Perspective: Former Vice President Mike Pence on American Conservatism

GU Politics

ANDREW WONG: On Oct. 19, former Vice President Mike Pence visited Georgetown to speak on the future of the conservative movement in America. The event, organized by GU Politics and Young America’s Foundation, was a rousing success. Despite the student walkout and protest, the vast majority of students were extremely excited to see and hear from the former Vice President.

As usual, students began lining up on the second floor of Healy Hall for the event nearly four hours prior to doors opening at 6:00 p.m. The hall was filled with excitement, as students sat in line eager to see the former vice president, but also tension. A group of students had planned a walkout during Pence’s speech, due to his stances on LGBTQ+ and abortion rights, and various students were spotted handing out pamphlets to students in line imploring others to join the walkout. However, GU Politics made extensive preparations to preserve order in Healy Hall, which included bringing in additional GUPD officers to monitor the situation and having eagle-eyed student advance team members watching the line at all times. Thanks to the efforts of staff and student advance team members, civility was maintained.

Prior to speaking in Gaston Hall, Pence met with board members of the Georgetown College Republicans and members of GU Politics’ Student Advisory Board. He talked with them about their studies and shared several humorous anecdotes about his time in politics and about his farm. When asked about what advice he had to give, Pence commended students for their pursuits in politics at Georgetown and encouraged them to maintain their commitment to public service and stay true to their values. 

Pence walked out to a packed audience, with lots of applause and chants of “USA! USA!” He began the night by speaking at length about his experience in politics. He recalled a humorous anecdote of his start in politics in 1988 during an unsuccessful campaign to represent the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana. During that campaign, he had the opportunity to meet then-President Ronald Reagan in the White House, and he described talking to the 40th President as “talking to Mount Rushmore.” He then gave his best President Reagan impression, drawing laughs from the audience.

Pence then discussed his life after the Vice Presidency, describing his present life on his farm in Indiana, and joking about how he had to wait 25 minutes at Olive Garden on a Saturday night now that he was just an ordinary citizen. He then launched into a warning about the stakes America presently faced. He described how the “enemies of freedom are on the march in Eastern Europe,” referring to the present Russian invasion of Ukraine. He talked about domestic crises, from the southern border, inflation, crime, and a looming recession. “Freedom is under attack like never before,” summarized Pence, and he criticized the “woke agenda designed to advance the American left and show intolerance of people who have different views.”

At that moment, dozens of students walked out of the room, and, on the second floor, a banner with the words “LGBTQ+; Reproductive Rights are Human Rights” was unfurled. One student was seen waving a pride flag on the way out the door.

"It seems to me that having served many years in Washington, leaders in this nation’s capital have never been more out of touch," Pence said as the students were exiting Gaston Hall. "More intent on imposing their agenda or walking out on people that might have a different point of view." Upon hearing this line, the audience clapped and cheered. The empty seats left behind by the protesters were quickly filled by students who had been waiting in the overflow line to see Pence.

Pence went on further to describe his hopes for the future. He stated how he was “optimistic that in 20 days, we will have new majorities in the House and Senate and statehouses across America that will stand for freedom,” referring to the upcoming midterm election. He praised students, saying that they are a “generation that loves freedom” and the hope of America. 

During the Q&A session, moderated by GU Politics Executive Director Mo Elleithee, Pence fielded a variety of questions from Georgetown students. Asked if he had anything positive to say about the Biden-Harris Administration, Pence humorously quipped “gee look at the time,” evoking laughter from the audience. Pence offered warm praise of Joe Biden, citing their long working relationship, and recounted his debate with Kamala Harris during the 2020 Presidential Election, noting how “we had barriers between us, but they were not tall enough to even stop a fly!”

When it came time to answer whether or not he would support a hypothetical Trump 2024 run, Pence offered the remark, “Well, there might be somebody else I'd prefer more,” before citing his present focus on the 2022 midterm. Various media outlets have speculated these comments may mean that Pence is intending to run for President in 2024. While certainly an interesting rumor, it also signals that the 2024 GOP Presidential Primary will definitely be a contested fight between Donald Trump and more moderate elements of the GOP.

After finishing the Q&A, Pence walked down from the stage to speak with students and take pictures. Students mobbed to the front, and Pence patiently took his time to chat with each student and take selfies. The event was extremely successful, and a healthy reminder that even though we may hold different opinions, civil discourse is still possible in America.

Andrew Wong is a staff writer for On The Record. He is a freshman in the School of Foreign Service studying International Politics. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, hiking, and catching up on New Jersey politics.