Cong Mike Pence (R-IN) Pence Discusses President's Iraq Speech on FoxNews' Hannity

Once again Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana has hit it out of the park. If he is not considering running for President in 2010, he should. There is no member of Congress who can say more in the one-minute speeches on the floor of the House than Mike Pence. No one has to parse Pence's speeches or wonder what does he mean because his message is always clear and concise. You know where he stands on issues and there is no putting a finger in the wind to see which way the wind is blowing. Mike Pence appeared on Sean Hannity's show after the President's speech with his reaction to the speech:



Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, appeared on FoxNews’ Hannity to respond to President Obama’s speech on Iraq. The following are excerpts:

On the Surge

Congressman Pence: Two things, Sean. Number one, he didn't give credit where credit is due to his predecessor, who against withering domestic criticism refused to accept defeat in Iraq. And secondly, he used the word “victory” at the tail end of the speech, but it’s not at all clear he was actually referring to Iraq when he did it. It was something about “there are no ceremonies for surrender.” I thought this speech was wanting. I thought it lacked gratitude toward his predecessor. He said tonight that he and President George W. Bush disagreed about the war. Well, Sean, the American people know they didn't just disagree about the war. They disagreed about the surge. And then-Senator Barack Obama, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi were wrong about the surge and they were wrong to oppose it and the American people know it.

On Democrats’ Opposition to the War

Congressman Pence: …in late 2007, then-Senator Barack Obama was still saying that the surge wasn't working even though the evidence was overwhelming that it was. Look, I get it. I understand how difficult, with his left flank, it would be for him to acknowledge that he was wrong. That Nancy Pelosi was wrong. That Harry Reid was wrong. That the 10 votes they took in the House of Representatives for a timetable for withdrawal and essentially setting the table for surrender were wrong. At least he could have said tonight, that “George W. Bush and I disagreed on strategy and tactics but I admire his determination and his willingness as President of the United States to see this through, despite overwhelming public opposition.” He didn't say that. He didn't give credit where credit is due and I think that's a disappointment.

On the Economy

Congressman Pence: All across the country people are focused right now on jobs and spending but tonight on the final day of combat operations in Iraq, we were all looking for him to acknowledge the success of our military and to cast a vision. Where was the language about, “bear any burden, pay any price to ensure the survival of freedom?” Instead he was back to championing more spending, a national energy tax. It was a missed opportunity. It lacked vision. He didn't give credit where credit is due. I think the American people get that.

Source: Email from GOP.gov