Former Vice President Mike Pence (R-IN) has released a new book urging the Republican Party to return to foundational conservative ideals.
The publication arrives as the GOP continues to navigate a divide between traditional constitutional conservatism and a movement centered on personal loyalty to specific leaders. Pence argues that the party's future depends on rediscovering a shared American conscience rather than following individual personalities.
In his book, titled "What Conservatives Believe: Rediscovering the American Conscience," Pence revisits the core tenets of the Republican platform. He suggests that the party must pivot back to first principles to maintain its integrity and purpose. This effort coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States [1], a milestone Pence uses to frame the necessity of national reflection.
During an interview with NPR that aired May 31, 2026, Pence discussed the ideological shift he believes is necessary for the party's survival. "We'd do well to return to first principles," Pence said.
Though Pence has ceased his efforts to run for president, he has indicated that he remains active in the ideological struggle for the direction of the party. The book serves as a manifesto for those who believe the GOP has drifted from its historical commitment to constitutional limits, and individual liberty.
Throughout his recent media appearances, including a discussion on Face the Nation, Pence has emphasized that conservatism should be rooted in a set of timeless values. He argues that these values provide a more stable foundation for governance than the shifting preferences of political figures.
“"We'd do well to return to first principles."”
Pence is attempting to position himself as the intellectual steward of traditional conservatism. By timing this release with the U.S. semiquincentennial, he is linking the GOP's internal identity crisis to the broader historical narrative of the American experiment, signaling that the tension between institutionalism and populism remains the central conflict within the modern Republican Party.
