MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy

Congressman Mike Pence blogger conference call

• Posted by Beth on November 14th, 2006 filed in Blogs, General, Politics    

Audio will be added later, probably early evening. Listen to the audio HERE.

These are just NOTES I took while holding the phone to my ear (can’t find my headset, argh!), so please excuse the format.

Pence’s opening words

• Delighted to be among friends, humble thanks to those supporting him
• Not running because he thinks Boehner isn’t to be commended for the job he’s done; he’s a good, solid conservative leader who did job well as majority leader, has only good things to say about him
• Running not because he thinks he’s better; but because he “just might be the best for the job”
• Wants to restore confidence in the party: bring new faces to the leadership
• Minority Leader’s role is credibly communicating principles to the people
• 110th Congress:
  1 - Minority Leader needs to lead a team of leaders to challenge Pelosi/Dems; vigorously opposing their big govt, social agenda
  2 - Willingness to stand w/Bush when he’s right, challenge him if/when Bush strays from conservative principles
  3- Represent views of conservative conference to President, not the reverse

QUESTIONS

(Missed name): Already 3 new spending proposals in the last week: Does the GOP “get it?”
–GOP members working through a process similar to grief (haha), it’s a very dynamic environment; very vigorous, but cordial debate ongoing about the future and goals of the party

John Hawkins: What will you do about illegal immigration?
–NO to McCain Kennedy, tancredo/king endorsed b/c he is opposed to allowing illegals amnesty and he supported sensenbrenner bill
–Need to use everything we have in our arsenal to oppose “amnesty”
–Stands by compromise he sponsored w/Hutchison: border security, employer enforcement before guest-worker program, but it’s off the table anyway now with the Dems in the majority
–Kyl may filibuster McCain/Kennedy Senate bill

FlashReport: Do members understand they lost due to overspending?
–Almost every member accepts that departure from fiscal discipline played a role in the losses
–No member is blameless, except maybe Flake (haha); we all bear some blame for walking away from fiscal discipline
–I have unique credibility in being able to communicate need for strong fiscal discipline

(Dean Barnett?): Do you have an internal count about the race?
–Yes, but I’m not telling; we are encouraged
Have you approached news editorial boards for endorsement?
–This race is more like running for senior class president, talking to “cliques,” individual members. “I won senior class president, by the way.”

Extreme Mortman: Thoughts on Pelosi backing Murtha?
–I’m not “endorsing” anyone in their race
–Sees himself as characterized by “cheerful pugilism that expects a target-rich environment”
–Democrats will provide an “embarrassment of riches” for punditry to target

(Missed name): How will you work to change the culture of congress while in the minority?
–Can’t make the House rules while in minority
–Will always oppose sneaking earmarks into bills, will push for greater transparency/accountability/challengability
–Must press for substantive changes

Pence: Thanks to all, support is very much appreciated.