Posted on 01/26/2010 9:11:13 AM PST by Cheap_Hessian
Despite a late recruitment push from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) announced he won't be challenging Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) this year, and will instead seek re-election to the House.
Republicans have grown increasingly bullish on their chances at winning Bayh's Indiana Senate seat in light of the worsening political environment for Democrats, but don't have a strong candidate willing to take him on — at least not yet.
Pence led Bayh in a Rasmussen poll released yesterday, and Bayh polled under 50 percent against two other possible Republican challengers.
Here's Pence's letter:
Open Letter to Friends and Supporters
As many of you are aware, I have been approached about running for the United States Senate in 2010. Karen and I have been humbled by the outpouring of support and encouragement which we received from across Indiana, especially since there are several capable and qualified candidates already seeking the Republican nomination.
After much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to remain in the House and to seek reelection to the 6th Congressional District in 2010.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Thinking White House...
Hostettler will have to do.
He’s holding out to be House Speaker.
“Hostettler will have to do.”
He has a good chance. I signed his petition the other day.
House Speaker....would have more influence.
Could do worse.
Yesterday, I said Pence was not ready to be president (not that he woouldn’t be a huge improvement on Zer0). This action proves it. Who else do Indy Republicans have as probable challengers?
Rep. John Hostettler
There are 4 currently running:
1) Hostettler
2) Stutzman
3) Bates
4) Behney
There are 4 currently running:
1) Hostettler
2) Stutzman
3) Bates
4) Behney
Disappointment.
Pence would have made a great Senator, but given his position in the House Republican leadership and the chances of winning back control of that body, it’s hard to fault his reasoning that he can make a greater difference where he is. Also, it’s not out of the question that he could be a Presidential contender in 2012, and it would be bad form to start running for that office immediately after winning a Senate seat.
Mitch Daniels is the Republican with the most statewide name recognition. I won’t call him a RINO - that term is overused - but he is not as reliably conservative as Pence. My father-in-law still hasn’t forgiven him for imposing Daylight Savings Time.
I for one am happy for DST. About time the rest of Indiana got on the DST bandwagon.
Which are genuinely conservative? Which are the best known? Which have the best chance of retiring the Bayh dynasty?
Pence is a grassroots kind of guy.
Not one of those pontificating self-absorbed blowhards that infest the Senate.
Besides, with Obama, the old adage that Senators don’t make good Presidents is being reinforced daily..
I like Mike...to be anywhere in DC ;^)
Oh I think he could have. Given the year this is, the outrage over the legislation Bayh voted for and that without a campaign he already beat Bayh in a poll.
However, he has more influence in the House. There is a better chance of re-taking the majority there. Even if he were to run, be elected and Republicans took over the Senate he’d be nothing more then a freshman Senator. It just doesn’t make sense for him to move from the House to the Senate except to add to the GOP’s numbers there.
Pffft....sun comes up, sun goes down. I work in between.
Pain in the butt to change the clocks. grrrr.
We spend and lot of time in Indiana in the summer. In some counties that previously switched to central time in the summer, it doesn’t get dark now until after 10pm on Eastern DST. That’s a problem when you have kids with bedtimes.
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