On Wednesday, September 6, Former VP Mike Pence visited the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) to deliver major policy address titled “Populism v. Conservatism: A Republican Time for Choosing.”
Pence made his intent clear from the start: “I’m running for President of the United States of America.” After that, he spent the majority of his speech highlighting the negative elements of the populist movement in the GOP.
The former Vice President expressed unease for the future of the Republican Party but assured Granite state voters that there was “no better place” to address these concerns than in New Hampshire — the First in the Nation Primary. Within his speech, he stressed a need for new leadership in his party and the White House — leadership that “has faith in our nation” but can “speak plainly” about American challenges.
The former VP highlighted key issues such as inflation, foreign policy, energy, immigration, abortion, and the drug epidemic.
“The Republican Party must provide America with new leadership in 2024,” Pence stated, continuing that, however, it is not “who, but what we will offer the American people.”
According to Pence, Republican voters will face a choice in 2024 that will determine the fate of their party and the “course of our nation for days to come.” He outlined the distinction between conservatism and populism in the republican party, comparing the latter to progressivism: “these ideologies are travelers on the same road to ruin.”
To Pence, the fundamental divide between these groups is unbridgeable. “The populist movement would blatantly erode our constitutional regulations, and trade time honored principles for passing public opinion.”
While the former Vice President praised accomplishments of the Trump Administration, he denounced the former President and his “imitators,” who “forget that we have succeeded because of a conservative agenda, not in spite of it; they merely echo those they seek to replace.”
Pence continued the remainder of his speech by praising Reagan-era conservatism.
“Republicans confuse inspiration with imitation. While we cannot replicate his manner of carrying himself as president, we can do our best to emulate,” especially “his ideas grounded in the American founding.”
As an original member of the democratic party, Pence praised Reagan’s economic policies and their residual impacts on military and foreign policies that made him eventually become a member of the republican party.
Pence further stated his lack of faith in the current Biden Administration: “I believe this country is in trouble. Joe Biden is weak in America and abroad.” As a whole, Pence’s rhetoric suggested that Biden has ultimately “failed the American people.”
Pence remained optimistic, however, in his candidacy: “I believe being conservative means standing your ground. Serious challenges” in America require “serious solutions.”
The impending issue of our national debt crisis, especially for the younger generation, was another concern addressed by Pence, who gestured to the Saint Anselm students.
The former Vice President also promoted parents’ freedom in their children’s education, denouncing critical race theory and LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the classroom.
Pence took the opportunity following his address to greet audience members and pose with Saint Anselm students and Kevin B. Harrington Student Ambassadors – the latter of which served as greeters, ushers, and event assistants for the Institute.