Pence: No personal attacks against Obama or Dems
By Michael O'Brien - 08/18/10 08:31 AM ET
Republicans shouldn't engage in personal attacks against President Obama or other Democrats on the campaign trail, a top House Republican said Wednesday.
Conference Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.) pressed his party to attack ideas with which they disagree, but to avoid attacking opponents during an election cycle that has been noted for its heated rhetoric.
"I don't think that we should engage in personal attacks against either the president of the United States or candidates for office," Pence told the Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody in a full interview posted online on Wednesday. (Some separate excerpts had previously been released.)
That might be a new standard for some incumbents and candidates on both sides of the aisle if Pence's imploring words stick.
The third-ranking House Republican had himself drawn scrutiny from Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) earlier this year after Pence's office released a report calling Dodd a "Friend of Angelo," referencing the Countrywide mortgage program from which Dodd had allegedly benefited.
Pence has also aligned himself with the conservative Tea Party movement and is the highest-ranking House GOP lawmaker to join a caucus of the same name. Some, but not all, members of that grassroots movement have raised eyebrows for sharp rhetoric they've employed against Obama and congressional leaders.
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http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/114781-pence-no-personal-attacks-against-obama-or-dems