Is Pence planning to drop out of the race? Rumors Indiana governor is under GOP pressure to quit as Trump's running mate after publicly saying he 'could not condone' the billionaire's crude hot mic remarks

  • Republican presidential nominee Trump could be without a running mate
  • GOP leaders may be considering scenario to get Mike Pence to drop out
  • Republican leaders reportedly believe if Pence drops then it would put 'immeasurable pressure' on Trump to the leave the race 
  • Pence publicly said he didn't 'condone' remarks and 'cannot defend them'
  • He said of Trump's crude comments that he is praying for his family
  • Vice presidential nominee added that he looks forward to Sunday's debate

Donald Trump could be left without a running mate as GOP officials may consider pressuring Mike Pence to quit the race after he publicly stated that he could not 'condone' the billionaire's crude hot mic comments.

A few GOP leaders may be considering a scenario in which they would convince Pence to leave the ticket, according to CNN.

Former Jeb Bush supporter, Vin Weber told the network that he would 'absolutely' call for Pence to leave the ticket as a way to put 'immeasurable pressure' on Trump to leave the race.

'Pence is the anchor that keeps Trump in the race,' so without him it would be over for the candidate, Weber said.

Pence's advocacy for Trump came to a screeching, perhaps temporary, halt Saturday in the hours after Trump released a video apologizing for 2005 remarks in which he describes his aggressive conduct toward women.

The vice presidential nominee, Mike Pence, has long described himself as a 'Christian, a conservative and a Republican in that order'. Pence said in a statement about Trump: 'I do not condone his remarks and cannot defend them'

The vice presidential nominee, Mike Pence, has long described himself as a 'Christian, a conservative and a Republican in that order'. Pence said in a statement about Trump: 'I do not condone his remarks and cannot defend them'

Pence was supposed to replace Trump at a Wisconsin event with Paul Ryan after the Speaker said he was 'sickened' by Trump's remarks, but later canceled. Pence said he was grateful that Trump expressed remorse and apologized and that he looked forward to Sunday's debate

Pence was supposed to replace Trump at a Wisconsin event with Paul Ryan after the Speaker said he was 'sickened' by Trump's remarks, but later canceled. Pence said he was grateful that Trump expressed remorse and apologized and that he looked forward to Sunday's debate

The Indiana governor was said to be 'beside himself' over Trump's comments.

Pence said in a statement about Trump: 'I do not condone his remarks and cannot defend them. I am grateful that he has expressed remorse and apologized to the American people. 

'As a husband and father, I was offended by the words and actions described by Donald Trump in the eleven-year-old video released yesterday.

'We pray for his family and look forward to the opportunity he has to show what is in his heart when he goes before the nation tomorrow night,' the Indiana governor said.

It's more evidence of the trials facing the GOP's No. 2 that could serve Pence well if he runs for the top spot in 2020.

But plenty of people are engaging in presidential talk about Pence, including Republican members of Congress, governors, a former presidential candidate, and more.

Sens Mike Lee of Utah and Mike Crapo of Idaho are calling on Trump to quit the campaign so Pence can lead the ticket. Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire says she'll write in Pence's name on the ballot — not Trump's.

Pence was supposed to replace Trump at a Wisconsin event with Paul Ryan after the Speaker said he was 'sickened' by Trump's remarks, but later canceled.

'I'm sure he's horrified,' said Mike Murphy, an Indiana public relations strategist who's known Pence for more than two decades.

'We impeached Bill Clinton and we cannot impeach Trump off the ballot. But I wish there was a mechanism to do so.'

 The Indiana governor was said to be 'beside himself' over Trump's comments

 The Indiana governor was said to be 'beside himself' over Trump's comments

In the recording released by the Washington Post on Friday, Trump could be hear saying: 'And when you're a star they let you do it. Can do anything. Whatever you want. Grab them by the p**y'

In the recording released by the Washington Post on Friday, Trump could be hear saying: 'And when you're a star they let you do it. Can do anything. Whatever you want. Grab them by the p**y'

Pence raised his political stock Monday night during the only debate against Democrat Tim Kaine. 

During the 90-minute event, Pence managed to not defend Trump's indefensible behavior, yet still sound supportive and show off his own expertise on foreign policy.

The performance highlighted the gulf in political sophistication between Trump and his running mate.

Pence addressed the awkwardness with a savvy statement acknowledging his own performance and preserving his alliance with Trump.

'People are saying that I won the debate,' he said Wednesday in Harrisonburg, Virginia. 'From where I sat, Donald Trump's vision to make America great won the debate.'

But on Friday, Trump's behavior put Pence to an even tougher test.

On Friday, Trump's behavior put Pence through an even tougher test when the Washington Post released the recording. Trump and Pence supporters gathered outside Trump Tower cheering on Saturday 

On Friday, Trump's behavior put Pence through an even tougher test when the Washington Post released the recording. Trump and Pence supporters gathered outside Trump Tower cheering on Saturday 

Dozens of Republicans have since called for Trump to drop out of the presidential race or have rescinded their support

Dozens of Republicans have since called for Trump to drop out of the presidential race or have rescinded their support

The Washington Post and NBC broke the story of Trump's words about women as Pence advocated for Trump him in Ohio.

'With Donald Trump as president, we'll have a president of the United States who respects all the American people,' Pence said as news of Trump's comments was breaking.

Pence went on to defend, as he has previously, Trump's outspoken nature as a refusal to 'tiptoe around those thousands of rules of political correctness'.

The VP nominee ignored questions about Trump and he was quickly whisked out of reach of the news media.

Influential Indiana conservative, Jim Bopp, who helped draft this year's Republican Party platform, said Pence 'should stay the course'.

Trump's words are 'ill-considered and crude', Bopp said, and also 'statements Mike Pence would never make'.

Dozens of Republicans have since called for Trump to drop out of the presidential race or have rescinded their support. 

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