THE OPPOSITION LEADER

The Opposition Needs a Leader: Why Mike Pence is the Only Real Choice

The United States is in the midst of a political crisis, and with the threat of authoritarianism looming, the question must be asked. Who will lead the opposition? The Democratic Party, despite its best intentions, has failed to present a credible counterforce to the radicalized Republican Party that now bears little resemblance to the party of Lincoln, Eisenhower, or even Reagan. The opposition needs a leader who can reach beyond the usual partisan lines and appeal to the real Republican Party, the one that once valued constitutional principles over blind loyalty to a single man. That leader, unlikely as it may seem, could be Mike Pence.

A Bridge to the Old Republican Party

For all his faults, Mike Pence carries something that no Democrat or progressive leader can, a deep-rooted credibility within the conservative movement. He was once a favorite among traditional Republicans, a steady hand who could quote Ronald Reagan and talk about fiscal responsibility without being laughed out of the room. The Republican Party, before Trump and his sycophants hijacked it, prided itself on law, order, and reverence for the Constitution. If there is to be a movement to reclaim the party and return it to its foundational values, it must be led by someone with credibility among conservatives.

Pence demonstrated his allegiance to the Constitution over personal loyalty in his most defining moment. On January 6, 2021, he refused to bend to the mob and reject the electoral votes, an act that could have plunged the country into a constitutional crisis. He upheld the rule of law when it mattered most. That moment alone gives him the moral authority to challenge the rising tide of authoritarianism within his own party.

An Evangelical Who Can Speak to Evangelicals

One of the most critical barriers to forming an effective opposition to Trumpism is the unwavering loyalty of evangelical Christians to the MAGA movement. Trump has courted the religious right with empty promises, appointing conservative justices and championing their causes despite his own blatant moral failures. The only figure who could credibly challenge Trump’s grip on evangelical voters is someone who speaks their language, and that person is Mike Pence.

Pence has built his entire political career on his faith. Unlike Trump, who cynically wields religion for political gain, Pence genuinely believes in the principles he preaches. If he were to step forward as the leader of the opposition, he could make the case that the evangelical movement must return to moral leadership, not blind allegiance to a man who represents the antithesis of their faith.

The Truman Comparison: A Reluctant Leader Who Rose to the Moment

Mike Pence may not seem the natural choice to lead a political resistance, but history has shown that the most effective leaders often emerge from unexpected places. Harry Truman was once dismissed as an unremarkable politician, a placeholder vice president who suddenly led the nation at one of its most crucial moments. He was underestimated, yet he rose to the occasion and became one of the most consequential presidents in American history.

Like Truman, Pence may not exude the charisma or boldness of a traditional opposition leader. But he has a foundation of credibility, experience, and a deep understanding of the constituencies that must be won over to defeat Trumpism. If he wishes, he could define himself as a continuation of the role he once played, to protect and defend the Constitution, not as Trump’s vice president but as the leader of a principled opposition.

The Question of Willingness

The real question is whether Mike Pence wants to assume this role. So far, he has largely faded into the background, unwilling to fully challenge the forces that now control his party. However, he must step forward if he recognizes the danger of a second Trump presidency and truly believes in the values he has long claimed to uphold.

The opposition needs a leader, and Mike Pence is the only one who can credibly reclaim the soul of the Republican Party and counter the dangerous rise of authoritarianism. The time for hesitation is over. He must lead if he is serious about his oath to the Constitution.

William James Spriggs