Baron Hill for Governor?

[JSojourner]

He's mulling a run...


http://www.wthr.com/global/story.asp?s=11707712

[JSojourner]

Why wouldn't Pence just wait for Boehner to get dropped by the Republicans and move up in the House leadership?

Being a Governor or Senator looks more impressive when running for President.

Is Pence really interested in running for President, though? What strengths does he have? He doesn't strike me as a very appealing candidate.

His strengths are that he appears to be intelligent, he is conservative, but not the point point moderates would be scared of him

What about Pence is NOT frightening to moderates?  Any moderates out there find this guy appealing?

http://www.ontheissues.org/IN/Mike_Pence.htm

[JSojourner]

There's no reason why a moderate Democrat can't beat a far right winger like Pence in an Obama state.

Pretty much.  And Hill is closer to being a conservative Democrat than a moderate. 

My concern about Pence would be that he had the entire state's ear for a long time as a talk radio host.  He was often called "Indiana's Rush Limbaugh", except that Pence himself joked that he was more conservative than Rush.

Pence is passionately devoted to the teachings of Dr. James Dobson, D. James Kennedy and Jerry Falwell -- and has not been shy about saying so in local churches and at various anti-choice rallies.  He's a pal of the teabaggers and the birthers, though he is expert at being coy when necessary -- not exactly saying Obama is a "damn furriner".

The thing about Pence, unlike an Inhofe or a Demint, is that he is handsome and quite charming.  I've met him on several occasions and he really seems to be a likeable guy you would want to have a beer with.  (Though he doesn't drink.)  That's the danger posed by Pence (and Thune, I think, on a national level.)  The sound and seem so harmless...until you get into what they really believe and want to accomplish.  And I think both are members of The Family.

[JSojourner]

There's no reason why a moderate Democrat can't beat a far right winger like Pence in an Obama state.

Indiana itself however is fundamentally conservative in thought and belief for the most part.  A fluke anger vote doesn't change the fundamental makeup of the state.  It's not as if its fertile ground for democrat transformation.  Pence is especially safe in his district - thats Muncie right, yeah, he's not being defeated anytime soon...

I couldn't agree with you more about one Presidential vote not changing anything fundamentally.  You're quite right.  And even then, the vote for Obama was razor-thin.

As to Hill, I don't think the proposition was that Hill would win Pence's District.  It's that he is capable of beating Pence statewide.  Of course, Pence would still be the favorite, IMO.  But Hill would play well in his district, in Ellsworth's, in Donnelly's and in both Indianapolis and NW Indiana.  He would get trounced up here, however.

[JSojourner]

Reading his voting record that JS put up,  I doubt I could support Pence, but I want to see him in action. JS's mention of Dobson in connection with Pence is off putting for me of course. I quite dislike Dobson. He is not only Manichean, in the wrong direction, but he seems like a dyspeptic old coot to me. At least when one gets old, one should attempt to pretend to be cheerful.  

Having said all of that, when I think of Palin, and Huckabee, and well even Romney whom I don't trust at all, because I don't think telling the truth is a high priority with him (and when folks start thinking their POTUS is a liar we are in big trouble for a host of reasons), Pence might be better than that crew don't you think?

Choosing between Dick Nixon and Tailgunner Joe is no choice at all.

For a rightie, it would be like having to choose between Bill Jefferson and Dennis Kucinich.  Come on, Torie...where are the Tories and NiKs and Bullmooses?  (Or is that Bullmeese?)