By Smartencyclopedia Newsroom *

In a video released on Wednesday, former vice-president Mike Pence officially launched his campaign for the Republican nomination for president, expressing his belief that the United States has yet to experience its best days.

Pence, who served alongside President Donald Trump for four years, emphasized the need for different leadership in these changing times.

He quoted Abraham Lincoln, stating that the party and the country require a leader who appeals to the better side of human nature. Despite the option to remain on the sidelines, Pence asserted that his upbringing compels him to take action.

Thus, he made the solemn announcement, in the presence of God and his family, that he is running for the presidency.

Notably, Pence’s campaign is unique as he will be the first vice president in recent history to challenge his former running mate.

Iowa holds a significant position in Pence’s presidential aspirations as he focuses his efforts on gaining support from the state.

I believe in the American people, and I have faith God is not done with America yet. Together, we can bring this Country back, and the best days for the Greatest Nation on Earth are yet to come! 🇺🇸 #Pence2024 pic.twitter.com/A8EkqgCDAm

— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) June 7, 2023

Pence’s presidential campaign will serve as a test for the Republican Party’s receptiveness to a socially conservative, mild-mannered, and deeply religious candidate who has distanced himself from the populist wave that swept through the party during Trump’s tenure. Additionally, it will determine whether Pence still possesses a political future following the events of January 6, 2021. A significant portion of GOP voters still hold onto Trump’s false claims of a stolen 2020 election and believe that Pence had the authority to reject the election results, which were won by Democrat Joe Biden.

Pence and his advisors view Iowa, the state where the first GOP votes will be cast, as crucial for his potential path to securing the nomination. They recognize that Iowa’s caucus-goers consist of a substantial number of evangelical Christian voters, who are seen as a natural support base for Pence. Moreover, they believe that Pence’s personality aligns well with the Midwestern state, given his past representation of Indiana in Congress and as governor.

Scott Reed, co-chair of a recently launched super PAC that supports Pence’s candidacy, expressed confidence in the importance of Iowa, stating, “We believe the path to victory runs through Iowa and all of its 99 counties.”

Historically, Iowa has been viewed as a launching pad for presidential contenders, providing momentum, funding, and attention to those who either achieve victory or exceed expectations. However, previous winners such as Ted Cruz, Rick Santorum, and Mike Huckabee have failed to secure the ultimate nomination.

Pence faces formidable challenges in his campaign. He enters the race as one of the most well-known Republican candidates in a crowded field that now includes Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. Furthermore, Pence carries the burden of being perceived by Trump critics as complicit in his most indefensible actions, while Trump loyalists label him as a traitor, resulting in high unfavorable ratings.

According to a recent CNN poll, 45 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents stated that they would not support Pence under any circumstances, while only 16 percent held the same view about Trump.

Pence’s favorability ratings have also declined in Iowa, as indicated by The Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. In June 2021, shortly after leaving office, 86 percent of Iowa Republicans viewed Pence favorably. However, the March Iowa Poll conducted by The Register showed a decrease to 66 percent. The poll also revealed that Pence received higher unfavorable ratings than all the other candidates mentioned, including Trump and DeSantis, with 26 percent of Republicans expressing a somewhat or very unfavorable view of him.

Additionally, only 58 percent of Iowa evangelicals expressed favorable feelings toward Pence, which is particularly disappointing given his campaign’s focus on this constituency.

However, Pence has been well-received by voters during his visits to Iowa, having made more than a dozen trips since leaving office. At a recent “Roast and Ride” event that attracted numerous 2024 candidates, Pence stood out as the only candidate to ride a Harley motorcycle and participate in the annual motorcycle ride. During a barbecue at the state fairgrounds, he interacted with attendees, moving from table to table and engaging in warm conversations.

Nonetheless, there remains lingering skepticism of Pence among many Republican voters who subscribe to the baseless conspiracy theory that the 2020 election was stolen. Some of these individuals believe that Pence was complicit in a plot to deny Trump a second term due to his refusal to succumb to Trump’s pressure campaign to reject the Electoral College vote during the joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump’s supporters violently stormed the Capitol.

Pence’s advisers acknowledge this challenge and aim to directly explain to voters that Pence was fulfilling his constitutional duty and had no power to influence the vote in his ceremonial role.

Looking beyond January 6, Pence’s team sees their primary goal as reintroducing him to a country that predominantly recognizes him as Trump’s second-in-command. They plan to remind voters of his leadership in Congress and as governor, with a campaign strategy focused on town halls, house parties, and visits to local establishments like diners and Pizza Ranch restaurants. These more intimate settings will provide an opportunity for voters to personally connect with Pence.

Marc Short, Pence’s longtime adviser, believes that it’s important to address these concerns head-on, stating, “I think it’s something you have to walk straight through.”

According to Scott Reed, Pence’s campaign co-chair, there is a strong desire within the party for a candidate like Pence who embodies Reagan-style conservatism, which includes traditional social values, a firm stance on foreign policy, and a commitment to small government economics. Reed believes that the nomination fight will be a significant battle for the conservative, traditional wing of the Republican Party, and Pence will campaign as a classic conservative with unmatched credentials.

Unlike Trump and DeSantis, Pence has advocated for considering cuts to Social Security and Medicare, as well as criticized those who question the need for providing aid to Ukraine in response to Russian aggression.

Reed emphasizes that their strategy will not involve trying to imitate Trump, as other candidates are doing. Instead, Pence will campaign as an independent candidate not seeking to be Trump’s vice president.

Source: With agencies