Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Mike Pence's Hillsdale College Speech on the Presidency (Must Read)
American Spectator ^ | 9/20/10 | Mike Pence

Posted on 09/21/2010 10:42:37 AM PDT by pissant

(snip)

It is therefore a high honor for me to stand before you in this place so closely associated with the founding of the Republican Party in opposition to the unforgivable sin of slavery; this place where statesmanship is taught as an art, and where right conduct is seen as its own reward. I thank you, and may God bless you for your bravery and courage.

I rise to pay a debt of honor and a debt to history. My subject today is the presidency, and my hope is that you see that institution in a new light and never despair of the republic.

The presidency is the most visible thread that runs through the tapestry of the American government. More often than not, for good or for ill, it sets the tone for the other branches and spurs the expectations of the people. Its powers are vast and consequential, its requirements -- from the outset and by definition -- impossible for mortals to fulfill without humility and insistent attention to its purpose as set forth in the Constitution of the United States.

Isn't it amazing, given the great and momentous nature of the office, that those who seek it seldom pause to consider what they are seeking? Rather, unconstrained by principle or reflection, there is a mad rush toward something that, once its powers are seized, the new president can wield as an instrument with which to transform the nation and the people according to his highest aspirations

But, other than in a crisis of the house divided, the presidency is neither fit nor intended to be such an instrument.

(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: mikepence; penceworship; potus
Well done, Mr. Pence.
1 posted on 09/21/2010 10:42:39 AM PDT by pissant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SE Mom

h/t to SE mom


2 posted on 09/21/2010 10:43:10 AM PDT by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pissant
Are we going to be bombarded with Pence for President crap for the next six months, like during last cycle?

That guy's biggest problem is he wakes up every morning and looks in the mirror and fancies himself a future president. Get over yourself, Mike!

3 posted on 09/21/2010 10:47:41 AM PDT by Crichton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pissant

I like Pence, but he has already said that he is not running for President. If he’s changing his mind he needs to be clear.


4 posted on 09/21/2010 10:49:55 AM PDT by Lou Budvis (Refudiate 0bama '12)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Lou Budvis
If he’s changing his mind he needs to be clear.

Not until after November 2nd he doesn't. In fact it would not be in his best interest to do so until after November 2nd. Right now it should be all about 2010.

5 posted on 09/21/2010 10:54:13 AM PDT by NeoCaveman (I can see November from my house. Christine turned me into a Newt. I got better.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Lou Budvis

No one needs to be clear at this stage of the game. Aside from that, it was a speech on the presidency, not a speech on who should run.


6 posted on 09/21/2010 11:11:22 AM PDT by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Crichton

Have you read the speech this thread is about?


7 posted on 09/21/2010 11:18:16 AM PDT by SE Mom (Proud mom of an Iraq war combat vet)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: pissant

He doesn’t need to declare. He doesn’t even need to say that he’s thinking about. Just don’t say you’re not going to run and then play coy.


8 posted on 09/21/2010 11:18:48 AM PDT by Lou Budvis (Refudiate 0bama '12)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: pissant
Well done, indeed. I wonder if Mr. Pence actually wrote it himself.

I likewise wonder if there are any other politicians out there capable of making such a speech.

9 posted on 09/21/2010 11:35:36 AM PDT by r9etb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SE Mom
Have you read the speech this thread is about?

That would constitute "facts," ma'am. The new meme is that you're not supposed to comment based on facts.

10 posted on 09/21/2010 11:36:50 AM PDT by r9etb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: r9etb

Jim DeMint could have made that speech, based on my reading of his book Saving Freedom.

THere are a few others. Very few.


11 posted on 09/21/2010 11:41:08 AM PDT by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: pissant
THere are a few others. Very few.

Maybe Paul Ryan.....

Most likely not a certain somebody, though.

12 posted on 09/21/2010 11:43:13 AM PDT by r9etb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: r9etb

That certain somebody couldn’t even hold my attention in the book she cobbled together. What a snoozer.


13 posted on 09/21/2010 11:47:14 AM PDT by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: r9etb

There does seem to be a great deal of that going around these days- lots of hit and runs without reference to the article posted in the first place.

I’m thinking there should be a place on the internet- maybe call it The Big Bulletin Board where people can just go and pop up random posts. “Obama is a jerk”....”Obama ROCKS!!!”...”Mike Pence isn’t Jim DeMint, nor is he Sarah Palin..” “I hate Republicans” “I hate Democrats”... :)

Meanwhile- like you I’ve wondered if he wrote the speech- or who assisted him. Regardless- if he wrote it- my respect for him has grown mightily- if he didn’t- he’s got the good sense to have someone with this talent on his staff. Either way- we now have the speech to refer to as a beautiful example of the proper attitude toward the presidency in particular and government in general. I’ve read it several times.


14 posted on 09/21/2010 12:07:08 PM PDT by SE Mom (Proud mom of an Iraq war combat vet)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson