U.S. Rep. Mike Pence will become Indiana's highest ranking member of Congress when he ascends to the Republican Conference Chairman position in his caucus, the number three spot in the House Republican leadership chain. Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), the man Pence challenged for the top leadership post last year, will continue on in his role as House Minority Leader. On fiscal matters and government reform, Pence probably has the right ideas for getting the Republican Party back on track and is an effective spokesman on those issues. His primary downside has been his fixation on social issues like gay marriage and abortion.
Having Pence in leadership will probably be a net plus for Indiana regardless of whether you are a Republican or Democrat. It's been awhile since Indiana has had a member of its congressional delegation in a leadership position. If I'm not mistaken, former U.S. Rep. John Brademas (D), who served as the House Majority Whip until he was upset in the 1980 Reagan landslide election by John Hiler, is the last Indiana member to hold a leadership post. Sen. Richard Lugar, Indiana's longest serving member in Congress, has unsuccessfully sought a leadership position within his Republican caucus on several occasions.
2 comments:
Don't forget Rensselaer's own Charlie Halleck, who served as House Majority Leader when the GOP controlled Congress from 1947-49 and again from 1953-55. From 1959 to 1965, he was Minority Leader until Gerald Ford defeated him after the LBJ landslide in 1964.
I hope Pence continues to speak out about the "Fairness" threats that are sure to come after Obama pushes his agenda in the FCC. God forbid that our nation expects any non-"news" broadcaster to live or die based on audience support.
Obama has already demonstrated how he will deal with honest questions.
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