Conservatives Push Pence to Run for President

Strong support is building on the right for a presidential bid by Republican Indiana Rep. Mike Pence. A draft movement has started on behalf of the five-term congressmen, even though he may run for governor instead, Politico reports.

A group of powerful Republicans, including former House Majority Leader Dick Armey and former Rep. Jim Ryun, is working with a well-connected conservative public relations firm to convince Pence to run for president.

Pence says he will decide by the end of the month, so the effort it intensifying. “For all the praise they heap on the congressman – and his fans tend to be effusive – it’s also plain that what makes him so compelling is the perception that he lacks the flaws of the other candidates currently in the presidential mix,” Politico reports.

“The pro-Pence crowd consists of a group of traditional conservatives who, while sympathizing with her, don’t view Sarah Palin as a serious presidential candidate. They doubt Mike Huckabee will run again or can broaden his appeal. And they believe the rest of the field features has-beens or candidates insufficiently pure on cultural issues.”