Mike Pence distances himself from ‘trading insults’ with his ‘old friend’ Trump

mike pence walked away from “trading insults” with his former running mate after a registered independent voter questioned whether the former vice president would ever “stand up to” donald trump.

Pence, who will challenge the former president in the Republican presidential primaries next year, heard from voters at a meet and greet event in new hampshire offered what he called an “honest comment” on Pence’s prospects for the White House, ABC News reported.

“I would love to see you be president of the United States. I’m just going to give you an honest comment. I don’t think you are until the day you face that man,” voter Tom Loughlin told Pence.

Pence, who once said that Trump should “never be president” due to his coup attempt on January 6, 2021, he responded to the voter comment.

“Some people think we held our own quite a bit two and a half years ago. … I joined the ticket because there was an unspoken commitment that we would govern as Conservatives and we did … but honestly I think he doesn’t make that promise today,” the former vice president said.

“I’m not interested in trading insults with my old friend. I am not. And some people think that’s the way to win the presidency. No. But presenting the choice to the American people. We have been doing it. We will continue to do so,” Pence continued.

Pence’s comments come about a month before the first GOP primary debate, an event in Milwaukee that Trump has threatened to avoid.

Several candidates have announced that they have met the Republican National CommitteeThe 40,000 unique donor criteria for discussion, including former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and gift card delivery North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

Pence and his campaign have yet to reveal whether he has reached the threshold, ABC News noted.

Loughlin says he’s “sick” about Pence voting numbers – who are after Trump, the governor of Florida. ron desantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in poll averages — and asked him to go after the former president.

“This man deserves better than that for the people of this country. He has to talk about the future. And he has to talk about how dangerous that man is to our country,” Loughlin said.