by William Thomas
Clash Daily Guest Contributor
The official biography of Vice President Mike Pence at www.whitehouse.gov says,
Vice President Mike Pence remains grateful for the grace of God, the love and support of his family, and the blessings of liberty that are every American’s birthright. He looks forward to working with the American people as together they seek to Make America Great Again. .
Pence describes himself as “having grown up on the front row of the American dream.” Regarding his faith, Pence noted, “I made a commitment to Christ. I’m a born-again, evangelical Catholic.” There is nothing to not like about Pence’s personal life. Even for those who disagree with him politically, he appears to be a man comfortable in his faith, his family and his service to his country. Not long ago, such men were honored. Now, though, Pence is brutally savaged by a nasty press that mocks his character and attacks his honor.
George Will, in a May 9, 2018 Washington Post column, referred to Pence as “America’s most repulsive figure.” Demonstrating his tendency to flaunt his vocabulary, Will mocks Pence writing of his “talent for toadyism and appetite for obsequiousness.” What brought about this assault? Will doesn’t like that Pence is loyal to and speaks highly of the president. Apparently, such conduct is horrible. He also recoiled at the polite manner and civility that Pence showed Sherriff Joe Arpaio recently at an event in Arizona. Loyalty, manners and respect seem to invite invective in Will’s world.
Pence was also blasted by comedian Michelle Wolf. “Mike Pence is what happens when Anderson Cooper isn’t gay,” went one attempt at humor. She continued, ““Mike Pence is also very anti-choice. He thinks abortion is murder, which, first of all – don’t knock it till you try it.” She added: “Mike Pence is a weirdo, though. He’s a weird little guy. He won’t meet with other women without his wife present. When people first heard this, they were like: ‘That’s crazy.’” It seems to Wolf that integrity and adherence to the “Billy Graham Rule” are crazy and weird.
Pence’s retort when asked about these “jokes?” It’s what we’d expect it to be. He replied, “”As the Bible says, I count it all joy when I endure trials or criticisms.”
Pence’s daughter Charlotte wrote, and his wife Karen illustrated a delightful book about their pet bunny, Marlon Bundo, the real-life “Bunny of the United States of America,” or BOTUS, as he shadows Vice-President Pence over the course of a typical day in Washington. The children’s book was a top seller on Amazon. In what Focus on the Family called “vulgar and vile,” HBO comedian John Oliver, along with writer Jill Twiss, produced a satirical book mocking the Pence book. The Oliver book uses Pence’s main character to promote same-sex marriage and lambast Pence as one who opposes it. In the Oliver book, Pence is caricatured as a stink bug. In Oliver’s twisted worldview, political disagreement is just cause for mockery and vicious attacks.
Throughout all the attacks on Pence, he remains strong and resilient. In a 2018 commencement address to Hillsdale College graduates, Pence notes, “”Right after we get done making this nation great again, your generation will make America greater than ever before.” We need people like Mike Pence leading this country. We must resolve to support and rally for VP Pence and President Trump and the entire administration.
photo credit: Gage Skidmore Mike Pence via photopin (license)
