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Pence Fundraising to Succeed Trump? |
| By
Stephen Lendman |
| Vultures are circling in Washington, Trump targeted for ousting, Pence
his successor-in-waiting - “building his own political war chest,” according
to Bloomberg Politics. He launched a leadership PAC called Great America Committee to let him “channel money to congressional Republicans ahead of the 2018 midterm elections” - likely with greater aims in mind, perhaps preparation for the nation’s top job ahead of the 2020 elections. It’s rare for vice presidents to establish their own fundraising vehicles, especially so early in their tenure. According to Center for Responsible Politics director Sheila Krumholz, “(l)aunching a leadership PAC sometimes signals an intent to run for higher office, which in Pence’s case, has been a topic of public interest ever since he was first nominated.” Trump’s triumph over Hillary surprised most observers. He entered office damaged good for urging improved relations with Russia, denigrating NATO, and opposing interventionism, among other reasons. Campaigning, post-election and as president, he’s been fiercely hammered, dark forces in Washington wanting him weakened, delegitimized and ousted from office - supported by media scoundrels, relentlessly inventing reasons to bash him. Senior Pence campaign advisor in charge of running his leadership Pac Nick Ayers said planning began in December. “Marc Lotter, Pence’s spokesman, declined to comment on the PAC because federal rules bar him from discussing political activities,” Bloomberg reported. Krumholz explained “(t)he general theory on having a leadership PACs is that it’s good to have friends and even better to have friends that owe you favors, because you never know when you’ll have to call them in.” If a change in the guard is in prospect, given endless troubles surrounding Trump, long knives out to get him, perhaps Pence is preparing to take over if called on. Maybe he’s one of the dark forces planning Trump’s political demise. He’s part of Washington’s lunatic fringe, as far-right as it’s possible to get. He’s pro-war, pro-Wall Street, pro-other corporate predators, pro-police state harshness, homophobic, Russophobic and Islamophobic, a Christian fascist, against same-sex marriage, abortions, and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, a neocon Tea Party hardliner, a longtime Koch Brothers ally. Many of their staffers filled his political positions, and his own filled their’s. Koch money helped finance his campaign, payment for expected services. In 2014, Kellyanne Conway said Indiana where he governed since 2013 is “one big free market,” the environment Koch and other corporate predators love. In 1991, Pence headed the Indiana Policy Review Foundation, part of the State Policy Network (SPN). According to the Center for Media and Democracy, SPN affiliates “push an extreme right-wing agenda, restrict worker rights, roll back environmental protections, and” support tax policies favoring business and the rich. In Congress, libertarian donors supported Pence, Koch Industries and Koch Enterprises among his top contributors, including as Indiana governor. Reportedly they urged him to run for president. He ended up number two, perhaps heading for the nation’s top job, a dreadful possibility if occurs - maybe enough to make Trump haters love him after the fact when it’s too late to matter. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. |