Why Mike Pence will run in 2012

Wash Post ^ | 12/9/10 | Jennifer Rubin

[pissant]

George Will today aptly details why Mike Pence, a stalwart on fiscal issues and an articulate proponent of conservative social values, would be an attractive 2012 presidential candidate. I'll go a step further than George and predict that Pence will announce early next year.

A close friend and confidante of Pence's has been telling me for several weeks that Pence is "serious." This friend makes the case that Pence is a solid conservative on the range of issues conservatives care about and is the only candidate who can "seamlessly meld" the sometimes adversarial Tea Party and establishment wings of the GOP "without too much friction." He also points to Pence's demeanor, citing a favorite phrase of the congressman's: "Just because I'm a conservative doesn't mean I have to be a bad mood about it."

Even more telling, Gary Bauer, the influential social conservative leader who heads the group American Values and is on the boards of Christians United for Israel and the Emergency Committee for Israel, gave me his take this morning: "There is no doubt that Rep. Pence has solid support among values voters. They like his unapologetic and confident defense of the Judeo- Christian world view." But Bauer says Pence's appeal goes beyond social conservatives, vouching for Pence's "Reagan-like ability to bring economic, national security and social conservatives together in a winning coalition."

[ari-freedom]

DeMint also has better name recognition and a reputation for being a fighter. He’s really the one to watch.

[pissant]

Wilts? He was the ONLY one in GOP House leadership that did not wilt under the pressure to support the crap sammich, called TARP.

[pissant]

DeMint is a (slight) cut above.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I like Mike Pence and he would be a good solid leader.

[paul51]

if pence is in, he's got my vote. if he chooses rubio as a running mate, i’ll even donate my hard earned money

[upsdriver]

I’m talking about going up against a black president. So far, the Washington insiders have been pretty timid in that respect.

[rob777]

But Bauer says Pence's appeal goes beyond social conservatives, vouching for Pence's "Reagan-like ability to bring economic, national security and social conservatives together in a winning coalition."


That is the key.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

My biggest worry about Pence is that he is relatively inexperienced, and would only be the second sitting House member, after Garfield, to be elected President. My opinion is no congresscritters.

[onyx]

Mike Pence would be a welcome entry into the race, but I suspect he would fall the way of congressman for POTUS.

Pence and Eric Cantor voted FOR Puerto Rico Statehood; backdoor amnesty. Not good.

[johnthebaptistmoore]

Mike Pence would do much better as a candidate and then winner for ‘12 Indiana Governor, before being part of any future Presidential ticket. I like Mike Pence a lot, but history isn’t that kind to ANYBODY running for POTUS from the House of Representatives! Mike Pence would end up in the same situation that Duncan Hunter, Sr. found himself, during the race for ‘08 POTUS. ‘12 isn’t the time for Mike Pence to be part of any Presidential ticket, and I’m sorry that I have to say so. In the future, A “Governor Mike Pence” running for POTUS, would do much better.

[Little Pharma]

I like his politics but prefer governors for their executive experience. Could make a great Palin VP, however.

[achilles2000]

How is Pence on the border and deporting illegals?

[ak267]

Pence...the latest meme

[Col Freeper]

He also points to Pence's demeanor, citing a favorite phrase of the congressman's: "Just because I'm a conservative doesn't mean I have to be a bad mood about it."

Not sure what the Congressman's point is in this statement.

Does that mean other Conservatives are in a bad mood about being Conservatives? Or because they are Conservatives?

Sounds like he's playing into the leftist media's meme about Conservatives being mean and bad tempered, yadda, yadda, yadda.

[UCFRoadWarrior]

Pence is really weak on the border

---

Don’t count me as a Pence supporter, then. If you cannot seal the border and deport all the Illegal Aliens....how in the world can I trust you on handling Islamic Terrorism?

[sheana]

Pence = Milk Toast

[Caipirabob]

He’s welcome to run against Sarah if she announces. May the best woman win...

[blueyon]

“PENCE: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS MUST LEAVE THE COUNTRY AND APPLY OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES FOR THE LEGAL RIGHT TO BE HERE”
http://mikepence.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=500&Itemid=65

Enough said! Run Pence Run, you have my vote

[upsdriver]

That’s just it. Personally, I don’t care to see anyone entrenched in the DC culture run for president. They are all tainted.

[FTJM]

Pence is really weak on the border.

How is exactly is Pence "really weak" on the border?

http://www.ontheissues.org/in/Mike_Pence_Immigration.htm