Mike Pence, former Vice President, has announced that he is suspending his 2024 presidential campaign. The announcement was made at the Republican Jewish Coalition Conference in Las Vegas, where Pence admitted, “It’s become clear to me this is not my time.” As if we didn’t see it coming!
Many Republicans will no doubt feel a sense of relief at this news. Pence, who served as Vice President under Donald Trump, has been a controversial figure within the party. His lackluster performance in the polls and inability to raise funds for his campaign only underscored what many conservatives already suspected: Pence was never cut out for the presidency.
Pence’s campaign, dubbed “The Pence Plan,” promised policies such as “expanding federalism,” making the United States the world’s No. 1 energy producer, ending inflation, and “putting America’s families and values first.” However, his promises fell on deaf ears, with his national primary polling average hovering around a measly 3.8 percent. In Iowa, the situation was even more dire, with Pence sitting at just 2 percent.
But it wasn’t just his unimpressive polling numbers that soured his campaign. Pence’s financial struggles were another glaring sign of his unsuitability for the presidency. With just $1.18 million cash on-hand reported by the end of September and a debt exceeding $600,000, Pence’s campaign was floundering from the get-go.
Pence’s decision to suspend his campaign is a clear recognition of his inability to rally the Republican base. His tenure as Vice President under Trump was marked by controversy, particularly his handling of the U.S. Capitol breach on January 6, 2021, and his refusal to challenge the results of the 2020 election. These actions put him at odds with many Republicans, who saw him as out of touch with the party’s core values.
While Pence has vowed to continue fighting for conservative values, his departure from the 2024 race is a welcome development for those who believe in strong, principled Republican leadership. As Pence steps away, it’s clear that his time in the spotlight was short-lived, and rightfully so. His lack of charisma, inability to connect with voters, and questionable loyalty to the party made him an unlikely candidate for president from the start.
Now, as the dust settles, the GOP can focus on rallying behind a candidate who truly embodies conservative values. With Pence out of the picture, the path is clear for a leader who can unite the party and lead it to victory in 2024. Pence’s exit is not a loss for the Republican party; it’s an opportunity for growth and reinvigoration.
We always knew it, but now it’s official: Pence was never presidential material. And frankly, we’re better off without him.