They were still friends: Mike Pence and Donald Trump in the 2016 election campaign
Photo: Drew Angerer / AFP
The rain lashes over the small military airfield in West Virginia's capital, Charleston, as Air Force Two lands.
Mike Pence is in a hurry, he steps down the gangway and hurries past the waiting reports without a word.
Just a short wave, then he disappears into the waiting SUV.
What should the Vice President have said?
That he supported the wrong man for four years?
Or that he remains loyal to the president?
That wouldn't change anything in his fate anyway.
Pence is on a farewell tour, he still has a few routine appointments.
In a few days, not only will his term of office as the second man in the state end, but probably his entire political career.
The vice presidency should only be the penultimate step.
Pence wanted to inherit Donald Trump, he wanted to go to the top.
Until a few days ago it looked as if he could do this.
Then Trump destroyed his dreams.
Because Pence, as President of the Senate, certified Joe Biden's election victory, Trump dropped him.
In one fell swoop, he destroyed what Pence had worked to give up for four years.
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