In an exclusive video, announcement shared with Fox News, former Vice President Mike Pence formally declared his intention to run for President in the 2024 election.
Taking a stand against President Biden and his administration, Pence criticized the Democrats, highlighting their perceived weakening of America's position domestically and globally.
He declared, "President Joe Biden and the radical left have weakened America at home and abroad." The former Vice President presented a dismal image of the nation's current condition, decrying what he sees as diminishing American values and increasing challenges.
"The American dream is being crushed under runaway inflation. Wages are dropping. Recession is looming. Our southern border is under siege and the enemies of freedom are on the march around the world. And worse still, timeless American values are under assault as never before," Pence stressed in his announcement.
However, he offered a hopeful vision for the future of America. Quoting Abraham Lincoln, he argued for leadership that could invoke the "better angels of our nature" during such troubling times. Pence's comments subtly differentiated himself from his former boss, President Trump, and drew a line between their leadership styles.
Despite recent struggles, Pence expressed faith in America's ability to overcome its current challenges, saying, "we can turn this country around. But different times call for different leadership. Today, our party and our country need a leader that will appeal, as Lincoln said, to the better angels of our nature."
Born in Indiana, Pence built his political career on a solidly conservative platform, serving as a congressman, governor, and Vice President. His bid for the presidency is historic, as he is the first running mate in eight decades to run against his former superior. The last was Vice President John Nance Garner, who challenged President Franklin Roosevelt unsuccessfully in 1940.
His campaign announcement comes amidst a growing pool of Republican contenders, currently dominated by Trump. However, recent polls show Pence lagging, trailing Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who trails Trump by a significant margin.
Undeterred, Pence remains confident about his campaign, "I'm very confident that we'll have the support to be able to carry our message, tell our story, which is not just my years as vice president but also years as governor of a conservative state leading a conservative agenda, record employment, as also being a conservative leader in the Congress of the United States, fighting against the big spenders in my own party."
Pence also focused on the need for a strong economy and border security, saying, "we can bring this country back. We can defend our nation and secure our border. We can revive our economy and put our nation back on a path to a balanced budget, defend our liberties and give America a new beginning for life."
In his campaign video, he repeatedly referenced the late President Ronald Reagan, a beloved figure for conservatives. Pence quoted Reagan's image of America as a "shining city on a hill," emphasizing that America could rise to any challenge with the right leadership.
His video concluded on a profoundly patriotic and religious note, reiterating his faith in God and the American people, "I believe in the American people and I have faith God is not done with America yet. And together we can bring this country back; the best days for the greatest nation on earth are yet to come. God bless you and God bless the United States of America."
The former Vice President's relationship with Trump has notably been strained since the end of their shared administration. This was particularly noticeable following the right-wing extremist attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, where some extremists had chanted, "hang Mike Pence."
Pence has also repeatedly rejected Trump's claim that he could have overturned the results of the 2020 presidential election. When asked about Trump recently, his nuanced responses have hinted at his intention to distance himself from his former running mate.
Pence has maintained, "I think that we'll have better choices in 2024." In his campaign speeches, he acknowledges the policy successes of the Trump-Pence administration but subtly distinguishes himself from the often controversial former President in terms of demeanor and conduct.
His campaign announcement, which carried a certain level of criticism toward Trump, underlined his desire for a more unifying leadership. He underscored, "We can turn this country around. But different times call for different leadership. Today, our party and our country need a leader that will appeal, as Lincoln said, to the better angels of our nature."
Echoing the sentiments of many conservatives, Pence, who celebrated his 64th birthday on the day of his campaign announcement, shared his hope for America's future. He expressed confidence in the country's ability to regain its economic strength, balance its budget, and protect its liberties.
In a call to arms for conservative leadership, he declared, "We can bring this country back. We can defend our nation and secure our border. We can revive our economy and put our nation back on a path to a balanced budget, defend our liberties and give America a new beginning for life."
Pence twice invoked President Reagan's legacy, which is held in high esteem among conservatives. He quoted Reagan's iconic description of America as a "shining city on a hill," aiming to inspire optimism among his supporters and the broader American population.
He asserted, "Every time our nation has produced leadership that has called on our country to do hard things, the American people have always risen to the challenge and we will again. We just need government as good as our people to do it."
Pence's socially conservative roots will likely play a key role in his campaign strategy. He's expected to heavily court Iowa's influential evangelical voters, reflecting his long-standing political and personal values.
As a concluding note of optimism, he professed, "I believe in the American people and I have faith God is not done with America yet. And together we can bring this country back and the best days for the greatest nation on earth are yet to come. God bless you and God bless the United States of America."
Pence, the son of Indiana and the grandson of an Irish immigrant, proudly recounted his family's embodiment of the American dream and his career dedicated to public service.
"The United States of America. As a son of the heartland, grandson of an Irish immigrant, those aren't just words. My family has lived the American dream. I had the great honor to serve in Congress, as governor, and as your vice president. And I'll always be proud of the progress we made together for a stronger, more prosperous America," Pence concluded, marking the start of his journey toward the 2024 presidency.
As he embarks on this race, Pence has his work cut out for him. Navigating a field of strong Republican contenders and distancing himself from a controversial former presidency, Pence's campaign will be one to watch closely in the months leading up to the Republican primary.
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