Mike Pence and His Talent for Being Absent

[babylonsister]

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/08/mike-pence-and-his-talent-for-being-absent/569017/

Mike Pence and His Talent for Being Absent
In the swirl of headlines around President Trump and the White House, Vice President Mike Pence hardly merits a mention.
Dick Polman
6:00 AM ET

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The official word—from the Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah, informing CNN—is that “Vice President Pence is focused on advancing the President’s agenda for a growing economy, a safer America and reelecting Republican majorities in the House and Senate.” The unofficial word, from a longtime Pence aide, is that “he likes to be out.” In translation, he likes to be as far away from the White House chaos as he can physically manage, and when he is confronted with uncomfortable questions about the mounting scandals—as he was last week during a trip to Texas and Louisiana, with Air Force Two’s engine roar intruding on the questioners—he stays mute.

Pence continues to take heat for his dogged fealty to Trump. Michael D’Antonio and Peter Eisner, the authors of the new book The Shadow President: The Truth About Mike Pence, call him a “toady.” George Will, the conservative columnist who’s openly rooting for a Democratic midterm sweep, calls Pence “America’s most repulsive public figure.” When Pence stands behind Trump, rotely nodding at the latest pearls of Trumpian wisdom, he sometimes conjures images of a bobblehead doll, the kind kids get for free at ballparks.

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But while this debate over Pence’s suitability rages on, it’s still unclear whether, or to what extent, Pence is entwined with the Trump regime’s Russia woes. It’s the old Howard Baker question, rebooted from the 1973 Senate Watergate hearings: What did Pence know, and when did he know it? There are lingering questions about Pence’s knowledge of Michael Flynn’s preinaugural back-channel dealings with Russia while President Barack Obama was meting out sanctions. There are lingering questions about Pence’s knowledge of the true reasons for the Comey firing. Pence might still be a target, or a suspect—or a potential witness. And by dint of his job, he is the one aide that Trump can’t fire.

Pence is mostly mute these days, except at private Republican fund-raisers, but events beyond his control may propel him to the foreground. And perhaps the biggest question is whether he will be irrevocably tainted by association.

[Achilleaze]

1. Lurking and smirking, skulking in the super-stanky KGOP republican shadows

[nature-lover]

2. He deserves massive media scrutiny.

So far, he has been basically overlooked. Trump has sucked all of the oxygen. Pence needs to be reported on as if he were running for office - which he is.

[Grammy23]

3. tRump would never tolerate a more vocal Pence. Never.

Even if Pence were to come out of his shell, you can bet tRump would call him on the carpet. There is only room for one King and Pence ain’t it. Just ask tRump. He will be happy to let you know who is in charge and who the lackeys are.

[smirkymonkey]

4. Even when he is there, he's still absent.

The guy is a complete nothing. How he ever got where he is I will never know.

[Solly Mack]

5. Pence knew.

But should Trump be rightfully impeached, convicted/removed, indicted, tried - and then sent off to prison, there will be some bullshit narrative about how Pence will bring stabilization and how the nation can now move on. (my fear)

Unless Mueller can and does expose Pence's role. (my hope)


Oh, and he has to get McConnell and Ryan too.

Not that there is anyone in the line of succession who isn't a piece of shit and a danger to America.

[RestoreAmerica2020]

7. Pence is not an innocent bystander. he'll follow suit as that of Spiro Agnew and resign..

..his resignation could stem from his knowledge and or involvement in Flynn cover up; his connection to criminal/corrupt manafort who somehow "stong armed" odious-traitor trump into selecting pence as V.P, [Does Russia have kompromat on him as well?] Also, it's difficult to fatham that Pence kept an arms-length approach to shady dealings of donthecon without soiling his hands in some manner. The depth and breath of criminality and corruption of trump, his family, staff, friends, gop is stunning...when he resigns, is impeached hopefully he takes everyone down with him--including pence.


Vice President Agnew resigns - Oct 10, 1973 - HISTORY.com
Less than a year before Richard M. Nixon's resignation as president of the United States, Spiro Agnew becomes the first U.S. vice president to resign in disgrace. The same day, he pleaded no contest to a charge of federal income tax evasion in exchange for the dropping of charges of political corruption.

[Solly Mack]

8. Of course he isn't innocent.

But that won't necessarily stop a BS narrative from taking place.

[RestoreAmerica2020]

9. Agreed. The attempt to distance himself from the fray is obvious; yet sadly...

Pence may well be the next president, that is, until 2020--a racist, bigot religious fanatic vs a racist bigoted facist...I suppose he is the lesser of two evils...yet, evil just the same.

I would hope, given his legal background, congressional experience, he would bring some semblance of normalcy to presidency: utiize available intel resources to approach foreign and domestic policies--one can only surmise he is cognizant of what the office entails...frankly, he will be a welcome change from all the chaos that his boss is bent on creating everyday.

We'll just have to wait and see how it all pans out.. ..Mueller's report; dems (we) take control of house of reps. in November...it''ll be interesting to watch how the dominoes [corrupt repubs] falll. #GOTV2018

[yellowcanine]

6. Pence is killing his chances to be elected as President. Trumpers will not reward his loyalty.

Pence can never be more than Trump Light and that will not be good enough for Trumpers. And anyone who despises Trump, which includes a significant number of Republicans and Independents, will never support Pence.