Mike Pence says he would consider a female VP – but won’t say if he would dine with her after promising his wife he would never be alone with another woman

Former Vice President Mike Pence said he would be open to a female vice president but would not say whether he would dine alone with her.

Pence appeared at a town hall with Leland Vittert on NewsNation on Wednesday and was asked about his much-discussed deal the Republican made with his wife Karen to never dine alone with another woman.

Vittert then asked if the same rule would apply to a female vice president, since presidents and vice presidents often have official lunches as part of their schedule.

Pence responded “you better believe it” when asked if he would choose a female running mate, noting that one of his lieutenant governors in Indiana was a woman when he was governor of the state.

To the second question, Pence explained the agreement he made with his wife: “Let me say it’s a promise that my wife and I made to each other,” the 2024 Republican hopeful said. “I didn’t find it particularly controversial .’

Pence appeared at a town hall with Leland Vittert on NewsNation on Wednesday and was asked how he would handle having a female vice president with his rule against dining only with women

‘When I was first elected CongressWhen I was doing an interview about keeping our family close in public service, someone asked us about some of the promises we made to each other. And I remember saying, “Well, I promised her I wouldn’t have dinner alone with a woman who’s not my wife.” It wasn’t very controversial until after I became vice president, someone showed up that quote and it became quite a problem,” Pence said.

Part of the pact was that Pence would also skip events involving alcohol unless Karen Pence was by his side.

The practice was nicknamed the “Billy Graham Rule,” after the late evangelical leader who encouraged avoiding even the smell of infidelity.

Liberal critics suggested it was sexist because it gave men an advantage in key meetings with the then-vice president.

“Look, I respect the way someone manages their marriage. And I never want to feel like I’m imposing my values ​​on anyone,” Pence also told Vittert. “But I have to tell you what we were so moved by was the outpouring of support across the country, as some on the liberal left and the media found a way to criticize us for placing that priority on our marriage.”

“But then I remember the New York Times ended up doing a poll that showed that over 60% of married couples actually thought that was a pretty good idea, so everyone dropped it,” Pence continued.

The ex-VP added that “in the wake of the tragic circumstances surrounding the Me-Too movement, it seemed to disappear.”

Pence’s wife Karen was in the audience at his NewsNation town hall event on Wednesday

Pence reiterated that he would continue to put his wife and family first “no matter what it means, or what criticism comes.”

Pence is currently polling 4.5 percent among Republican Party primary voters, according to the Real Clear Politics polling average.

Meanwhile, his former running mate, ex-President Donald Trump, leads with 56.6 percent.

Still, Pence said that if he were the Republican nominee, he would find the person “best qualified, best prepared and most committed to the agenda,” he said, adding that it is a “traditional conservative agenda would be of strong defense, limited government fiscal responsibility, the right to life and traditional value.”

“So I would be looking for agreement on those core values, but looking for an individual of great character who, if history were to unfold, would be able to step in and take on those duties,” Pence said .