There is rampant speculation throughout the country as to who will be running on the Republican ticket for President in 2008 against Hillary. Likely candidates are; Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA,) Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-ILL,) Senator George Allen (R-VA,) and former Congressman J.C.Watts, to name only a few. Recently, several internet web sites have cropped up across the country to draft Congressman Mike Pence for President in 2008. Who is this man, and what are his qualities and qualifications?

Mike Pence personifies the conservative values of the Red-State-Midwest commonly known as “Hoosier Values.” He is one of the great polemicists of our time, and has a very clear vision for dynamic reforming of government in the 21st Century. As he becomes more prominent in the years ahead as a national figure, we hope he will continue articulating what resonates in the hearts of an overwhelming majority of American citizens.

Pence’s entry onto the political stage is clearly a defining moment in our nation’s history. His tremendous core conservatism is dedicated to limited government, fiscal government and traditional family values. He proclaims to be a “Christian-conservative-Republican (in that order.) But is there enough evidence to convict him on all three counts?

Is Mike Pence a Christian? Micah Clark, Executive Director of the American Family Association of Indiana writes, “Maybe when you talk politics on the radio you desire real life conversations. Maybe when you are a politician from a conservative district you know that to talk of God and to vote conservative is ‘good politics.’ But when you are Mike Pence, a man of real faith, you simply express it, act on it, and you put that ‘love one another’ command into practice.”

Is Mike Pence a conservative? To answer this question, we need look no further than the 90 plus group of House conservatives who voted 100 per cent to elect Pence Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee in the 109th Congress. David Keene, Chairman of the American Conservative Union, said of Pence, “The Republican Study Committee is the bulwark of Reagan conservatism in the House. And Mike Pence is one of the most distinguished conservative leaders in Congress.”

Is Mike Pence a Republican? George Witwer, senior fellow, Indiana Policy Review, writes, “Mike still spends much of the election season helping local and state Republican candidates with their races. He even played an enormously valuable role in the Indiana Republicans winning back the State House in 2004 by going door-to-door and speaking at rallies for state legislative challengers.”

It is Pence’s belief and hope that in the decades to come, the justness of our cause as a nation will not only be realized by the powerful and wealthy, but also be realized within the obscure and hurting corners of our community. This realization has not materialized after nearly 60 years of Washington being dominated by liberals within the Democratic Party, although they have professed all along that they are “for the down-and-outs” of our society. It has been a lie that followed on the heel of the natural consequences of socialism.

Mike Pence for President? He certainly needs to be strongly considered.

I’m not sure where Ward Connerly stands on “gay marriage”… but he has definitely taken an affirmative stand on gay civil unions and extending domestic partnership and health benefits to gay partners. He is staunchly against affirmative action because he believes society should be completely color-blind… and he extends that logic to sexual orientation as well… I wonder how many conservatives who praise Connerly on his logic on racial issues know that he feels the same applies to sexual orientation as well.

Really? i had no idea that being “mildly pro-choice” was slightly “right of center” and “in line with most republicans.” I have a feeling most on this site would disagree with that assertion.
I never said Dr. Rice was far left on abortion, and she may very well support some sensible restrictions such as parental notification or limits on third trimester abortions… she hasn’t said either way… but I’m so very glad you proclaim that being “mildly pro-choice” is slightly “right of center” and “in line with most republicans.”

As for affirmative action, you are being disingenuous… in her full statement, the point of agreement with the president refers to the need for diversity and the need to fight racial discrimination. But in her past actions as provost as well as this statement, she clearly states that “while race neutral means are preferable, it is appropriate to use race as one factor among others in achieving a diverse student body.”
Again, you are saying that this is a slightly right of center view?
That race can be used and is appropriate to be used as one factor among many? Who knew the GOP was so progressive.
Let me guess, you think Democrats support quotas for the patently unqualified, right?

In any case, it’s good to know that you think “mildly pro-choice” and “it is appropriate to use race as one factor among others” are center-right views.

Sorry, but clearly it is YOUR view of the LEFT that is tainted.

(By the way, you do know that Ward Connerly supports gay-rights and equal marriage rights? )

Please re-read what I said about Dr. Rice on the abortion issue. As with all issues people do not fall on a scale at extreme ends usually. I don’t think Dr. Rice is on the left side of the spectrum on these issues. On a scale of -10 to +10 she may be near 0 but I believe she is right of center.

Dr. Rice’s statment is at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/01/20030117-1.html

She said:
Statement by the National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleezza Rice

When the President decided to submit an amicus brief, he asked for my view on how diversity can be best achieved on university campuses. I offered my view, drawing on my experience in academia and as provost of a major university. I agree with the President’s position, which emphasizes the need for diversity and recognizes the continued legacy of racial prejudice, and the need to fight it [so does Ward Connerly]. The President challenged universities to develop ways to diversify their populations fully. I believe that while race neutral means are preferable, it is appropriate to use race as one factor among others in achieving a diverse student body.

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She stated what she believes is preferable. She also allowed for some middle ground that it could be used as one factor among others.

While I disagree with that last phrase, it isn’t something that would align her in the -10 to -1 range of the spectrum. Those who are truly to the left do not seem to allow for any other opinion. They vehemently debate with Ward Connerly and others.

You may respectfully disagree and think that Dr. Rice is to the left on these issues but let me submit to you that your view of the “right” is tainted. Don’t worry. You’ll understand us sooner or later.

Dr. Rice used to be a Democrat, but switched to the GOP in the late 1980’s because of Ronald Reagan’s stance towards the Soviet Union. By all accounts, she is fairly hawkish on foreign affairs, but still retains Democrat views on all the social issues.
I am a liberal Democrat, but I have immense respect (though still disagreement) for Republicans who are fiscal conservatives and social liberals. I would welcome the GOP’s shift to the left on social issues by nominating Dr. Rice.