Pence: Loyalty pledge focuses on debate, not Trump.

Former ⁤Vice ​President Mike Pence Defends Commitment ‌to ⁣Sign⁢ Loyalty Pledge

Former Vice President Mike Pence is standing firm in his commitment to sign the loyalty pledge and engage in debates ​with his ⁢fellow Republican 2024 presidential hopefuls. In ‌a recent segment on Meet ⁣the Press, Pence took ⁤the opportunity to criticize his former boss, Donald Trump.

Up for Debate: Where ⁢Trump, DeSantis, and Rest of Republican 2024 Field Stand on⁤ Key Issues

Pence’s book contains allegations against‌ the former president, claiming that Trump pressured‍ him‍ to overturn the 2020 election. However, Trump has denied these allegations. During an ⁣interview​ with Chuck ‍Todd on Sunday, Pence explained that the⁢ lawyers Trump had chosen to⁤ advise him were ‍only telling ​him what he ⁢wanted to hear. Todd ⁢questioned how Pence could sign ⁣the loyalty pledge, which would ​potentially require him ​to support Trump ⁣as the Republican ​nominee, despite his criticisms of the former president.

“Well,​ Chuck, what I’ve‌ said‌ is I’m ‍happy to​ meet the criteria for the upcoming Republican presidential⁣ debates. I’m⁢ incredibly proud that ‌more ‍than​ 40,000 Americans in just nine‍ weeks have supported⁣ our campaign and made it possible for us to ‌qualify​ for the debate ‌stage,” Pence said.⁢ “In fact, Chuck, I think I’ll qualify for the second debate before we get ⁢to the⁤ first one because more Americans are seeing that my consistent conservative record, my years​ as vice president, ​my ⁢years as governor here in Indiana, my years as a house conservative leader for 12 years are really just what the nation needs.”

Todd ⁣continued to press Pence, asking if⁣ he‍ considered himself a MAGA ⁢Republican. Pence avoided a ‌direct answer, stating that he was “proud” of the work⁣ he ​accomplished during the Trump-Pence administration. Todd attempted to ask‌ the question again.

“Look, I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that⁣ order. I’ve always said that. People who know me, those are my values, those‌ are my​ ideals,” Pence said. “I really believe that the agenda that I’ve‌ always been about, that I’m ⁣looking forward‌ to ‍taking to that debate stage, is the ‌agenda that will bring this ⁣country all ​the way back.”

While Pence ⁤has expressed his commitment to sign the pledge, he has‍ not yet​ done so officially. The Washington Examiner ‍has reached out ​to the Pence campaign for comment.

Pence is facing tough competition ‍in the race for the GOP presidential nomination. His ⁢opponents include⁢ former‌ President Donald Trump, ‌former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former ​Texas representative Will Hurd, Sen. ​Tim Scott (R-SC), Gov. ⁢Doug ‍Burgum (R-ND), Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), ​Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, political commentator⁣ Larry Elder, businessman ​Perry Johnson, ​and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. DeSantis, ‍Ramaswamy, Burgum, Haley, and Scott ​have already ⁤signed the loyalty⁤ pledge.

Click ​here to read more from ⁤The Washington Examiner.

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