No one can quite figure out whether pro-life Congressman Mike Pence will become a Republican candidate for president, but one pro-life group thinks he would make a good nominee.
Pence, whose schedule has seen some focus on the Indiana component to suggest he is running for governor but has others noting a South Carolina trip means a GOP presidential bid is still possible, is slated to appear at a fundraising event for the Susan B. Anthony List.
The SBA List web site indicates Pence will keynote its fundraising gala on February 16 at the Williard Hotel — and his appearance follows on the heels of appearances by pro-life former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and pro-life former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin at SBA List events last year.
Pence’s speaking before the pro-life group will add to speculation he may be considering a presidential bid after all, and SBA List president Marjorie Dannenfelser tells the Weekly Standard that she thinks he would make a good president.
“We’ve been trying to pick people that we think will be a good presidential contenders,” to headline their events. “When I mean good, I mean a good contender plus strongly pro-life.”
Dannenfelser told the conservative magazine she has personally urged Pence to run for president, but she qualified her statement saying SBA has not endorsed any particular candidate: “I’d absolutely rather have him run for president [than governor]. My view, and I’ve said it to him, ‘I think you ought to run for a place where you’re needed the most.'”
She said she hopes several pro-life candidates run, including both former governors and others and Fred Thompson and Rick Santorum have spoken at other SBA List fundraisers as well.
Pence is a darling for the pro-life community because he has been a strong pro-life champion — solidifying his credentials behind legislation that would revoke hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds sent to the Planned Parenthood abortion business.
He has already won a straw poll with social issues voters and is liked by fiscal conservatives as well, but some say his schedule makes it appear he may not announce a presidential run but, instead, launch a campaign for governor to replace potential presidential hopeful Gov. Mitch Daniels.
