In a speech, in New Orleans, on Friday, former vice president of the U.S. Mike Pence touched upon several issues including the need to move away from the 2020 elections to calling out “apologists for Putin” in the GOP, whom he believes should not have space in the party. His latest speech shows how much he has distanced himself away from former president Trump.
In his speech with top donors who contribute to the Republican Party, he spoke up against those who had not forcibly condemned the invasion of Ukraine by Russia under President Vladimir Putin. Excerpts from his speech said that he questioned where the Russian tanks would be, if NATO had not increased the borders of freedom.
He also forcefully said that there was no room in the GOP for “apologists for Putin.” He also said that there was only room for “champions of freedom.” It must be noted that the speech was closed to reporters.
Although Pence reportedly never mentioned the former president by name, he used language that directly pointed to words that were described by the GOP leader to describe Putin, one of which was “smart” and mentioning the comment that said that an attack would have never occurred on his watch, language that has been used by Trump recently.
Mike Pence is reportedly laying the groundwork for a possible presidential bid in 2024, as Trump keeps dropping hints of a potential comeback, especially when he addresses large crowds of his supporters.
Pence reportedly said that elections were about the “future” and that his fellow Republicans could win if they remained united around a future optimistic vision that was based on the party’s “highest values.” He mentioned that “yesterday’s battles” would not win future elections.
The one issue in which he joined Trump and other Republicans was to blame President Biden for the war in Ukraine by saying that “weakness” aroused “evil” and the “magnitude of evil that was sweeping across Ukraine speaks volumes about this president. “
It is unsurprising that he criticized the present president as that is what opposition parties do around the world; to stay relevant and to energize their voter base.
(Photo: mark reinstein)
