Is There Room Under The Bus For Mike Pence?
One of the distinct characteristics of a person caught in a lie is a series of swift and forceful accusatory statements blaming others for whatever behavior one is accused of. Noticeable earlier this week, when Donald Trump was first questioned publicly about his dealings with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump fired off a barrage of statements including the suggestion that someone should look into Mike Pence’s conversations with the Ukrainian leader.
As with Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort, Pence will likely become the next member of the under-the-bus club, and this will happen soon. The reaction from Pence is unpredictable — the best guess would be that he would be forced to turn on Trump if he has any meaningful dirt. Trump’s under-bus strategy won’t work if and when Ukrainian phone transcripts are released or if Giuliani and or Pompeo turn against the commander and chief first, which are also likely possibilities as we move forward with the scandal.
If Trump can pull this off, Pence is the perfect foil. Like a hayseed from Indiana duped into buying a fake Rolex from a New York City street hawker, he will be chewed up and found face down in an alley behind Trump tower then moved into whatever space is left alongside “I met him maybe once” Manafort and “I hardly knew him” Cohen. Regardless of what happens, there are only three people left in Trump’s loyal band of operatives, Pence, Pompeo, and Giuliani, and Pence seems most like the innocent gazelle grazing just before the lions begin their attacks. Stay tuned.
