Pence opens presidential bid with denunciation of Trump over Jan. 6 insurrection and abortion

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By JILL COLVIN and THOMAS BEAUMONT 13 minutes ago

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence opened his bid for the Republican nomination for president Wednesday with a firm denunciation of former President Donald Trump, accusing his two-time running mate of abandoning conservative principles and being guilty of dereliction of duty on Jan. 6, 2021.

Pence, launching his campaign in a suburb of Des Moines, became the first vice president in modern history to challenge the president under whom he served. He said Trump had disqualified himself when he insisted that Pence had the power to keep him in office — even though he did not.

Trump, he said, “endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol” on the 6th. “But the American people deserve to know that on that day, President Trump also demanded I choose between him and our Constitution. Now voters will be faced with the same choice.”

“I believe anyone that puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States, and anyone who asks someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be president of the United Sates again,” he said.




Read more: https://apnews.com/article/pence-iowa-launch-2024-republican-presidential-campaign-faa2082d8d3269dc73a28c893188c2ff

[groundloop]

1. It's a little late for that now asshole.....

where were you when the country needed you. You made no attempt to invoke the 25th Amendment, you just ran away from your duty with your tail tucked between your legs.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

20. Redemption speaking truth is not late, it's urgent.

[captain queeg]

2. Finally! A day late and a dollar short.

But maybe he’s finally ready to spilled the beans. I’ll bet trumpy is foaming at the mouth he’s so terrified.

[hibbing]

3. Delusional n/t

[C_U_L8R]

4. What a smarmy worm.

If he had any integrity, he’d walk over to the DOJ and tell all.

[SunSeeker]

22. Exactly! nt

[2naSalit]

25. +1

[RussBLib]

5. well, Pence did refuse to bow down to Trump and the mob, saving our democracy

...and while that is no small thing, that's about the only good thing I can say about him.

[peppertree]

11. True - but to most Republicans, it's heresy

And you know how they feel about that.

[Bucky]

30. Finally, someone is trying to fill that niche in the GOP ecosystem

I hope it works. I'd like to see the Republicans get past this fascism phase and go back to just being plain old horrible.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

21. If Pence had not that one good thing...save democracy...yes, that's true...it's a big deal!

You or I would not be able to say anything but…Heil Trump!

[JohnSJ]

33. That about sun it up

[piddyprints]

6. I never thought I'd agree with Mike Pence about anything.

However, this I agree with: "I believe anyone that puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States, and anyone who asks someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be president of the United Sates again,” he said.

Still, that's no excuse for Pence's continued support for TFG until he decided to run himself. I consider that disqualifying. Anyone who has ever supported "anyone that puts themselves over the Constitution" should never be president of the United States or even allowed on the ballot.

Actually, is there a Republican running who really is qualified? I'm not impressed with what I see so far.

[oldsoftie]

14. Yep, that WAS a good line. Cant WAIT to see the all-caps response.

[vlyons]

7. and no coward like him should be president either

especially a VP, who wiped Trump's ass for 4 years

[machoneman]

8. Great! Republicans in disarray! News at 11! Love to see R's fighting each other. I smell losers!

The more they fight, the more they can't target our Dems. The more money that pours into these loser's pockets, the less that will be available for attack ads and $ to support down ticket R's.

All of them have refined the art of not giving back any monies their sad, delusional supporters donate, to more needy state/local candidates let alone House/Senate R's. I say, the more who enter the R side of the race, the better!

[SouthernDem4ever]

9. Better late than never

[peppertree]

10. Good luck with that, Dense Pence

Thou hath offended their deity - and must now pay.

[durablend]

12. Sounds like time for more popcorn

[Wonder Why]

27. With lots of butter but not too much salt.

[oldsoftie]

13. I must admit I was surprised at how openly critical of Trump he was.

And by NAME too; not some some half-assed reference like some to the others have done.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

15. Nothing says "I'm Serious!" like a poorly-cut Kinko's sign scotch-taped to blue velour curtains

Did they announce at the Ballroom at a rural Indiana La Quinta?

[C Moon]

16. Coincidentally, on the same day as the feds announce tfg will be charged.

Spineless.
Look at that photo: he looks like Leslie Nielsen making fun of a politician!

[musclecar6]

17. As

Someone said about Pence’s behavior back on January 6 it’s not that he finally did the right thing, he just didn’t do the wrong thing.

[twodogsbarking]

18. It's a baby when Mother says it is a baby. Never question Mother.

[SunSeeker]

23. Yup, notice how Mother thrusts her fist in the air, while Pence waives sheepishly. nt

[bahboo]

19. yep...double down on abortion, fly brain....

that's a real winner for ya....

[FakeNoose]

24. He doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell

... but OK Mike, jump on the bandwagon. Let's hear what you have to say. FINALLY!

[slightlv]

26. I'd be worried if I thought he had a snowball's chance in hell...

but the magats can't stand him because he didn't do what *rump wanted him to do... keep him in office. AFAIK, they still want to hang the man.

But if he gets anywhere near public office again, watch out. He's a dominionist theocrat. He WILL install his brand of theology as the de facto government for all of us. They're working on that now. On that note, I -can- see all the right wing xtianists voting for him.

[SouthernDem4ever]

31. +1

Thanks for the reminder. I don't need more religious wingnuts trying to dictate my life to me.

[GenThePerservering]

28. Throwing his noose into the ring

did Mother bring cookies to the announcement?

[trusty elf]

29. Anagram for "Mike Pence"....

Me, Epic Ken!

[Oneironaut]

32. Pence can go fuck himself all the way up to his nostrils.

This is the guy who condemned the Democrats for ‘overreacting’ to the insurrection.

Hey Pence - Fuck you! You didn’t deserve to be saved that day.

[LiberalFighter]

34. Was his brother Greg there to support him?