William Weld: We'd Be Better Off With Pence as President

The first Republican to announce a GOP 2020 primary challenge to President Donald Trump says "we would be much better off with a President Mike Pence."

"For the good of the country, if he had the self-awareness that Richard Nixon had, sense of shame is too strong a word, but self-awareness is probably too soft a word, he would resign," former Massachusetts Gov. Weld told MSNBC's "The Last Word" on Tuesday night. "The truth is: We would be much better off with a President Mike Pence than a President Donald Trump."

Weld warned against Democrats impeaching President Trump, because "those boils over at the White House are dying to have impeachment proceedings initiated so that Mr. Trump can scream like a stuffed pig."

"It's just going to give him such a delicious talking point the last few months before the election," Weld told host Lawrence O'Donnell. 

Weld is ready to challenge President Trump in a Republican primary for the 2020 presidential candidacy, although Ohio Republican John Kasich and Maryland GOP Gov. Larry Hogan are weighing a run as well.

Weld admitted he will not bother campaigning in the deep red southern states, but he will focus on the northeast, mid-Atlantic, and California.

"It is time to return to the principles of Lincoln — equality, dignity, and opportunity for all," he said at the time. "There is no greater cause on earth than to preserve what truly makes America great. I am ready to lead that fight."

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