"Read It," Says Mike Pence. Serious Anti-Heckling

Mike Pence

“Read it.”

A good heckle is worth 100 words. A great counter-heckle is worth a library.

Evidently, many Republican voters are outraged that former vice president Mike Pence recently spoke out against Donald Trump’s illegal attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

Readers will recall that Pence tweeted on August 1st, 2023:

“Today’s indictment serves as an important reminder: anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States.”

Trump, in turn, got on social media to call Pence “delusional.”

Then, during Pence’s campaign appearance in Londonderry, New Hampshire, Trump supporters in the crowd hurled abuse at Pence:

“Why’d you sell out the people?”

“Why didn’t you uphold the Constitution?”

Pence responded:

“I upheld the Constitution. Read it.”

 

Pence’s anti-heckle said several things:

1. Pence defended himself.

2. He denied the heckler’s premise.

3. He pointed out that his heckler didn’t even know what the Constitution says.

It is so sad that few Americans know the basic principles of American government. High schools across the land still teach civics, American government, and American history. Students tune out. They don’t care. They forget it all within days. During my years as a university professor, I counted myself lucky if even one student in the class could name the three branches of the federal government. That was after they had passed a required course in American history or government.

Ignorance is tyranny’s best friend. Pence has wallowed in Trump’s mire far too long, but at last, however cynically, he is finally standing up for the rule of law.

Boorish heckling (like the man in Pence’s crowd) is, well, just boorish. Witty heckling (and anti-heckling) is a rhetorical art. Pence’s quick response drove right to the issue as surely as a fencer’s thrust with a rapier.

Arguing in depth with people who choose ignorance is a waste of time. Heckling was the solution. Score one for Pence.

_________________

Earlier Posts:

The Lost Art of Heckling: How to Heckle and Not Sound Like an Idiot

Hear! Hear! Three Cheers for (Tasteful and Witty) Heckling

Heckling and Anti-Heckling in Joe Biden’s February 7, 2023 State of the Union Address: The Republicans Fooled Only Themselves

"OK, Boomer:" Chlöe Swarbrick Teaches Us How to Put a
Heckler Down Flat

_________________

Image of Mike Pence: White House photo