Pence for President ?

NRO ^ | NOVEMBER 23, 2010 | Katrina Trinko

[RobinMasters]

He hasn’t held executive office. He isn’t a paid Fox News contributor. He hasn’t written a best-seller or starred in a reality show.

So is there any reason Rep. Mike Pence (R., Ind.) should be considered a viable 2012 presidential contender?

According to supporters, there’s a huge one: authenticity. Pence identifies himself as a fiscal and social conservative and has the voting record to prove it. Elected in 2000, when compassionate conservatism was trendy, he has never been afraid to play the Grinch, voting against big-spending initiatives such as No Child Left Behind, Medicare Part D, and TARP. Pence has displayed the same kind of consistency on social issues, establishing a solidly pro-life record over the last decade.

Pence’s advocacy hasn’t gone unnoticed. He spoke at the Tea Party’s 9/12 rally in Washington, D.C., last year and again this year, and won the straw poll of 2012 presidential candidates at the Family Research Council’s Value Voters Summit this year, beating out notables like Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, and Sarah Palin. When Pence resigned from his leadership position as chairman of the House Republican Conference following the election, there was immediate buzz that he might be considering a presidential run. Others speculated that he might run for governor of Indiana, where term limits mandate that current governor Mitch Daniels step down in 2012.

“The congressman hasn’t made a decision at this point,” says Pence spokesman Matt Lloyd. “He’s humbled by the encouragement he’s received back in Indiana and around the country, and he’s going to take the coming weeks to seek counsel and prayerfully consider it.”

[Shery]

I love Sarah, but I really think Mike is what we need. He is a principled conservative and a humble man. But he speaks with authority and conviction, not just looking at the trends and trying to catch the right phraseology to make a hit. Sarah would make a great #2 to Mike, as would Paul Ryan. We have some good people who need encouragement to run. We cannot let the Romneys, Huckabees, Newts take this nomination or the conservatives will abandon them (Republicans) again in 2012. NO MORE RINOs!!!

If we did not have Mike Pence, or he decides not to run, I’d be for Palin at the top of the ticket.

[Shery]

And, yes, Jim DeMint would be a great candidate, as well. I only pray that these good candidates gain the ground needed to hold off Romney, Huckabee, Newt, etc. These people (R,H,N,etc.) have a lot of pull within the party and lots of donors. But I’d love to see DeMint, Pence, Ryan, or Palin...any combination of these great candidates! We do have some good people to choose from, if they’ll run.

[chiller]

Rino....few on the national stage don’t fall into that hole.

Of those mentioned in my post, whom would you classify as a RINO ? My RINO's are the Crist, Castle, Specter types.

I don't even put Romney in that category, although he may come closest. Not Rudy. Maybe Christie, whom I didn't even mention since he's shown no interest. (Jindahl too shows no interest, btw.) Rubio has not been mentioned, but he's too fresh to try for the top spot. I fear Rubio may be dragged onto the ticket, however, whether he wants it or not. I love him....in about 8 years.

[chiller]

Thinkng more about RINO’s; Huckabee ? Probably still. His populism leans RINOish. Newt; at one time has shown RINO tendencies, and maybe still. May have seen the light, but still bathes in beltway idealogy, so pubs wouldn’t nominate him.

[jkeith3213]

He’d be okay by me, but I’d rather he stay here and be governor. It might sound selfish, but I think he’d do more good for Hoosiers fighting for conservative policies, and principles here in Indiana, then nationally.

However, if he decides he’d rather go for president, I’d support him.

[depressed in 06]

I would prefer someone with executive experience, Palin, Pawlenty, Daniels, Christie, McDonnel, Perry, Barbour, etc. What I would really like is to know is who would surround the President. No more Van Jones.

[cornfedcowboy]

As I said, I really like Mike Pence. That being said, I think we need a nominee that is identified with fiscal conservatism i.e. Demint.

[Mouton]

I still cannot get over those ads Newt did with the dragon lady. No, IMO, he is a bit too close to the line to call a true conservative. He was late to the tea party movement too.

Rudy, not a RINO fiscally. His personal life would destroy him in a national run.

Romney, health care issue in Mass killed him for me.

I too fear some may try to draft Rubia. I feel he would be a good choice except for his lack of national exposure. Furthermore, I want a conservative senator to remain here in Fl.