Unlike some Republican presidential candidates, Mike Pence freely discussed his position on abortion policy during a CNN Town Hall meeting. He faces strong competition for voters who are passionate about this issue, as Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and other candidates are also vying for their support in the upcoming election. White evangelical voters are a key constituency that Mr. Pence and his rivals are courting.
Pence appeared to be a pre-Trump Republican at times.
During the CNN event, Mr. Pence referred to former President Ronald Reagan, expressed concerns about government spending, and argued for a robust foreign policy that emphasized America’s global leadership. Many of his views harkened back to the pre-Trump era of the Republican Party.
Mr. Pence faulted both President Trump and Gov. DeSantis for their past attitudes towards Ukraine, calling President Putin a “war criminal.” In a separate remark, he criticized Mr. DeSantis for referring to the Ukrainian conflict as a “territorial dispute.” Mr. Pence also distanced himself from the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform initiative that he had participated in during the Trump administration.
At the end of the Town Hall meeting, Mr. Pence was asked repeatedly how he could publicly denounce Mr. Trump as a threat to the Constitution but still vow to support the Republican nominee. He dodged these questions but hinted that he did not think Mr. Trump would be the final nominee.
