Mike Pence seems to be creating a bit of a buzz these days:
In the unofficial race for president, just one Republican has been to both Iowa and South Carolina.
It's not former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty or former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
It's Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, whose travel schedule is raising eyebrows.
[. . .]
But the legions of failed presidential candidates includes House members who influenced the debate, like the late Reps. Mo Udall (D-Ariz.) and Jack Kemp (R-N.Y.), as well as less-well-known candidates like former Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio).
But it's not impossible, according to independent political analyst Rhodes Cook.
“I don't think a House pedigree would be a significant disadvantage in 2012, given the wide-open nature of the current GOP presidential race and the absence of a clear heir apparent,” Cook said. “That should particularly be the case for a candidate like Pence, who could appeal to a large constituency within the party on the basis of the work he has already done.
“Pence is no little-known back-bencher,” Cook added.
Go, Mike, go. Having a pseudo-conservative in the White House and another one on the campaign trail didn't exactly work for the Republican Party. Maybe it's time to try a real cons
