Mike Pence Calls Kamala Harris (Finally)

Months after the election was called, Vice President Mike Pence (finally) called Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to congratulate her on her history-making election. From the New York Times:

Vice President Mike Pence telephoned Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Thursday to congratulate her and offer his belated assistance — filling a leadership role all but abdicated by President Trump, who is planning to fly out of the capital shortly before Joseph R. Biden Jr. is sworn in next week.

The Pence-Harris conversation, relayed by two officials briefed on the call, was described as gracious and pleasant. The discussion is the first time Mr. Pence and Ms. Harris have spoken since they debated each other last fall.

It also represents the only one-on-one interaction between the dueling 2020 presidential tickets: Mr. Trump has refused to call President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. and has not even fully conceded defeat.

The Times goes on to report that Pence may invite Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, to the vice-presidential residence prior to the inauguration ceremony next week. But the visit may not work out due to heightened security measures put in place since the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building last week. Donald Trump has previously shared he will not attend the inauguration becoming the first president in 152 years to ghost on his successor. Neither will he meet with the Bidens at the White House before the inauguration as is presidential tradition. Trump will depart the White House in the hours before Biden’s swearing-in ceremony. According to the Times, he “hopes to depart to the blare of a military band, with a red carpet and military honors, those briefed on the planning said.”

Mike Pence telephoned Kamala Harris on Thursday to congratulate her and offer his assistance ahead of next week’s swearing-in. https://t.co/KHJwgItqNF

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 15, 2021

So timely. That call is traditionally made months ago. VP Biden met with Pence Nov 16, 2016. Pence feels safe stepping out from his fear of Trump NOW? A week before? Fck his weakness, seriously. Pence remembers how well he was treated and couldn’t reciprocate.

— John Turman (@theTurman) January 15, 2021

After his own side tries to hang him, Pence decides to make nice with the new administration. Slow clap. 👏

— Deb “vaccinate all LTC“ Morris (@deb_morris12) January 15, 2021