Report: Mike Pence To Make 2012 Decision Next Month

Governor of Indiana or a run for President?

If Indiana Republican Rep. Mike Pence decides to run for president, he’ll announce his candidacy before the end of January.

A source close to Pence told POLITICO that the conservative congressman still hasn’t decided whether to run for president or if he’ll opt instead for a gubernatorial bid. But sitting Republican Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman’s announcement Monday that she won’t run for governor appears to be pushing Pence toward Indianapolis.

“He will make a decision in the very near future,” the Pence ally said, within the “first couple weeks of January.”

Pence's decision is probably a pretty big domino in the race. He seems to be a candidate that fits Sarah Palin's criteria, so if he runs, she may not. Obviously, the reverse is true (unless another candidate steps up). Palin's decision probably has an impact on whether or not Mike Huckabee runs, since it seems there's a good bit of overlap in their voters. Of course all of that will have an impact on Mitt Romney's chances.

Personally, I really like everything I've seen from Pence thus far. Most importantly, he manages to straddle the fiscal/social-con line very well and that's going to be a big challenge in 2012.

Still, there's a reason no one has been elected directly from the House to the White House since James A. Garfield in 1881. Name recognition, resume and lack of experience running a campaign outside a fairly compact and homogeneous area are real limitations.

Obviously technology and the 24 hour news cycle changes the name recognition issue a bit and helps to quickly build a donor network but still, it's an up hill climb. If he's going to run, he's going to need to get in earlier than Palin or Huckabee will (Mitt already seems like he's in). So yeah Congressman, the sooner the better please.

As for the race itself, I asked this question on Twitter earlier: As painful as it is to consider, aside from Pence (and he's a long shot), is there anyone the GOP can nominate that has a better chance of knocking off Obama than....Mitt Romney?

Keep in mind I'm on record saying he must not be the nominee but at this early date, and it's subject to change often, I don't see a more likely winner for us.

Here's hoping a better plan comes along like say: Pence/Bolton: The Hair and The 'Stache in '12!

(I don't really think Pence would pick Boton but it would be fun)

Added thought/question: If Pence runs for governor of Indiana and not President, does that mean he judges Obama a likely winner in '12 and is positioning himself for '16?

posted by DrewM. at 06:44 PM

| Access Comments