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Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at Washington and Lee University for the Mock Convention. (Credit: Hayden Robertson, WSET)

Mike Pence, former United States Vice President, spoke at the annual Mock Convention held at Washington and Lee University Tuesday afternoon.

The Mock Convention, also called "MockCon" is a 115-year-old tradition that university students have planned for whichever political party does not control the White House.

After the former vice president gave his speech, Fox News Host and Chief Political Correspondent Brett Baier held a question-and-answer event with him.

While Pence has not said if he will run yet, Baier said his toughest competition would be former President Donald Trump, who consistently blames Pence for what happened on January 6.

The political commentator impersonated Trump asking Pence about what would happen on the campaign trail.

RELATED: Former VP Mike Pence visits Washington & Lee for Mock Convention kickoff

"The former President, if you run, is going to say, you know Mike is a great guy," Baier said. "Totally a great guy, but he is responsible for January 6."

Pence laughed and was impressed with his impersonation calling it "one of the best impersonations he has ever heard," but also reiterated that what happened that day was awful.

The former Vice President said that he never wants to see something like that ever again.

"140 police officers were hurt on that tragic day," Pence said. "I'll always believe because of the courage of those officers and the federal officials that joined, we turned a day of tragedy into a triumph of freedom."

After Baier questioned Pence on the legal challenges Trump is facing, including the election fraud case in Georgia, Pence says Republican voters will ultimately decide on what they believe, but he also pushed back against the new voting laws enacted during the pandemic.

RELATED: 'Very historic:' Students react to former VP Pence speaking at Washington & Lee University

"It is not to say there weren't any irregularities in the election that undermined public confidence," Pence said. "And the truth is, in the name of COVID, there are half a dozen states that changed the rules for elections. Ultimately, the courts upheld those changes, and there was never evidence of widespread fraud that would have changed the outcome of the election. But that undermined public confidence continues to play a role in our lives today. Once states certify their elections and send electoral votes to our nation's capital, my judgment is our duty is clear. The Constitution of the United States says Congress meets in joint sessions to open and count the electoral votes sent in by the states. No more, no less."

Pence ended the question-and-answer by taking jabs at President Joe Biden and his handling of foreign affairs issues like the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"They've been slow getting aid to Ukraine," Pence said. "They announced in January that we were going to send them 33 tanks, and then two weeks later said it would take them a year and a half to get there. We ought to be giving them tanks, giving them planes, and missiles. President Biden said we're there as long as it takes; my response to that is that it shouldn't take that long."

The former vice president also took a jab at President Biden's handling of China.

"China is the greatest strategic and economic challenge facing the United States in the 21st Century," Pence said. "I think by the free world supporting Ukraine to repel the Russian invasion will send a defining message to China and its ambitious invasion in the Pacific will not be tolerated."

Mike Pence ended his time by speaking to students and viewers.

While leaving the University Chapel, Pence thanked every member of the media for being there to cover his speech.

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Former VP Mike Pence addresses January 6 Insurrection and Foreign Affairs Issues - WSET

Jack Colwell| South Bend Tribune

Mike Pence will win.

I usually avoid predictions. Unless its a sure thing, like predicting that an unopposed candidate will win. Even that can be risky. Ive often told the story of the legendary Landslide Linetty from back in the day in South Bend.

Landslide was running unopposed. And lost.

Landslide didnt get a single vote. He was taken ill the night before the election. He was hospitalized and unable to vote for himself. Family members? Neighbors? Landslide didnt get a single vote. (Happy ending: Landslide was appointed to fill the vacancy.)

Once I went out on a limb to predict in a Mishawaka mayoral race that Bob would win. Both nominees were named Bob.

Even with my caution in predicting, I say confidently that Mike Pence will win.

Column:They once needed each other. Now Trump, Pence are miles apart

Im not talking about Pence winning the presidential election in 2024. I dont think he has any chance. Nor do I see him ever winning the Republican nomination. The large and unshakeable base for Donald Trump among Republican voters never will forgive Pence for not throwing out results of the 2020 election.

But Pence will win an honored place in the nations history.

Now, however, he is criticized not only by Trump and the MAGA base but also by a what-about? chorus of Democrats, even though they are outraged by Trumps scheme to stay in the White House.

When Pence ignored the threats of Trump and of the Hang Mike Pence! insurrectionists to carry out his constitutional duties of vice president, certificating the presidential vote results from the states, there were Democrats complaining, What about how he supported Trump for four years?

When in his book, Pence detailed his disagreement with Trump and told of refusal to let the Secret Service drive him away from the embattled Capitol before certification of results was completed, some critical Democrats asked, What about his lack of courage in refusing to call for Trumps impeachment?

President Trump was wrong, Pence said at the recent Gridiron Dinner. I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable.

The critical chorus noted that those strong words came at a private dinner and asked, How about his refusal to testify under oath in investigations of Trumps coup attempt?

Column:Did Mike Pence save the republic?

With Pences problems with so many from the most pro-Trump Republicans to the most anti-Trump Democrats and seemingly also with most everybody in between he was described by one columnist as the Rodney Dangerfield of vice presidents: He gets no respect.

Well, Im not suggesting that Pence should be president. Nor am I suggesting that he shouldnt be criticized by those who disagree with his political views.

But its unfair when some critics portray Pence as a coward for not abandoning the traditional role of a loyal vice president much earlier. Its also unfair to say Pence did nothing more than what he was supposed to do with certification. Ho-hum. Just routine?

No matter what else he did or didnt do, he resisted pressure and threats and defended the Constitution in one of the most critical times in American history.

We all face the judgment of history, Pence said recently. And I believe in the fullness of time that history will hold Donald Trump accountable for the events of Jan. 6.

Yes. Pence, not Trump, will win the race for an honored place in history.

In evaluating what Pence did, history will focus on his defense of the Constitution and refusal to participate in a coup to overturn the will of the voters, not so much on the political chatter of today.

Landslide Linetty, though unopposed, didnt win election. It wasnt as certain as it seemed. But Pence is certain to win his race, never for president, but in history.

Jack Colwell is a columnist for The Tribune. Write to him in care of The Tribune or by email atjcolwell@comcast.net.

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Mike Pence will win an honored place in the nation's history - South Bend Tribune

Theres a popular saying in politics that goes like this: Never wrestle with a pig. You get filthy, and the pig enjoys it.

Mike Pence may have gained new appreciation for that metaphor recently when he flopped into the mud pit with his former boss, Donald Trump, who plucked him from the heartland in 2016 to become his vice-presidential running mate.

Pence was a beleaguered candidate in his reelection bid for Indianas governor when Trump was trying to shore up flagging support among evangelical voters. The GOP presidential nominee tapped Pence as the guy to give him a boost with that critical conservative voting bloc.

The partnership worked out well for both Trump and Pence at least for a while. Trump won a tight election to become president, and Pence became vice president.

But Trumps piggishness is never far from the surface. Having lost his reelection bid in 2020 to Joe Biden, Trump encouraged Pence to violate his constitutional oath and refuse to certify Bidens Electoral College victory in Congress on Jan. 6, 2021. Pence declined, triggering a riot on Capitol Hill by an angry mob of Trump supporters encouraged by Trump himself. The mob even erected a gallows outside and chanted Hang Mike Pence as they trashed the Capitol building and temporarily halted the peaceful transfer of power.

The partnership hasnt been the same ever since. Trump viewed his VPs refusal to cooperate with his attempted coup as a betrayal. Pence was slow to respond, but eventually expressed his anger and disappointment about the predicament foisted upon him that day.

Pence is now mulling a primary run for president in 2024. With Trump already a declared candidate, Pence treads carefully when criticizing the former president. But he isnt staying quiet.

Pence, at a recent media banquet, increased the intensity of his ire toward Trump over what happened on Jan. 6.

President Trump was wrong, Pence said at the event. I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable.

It didnt take long for Trump to retaliate.

Had he sent the votes back to the legislatures, they wouldnt have had a problem with Jan. 6, so in many ways you can blame him for Jan. 6, Trump told the Washington Post.

Pences new tone with Trump demonstrates a willingness to challenge the former president for his actions on Jan. 6. But we cant ignore the fact that Pence was often complacent and compliant during Trumps presidency. As Trump grew bolder in flouting the rule of law, Pences courage was not on display, at least not publicly.

When news broke last weekend that Trump was expecting to be indicted in the 2016 scheme to pay hush money to an adult film actress over an alleged affair years earlier and declare it as a campaign legal expense, Pence wasnt as willing to hold Trump accountable. Rather, he adopted the partisan position of suggesting Trump was being treated unfairly.

It just feels like a politically charged prosecution here, Pence said during a news show.

Once again, Pence is his former bosss apologist and defender.

Will history judge Mike Pence as a hero with regard to Trumps worst instincts?

While the vice president did the right thing standing up to Trumps undemocratic and illegal actions of Jan. 6, 2021, Pences legacy remains far more complicated.

Tribune-Star, Terre Haute

The rest is here:
Editorial: How will history view Mike Pence? | Opinion ... - Kokomo Tribune

Putin visits occupied city of Mariupol

Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the port city of Mariupol, Russian state news agencies reported on Sunday morning, in what would mark his first trip to Ukrainian territory that Moscow illegally annexed in September.

AP

WASHINGTONFormer Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday showed the sharpest division yet with his former boss, predicting "better choices" than Donald Trump for president in 2024.

When pressed about whether the former president's actions and inaction on Jan. 6 disqualify him from being commander-in-chief again, Pence said on ABC's "This Week" he was let down, but it's ultimately a decision for the American people.

And he implied they wouldn't choose Trump for president again.

GOP 2024: Which Republicans are running for president? Who has yet to announce? Who's considering?

Pence continued the independent streak he displayed during the recent Gridiron dinner in Washington last weekend, whenhe first said history will hold Trump accountable for Jan. 6, 2021. On Sunday, he reiterated that point and implied 2024 voters may hold him accountable, too.

"Again, he's running for election but as I go around the country, I'm convinced the American people have learned the lessons of that day...," Pence told ABC anchor Jonathan Karl. "They know what happened and they know the fact that the president's reckless words endangered people at the Capitol that day, including me and my family. I believe they'll factor all of that in as they make decisions going forward in this country."

Pence said he was "angry" on Jan. 6 and has been working on forgiveness for a while.

"The president let me down that day," Pence said. "He let the country down that day."

Previous: Pence says history will hold Trump 'accountable' for Jan. 6, rebukes him for endangering his family

When asked if he could ever support Trump for president again, Pence said "that's yet to be seen."

"I must tell you that I think we'll have better choices," he said in one of his sharpest criticisms.

Pence did not say if he is running for the Republican nomination in 2024, but he expects to decide soon.

Donald Trump: 'In many ways' you could blame Jan. 6 violence on ... Mike Pence

Trump on Saturday morning claimed he would be arrested Tuesday and urged supporters to protest and "take our nation back," echoing a similar message he spread ahead of Jan. 6.

Pence on Sunday urged calm. "I believe that people understand that if they give voice to this, if this occurs on Tuesday, that they need to do so peacefully and in a lawful manner."

What we know: Is Donald Trump likely to be arrested soon? Will he be indicted?

Candy Woodall is a Congress reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at cwoodall@usatoday.comor on Twitter at @candynotcandace.

Originally posted here:
Mike Pence 2024 pick: Predicts 'better choices' than Trump - USA TODAY

RICHMOND, VA Tomorrow, Donald Trumps former vice president, Mike Pence, will be visiting Lexington to tout his MAGA Republican record and attempt to lay the groundwork for a 2024 presidential campaign.

Mike Pence has already announced many of his policy positions for a potential 2024 campaign, including his support for any anti-choice legislation, no matter how restrictive, and the partial privatization of Social Security, echoing extreme calls from Republicans that could put this critical program at risk. In fact, every single year that Mike Pence and Donald Trump held the White House, their administration introduced a budget that called for cuts to Medicare and Social Security.

Mike Pences visit to Virginia tomorrow is a slap in the face to the thousands of Virginians who rely on Social Security and Medicare, said Liam Watson, Press Secretary for the Democratic Party of Virginia. Pences fundamentalist opposition to both common sense and good governance apparently also extends to some of the most essential programs operated by the federal government programs aimed at helping the most vulnerable among us.

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Mike Pence To Visit Virginia, Tout Far-Right Record - Democratic Party of Virginia