There are many reasons to oppose a Mike Pence presidency but his skill at lying is the biggest

[womanofthehills]

by Sarah Kendzior

On Oct. 3 2016, Mike Pence took to the stage for his first and only US vice presidential debate—and calmly lied through his teeth about Donald Trump for 90 minutes. He lied about whether Trump had said more countries should have nuclear weapons. He lied about Trump saying he wanted to punish women who had abortions. He lied about Trump defending dictators. He lied about Trump doing business with Russia. Every time his opponent, vice-presidential candidate Tim Kaine, brought up a statement by Trump—a public, documented statement, the veracity of which Americans could easily validate—Pence did not embellish. He simply smiled and lied.

Seven months later, Pence is still lying, only now the lies have become more dangerous. Today, Americans face a dual threat from Pence: first, in his capacity as vice president and as a key player in an administration rife with scandal and possibly treasonous activity; and second, as the potential inheritor of the tarnished presidency as talk of impeachment accelerates. Mike Pence spent months trying to hide the truth about Donald Trump. It is important that Americans do not make the same mistake with Pence.

Impeaching Trump, in other words, would not free the US from the dark specter of collusion and betrayal that has swept over it since Trump took power. Although Trump has lowered the bar for president immeasurably, Americans must not forget that behind Pence’s smooth smile is a calculating politician with a track record of oppressive policymaking and a knack for dishonesty. The answer to the question “Trump or Pence?” is always “neither.”

Though the US press was notoriously slow to investigate the Trump team’s relationship with Russia, often burying or downplaying the story, the last two weeks have revealed an America in crisis. After firing FBI director James Comey, Trump invited Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and ambassador Sergey Kislyak into the White House and chatted about highly classified state secrets. Trump went on to make statements suggesting obstruction of justice on national television, while newspapers revealed that Trump had asked Comey to shut down the investigation of former national security advisor-turned-foreign agent Michael Flynn.

https://qz.com/992053/will-donald-trump-get-impeached-mike-pence-would-not-be-a-better-us-president/

[dchill]

1. His "skill" is a shovel, with which he is digging a hole...

for himself. I, for one, want him to keep it up. So-called "skilled liars" are a dime a dozen. And Pence is not even all that talented at it.

[kentuck]

2. It is definitely a skill to be able to lie with such sincerity.

Pence has it down to a T.

[womanofthehills]

3. And he is a so called "Christian"

[Chipper Chat]

4. and bigly.anti-gay

Arch homophobe

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. As a President who was part and parcel of a corrupt, even treasonous administration

He's going to be stuck in one hell of a rut. He'd either have to pardon Trump which would love k awful, or let him stand trial, which will still look awful.

He'll be a lame duck from Day 1. He'll be a constant walking, talking reminder of Donald Trump and he won't be able to escape his shadow or fetid stench. If this all goes down before November 2018, they'll be blowback with a Democratic majority and he'll get little of his agenda passed before he's voted out in 2020.

Keep him in and let him twist and wither on the vine. I think it's better than knocking him out with Trump and having to deal with Ryan, who's smarter IMHO and will claim he's insulated from Trump because he wasn't technically part of the administration.

[oberliner]

6. Trump is not going to be impeahced

Zero chance.

Republicans control Congress.

[phylny]

7. Yet my 89-year-old father says,

"I like Pence. He has such a kind face."

Sigh.