Mike Pence: ‘Better picks’ for 2024 GOP presidential nomination than Trump

Former Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday there are “better choices” for Republicans in 2024 other than former President Donald Trump, who launched his third White House bid last week in his South Florida club.

Mr. Pence praised the work he and Mr. Trump have done together, citing more than 300 judicial appointments to the courts, the defeat of the Islamic State caliphate and a peace agreement in the Middle East. However, he was saddened that their relationship did not end “well” after their “amicable” split.

“I believe that as we look to the future, we will have better choices, and I’m very confident that Republican primary voters will choose wisely in the days ahead about who our flag bearer should be,” he said. he told CBS “Face The Nation”. .”

Asked by host Margaret Brennan about criticism from former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who said Mr Trump was ‘unfit for office’, Mr Pence said he was ‘very different’ of his former boss, but that they worked very closely together, creating “a record that, frankly, the American people cherish”

“But I truly believe the times call for leadership that can unite our country around our highest ideals and demonstrate the kind of respect and civility that I think the American people show up every day,” Pence added. .

Asked if he would support Mr Trump if he was the nominee, Mr Pence said he was “looking forward to being part of the process in some way”, but noted later that even though he thought there would be “better choices” in 2024, no one but Mr. Trump could have beaten Hillary Clinton in 2016.

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“When I saw how Donald Trump walked through Indiana and inspired people who literally felt left out of the elites in Washington, D.C., literally for decades, I knew he was going to be elected president of the United States,” he said. . “Republican primary voters knew we needed a fighter in the White House, we needed that energy that could get back to the politics of the American left, but I think — I think now calls for a different time. “