PenceBlog: Congressman Pence appears on Fox and Friends - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence : 6th District Of Indiana

Congressman Pence appeared live on Fox and Friends this morning to discuss the 2008 Presidential field and President Bush's strategy in Iraq. The full transcript appears below:

CARLSON: Welcome back. The G.O.P.'S top three presidential contenders, they're all big-city boys. How will they rate with the party faithful in rural areas? DOOCY: Mike Pence is a Republican Congressman from the great state of Indiana and he joins us live from D.C. Thank you, sir.

REP. MIKE PENCE: You bet, good morning.

DOOCY: Great to have you. So these three guys, currently the three front runners according to the polls, are from big places. How does that affect people out in the middle?

REP. PENCE: Well, I can tell you as somebody that represents the heartland of America. I don't think it's going to be about geography. I think it's going to be about the values, the ideals, and the personal qualities that these various candidates represent. And we have an abundance of riches on our side of the aisle and at this point, they're all leaders that understand the importance of staying on offense in the War on Terror, the importance of continuing to advance the cause of freedom in the world and at home, and I think there's going to be broad appeal for all these candidates across the country on the basis of those security issues. CARLSON: I didn't hear a glimmer of support for any of those three. Do you want to go on the record and tell us who you like?

REP. PENCE: Well, I like all of them. This is a great field --

DOOCY: You're a good politician.

REP. PENCE: I’ve met with many of them individually. I will tell you that I was drawn to the Republican Party during the ascendancy of President Ronald Reagan and I do think it's imperative as we go through a nominating process that we understand that traditional moral values, particularly a commitment to the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage are essential elements of the modern Republican coalition. And I would hope that every one of these candidates would make clear their view of the role of the courts, their view of Roe vs. Wade and you're going to start to see those issues come into higher relief. And I do believe the war in Iraq staying on offense in the War on Terror, supporting our troops continues to be the lead issue in the minds of Americans.

DOOCY: Congressman, you mentioned Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan, a big tax cutter, when Rudy Giuliani was mayor of New York City. Mitt Romney, when he was governor of the commonwealth in Massachusetts, he cut taxes a bunch of times. How important is that on your agenda on one of those guys to support?

REP. PENCE: Again, I really do think it seems like on the other side of the aisle, there's a lot of talk about conversations, there’s a lot of talk about style and appearance. On the Republican's side of the aisle, I really do believe it's about ideas. I believe it's about values and less government, less taxes, a strong national defense at home and abroad and traditional moral values represents the underpinning of that modern Reagan coalition and I think it will be the key to success of any of these candidates seeking the heartland conservatives like me.

CARLSON: A quick question about Iraq, I know you've been to Iraq many times as many as four times. You support the president's new strategy. What's going to happen on the Hill this week?

REP. PENCE: We're going to have a very important debate but I don't think it's going to be nearly broad enough Gretchen. You're right; I have been to Iraq a number of different times. I applaud the Democrat majority for bringing a resolution to the floor that will challenge and offer their view of the President's surge. I'm supporting the President's call for reinforcements, the new way forward. I believe it's not more troop for troop's sake but it’s a new strategy and new tactics on the ground. What is disappointing is that we learned over the weekend that Democrat majority as they've done many times in the last five weeks is not even going to allow the Republican minority an alternative. They're not going to allow an up or down vote on whether or not we're all prepared to support the troops and reject funding cuts for the troops. And I think that’s regrettable, I think we ought to have the broadest possible debate and alternatives and I'm still hoping to see that

DOOCY: How's that five-day work week working out?

REP. PENCE: Well, if you ask my wife, I’m still working six days a week like most members of Congress at home and in Washington, D.C. But it's working just fine.

DOOCY: All right. Indiana Congressman Mike Pence, thank you very much for joining us live.

posted by Pence Press Office # 2:04 PM