Free Republic

WASHINGTON -- Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, a potential GOP contender for the White House in 2012, says he'll make a decision after Jan. 1 about whether to enter the race. Pence, who's stepping down as the No. 3 House Republican leader, says he's "humbled" by encouragement that he consider running. He tells ABC's "This Week" that he'll seek guidance from God as he decides his political future.

House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) was spotted in Iowa over the weekend speaking at just the type of banquet that attracts a presidential candidate: the 10th Annual Friends of the Family Banquet for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition and the Iowa Christian Alliance Education Fund. Pence would definitely fit the bill for a strong fiscally conservative candidate with traditional family values. He was the surprise winner of the Family Research Council's Voter Values 2010 Summit in September edging out Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin. For those who may be unfamiliar with Pence's solid...

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) will likely launch a bid for higher office after the November elections, according to several House Republicans. Pence won the presidential straw poll at the Values Voter Summit on Saturday, intensifying speculation that the third-ranking House Republican has bigger aspirations than serving in the lower chamber. Still, some believe Pence is more likely to try to become the next governor of Indiana instead of seeking to win the 2012 presidential primary. With the state’s popular governor, Mitch Daniels (R), term-limited, Pence would have a clear opportunity to run for his party’s nomination. Daniels, meanwhile, is mulling...

Sen. Jim DeMint stirred up the crowd at this morning's Values Voters Summit in Washington, but Rep. Mike Pence blew him out of the water an hour later.

(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...

Chances are, you've never heard of Indiana Republican Rep. Mike Pence. But, thanks to his victory at last weekend's Values Voter 2012 Straw Poll, Pence is drawing some buzz in Republican circles as he seems to be leaning more and more into a presidential bid. To date, Pence has only dipped his toe in the presidential waters but appears to be growing more active as the start of the 2012 race (aka Nov. 3) approaches. Pence will headline an Iowa Christian Alliance dinner on Oct. 2 in Des Moines -- remember the Fix adage that no politician goes to Iowa...