Pence and his GOP compatriots are trying to separate Mike Pence from Trump's madness over the first four weeks: an illegal and sloppy attempt at banning Muslims, a failed military raid in Yemen, the public humiliation and retreat of a nominee for labor secretary, laughable and embarrassing Press debacles and lies, and the linking of the national security advisor and the Trump campaign to Russian espionage.
As Mark Summer has pointed out in Pence in the wilderness, on Daily Kos, there has been a concerted effort, as yet unchallenged by major press, to create the public perception that Pence did not early on know about National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's calls with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Here is a sample from The Washington Post on February 14:
Vice President Pence first learned that former national security adviser Michael Flynn had misled him about the nature of his contact with a Russian official on Feb. 9, a full two weeks after other White House officials were briefed on the matter.
How do we know that? The article and many like it end this way: "An aide to Pence said on Tuesday." Oh.
By this account, Pence dutifully, innocently, ignorantly repeated the lies Flynn told him, and Trump claims to have asked for Flynn's resignation because Flynn lied to poor Mike Pence.
To cite Summer again, " It's a very convenient narrative for the man who totally isn't whispering the word "impeachment" into every passing ear. It's also convenient for the Trump regime to preserve the idea of Pence as an 'honest broker' who can be counted on to, if not deliver the truth, at least deliver his understanding of the truth."
The idea that Pence is "out of the loop" has emerged as a tool both for Trump and Pence, though it is obviously false. Pence has been visually and actively present for Trump's phone calls, meetings with foreign leaders, signing of executive orders, and welcoming cabinet members. He actively drives the GOP agenda in Congress, and on Tuesday, January 31, 2017, when the vote on the ignorant and dangerous nominee for Education Secretary was stalled at a 50-50 vote, Pence became the first VP in history to cast a tie-breaking vote to confirm a cabinet position.
Pence is clearly and deeply stuck in the muck of this Administration. We must not let him crawl out.
Why should we believe he didn't know the Trump-Pence Campaign was in touch with the Russians? There is no proof, just the assertion of Pence and of Trump, neither of whom is known for veracity.
Reading the transcripts of the Munich speeches today (February 18) and yesterday by Senator John McCain and Vice President Pence himself, this columnist wonders if Trump himself is being deceived into this narrative of the "honest Pence" by a VP and GOP?
Sensing the upcoming losses in 2018 and in 2020 as well as dysfunction and lasting damage now and in the foreseeable future with Trump in the White House, have the GOP and Pence moved their eyes to the biggest target: removing Trump from office and selling the public Pence as the innocent and sane replacement?
Have they begun to put this plan in place?
In his speech at Munich, Senator John McCain, a long-time Trump foe and victim, attacked Trump with a long list of Trump policies that would alarm previous generations...including "They would be alarmed by the growing inability, and even unwillingness, to separate truth from lies."
Then he spoke glowingly of those who do not support Trump policies, citing others and the VP by name:
"I know there is profound concern across Europe and the world that America is laying down the mantle of global leader. ...This is not the message you heard today from Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis. This is not the message you will hear from Vice President Mike Pence. That is not the message you will hear from Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly."
Optics with power create opportunity to sway the public and the world. Trump has not met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Munich conference , which is an annual meeting of top officials in national security from around the world, will provide the opportunity today for Pence to meet (and be photographed with) Merkel.
While Trump fiddles around with so-called Campaign Rallies and golfing meetings at Mar-a-Lago, is Pence not his VP and faithful dog but his Brutus?
When the inevitable happens and Trump is removed from office, will Trump stare vapidly and say, Et Tu, Mike P?
Trump may not be ready but we must be.
We need to demand to know - What did Trump know? What did Pence know? and When?
We need to call into question the legitimacy of the Election. We need to demand a Special Prosecutor now.
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February 18, 2017
Addendum. Remember this image, this day and this column.
