He starts by referring to him as "oleaginous . . . with a talent for toadyism and appetite for obsequiousness." He implies that Trump chose him as a running mate so that he [Pence] would "become America's most repulsive public figure," thereby sparing Trump that designation.
Pence has mastered the art of appearing to adore every utterance that comes from the president's mouth; and he shows masterful facial control by never, ever appearing shocked, surprised, or even quizzical when Trump utters utter nonsense or blatant lies. His expressions range from adoring to vapid.
Even champion spouse-adorer Nancy Reagen, while always gazing fondly on hubby in public, was known to get her way behind the scenes. Pence seems to be just along for the ride -- until it's his turn -- and make no waves until them.
How many times has he said in public forums how "honored" he is to serve with President Trump? How many times has he had to mop up for, give tortured explanations for, or otherwise come along behind the elephant with his pooper-scooper? And how often have you shared my opinion that Mike Pence is the most fake-sincere, boringly-unbelievable politician working today?
These last three paragraphs are my words, not George Will's; but I suspect he might agree. Now back to what Will did say, beginning with Pence's staged football game walk-out:
"Pence and his retinue flew to Indiana for the purpose of walking out of an Indianapolis Colts football game, thereby demonstrating that football players kneeling during the national anthem are intolerable to someone of Pence's refined sense of right and wrong. Which brings us to his Arizona salute last week to Joe Arpaio, who was sheriff of Maricopa County until in 2016 voters wearied of his act.
"Noting that Arpaio was in his Tempe audience [a rally for a local political candidate], Pence, oozing unctuousness from every pore, professed himself 'honored' by Arpaio's presence, and praised him as a tireless champion of . . . the rule of law.' Arpaio, a grandstanding, camera-chasing bully and darling of the thuggish right, is also a criminal, convicted of contempt of court for ignoring a federal judge's order to desist from certain illegal law enforcement practices. . . .
[So how does Pence conclude that Arpiao is a "tireless champion of the rule of law," when he was convicted for ignoring a federal judge's order?]
". . . . [Pence's] pandering had no purpose beyond serving Pence's vocation, which is to ingratiate himself with his audience of the moment. The audience for his praise of Arpaio was given to chanting "Build that wall!" and applauded Arpaio, who wears Trump's pardon like a boutonniere. . . .
"There will be negligible legislating by the next Congress, so ballots cast this November will be most important as validations or repudiations of the harmonizing voices of Trump, Pence, Arpaio and the like. Trump is what he is, a floundering, inarticulate jumble of gnawing insecurities and not at all compensating vanities, which is pathetic. Pence is what he has chosen to be, which is horrifying."
* * *
Thus bespoke George Will. I've been thinking lately about all the cascading new revelations, daily, that could implicate Trump in serious financial crimes, as well as obstruction of justice. While my appetite for impeachment is whetted, I also have misgivings.
Much as I want Trump ousted from the office he daily defames and diminishes, we should also consider what we would get instead. On top of all the scorn George Will heaped on Pence's white toady head, Pence really isn't very bright, in my opinion. And he was not a good governor -- and was perhaps saved from a re-election defeat by being chosen by Trump. Do we want a President Pence?
Might we try to endure two more years of Trump -- and then vote them both out of office in 2020? With at least a Democratic House, if not also the Senate, it wouldn't be as bad. But . . . I'm ambivalent. Two and a half more years of the Orange Bandit? I'm not sure our democracy would still be intact.
Ralph
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