Family is at the center of Mike Pence's presidential campaign.
The former vice president is hoping to go one better in 2024 and gave a family-focused speech Friday at the Pray Vote Stand summit in Washington.
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"I'm a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican in that order," Pence said after entering the room to a standing ovation. It's Pence's standard introduction and one that sets the tone for the rest of his remarks.
Pence lashed out at President Joe Biden by saying the United States is in a crisis and said Biden is single-handedly to blame.
"Every crisis we face is man-made, and that man's name is Joe Biden," he said, pointing to a 22-year high in mortgage rates, surging grocery prices, and record illegal immigration.
Pence also blamed Biden's aggressive electric vehicle push for the United Auto Workers strike that began Friday morning.
"Americans are losing faith," he said. "Losing faith in our institutions. Losing faith in each other. Losing faith in the future. I believe at the heart of that crisis of confidence is a crisis at the very heart of our civilization."
That crisis is the erosion of the traditional family, which was the central theme of Pence's speech.
The evangelical politician said the collapse of family is the biggest threat to America's future and that the next White House occupant must support the traditional family without apology.
Pence lamented falling birth rates and declining marriage rates, calling them hallmarks of decline.
"The radical Left believes family is secondary to the state," Pence said. "They believe parents should have no rights in education. They believe the government should supplant the role of the family, literally, from the cradle to the grave."
If elected president, Pence promised to prioritize childbirth, marriage, and adoption, while rejecting "transgender ideology."
Pence is struggling to gain traction in the polls, with just 4.5% support in the latest RealClearPolitics average. But the normally mild-mannered politician mixed it up in the first GOP debate and is testing support for old-school conservatism in a populist era.
He also plugged pro-adoption policies and promised to make them available at a net-zero cost if elected, without spending taxpayer dollars.
"You should be able to raise a family in America on one income if you choose to do so," Pence said. "Families don't co-parent with the government, and we will restore parents rights in education in every state in America."
Pence made a promise to shut down the Department of Education, a common cry among Republican presidential candidates.
Donald Trump was not mentioned by name during Pence's speech, though Pence did take credit for his administration's success in appointing three conservative justices to the Supreme Court.
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Lastly, Pence called for a 15-week federal abortion ban, a call which puts him at odds with Trump and with Nikki Haley, who sparred with him over the issue at the first GOP presidential debate.
“Save the babies, and we’ll save America," Pence said. "If America is to survive, we have to strengthen our families and stand by the cause of life. We have to stand up for families. And all of you, as you’re doing today, have to continue to prepare to vote for men and women who share your values without apology."