Many critics are aghast that President Trump has appointed Vice-President Pence as his "czar" for the federal government's response to the Coronavirus. Some cite Pence's previous postures on smoking and HIV when he was in Congress and later Governor of Indiana.
I look at it a bit differently. From where I sit Trump is setting up Pence to be the fall guy. Of course, if the Coronavirus is nipped in the bud you can be sure Trump will take all the credit. But if America goes into recession or Americans start dying in large numbers because of the Coronavirus then Trump will tell the nation, "Don't look at me. Talk to Pence." This will give Trump all the reason in the world to drop Pence from the ticket and replace him with Nikki Haley, Tulsi Gabbard or whoever he wants to be his shadow. Why should Pence's fate be any different than that of James Mattis ("the world's most overrated general"), Rex Tillerson ("dumb as a rock") or John Kelly ("over his head")?
I understand those who object to Trump putting Pence in charge. But I believe they are missing the bigger picture. Given the inherently uncertain and volatile nature of the Coronavirus it is clear to me that Trump is setting Pence up for failure.
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