PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — When hosting a radio show 32 years ago, Mike Pence dubbed himself “Rush Limbaugh on decaf.” Maybe he is now “Donald Trump on decaf.”
Our vice president, who debates Sen. Kamala Harris Wednesday night, could become an unlikely savior sometime between now and Jan. 20. After being diagnosed with his Covid-19 infection, President Trump could leave office at any time. He might recognize that he is too ill to carry out his duties or, even worse, he may die in office.
We have no idea what will happen, at this writing, but medical experts are identifying signs that Trump’s condition is gravely serious. Some people believe it is a hoax, but I am convinced that he is in sad shape. If he resigns in the coming days, that could be the best move for the American people. Then it will all come down to President Pence.
We do not know where Pence stands. He has spent the last four years parroting Trump. He will certainly not change any policies, but maybe he thinks it is critical to control Covid-19 as best he can. The pandemic is our worst possible crisis, and maybe Pence never concurred with Trump’s refusal to tackle the threat.
Let’s assume that Trump resigns within the month and is succeeded by Pence, possibly a few days before the Nov. 3 presidential election. What will the new president do? We assume further that he decides to take whatever action is necessary to fight the virus. Before he acts, he even consults with Joe Biden to coordinate in case the former vice president wins the election.
Pence will then take some sensible steps, some of which Biden has in mind: national policies on masks and openings or lockdowns, widespread availability for testing, contact tracing and protective equipment.
Maybe Democrats in Congress can persuade him to support a stimulus package through a reasonable compromise.
Taking action within the next month would make an extraordinary difference in the lives of all Americans. It would give Biden, if he wins, a nearly three-month head start. A countless number of lives would be saved. It would probably save some businesses that would have closed during that time span. More people would return to work sooner.
Why would Pence do any of this? Maybe because it is the right thing. Any president, no matter how conservative, would do it.
Politically, Pence would depart Washington on a cordial note. He will probably still lose this election, assuming he replaces Trump at the top of the ticket. If he runs for president in 2024, he would be able to remind voters of what he did as his last act in public office.
Who can predict the state of political conditions in four years? If Democrats are wise enough to do a competent job, Pence probably will not take the White House. However, if Democrats mess up and Republicans can regroup, he will have a viable opportunity.
So if he differs with Trump about Covid-19, why hasn’t he said or done anything? As vice president, Pence has only as much power as the president allows. Which means he has no power for any views that conflict with Trump. If Pence does succeed Trump, he will have power to do just about anything he wants. Then we will find out.
Will he prove to be “Donald Trump on decaf”? Or will he persist with Trump’s approach? In reference to President Clinton’s impeachment, Pence once wrote that an American president with “bad moral habits” can “incinerate the planet.” Will Pence step up and block the current path to incinerate the planet?
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Bruce Ticker is a freelance columnist based in Philadelphia.