CNN: 'a deep level of anxiety inside the vice president's office'

[ffr]

Recent conversations with a person close to the matter reveal a deep level of anxiety inside the vice president's office. Pence advisers are frustrated with how the White House has handled the fallout from the Ukraine disclosures, including bringing the vice president into the mess. An additional Pence adviser tells CNN, "It's a challenging environment," in response to the controversies and scandals the vice president has had to dodge, most recently Ukraine.

There is also concern within Pence's team over his standing with Trump.

Publicly Trump has consistently praised the vice president, insisting Pence will be his running mate next year, yet privately he is more circumspect.
<snip>

Neither Goeglein nor Land put much stock in the idea that Trump might replace Pence, though the latter says he fears doing so could hurt the President among evangelical voters. "That would be a problem," said Land. "I think it might depress [turnout] some."

That might be enough reason for Trump to keep Pence around, but Pence offers one more critical benefit to the President: his willingness to completely submit himself to Trump and his agenda. - CNN

Pence is leaving Washington to be in Arizona tomorrow. Probably needs to get away from reporters and all of their pesky questions.

[cilla4progress]

1. Sure puts Rachel's podcast on Agnew

in perspective.

[triron]

11. Sort of.

[BigmanPigman]

2. Oh brother!

Oops, I mean "Oh Mother".

[Marie Marie]

3. Shaking in his boots while licking Trump's boots.

[Golden Raisin]

4. 1-800-if you lie down with dogs.

Fleas are jumpin' now.

[hedda_foil]

9. Fleas are jumpin' and the bullshit is high.

Oh your mother's mad and your boss he's colluding.
So run little Pencey, find a corner and hide.

[regnaD kciN]

12. Nice quote from "Scandaltime"...

To be preceded, of course, by:

“Scandaltime, and the White House is sleazy…”

[hedda_foil]

16. Perfect!

[dem4decades]

5. Reporters can't ask questions in Arizona?

[ritapria]

6. What they should really be anxious about

"Why am I working for this Dominionist Nutcase ?

[RockRaven]

7. The minute the wind starts shifting and and any GOP Senators start wavering on removal/not...

Trump will get ultra-paranoid about Pence trying to steal his spot as POTUS and Trump and his closest sycophants will leak the hell out of every smear of Pence (deserved and undeserved alike) they can think of. Which is what anyone who hitches up to the Trump train deserves.

[Claritie Pixie]

10. I want this. This right here.

What a spectacle that will be! You're absolutely right that's what they'd do.

[stopdiggin]

14. that would be fun

and actually totally believable. Just like Trump (and cronies) to cripple any perceived "replacement." Take 'em all down with ya' Donnie!!

[oasis]

8. Too damn bad. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

[NCLefty]

13. "Mother! I need to pray, hurry!"

SCOTUS hears arguments next week as to whether it's OK to refuse service to gay people at your business. Trump admin (Pence imo) has argued for the discrimination. I can't wait to see what my country thinks of me this time...

[DeminPennswoods]

15. Pence is Trump's impeachment hostage

IMHO, most of the current GOP would far prefer a President Pence. He gives the GOP all the regressive policies they want, brings the evangelical voters and does so without the crazy Trump persona. But, Trump's got a reptilian survival instinct that makes him understand if he drags Pence into the Ukraine scandal, Pence is essentially a hostage against Senate Rs voting to remove him because he can force Pence out the same way Nixon did with Agnew and the Rs will never get President Pence. It will be Trump or nothing.

That's my theory.

[IdealsAndReal42]

17. Cross your fingers and/or pray for Pence distance himself from Trump.

[NewJeffCT]

18. I wonder if Trump thinks he can survive the fallout

by dumping Pence and a few others and replacing Pence with Nikki Haley or somebody else?