“This is not my time”
Mike Pence withdraws bid for the White House
October 28, 2023, 9:29 p.m
As Vice President he was loyal to Donald Trump, but Mike Pence refused to do so when the Capitol was stormed. The Republican is now withdrawing his bid for the US presidency. His campaign never really got off the ground, but he gave voters advice on what the future man in the White House should be like.
Former US Vice President Mike Pence has withdrawn from the Republican presidential race. “This is not my time,” he said at an event in Las Vegas. “After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to suspend my presidential campaign.” Pence did not make an election recommendation, but called for choosing someone who appeals to the better side of people and can lead with “courtesy.”
Pence was former US President Donald Trump’s deputy for years. He is currently the high favorite in the race for the Republican presidential nomination in next year’s election. Incumbent Joe Biden wants to run again for the Democrats.
Storming of the Capitol leads to break with Trump
Pence entered the presidential race in June and challenged his former boss among the Republicans. However, his campaign never really gained momentum. Pence was far behind in the polls and, according to media reports, had problems raising funds for his campaign. “We always knew this would be a tough fight, but I have no regrets,” he said.
The arch-conservative politician and evangelical Christian was a loyal deputy to Trump during his four years in the White House. However, the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021 led to a break between the two Republicans. At the time, Pence had refused Trump’s demand to block confirmation of Democrat Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election in Congress. Since then, Pence has repeatedly criticized Trump and declared that the right-wing populist should not be allowed to become president again. He repeatedly warned that no one who placed themselves above the US Constitution should be allowed to become President of the US.
The Republican field of candidates is led by Trump. Also in the running are Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. The Republicans choose their candidate in an internal party primary.