Free Republic

Much of the punditocracy is obsessed with Sarah Palin. It's understandable on several levels. First, she makes for good copy and has a knack for coining catchy phrases ("death panels") and new words ("refudiate" -- it's now in the dictionary). She is controversial and opinionated, so given the choice between, say, a story on John Thune and one on Palin, it's a no-brainer to choose the best-selling author, TV reality show star and Tea Party darling. But conservatives suspect there's also some mischief-making afoot -- the desire by liberal-leaning members of the media and the White House to make Palin...

GOP Rep. Mike Pence spoke at the Detroit Economic Club today, and came out fully in favor of the Flat Tax, and called for the United States to abandon “Keynsian spending,” and return to “the practice of free market economics”:

Pence touts flat tax in economic address By: CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser (CNN) - One of the top Republicans in the House wants to overhaul the country's tax code and implement a flat tax. Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, who may make a bid for the next GOP presidential nomination, will say "the time has come for Congress and this administration to take bold action to simplify our tax system and lower people's taxes," according to excerpts from a speech he will deliver in front of the Detroit Economic Club Monday afternoon. "The best option, the most pro-growth...

Indiana congressman Mike Pence says U.S. soldiers told him during a trip to Afghanistan that conditions have improved in that country. Pence arrived in Kabul on Sunday and also visited Bagram Airbase during his two-day trip. He met with Indiana soldiers, Afghan officials and a commanding officer of the 101st Airborne Division to learn about combat efforts against the Taliban and al-Qaida. The Republic of Columbus reports that Pence said in a teleconference Monday that the improvement comes from a change to the deadline for withdrawal of U.S. troops, now 2014 instead of July 2011 that President Barack Obama first...

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...

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., left little room for compromise on the issue of extending the expiring income tax cuts, suggesting that if they are not made permanent by the end of the year, Republicans should redouble their efforts to do so in the new Congress. Pence said on Thursday that he was backing up that pledge with legislation co-sponsored by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., to permanently extend the cuts for both the middle class and wealthy Americans. “I really believe that the last thing we should do in the worst economy in 25 years is allow a tax increase on...

Rep. Mike Pence this week left his post in House leadership, with the wide presumption that he’ll run for president or for governor of Indiana in 2012. He told us on ABC’s “Top Line” that he’ll make up his mind “sometime early next year,” and said that while “I just love” Sarah Palin, her decision on whether to run won’t impact his. “Our decision is going to be wholly dependent on taking the time to prayerfully consider where we can make the most difference on the conservative values that brought us to Washington to begin with,” said Pence, R-Ind. “So...

WASHINGTON -- Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, a potential GOP contender for the White House in 2012, says he'll make a decision after Jan. 1 about whether to enter the race. Pence, who's stepping down as the No. 3 House Republican leader, says he's "humbled" by encouragement that he consider running. He tells ABC's "This Week" that he'll seek guidance from God as he decides his political future.

Rep. Mike Pence (R., Ind.) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said they were still weighing whether to run for president in 2012, but decisions could be coming shortly. Mr. Pence, in an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” said he was “intent on taking the coming weeks to really prayerfully consider that, to wait on the Lord, to seek counsel. And after the first of the year, we’ll make a decision.” “Well, I don’t know for sure what I’m going to do after I’m done being governor,” Mr. Pawlenty told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. “I’ll decide that early...

Congressman Mike Pence, a respected national pro-life leader, is stepping down from his position as chairman of the House Republican Conference one day after a huge win for pro-life and Republican candidates. The move doesn’t come from any problems associated with the incoming Republican leaders or Pence but is seen as a potential step towards a gubernatorial bid in Indiana or a possible 2012 presidential race. Pence has already said he doesn’t believe it’s fair to House Republicans to split his attention between the duties of a leadership post and a potential bid for higher office. Pence informed fellow House...

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...

While his party basked in the afterglow of a historic House victory, Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) announced he would resign as House Republican Conference Chairman, and Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling threw his hat in the ring. Hensarling, who has led the conservative Republican Study Committee, quickly won the endorsement of incoming Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the likely incoming majority leader. The Cantor backing gives Hensarling a huge boost for the leadership job, which is seen as a stepping stone to higher slots in the GOP hierarchy. “Today, I was saddened to learn that my dear friend Mike Pence has chosen not...

Earlier, I had blogged on Representative John Boehner of Ohio,(R/OH),who could, if predictions are correct, see a LARGE election of conservative Republicans, come this coming Tuesday, November 2,2010 if he could very well become the next Speaker of the House. Another possible Representative who could be a possible Speaker, is Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana,(R/IN).

Republicans are supposed to be focusing on the election every minute, every second. But with Irish bookies already paying out bets that Republicans will take back the House, who are you kidding? Of course Republicans are maneuvering behind the scenes to grab leadership slots, committee chairmanships, plum office space and God knows what else. Two recent episodes, one in the House and one in the Senate, show GOP officials are keenly watching the news for power plays and backbiting. Often, that means a game of “who leaked?” When Politico ran as its top story that House Republican Conference Chairman Mike...

Rep. Mike Pence (R., Ind.), the third-ranking Republican in the House, is weighing whether to step down from his post as chairman of the House Republican Conference in preparation for a possible run for president or Indiana governor in 2012, Politico reports. Pence has come to occupy an unusual niche over the past two years. He’s one of the few Washington political leaders who’s won widespread support among tea party activists, and he’s spoken at various tea party events. He also won the presidential straw poll at the recent “Value Voters” summit. At the same time, he plays an important...

House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence of Indiana is inching closer to his anticipated decision to step aside as the House GOP’s third-ranked member, a move prompted by his aspirations for higher office as well as his growing irritation with the internal maneuverings of the House GOP. Senior GOP aides say that while they are unaware of any move by Pence to officially inform Minority Leader John Boehner of his intention to vacate his conference post, they expect Pence to step aside when Republicans choose new leaders after the November 2 elections. Should the Republicans win back the House on...

House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence of Indiana is considering stepping down from his post in the GOP leadership in preparation for a possible bid for president or governor in 2012. Pence, a darling of the conservative movement, would leave the leadership job with a blunt explanation to colleagues that he can’t commit to a two-year term in House leadership, a source familiar with his deliberations told POLITICO Tuesday. Michael McDaniel, a former chairman of the Indiana Republican Party, said Pence’s motivations in the state have long been obvious, as he’s made the rounds at Lincoln Day dinners all over...

California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who will run the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee if Republicans take over the House, is promising that he and his party will not move to impeach President Obama - at least as things now stand. "Not a chance at this point. I don't see it happening," Issa said in an interview with Bloomberg's "Political Capital" that will air over the weekend and was reported by The Hill. "Look, disagreeing with the president -- the president using his authority, maybe even misusing it -- that's not what impeachment's for," Issa added. "Do we have...

Good news for opponents of the new healthcare law: The Supreme Court is likely to overturn key elements of it, says Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., the third-ranking House Republican, The Hill reports. "It's going to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court's going to decide whether or not the Constitution of the United States permits the government to order the American people to purchase goods or services, whether they want them or need them or not," says Pence, who opposes Obamacare, just like nearly all Republicans. Mike Pence, healthcare, Obamacare, Supreme CourtAnd what will the court decide? "I rather like...

Right Wing News polled more than 250 right-of-center bloggers on which candidate they'd support if the 2012 Republican primaries were today. The following 72 bloggers responded: 101 Dead Armadillos, Ace of Spades HQ, Alexa Shrugged, All That Is Necessary, The American Princess, And Rightly So, The Anchoress, Argghhhh!, Bad Example, Basil's Blog, Blonde Sagacity, Betsy's Page, Black and Right, Bookworm Room, Classical Values, Conservative Compendium, Melissa Clouthier, Dodgeblogium, Doubleplusundead, Ed Driscoll, Drumwaster's Rants, Eckernet, The EM Network, Election Projection, Exurban League, Eternity Road, Cassy Fiano, GayPatriot, GOPUSA Northeast, Guardian Watchblog, Hoosier Access, Infidels Are Cool, IMAO, The Jawa Report, Jenn...