'Delusional fever dream': Conservatives react to Mike Pence dropping from race
Mike Pence on Saturday dropped his bid for the 2024 Republican nomination, citing the Bible. His fellow candidates and other political insiders were quick to react to the unexpected news.
Pence's announcement came just before his former boss, Donald Trump, spoke at a Nevada event.
The reactions to Pence's campaign suspension ranged from caring to mocking.
Jeff Timmer, a former Michigan Republican Party executive director and outspoken Trump critic, had harsh words for Pence.
"Mike Pence’s candidacy was always a vanity-driven delusional fever dream," said Timmer, who now works as a political strategist. "There is plenty of market for his dangerous bastardized strain of Christianity, but no GOP consumers were interested in his personal brand of 'not brave enough to violate the Constitution.'"
Chris Christie, former New Jersey governor and current GOP presidential candidate, had a different view.
"I am beyond grateful for everything Vice President [Pence] has done for this country. He has consistently fought for American values from his time in Congress to his governorship and serving the American people as Vice President," he wrote. "Mike Pence stood for the constitution of the United States. He deserves our thanks as Americans for putting his oath of office and the Constitution of the United States before personal and political pressure. Thank you for your service."
George Conway, a conservative attorney and anti-Trump activist, said simply, "Whoa. A sound decision."
Former Pence Homeland Security staffer Olivia Troye also weighed in Saturday.
"Former Vice President Mike Pence has suspended his presidential campaign. Given what’s at stake for our country in 2024, will he join the fight & build a coalition to keep Donald Trump from getting elected?" she asked. "He knows first hand how much worse this is all going to get."
Former Donald Trump aide Alyssa Farah Griffin said Pence "has character and conviction that feels rare these days in our politics."
"I will always be proud of him & grateful that he upheld our Constitution when it mattered most," she added Saturday. "My very best to him and his family." She also encouraged Pence to endorse Nikki Haley.
