Indiana Congressman Mike Pence has a stellar record of conservatism. While in office, he famously pushed back against both President Bush and President Obama’s big government proposals and never flinched. He is also a stalwart when it comes to social issues. His win in the presidential poll for the Values Voters Summit proves his popularity with this sector of the republican party.

This week, Pence introduced legislation with Senator Jim DeMint on permanently extending the current individual tax rates and preventing tax increases on every American:

Specifics of the plan include keeping the current income tax rates of 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33% and 35% in place. The act would also eliminate the so-called “Death Tax”, keep the current 15% tax rate on capital gains from being increased, as well as permanently patch the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) by increasing the AMT exemption.

If not enacted, Pence and DeMint say the already slow economic recovery would worsen, small businesses would be further taxed, wages would remain stagnant, and unemployment will remain high while the number of available jobs would be lowered.

All conservatives can applaud this bill for bringing assurances to business owners and Americans that their taxes will not go up. Yesterday, Pence gave an interview with ABC’s Jonathan Karl and Ron Klein. Because of his appeal to conservatives of all stripes, many are pushing him to run for the governorship of Indiana or make a possible run for the White House, but Pence said it will take prayerful consideration and family input over the next two months:

“So really our decision is a really personal decision. It’s about where we feel a call to serve. But with regards to Sarah Palin — she’s a force of nature. I just can’t help it — I just love her. I just think she’s got a bold and courageous voice for conservative values. She doesn’t apologize and I like her style.”

If you look at fans for both Pence and Palin, they regard social and fiscal issues to be vitally important to the national debate.

One of the best moments in the interview is when Pence gave a measured and reasoned position on why one does not need to compromise one issue for another. A lot of the talk in the republican party is whether we should focus mainly on fiscal issues and let social issues take a backseat for a while.

Pence replied that there is no need to pick and choose. Fiscal and social conservatives can unite for common causes. He cites the defunding of Planned Parenthood:

“People are always saying, ‘should it be spending or social issues?’ How about both? How about, let’s deny all federal funding to Planned Parenthood of America? That would save $350 million right off the top. I have to tell you as I travel around the country, the American people — millions of Americans, more every day — are offended that the largest abortion provider in America is also the largest recipient of federal funding under Title 10.”

What do you think? Should the republican party solely concentrate on fiscal matters, or is there room for social conservatives?

Cross posted at www.Cubachi.com