Pence’s two-book deal to include autobiography
WASHINGTON – Former Vice President Mike Pence is putting pen to paper for what his publisher promises will be “the definitive book on one of the most consequential presidencies in American history.”
Simon & Schuster announced on Wednesday a two-book deal with Pence, the first of which will be his autobiography. It’s tentatively scheduled for publication in 2023.
The book will address the “many pivotal moments of the administration,” according to the publisher, from the time Donald Trump chose Pence as his running mate through President Joe Biden’s inauguration.
It’s unclear how much Pence, who was known for his message discipline and loyalty to Trump, will delve into the rupture with Trump over Pence’s refusal to try to prevent Congress from certifying Biden’s victory.
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to tell the story of my life in public service to the American people,” Pence said in a statement.
The book deal was announced on the same day Pence launched a new advocacy organization, the latest move in his gradual return to public and political life since leaving office in January.
Pence said he will use his group, Advancing American Freedom,to “build on the success of the last four years” by promoting traditional conservative values and the policies of the Trump administration.
“Conservatives will not stand idly by as the radical left and the new administration attempt to threaten America’s standing as the greatest nation in the world with their destructive policies,” Pence said in a statement.
Specific policies promoted on the group’s website include defending religious liberty, pushing for trade deals similar to the United States-MexicoCanada Agreement, completing construction of the “Trump-Pence border wall,” and defending the police.
Pence will deliver his first public address since the end of the Trump administration on April 29 in South Carolina. He’ll be the keynote speaker at a dinner hosted by the Palmetto Family Council, a conservative Christian nonprofit.
Pence’s strongest base of support is Christian conservatives. Members of his advisory board include Robert Jeffress, one of Trump’s prominent evangelical supporters; Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family; Penny Nance, president of Concerned Women for America; and Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, which opposes abortion.
About 3 in 5 white evangelicals surveyed by the conservative American Enterprise Institute in February said Biden was not legitimately elected. That could pose a problem for Pence because Trump blamed him for not trying to block Congress’ acceptance of the electoral count.
Pence did not speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, where he received almost no support in a straw poll that asked attendees whom they backed for president in 2024.
Yet Pence is expected to be active in the 2022 midterms. Fundraising for his new organization and the political action committee he created while in office could help him maintain ties with conservative donors.
Pence also is keeping up a public profile through the conservative Heritage Foundation, where his position is distinguished visiting fellow, by joining a speakers bureau and launching a podcast hosted by the Young America’s Foundation.
In March, Pence attacked Democrats’ voting reform proposals in an opinion piece for The Daily Signal, a blog affiliated with Heritage Foundation. Writing that he shares the concerns of millions of Americans about the integrity of the 2020 election, Pence said the contest was “marked by significant voting irregularities.”
A national coalition of election security officials have described the election as “the most secure in American history.” Allegations of voter fraud were dismissed by the courts.
Pence said his new organization will be active at the state and federal levels in proposing conservative policy solutions for economic and foreign policy and constitutional questions.
Other advisers to the group include current and former political leaders such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Sens. Jim DeMint and Rick Santorum.
Former Trump administration officials who back the effort include Larry Kudlow, Kellyanne Conway, Robert Lighthizer, Seema Verma, Russ Vought and Andrew Wheeler.