Governor kim reynolds and Vice President mike pence. Governor reynolds welcome. Take you so much for participating. It is an opportunity for me to visit with the republican candidates running for president. As we lead up to the first in the nation caucus on january 15, i wanted to say thank you for hearing me. I might get a little informal as we get into the discussion. Thank you for being here and giving us the chance to ask you a few questions. Welcome, the Vice President. Former v. P. Pence thank you so much. How about a round of applause for governor kim reynolds. Karen and i are excited about an afternoon involving pork and the butter cow. She is headed to see bunny rabbits and bees. There is a cow i met on the road traveling around iowa named chippy. Im hoping chippy does well. It is great to be with you. I was for governor kim reynolds before it was cool. Governor reynolds [laughter] former v. P. Pence part of my background is that i was governor of the state of indiana. My Lieutenant Governor had much in common with what was then your Lieutenant Governor. They became fast friends and my Lieutenant Governor came to me and said, you have to be the Lieutenant Governor of iowa. I met her and saw her quality early on. It is great to be here at the fair site chat. It is great to be back with you. Let me just say on behalf of people all across the country, thanks for your principal leadership and clarion voice for conservative values. Governor reynolds thank you. The only problem chippy is going to have if he is competing against frank the tank. As long as chippy is not in that, he should be ok. We are going to do everything we can to do that. Thank you for your principal leadership as well. You have said many times, i am a christian, i am a conservative, and i am a republican. In the order. Talk to me about the role of faith in your life and just the champion you have been for life in general. Former v. P. Pence thank you so much, governor. For me, for my family, faith is what is most important. I made three great decisions as a young man. After walking away from the religion of my youth, i was off at college and began to meet some young people that talk to me about having a personal relationship with god. I had not heard that kind of language before. I found myself at a christian Music Festival at a place called as bear university asbury university. It was there listening to christian music, like they had at the iowa state fair last night with king and country and other bands, it was like i heard for the first time that god celebs the world that he sent his only begotten son that whoever might believe in him might not perish but have everlasting life. God so loved the world. I stepped down and found a Young Volunteer pastor and prayed to jesus christ to become my personal savior. That was the most important this is my ever made. The second most important decision was following Karen Whitaker outside of one church and walking down another. She was the best second lady of the United States america has ever had. The third most important decision i ever made was, full disclosure, i started in politics as a teenager. I was involved in the democratic party. I was the Youth Democratic Party coordinator back in the 1970s. Then, i started to hear the voice and values of the 40th president of the United States. I joined the reagan revolution and never looked back. My faith and my family and my commitment to the conservative agenda, i hope has defined my career. I promise you, whatever the people of iowa and america have in store for us in the future, we will always build our future on those values. Governor reynolds thank you so much. A lot accomplished during her time as Vice President but could you maybe talk about a couple of things that you are really proud of, that really stand out as you served this country as the Vice President . Former v. P. Pence when we came into office, there had been eight years of the Obama Administration that have hollowed out our military. I had heard from leaders in the air force that we had aircraft on the ground being used for spare parts to keep other aircraft in the air. I could not be more proud to have been part of an administration that made the largest increased investment in our National Defense since the days of ronald reagan. We rebuild our military. We finally gave our soldiers, airmen, marines the resources they need to defend this nation. I am proud of that as a Vice President but also our son is a captain in the United States marine corps. One of our unworthy soninlaws is a lieutenant in the United States navy. It is personal for us. Frankly, to see the way the Biden Administration has been working to cut military spending since they first came into office is another reason why i stepped forward. Even the recent budget ceiling, debt ceiling deal that they did if they dont finish all of their work, it will reveal in a 1 cut in military spending. At a time china is literally dropping a new worship in the asiapacific about every month, we have an administration that literally is a growing government, growing mandates, growing spending but working to cut defense spending. That all changes the day that i become president of the United States, i promise you. Governor reynolds thank you for that. I think the world stage is scary what we are seeing right now and just an invitation for some really bad things. We asked iowans to weigh in with some questions. Gas prices are rising, inflation is still a problem. 51 of americans are still pessimistic about the economy. They still believe we are in a downturn and it is going to get worse. Davenport wants to know as president , what steps will you take. Take to really deal with bidenomics. Former v. P. Pence bidenomics is a failure despite all of the happy talk coming out of washington, d. C. You can tell there is an election coming up because all of a sudden democrats in the white house are telling you how their policies are all working. It kind of reminds me of what groucho marx said in an old movie. Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes . The American People see what is happening. Inflation is up, a war on energy by the Biden Administration has because gasoline prices to be up 60 . They just jumped up again last week. The prices at our border is 100 manmade. That mans name is joe biden. The crisis at our border. We secured the southern border by building hundreds of miles of wall, by negotiating a remain in mexico policy and using title 42. They dismantled all of that literally on day 1. Now, we have the worst border crisis in american history. What we are going to do about it, i think im the first candidate for president in our party to come out with a plan to deal with inflation. Just this week, we came out with a plan to achieve Energy Independence again. The inflation that is happening in america today, economists on the right and left all know it is because of runaway spending and washington, d. C. You know something about balance and budgets and cutting taxes. We did it back when i was governor of indiana as well. When this administration came into office, they spent 2 trillion in unnecessary covid spending. Every economist in the country agrees that that lit the pilot light on the worst inflation in 40 years. What we are going to do is get spending under control. We are going to cancel unexpended, unnecessary spending and washington, d. C. We are going to drive for balancing a federal budget and we are going to reform these old programs to save our nation from a Mountain Range of debt. Social security and medicare are a promise we made to the American People. We are going to keep that promise. You will hear the demagogues again saying that republicans are going to cut benefits to grandma. It is coming. Just put your armor on. I have to tell you, we were hugging some kids on our way around the corner here. We just had three of the most perfect granddaughters ever born in the history of the world in the last two years. Governor reynolds i have 11 of them. Former v. P. Pence now you are just bragging. Governor reynolds karen says i am showing off. Yes, i am. Former v. P. Pence we have a National Debt the size of our nations economy. First time since world war ii. I think the time has come to have leadership in the white house that is honest with the American People and says look, for everybody in retirement, we are not going to change anything. If you have hair the same color as me, it is not going to affect you at all. Anybody 40 years or older, we are not going to change it. But for anybody under the age of 40, like that young lady back there, i would like to have a conversation. Maybe we can reform these new deal programs and give you a better deal by making sure that Social Security and medicare are actually therefore you and that this Mountain Range of debt that is driving inflation is going to literally bury our economy under debt, but the democrats want to do higher taxes, is not there. Tackle runaway spending, bringing about reform. We did it before and we will do it again. We are going to unleash American Energy and allow the American People to achieve american Energy Independence and dominance once again. Governor reynolds amen. The federal government needs to operate like the state. Balanced budget, spending less than you take in. Last year, we spent 82 of available revenue and we still cut taxes and invested in education. You can do both but it is ridiculous the runaway spending we are saying. Former v. P. Pence you have done both. Let me tell you something. Washington is not only too big and it spends too much but it does too much. It is one of the reasons maybe because i was the governor, but im going to tell you what, if i am your president , we are going to shut down the federal department of education Governor Reynolds he dumped the question. Former v. P. Pence we are going to revise federalism and america because the federal governors are proving every day that you can deliver prosperity and security and opportunity for your people. Former v. P. Pence when i first heard about the Landmark Community schools here in iowa, it took my breath away. I set up a foundation in washington and they said we would like your help with this federal lawsuit because at landmark unity schools, you had to have a note from your parents to get a tylenol from the school nurse but you could get a gender transition plan without ever telling your mom and dad or get their permission. I mean, that, that radical gender ideology thats taking hold in that school is taking hold in schools all across the country. And thats one of the reasons we weighed in heavily on that lawsuit. Im confident, im confident our conservative majority on the Supreme Court if they take up the case is going to get it right. We have got to make it clear that parents dont co parent with government, parents are in charge of their childrens education. And we got to protect our kids from this radical gender ideology. Its another reason why ive been very clear. I mean, as president of the United States, im proud of the fact of what iowa has done, what indiana has done to protect our kids from chemical and surgical gender transition treatment. But ill tell you what, as president of the United States, were going to protect americas children from gender transition, chemical or surgical. We got to protect our kids in this country and we will. I promise you. Governor reynolds ridiculous. So whats something we may not know about your childhood or your young adulthood that has shaped who you are today . A little bit back to that first question. Former v. P. Pence well, i mean, you may not know that im the grandson of an irish immigrant. My grandfathers name was Richard Michael cawley. He stepped off on ellis island from a boat from ireland in 1923. And thats how richard Richard Michael cawley came here and thats how Michael Richard pence got to be Vice President of the United States. I mean, my family really lived the American Dream. Its one of the things that drives karen and i. We were raised to believe, to whom much is given much will be required. In many ways, i grew up at the footstool of the American Dream. My grandfather, that irish immigrant is one of the best men i ever knew. He came to america drove a bus for 40 years in chicago. Its one of the reasons im a cub fan. My folks grew up on the south side. My dad was a sox fan admittedly, but they followed work down to Southern Indiana and uh build built everything that matters. You know, a family, a business and a good name. I grew up in a Small Business family and my dad was a combat veteran in the korean war. I wrote a book about my life not long ago and the publisher told me when i turned it in, they said, you know, my dads been gone more than 30 years, but they said, you know, we think your dad is the secret star of this book and it blessed my heart. My dad was the best man i ever knew. He loved this country, raised us to believe in giving back. And so if you want to understand, understand mike pence, you, you need to know karen and frankly, you need to know this incredible family. Family i have been blessed to live in. We lived the American Dream and im running to make sure that the American Dream is alive and well for future generations of americans here in iowa and across the country. [applause] Governor Reynolds we talked a little bit about the weakness on the world stage and we see it every single day with an absent president and administration and especially with the aggression with china. So can you just talk a little bit more Vice President about how thats impacted and continues to impact our National Security . And again, just you know, what do we need to do . Turn that around . And what were seeing at the southern border as you talked about is a big piece of that. Former v. P. Pence President Joe Biden is weak in this country at home and abroad. And that disastrous withdrawal from afghanistan has emboldened the enemies of freedom around the world. As your Vice President , i had the privilege to travel around the world. Ive met many of these leaders, ive been to many of these countries. And i know in my heart of hearts, the reason why russia never even tried to redraw International Lines by force under our administration, the only time in the 21st century is because they saw the way we were building up our military. They saw the way that we unleash our armed forces to take down isis, they saw the way we sent those cruise missiles into syria when they used chemical weapons on innocent civilians and they saw us take down the most dangerous terrorist in the world. Qasem soleimani. It was a credible threat of the use of force and a Strong Military in the United States that kept the world a whole lot more quiet in our four years than it is right now. The truth is, i really do believe that withdrawal from afghanistan under President Biden never would have happened if we had still been in office. But it was a disgrace. But i want to say to anybody here who wore the uniform of the United States, especially those who served in afghanistan, nothing of that disastrous withdrawal will ever diminish the honor and gratitude that is owed to men and women who served in afghanistan over the last 20 years defending our country. [applause] former v. P. Pence i have to tell you it gets a little personal with us about what happened in afghanistan. Karen and i are, were marine corps parents. Were awful proud of our boy and his wife and their girls. So when Humberto Sanchez, one of the 13 that fell at the kabul airport came home along with 12 other american heroes, we just, we drove up to logansport, indiana to go and just be with their family to pray with them and encourage them. And i have to tell you those of you that worry about the future of this country, you need to hear humbertos story. He actually didnt get to walk across the stage, his mom told me at Logansport High School because he had a little bit of trouble in high school. He had to finish in summer school. A little bit after he finished high school, he apparently came, found his mom and he said, look, i want to make you proud. Im going to go be a marine and ballot counts, became a marine. Deeply respected by all his fellow marines. It came to that day where he was manning one of those gates at the kabul airport governor. And the word came out that somebody had gotten past the outside wire, somebody that looked dangerous. And the word went down through the radios that everybody was to pull back, get inside the wall. And humberto refused. His mom and his fellow marines said that humberto said most of the people in the line at my gate are women and children and i got to get them through. I got to get as many through as i can. And by all accounts, he took the brunt of the blast. His mother looked at me with tears in her eyes as karen and i gathered with her and said his last act on earth was a work of heart. So despite the weakness of this administration, thats emboldened the enemies of freedom, im going to tell you what, Humberto Sanchez is america. This is a great nation and we will stand in the gap and we will bring this country back with his inspiration in our hearts. [applause] Governor Reynolds thank you. So, were about to wrap up here. But before we kind of close out, weve got the fast three. At least it is not the former v. P. Pence the fast three. Governor reynolds so give me one funny Campaign Moment on the campaign trail. Former v. P. Pence just one . Governor reynolds i know, exactly. Anybody thats been out there and theres multiple. Right. Former v. P. Pence well, i would say how many times people tell me that your husband looks like me. Governor reynolds thats what i was gonna say too. I was gonna say so, kevin was at an event that the Vice President was at and they came up and asked him for his autograph and he goes, well, you want my autograph . Why . And he goes, uh they said, well, Vice President , im kevin reynolds. So we, we can stump for you any time you need somebody to stump for you. Former v. P. Pence let me say with confidence he is a very handsome man. [laughter] Governor Reynolds i agree. You have been on the fairgrounds a couple of days now. Favorite fair food youre looking forward to having . Former v. P. Pence apparently, i have not had a lemon shakeup. Im a lemon shake up guy at the state fair and i cant leave without a corn dog. Governor reynolds ok. Former v. P. Pence although i think were headed to the, i think were headed to the port k tent to go to work. Just a few minutes. But the iowa fair is many things. Its agriculture, its fun. But for me, the iowa state fair is food. Were gonna enjoy it just like rest of you. Governor reynolds and you will walk it off. Last question, your favorite walkout song . Former v. P. Pence well Governor Reynolds this is a hard one. [laughter] former v. P. Pence i look, i got an awful lot on my iphone. But when i first run for ran for governor, there was a song that we always walked out to and its, these are my people by rodney atkins. Its where i come from. Thank you. We got one more fan here. Governor reynolds everybodys on their phone. Former v. P. Pence i think one of the reasons that karen and i feel so at home we had a great day yesterday at the fair and i want to thank you all for taking a minute to hear us out this morning. Iowa just feels like home. I mean, you know, i grew up in a small town, had a cornfield in the backyard. 4h fair was the biggest thing in the summer. The state fair was the biggest thing in the state. And i have to tell you, i just promise you, you give me the privilege to be your president , im going to fight for the values and the ideals and the integrity and the character of the people of iowa and the heartland of this country. So help me, god, thank you. So help me, god. [applause] Governor Reynolds thank you. So im going to give you a few minutes to even build on that if you want. So as i travel this day, people tell me theyre looking for a leader. They want somebody to stand up for the American People, for the country or freedoms. Somebodys got conviction to do the right thing, the resolve to follow through. But theyre talking about that, they want somebody to win. So tell all of us that are gathered here, why you are that person. And youve, youve done a good job of saying that. But any just anything that you want to add. Former v. P. Pence im running for president because i think this country is in a lot of trouble. It to be honest with you, after we left the white house, our life has been pretty good. We moved home to indiana. We bought five acres in a pond. And a pond. I bought a john deere riding mower. Former v. P. Pence life is good. Governor reynolds life is good. Former v. P. Pence 54 inch deck zero, turn radius got a red pickup truck. I got three granddaughters. But when i saw the devastation that joe biden and the democrats have brought on this nation at home and abroad, we just couldnt sit this one out. I said it before, ill say it again, it is one of the lone stars of our life, to whom much is given much will be required. And i believe the opportunity that we had to serve in the congress for 12 years, i was a house conservative leader before it was cool. I fought against the big spenders in the, in the Republican Party for much of that time. I was governor of a state like your great governor. We showed you can cut taxes and balance budgets and support the sanctity of life and expand educational opportunities. And thank you for iowa leading the way on expanding parental educational choice to families. [applause] former v. P. Pence and then having had the privilege to be your Vice President in four extraordinary years, years that we made america more prosperous and more secure than ever before. You know, i was always loyal to President Donald Trump until the day came that my oath to the constitution required me to do otherwise. But ill always be proud of the record of the trump pence administration. And ill always believe that we charted a course for restoring American Security and prosperity. Im running because i think this is no time for on the job training. The challenges america is facing in the world are profound and we need leadership that can appeal to the better angels of our nature. Leadership that can at least have the possibility of bringing the American People together, to strengthen our nation, to revive our economy, to defend our values. And my hope is as we travel to all 99 counties, as we make an effort to be at every pizza ranch, every caseys, my hope is that well have the opportunity to earn your support and i promise you, you give me the opportunity to be the republican nominee, we are going to defeat joe biden in 2024 and were going to bring this country all the way back on a foundation of conservative values. [applause] Governor Reynolds yes. Please give a loud round of applause for Vice President mike pence. Former v. P. Pence thank you so much. Governor reynolds thank you so much for joining us. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] ladies and gentlemen of the iowa state fair, stick around for the mayor of miami with governor kim reynolds at 10 30. More live coverage coming up on cspan. At noon eastern, a conversation on Political Violence such as the january 6 attack on the u. S. Capitol and whether improved prevention and the radicalization strategies can help address the situation. A number of Rand Corporation researchers who interviewed former extremists and their families will present their findings. President biden will mark the oneyear anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act with remarks in the east room at the white house at 2 30 p. M. Tonight, david gergen, advisor to president s nixon, ford, reagan and clinton, talks about the state of the nation. Hosted by jews united for democracy and justice, watch the conversation live at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan. Also on our free mobile video app, cspan now or online at cspan. Org. This week, cspan brings you campaign 2024 coverage from the iowa state fair. Watch fair side chats hosted by governor kim reynolds. On friday night, Florida Governor ron desantis. Fair side chats with republican president ial candidates from the iowa state fair. This week at 9 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan and online at c span. Org. Donald trump was among candidates for both parties attending this years i was state fair. Former president spoke briefly with the press before introducing many of the congressional guests. This is about 25 minutes