Former Vice President Mike Pence stopped in Austin on Wednesday to discuss his recent book and political experience at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library.
Pence served as vice president during President Donald Trump’s first term in office from 2017 to 2021. He discussed his book “What Conservatives Believe: Rediscovering the Conservative Conscience” and also spoke about his political life in a conversation with Mark Updegrove, chairman and CEO of the LBJ Foundation.
Upbringing
Pence recounted how he began his political career as a Democrat, but later aligned with the Republican Party during Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
“I wasn’t drawn to the Republican Party because of Ronald Reagan’s eloquence or winsome spirit,” Pence said. “I was drawn to the principles that he articulated: a strong national defense, a limited government, free market economics and traditional values, and I never looked back.”
Pence said these values were universal values for most of American history, and places where both Democrats and Republicans “largely agreed on.” Despite his conservative values, he said he continues to look up to historic Democratic leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. and former President John F. Kennedy.
“It was those leaders that inspired me first and still inspire me to this day,” Pence said. “I love how Dr. King viewed the Declaration of Independence … as a promissory note that was unfulfilled, but he always had a hopeful and optimistic view.”
Jan. 6, 2021
Pence spoke about his role at the end of his vice-presidential term. During the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, Pence refused to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and certified former President Joe Biden as the president-elect.
“I believe it will be remembered as a day of tragedy, as I said that day, and I’m more convinced (of that) than ever,” Pence said. “I hope history also records it as a triumph of freedom because on the very same day … every member of the House and Senate, Republican and Democrat, returned to their chambers and completed their work for the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution.”
Pence said that day also marked his ideological split with Donald Trump.
“President Trump and I are very different people,” Pence said. “But we had a very close working relationship. … In (the) months that followed, we talked a few times, but when he returned to the rhetoric he was using before Jan. 6, I just thought it was best to part ways. I’ve kept my promise; I pray for the president, (and) I love this country.”
Texas Politics
Pence closed his talk discussing the upcoming November Texas midterm elections. Pence did not endorse Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat, unlike other prominent party leaders. When asked whether or not he would endorse Paxton, he did not give a clear answer.
“I’m confident the people of Texas are going to do their part to keep that Republican majority in the Senate,” Pence said.
Despite his conservative beliefs, Pence said many current issues in politics will require working together with both parties.
“The size of the challenges that we face in the country will require us to create the conditions of goodwill and good faith that begin with respect,” Pence said. “I wanted to remind people of my movement, my party, that civility and commitment to respect also is what conservatives believe.”
