The American Spectator : Mike Pence's Hillsdale College Speech on the Presidency

Text Size

Breaking News

Mike Pence's Hillsdale College Speech on the Presidency

By Rep. Mike Pence on 9.20.10 @ 8:08PM

The full text of the speech Indiana Republican Rep. Mike Pence delivered Monday night at Hillsdale College.

(Page 2 of 4)

America is not a dog, and does not require a "because-I-said-so" jurisprudence to which it is then commanded to catch up, or legislators who knit laws of such insulting complexity that they are heavier than chains; or a president who acts like, speaks like, and is received as a king. The presidency has run off the rails. It begs a new clarity, a new discipline, and a new president.

The president is not our teacher, our tutor, our guide or ruler. He does not command us, we command him. We serve neither him nor his vision. It is not his job or his prerogative to redefine custom, law and beliefs; to appropriate industries; to seize the country, as it were, by the shoulders or by the throat so as to impose by force of theatrical charisma his justice upon 300 million others. It is neither his job nor his prerogative to shift the power of decision away from them, and to him and the acolytes of his choosing.

Is my characterization of unprecedented presumption incorrect? I defer to the judgment of the people, which they will make with their own eyes, and ears. Listen to the exact words of the leader of President Obama's transition team and perhaps his next chief-of-staff: "It's important that President-Elect Obama is prepared to really take power and begin to rule day one." Or, more recently, from the words of the latest presidential appointment to avoid confirmation by the Senate, the new head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wrote last Friday, "President Obama understands the importance of leveling the playing field again."

"Take power… Rule... Leveling." Though it is now, this has never been and should never again be the model of the presidency or the character of the American president. No one can say this too strongly and no one can say it enough until it is remedied. We are not subjects, we are citizens. We fought a war so that we do not have to treat even kings like kings, and -- if I may remind you -- we won that war. Since then, the principle of royalty has, in this country, been inoperative. Who is better suited or more required to exemplify this conviction, in word and deed, than the President of the United States?

***

The powers of the presidency are extraordinary and necessarily great, and great presidents treat them sparingly. For example, it is not the president's job to manipulate the nation's youth for the sake of his agenda or his party. They are a potent political force when massed by the social network to which they are permanently attached. But if the president has their true interests at heart he will neither flatter them nor let them adore him, for in flattery is condescension and in adoration is direction, and youth is neither seasoned nor tested enough to direct a nation. Nor should it be the president's business to presume to direct them. It is difficult enough to do right by one's own children. No one can be the father of a whole continent's youth.

Is the president, therefore, expected to turn away from this and other easy advantage? Yes. Like Harry Truman who went to bed before the result on election night -- he must know when to withdraw, to hold back, and to forgo attention, publicity, or advantage.

No finer, more moving, or profound an understanding of the nature of the presidency and the command of humility placed upon it has ever been expressed than by President Coolidge. He, like Lincoln, lost a child while he was president, a son of sixteen. "The day I became president," Coolidge wrote, "he had just started to work in a tobacco field. When one of his fellow laborers said to him, 'If my father was president I would not work in a tobacco field,' Calvin replied, 'If my father were your father you would.' "

While in the White House, President Coolidge's son contracted blood poisoning from an incident on the South Lawn. Coolidge wrote, "What might have happened to him under other circumstances we do not know, but if I had not been president.…" And then he continues, "In his suffering he was asking me to make him well. I could not.

"When he went, the power and glory of the Presidency went with him."

A sensibility such as this, and not power, is the source of presidential dignity, and must be restored. It depends entirely upon character, self-discipline, and an understanding of the fundamental principles that underlie not only the republic but life itself. It communicates that the president feels the gravity of his office and is willing to sacrifice himself; that his eye is not upon his own prospects but on the storm of history through which it is his responsibility to navigate with the specific powers accorded to him and the limitations placed upon them not merely by man in his design but by God in His.

***

The modern presidency has drifted far from the great strength and illumination of its source: the Constitution as given life by the luminous and passionate Declaration of Independence, the greatest political document ever written. The Constitution, terse, sober, and specific, does not, except by implication, address the president's demeanor, but this we can read in the best qualities of the founding generation, which we would do well to imitate. In the Capitol Rotunda are heroic paintings of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the victory at Saratoga, the victory at Yorktown, and, something seldom seen in history: a general, the leader of an armed rebellion, resigning his commission and surrendering his army to a new democracy. Upon hearing from Benjamin West that George Washington, having won the war and been urged by some to use the army to make himself king, would instead return to his farm, George III said, "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world." He did, and he was.

To aspire to such virtue and self-restraint would in a sense be difficult, but in another sense it should be easy -- difficult because it would be demanding and ideal, and easy because it is the right thing to do and the rewards are immediately self-evident.

A president who slights the Constitution is like a rider who hates his horse: he will be thrown, and the nation along with him. The president solemnly swears to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. He does not solemnly swear to ignore, overlook, supplement, or reinterpret it. Other than in a crisis of morality, decency, and existence, such as the Civil War, if he should want to hurry along the Constitution to fit his own notions or designs, he should do so by amendment rather than adjustment, for if he joins the powers of his office to his own willful interpretation, he steps away from a government of laws and toward a government of men.

Page: < 12 3 4 >

About the Author

Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana is chairman of the House Republican Conference.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (108) | Leave a comment

Ralph Donabed| 9.20.10 @ 8:58PM

God bless you Congressman for defining patriotism and speaking to the power of "love of country".

Alan Brooks| 9.21.10 @ 4:41PM

It's boilerplate that doesn't shrink the state .5 percent.
Stand strong even if you are alone, he writes.
How brave of him.

Taxpayer| 9.21.10 @ 8:48PM

So he should have said nothing and just let the enemies of freedom keep rolling over us. Got it.

Alan Brooks| 9.21.10 @ 10:35PM

These are your slogans:

LESS GOVERNMENT
(that I don't like)

LESS GOVERNMENT
(except for my Grandparents)

27 year veteran| 9.22.10 @ 4:50PM

Here is waht I think. You are just another liberal idiot.

SFC MAC| 9.25.10 @ 12:37PM

Here's your slogans:
"SPREAD THE WEALTH"
Nancy Pelosi, 2006: "You don't need God anymore, you have us Democrats."
Nancy Pelosi: "We just have to pass the Healthcare Bill to see what's in it."
Nancy Pelosi: "....now we can get things done without explaining process."

Here's one of ours:
"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."--Thomas Jefferson

Taxed
Enough
Already

Larry Queen| 10.9.10 @ 2:26AM

It's hard to gauge the reactions of you people, as the tea leaves always seem to be blowing in the wind, but this much I can say: The shortsighted principals and vapid sloganeering won't get you anywhere on Nov. 2. It's already showing, and the word has spread, you guys will be quickly dispatched and the rest of us can go about the business of saving this country from the ruin the Repugnican'ts have driven us into.

JeffObummer| 11.3.10 @ 9:39PM

Basically an insightful speech, but one area really bothers me. Mr. Pence implicitly admits at bottom of 2nd page that Lincoln violated the Constitution in making war on the southern states. But, he says, that was justified "in a crisis of morality, decency, and existence." That makes a convenient excuse for any despot. That type of justification is what the Constitution was written to guard against. The North wasn't fighting for its "existence", the southern states simply wanted their independence, on the basis of many principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence. Think about it. Also, where does the Bible say that slavery is a sin, much less an "unforgivable sin"?
I'm thankful for men with character like Rep. Pence, but he should read Thomas E Woods' new book on Nullification, and the 4 articles on Lincoln by GJ Merits at the Wolves of Liberty.com site.

msouth| 12.10.10 @ 1:54PM

Jeff:

I also disliked the window he left open there. If an exception is warranted something incredibly crucial, why aren't the states willing to hold a constitutional convention on it? Why is it that this particular person in this particular office has to suspend the Constitution? If he's the only one that sees that it needs to be done, it's an act that's in question.

Slavery as practiced in the South at that time was obviously evil, independent of anyone's opinion of what the implications are of the verses in the Bible discussing it.

However, the Constitution specifically allowed slavery--that was a part of the conditions under which the Southern states agreed to the deal, and should have been honored or the agreement dissolved.

If a state wants out they should be able to get out. We don't force humans to stay in the country, we shouldn't force states to stay in the union. I guess they would need to pay out their portion of the debt since by leaving they would no longer have an obligation there.

Having said all of that, would I be willing to fight a war to free any oppressed people, anywhere? Yes. Do I think "sovereignty" somehow abridges the unalienable rights we were all born with? No. Borders are just lines on paper if you are not respecting your citizens' rights, as far as I'm concerned.

I wouldn't use federal law and authority to force people to participate in it, though. But it's all one effort--defend liberty.

The North acted against liberty, the South acted against liberty, and they both paid dearly, and, really, we're still paying.

To me the battle was ugly deeds vs ugly deeds, and we should be thankful that it ended up with everyone involved becoming relatively free. It's hard for me to be sympathetic to a group that wanted to be free so that they could continue to take the freedom of others. Not feelin' it. But the fact that there was a net increase in freedom doesn't justify the means, and certainly doesn't justify the leaving of the door open for someone to do something "really important!"--like what, a rare opportunity to pass socialized medicine? If the left is right about that, there are lives in the balance! Oppressed poor! Racial injustice! all associated with lack of access to health care, so, just this once, let's ignore the constitution and pass it. That's where that door leads.

BL in AK| 9.20.10 @ 9:27PM

Excellent presentation of patriotism, love of country and how, as a President, to respect those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for all of America. Clearly BHO doesn't respect our veterans or our country. God Bless our Troops.

Bob Trewyn| 9.21.10 @ 12:53AM

PLease explain to me just how you came to the conclusion that President Obama does not respect our veterans or our country. You seem to forget about when the media discovered just how our troups were being cared for at Walter Reed hospital, or how our veterans were treated for the effects of agent orange for the past 40 years, or hopw the first responders were treated after working at the world trade center sight. I believe these atrocities ocurred under someone elses watch.

Fredrick Ward| 9.21.10 @ 2:52AM

This is really stupid to have to tell the liberals what their own agenda is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs

Watch the link and then tell me he doesn't have issues with the military. In his own words he pledged to "Slow development of future combat systems." While all other countries are seeking to technologically advance combat systems President Obama has stunted the growth and protection of our troops by such idiocy.

He further did serious damage to our military, putting our men and women in harms way, by targeting "the Department of Defense to absorb more than 80 percent of the cuts he has proposed in [this year's] budget for discretionary programs. " [1] This cut the defense budget by 9.4 billion dollars. While he did this he made the most hypocritical statement of all time. "We can no longer afford to spend as if deficits do not matter and waste is not our problem," Mr. Obama said. This coming from the man who proposes that we, and our children's children, pay for a $1 trillion dollar debt he created by the passing of Obamacare, and further entitlement programs for the socialist nanny state he wishes to come to fruition. Not only did he not save anything by defunding our defense systems, and military he didn't save a single red cent.

There is yet another way he put our troops in harm's way. President Obama saw fit to move troops who had spent all their time in training for a specific theatre (Irag), and then instead sent orders to ship them off to Afghanistan. Such a move caused a very large number deaths from the battallion meant to deploy to Iraq.The problem, some soldiers said, was not their commander, but mismatched training:

The battalion had spent much of the previous two years training for combat, but preparing for the wrong theater — until February, when it got orders for Afghanistan, 1-17 was scheduled to deploy to Iraq.

However, 1-17 soldiers said their training, which had been focused on highly “kinetic” urban warfare drills such as room clearing, did not change much to accommodate the change in mission. “The COIN-intensive fight here … isn’t so much what we trained on,” said 1st Lt. Kevin Turnblom, Charlie Company’s fire support officer.

“We trained [in] urban fighting in Iraq and then they give us Afghanistan,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Hughes, Weapons Squad leader in 1st Platoon, Charlie Company. “The principles are the same but the details are day-and-night different, and we’ve learned that the hard way over the last almost five months.” [2]

President Obama shifted the deployments by making it policy to reduce troop deployments to Iraq while redirecting them to Afghanistan because that war is more politically correct and viewed in a better light.

While all this is going on his wonder boy Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates proposes that the US Navy and Marines should expect drastic cuts in their budget, and technology. Now say again how this doesn't put our troops and veterens in harm's way? How exactly can you respect someone while giving them a knife for a gun fight?

Obama always speaks best for himself so here you go. Obama said, "It's not enough just to say, 'Get control of spending,'" Obama said. "I think it's important for you to say, 'You know, I'm willing to cut veterans' benefits' or 'I'm willing to cut Medicare or Social Security benefits' or 'I'm willing to see these taxes go up.'.." Well, he did cut Medicare, he did cut Social security, and veteran's benefits. He practically defunded Medicare to the point that it is completely useless in two years. once again, ask that question, and next time do your homework before you spout off without actually researching what he has done against this country.

sources:
1.http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/08/obama-budget-cuts-target-military-funding/
2.http://bigjournalism.com/rtrzupek/2010/02/03/in-harms-way-obamas-shell-game-puts-troops-in-danger/

BL in AK| 9.21.10 @ 3:11AM

I was agreeing with Mr. Pence's statement on Page 3 regarding "Instructions" for the President, pasted below for your use:

...which no holder of the office has needed to this point, and were that primer to be written by the American people, whether of 1776 or 2010, you can be confident that it would contain the following instructions:

"The President of the United States of America bows to no man. You do not bow to kings. When in foreign lands, you do not criticize your own country. You do not argue the case against the United States, but, rather, the case for it. You do not apologize to the enemies of the United States. Should you be confused, a country, people, or region that harbors, shelters, supports, encourages, or cheers attacks upon our country, the slaughter of our children, our mothers, our fathers, our sisters, and brothers… are enemies of the United States. And, to repeat, you do not apologize to them."

I seem to recall BHO recently did not visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day, but rather visited his hometown. One sole action by him about his questioned respect toward Vets.

I visited Vets just back from Viet Nam at Letterman Hospital as a kid and learned about our Vets role in our country's history. The hard lessons of war. I also remember seeing GIs being spit on during their return home. That sort of disrespect I never want to see again and I am concerned about our troops and their families under a President who appears weak and seems to not care about our country IMO.

Mimi| 9.21.10 @ 8:50AM

Sir..BobTrewyn..(troll?) Are you part of the troll army hitting the conservative sites..of Boss Sun Castein...Do me a favor, copy this article of what a President of these United States should DO and BE and put it on the Presidents desk...PRONTO. He will then KNOW how he has failed in his DUTY and RESPONSIBILITY to this NATION!!!

canuckistani| 9.21.10 @ 11:01AM

I was surpirised to read Pence was speaking of BHO. I thought it was a rigorous critique of Junior's regime that has brought our fighting men and women into countless fronts and under-supported battle scenarios.
Body armor, reinforced hummers, inadequate training, Rummie's "you fight with the army you have" treatise....you forget all of that, so soon?
Mimi, grow up and see the forest for the trees. Junior got us to this place. BHO has done nothing to undermine our troops that Junior did not already do with extremely deadly consequences. His incompetence was spectacular and it will be years to rebuild the forces to a high level of morale again. My visits to Walter Reed in '06 to see a friend's son was heart-wrenching. The boy was hit by IED, not badly hurt, but required rehab to his arms. The boys around him were much worse off, and the look of the place appalling.
Sadly, at the other end of the spectrum, another light colonel acqu of mine has cashed in on the contract dealings he had in Baghdad as part of the viceregal staff under Bremer. He's loaded and uninjured. Pretty cool, ain't it?

Mark James| 9.21.10 @ 2:27PM

Dear Canuck You need to read more and quit just accepting the bias of the left as fact. The Army is ALWAYS short of men and equipment when a war starts, that is the actual sign that this was not pre-planned as some evil expansionism. Read about every war the US has fought and you will see they were fought reluctantly and only after being attacked. Examples, include the Boston Massacre, the British invasion of 1812, the Mediterranean (Muslim) pirates, the attack at Fort Sumpter, Pearl harbor etc, etc. Grow a brain, read or shut your foolish inaccurate pie hole.

Alan Brooks| 9.21.10 @ 4:51PM

"Sir..BobTrewyn..(troll?) Are you part of the troll army hitting the conservative sites..of Boss Sun Castein.."

They think anyone who doesn't like the Repuglicans is a troll, Bob; but they go to lib sites and are as ballistic as they want to be. I'm voting GOP in November not because I any longeram interested in the minutiae of politics (am not going to even read any campaign "literature") but only to attempt to cut the GOP down to size. If enough vote against the GOP we can put pressure on them so another Bush, or Nixon, Ford, etc, interregnum is avoided after 2016.

Alan Brooks| 9.21.10 @ 5:20PM

"I'm voting GOP in November not because I any longer am interested in the minutiae of politics,"

I meant am going to vote Democratic--
must have been a Pink Floydian slip! but if the GOP can run someone good in '16, say a Jack Kemp without the football anecdotes, they would win.

27 year veteran| 9.22.10 @ 4:53PM

thanks very much for proving my point from above. idiot.

Jeffrey| 9.22.10 @ 6:12PM

You skipped over 2012. Seriously thinking Obama is going to win a 2nd term or that Hillary will unseat him and win?

Sick of this| 9.23.10 @ 4:49AM

Stop drinking the Cool-aid and learn to think for yourself. The idea that everything is Bush's is growing quite old. This president is an egotistical disaster who, along with his self-appointed sheep is trying to turn our country into a European style swamp. Take off your blinder's buddy boy and read the writing on the wall.

Mimi| 9.21.10 @ 5:03PM

Heh..Canuck..Honey-Bun...Who exactely sent you to TAS to TROLL? Do you hit oyher Conservative sites

Heh Canuck....Who sent you to TAS to TROLL? Do you hit other Conservative sites? There are many and they all are " ROCKIN " these days. We can sniff and spot a troll quicker than "ROAD-KILL SKUNK " You all must be shocked and surprised at how BOLD & SPUNKY and on to you we are. Keep it up with your wrong-sided work. Do you like yourself....working for " THE ENEMY WITHIN "?...I don't know how you sleep at night....Honey-Bun!!!

Negro X| 9.21.10 @ 10:27PM

Nice try at BS troll boy, go worship at obama's anus.

Alan Brooks| 9.21.10 @ 10:37PM

Uncle Tom!

SFC MAC| 9.25.10 @ 1:00PM

Race baiter!

Alan Brooks| 9.21.10 @ 4:45PM

"PLease explain to me just how you came to the conclusion that President Obama does not respect our veterans or our country."

These people just want to win in November, Bob, they only casre about their own families, and wont even consider a defense tax.

George S| 9.21.10 @ 4:55PM

What do you mean by the "media discovered" how are troops were being treated? Walter Reed has been around long before GW Bush; the media never ventured in there during the Bosnia, Somalia or Haiti... why is that, you suppose?

But good of you to notice the conditions at Reed. The primary reason, as the military points out, is that the staff is government employees (i.e. union members) who cannot be fired, and as a result take no direction nor are inspired to be industrious and actually clean the place or be more attentive to the patients.

So if you have concerns about the conditions at Reed, then you'd better hop aboard the Tea Party express my man because in a decade's time the conditions at Reed will be indistinguishable from those at the hospital down the street from you.

Alan Brooks| 9.21.10 @ 5:24PM

"in a decade's time the conditions at Reed will be indistinguishable from those at the hospital down the street from you."

You are quite the positive thinker, aren't you? BTW, what if the hospital in his locale happens to be very good in 2020?

George S| 9.21.10 @ 9:57PM

Of course I'm a positive thinker. Walk into Walter Reed, then go visit Basildon University Hospital in Great Britain. Notice any differences if you can. This is what is in the future if ObamaCare stands. I'm positive of that -- the proof is across the Atlantic. By the way, just what exactly is in the ObamaCare bill that avoids the horrors of the NHS? Nobody read the friggin thing while it was being debated on... so I'm just curious.

Alan Brooks| 9.21.10 @ 10:44PM

Who can understand a bill so complicated? I don't say you are necessarily wrong; in fact with our aging population no matter what we do it will be expensive; however just as some schools are good, and some are dire, you can't make the statement:
"the conditions at Reed will be indistinguishable from those at the hospital down the street from you."

Bubble communities-- just for instance some in VA near where AS is located-- will have excellent hospitals.

Sick of this| 9.23.10 @ 4:56AM

Not with Obomacare they won't!!!!!!!!!! Othere countries are running away from this type of care while our bubble headed "president" embraces it.

27 year veteran| 9.22.10 @ 4:55PM

What hospital down the street? Obamacare will make sure that there are shortages of everything for everyone...ah, egalitarianism...true socialism at work. Can anyone say "Soviet Union". Take a hike. idiot.

Marylou| 9.22.10 @ 12:00AM

I suggest you ask the Mother who lost her Son In the Bombing of the U.S.S Cole. Oct12, 2000
I believe she found Obama Cold and Indifferent to her Pain and Sorrow.. Her Words,,
And if I'm not mistaken, he may have even refused to talk to her.
Myself, as the Mother of a Navy Son, I do not see this as a Caring Act from a President.

Autghor, The Obama Timeline| 10.2.10 @ 12:18PM

Bob Woodwards' book, Obama's Wars...

Obama “concluded from the start that ‘I have two years with the public on this’ and pressed advisers for ways to avoid a big escalation, the book says. ‘I want an exit strategy,’ he implored at one meeting. Privately, he told Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to push his alternative strategy opposing a big troop buildup in meetings, and while …Obama ultimately rejected it, he set a withdrawal timetable because, ‘I can’t lose the whole Democratic Party.’”

In other words, Obama’s Afghanistan war decisions were being made based on domestic politics rather than the safety of the troops and what is best for the defense of the American people. Obama clearly has no desire to win the war; he is merely toying with the generals and their operations until he can start withdrawing troops in July 2011—because he did not have the courage to do so in early 2009.

Obama considers the hundreds of U.S. troops who are injured or killed before he ultimately “declares victory” and gets out are expendable.

A man who considers the nation's soldiers expendable is unfit to hold the office of the presidency. Arguably, he is guilty of treason for placing politics ahead of the defense of the country and the safety of the troops.

Franklin/PhiGam| 9.20.10 @ 9:37PM

Mike has an eye for history and has spoken to the core values currently needed by this nation to re-establish an identity and character that is being rendered trivial. Those values need to be articulated by any and all candidates and others interested in honoring our heritage and our legacy. We need a society that garners enthusiasm for the future of our descendants.

Sick of this| 9.23.10 @ 4:58AM

Amen brother, Amen!

Lesser Weevil| 9.20.10 @ 9:38PM

Amen.

myron martin| 9.20.10 @ 10:30PM

Mike gives us an eloquent glimse of awe of the presidency. The current presidents's awe is for himself. Never before have we had a president whose self image dwarfs the office.

Dweller| 9.20.10 @ 10:38PM

Surely Mike Pence will be the next President. His demeanor, his wisdom, his command of the morals of this nation. All are much needed in these desperate times.

In a way, he reminds me of my Uncle Oliver. Salt and pepper hair and all. Benevolent at once, and wise and stern at the next moment.

Once when my cousin and I were playing tee ball outside of Uncle Oliver's house we knocked the ball through the bathroom window, chipping the porcelain of Aunt Christine's favorite figurine. We heard the crash, and then the footsteps of Uncle Oliver as he slowly walked down the stairs. We were rooted to our spots in fear. What would he do to us? Would we get the belt? Would he have us both grounded for a year?

Uncle Oliver came out of the house, and ambled down the walk, tossing the ball he'd found from hand to hand with purpose. We were prepared for the worst.

But instead, he tossed us the ball. He said, "I never liked that porcelain figure anyhow. Go on and play."

And later that night, we got the belt.

And that is Mike Pence. When the situation calls for a stern response, he first comes down with the wisdom. Then, later on with the necessary punishment. I look forward to 2012.

canuckistani| 9.21.10 @ 11:08AM

I hope he runs. His demeanor is professional and his quiet confidence is inspiring. I see him as one of the adults of the party.
Does anyone know if he has an active PAC?
I had a great uncle much like your Oliver.....scared the tar out of us, but looking back I cannot think of one incident where he was not 100% right. Now as a dad, I wish I had his stamina to deal with my future gentlemen!

Thanks.

Dan| 9.21.10 @ 3:05PM

Thanks canuckistani! I agree, I look up to this guy like a parent. It would be really nice to have an actual father figure in office. Someone who is wise, and cruel when necessary. The Obama supporters, as far as I know, are all kind of spoiled brats. They are the rich and the cultural elites.

I'm thinking of the gays as cultural elites specifically because of the Don't Ask Don't Tell fracas today. The elites have tried to ram this down our throats for so many years, and it feels like BHO and his kin have spoiled the elitist supporters into thinking they can pass things like this without a fight.

My Uncle Oliver had another son named Chris who went through a "gay" phase during high school. I'm not even joking, this guy was in deep. Earring, hair dye, drama club, volleyball team - all of that. We were all worried about him. My Aunt Christine even wanted to send him to a therapist to see if they could work out the issues.

Uncle Oliver was a lot more patient about the situation though. Every day he'd sit down with Chris and talk with him, sometimes reading the Bible, sometimes just staring at each other in the face for an hour. For two years they did this almost every day. There was a stern manner underneath every interaction they had. A threat that put Chris in his place. Without even having to say a word.

And that's what Pence is to me. Just this presence. This force who can make things happen without having to even say anything. That's what I'm looking for in a commander in chief.

Tim*| 9.20.10 @ 11:44PM

We ,Tea Party Rebels are looking for Tea Party Kingmaker Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina to run for The Presidency in 2012 .

Jim DeMint has time and again been the Point Man of Conservatism in The Senate .

Jim DeMint can take Mike Pence Man Up .

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .

Rise Up !

M.| 9.21.10 @ 12:59AM

I'm praying for you Tim. I know one King maker. He is not a politician he is the almighty creator. I like Mr. DeMint, but I can not fathom why anyone would use the term Man Up in a race for the preisdency and suggest one Conservative to fight another. I have to be honest. I don't know why you think Jim DeMint OWNS the conservative movement. I don't think it is a movement that can be owned by a Man. It's only dictates are Principles. It's only purpose it to right the Ship. Mr. Pence has faught deligently in the House for nearly a decade. He has stood up to his party, to his President, his soap box was his moral conviction, his steadfast belief in limited government, and fiscal responsibility. Kudo's to all those who have faught in the trenches, charge the hill's and raided the enemies forts. But to give credit for the War to any one General would be a diservice to the entire army that fought bravely, at polling sights, walking door to door, putting out yard signs, making phone calls, donating their resources of time and talents. These actions should continue in the months and years to come. But in the end it will not be a King maker that will rule the day, it will be the PEOPLE. We the People who will boldly vote for elelcted officials that have proven themselves to be worthy of the public trust. God Bless and keep you in His will in the months and years to come!
M.

Tim*| 9.21.10 @ 7:40AM

Well , " M" for Crank Lady Margie , I really don't give a rat's rump what your propaganda post thinks.

South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint and his Senate Conservatives Fund have endorsed and financially backed Tea Party Winners :
1. Joe Miller in Alaska

2. Ken Buck in Colorado

3. Sharon Angle in Nevada

4. Dino Rossi in Washington

5. Ron Johnson in Wisconsin

6. Mike Lee in Utah

7. Rand Paul in Kentucky

8. Marco Rubio in Florida

9. Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania

10. Christine O'Donnell in Delaware

Wanna make somethin' of it Crank Lady ?

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .

We Can See November From Our Houses

M.| 9.21.10 @ 7:50AM

I am still praying for you. Some of us don't need to keep a list of all the"good" we've done to know what we've done is good. God Bless Mr. DeMint for his efforts, God Bless the individuals who have stood behind him to accomplish musch greatness! Obedience to call of God is great, but surpluss belongs to HIM!!!
Praise God for goodness and mercy. Praise God for American's, and Praise God for election day!!!! :-)

M.| 9.21.10 @ 7:54AM

And Tim, for I assume is the name your mother gave you "Tim" I do not resort to name calling. My spirit is not in an ill place and it trouble me to think that you would think it is. Cranky people don't pray for others, cause they are usually to burdoned with their own woes. I just want to set the record straight. I am a happy christian woman, who is dilegent to pray for others! Tim you are on my prayer list. I know God will grant you perspective - that is not yours, but His!

God Bless you Tim!!!!
M.

Tim*| 9.21.10 @ 8:09AM

OK .

Then , we could agree that The Big G-Man will bless Senator Jim DeMint and all his Happy Warrior Tea Party Rebels .

Thank you for sharing Crank Lady Margie .

Mark James| 9.21.10 @ 2:30PM

Lover your fiery enthusiasm but worshipping on guy over others will assure us of the same failure as the Dems. The race needs to stay open until the convention.

Tim*| 9.21.10 @ 3:08PM

Didn'y Ya Get The Memo , Sport ?
This is America & We Tea Party Rebels support whomever we damned well please .
And stick your " worshipping "comment . We Tea Party Rebels pick representatives in The Federal Government ,who we entrust carry out our view on the issues .
These guys work for us and we don't worship our hired help .

canuckistani| 9.21.10 @ 11:11AM

I don't see the list of who has won a general here....oh yeah, they haven't.
When Demint is batting a 1000 after the general, he'll tweak my interest. Until, then he is the curious man behind the curtain waiting for toto to pull his pants down.

Tim*| 9.21.10 @ 12:11PM

Speakin' of " pants down " Pretend Canuck , we hear ya might get outta prison ?

canuckistani| 9.21.10 @ 1:48PM

When Demint's good housekeeping seal of approval wins an election that counts, we can debate his contributions - and be careful what you wish for as he surrounds himself with one-term clowns.
No prison for me Tim*, but my cop friend says the NAMBLA raid is coming to your neighborhood.

Tim*| 9.21.10 @ 3:57PM

The name's spelled DeMint and We don't need ya Faux Canuck .

Canuck knows all about NAMBLA . He was their Prison Chapter President .

tcpatriot| 9.25.10 @ 11:20PM

Dial it back a bit, Tim. You're only making the tea party look bad. I too respect Mr DeMint. I have a feeling he would not like your attitude or combativeness.

JFGalt| 9.21.10 @ 8:27AM

It's sad that you missed the point here. "Kingmaker" - great expression huh? It's not about conservatism-liberalism-republicans-democrats or even Tea Partiers. It's going to be about a ruling class that has their own agenda for enriching themselves. Jim DeMint won't cut it - he may be a good speaker of the house but not president. Will Mike Pence be the one? From his words here, he understands what the Tea Party is looking for from a president. He carries the intellect that Sarah Palin does not. We haven't had a president that has understood his office in a long time. Who are they to dump their vision on us. Let them keep their visions to themselves and just sit in that office and keep govt off our backs for once. I'm getting tired of carrying the load for imbecils, incompetents, and opportunists.

Tim*| 9.21.10 @ 8:59AM

Apparently, GaltBoy here , doesn't know crap about Our Tea Party Kingmaker Jim DeMint .

Why he can win: If Republicans want to nominate a southern conservative, there's no candidate more prepared to fill that role.

He's taken some truly heroic stands on pork-laden bills, questionable nominees, and controversial legislation.

He'll be immune from any conservative attacks, since you can't out-conservative Jim DeMint. And that's important in a Republican primary.

His home state (South Carolina) plays a crucial role in the primaries; however, if DeMint does run, others might abandon the state; thereby, diminishing the significance of a SC win.

DeMint has the rhetoric of Genghis Khan, but the demeanor of your Mother. It's hard to imagine how that might play in a national election, but if Obama moves too far to the left in the coming years, DeMint's brand of right-wing philosophy might catch on.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .

Rise Up !

Tim*| 9.21.10 @ 9:06AM

Uninformed Galt opines , "Jim DeMint won't cut it - he may be a good speaker of the house but not president. "

Ya might wanna do your Homework Galt , before ya run your mouth .

Jim DeMint is a United States Senator , Not a House Member .

canuckistani| 9.21.10 @ 11:18AM

Take your own advice.

Tim*| 9.21.10 @ 12:07PM

My advice is to not take The Pretend Canuck's advice .

Martin Treptow| 9.21.10 @ 3:39PM

Hey guys, take your little slap-fest somewhere else. Your comments hear demean you when juxtaposed with the transcript of Rep. Pence's speech.

BTW, Tim*, the GOP will probably look to the Midwest for its' standard-bearer in 2012. It makes sense, strategery-wise. Or perhaps they may look to Alaska (wink, wink). A Southern Senator doesn't have much of a chance given the anti-Washington mood of the country. However, I like him and think he would make a good V.P.

Cheers!

Tim*| 9.21.10 @ 5:44PM

Hey Trucktow ,
We ,Tea Party Rebels may consider Your Boy Mike Pence for VP , or perhaps We may look to Alaska (wink, wink).

Trucktow opines , "A Southern Senator doesn't have much of a chance given the anti-Washington mood of the country."
But TruckTow thinks His Six Term Yankee Congressman is less effected by the anti-Washington mood .
That's Pence Boy Propaganda aimed in opposition to Conservative Jim DeMint .

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .

Jim DeMint In 2012 .

tcpatriot| 9.25.10 @ 11:24PM

Tim, I really must repeat, dial it down, dude.

TR| 9.21.10 @ 12:50AM

Wow. I am impressed. I know little of Mike Pence, but I will pay much closer attention. What a great speech.

Yosemeti Sam| 9.21.10 @ 1:45AM

Significantly, Congressman Pence illustrates comprehensively, allegorically, that the Resident now in the Peoples' White House is an - unlearned man to the precepts of adaptational American course-correction Democracy on the historical fly.

Patience, patience, my fellow Americans - 11.02.10 is a stones throw away.

Jay| 9.21.10 @ 2:18AM

Ever since I heard his speeches during the healthcare debates, I knew I liked this guy. Some parts of his speech were a little scattered, and there were a couple of mixed metaphors. But, my goodness, those last six paragraphs! We've got some very visible leaders in the pre-primary race, and at least one of them would probably make a fair President (Sarah Palin). I would like to see Mr. Pence, Mr. DeMint, and perhaps a few others given more airtime so that we can see whether or not one of them might be an even better candidate. We do NOT need another 2008.

Fredrick Ward| 9.21.10 @ 3:20AM

It was an awesome, awe inspiring, speech and shines a very lime light on how far we have fallen in this country. We have a lot of work to do to get back to our founding.

Amy| 9.21.10 @ 3:28AM

Why didn’t Mike Pence run for the US Senate this year? What a waste. He should run statewide – perhaps for governor? Not for president.

Kristi| 9.21.10 @ 7:44AM

Rumor here in Indiana is Mike Pence will be the next Governor in 2012.... when Mitch Daniels' term is up.

mcc| 9.21.10 @ 4:14AM

Oh, my. I first took notice of Mike Pence a few years ago. Lately, Jim DeMint has grabbed my attention.
But he will now have a long way to go to meet this extraordinary and wonderful speech.
I confess I began to fall apart with this: "And who better than the president to restore this wholesome devotion?"
If it's not Mike Pence, then let it be a man of like heart and mind.

Majito| 9.21.10 @ 5:17AM

the republic is safe...we still have inspiring political figures that will right the current course. And I for one don't think we got off course with the current administration but rather we found out how far off we were. There have been many hands from both parties in the process. We need strong individuals to occupy the halls of power. By strong I mean moral, ethical and clear headed. One thing is for certain...during crisis one finds the best among us...once we clean out the buildings in dc from the current corrupt players, we need to begin looking at getting a fair trade rather than 'free' and bring back manufacturing to the US. While at it, stop and totally revise the H1B program that has destroyed the IT industry for US citizens replacing them with import south central asians whose sole desire is to bleed the system. They don't act like us, dress like us and want to implement their dreadful lifestyle among us...kids in school despise their stench...i mean how crazy is that? 30 million without jobs but we want to import labor just so gates, ellison, perot, buffet can increase their fortunes?

Melvin| 9.21.10 @ 8:38AM

The answer to your last question is, Yep. We're commodities now. Just like the citizens of China, Thailand, Pakistan, and every other country that allows Corporations to come in, pay it's employees a mere pittance.
Even people who post here on American Spectator expect some great messianic politician to come and make all the manufacturing jobs reappear at the stroke of a pen.
I don't want to be the proverbial pessimist here, but reality is reality. Whether or not a manufacturing company is bought, sold, or moved overseas it just doesn't close it's doors and say, 再見 (Traditional Chinese for goodbye) it takes everything, tools, dies, machinery, everything with it.
This is why the Chinese economy is so explosive American manufacturing basically gave them our raw machinery for manufacturing. The Chinese copied it and exploited it.
Furthermore Chinese are not paid sick leave, no vacation, no medical, no maternity leave, no 401k, no pension, no nothing, zip, nada, zero, 零.
This is a win win situation for American Companies and the Chinese. American Companies can again make profits because profits to the Chinese government are not considered dirty like it is here. The Chinese win by becoming the largest exporter of goods in the world which allows their military to grow exponentially.
Evidence of this is, the current spat over China and Japan over some islands, in which the Chinese claim sovereignty.
The Japanese haven't figured out yet that China considers the entire region of Asia as being under Chinese sovereignty.
I know I have kind of wandered here but I wanted to paint a picture unless some really, really drastic changes take place in regards to the governments attitude towards American Companies and the attitude of American Companies wanting slave like labor, manufacturing will continue to nothing.
Flourishing speeches will not do a damn thing to get this Country back on it's economic feet.
There was a time that I to was inspired by speeches by good or future leaders, but speeches don't put Americans back to work, Concrete changes in governmental and private sector policy put Americans back to work as well as an educated work force in which we don't have, manufacturing wise.

Jim O'Brien| 9.21.10 @ 8:53AM

The Tea Party supports the Constitution. That's why Obama views the Tea Party as a threat to his administration.

1389AD| 9.21.10 @ 10:00AM

Exactly!

The RINO Republicans who reach across the aisle to collaborate with the Democrats in making further inroads on the Constitution also fear the Tea Party, because it is a threat to their power and influence as well.

Laine| 9.21.10 @ 9:00AM

Finally a Republican and a statesman who understands what Republic means and therefore that the President is meant to serve, not rule. May his words be heard well and heeded, first within the Republican Party that has lost its way, then to a nation struggling to be reborn. The incumbent President for the first time has no understanding of nor love for country. This is a terrible state of affairs that must be rectified as soon as possible starting with punishing a Democrat Congress for its hubris and shameless partisanism overriding the declared wishes of the People on health care and elsewhere.

Miimi| 9.21.10 @ 9:18AM

Thank-you American Spectator for bringing us this SPEECH of Mike Pence front and center. I got a little teary eyed reading it. What ..profound TRUTH it displayed. This has got to be a must read for all office holders and those seeking any office. I always admired Mike Pence as a great conservative congressman and always on our side. His thoughts and words on the PRESIDENCY....Put him high on that list of many that we are supposed to wait until after Nov.2 to talk about.... and HILLSDALE was the right place. TAS...thanks again.

Peter Warner| 9.21.10 @ 9:30AM

Amen, Mr. Pence. Excellent speech. I would have liked to have heard it in person.

This, folks, is probity. And may G-d Bless America.

Best regards, Peter Warner.

David Shoup| 9.21.10 @ 9:39AM

Thurgood Marshall was a pinhead lightweight statist, who spent his sunset years on the bench watching soap operas while on the job, when he should have found better things to do. His damage had already been done, so he was more benign watching television than he was "working".

Marion| 9.21.10 @ 9:40AM

I pray for our country constantly, and my prayer this morning as the Apostle Paul admonished Christians to return to their first love Jesus the word of God, I prayed that this nation we return to its first love the Constitution. Thank you Representative Pence for this encouraging speech. I will continue in my prayers for our great nation the United States of America.

Redstateboy| 9.21.10 @ 9:45AM

One thing that I think should be clear to anyone save the most fawning Obama syncophant.. Barack Hussien Obama is the most incompetent, small man who has ever occupied the Presidency.

David Shoup| 9.21.10 @ 10:38AM

:-)

canuckistani| 9.21.10 @ 11:20AM

Oh, my bad, I thought you meant Junior.....

Nunya| 9.21.10 @ 2:31PM

No, he meant the current Idiot-in-Chief, Obozo.

While I was no fan of W, the man had greater intellect than the current occupant of the White House, and that's not saying much.

While W may have been incompetent in many areas and he certainly was no Conservative, he wasn't activley trying to subvert the Constitution like Obozo.

B| 9.22.10 @ 1:16AM

Really?

Warrantless wiretapping of American citizens, two wars with no declaration from congress, secret offshore prisons, torture, denying the writ of habeus corpus

But W wasn't actively trying to subvert the constitution. Really? Was he just doing it by accident then? Did it just come naturally?

Constant Conservative| 9.21.10 @ 10:36AM

Well said, sir. Thank you for putting in simple terms what too many of us have forgotten or simply overlooked in these difficult times.

Anthony| 9.21.10 @ 11:31AM

Eloquent, intelligent and moving. This man has what it takes to move this country forward. Thanks Mike.
P.S. So Mike, you were a FIJI eh? In my day, the FIJI's were the, well, lets just say I'd have taken you for a Beta.
I look forward to contributing to your future presidential run. Anthony. Hanover 73

Nunya| 9.21.10 @ 12:13PM

Outstanding speech, Congressman. You have defined what being a President means, and you did so eloquently.

Simply outstanding.

Len| 9.21.10 @ 1:29PM

" Other than in a crisis of morality, decency, and existence, such as the Civil War, if he should want to hurry along the Constitution to fit his own notions or designs, he should do so by amendment rather than adjustment, for if he joins the powers of his office to his own willful interpretation, he steps away from a government of laws and toward a government of men."

Yes or no, the president is constrained (chained down) by the US constitution and must act no further than the powers granted?

If the US constitution did not meet the times, them it needed to be changed. If the President or the congress, or the Supreme court can define the extent of their authority then no longer is the constitution the instrument by which the government operates, but the decisions of men who hold office and may use that office to further their powers.

"he should do so by amendment rather than adjustment, for if he joins the powers of his office to his own willful interpretation, he steps away from a government of laws and toward a government of men."

It is false to say the latter in quotes if the former is also true, for then the President (or any branch) may then say this time is the time we need to step outside the limits placed upon us. Said another way, we needed to bail out these companies or the economy would have collapsed. Another way, is that we needed to strike first to prevent an attack.

Either the US constitution (if you want to act like it is in effect) is inviolable, or you have a government of men ruling over the people, and not agents of the people/states serving the people/states as directed.

Turnditch| 9.21.10 @ 1:39PM

Bravo Congressman Pence!

This entire speech should be printed in every newspaper in America and linked from every major news media website.

I'll be paying a lot closer attention to this man in the future.

Oldefarte| 9.21.10 @ 2:00PM

Political speeches are inspirational and enlightening, but in my lifetime, there have been many of same, both liberal and conservative inspired. What IMO this country needs most presently is a president who resembles an effective CEO of a major corporation [ie a Jack Welsh type] who has the knowledge and guts to tell his subordinates face-to-face [or via telephone] that [1] he wants his cost cutting/expense reducing measures implemented and [2] he will hold each and every one of them responsible for carrying out his orders. Forget WORDS, its ACTIONS that will always count!!!!!!!!!!

Margie| 9.21.10 @ 2:14PM

The above posts were not by me.

dw| 9.21.10 @ 4:20PM

That speech, with all its basic American truths, might as well be a foriegn language to the dense liberal who is obsessed with their enslavement to a foriegn born ideology.

Bankroller| 9.21.10 @ 5:15PM

Hey Mike, you said:

"The presidency, a great and complex subject upon which I have only touched, has become symbolic of overreaching. There are many truths that we have been frightened to tell or face. If we run from them, they will catch us with our backs turned and pull us down. Better that we should not flee but rather stop and look them in the eye."

When are you going to stop fleeing and look these truths regarding Dinglebarry Soetoro in the eye?

aware| 9.21.10 @ 5:16PM

All well and good but what, specifically, does Pence propose to DO about it? Same with the others who seek political office. I do not mean to start any fights, and speeches about what the president OUGHT to be are fine as far as they go.

This sounds too business as usual(vote for us cause we ain't them!) and we are facing something very far from usual. I speak only for myself, but him being a lawyer is already one BIG strike against him. Damn ALL lawyers that hold or want to hold office anywhere above dogcatcher!

Second strike, he's BEEN there, which makes him, not R or D, but I for Incumbent. Damn all incumbents too! If you're a person of integrity why would you be a part of this crime?

I hold judgment on whether he gets my consideration but I will pay close attention. The usual suspects can go to hell like Newt, Romney, Huckabee, McCain, Daniels, "America's Mayor", and the rest of the insiders who have big speeches and more than a little of the blame for the sorry condition we find ourselves.

This is NOT a time like any other time in this nation and we need RADICAL pushers to shove this mess back where it came from ruthlessly. I will not accept anyone who "holds the line" or pulls us a little to the right while we wait for the next BIG shove to the left.

Of course, it goes without saying, that 99%(Hillary being the exception) of what ever does run would be a big improvement on the current director of the criminal gang that dumbasses call "government". But that don't mean I will pick one of them.(Something like the dear leader event yesterday always pisses me off so pardon the tone)

vatvince37| 9.21.10 @ 7:26PM

Please allow me two points that are, I would hope, important enough to stimulate some form of rational discussion:
1. Re: Pence.
As one who sees the dismemberment of the establishment, and non-conservative, GOP and its replacement by those who espouse the Tea Party's philosophy with great pleasure, I should remind you that, not that long ago, Rep. Pence was doing President Bush's bidding by introducing his bill that would have, in effect, amnestied the illegal aliens in this country. (There is a letter on file at AmSpec describing Pence's proposals.) In this, he was no different from Senators McCain and Graham. Before jumping on the Pence bandwagon, therefore, I urge this readership to probe into Signor Pence's current thinking on amnesty for the millions of illegal aliens who now roam free in this country. Our organization - the American Council for Immigration Reform, along with other like-minded groups, believe that no candidate of the GOP should be allowed to run unless they believe in securing our southern border and bringing about the orderly withdrawal of the millions of illegal aliens in this land.
2. Civility.
I have submitted letters to this website for at least a decade, but the current crop of responses in just about any thread now is replete with vulgarisms and demonstrate bad manners. I would only ask that, before you send anything for posting, you ask if your daughter, wife, or mother would have approved what you wrote? The same rule would apply to female submissions, with the appropriate changes made, of course. It will work wonders.

C Bowen| 9.21.10 @ 7:48PM

This guy is pro-Amnesty--why are we talking about him, save the Ruling Party is calling in a few chips?

BFD| 9.21.10 @ 8:45PM

That was one of the finest speeches from a modern legislator I have ever read.

Annuit Coeptis

D Bray| 9.21.10 @ 9:09PM

Having just visited the graves of two of my patriot ancestors over Labor Day weekend, the last line of this speech especially resonated with me. What an encouragement and a challenge. God Speed!

Larry | 9.21.10 @ 11:18PM

Wow...the inane blather you morons bleat day after day is truly staggering. You people are so full of crap I can smell you through the friggin' computer.

Jmulcahy| 9.22.10 @ 9:53AM

Dear Larry,

Nah, that is your upper lip you smell.

ABNCP| 9.22.10 @ 1:34AM

Canuckastani, do we define you as Canuck or kastani? You have mentioned you spent some time in Canada and seem to have been infected with that European socialist sickness so prevlent in much of our northern neighbors. BTW, that time you spent in Canada, was that during the Vietnam War? I mean just asking.

RCV| 9.22.10 @ 1:45PM

Yes, the same folks now boosting Mike Pence for President once loudly mocked Democrats for admiring Obama because he made great speeches.

JR Cash| 9.22.10 @ 3:22PM

@RCV:
Put the transcript of ANY Obama speech up against this one from a lowly, non-Messianic legislator. Honestly, it's not even close.

People lauded Obama as a great orator because frankly, we've all forgotten what great oratory is. What it ISN'T is the hollow, empty, over-the-top blather Barack is so fond of spouting.

Whatever your political bent, this was an engaging little speech by Pence. And yet with all the Greek columns and poise, Barack is boring. That's the difference.

RCV| 9.22.10 @ 3:48PM

I do not disagree that the Pence speech is fine oratory. It is indeed engaging. I don't share your boredom reaction with Obama's major speeches. But, that's why we have 40 brands of toothpaste.

Rupe| 9.22.10 @ 9:50PM

Obama Toothpaste -- It promises to work but does nothing. 90% air by content.
Marylou -- I honestly don't think Obama can relate to military families. His indoctrination must kick in before he has time for feelings.

Rupe| 9.22.10 @ 9:52PM

BFD| 9.23.10 @ 2:19PM

My point regarding the text of Mr. Pence's speech was this. I found it to be an excellent exposition of the office relative to the constitution. Having just read the book The Founders and The Classics, I was taken back in that its substance was not the normal hollow political rhetoric of late.
Contra Principia Negantem Non Est Disputandum

Neal Price| 11.19.10 @ 9:36PM

I listened to this speech on my drive home and found myself hanging on every word, it embodies the very spirit of the American Patriot in our modern time. It is a clear and consise message to our adminsitration and it's leader that the American citizen has been taken advantage of for too long, that the passion of the founding fathers to be a free and self ruling still runs deep in every American. Mr Pence, your words are an inspiration to us all, please serve us well and help your colleagues in Washington DC see the light.

Larry| 12.4.10 @ 3:20PM

Let me start by saying I am NOT the other "Larry" who talked about "inane blather." I would have assumed he'd be talking about Alan Brooks, but I guess he wasn't.

Pence's speech is an excellent statement of first principles for any GOP candidate for the presidency in 2012. It is necessary to articulate the classic differences between the governing liberals of today (who seek merely to carry the Great Society to its logical, ultimate conclusion: the massive, bureaucratic/technocratic welfare state), and conservatives (who, rightly understood, believe in a principle of subsidiarity that says that all levels of government rightly have a proper role that is limited to the things they can best accomplish at only their particular level, and that otherwise, the people are best left to their own devices to handle their own affairs).

The tyranny of modern life is plagued with charlatans and want-to-bes who continuously insist that you, the average American, do not know what is best for him and needs an "expert" or "regulation" to make his life easier for him. Barack Obama is the prime example of this mode of thinking - and I just read a piece in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram this morning in which it is said that the federal government is now going to regulate "school bake sales," because some "health advocates" claim that it will spills "wholesome meals."

We are at an end to this tyranny, and it must be thrown off, quickly. I will be interested to see how Mike Pence translates this return to first principles (and no Alan Brooks, it is not "boilerplate" - but even boilerplate has a purpose in contracts and if you don't understand what that means, then I would suggest you not vote at all in 2012 and save the rest of us the trouble of canceling your vote) into a program of GOVERNANCE, not "rule."