But he could not escape the direct contrast with Mr Trump. When Mr. Pence finished his speech, the first question from the audience of young conservatives at a Young America Foundation conference was about Mr. Trump “and the division between you two.”
“I don’t know that our movement is so divided; I don’t know that the president and I differ on issues, but we may differ on approach,” Mr. Pence.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Pence had been in somewhat regular contact since leaving office, speaking several times by phone in conversations that avoided discussing the Capitol riot, according to his advisers. In an interview last year, Mr. Trump said he had never told Mr. Pence that he regretted not acting faster to stop the attack, and that Mr. Pence had never apologized.
But behind the scenes there has been a rivalry.
Monday, Mr. Pence announced that his book about his time in the administration, “So Help Me God,” would be published on November 15. The book has been a source of tension with Mr. Trump, who, when he found out. in early 2021, that Mr. Pence had a book deal, he was still thinking about getting one.
But in most parts of the publishing industry, Mr. Trump was generally seen as a risk. The former president appeared frustrated that Mr. Pence had struck a deal and, days after learning of it, attacked the former vice president while speaking to a group of Republican donors at a Republican National Committee event at Mar-a-Lago. capturing on the refusal of Mr. Pence to do what Mr. Trump wanted January 6, 2021.
The two men’s paths have also differed this year throughout the mid-term campaign. They have backed opposing candidates in several primary races, including the Republican gubernatorial race in Arizona, which will be decided next week, and the party’s gubernatorial primary in Georgia, where Mr. Pence’s pick, Gov. Brian Kemp , he easily defeated his Trump. endorsed challenger, David Perdue.