In the wake of the upcoming election, the actions of former Vice President Mike Pence and former Speaker Paul Ryan has drawn much needed criticism for their failure to take the stakes of this election seriously. Instead of focusing on the critical areas of agreement and President Trump’s actual record in office, both figures have opted to undermine him, seemingly more influenced by their personal dislike for his personality rather than his policies and achievements- many which they were a part of.
Mike Pence, who served loyally as Trump’s Vice President, has distanced himself from Trump. While Pence has always maintained a more measured demeanor, his current stance on Trump appears to be driven more by personal grievances than by a rational evaluation of Trump’s presidency. During their time in office, the Trump-Pence administration achieved significant milestones, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, criminal justice reform, deregulation, energy independence, low rates of inflation and the historic Abraham Accords in the Middle East. These accomplishments were the result of a collaborative effort that Pence was very much a part of. However, in the current political climate, Pence seems to have overlooked these successes, choosing instead to focus on his disagreements with Trump’s rhetoric and conduct.
Similarly, Paul Ryan, who was Speaker of the House during a crucial part of Trump’s first term, has been overly vocal in his criticism and opposition to Trump, to the point of purposefully undermining the conservative movement. Ryan’s tenure as Speaker saw the passage of significant legislation that aligned with conservative principles, many of which were part of Trump’s agenda. Despite these shared victories, Ryan has not hesitated to voice his disdain for Trump’s personality. This shift in stance is perplexing given that Trump’s brash and often controversial style was no different in 2016 when Ryan supported him. The key difference now seems to be a reactionary stance to the media’s portrayal of Trump rather than a substantive critique of his policies or record.
By choosing to undermine Trump, both Pence and Ryan are failing to recognize the larger implications of the upcoming election. The stakes are undeniably high, with fundamental issues such as economic policy, judicial appointments, and foreign policy hanging in the balance. Their focus on personal grievances detracts from the critical discourse needed to address these areas. Moreover, it disregards the voters who supported the Trump administration not for his personality, but for his policies and the tangible improvements they brought about.
In a time when unity within the party is crucial, Pence and Ryan’s approach is not only shortsighted but also detrimental to the broader conservative movement. Instead of capitalizing on the areas of agreement and the proven successes of the Trump administration, they are allowing personal differences to overshadow the substantive issues at hand. This election requires a clear-eyed assessment of the past and a strategic vision for the future, something that is sorely lacking in their current posture. By prioritizing their disdain for Trump’s demeanor over the actual stakes of the election, Pence and Ryan are doing a disservice not only to their party but to the country.