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DES MOINES, Iowa -- Rep. Mike Pence’s (R-IN) speech Saturday at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Tenth Annual Friends of the Family Award Banquet Saturday, sounded a lot like his speech from the Values Voter Summit a few weeks ago. There was lots of talk about continuing to support our troops and standing by Israel and very little talk about the Pledge to America. The difference between the Values Voter Summit and now, was when he gave that other speech, the Pledge hadn’t been unveiled yet.
Pence definitely talked about key issues in the pledge. He declared his commitment to repealing the new health care law when he said, “For the sake of freedom we must not rest until we repeal their government takeover of health care lock, stock, and barrel.”
He also spoke of what he sees as the irresponsibility of adjourning in the House of Representatives before dealing with the issue of the expiring Bush tax cuts. “Madam Speaker, higher taxes won’t get people hired,” Pence said as if speaking to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). “Congress must immediately act to make sure no American sees a tax increase.”
These topics were to be expected. But Pence, who many see as having 2012 White House ambitions, also joked at the beginning of his speech about no one coming “to Iowa by accident.” He followed the joke with a full-throated backing of “traditional moral values,” a topic only barely mentioned in the Republican "Pledge to America" and perhaps his way of distinguishing himself from the already crowded presumptive GOP 2012 field.
He pointed fingers at some of his fellow Republicans when he said that some think they should stay away from social
issues and then repeated his line from the Values Voter speech: “A political party that would govern this great nation must be able to handle more than one issue at a time…We must work to create jobs and protect innocent human life.”
The audience got to their feet when he proclaimed, “Let’s deny any and all funding to Planned Parenthood of America," (which he also said at Values Voter.) And he took a stand on who should be leading his party: “Those who would lead the Republican Party stand for life and traditional marriage and religious liberty without apology."
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So, Mr. Pence, is that life for all, traditional marriage (lets stop the divorce marry-go-round, including supporting Newt and Rudy) and religious liberty for all or just his own folks? Sorry fella, that one way street you are walking down does not ring true with most Americans and that you can't push that traditional marriage thing when so many of your party live in US law legal adultry.
As a (mostly) republican voter, I honestly wish the party whose fiscal theory more closely resembles mine would please lay off the social issues. They tend to straighten themselves out with the ebbs and flows of societal norms. Lets focus on the financial house and give people something to rally around.
Bear in mind who the audience is.
"Let's deny any and all funding to Planned Parenthood of America,"
Cause unwed teen mothers can always support themselves on Dancing with the Stars. Its so entertaining for the rest of us to imagine how well their kid is doing left with the the nanny the grandmother hired.
I wonder how many people have actually bothered to read The Cider House Rules. You'd think the modern classics of a wholly American author would be of interest to those who profess to love this country to the extent that someone like Mike Pence does.
What fantasy world are social conservatives living in? Do they really think that the brand of moral tyranny they profess has any place in America?
Is now the time for a new Christian Soldier Party? Sounds like he is rallying the troops to war.
“When Johnny comes marching home”
Now that was tooooo funny!!!
What makes him thinks he knows best when it comes to values. The arrogance. Oh yeah, I want government out of my life unless of course they are getting in other folks business to protect the so-called values of Republicans, who have no problem telling others how to live their lives. Hypocrites!!!!
What further proof does one need that these crazy Christian nut jobs are against government... unless of course allowing the government to interfere & intrude into your body & bedroom is then it's TOTALLY acceptable!
The double standards being preached by the righties is reprehensible & repulsive!
Planned Parenthood has been a godsend to many woman who have no where else to turn!
I actually find this funny because of PP's roots in the Eugenics movement. It wasn't created to help the poor and down trodden, it was created to eliminate them. History has a funny way of blurring the edges...
You mean like the Republican party... real funny stuff indeed!
That's all you've got Feisty? I was really hoping for a better retort than "naner naner boo boo" from you!
Interesting that there was little talk about the Pledge to America, don't you think?
It either STINKS so bad no one wants to talk about it or everyone agrees with what was in it. I find it fascinating that these groups are so willing to sell the American electorate out for a Coke and a smile.
So does this mean that these groups are going to go after people who are not able to DEFEND themselves - again?
Sounds Familiar?
I have always said that you CANNOT legislate behaviour. it FAILS every time. Yet, we see a group here with Rep. Pence that is willing to do just that. Why is that? There are MILLIONS of other issues that we can be debating - why this one? Why dredge up this issue again and again and again?
This should prove to be interesting.
Repealing the healthcare bill has NOTHING to do with freedom, and GOP'ers are not the only folks who believe in values... the rest of us just have DIFFERENT values.
Now we know for certain why Mike Pence did not run to replace Evan Bayh in the Senate. I think republicans read those anti-Pledge for America comments made by conservatives so they are spinning away from it whenever possible. Instead, they are back to the social and cultural wars because that fires up their evangelical base. Mike Pence, Huckabee, Palin, Pawlenty, DeMint--they are all welcome to explain how any social issue affects the economy, creates jobs, or has a thing to do with climate change, renewable energy or manufacturing. But they cannot because social issues have nothing to do with economic well being because those issues are personal views based on private beliefs--they do not impact anyone except the person who holds the view.
How and when exactly did the government take over health care? No tax hikes for the wealthy is what Pence meant to say because that's who the Bush tax cuts were directed at. If I were a member of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition's I believe I would keep it under my hat.
He is one of the more annoying "talking points" promoters. Doesn't matter the question, he turns it around to spout off the same talking points. He has no facts to back up the policies hes pushing, and in fact, they would be a disaster for our country. The thing that really sickens me is Pence and all the Republicans like him are more concerned about gaining power back than whats best for our country. As for the moral issues...I think my last point shows his hypocrisy on those.
"values voters'? Maybe Pence can 'swing' a 3-way with momma moose and Christine O'Donnell.
Sheeesh.
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. More like, Jesus loves me more than you, for the Pledge tells me so. We tolerate politicians going to African American churches, because that's the easiest way to reach that voting block. But on the whole, the politicians there aren't pushing a religious agenda. We learn very little from history. The Germans have been decimated by many wars, but they at least learned from the 30 Years War that a war about religion becomes a war about power. A blogger above noted that we should consider the audience - that's what concerns me. Pence by himself is a harmless demagogue. But his audience is more of a terrorist threat.
The republicans will never do anything about abortion except provide lip service to those that want to hear it. they had 8 years under Reagan 4 under Bush, 8 under G. Bush and never did anything. That is one thing the tea party and religious right are finally realizing that republicans talk the talk won't take the walk. Roe vs Wade was well over 35 years ago, the american people want abortion or it would have changed. As a nation we are more concerned about our beer. Prohibition lasted about 5 years. I'm Catholic and I have to say it is time the Catholic church put up or shut up. Where is the Catholic orphanage in your town, I will predict there is none. I bet there are some real good Catholic hospitals though. Why don't they offer free prenatal care, and delivery services to young women who are pregnant if they agree to give the baby up for adoption. I know three couples who had to leave the country (Russia and Guatemala) to adopt and had to spend 80 to 100 thousand dollars. It is just not profitable to actually be pro life, but it sounds good, year after year, about 35 years now.
I hope his audience was smarter than him, dump politicians like him are why were in the situation we are...as for his repeal of health care, remind him hes the party of no........the bs who never came up with any plans on anything......Did he tell you the party of no wants to do away with mecicare and ss....bet u he dindnt...dont be gullable vote for the american people not the bs of washington.
Mike Piss what a Dbag.