Pence stumps for Davis (10/29/04)

Although he’s been busy lately touring the Sixth District in his bid for a third term in Congress, Mike Pence hasn’t lost sight of his constituents’ most important issues.

The Edinburgh Republican was first elected to Congress in 2000, and east central Indiana voters sent him back to Washington, D.C. in the 2002 election, when he faced Democratic Party challenger Mel Fox. The general election on Tuesday will be a rematch of that race, as Fox again opposes Pence’s re-election bid.

Pence made a two-hour campaign stop in Portland Thursday afternoon, in part to stump for fellow Republican Bill Davis of Portland who is challenging Democrat incumbent Ron Liggett of Redkey for the District 33 state representative’s seat.

His recent efforts also have been “to tell the Republican story,” he said. “I don’t believe in lonely victories,” he said, and has been working to help bring in wins for other GOP candidates.

With such tight races for president, Indiana governor and state representative, Pence urged those gathered to get out the vote on Tuesday. “You have the opportunity to tip the balance” to the GOP, he said.

The three most important issues facing the nation, Pence said, are homeland security, prosperity for Americans and the defense of traditional family values .... “to protect our way of life.”

The conservative Christian Republican said he doesn’t oppose same sex marriage, as much as “I’m for traditional marriage” between a man and a woman. He said he will oppose any legislation that would amend that definition.

By legitimizing other unions, “You don’t so much change (marriage), as abolish it,” he said. “You make it just another arrangement.”

He also regrets the issue was raised during an election year, because of the divisiveness in the nation that has followed.

As Americans prepare to head to the polls to cast votes in many key races across the country, Pence also is concerned about keeping them safe.

“I think there’s a better than good chance that we’ll be hit (by a terrorist attack) before the election,” Pence said. “We have to be prepared for it.”

Primary targets could again be New York City and the nation’s capital, as they were in the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Pence said, “We’re looking there,” but added terrorists could strike in other locations and with different means.

“It’s a terrible thing to speculate,” he said, adding Americans need to battle that threat with “prayer and vigilance.”

Subsequently, he continues to be a staunch supporter of President Bush’s defense doctrine and the invasion of Iraq — “Going after the terrorists before they went after us.” Since the fall 2001 attacks, the U.S. has had al-Qaida and other terror groups on the defensive, which Pence said is key to winning that fight. “I just think it’s really hard (for U.S. enemies) to shoot a gun when running backward.”

Pence also told a group of Republicans gathered at Davis’ campaign headquarters Thursday afternoon that he will work to curb the rising cost of health care. “The cost of prescription drugs ... is impacted by many other factors,” primarily frivolous lawsuits. “It really is driving the cost of health care.”

He said he wants to find other solutions than the importation of drugs from other countries. “I can’t in good conscience” support that, because he’s not able to ensure that drugs coming in from other countries, such as Canada, would be safe. “That’s my biggest concern right now.”

He also added he hasn’t had a flu shot, and doesn’t plan on getting one because he doesn’t fall into any of the high-risk categories.[[In-content Ad]]