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Mike Pence on Principles & Values
Republian nominee for Vice President; Governor of Indiana; former Representative (IN-6)
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Americans are the most faith-filled, freedom-loving people
Mike PENCE: We don't have an identity crisis, Vivek. We're not looking for a new national identity. The American people are the most faith filled, freedom loving, idealistic, hard-working people the world has ever known. We just need government as good
as our people.Vivek RAMASWAMY: Mike, the difference is, you might have a Morning in America speech. It is not Morning in America. We live in a dark moment, and we have to confront the fact that we're in an internal sort of cold cultural civil war.
Source: Fox News 2023 Republican primary debate in Milwaukee
, Aug 23, 2023
I have faith that God is not done with America yet
We proved you can turn this country around faster than you can imagine. I have faith we will again. Because I have faith in the American people, the good, decent, hard-working faith-filled, idealistic people of this country. I have faith that God
is not done with America yet. And if we will renew our faith in one another, and renew our faith in him, who has ever guided this nation since we arrived on these wilderness shores I know the best days for the greatest nation on earth are yet to come.
Source: Fox News 2023 Republican primary debate in Milwaukee
, Aug 23, 2023
I'm a Bible-believing Christian
In Lorie Smith's case, she made it clear she would take all customers in her website design, she just simply said that she could not create a website that would celebrate something that violated her religious beliefs. I'm a Bible-believing Christian.
I believe that every American is entitled to live, to work, to worship according to the dictates of their conscience. I'm so grateful that a strong majority of the court gave a victory for the religious freedom of every American of every faith.
Source: CBS Face the Nation on 2023 Presidential hopefuls
, Jul 2, 2023
America is the leader of the free world
I went to Ukraine because America is the leader of the free world. We're the arsenal of democracy. I think President Joe Biden has truly failed to explain to the American people what our national interest is there.
I'm someone that believes that it's absolutely essential that the United States continue to provide military support to the Ukrainian military to push back on Russian aggression.
Source: CBS Face the Nation on 2023 Presidential hopefuls
, Jul 2, 2023
The freedom of religion is our first freedom
I would say to every American that the freedom of religion is our first freedom, that's enshrined in the First Amendment for a reason. And from the moment the Supreme Court recognized same-sex marriage, the court had made a commitment that as they
move forward on that decision, that they would still respect the freedom of religion and the freedom of conscience of every American. I believe that every American is entitled to live, to work, to worship according to the dictates of their conscience.
Source: CBS Face the Nation on 2023 Presidential primary hopefuls
, Jul 2, 2023
United States is the gold standard of justice in the world
I have to tell you, as someone that has represented the United States on the world stage, as someone who was on the International Relations Committee for ten years, we're the gold standard of justice in the world. And to see a former president of the
United States be subject to an indictment by the administration of the current president, that he may well be facing again in the future, that sends a terrible message to the wider world.
Source: Meet the Press on 2023 Presidential hopefuls
, Jun 18, 2023
Will reflect and pray whether he's called to run in 2024
Former Vice President˙Mike Pence's visit to New Hampshire last week˙and stops in other high-profile early primary states are fueling speculation about a potential 2024 presidential run--and questions about whether he can win over the GOP voters he
angered on Jan. 6.In his most direct comments to date, Pence did not rule out a potential 2024 bid, even if Trump also entered the race, as the former president is increasingly hinting he'll do. "I can honestly tell you in 2023, my family and I will
do what we have always done. We'll reflect, we'll pray and determine where we might best serve, and we'll go where we're called," Pence told a CNN reporter in Manchester NH.
A 2024 run will likely require Pence to figure out a way to address his time
in the Trump administration, first as a loyalist and then as the target of extreme anger by the former president and his backers.˙ [Trump has] put out multiple statements chastising Pence for overseeing the certification of electoral votes on Jan. 6.˙
Source: The Hill e-zine on 2020 Election Denialism
, Dec 12, 2021
Not fair to attack Amy Coney Barrett's faith
PENCE: Amy Coney Barrett will bring a lifetime of experience and a sizeable American family to the Supreme Court. We hope we don't see the kind of attacks on her Christian faith that we saw before.
When Judge Barrett was being confirmed for the court of appeals, Dick Durbin expressed concern that the dogma of her faith was a concern.
Senator, I know one of our judicial nominees you actually attacked, because they were a member of the Catholic Knights of Columbus.
HARRIS: Joe Biden and I are people of faith, and it's insulting to suggest that we would knock anyone for their faith, and in fact, Joe, if elected, will be only the second practicing Catholic as President of the United States.
Source: 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate in Utah
, Oct 7, 2020
In America, we debate and disagree, but then come together
In America, we believe in a free and open exchange of debate. It's how we've created the freest and most prosperous nation in the history of the world. I look at the relationship between Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia. They were polar
opposites on the Supreme Court. Yet, the two of them were the closest of friends. In America, we can disagree. We can debate vigorously as Senator Harris and I have on this stage tonight. But when the debate is over, we come together as Americans.
Source: 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate in Utah
, Oct 7, 2020
I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem
According to NBC News, "' I left today's Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem. While everyone is entitled to their own opinions,
I don't think it's too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem. I stand with President Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem.'" [NBC News, 10/8/17]
Source: Trump Research Book on Mike Pence
, Sep 22, 2020
To reverse American decline must win back traditional values
[FNS, 2/19/10]: "To reverse American decline, we should recognize that our present crisis is not merely economic and political, but moral. We must win back America for the fundamental traditional values of the American people. The sanctity of life
& the sanctity of marriage."[Press Release, 3/8/04]: "The President rightly called marriage, 'the most enduring human institution.' Marriage was ordained by God, confirmed by law, is the glue of the American family & the safest harbor for children."
Source: FactCheck on 2020 Trump Research Book
, Sep 22, 2020
The choice is whether America remains America
It's not so much whether America will be more conservative or more liberal, more Republican or more Democrat. The choice in this election is whether America remains America. It's whether we will leave to our children and our grandchildren
a country grounded in our highest ideals of freedom, free markets, and the unalienable right to life and liberty--or whether we will leave to our children and grandchildren a country that is fundamentally transformed into something else.
Source: Speech at 2020 Republican National Convention
, Aug 26, 2020
Socialism has failed everywhere it has been tried
We've got to tell the truth about socialism and the benefits of freedom. When many in this rising generation speak of socialism, they think of better health care, education or a cleaner environment.
But the reality of socialism is very different. Socialism has failed everywhere it has been tried, in every era, on every continent, and among every class of people.
Freedom works. Socialism does not. Keep faith finally that when we hold the banner of freedom high, when we make freedom our cause,
we make his work on this earth our own for the spirit of the Lord is freedom. That means freedom always wins.
Source: Remarks by V.P. Pence at the 2020 CPAC Conference
, Feb 27, 2020
1980-90s: Attended nondenominational Christian megachurch
Pence's self-affixed Christian-first label has never been seriously parsed. So where did Pence fall in that sweeping panoply of religion? Well, everywhere and nowhere. His own religious identity seems strangely amorphous, even as he puts it out there as
his chief defining characteristic. He had his first savior experience with Jesus in 1978 but kept attending church through the 80's into the early 90's. After they had children, Karen and Mike opted to attend a nondenominational church in Greenwood
that could best be described as a reformed Baptist church with an evangelical bent. In D.C. the Pence's attended a nondenominational megachurch
And what of Pence himself? Pence's close political aides and allies, formed during his time in congress,
describe an unshakingly pious man. But his friends in Indiana rarely saw the public displays of religiosity before he went to Washington in 2000. And those displays returned again once he returned to Indiana to run for governor, a dozen years later.
Source: Piety & Power, by Tom LoBianco, p. 13-4
, Sep 14, 2019
1991 OpEd: Negative campaigning is wrong, and that's my sin
Even if Pence ran again for another office, he still had to bury the image of a vicious attack dog. Hoosiers didn't take well to personal attacks in their politics. He needed to write "Confessions of A Negative Campaigner".The Indiana Policy
Review published Pence's confessional in its fall 1991 quarterly issue. Pence opened his 500-word essay with the advice of St. Paul: "It is a trustworthy statement, worthy of all acceptance, that Jesus Christ came to save all sinners, among whom
I am foremost of all." He now knew that, "negative campaigning was wrong.. The mantra of a modern political campaign is ,"drive up the negatives."
Instead, Pence wrote, a political campaign "ought to be about three simple propositions; First, a
campaign ought to be able to demonstrate the basic human decency of the candidate. Third, and very much last, campaigns should not only be about winning." Pence wouldn't get down in the mud again, and neither should anyone else.
Source: Piety & Power, by Tom LoBianco, p. 82-3
, Sep 14, 2019
2000: Positive in campaign; negative on radio talk-show
[In his 2000 House race, Pence] buried the persona of an attack dog with his "Confessions" essay and the radio show, but now he had to say who stood in that place. They knew Mike Pence was a good Christian with a consistent message: fiscal restraint,
strong national defense, and strong family values."Our campaign has committed itself this year to talking about Mike Pence, and about what Mike Pence believes," Pence said in his first TV ad, in a straight-on shot to the camera.
The footage was gauzy, almost like it was glowing. Then: "I've learned a lot in the past ten years: I've seen my children born; I've built a business." The business he was talking about was his radio show. " What I've learned is that negative personal
attacks have no place in public life."
The Mike Pence of the finely crafted television spots was a good Christian who never stuck his neck out on divisive social issues. But the Mike Pence of the internet had no problem going there.
Source: Piety & Power, by Tom LoBianco, p.112-3
, Sep 14, 2019
No problem with gays; they just say so for publicity
Pence, who has a history of anti-LGBTQ positions, spoke warmly [in 2015 of Pete] Buttigieg after his announcement about his sexuality. This was despite the fact that Buttigieg had criticized Pence's support of a controversial religious liberty law that
some groups said would give legal cover to discrimination."I hold Mayor Buttigieg in the highest personal regard," Pence told local station WSBT in June 2015. "We have a great working relationship," he said of Buttigieg. "I see him as a dedicated
public servant and a patriot."
Pence's team is pointing back to those compliments this week in the wake of new comments from Buttigieg--now an openly gay candidate for president.
Pence's wife, Second Lady Karen Pence, addressed Buttigieg's remarks
during a radio interview: "They've always had a great relationship," she said. "I don't think the vice president does have a problem with him, but I think it's helping Pete to get some notoriety by saying that about the vice president."
Source: People e-zine "LGBTQ History," on 2020 Presidential Hopefuls
, Apr 9, 2019
Freedom, not socialism, made America great
Speaking in front of a packed house at the 2019 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Pence said that "freedom"--an apparent stand-in for capitalism--was the reason for the major global and American victories of the past two centuries. "It
was freedom, not socialism, that ended slavery, won two world wars, and stands today as the beacon of hope for all the world," Pence declared.
Source: Common Dreams e-zine on 2019 CPAC, "Freedom ended Slavery"
, Mar 1, 2019
When criticized about Jesus, I breath a prayer of praise
Vice President Mike Pence turned to the Bible when asked recently what he makes of a new critical biography that calls him as a "Christian supremacist." "The Bible says count it all joy when you endure trials of many kinds," Pence told the Christian
Broadcasting Network. "Any time I'm criticized for my belief in Jesus Christ, I just breath a prayer of praise."In "The Shadow President: The Truth About Mike Pence," that came out this week, authors
Michael D'Antonio and Peter Eisner cast Pence's background--congressman, Indiana governor, Trump VP--in a harsh light, arguing that "the most successful Christian supremacist in American history" is already functioning as a "kind of replacement
president" and is preparing to "fashion a nation more pleasing to his god and corporate sponsors."
Pence has long described himself as a "Christian, a conservative and a Republican--in that order."
Source: USA Today on 2018 Trump Administration
, Aug 31, 2018
OpEd: extreme self-effacement: "I do funerals & cut ribbons"
Vice President Mike Pence--was a cipher, a smiling presence either resisting his own obvious power or unable to seize it. Pence started nearly every speech saying, "I bring greetings from our forty-fifth president of the United States, Donald J.
Trump--"--a salutation directed more to the president than to the audience.
Pence cast himself as blandly uninteresting, sometimes barely seeming to exist in the shadow of Donald Trump. Little leaked out of the Pence side of the White House.
In a sense, he had solved the riddle of how to serve as the junior partner to a president who could not tolerate any kind of comparisons: extreme self-effacement.
Although many saw him as a vice president who might well assume the presidency someday,
he was also perceived as the weakest vice president in decades and, in organizational terms, an empty suit who was useless in the daily effort to help restrain the president and stabilize the West Wing.
Source: Fire and Fury, by Michael Wolff, p.123-4
, Jan 5, 2018
Repeal the Johnson Amendment: free speech from the pulpit
Q: Social conservatives object to Trump's acceptance of LGBT rights.PENCE: This week [Trump] reiterated his commitment to repeal the Johnson Amendment, that's put a chilling effect on free speech in religious institutions around the country.
Q:
Do think a new executive order is necessary on religious liberty?
PENCE: The Johnson amendment essentially threatens the tax-exempt status of churches and synagogues and religious institutions if they were seen to be involved in political expression.
I don't think we'd have ever made it to these hallowed halls back in 1790 if the pulpits of this country had been silenced from speaking about what they thought was right and wrong. The president identified the Johnson amendment and he told people of
faith of every background across this country that he would work to repeal it. And he's directed the administration to begin to look at ways, both legislatively and through executive action to do that.
Source: ABC This Week 2017 interview by George Stephanopoulos
, Jan 15, 2017
Serve based on a lifetime of experience from small towns
I'm a small-town boy. I grew up with a cornfield in my backyard. My grandfather immigrated to this country when he was about my son's age. My mom and dad built everything that matters in a small town in Southern Indiana. They built a family and a good
name & a business. And they raised a family. And I dreamed some day of representing my home town in Washington DC, but honestly, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to be governor of the state that I love, let alone be in this kind of a position.
I would hope that if the responsibility ever fell to me in this role, that I would meet it with the way that I'm going to meet the responsibility should I be elected vice president. And that's to bring a lifetime of experience growing up in a small
town, a lifetime where I've served in the Congress, where I've led a state that works, and whatever other responsibilities might follow from this, I would hope and, frankly, I would pray to be able to meet that moment with that lifetime of experience.
Source: 2016 Vice-Presidential Debate at Longwood University
, Oct 4, 2016
My family lived the American dream
I grew up on the front row of the American dream. My grandfather immigrated to this country. I was raised in a small town in southern Indiana, in a big family with a cornfield in the backyard. When I was young, I watched my mom and dad build everything
that matters. A family, a business, a good name. I was raised to believe in hard work, in faith, and family. My dad was a combat veteran in Korea. My dad ran gas stations in our small town and was a great father.
Source: Speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention
, Jul 20, 2016
I'm Christian, conservative, & Republican, in that order
During Mike Pence's six terms in Congress and four years as governor, the born-again Christian described himself as a "happy warrior" for conservative principles.
A former radio talk show host who compared himself to "Rush Limbaugh on decaf," Pence emphasized his communication skills, creating a radio studio in his congressional office and winning a leadership post focused on messaging.
Republican ...in that order," said Pence, on numerous occasions.
Source: Indianapolis Star on 2016 Veepstakes: "Pence: His Own Words"
, Jul 14, 2016
Religious Freedom Restoration Act protects religion
Hoosiers deserve to know that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act enhances protections for every church, non-profit religious organization or society, religious school, rabbi, priest, preacher, minister or pastor in the review of government action
where their religious liberty is infringed. The law also enhances protection in religious liberty cases for groups of individuals and businesses in conscience decisions that do not involve provision of goods and services, employment and housing.
Source: Indianapolis Star on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
, Jan 26, 2014
Indiana & U.S. Constitutions guarantee religious freedom
Gov. Mike Pence has signed into law a measure aimed at removing fears that the state's new "religious freedom" law would allow businesses to discriminate against gays and lesbians. Excerpts from his full statement:The freedom of religion for every
Hoosier is enshrined in the Constitution of the United States and in the Indiana Constitution, which reads, 'No law shall, in any case whatever, control the free exercise and enjoyment of religious opinions, or interfere with the rights of conscience.'
Source: Indianapolis Star on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
, Jan 2, 2014
Voted for Carter in 1980 over Reagan but views changed since
Mike Pence has been running for office basically since grade school-the only thing that has changed is his political party. The native Hoosier was born in 1959 to a family of Irish Catholic Democrats (in that order). Growing up in Columbus, he kept a
box of Kennedy clippings; by 15, he was youth coordinator for the Bartholomew County Democrats. After high school, Pence headed an hour southeast to Hanover College, where he majored in history. Hanover was also where Pence went through two important
transformations. The first was political. Pence worked on his senior thesis with a professor who was a strict originalist who loaded his syllabus in his infamous Constitutional and Legal History class with the Founders' own writings, and
Pence began to warm to the ideas of limited government. It took time (he still voted for Carter in 1980), but Pence's politics were beginning to change.
Source: Indianapolis Monthly on 2016 Veepstakes, "INcoming"
, Jan 2, 2013
Mike Pence on Donald Trump
Don't follow the siren song of populism
I stand before you today as a candidate for president because I think this country's in a lot of trouble. And it's because Joe Biden has weakened this country. Frankly, our party does face a time for choosing whether we're going to stand on the
foundation of that conservative agenda that Ronald Reagan poured, or whether we're going to follow the siren song of populism unmoored to conservative principles. I'm the most experienced, most qualified and most consistent conservative in this field.
Source: Fox Business 2023 Republican primary debate in Simi Valley
, Sep 27, 2023
Jan. 6: I chose the Constitution and I always will
Mike PENCE: No one's above the law. And President Trump is entitled to the presumption of innocence that every American is entitled to. And we will make sure and extend that to him, that the American people deserve to know that the President asked me in
his request that I reject or return votes unilaterally, power that no Vice President in American history had ever exercised or taken. He asked me to put him over the Constitution. And I chose the Constitution. And I always will.Gov. Chris CHRISTIE:
Mike Pence stood for the Constitution. He deserves not grudging credit. He deserves our thanks as Americans for putting his oath of office and the Constitution of the United States before personal political and unfair pressure. The argument that we need
to have in this party, before we can move on to the issues is we have to dispense with the person who said that we need to suspend the Constitution to put forward his political career. Mike Pence said no, and he deserves credit for it.
Source: Fox News 2023 Republican primary debate in Milwaukee
, Aug 23, 2023
I will always stand on the Constitution of the United States
I truly do believe that it's important to remember that those of us that would take the oath of office to serve as president of the United States really make one promise above all others, and that is to support and defend the Constitution of the
United States. And I pledge to the people of Iowa and the people of America that, if you give me that great privilege, I will always stand on the Constitution of the United States of America, whatever it means to me.
Source: CNN Town Hall: interviews of 2024 presidential candidates
, Jun 7, 2023
We all face the judgment of history, as will Trump
Q: You said that history will hold Donald Trump accountable. How?PENCE: Well, we all face the judgment of history. And I believe, in the fullness of time, that history will hold Donald Trump accountable for the events of January 6th. I also think the
American people will also have their say.
Q: Trump said in response to what you've said recently about January 6th that it was your fault. That if you had done what he was asking you to do, throwing out those electoral votes, you wouldn't have had a
January 6th as we know it.
PENCE: Well, I know one of the attorneys that was advising the president said the same thing in a text on January the 6th.
Q: Yes, John Eastman.
PENCE: But his attorneys were wrong and President Trump is wrong.
I know by God's grace we did our duty that day, to act out the expressed language of the Constitution of the United States. States control elections. Once states send electoral votes to the Congress, the only role the Congress has is to open and count.
Source: ABC This Week on 2023 Presidential hopefuls
, Mar 19, 2023
Trump: Pence looks just how a vice president should look
A senior diplomat who has met with Trump several times said he has a "reptilian brain" and judges a person almost entirely by his or her appearance: "Straight out of central casting," he often says of his aides and of Vice President
Mike Pence, who, according to Trump, looks just how a vice president should look. Cabinet members privately lament Trump's refusal to embrace an endearing trait in any politician: a willingness to be self-deprecating.
Source: Team of Five, by Kate Andersen Brower
, Apr 21, 2020
Urged to exit ticket after Access Hollywood scandal
The Washington Post revealed a tape of Donald Trump bragging about abusing women--a hot mic moment from a 2005 episode of Access Hollywood. Trump said, "When you're a star, you can do anything. Grab 'em by the pussy, you can do anything you want." Did
Pence support a WOMANIZER FOR PRESIDENT? Someone who, by his own words, had molested women.Trump gathered his team. Reince Preibus confronted Trump and told him to step down from the ticket or lose in a landslide-he never mentioned the contingency
plan the RNC had in place to remove Trump and replace him with Pence.
Pence put out a carefully hedged statement--he found Trump's comments reprehensible, could not condone any of them, and was praying for Trump.
Friends and colleagues called
Pence repeatedly: they text their pleas. "Please leave the ticket, save yourself they begged. But Pence knew that Trump was the future of the Republican party: the yowling from the politicians and the elites inside the Washington bubble were the past.
Source: Piety & Power, by Tom LoBianco, p.265-9
, Sep 14, 2019
Faith in Trump & faith in God will heal America
I close today with faith. Faith in the boundless capacity of the American people. Faith in the President and the leaders they've elected to represent them. And what Billy Graham called "hope for the present and hope for the future." As we work to
advance our cause, restore our country, let us also remember to claim that hope. Remembering those ancient words that if His people, who are called by His name, will humble themselves and pray, He'll hear from heaven, and He'll heal this land.
Source: White House press release, "Remarks at CPAC 2018"
, Feb 22, 2018
Founded PAC Great America Committee separate from Trump
It sounds strange. The Vice President running against his President for president. But this would never be the case. Instead, should Trump be unable to run for president in 2020 (viz Russia investigation), then Pence would be the obvious frontrunner for
the party. He has started his own PAC named "Great America Committee" and this is likely the beginning of his gathering of funds for a presidential bid in the future. Although it is highly unlikely that Pence would run in 2020, he is still a possibility
due to the investigations surrounding Trump and his administration. Should the GOP want to change course if Trump is not yielding the results they wish or if Trump begins to jeopardize candidates down the ballot (again), Pence could be the person they
turn to. The ultimate question for Pence is: can Trump stay out of trouble and provide the GOP a good chance of maintaining their unified government?
Source: Evonews.com on 2020 presidential hopefuls
, Jul 17, 2017
OpEd: More conservative than Trump on many domestic issues
| Issue | Trump | Pence |
|---|
| Gun rights | Exceptions & local restrictions ok | Hard-core pro-Second Amendment |
|---|
| War on Drugs | Cautious approach following states | Hard-core
drug warrior |
|---|
| Infrastructure investment | Invest in transportation infrastructure | Opposes federal investment; leave it to states |
|---|
| Campaign finance | Mixed views on reform |
Campaign donation limits are censorship |
|---|
| Tax reduction | Creative ideas including raising some taxes | No-new-taxes pledge on all taxation |
|---|
| Minimum wage & affirmative action | Some support of both |
Unambiguously opposes both |
|---|
| Gay marriage Supreme Court ruling | Accept it as the law of the land | Overturn that ruling |
|---|
| Iraq War | Opposed invasion | Supported invasion |
|---|
Source: Trump/Pence vs. Clinton/Kaine On the Issues, by Jesse Gordon
, Aug 1, 2016
Mike Pence on Organizations
Clinton Foundation is platform for Clintons' world travel
PENCE: The Trump Foundation is non-profit. The Trump Foundation is a private family foundation. They give virtually every cent in the Trump Foundation to charitable causes. Less than ten cents on the dollar in the
Clinton Foundation has gone to charitable causes. It has been a platform for the Clintons to travel the world, to have staff. KAINE: The Clinton Foundation provides AIDS drugs to 11.5 million people.
Hillary as secretary of state took no action to benefit the foundation. But let's compare this with the Trump organization. His sons have said that the organization has a lot of business dealings in Russia.
And the Trump organization is not a non-profit. It's putting money into Donald Trump's pockets, whereas the Clinton Foundation is a non- profit and no Clinton family member draws any salary.
Source: 2016 Vice-Presidential Debate at Longwood University
, Oct 4, 2016
I was Tea Party before it was cool
Pence insisted on a polite tone--"Rush Limbaugh on decaf," was one of his slogans--and he regularly invited Evan Bayh, Frank O'Bannon, & even John Gregg, whom he called "my favorite Democrat," for interviews. But Pence's convictions continued to deepen.
When Richard Lugar ran for president in 1996, Pence used his show to criticize Lugar for not being "conservative enough." There's no doubt that, during his 12 years in Congress,
Pence spent a lot of energy on social issues. "Our present crisis," he argued in a 2010 speech, "is not merely economic and political but moral in nature." But Pence proved to be far more than a social crusader. In fact, it's hard to find an issue on
which he didn't take--and passionately advocate for--a far-right position. It all adds up to a more consistent record than that of most Bush-era conservatives. As Pence put it in a 2011 interview: "I was Tea Party before it was cool."
Source: Indianapolis Monthly on 2016 Veepstakes, "INcoming"
, Jan 2, 2013
Tea Party isn't AstroTurf; it's millions of people
[On the Tea Party rally on the Washington Mall on Sept. 12, 2009]: I know the other side says that "it is just AstroTurf."
But as I look down on hundreds of thousands of Americans, taking a stand for limited government, fiscal responsibility, it looks like the cavalry to me.
This is a genuine movement of the American people that have a desire to take their country back and to bring their country back to the principles of limited government,
fiscal responsibility, personal responsibility, and the ideals that, quite frankly, both parties have failed to advance.
Source: FreedomWorks Tea Party Plan, "Take America Back Now!"
, Jan 8, 2010
Rated C by the Club for Growth, pro-growth but not targeted.
Pence scores C by the Club for Growth, a conservative PAC
The GOP controls the Senate by just one vote. Even with today’s margin, the GOP doesn’t have effective control of the agenda as the Democrats use the filibuster to kill pro-growth reform or crucial judicial appointments. The next Senate could confirm two U.S. Supreme Court justices.
If the Republicans do manage to pick up a few extra seats in the Senate, there could also be an ideological shift toward pro-growth issues. Right now, the balance of power is in the hands of the RINO Republicans like Olympia Snowe and Arlen Specter. With a seat pick-up for the GOP, plus the addition of GOP superstars, Olympia and Arlen would no longer be deciding votes. We could move away from watered-down Republicanism toward a genuine pro-growth agenda.
Members of the Club are economic conservatives, like-minded political contributors who are frustrated with the ideological drift of both parties today. Club members have a shared goal of contributing to and electing more Reaganites to Congress who are willing to stand for the issues like: cutting taxes, controlling federal spending, personal accounts for Social Security, ending the death tax, eliminating the capital gains tax, fundamental tax reform, providing true school choice and minimizing government`s role in our daily lives.
The stakes are mighty high in the Senate elections. That’s why we’re providing you now with our outlook for every competitive Senate race and a list of our top tier choices. The “A” List Candidates make this list because their races are competitive and they are the very best on economic issues. The “B” List Candidates are all in hotly contested races too, but they are not as rock solid on economic growth issues.
Source: CFG website 04n-CFG on Sep 21, 2004
Member of the House Republican Young Guns.
Pence is a member House Republican Young Guns
The new generation of pro-market, small government leaders filled such a need that in October 2007, Fred Barnes of The Weekly Standard profiled Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan, and Kevin McCarthy and christened them the `young guns.`
Kevin approached Eric & Paul about the idea of traveling together, as `Young Guns`, to visit Republican candidates interested in a new approach for the party.
What began as an informal way to support like-minded candidates became a more formal structure.
Once the three Representatives had studied the candidate and given their support to become a Young Gun, they committed to providing financial support through their campaign committees.
Existing House Republicans were approached with a simple pitch: Are we willing to help ourselves by being proactive and going on the offense to change this House? Dozens of our House Republican colleagues joined the Young Gun effort as one of the many signs that the Republican Party had shifted.
Source: Young Guns 10-HRYG on Sep 14, 2010
Member of the Tea Party movement.
Pence is a member the Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is a populist conservative social movement in the United States that emerged in 2009 through a series of locally and nationally coordinated protests. The protests were partially in response to several Federal laws: the stimulus package; te healthcare bill; and the TARP bailouts. The name `Tea Party` refers to the Boston Tea Party of 1773, the source of the phrase, `No Taxation Without Representation.`
Source: Tea Party movement 10-Tea on Aug 11, 2010
Designate first weekend in May as Ten Commandments Weekend.
Pence co-sponsored Resolution for Ten Commandments Weekend
Expressing support for designation of the first weekend of May as Ten Commandments Weekend to recognize the significant contributions the Ten Commandments have made in shaping the principles, institutions, and national character of the United States.
- Whereas from the founding days of the United States, the Ten Commandments have been part of the Nation`s basic cultural fabric;
- Whereas the Ten Commandments are a widely respected code of personal conduct and a declaration of fundamental principles for a fair and just society that transcend the diversity of cultural expression and faith in the United States;
- Whereas images of the Ten Commandments are prominently displayed in many Federal buildings, such as the US Supreme Court, National Archives, and Library of Congress; and
- Whereas in addition to being understood as an elemental source for US law, the Ten Commandments have become a recognized symbol in the Nation`s culture:
Now, therefore, be it-
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
- supports the designation of Ten Commandments Weekend;
- celebrates the significant role the Ten Commandments have played in the development of significant public and private institutions of the US; and
- encourages citizens of all faiths and religious persuasions to reflect on the important impact that the Ten Commandments have had on the people and national character of the US.
Source: H.RES.211 11-HRes211 on Apr 7, 2011
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