Pence leaving town: is it remotely possible

It's pretty much all ceremonial no anyway. Because Joe won so big and the election has been certified free and fair by the courts at least 60 times, there will be no confusion on Jan 6.

If Pence cannot or will not certify there are provisions for another official to do it. Can't remember the exact person - maybe I'll look it up later if I have time, or another poster can put that up.

Pence resigns.

Donald appoints Ivanka as VP.

Donald resigns.

Ivanka pardons Donald.

First woman Prez.

There is a clear chain of succession.

Pence is Trump's only hope.

And that's not happening with under a month to go.

Donald can call her the 'acting' VP.

Does he understand that?

Good replies. I'm just speculating what Donald would like to try.

so that he's not in the country as Trump loses his shit over not winning the election.

vote. He will not be in the country. I would be surprised if he returns before Jan 20. That way he won't be available to pardon the occupant.

he runs out of term at the stroke of twelve. AF2 better be on the ground!

I sort of love the image of Pence trying to hitch a ride back to the US. I wonder how much available credit he has on his credit cards?

I can deposit checks via my phone now.

*click*
"How was that, Mother? Do you think he believed me?"
"Do not answer that phone again for the remainder of the trip, Michael."
"Yes, Mother."

... "I don't thank so!"

I instead think this MIGHT explain Pence leaving.

Usually, if the 25th Amendment was used to remove Trump from office, the permanent effect would require a 2/3 majority in both the House and the Senate to approve it.

However, the 25th also allows the Vice President to replace the President temporarily for 25 days if only over 1/2 of either the House or Senate votes on it!

That means the Democratic-controlled House could invoke the 25th on Trump on Dec. 27th, and Trump would no long be President because the inauguration of Biden and Harris would then happen before 25 days had expired!

Article about it:
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/12/if-trump-uses-martial-law-pence-should-use-25th-amendment.html
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The mechanics of the amendment allow the vice-president to remain in the position of acting president for a minimum of 25 days, as long as a simple majority of at least one chamber of Congress is willing to cooperate.

It may seem extremely unlikely that Mike Pence, who up to this point has been one of Trump’s most craven enablers, would even consider taking advantage of this constitutional power. But it’s always possible that, between now and January 20 when Trump’s term expires, the situation may become so extreme that he and eight other Cabinet members may find the modicum of personal courage and moral decency necessary to do the right thing.

Trump would put up a fight, but it wouldn’t matter this late in his presidency. Once Pence has transmitted the letter to Congress that makes him acting president, Trump may contest the vice-president’s actions via a letter of his own. Section Four, however, would give Pence four days to respond to this letter. After Pence did so, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives could — by simple majority vote — decline to act on the substantive dispute for the remaining 21 days. (Meanwhile, Democrats could filibuster any action in the Senate.) Were it not the end of his term, Trump would return to office after 21 days if Congress failed to act.

This, in effect, means that Pence could become acting president on Sunday, December 27, and would remain in the position for the rest of the current administration’s term in office, as long as House Democrats acceded to the new status quo. For the good of the nation, he should do so this weekend.
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My guess is that Pence won't even be available to follow through with such a scheme, given that he's a spineless Trump sycophant.