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More than 220 George Mason University students, faculty, and staff members gathered in the conference center of the new Fuse building at Mason Square in Arlington, Virginia, Wednesday, September 3 for the first Pizza and Perspectives event of the fall semester. The program, presented by University Life Mason Square, featured a dialogue between George Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government dean Mark J. Rozell and former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.
The wide-ranging, 45-minute conversation, “Conservatism at Crossroads: Tradition, Populism, and America’s Future,” was followed by an equally long question-and-answer session with audience members. Topics addressed during the forum included foreign policy, the economy, national security, religion in politics, tariffs, sending armed troops to American cities, and, inevitably, the events of January 6, 2021.
You can see the event at the Schar School YouTube channel at this site.
“January 6 was a tragic day,” Pence said in response to a question from Rozell. “I’ll always believe that by God’s grace I did my duty that day and I kept my oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. And for me, that’s what it came down to.
“The Bible says in Psalm 15, ‘He keeps his oath even when it hurts.’ I know something about that, but I believe at the end of the day, those of you who are called to either elected or appointed office—and I expect a lot of Schar School students are—that when the time comes, you’ll have no other view.”
Regarding Russia’s war with Ukraine, Pence said the United States needs to support Ukraine in repelling the invasion. Russia president Vladimir Putin “won’t stop at Ukraine,” Pence said. “I have no doubt it’s just a matter of time he’ll cross a NATO border and our men and women in uniform are going to be called into action.”
But Pence said he believes the country’s biggest geopolitical threat is China. “Which is why we should support Ukraine. President Xi [Jinping] is watching, I promise you. He’s made no secret of his intentions with Taiwan.”
When Rozell asked how to encourage students to pursue careers in politics and government in an era that sometimes diminishes public service, Pence pointed out that any job is open to criticism.
“President Kennedy said memorably once, ‘To lead is to be misunderstood,’ and if you accept the fact that if you step into the public square and say, ‘this is what my conviction is,’ it will come with criticism, but it will also come with encouragement.
“And I would also say, don’t confuse politics with the American people, because the American people are the kindest, most gracious, most generous, considerate, respectful people. …We need a government as good as our people.”
That sentiment of civility was reflected by the questions from the audience. More than 20 attendees had the opportunity to ask Pence for insights. In fact, Pence insisted on extending the program so he could address each question.
Government and international politics (GVIP) freshman Tyronne Mitchell Jr., a member of the Schar School’s First-Year Democracy Lab Learning Community, led off the question-and-answer session. Mitchell, from Chesapeake, Virginia, asked Pence what could a politics major who wants to be a change agent could do to benefit themselves after graduation?
“Just show up,” Pence said, adding that his career began in his Indiana hometown working for a Democratic youth organization (Ronald Reagan influenced his political change). “Walk into your party headquarters in your hometown, or even locally here, and just say, ‘I’m here to help.’” That effort, he added, “will lead to practical experience and build relationships.”
Mitchell said he was thrilled to speak with Pence.
“I thought it was an amazing chance to come and learn from someone who has been at a high level of government despite having different ideals,” Mitchell said. “It was an amazing opportunity.”
Aaron Yoo, a freshman from Las Vegas, Nevada, who is also majoring in government and international politics and is a member of the university’s Honors College, said appearances such as Pence’s was one of the reasons he came to George Mason. His intention, he said, is to “creating meaningful change and have some genuinely productive conversations.”
He got his wish, just two weeks into his first semester at the university: After thanking Pence for his actions on January 6, Yoo asked the former vice president if he thought American democracy was backsliding toward a fascist state.
“If I can make a correction,” Pence began. “Aspects of our government are a democracy, but it’s actually a republic, a constitutional republic with separation of powers with three coequal branches of government. For me, the key going forward is to begin there and literally call upon the Judiciary and the Congress to exercise that unique independent voice that the founders gave them under the Constitution.”