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Former Vice President Mike Pence addressed the Heritage Foundation on Wednesday, invoking traditional themes of life, limited government, and a strong defense. But he also warned the audience of “unprincipled populism” and “Putin apologists” within the conservative movement.
Most of Pence’s speech to Heritage focused upon his new “Freedom Agenda,” platform which he released earlier this year. Much of this agenda deals with cultural issues that are the backbone of traditional conservatism, the “morals and values” which Pence believes should underpin the Republican party:
“Let me say: This movement and the party that it animates must remain the movement of a strong national defense, limited government and traditional moral values and life.”
Pence also referenced the late Andrew Breitbart, who famously said that “politics is downstream from culture.”
But Mike Pence also warned the think tank audience of the growing gulf in his party between traditionalists and populists — aka the Donald Trump MAGA wing of the party:
“Our movement cannot forsake the foundational commitment that we have to security, to limited government, to liberty and to life. But nor can we allow our movement to be led astray by the siren song of unprincipled populism that’s unmoored from our oldest traditions and most cherished values.”
Did Pence make those comments dispassionately? Or did they come from someplace deeper — like the bad blood between him and the former president?
Credit: thierry ehrmann/flickr/CC BY 2.0.
But Pence didn’t stop with populism. He also criticized those in his party whom he called “Putin apologists.”
“Now, I know there is a rising chorus in our party, including some new voices to our movement, who would have us disengaged with the wider world …”
“There can be no room in the conservative movement for apologists to Putin. There is only room in this movement for champions of freedom.”
Mike Pence is not wrong with any of this.
Yes, I’m aware there are those who call Pence a “traitor” for not rejecting the certifications for the 2020 election. (No, he couldn’t do that. William Jacobson, Law Professor at Cornell and founder of Legal Insurrection explained why.) And because Trump hates Pence forevermore, some people will blow off whatever Pence says.
I can’t help those folks, just like I can’t help progressives who obsess over Trump. But again — Mike Pence is not wrong.
It sounds so American, right? The voice of the people and not the elites! Us vs. the political ruling class — or “the Swamp,” which needs to be drained and disinfected by the People. It’s what the Founders wanted when they threw off the monarchy, right?
Well, not exactly. The Founders in their brilliance did not give us pure democracy; rather they established a republic, where the people spoke through their representatives. Remember, too, that citizens didn’t have direct election of US Senators, either, until 1913 with the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment.
And what does populism even mean, anyway?
Populism appears to be one of those concepts which changes according to the Zeitgeist. Daniel Klein, professor of economics at George Mason University, tried to dissect populism in a short article at Brownstone Institute.
Pointing out that today’s populists are conservatives who exist in opposition to “elites, the permanent political class,” and “the swamp,” Klein writes:
“If this meaning is foremost, there is a paradox because the movement aims to win political power and leadership, in which case either: (A) its members would, to the extent that they were successful, slay the dragon and subvert the basis for thinking themselves populist; or (B) they would themselves become the elites, in which case a refreshed populism might oppose them.”
In other words — be careful what you wish for. And beware of those who promise to take down the elites for you — this is whom I believe Mike Pence was referencing in his speech.
When Pence spoke of “Putin apologists,” he seemed to be speaking of that wing of conservatism which embraces what has been called “soft isolationism.” As Pence said at Heritage:
“Now, I know there is a rising chorus in our party, including some new voices to our movement, who would have us disengaged with the wider world. But appeasement has never worked, ever, in history. And now more than ever, we need a conservative movement committed to America’s role as leader of the free world and as a vanguard of American values.”
Such words fly in the face of people like Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson, who feel our main focus should be at home. There’s also Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), who was the only senator to vote against Finland and Sweden gaining membership in NATO. Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance went so far as to say, “I gotta be honest with you, I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another.”
Maybe some are tired of the US funding Ukraine’s defense. Or maybe the biggest problem they have is that it’s Joe Biden who is funding Ukraine. There are people for whom that seems to be their biggest beef.
No doubt the nation wants no more military involvement in the Middle East. And many of us are old enough to remember the Vietnam War, the mission creep which bogged us down there for years, and led to — nothing, except 58,000 young men sent home in body bags.
But just because we want to disengage from the world doesn’t mean the world will disengage with us. As John Pietro of SpectatorWorld, the US version of the British conservative journal The Spectator, wrote:
“The problem is that soft isolationism — despite its proponents’ good intentions — will endanger the homeland and increase the risks to American lives and freedom. If Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s escalation over Taiwan have shown anything, it is that the world is both increasingly dangerous and increasingly hostile to freedom.”
And it will impact us domestically, too. Pietro again:
“Global instability is a recipe for economic and political unrest, which in turn typically serves as the spark for the very radical policies that conservatives loathe.”
Mike Pence understands this, unlike the previous president, and certainly the current WH occupant, who presents weakness on the foreign stage. So will Pence run for president under the strong America presented in the Freedom Agenda? My guess is he will. Whether or not he will get much support — or my support, for that matter — is another matter. But when it comes to populism and Putin, Mike Pence is spot on.
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GWB says: a strong national defense, limited government and traditional moral values and life
Yay!
the siren song of unprincipled populism
Concur!
who would have us disengaged with the wider world
Yes! Disengage! At least as far as trying to simply be the globalist hegemon. No global police, no fighting monsters that don’t directly concern us.
There can be no room in the conservative movement for apologists to Putin
Ummm, maybe it’s your editing, Kim, or the original author’s… but this and the preceding are NOT the same thing. Wanting to stay out of other countries’ squabbles is NOT being a Putin apologist. And if Pence is claiming that he can go soak his head.
a republic, where the people spoke through their representatives
While a representative democracy is part of a ‘republic’, there’s more to it than that. We are a constitutional republic, which means no matter how many people want to, say, start censoring their political opponents, there’s a major speed bump to doing so. THIS is how populism is anti-republic. (Yes, the Senate, with its loooong terms of office was another guard against populism.)
If this meaning is foremost
Many might be using that definition, but they’re wrong. But it is one of the ways in which progressivism has corrupted so much of our thinking. THAT definition of ‘populism’ is found in the Marxian concept of the proletariat.
Real populism is just the masses running along like lemmings.
they would themselves become the elites
The other problem with his point is that we aren’t supposed to have elites. At least, not ones that run the country. Unlike some on the right who decry it, resisting populism does not require being an elitist/technocrat.
And beware of those who promise to take down the elites for you
You should always be leery of those who desire to be your political savior. A savior requires a nobility, an elitism – which isn’t how we’re supposed to run things.
disengaged with the wider world. But appeasement has never worked
“Isolationism” does NOT equal “appeasement” in any way, shape, or form. And this is where all of my otherwise benefit-of-the-doubt for Pence evaporates. If he’s confusing these two things, then I know his brain is still hardwired for the progressive concepts that have hold in Foggy Bottom and all sorts of other (actually) elitist ivory towers. And that means all his other words are muddled by progressive definitions, too.
Sorry, Race Bannon, NO SALE.
soft isolationism — despite its proponents’ good intentions — will endanger the homeland
Bulls***. Hard isolationism might. But the whole point of “soft” isolationism is that it responds to threats in the world – but only threats to US and OUR interests. We don’t act as mercenaries for Europe’s politics (Kosovo and Bosnia) and we don’t police anyone, and we don’t go looking for monsters to slay. We sure as h*** don’t “nation-build”.
“Global instability is a recipe for economic and political unrest, which in turn typically serves as the spark for the very radical policies that conservatives loathe.”
Again, bulls***. It’s that overbearing globalism, nannying other nations and policing them, that serves as the power to those “radical” policies to which I and others object. Real problems – rather than imaginary ones – serve to focus the mind and set better priorities than being able to declare myself a trans-species Klingon-sexual bowler hat. Having more money than we know what to do with and mostly peace across the world (at least the parts the media cares about visiting) allows too many people to navel-gaze and think they’re much more important and smarter than they actually are.
Sorry, Mr. Pietro, go sell your crazy someplace else; we’re all full up here.
So will Pence run for president under the strong America presented in the Freedom Agenda?
It’s not really a strong America, though. It’s a progressive America that looks strong if you’re living in the “new paradigm” post-WW2, but will suck wind when the world returns to its mean – red in tooth and claw.
oontoiran says: america first. period. if you’re too sick and broke to take care of yourself, you’re not much good to anyone else
Cameron says: You condensed my earlier post into a few sentences. I admit defeat.
It is utterly ridiculous and unconstitutional to NOT investigate voter fraud between election day and certification of electors. Why don’t they just e-mail results in if there is no recourse or way of correction to obvious (and massive) voter fraud? Dead people voting and refusal to remove them from voter rolls, no network of data as to people moving to another state or county, hundreds of thousands more votes than registered voters in a county or state, electronic vote manipulation through key fob memory sticks and such. States that do not comply with same day voting and results should be kicked from the union. Foot dragging is not an acceptable excuse.
David135 says: “Unprincipled” populism. What? Unprincipled personal or political traits? Trump had his flaws on the former but despite incredible opposition, plowed through delivering his promised agenda. In doing so, much conventional wisdom was exposed as lies and we’re still in shock at the high level of political corruption from Federal law enforcement that was revealed continues and remains unaccountable. Not to mention, the now complete rot of left wing news industry and the secretive influence of Big Tech. We have our own oligarchy trying to negate public voting preference.
“Politics is downstream from culture”. As a single example, what will Mike Pence types be doing against the growing culture of censorship? We see Dem politicians, media types and Big Tech all making supportive and statements actions. Every one, a representative of the left, attempting to invalidate a first amendment right and bedrock principle of our civil discourse. It will get worse. Maybe quoting Jefferson will put a stop to it?
Its stunning how powerful the dishonest left has become. This has all occurred while repeatedly electing traditional, well spoken, ‘principled’ politicians, proven ineffective or in state of continual torpor.
This is what gives rise to populists movements. Pence was a solid VP, but if you’re not a force to push back on leftist ascendancy, you’re wasting your time warning about populism. In fact you’re part of the problem.
Cameron says: But Mike Pence also warned the think tank audience of the growing gulf in his party between traditionalists and populists — aka the Donald Trump MAGA wing of the party
Mike, the “traditionalists” basically think that our place is to nod agreeably with everything that the Democrats put out there. Any opposition is tepid at best and the McConnells of the party shake their heads in disapproval because “We’re better than that!” and “Muh moral high ground!” Crap like that is why Trump was so effective.
And the fact that you think the notion of putting America first is a problem means that your priorities are misplaced.
Now, I know there is a rising chorus in our party, including some new voices to our movement, who would have us disengaged with the wider world …
Yes. Because the same politicians who screeched that six billion to build a wall and secure our borders was a waste of money but over four times that to wage war on Russia with Ukrainian mercenaries is perfectly acceptable. And when our money goes to countries that openly hate us, people start wondering why we are engaging with those other countries.
But appeasement has never worked, ever, in history.
Such as Biden trying to appease Iran? Or is that “different” because “reasons”?
We need our focus to be here first and foremost. Stop all foreign aid until our people are taken care of. Drill for oil, push for more natural gas use and develop nuclear power to make us more energy independent. Stop hiring us out as the World Police or if we are forced to do so, then we make the countries pay us in natural resources.
GWB says: to wage war on Russia with Ukrainian mercenaries
Ever pondered how this is a reverse Vietnam? Think about it, reversing the roles of us and Russia. Kind of creepy.
Cameron says: Hadn’t thought about that until you pointed it out.
JAW3 says: Soft Isolationism is practiced by both parties so that principle is not. Why isn’t the Biden admin supporting the young women of Iran who are dying for freedom? IMO, we really do have to take care of our own issues first at home and then the strength of our freedom will ring out leading the way for the rest of the world. Think about it, the dc elites have rescued the corrupt Iranian clerics twice now by letting up on the sanctions at key times. Trump would have brought them to their knees if he had rightfully won his reelection. Pence is a goof. IMO.
Qwirk says: “… I’m aware there are those who call Pence a “traitor” for not rejecting the certifications for the 2020 election.”
Eastman’s point was not to reject, but to DELAY. So that the State Legislature’s would be back in session, without having a democrat governor have to call them into session. Then the legislatures could deal with the election issues in each of their states and stipulate a particular slate of electors.
(Personal communication.)
What's emanating from your penumbra says: Rule #1 is to survive. Mike Pence’s version of traditionalism will be utterly destroyed by progressives if he’s not saved by the new strain of conservatives who are willing to fight toe to toe with leftists.
Some critics find it beneficial to paint the new conservative movement as worshipers of Trump. They wish. Trump was carrying the torch for the people, not the other way around. This will become undeniable when Trump fully gives way to his successor. But that’s not going to be a Mike Pence or Mitt Romney style politician. There are times and places those types could be supported. But not now.
Pence talks of soft isolationists and Putin apologists, while denigrating his allies who are carrying the torch in the more important fight, the war that will have much more concrete repercussions for our countrymen, which is the fight for our own country. We have seen where we get when we elect traditionalists who always advocate taking the high road and turning the other cheek when confronted by their domestic opponents. Mike Pence is suicide.
It’s not that Pence’s views are wrong, per se. Traditional conservatism, classical liberalism, these are great ideals. But make no mistake, we are at war. And it’s not with Putin. It’s with Biden, Pelosi, Schumer, AOC, Omar, Cori Bush etc. These people will destroy — are destroying — our country. And they must be stopped. And we can’t do it by allowing mushy-mouthed do-gooders to occupy leadership positions.
Politics is so evenly divided in America that when the tide turns toward Republicans, we have to gain maximum ground. Because the other side will be back, and every one of their leaders wants to be the next FDR, fundamentally transforming the country. The Mike Pences do nothing in this war but take up space. We need fighters.
In any event, the small amount of influence Pence may have ever had is dwindling, and with a lot of conservatives is already gone. Some of that may be because of how he reacted to the election. But for me it’s because his philosophy will lose in the battle with progressives.
What's emanating from your penumbra says: Yikes. I guess paragraph breaks require special coding in this commenting app?
Joe R. says: Mike Pence can Suhhkit. And he’s going to, in prison, if a few people get their way.
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