About 100 people were at Mike's Bistro to hear Pence talk about his love for Israel
Photo: Flash90
Mike’s Bistro was Mike Pence territory for the evening last Wednesday. The former vice president was on hand to sign his newly published autobiography, So Help Me G-d, at an event sponsored by the Israel Heritage Foundation. About 100 people were at the upscale Midtown diner, some eager for a moment with Pence, some content to hear the Republican introduced as the “greatest vice president in the history of this country” talk about his love for Israel. Others just enjoyed the ribeye steaks while animatedly engaging in the “will he or won’t he” parlor game of Pence’s 2024 presidential ambitions.
The Israel Heritage Foundation, the event’s organizer, aims to be nonpartisan — “We invited some Democrats to come, and it’s still in the pipeline,” executive director Rabbi Duvid Katz told me.
In his 13-minute speech, Pence barely mentioned Donald Trump’s name. There was a smattering of “Donalds,” a recollection of “standing beside the president,” a call “from that familiar voice,” speaking on a “call that I got every day” and ten “he saids.”
With Trump and Florida governor Ron DeSantis sucking all the air out of the race, Pence’s 4 percent support reflects the Republican base’s demand for a pitbull candidate.
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