"There's nothing wrong with Republican ideas, and there's nothing wrong with [a] governing majority that supports a strong defense, limited government, and traditional values," Pence told me.
"The issue here is not a problem of Republican ideas or outreach. It's been a problem of credibility. I really do believe that where the American people have seen men and women in public office who have authentically and credibly put into practice what they profess to believe about limited government and fiscal responsibility and traditional values, the American people are drawn to those leaders."
So who is responsible for the credibility problem? Plenty of Republicans. But as Pence talked, and as he denounced the party's "failed experiment in big-government Republicanism," it was impossible to avoid the conclusion that in his eyes the biggest offender of all is George W. Bush.
"I hit Washington in 2001, and the first bill they put on the table was No Child Left Behind," Pence said. "My second term in Congress, the very first bill the president put on the desk was the prescription drug entitlement." In between, Bush never saw fit to veto even a single spending bill.
"From the very first day that he took office, he put into practice a form of big-government Republicanism that I think was anathema to most Republican voters around the country," Pence continued. "And ... Congress went along."
Bingo! Pence is one of the few good ones in Washington. I'd much rather see him as Minority Leader than Boehner, but that's just not happening. Still, he should factor in as a prominent leader in what will hopefully become a conservative resurgence in the Republican party. If you ever wonder whether an idea or proposed legislation is solidly conservative, Pence is one of the people to look at - if he supports it, chances are good that it's a good idea.There's my two cents.
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