Lack of sponsorship money, former US vice president gives up White House race

Pence’s surprise announcement at the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) donor conference on October 28 made him the first major candidate to withdraw from the race for the party’s nomination in the US election next year. Former US President Donald Trump, Pence’s former “boss”, is currently the leader in this race.

"Having traveled across the country for the past six months, I am here to say that one thing has become clear to me: This is not the time for me. So, after much prayer and consideration, I have decided to end my campaign for president, effective today," Reuters quoted Pence as saying at the event in Las Vegas (Nevada, USA). The audience initially appeared stunned but then applauded and cheered the former vice president.

Thiếu tiền tài trợ, cựu phó tổng thống Mỹ từ bỏ cuộc đua Nhà Trắng - Ảnh 1. — Mr. Mike Pence at the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) donor conference on October 28.

Mr Pence did not explicitly endorse anyone in his speech but appeared to attack Mr Trump.

"I call on all my fellow Republicans here, to give our country a Republican standard-bearer who, as Lincoln said, will appeal to the better angels of our nature," Pence said, adding that it must also be someone who leads the country with "gentleness."

A source close to Mr Pence laughed when asked whether the former vice president would support Mr Trump.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Mr Trump did not mention Mr Pence in their speeches at the convention following Mr Pence's announcement. Former US Ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley praised Mr Pence as a champion of America and Israel.

Several candidates could soon follow Pence’s lead and drop out, leaving those who can really convince donors. Donors who want to back a candidate other than Trump are being cautious about opening their wallets.

But Mr Trump’s lead is so large that it may not matter, and his rivals may decide to stay put for longer. No clear alternative has emerged since Mr DeSantis, who is second in the polls behind Mr Trump, has faltered after a disappointing start.

Former Vice President Pence challenges Mr. Trump: Putting yourself above the constitution cannot be the US president

Campaign exhausted

Pence, 64, has publicly broken with Trump, criticizing the former president for his role in the riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Pence is betting that Republican voters will support him because he has defended the constitution rather than following Trump’s orders to overturn the 2020 election results.

But Trump's core supporters appear to have never forgiven Pence for overseeing the certification of Joe Biden's election victory - as president of the Senate (a dual role of the US vice president) - on the day of the riot.

Mr Pence announced his presidential bid in June but has failed to attract enough voters and donors to sustain his campaign, with his poll numbers mostly in the single digits.

Pence began running out of money in October. His third-quarter fundraising totals, released on Oct. 15, showed his campaign was $620,000 in debt and had just $1.2 million in cash on hand, far worse than some of his better-performing Republican rivals and not enough for a White House run.

In previous elections, former vice presidents who have run for the White House have been successful, including Republican George H.W. Bush in 1988 and Democrat Al Gore in 2000. Biden himself was vice president to former President Barack Obama.

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