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Breaking: Pence Won't Seek Another Term in House Leadership
The Weekly Standard ^ | 11/4/10 | JOHN MCCORMACK

Posted on 11/03/2010 11:27:00 AM PDT by FTJM

THE WEEKLY STANDARAD has obtained a letter from Mike Pence, who is believed to be considering a presidential or gubernatorial run, informing his colleagues that he will not seek another term as chairman of the House Republican conference. "Now that we have restored a Republican majority to the House of Representatives and I have fulfilled my commitment to the Republican Conference, my family and I have begun to look to the future," Pence writes. Full letter here:

November 3, 2010

Dear Colleague,

Congratulations on your reelection. Your efforts contributed mightily to a great victory for the American people and, as a member of your Republican leadership, I am personally grateful.

I am writing to inform you that, after much prayerful consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election as Chairman of the House Republican Conference.

Two years ago, you unanimously elected me to serve as House Republican Conference Chairman, and it has been an honor to serve you.

During my acceptance speech in November of 2008, I told the Conference, “If we can boldly return our party to the practice and promotion of a common sense conservative agenda, I believe we will win back the majority in 2010.”

I will always be grateful for the confidence shown in me by John Boehner and you, and I am proud of the small role I played in helping our team win back a majority.

You deserve to know why I have chosen not to seek re-election as Conference Chairman.

After two consecutive losses for our party, the Republican Leader asked me to help lead House Republicans back to the majority, and I felt it was my duty to do so. I have always believed people should keep their promises and complete the assignments they have been given. As you recall, that’s why I declined offers to run for the U.S. Senate in the middle of my term as Chairman.

Now that we have restored a Republican majority to the House of Representatives and I have fulfilled my commitment to the Republican Conference, my family and I have begun to look to the future.

As we consider new opportunities to serve Indiana and our nation in the years ahead, I have come to realize that it may not be possible to complete an entire term as Conference Chairman. As such, I think it would be more appropriate for me to step aside now, especially since there are other talented men and women in our Conference who could do the job just as well or better.

I do not know what the future holds for my little family, but I do know who holds the future. So for now, we will continue our duties serving the people of Indiana and do what we have always done in such times; we will wait on the Lord and follow where He leads. We certainly welcome your prayers and your counsel in the days ahead.

As I complete my duties as your Conference Chairman, I have but one regret – saying goodbye to the finest Conference staff ever. Building on the foundation of my predecessor, we built a team of men and women of integrity and a servant’s heart. Whatever success we had over the past two years is owed entirely to the professionalism and character of our staff.

Finally, let me say, I am in no way leaving the fight. In fact, I look forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with you as we confront the challenges before us. The American people have given us a second chance and they deserve a Congress that represents their principles. While we should always seek areas of genuine common ground with the opposition, we must avoid the temptation to embrace agreement for agreement’s sake. We must never compromise on our commitment to end this era of runaway federal spending, borrowing, bailouts, deficits and debt. We must never shrink from our stand for a strong national defense, fiscal responsibility, individual liberty, and traditional moral values. We must regularly remind ourselves that the American people showed us the door in 2006 and 2008 not because we compromised too little, but because we compromised too much on key principles.

Our country is in trouble. A nation conceived in liberty has come of age in bondage to big government. We've lost respect in the world. We are going broke, the American dream is dying for millions and our social and cultural fabric is unraveling. Our people are looking for leaders who will confront these challenges with solutions grounded in timeless American values.

My challenge to you as a colleague and a fellow American is this: Be bold and courageous. Do not allow political winds to sway you from doing the hard thing and standing up for the basic principles upon which our nation was founded. We have been given an awesome responsibility and a second chance. If we prove to be true to our word and act with courage, the American people will stand with us.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Conference Chairman. It has been one of the greatest honors of my service in Congress.

Sincerely,

Mike Pence


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: pence

1 posted on 11/03/2010 11:27:06 AM PDT by FTJM
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To: FTJM

Michelle Bachmann would be the perfect person for the job.


2 posted on 11/03/2010 11:28:48 AM PDT by Carley (VOTE AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT, BECAUSE IT DOES)
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To: FTJM

I’m thinking Governor Pence. Then President in 2020 ( he’ll be 61 then).


3 posted on 11/03/2010 11:33:15 AM PDT by wordsofearnest (Brad Ellsworth is giving Indiana a twofer.)
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To: FTJM

I’m thinking Governor Pence. Then President in 2020 ( he’ll be 61 then).


4 posted on 11/03/2010 11:34:14 AM PDT by wordsofearnest (Evan Bayh gave Indiana a twofer.)
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To: wordsofearnest

He would probably make a good POTUS. He beats the same old same old.


5 posted on 11/03/2010 11:35:04 AM PDT by dforest
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To: FTJM

Well done, and Godspeed.

Bachmann wouldn’t be a bad choice for a replacement.

SnakeDoc


6 posted on 11/03/2010 11:35:21 AM PDT by SnakeDoctor (Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum -- If you wish for peace, prepare for war.)
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To: FTJM

I really like Pence but if he lts Boner become Speaker without a vote, then I’ll not consider him for President.


7 posted on 11/03/2010 11:38:22 AM PDT by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards.com <--- My Fiction/ Science Fiction Board)
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To: FTJM
He's one of the ones on our side.

Palin / Pence 2012?

8 posted on 11/03/2010 11:39:03 AM PDT by McGruff (A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs)
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To: FTJM
As we consider new opportunities to serve Indiana and our nation in the years ahead, I have come to realize that it may not be possible to complete an entire term as Conference Chairman.

So he'll be running for Governor or President.

The current governor of Indiana is Mitch Daniels, a two-term Republican whose term will be up in 2012.

There is serious speculation that Daniels has presidential ambitions, and as a former governor he would be better positioned to run for president, than Pence would be from the House.

So my guess is that Pence and Daniels have been talking, and that Pence will start running for the governor's slot at the same time Daniels runs for president.

9 posted on 11/03/2010 11:47:54 AM PDT by r9etb
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To: FTJM

Could see him as Governor OR making a run for POTUS in 2012. Would vote for him in a second with ZERO hesitation.


10 posted on 11/03/2010 12:04:04 PM PDT by Eagle of Liberty (formally known as Kerretarded....I changed my name)
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To: Eagle of Liberty

It’ll be interesting to see heads explode when Pence endorses Daniels for President....


11 posted on 11/03/2010 12:45:30 PM PDT by Crichton
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To: Eagle of Liberty

I agree...if he runs for Gov I’ll support his campaign but would have to wait til he runs for President to have the opportunity to vote for him.


12 posted on 11/03/2010 1:48:36 PM PDT by FlashBack ('0'bama: "Katrina on a Global Level")
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