Former Vice President Pence wants to become future President Pence. Pence made his possibly brilliant first move at the recent RNC when he said boldly, “President [sic] Trump is wrong. I had no right to overturn the election. The presidency belongs to the American people, and the American people alone.”

His statement received not repudiation from establishment Republicans but praise for courage. McConnell and Romney leapt to Pence’s defense while some others meekly followed, but the die was cast. As the wheels fall off the Trump shit-show, as Trump Family corruption is exposed in courtrooms across the nation, Trump’s cult-base may twist slowly in the wind just as principled conservative Republicans find their way home to the Grand Old Party.

Think Virginia Governor Youngkin. Think President Pence.

Or conversely, for presidential history buffs, think 1912. Charismatic former Republican president Teddy Roosevelt [Trump] spitefully challenged boring Republican incumbent President Taft [Pence] and split the Republican vote; now think Democratic President Woodrow Wilson to fill the breach [Biden].

Sure, a lot could happen between now and 2024, but with no other credible candidate on the Republican horizon [I reject distasteful DeSantis and Canadian Cruz.], Pence could be seen as the safe, sane, savior of the resurrected Republican Party. [Christian biblical references intended.]