Former Vice President Mike Pence called for a return to civility in politics Thursday before a sellout crowd of 330 in the Hanover Inn ballroom and another 200 viewers via livestream, standing by his decision to call out his former boss, former President Donald Trump to support for the presidency.

But as a conservative, Pence said, he could also “never” vote for Democrat Kamala Harris, his successor as vice president. He did not announce how he will evaluate his ballot next week.

“I'm staying out of this because I'm concerned about the direction of the Republican Party,” said Pence, the 2024-2025 Class of 1930 Fellow at the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy. “I feel that the party – some voices in our party – are starting to withdraw support from our allies, particularly in Eastern Europe, and that they are marginalizing the right to life.”

Pence, who unsuccessfully ran for president early in the GOP primary cycle, was the seventh in the 2024 Dartmouth Election Speaker Series, co-sponsored by the Rockefeller Center and Dartmouth Dialogues.

Pence advocated for reducing the national debt, increasing defense spending, overhauling entitlement programs and reforming the civil service system in a way “that would give a new administration, whether Republican or Democratic, greater flexibility in staffing these agencies.” with people who have equal rights.” will advance the agenda for which they were elected.”

Although he rarely mentioned Trump by name (and once called him “my former vice president”), Pence said he was “incredibly proud of the Trump-Pence administration's record on our national defense, on pro-growth policies, “Energy, of course, the Supreme Court and the appointment of judges.” Despite his heated disagreements with Trump over the constitutional duties he fulfilled by certifying the results of the 2020 election after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, Pence said, He believes that part of Trump's “enduring appeal” lies in his ability to tap into the “great frustration of the American people.”

The lively discussion was moderated by Russell Muirhead, Robert Clements Professor of Democracy and Politics; Herschel Nachlis, deputy director and senior policy fellow at the Rockefeller Center and research assistant professor of government; and Emma Wolfe, former vice president for government and community relations at Dartmouth and now chief of staff to the president at New York University.

Pence, once a Democrat who voted for Jimmy Carter, recalled his entry into politics, first as a six-term member of Congress, then as governor of Indiana and then as the country's 48th vice president. His political philosophy was rooted in his unwavering Christian faith coupled with reverence for the Constitution.

“For me, it all starts with a foundation of faith, principles and then partisanship,” he said. “I’m a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order.”

Pence painted a frightening picture of the January 6 insurrection.

“I wasn't afraid, but I was angry when I saw people breaking windows in the Capitol, people climbing into the seat of our government, the 'People's House,'” he said. “I thought: No, not that, not here, not in America. And I tell you, January 6th was a tragic day. But because of the courage of law enforcement, because of their determination, I believe it was a triumph of freedom when we reconvened the House and Senate on the same day and completed the people's work of peacefully transferring power using the U.S. Constitution of the United States.”

Always friendly, sometimes wry, Pence shared some highlights from his personal life, such as the joy he felt when he and his wife Karen welcomed the first of their three children into the family after struggling with infertility . When asked how he “unwinds” from stress, he listed his favorite hobbies: horseback riding and, perhaps less predictably, playing video games, and said, “I'm a gamer.”

“Like Xbox,” he said. “I’m talking about Madden and golf. When I was vice president, I tried to spend at least an hour on a Sunday, if I could catch a moment after church, to put my feet up and play against whoever the Colts were playing. You Patriot fans. I'll tell you. We feel your pain.”

Although he described himself as competitive, Pence repeatedly returned to the idea that partisanship does not have to be malicious and to his belief that ordinary Americans are not as deeply divided as the politicians they elect.

“Democracy depends on a large dose of civility,” he said. “I'm a conservative, but that doesn't make me feel bad, does it? I believe what I believe, but I would fight to the death for your right to believe what you believe or nothing at all. And I honestly think that as a nation we would do well to return to that principle of freedom and mutual respect.”

To the young people in the audience, particularly those considering a career in public service, Pence offered encouragement and advice.

“First of all, speak your dreams,” he urged. “And I would tell everyone, whatever your politics are, and number two, just show up.”

This clarion call resonated with several students, regardless of their ideological leanings.

Nicholas Booth '27, who stood in line to greet Pence after the presentation, said they differed widely on some issues, including Pence's opposition to abortion and gay marriage. But he described him as a “remarkably fluent speaker who is good at telling stories and narratives.”

Malcolm Mahoney '26 liked Pence's emphasis on family and shares his concerns about the national debt. “As someone who is a fiscal conservative, I'm very concerned about this. I think every young person should be concerned about this,” Mahoney said.

Elise Tong '27 found the conversation “fascinating” and appreciated Pence's sense of humor, even if she didn't agree with everything he said.

“His position that he should use a larger share of GDP to support the military is something I don't really agree with since, data shows, the US spends more on defense than the next nine countries combined,” Tong said.

Muirhead, whose class Pence visited earlier in the day, was particularly impressed by his unwavering belief in the strength of American democracy.

“I think the main point of his presentation tonight was that we need to look beyond next week,” Muirhead said. “We have to think long-term. Former Vice President Pence is strangely not worried about next week's election. Almost everyone else in the country thinks of nothing else. And none of us know what will happen. And he says whatever happens, this country will be great. It doesn't need to be made great again. It’s still going to be great.”

The speaker series continues November 12 with Jeannie Suk Gersen, John H. Watson, Jr. Professor of Law at Harvard School of Law; November 14, with CNN senior political data reporter Harry Enten '11; and February 20 with lawyer, educator and women's rights activist Anita Hill.

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Dartmouth is offering a range of events after Election Day — from a panel to walks in the woods — to help community members process the results.