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Friday, February 5, 2010

Pence: Republicans And The Tea Party

By Siddhartha Mahanta  

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind.

As a rising star in the Republican Party, Rep. Mike Pence might seem too establishment to appeal to the Tea Party faithful. But the Indiana Republican shares with the movement a zeal for fiscal responsibility and limited government, and has publically aligned himself with the activists. Their alliance could provide the energy and message Republicans need to succeed in this year's midterm elections.

More Coverage: The Insurgents Emerge

NationalJournal.com asked Pence for his thoughts on the movement's relationship with Republicans and what the party can do to appeal the Tea Party in November.


NJ: What does the Tea Party mean for Republicans?

Pence: The Tea Party movement is part of an authentic awakening among the American people about the need to restore commonsense fiscal responsibility to the policies here in Washington, D.C.

NJ: Does trying to take in some of the Tea Party's energy revive the Republican Party going into November?

Pence: I believe that people that are active in the grassroots, whether they identify themselves as Tea Party activists or not, will find a natural home in the Republican Party so long as we continue to fight for fiscal discipline, take the tough stands and offer a bold vision of fiscal responsibility for the future.

NJ: Why should anything be different if Republicans take back the House? And if they do, what should the Tea Party expect?

Pence: House Republicans lost their majority in 2006 mostly because we lost our way. We walked away from the practice of the principles of limited government that really augmented our national governing majority, first in 1980, and then in Congress in 1994.

Republicans have gotten that message, whether they're Tea Party activists or other grassroots Americans. People who cherish those principles of fiscal restraint are now seeing the Republican Party putting forward a budget that'll put our house in order, opposing big government schemes in energy and health care, taking the tough stands to essentially set our government and our nation back on a pathway toward prosperity and fiscal responsibility.

I really believe that the key for the Republican Party is simply to continue to learn the lessons of 2006 -- take the strong stands on our principle, as we have over the last year. Whether it's Tea Party activists or other Americans or independents concerned about the fiscal future of this country, they'll know what to do.

NJ: Is Sarah Palin the leader of the Tea Party movement?

Pence: Sarah Palin is a valued leader in the Republican Party. But I think one of the most compelling aspects of the Tea Party movement, and of the awakening you see across the country, is that it has no leader. It is genuinely a bottom-up movement that is simply an expression of I believe the broad mainstream of the American public that wants to see some fiscal sanity, some commonsense return to governance in Washington, D.C., and really has been fed up with runaway federal spending under both political parties.

NJ: The idea of a leaderless movement -- does that present a problem as the Tea Party tries to consolidate and become an electoral force?

Pence: Well, it didn't present a problem in Massachusetts. It didn't present a problem in New Jersey or Virginia. I hold in high regard many of the organizations that have facilitated Tea Party events around the country and even here in Washington, D.C.

I think what you've really got happening here is an awakening among the American public. It doesn't need organization, because it is percolating up out of the common sense, common values of the American people. I think you'll continue to see that rise up, so long as this administration and Democrats in Congress continue to lead our government down the pathway of more borrowing, more spending, more bailouts and more debt.

18 Responses

 

Responded on February 5, 2010 11:35 AM

James

I find it ironic that Pence would say that the Republican party lost  their way 2006 when the reality is back in the 1980s they lost their way with their litmus tests (currently being considered by the Republican Party at their retreat in warm Hawaii) and other unsustainable economic policies that put us where we are.

The notion of the Tea Party is against the Democrats and Obama is wrong way to place the blame when it is the Republican Party who also created this mess with their fiscal policies starting back in the Reagan administration. You have to credit Reagan with his honesty when he took the blame for the deficit caused by his policies and the willingness to cross the aisle to get something done.   Something the Republicans refused to do since they lost the election in 2008 and blaming everyone else but  themselves just won't do the job.

Pence is using the usual bromide political blame game  which is why , IMO, he is not worthy to even listen to.

Responded on February 5, 2010 2:22 PM

Dr. Ellen Brandt

Your Readers might consider joining our new Centrists Group at Linked In and might like to look at my new blog for and about Centrists, The Rest of U.S. 

Extremists have become so loud, they’re deafening. And because they shout in perfect sound bites, the media birddog their every rant, however irresponsible or outrageous.

But we believe the political tide’s about to turn with a vengeance. No matter their party affiliation or lack thereof, Americans are disgusted with those who harass to harass, obstruct to obstruct, tear down to tear down. Compromise, consensus, bridge-building, and respect for differing viewpoints have been the hallmarks of American life as long as there’s been an America. We’re certain they will be again.

Please read: The Rest of U.S. – Who We Are and What We Stand For

http://newcentristera.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/the-rest-of-u-s-who-we-are-and-what-we-stand-for/

If you like it, please circulate to your family, friends, and colleagues. Or perhaps to your favorite extremist!

Responded on February 5, 2010 7:14 PM

Robin

Writings of Mr.Pence and his speeches on the hose floor both in DC and in his state, are widely available, and span many, many years. I have been very blessed to be able to read and view his opinion and his  fight for limited government.  He voted against republican spending bills and was not well like by his party for bucking them. Mr. pence was TEA party before there was a tea party movement. Please do vet him by googling, and also see his voting record and score given by the strictest fiscal conservative review sites. You will find in some of Mr Pences earliest writings, back before he went to DC, how he has held the constitution in high honor, including the enumerated, list of limited, powers given to the federal government. Looking high and low, I have found NO man with a record of proof, that better embodies the principles of the tea party movement than Mr Pence. In fact, this is most likely why the republican party has put in the position as a liaison between them and us. Please do see his town hall meetings. he is so humble when addressing hi...

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Writings of Mr.Pence and his speeches on the hose floor both in DC and in his state, are widely available, and span many, many years. I have been very blessed to be able to read and view his opinion and his  fight for limited government.  He voted against republican spending bills and was not well like by his party for bucking them. Mr. pence was TEA party before there was a tea party movement.

Please do vet him by googling, and also see his voting record and score given by the strictest fiscal conservative review sites.

You will find in some of Mr Pences earliest writings, back before he went to DC, how he has held the constitution in high honor, including the enumerated, list of limited, powers given to the federal government.

Looking high and low, I have found NO man with a record of proof, that better embodies the principles of the tea party movement than Mr Pence. In fact, this is most likely why the republican party has put in the position as a liaison between them and us.

Please do see his town hall meetings. he is so humble when addressing his constituents. He is open to questions, but he tells them he is mostly there to listen. Then see him on c-span. There he stands up and fights for what is right and speaks his mid. He fight for us, even when it makes him unpopular with his own party. If you would like a blessing, don't take my word for it. Please do see for yourself.

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Responded on February 6, 2010 5:13 PM

James

Robin With all due respect, I have read in variety sources of information in regard to speeches and press conferences by various politicians including Mr Pence. It is true that it is available however he is one of 535 people and do you think that I am going to go through speeches of every Congressional members made on the floor.  Unless I have a trust fund to be able to do that, which I don't , I'm not going to do that unless there's specific reason do so. As a matter of fact Mr Pence has been wrong on tax issues and make generalization that Factcheck.org has called him out in regard to Obama's 2011 budget proposal which he plan to revert the top two brackets to the Clinton  tax rate and no more which is the same thing he has advocated as candidate. (Note that I am not his supporter because I am an Independent). I have a problem the concept of limited government when people  the likes of you vote them into office and they expect federal largress showered on their district just to get elected.  As a matter of fact there's only one Republican (in Indiana I think)...

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Robin

With all due respect, I have read in variety sources of information in regard to speeches and press conferences by various politicians including Mr Pence. It is true that it is available however he is one of 535 people and do you think that I am going to go through speeches of every Congressional members made on the floor.  Unless I have a trust fund to be able to do that, which I don't , I'm not going to do that unless there's specific reason do so.

As a matter of fact Mr Pence has been wrong on tax issues and make generalization that Factcheck.org has called him out in regard to Obama's 2011 budget proposal which he plan to revert the top two brackets to the Clinton  tax rate and no more which is the same thing he has advocated as candidate. (Note that I am not his supporter because I am an Independent).

I have a problem the concept of limited government when people  the likes of you vote them into office and they expect federal largress showered on their district just to get elected.  As a matter of fact there's only one Republican (in Indiana I think) who truly does not request earmarks for his district and that out of 4 mayors in his district only 3 are against him simply he does not provide earmark they wanted. Mr Pence is not one of them.

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Responded on July 16, 2010 2:07 PM

Jodie Brendenburg

I think Rep. Mike Pence has spoke about the "Fair Tax" and if he is truly behind this cause then I am all for this guy. Fair Tax: http://www.fairtax.org/ I am from Indiana and other bold politicians here in the past have made some great tax moves (ex: eliminating the inventory tax) so why can't this initiative get passed as well? It would be great for the indiana economy in general, but especially used cars Indianapolis Indiana statewide market.

Responded on August 22, 2010 8:26 AM

Jeff

I think the problem herein lies: neither party has any real concrete ideas that are new or innovative. The tea party movement makes no sense, the dems are in disarray, and I think the public is fed up.

 

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Responded on August 22, 2010 8:29 AM

Jeff

I think the problem herein lies: neither party has any real concrete ideas that are new or innovative. The tea party movement makes no sense, the dems are in disarray, and I think the public is fed up.

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Responded on October 8, 2010 1:40 PM

Shelby Richards

Its very clear that people in America are not happy and they want something different. Our government is failing and the people here need help not Iraq or anywhere else overseas.

Thanks Shelby Richards
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Responded on October 21, 2010 5:50 PM

Shelby Spar

I think we really need to get a handle on these problems. I work for a data recovery Los Angeles company and I really do think we are on the right track. We just need to get rid of all of the bad apples.

Responded on October 23, 2010 1:41 PM

james caine

I would not worry about the tea party too much. They are definitely making a move but it will be stopped when election day gets here. I like some of their views but they are just too much sometimes. They can change the country in one day.

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Responded on October 26, 2010 5:07 PM

Jessica Reynolds

This was a really great article. I think we need to do what the people want and thats it. Hopefully we can really start to make a good difference. Thanks Jessica Reynolds - Roof Cladding

Responded on October 26, 2010 9:07 PM

james dean

I do not understand the tea party at all. They just seem to be casuing problems all the time. I just do not understand what they are trying to do.

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Responded on November 12, 2010 1:47 PM

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Responded on November 20, 2010 7:16 PM

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Responded on October 4, 2011 4:12 PM

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Responded on November 27, 2011 8:30 PM

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