Pence shrugs off GOP debate doubts: ‘I’ve debated Trump countless times’

Former Vice President Mike Pence: Debating Trump Behind Closed Doors

Former Vice President Mike Pence is confident in his ability to hold his own in a debate against his former running mate, former President Donald Trump. In fact, according to Pence, they’ve debated numerous times over the years, just without the cameras rolling.

“People ask me all the time: How do you envision debating Donald Trump?” he shared with radio host Hugh Hewitt. “I tell them I’ve debated Donald Trump 1,000 times, with the cameras off.”

Policy Differences and Commitment to Debate

Pence acknowledged that he and Trump didn’t always see eye to eye during their time in the administration. However, he assured Hewitt that he knows how to engage in a productive policy debate with the former president.

“I know how to have a good policy debate with the president,” Pence confidently stated. “I look forward to it, and I sure do hope he comes to every single one of those debates.”

The Indiana Republican also reaffirmed his commitment to sign the Republican National Committee’s somewhat controversial pledge to support the eventual nominee, ensuring his qualification for the debate stage in August.

“I’ll be supporting the Republican nominee,” he declared. “Especially if it’s me.”

Experience and Criticism of Debate Avoidance

Pence highlighted his experience with nationally televised debates, specifically referencing his past debates with vice presidential candidates Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2020. He criticized those who might choose to skip the debate, particularly Trump, who has not made any commitment to the event.

“You’re not talking to each other,” Pence criticized. “You’re talking to the American people.”

Pence emphasized that he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to address the American people about their vision, experience, and love for the country. He expressed his determination to be present at the debate stage in Milwaukee, regardless of the number of Republican candidates present.

“I wouldn’t pass up on the opportunity to talk to the American people about our vision, our experience, our love for this country for anything, so you better believe that I’m going to be at Milwaukee. I will be on that debate stage, and wherever two or more Republican candidates for president are gathered there, I will be also,” Pence affirmed.

Pence is currently polling in third place in a hypothetical Republican primary race, with 7% support according to Morning Consult. He trails behind both Trump (57%) and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who has 19%.

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