Pence: GOP needs principled conservatives to win in 2010

The House's third-ranking Republican Monday said that GOP candidates need to stand on conservative principles in order to win elections in 2010 and 2012.

House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.) told the Richmond (Ind.) Palladium-Item that his party "lost its way when we started worrying more about winning elections than standing on conservative principles.

"Principled differences of opinion are always welcome," Pence said. "But simply offering what the Democrats are offering minus 10 percent is a prescription for a permanent Republican minority."

The congressman's comments come as the Republican Party continues to debate its future form after losing the White House in 2008 and fell deeper into the minority in the House and Senate. The question remains: Should the GOP pursue a big tent strategy and welcome moderates into the party or should it run on bedrock conservative principles?

Reports emerged last month that some in the Republican National Committee was considering a "purity test" for electoral candidates. The move came after Republican Dede Scozzafava withdrew from New York's special House election. Many national Republicans publicly criticized Scozzafava for holding too many liberal positions and backed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman but Democrat Bill Owens won the election.

The "purity test" sparked a debate among Republicans who see bigger gains in running moderates in non-traditional Republican districts and the conservative grassroots who believe the party establishment is ceding too much ground in opposing the Democratic agenda.

Pence, a potential 2012 presidential candidate, was asked about his interest in the race. He told the Palladium-Item that he is focused on helping Republicans in next year's midterm elections.

"After that," he said, "we'll see."

But Pence said the absence of a party leader has fueled the debate over the party's future.

"I do welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate over our party's future," Pence said. "The national governing majority that was minted in 1980 and again in 1994 was minted around a strong defense, limited government and traditional moral values. I believe that the hope for taking back the Congress in 2010 and taking back the White House in 2012 is wholly based on our ability to credibly articulate a commitment to those conservative ideals."

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