The US presidential election in 2016 was the most sensational of the last few decades. The intense struggle of the candidates and the unexpected victory of Donald Trump, whom initially few people took seriously, demonstrated the ability of American politics to make unpredictable turns. The figure of the vice president, who, in accordance with old traditions, plays a significant role both during the election campaign and in the work of the new administration of the White House, was also in the spotlight. I must admit that by the standards of political circles in the United States, Michael Pence is a rather extraordinary person.
early years
The current second person in the state was born in Indiana in 1959. Michael Pence comes from a large Catholic family. His parents owned a network of gas stations. After graduating from high school and college, Michael Pence received his doctorate in law from Indiana University. To the great disappointment of his parents during his student years, he left the Roman Catholic Church and became an evangelical Christian. After receiving a law degree, Michael Pence opened a private law office. In the early 90s of the last century, he tried his hand at the media, becoming the leading socio-political program on the radio station WRCR-FM, located in Indianapolis.
House of Representatives
Future US Vice President Michael Pence first ran for Congress at a fairly young age. In 1990, he left the practice of law to participate in the election campaign, but lost in the struggle for a seat in the House of Representatives to his opponent from the Democratic Party. During the campaign, Pence spent money from the Political Donations Fund for personal needs. In those days, such actions were not prohibited by law, but this fact spoiled his reputation and became the main cause of defeat.
The next attempt to climb the political Olympus Pence made in 2000. This time he managed to win the election and take a seat in the US Congress. Michael Pence supported the traditionally tuned part of the electorate. During the election campaign, the politician used the slogan describing his system of values: "Christian, conservative, republican, in that order."
Work in the House of Representatives led to the rapid development of Pence's party career. In the zero years, he held a number of high posts in the Republican hierarchy. Pence stood out among his party members with extremely conservative views. Esquire magazine included him in the list of ten best congressmen.
Governor of indiana
Home state has become the next page of political biography. Michael Pence won with a minimum margin in the fierce struggle for the chair of the Governor of Indiana in 2012.
His work in this post deserves special mention. Pence did not miss the chance to put into practice his conservative and Christian beliefs. The most shocking for the liberal part of American society was the law adopted in Indiana, which actually allows discrimination against members of sexual minorities. Pence's initiative to limit the number of abortions caused a wave of criticism and controversy. His proposed bill prohibits termination of pregnancy if the cause of the procedure is the alleged physical abnormalities of the embryo, as well as its gender or race. This initiative could make Indiana abortion rules the most stringent in the United States. However, based on the decision of the Supreme Court, the entry into force of this law was blocked.
The start of the presidential campaign
In 2016, Pence was about to re-take part in the election for the governor of Indiana. Based on these circumstances, we can conclude that the proposal put forward to him to become a candidate for vice-president of the Republican Party was spontaneous and unexpected. Donald Trump officially announced this decision in July 2016.
Refusing to participate in the gubernatorial elections, Pence took some steps aimed at creating the image of a united team of republican candidates. In particular, he expressed his full support for Trump's immigration policy and commended plans to build a wall on the border with Mexico.
Scandal
Further developments put Pence in a difficult position. The publication of Trump's obscene remarks about women has become the biggest election race scandal. The charismatic billionaire managed to incur the wrath of both a liberal and feminist public, and supporters of traditional Christian values. Being one of the most conservative politicians of modern America, Pence also could not but condemn Trump. However, he made it clear that he continued to support the republican presidential candidate, despite his dubious moral qualities. Trump's public apology somewhat defused the situation. To everyone’s surprise, Republicans won the presidential election by a significant margin thanks to the support of conservative residents of small towns and rural areas.
Activities in the administration of the White House
Numerous photos of Michael Pence and Donald Trump give the impression of a well-coordinated and balanced team. An impulsive and sometimes far from politically correct president is balanced by a serious, mature and Christian values- oriented deputy. According to rumors, Pence has a great influence in the current White House administration, as it acts as an intermediary between Trump and the Republican congressmen. He took an active part in the selection of candidates in the formation of the new cabinet. Pence was present at Trump's telephone conversations with leaders of many states, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. The second person in the US government visited a number of Asian countries. During these visits, he met with the Prime Minister of Japan and the presidents of South Korea and Indonesia.
Continuation of the struggle
The passions seething during the election campaign did not subside even after the inauguration. Opponents of the new administration have started talking about the impeachment of Trump in the near future. Michael Pence in this case will take the place of president. According to the British newspaper The Guardian, Trump as the head of state is inconvenient for the American financial elite. Some representatives of US political circles argue that impeachment is the only way out of this situation. Michael Pence, in their opinion, is a perfectly acceptable figure for the owners of multinational corporations and large investment banks. Time will tell whether there is any truth in these predictions or whether the statements of opposition politicians are in the field of conspiracy theories. However, the ongoing stubborn attempts to accuse Trump of ties with Russia make one seriously think about the participation of powerful players in the behind-the-scenes struggle.
Personal life
Michael Pence and his wife Karen have been together for over 30 years. The couple has a son and two daughters. The politician met his wife in the Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir. The media tell amazing stories of mutual devotion in their family. Pence has repeatedly stated that he fundamentally refuses to hold business meetings with outside women without the presence of a spouse. To communicate with his life partner, the politician always has at hand a special cell phone, the number of which only Karen Pence knows. The son of the current US vice president is an officer in the Marine Corps and a war veteran in Iraq. The eldest daughter studies digital cinema and literature, while the youngest studies journalism and international relations. Michael Pence’s children took part in his election campaign.