with civility back to the time-honored principles that have always made America strong and prosperous and free.”
Despite Pence’s wish and personal efforts, it seem likely that Trump will be the Republican candidate, and Johnson will be leading the House when the time comes to certify the 2024 election. I hope it’s not close.
