Pence’s campaign role grows as VP debate to take spotlight
mer reality television star who long bragged about womanizing and the more traditional branch of the Republican Party, particularly conservative evangelicals.
The debate with Harris will be a major test.
The former California prosecutor’s political rise was fueled by searing exchanges with political rivals during major congressional hearings. And she is certain to press the issue of the virus andTrump’s diagnoseswhenthe twomeetin Salt Lake City.
“That will be his challenge. But it is one he is well-suited for,” said Cam Savage, a veteran Republican strategist from Indiana who has closely observed Pence’s political career. “With Pence you get a very disciplined leader who is not likely to make mistakes.”
One major uncertainty is what sort of condition Trumpwill be in during the weeks ahead.
His administration has offered rosy assessments of his health and he was released Monday night fromWalter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center.
But Trump’s blood oxygen level abruptly dropped twice in recent days, and he was given supplemental oxygen before his hospitalization. His doctors said Monday thatTrump “is not
entirely out of thewoods.”
There are also concerns that Pence could catch the virus while campaigning, a troubling scenario that raises serious questions about national security and the transfer of power if either he or Trump took a turn for theworse.
After the debate, Pence said, it’s back to “business as usual” and the campaign has appearances planned for him, as well as Trump’s children and other top surrogates in an effort billed as “OperationMAGA.”
Pence is scheduled to visit Arizona and Florida and will return to Indiana on Friday to vote early.
“We’ve got a campaignto run,” Pence said Saturday on a call with staff.
Pence, who served as Indiana’s governor from 2013 to 2017, has been a faithful servant to Trump since he was plucked from a difficult reelection bid to join the presidential ticket in 2016.
Whether Trump secures another term or not, Pence is a likely Republican presidential contender in 2024. His handling of the challenges before him could be a determining factor in what his future will bring.
“We will find out in the next few days whether Pence will be a leading candidate in 2024,” said Conant, the Republican strategist.