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Mike Pence, former vice president and possible 2024 presidential candidate, gives takes on key issues in New Hampshire town hall event

Conversation with the Candidate

Updated: 7:31 PM EDT May 19, 2023

Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is considering launching a White House bid, touched on a number of topics recently in a "Conversation with the Candidate" town hall event with New Hampshire voters. Watch the full conversation in the video player above or the links below. Included is a 30-minute, online-only portion of the conversation:Watch Part 1: Pence says he was angry with Donald Trump after Capitol riotWatch Part 2: Pence tells voters he supports national abortion restrictions, says he favors all-of-the-above energy policyWatch online exclusive: Pence talks about support for NATO, ensuring security of schoolsLearn more about Mike Pence's backgroundPence was the 48th vice president of the United States.Prior to serving in the Trump administration, he was the 50th governor of his home state of Indiana, where he enacted the largest tax cut in its history, halved the unemployment rate and created the first state-funded pre-K plan.Before his executive experience, Pence served six terms in Congress, representing east-central Indiana.He has also hosted a talk radio show, practiced law and wrote the bestselling autobiography "So Help Me God."The former vice president said Americans are yearning for "leadership that can unite the country around our highest ideals."Pence graduated from Hanover College and earned his law degree from Indiana University, where he met his wife, Karen. Together, they have three children.See the full "Conversation with the Candidate" event through the following links:Watch Part 1: Pence says he was angry with Donald Trump after Capitol riotWatch Part 2: Pence tells voters he supports national abortion restrictions, says he favors all-of-the-above energy policyWatch online exclusive: Pence talks about support for NATO, ensuring security of schools Addressing low poll numbers, Pence says he's 'really grateful for that 7%'When asked about low polling numbers for his candidacy, Pence, who has not officially declared he's running for president, said that he's really grateful for those who support him, especially given his humble beginnings."Well, No. 1, I'm really grateful for that 7% and very humbled by it. I'm not a candidate right now," Pence said. "The fact that ever since I left office, there's always been a certain percentage of Republicans that have mentioned us for the highest office is deeply humbling to me."Pence recalled his roots when talking about his opportunity. "I'm just a small-town guy from southern Indiana who grew up with a cornfield in my backyard. The idea that many Americans talk about me for the highest office in the land is a great joy," Pence said.Pence said while former President Donald Trump was the right candidate to beat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, it's time for a change atop the ticket."I think different times call for different leaders," Pence said. "And if I'm spending more time here in New Hampshire, I'm very confident that once we begin to talk about the issues, the future of the country, Republican primary voters will choose just the right standard-bearer to meet this moment, elect a Republican president and we'll turn this country around."Pence calls for more mental health institutions to deal with crisisPence said the country is going through a mental health crisis for children and other groups of Americans. "I think some of it comes out of COVID," Pence said. "I think some of it comes out of the isolation in COVID for young people. I think it also comes out of the isolation in social media, which sounds like an oxymoron, but actually, kids that are living on their phone instead of interacting with friends in person end up really struggling with depression and with loneliness."The Republican answered a question from psychologist Laura Landerman-Garber, of Hollis, about solutions for what Pence called a "mental health epidemic." Landerman-Garber suggested a mental health czar and commission to be established, but Pence offered a different idea.Pence proposed that the country gets back to "institutional mental health care.""At the end of the day, when it comes to people that might represent a threat to themselves or a danger to others, I think we've got to get back to institutional mental health care. I really do," Pence said. Landerman-Garber then said great leaders will listen to experts in their fields, to which Pence agreed. See the full back-and-forth in the video player below:See the full "Conversation with the Candidate" event through the following links:Watch Part 1: Pence says he was angry with Donald Trump after Capitol riotWatch Part 2: Pence tells voters he supports national abortion restrictions, says he favors all-of-the-above energy policyWatch online exclusive: Pence talks about support for NATO, ensuring security of schoolsOther "Conversation with the Candidate" events will be held throughout the campaign season. The full list of candidates who participate will be updated here.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is considering launching a White House bid, touched on a number of topics recently in a "Conversation with the Candidate" town hall event with New Hampshire voters.

Watch the full conversation in the video player above or the links below. Included is a 30-minute, online-only portion of the conversation:

Pence was the 48th vice president of the United States.

Prior to serving in the Trump administration, he was the 50th governor of his home state of Indiana, where he enacted the largest tax cut in its history, halved the unemployment rate and created the first state-funded pre-K plan.

Before his executive experience, Pence served six terms in Congress, representing east-central Indiana.

He has also hosted a talk radio show, practiced law and wrote the bestselling autobiography "So Help Me God."

The former vice president said Americans are yearning for "leadership that can unite the country around our highest ideals."

Pence graduated from Hanover College and earned his law degree from Indiana University, where he met his wife, Karen. Together, they have three children.

See the full "Conversation with the Candidate" event through the following links:

When asked about low polling numbers for his candidacy, Pence, who has not officially declared he's running for president, said that he's really grateful for those who support him, especially given his humble beginnings.

"Well, No. 1, I'm really grateful for that 7% and very humbled by it. I'm not a candidate right now," Pence said. "The fact that ever since I left office, there's always been a certain percentage of Republicans that have mentioned us for the highest office is deeply humbling to me."

Pence recalled his roots when talking about his opportunity.

"I'm just a small-town guy from southern Indiana who grew up with a cornfield in my backyard. The idea that many Americans talk about me for the highest office in the land is a great joy," Pence said.

Pence said while former President Donald Trump was the right candidate to beat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, it's time for a change atop the ticket.

"I think different times call for different leaders," Pence said. "And if I'm spending more time here in New Hampshire, I'm very confident that once we begin to talk about the issues, the future of the country, Republican primary voters will choose just the right standard-bearer to meet this moment, elect a Republican president and we'll turn this country around."

Pence said the country is going through a mental health crisis for children and other groups of Americans.

"I think some of it comes out of COVID," Pence said. "I think some of it comes out of the isolation in COVID for young people. I think it also comes out of the isolation in social media, which sounds like an oxymoron, but actually, kids that are living on their phone instead of interacting with friends in person end up really struggling with depression and with loneliness."

The Republican answered a question from psychologist Laura Landerman-Garber, of Hollis, about solutions for what Pence called a "mental health epidemic." Landerman-Garber suggested a mental health czar and commission to be established, but Pence offered a different idea.

Pence proposed that the country gets back to "institutional mental health care."

"At the end of the day, when it comes to people that might represent a threat to themselves or a danger to others, I think we've got to get back to institutional mental health care. I really do," Pence said.

Landerman-Garber then said great leaders will listen to experts in their fields, to which Pence agreed.

See the full back-and-forth in the video player below:

See the full "Conversation with the Candidate" event through the following links:

Other "Conversation with the Candidate" events will be held throughout the campaign season. The full list of candidates who participate will be updated here.

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Mike Pence, former vice president and possible 2024 presidential candidate, gives takes on key issues in New Hampshire town hall event - WMUR...