Call me an optimist. But this looks to be a good start on rebuilding a CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
PENCE ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR REPUBLICAN LEADER
Washington, Nov 8 –WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) today formally announced his campaign for Republican Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. In a letter to his colleagues, Pence explained his platform and sought their guidance, advice and counsel.
Excerpts from Congressman Pence’s letter to his colleagues follows (full dear colleague attached):
"I am running for Republican leader because we didn’t just lose our majority, I believe we lost our way….
"Our opponents will say that the American people rejected our Republican vision. I say the American people didn’t quit on the Contract with America, we did. And in so doing, we severed the bonds of trust between our party and millions of our most ardent supporters….
"Only by making a dramatic turn in the direction of the agenda of the Republican Revolution can we hope to attain majority status again….. We must again embrace the notion the Republicans seek power not simply to govern but change government. We are the agents of change and we must return to that reformist vision….
"I believe we must confront this moment with new leadership and new voices. We must take a page from the playbook of President Ronald Reagan who taught us that it is not enough to believe great things, we must effectively communicate great things to the American people…"
Below is a Business week, NOVEMBER 7, 2005, expose’ on Congressman Mike Pence.
Unlikely Rebel On The Right
Meet Mike Pence, the conservative who’s leading a revolt against runaway spending
GOP conservatives in the House have an almost robotic loyalty to the White House and to stern leaders such as Tom DeLay. How, then, to explain Mike Pence of Indiana? As a freshman in 2001, he fought President Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, which he considered a Big Government boondoggle — and was badly defeated. In his second term, he tried to scuttle Bush’s $720 billion Medicare prescription benefit — and lost by a whisker. This year, Pence, horrified by exploding federal spending, led a backbench rebellion against a blank check for the costs of rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina.
Whoa he was against the Katrina spending. I am liking this guy more and more.
Pence, soft-spoken and prematurely gray at 46, is an unlikely rebel. An evangelical Christian and former radio talk-show host, he likes to recite Bill Cosby routines. But he has a bully pulpit for his jeremiads against runaway spending: leadership of the Republican Study Committee, a bloc of GOP budget hawks that includes more than 100 of the 231 House Republicans and is increasingly inclined to challenge its own leadership and a weakened President. While Pence has voted with Bush 95% of the time, it’s the other 5% that sticks in his craw. "I’ve had reason to doubt [Bush’s] commitment to limited government and fiscal discipline," says Pence, adding that "Hurricane Katrina laid bare a fiscal course…that was contrary to the hopes of millions of Americans."
Me too Mike. Me too.
That kind of criticism has many in the business community quietly applauding the backlash over big deficits. "Less government spending tends to be good for the long-term stability of the economy, which is good for business," says David K. Rehr, outgoing president of the National Beer Wholesalers Assn. But some corporate reps are concerned about Pence’s emphasis on hot-button issues such as restricting immigration and battling Hollywood sex, which pit him against business interests. Indeed, cultural concerns drove Pence & Co. to block the leadership’s hand-picked choice to replace DeLay, Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.), an economic conservative seen as soft on social issues. That power play led many to speculate that Pence eventually hopes to follow the path of his political hero, Newt Gingrich, to the Speakership of the House.
Likes Newt Gingrich. Check. Game set match. We have a good beginning if the "r"epublicans will allow a CONSERVATIVE play in their house.
Technorati Tags: News, Politics, Mike Pence, Republicans, Conservatives
4 Comments
November 9, 2006 at 8:07 am
Pro:
Sounds like a fiscal conservative.
Con:
“battling Hollywood sex”
I don’t care anything about politicians battling Hollywood sex. I can do that perfectly well for myself by not watching the movies or television shows that contain the dreaded Hollywood sex. If he can keep his political hands off of issues that are none of his business I would consider him viable.
I think I highlighted what I approve about the guy. I could care less about battling Hollywood. That is a separate issue that does not concern me. (Squawk)
November 9, 2006 at 8:59 am
This kind of thing is usually good for parties in the long run.
In 2000, after 8 years of Clinton, I could stand the Dems no more. They had fallen down on everything that they’d promised.
I was tired of defending them.
Rush Limbaugh yesterday said he “was tired of carrying water for these Republicans.” And starting from scratch, pruning things back down to the core beliefs, can’t help but be good.
And for you, keeping an eye on things with blogs, it should be a good thing. Because the Dems can pretty much be counted on to give you material…
Thanks for keeping me up on things this election season.
Good to see you again Jerry. Frankly the Dems and the Repubs make for great targets for my sense of humor. (Squawk)
November 9, 2006 at 2:16 pm
“I think I highlighted what I approve about the guy. I could care less about battling Hollywood. That is a separate issue that does not concern me.”
That’s exactly my point. But it does concern me that it concerns him. I’ve had more than enough social conservatism already.
Hmmm social conservatism or social liberalism, both sides are trying to impose their “lifestyles” via the law on us. Sooner or later I’ll be in jail for enjoying a cigar so I don’t worry bout that junk. Security and taxes. Now those are what gets my attention. (Squawk)
November 13, 2006 at 7:36 am
[...] Last week, Squawk had a post on his blog about Mike Pence. I largely agree with Squawk’s post. The one reservation I have is the evident social conservatism of Mr. Pence. Just like I would advise the Dixie Chicks to shut up and sing, I would also advise Mike Pence to shut up and govern. The last thing I want to hear from any politician is their view on Hollywood sex. I’ll decide that for myself. Squawk hits it right on when he says the only thing that concerns him is security and taxes. When politicians stray from those two issues, it takes time away from them doing the job I elected them to do. Further, to play devil’s advocate, maybe I’m an economic conservative who wants to see Hollywood sex. It’s none of Mike Pence’s business. His job (as far as I’m concerned) is the two things I already listed. So shut up and do your job Mike. It looks like you’re generally on the right track. Please stay there. [...]