There are several candidates attempting to win the 2024 Republican nomination, but they don't stand much of a chance. Because in order to defeat Donald Trump, one has to go head-on against him.
Mike Pence is not what anyone would consider to be a courageous man. He regularly defended Donald Trump no matter how horrid the former President's actions. But Pence, unlike most other candidates running against Trump, was willing to attack him this weekend.
Of course, Pence didn't use his former running mate's name while making the point. The former Vice President took issue with Trump's recent praise of Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. He said during a Fox News interview:
"Whether it’s my former running mate or anyone else, no one should be praising the dictator in North Korea — or praising the leader of Russia, who has launched an unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine. This is a time when we ought to make it clear to the world that we stand for freedom and we stand with those who stand for freedom."
There's a big difference between attacking Trump during a tv interview and doing so from a debate stage. Time will tell if Pence is willing to take on his former boss when the race really starts.