Politics

Former Reagan Aide Trying to Entice Rep. Mike Pence Into 2012 Prez Race

Former Reagan Aide Trying to Entice Rep. Mike Pence Into 2012 Prez Race

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN)

WASHINGTON (AP) — . An independent campaign to draw GOP Rep. Mike Pence into the 2012 presidential race is under way, with a veteran of the Reagan White House launching a petition drive on Monday urging him to enter the primary contests.

Ralph Benko, a deputy counsel to Ronald Reagan, announced the America’s President Committee to encourage a Pence-for-president bid. Former Rep. Jim Ryan, R-Kan., is also helping the campaign to collect signatures from conservatives and tea party activists.

“Mike Pence extraordinarily exemplifies the optimistic, pro-growth, pro-job creation Reagan-Kemp wing of the GOP. Grass-roots conservatives, Republicans, the tea party and populists are looking for a man or woman of principle who can champion and unite the newly energized and engaged citizenry,” Benko said. “Mike Pence is the best choice to lead us into a new era of peace and prosperity.”

Jack Kemp, who died in 2009, was a Republican congressman and vice presidential candidate. He was perhaps best known as an economic conservative who advocated low taxes and lowering barriers to supplying goods and services.

Pence, of Indiana, stepped down from his post in the House Republican leadership. He has considered a White House run or perhaps a campaign for governor. One of his party’s strongest advocates for conservative policies, Pence is among the GOP’s most outspoken critics of President Barack Obama.

Should Pence enter the contest, he would face an uphill climb. Few Americans have heard of him and better known potential Republican candidates — like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, or former Alaska governor Sarah Palin — already have organized fundraising operations.

But with more than a year before the first caucuses in Iowa, advocates for Pence — like other possible candidates — insist there is time for any of a dozen or so would-be candidates to assemble a team. That is one reason many will be speaking to the Conservative Political Action Conference next month in Washington.

Pence has been invited to speak. Others potential 2012 candidates who accepted invitations: Romney, Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.

Comments (88)

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  • 110john
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:47am

    I had the pleasure of hearing Pence’s speech at the SRLC last year in New Orleans. Needless to say, he blew every other speaker out of the water – including Sarah Palin (who gave a weak speech). Not to sound all Boehner like, but he almost bought me to tears. My wife and I were sold, this man should be President. The only other speech that even came close to his was Santorum’s and Gov. Perry’s. And when we asked Gov. Perry the morning after his speech if he’d consider running for Pres. he replied, “Hell no, I have a good gig going on in TX!” LOL!

    Report Post »  
  • spreadcommonsensenot pc
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:39am

    Pence/Thune—-2012′

    Report Post »  
  • neverending
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:39am

    We should all be so lucky to have Mike Pence throw his hat in the ring. We need a man of honor, dignity, honesty and the backbone to say what he means and means what he says. A great man of convictions, morals and a great American patriot.

    Report Post »  
  • amg2345
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:33am

    I hope the GOP doesn‘t engage in the vicious primary cycles we’ve seen in the past and focus on the greater good: Choosing the best candidate possible with the greatest chance of beating Obama. We need to be realistic instead of idealistic; even if that means throwing our support behind someone like Romney. (He has a much better chance of winning than Sarah Palin does)

    Out of all the names out there, I really hope Jeb Bush or Chris Christie decide to run and lead the ticket, with a Pence, Rubio, or Ryan as VP. (Even though Bush and Christie have both said they are not interested this time) I can still hope though….

    Report Post »  
  • Bogdan
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:32am

    I like him and needx him to run for that office so I can run for his office in 2012, however, I think he would be a great govenor for Indiana.

    Report Post »  
  • Joe Herring
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:25am

    Rep. Pence gave a speech before Hillsdale College last sept. The subject was the Presidency and the Constitution. After reading the text I realized that here is a man who “get’s it“ like Reagan ”got it” Mike Pence has the humility, the intellectual heft and the deeply held convictions to make a fantastic President. Here is the full text of that speech.
    http://spectator.org/archives/2010/09/20/hillsdale-speech-on-the-presid

    Report Post » Joe Herring  
  • Room 101
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:20am

    Like Congressman Pence a lot, and believe he is a very viable candidate once Americans get to know him. Forget what the media and pundits have to say about the “unknown” and “he can’t win” schtick: 1. The same people that saddled us with John McCain in the last cycle 2. They probably said the same thing about a completely unqualified, marxist community organizer from IL not so long ago.

    I signed the petition, and will go to work for Pence here in my state should he decide to run. I recommend that everyone read his speech to students at Hillsdale College, from November or December I believe. It was published at Townhall.com, and in Hillsdale’s “Imprimus” newsletter.

    Report Post » Room 101  
    • Room 101
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:29am

      Believe Joe Herring, below, may be correct… site might be American Spectator, and not Townhall. And I agree with Joe that Rep. Pence does “get it”.

      Report Post » Room 101  
  • Tlc3Terry
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:59am

    Hello everyone! Well i can tell you from experince that he will be a great choice for President! I live in Indiana and he has been my congressman for years! He will stick to his conservitve princaples and he is someone you can trust! The people in the midwest still have Values and Princaples but are eroding just like the rest of the country! Thats why he will make a great President! He will get us back to some fiscal sanity in this country! He has the experince both foriegn and national! Check out some of his speechs and his record you will see!

    Thanks God Bless You All

    Report Post » Tlc3Terry  
  • cykonas
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:36am

    I see a lot about speeches. Speeches? We don‘t need no stinkin’ speeches! What’s his record? What would he do, specifically, to cut the size of government during his first year in office? Specifically how would he begin to remove the harmful regulations that prevent our economy from flourishing? And in what time frame does he see it getting done? What is his specific time table for the closing of regulatory agencies? What does he see as the relationship between the Executive branch and the Legislative branch and in what circumstances would he use an Executive Order? If a Supreme Court vacancy occurred during your Presidency, who would be his first 5 nominees? Why?

    Those are the kinds of questions we have to ask, not just of Mike Pence, but of all candidates. And, the answers need to be specific. For those of you that are in love with great speakers, I would refer you to a great speech made in the Summer of 2004 at the Democratic National Convention to nominate John Kerry. The speaker; a little known guy named Barack Obama.

    Report Post » cykonas  
    • dsd13130
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:34am

      Mike Pence is my Congressman and has voted as I’d like him to so far. What you see is what you get with Mike. He’s one of the few politicians I actually believe and trust.

      Report Post » dsd13130  
  • ConsConsMA
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:06am

    He’s one the those I am watching closely. So far, I’m liking what I see. I do like a person who can admit he is wrong and change his status on an issue, as he seems to have done on the ethanol issue. I come from Massachusetts and wouldn’t even consider Romney. We are trying to get rid of Obamacare, which was based on Romneycare. Mass. is running huge deficits and struggling, in part due to the mandatory healthcare. What makes you think he wouldn’t try the same thing on a national level? I think we need to watch them all very closely–it‘s really too soon to get on anyone’s bandwagon.

    Report Post »  
  • grannydeb5
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:01am

    If the speech he gave on the Constitution at Hillsdale college is still on you tube please watch it. He has love and respect for our Constitution and this speech is really good. I did not know anything about him until I saw this and read the speech in the Hillsdale college newsletter. It is much better hearing it than reading the speech.

    Report Post »  
  • cheezhedsluvtaxes
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:55am

    The lastest poll regarding presidential hopefuls (mostly RINOs) showed Huckabee leading……PLEASE! Go Mike Pence!!!

    Report Post »  
    • wodiej
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:11am

      good grief, RINO. Last night he said he didn’t care if people cheered and clapped all the way through the Memorial Service. Just because people eat their soup differently doesn’t mean the taste of the soup is any different. WTH??

      Report Post »  
  • SlimnRanger
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:55am

    I have been watching Pence,and so far i can honestly say i really like him,I do believe he has the courage and convictions to make a great President

    Report Post »  
  • rfycom
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:49am

    He can’t win.

    Report Post »  
    • Scope
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:42am

      Says who? And, why? Do you have another pony in the race?

      Report Post »  
  • reigningsense
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:39am

    I’d love to sign up on his website, saying, “Yes! do it”!! He seems very viable. But when you sign up they say you are saying, “I am 100% behind him”. You can’t say that when he is so new. They need to change the that and they will get more folks responding. I sure do want him in the race. He is one we need a good look at! So many are “soft” conservatives. I think he is a “solid” conservative. Please run, sir. I just can sign the website saying I am 100% behind you yet.

    Report Post »  
  • Rob
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:30am

    I heard one speech he gave and he sounded great.

    Report Post »  
  • scout n ambush
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:26am

    I have a dream Mike Pence and Sarah Palin 2012.Just to drive all the libs that see it absolutely stark raving mad what a day it would be watching them riot in the street and be put down like mad dogs. Just the thought of this man running will drive the liberal progressive posters on the blaze to unleash their hate for someone they don’t know just because he will be against their agenda .ha.ha.ha.ha.ha.ha.!!!

    Report Post » scout n ambush  
  • entropy
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:23am

    You don’t need experience or a law degree to be a good public servant. You need HONESTY, INTEGRITY and COMMON SENSE. Look at Capitol Hill, with all of those “experienced” idiots running the show for the last 30 years. Are you satified with what THEY have delivered? Well, maybe if you are on the dole you are, otherwise-not.

    Report Post »  
    • themanflounders
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:24am

      Of course you need experience. You are making a false comparison between having experience and people who you disagree with. There is such a thing as someone with experience who you can agree with. “Common sense” doesn’t really mean anything in any debate, only that the speaker thinks that person is smart. Useless prattle. Honesty and integrity are good. But experience is a must. I expect my plumber to know pipes, I expect my doctor to know medicine, and I expect my President to know the law, U.S. history, the economy, and global affairs.

      Report Post »  
  • Fletch
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:11am

    Like him

    How soon before he will be blamed by the left for causing the sky to fall and the rivers to run backward?

    Report Post » Fletch  
  • BlazingInSC
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:10am

    A Romney or Palin Republican nomination will result in 4 more years of an Obama administration. Now I personally don’t care what little letter follows the name if the political ideology matches mine, but I sincerely hope the GOP does not put its eggs into the Romney or Palin baskets…

    Report Post »  
  • DON DON
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:02am

    I like him.

    Report Post »  
  • slimkendall
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:00am

    I think these congress people candidates are going to have a tough time selling themselves
    over the candidates who have executive experience, governors and such.

    Report Post » slimkendall  
  • emertz8413
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:58am

    Don’t know much about him, even though my family lives in Indiana. Would love to hear more from him and Paul Ryan. I saw Pawlenty(SP?) somewhere on Fox last week and wasn’t impressed.

    Report Post »  
  • beebacksoon
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:54am

    There are still a few good politicians out there. Pence is certainly one of them!

    Report Post »  
  • grandmaof5
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:53am

    He certainly would be a viable candidate – I like him alot, among others.

    Report Post »  
    • SecretPolice
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:12am

      Same though I’m not too sure he has a good chance. On the other hand a particular Governor, if he continues to do what he’s done thus far is a lock for 2016 or perhaps 2020…

      CC :)

      Report Post » SecretPolice  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:20am

      Actually, I can think of two, if they continue govern their states as well as they have been (NJ/LA).

      Report Post »  
    • oldguy48
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:22am

      This definately does not fit into the agenda of Obama and Soros. They know they need to complete their mission very quickly. Be afraid, very afraid.
      China is more Capitalist than we are, and getting more so every day.

      Report Post »  
    • Ironmaan
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:24am

      I agree. Would have to take a close look, but superficially he seems to be a viable conservative candidate.
      http://guerillatics.com

      Report Post »  
    • Strictlybusiness
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:29am

      GO MIKE GO ! ! ! We need a man of stature and deep convictions, THAT LOVES HIS COUNTRY, NOT HIMSELF.

      Report Post » Strictlybusiness  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:35am

      Grandmaof5: I like him too…but, he can’t win! This is ONE RACE that we can’t gamble on…we are out of time!

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • SecretPolice
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:35am

      Grandma, Oh yes for certain but I’d say Bobby J is running in 2012 for sure.

      Report Post » SecretPolice  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:57am

      We definitely need the candidate who can win but the idea of having a choice of great conservatives is such a breath of fresh air after the last election. Integrity, honor and the love of country is so apparent.

      Report Post »  
    • SecretPolice
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:19am

      Also I’m sure he agrees on this:

      “Socialism only works
      in two places:
      Heaven where they don’t
      need it and hell where they already have it.”
      -Ronald Reagan

      ‘Here’s my strategy on
      the Cold War:
      We win, they lose.’
      – Ronald Reagan

      ‘The most terrifying words
      In the English language are:
      I’m from the government
      and I’m here to help.’
      -Ronald Reagan

      ‘The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant; it‘s just that they know so much that isn’t so.’
      -Ronald Reagan

      ‘Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.
      – Ronald Reagan

      ‘I have wondered at
      times about what the
      Ten Commandments would
      have looked like if Moses
      had run them through
      the U.S. Congress..
      -Ronald Reagan

      ‘The taxpayer:
      That’s someone who works
      For the federal government
      but doesn’t have to take the
      civil service examination.’
      – Ronald Reagan

      ‘Government is like a baby:
      An alimentary canal with a
      big appetite at one end and
      no sense of responsibility
      at the other’
      – Ronald Reagan

      ‘The nearest thing to eternal
      life we will ever see on
      this earth is a
      government program.’
      - Ronald Reagan

      ‘It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession.
      I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first’
      – Ronald Reagan

      ‘Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
      If it moves, tax it.
      If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving,
      subsidize it’
      – Ronald Reagan

      ‘Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed,
      there are many rewards;
      if you disgrace yourself,
      you can always write a book.’
      – Ronald Reagan

      ‘No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.’- Ronald Reagan

      ‘If we ever forget that we’re one nation under GOD, then we will be a nation gone under.’

      Report Post » SecretPolice  
    • ishka4me
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:33am

      he is very likeable, strong with his convictions and very polite. Would hate the campaign to spoil him

      Report Post »  
    • dabbo
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:54am

      I’ve been watching Mike Pence for quite a while….he’s legit.
      and I certainly think he could win, especially in this current political environment.

      and I’f not Mike Pence, what about Mitch Daniels? I would be more that satisfied with either as the nominee. Indiana should be proud.

      Report Post »  
    • lillymckim
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:58am

      I would absolutely love to see Mike Pence in the 2012 race!!!
      But I would not enter yet… the rabid media is already tearing apart Pawlenty … don’t give the media any red meat

      Report Post » lillymckim  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:00am

      I will keep an eye out on him, I honestly do not know much of his record right now, but will check more up on him and where he is proven to stand on matters.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • exdem
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:34am

      I think he is a great candidate! He is a true conservative. Pence/Rubio would be a good ticket.

      Report Post »  
    • lylee
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:38am

      Mike Pence would be an excellent choice. Just listen to him, he speaks the truth in terms which the American people can understand and relate to. Probably the closest thing to Reagan that we have. He just needs more visibility.

      Report Post »  
    • CYCLONE
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 1:42pm

      THANKYOU ROGUE FOR THE VIDEO !!!!…. I can’t stand any Repubican candidate so far….ESPECIALLY RINOMNEY !!!!….

      I like this Pence dude !!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Kurty C Wipe
      Posted on January 17, 2011 at 4:00pm

      Are we actually going to have another election????

      Report Post » Kurty C Wipe  
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