>> on c-span, we are going to take a look at the career of mike pence. lawmaker is leading efforts and is likely to play a major part in the trump administration. he was elected in 2000 after unsuccessful attempts in 1988 and 1990. and after working as a conservative radio and tv talkshow host. coming up, a brief interview we did with congressman elect mike pence in 2000. >> mike pence is the representative elect in indiana. in orientation what have you learned about setting up a new congressional office? gov. pence: it is as we expected a massive undertaking. we are trying to build on a solid foundation of people's experience, who can focus first on the meeting and addressing the ongoing needs of the people of the second congressional district. >> tell us about your home district. mr. pence: indiana is heartland

america. central indiana, marked by a couple of industrial centers. but for the most part, a lot of farmland in small communities. it is really going to be a delightful place to represent in washington dc as a conservative. >> what issues from home would you like to focus on? mr. pence: i would like to focus on tax relief. i believe once we have kept our promises to senior citizens it is imperative we seize this time of budget surpluses to bring about tax relief for working families, small businesses, and family farms. also i am hearing from the people in my district a real concern about military readiness and national security. i'm very much hoping to be a part of the discussion for rebuilding the military. >> tell us about your background, which includes tap broadcasting.

mr. pence: it does, although i am trained as an attorney. i have spent the last seven years working for syndicated radio. c-span without the cameras. i enjoyed very much being a daily syndicated talkshow host, exclusively in indiana. also did a little television work. hopefully that has prepared me well and taught me how to be a listener. >> what if you learn from your listeners about what their concerns are as the new congress starts? mr. pence: i have learned that people are genuinely concerned with that which most closely touches their lives. the security of their families, the strength of their jobs in local economy. the education of their children. when i was a talkshow host i found that when we were talking about issues that came close to home, we would strike a responsive chord. i focus on those kinds of issues. >> you have three children?

mr. pence: yes, all under the age of eight. hardest working campaigners in indiana. >> with such small children will you be moving the family here, how do you decide what to do? mr. pence: it is a difficult decision to make. in the short term we might homeschool. my wife is a 15 year public school teacher, she will take on those duties and permit us to live in both places. when congress is in session i want my wife and children here with me. but when we are out for any length of time we want to be at home in indiana. >> we talk about the bipartisanship coming in. how will you reach across the political aisle?

mr. pence: i always used to say on my radio program, i am a conservative, but i am not in a bad mood about it. i believe stability is essential to the survival of the republic. we have to develop in this congress and the national government and national debate a new civility that brings a sense of humility, humor, and the ability to argue issues vigorously but walk out the door and understand that we are all americans, we are all working hard to make america a better place. >> joining us to talk about the vice president-elect's tony cook of the indianapolis star. how much of that mike pence that we saw in interview 16 years ago is still with us today? how much has he changed in 16 years? tony: in terms of conservative principles, you cannot get much further to the right of mike pence. those are principles that he has stood on and built his brand with over the years. so you really have not seen too in the way -- too much in the way of him varying from those conservative positions that he

has espoused since his early days in congress. host: you said to build his brand on conservative issues. issues like abortion, gay marriage, perhaps religious freedom -- how to those issues expand? tony: here in indiana as governor he advocated for measures that tipped the scale in favor of religious freedom over gay rights. he also proposed, i am sorry, signed an abortion law that was one of the most restrictive in the country. he has certainly stood by those principles here as governor in indiana. those have been the more controversial aspects of his time here in indiana. host: during his time in congress he spoke annually at the march for life event every january.

he spoke in january, 2003 in the 30th annual march for life. we will show you now. [applause] vp-elect pence: thank you so much, it is a beautiful day in america to see so many shining faces. i am congressman mike pence, i am from indiana, and i am pro-life. [applause] vp-elect pence: i rise of my colleagues have done. we heard from missouri to say yes to life. i rise to say it is time for the president of the united states of america to send in the principled pro-life judges and we will move them into the courts and the end will be weighed -- roe v wade forever. [applause] vp-elect pence: it is time to end partial-birth abortions in this country. it has no place. [applause] vp-elect pence: it is time for all of the reforms.

adoption reform, and the space -- and the president's initiative for faceplate initiative that will speed resources to crisis pregnancy centers and ministries across the country that are there for women. with real answers meeting their real needs. i am mostly here today as a father and american to say thank you to you from my heart. because of all of you in the millions of americans you represent, abortion is in steep decline in america today. [applause] mr. pence: abortion is less available, less legal, and most importantly, less morally acceptable than any time since 1973. you alone of exposed the empty promises of the left who offer a choice, but deliver only partake and disappoint --

deliver only heart ache and disappointment. the media will depict to some of us as strange for standing in the cold. usa today said we should get on with it. the extremist speeches that would be heard today were a little bit crazy. to be honest with you, i think about the song by billy joel that says, you may be right, i may be crazy, but it just may be a lunatic america is looking for. [cheering and applause] vp-elect pence: it just may be time, as has ever been the case, on the steps of the lincoln memorial in 1963, on this very 1776, where every time throughout american history where we have achieved moral, social change, it has been crazy americans who believed in

inalienable rights like the right to life. i am mike pence, i am pro-life. [applause] host: during his time in congress he was often critical of the president and his use of executive powers. what did mike learn as governor, in terms of executive power? was heard of guidance do you see giving him the trump administration? tony: as an administrator and executive, those were new rules for him when he became governor in indiana after spending 12 years in congress. the relationship with the legislature started off on a little bit of a rocky setting. -- bit of a rocky footing. you had situations throughout his time as governor where he tended to set guardrails rather than specific policy proposals.

and a lot of ways they like that. but they also preferred he would have showed stronger leadership and her polls. it was a bit of a mixed bag. i think he would tell you there was a pretty steep learning curve in that sense. lawmakers knew he respected the legislative process because of his time in congress. that is something he will bring to the trump administration. he will be an advocate and a

liaison between trump and the congress. he still has many friends and close allies. host: he has close allies on capitol hill and a close working relationship once he becomes vice president. did he have a close working relationship with the indiana legislators? tony: i think he did. the thing in indiana, the legislature was controlled by republicans. they had super majorities in both chambers throughout his time as governor. the relationship was cordial, not that they did not have disagreements at times. party unity swept over that during his time. host: two years after the 2008 democratic win, republicans gained back control of the u.s. house. shortly after, the 2010 midterms, mike pence spoke in washington about that. in particular about the role of the presidency. here is what he had to say. vp-elect pence: the presidency runs through the tapestry of the american government. more often than not, it sets the tone for the other branches. it spurs the expectations of the people. its powers are vast and consequential.

its requirements from the outset and by definition, and possible for most to fulfill -- definition, and possible for mortals to fulfill without humility and insistent attention to its purposes as set forth in the constitution of the united states. isn't it amazing? given the great and momentous office, that those who seek it seldom pause to question what they are seeking? rather, unconstrained by reflection or principle, there is a mad rush toward something that once its powers are seized, the new president can wield it as an instrument to transform the nation and people according to his highest aspirations. but other than in a crisis of a house divided, the presidency is neither fit nor intended to be such an instrument. when it is made that the country sustains a wound. it cries out justly and indignantly, and what the

country says, the theme of this address, what it says, impelled by its long history, but quite naturally and rightly, it may well have said on november 2, is that we as a people are not to be ruled and not to be commanded. [applause] vp-elect pence: it says that the president should never forget this. that he has not risen above us, but is merely one of us. chosen by ballot, dismissed after his term. tasked not to transform but there his will upon us, the bear the weight of decision and carry out faithfully the design laid down in the constitution past -- and passed by

the declaration of independence. the presidency must adhere to its definition is expressed in the constitution. while the powers of the office have been large, along with the judiciary, the framework of the government was intended to restrict -- echoing back to the 18th century. without proper appearance to the role contemplated for the role of the presidency, the checks and balances become weakened. this has been most obvious in recent years when the three branches of government have been subject to the tutelage of a single party. under either party it seems, presidents have forgotten they were intended to restrain the congress at times. and that congress is independent of their desires.

thus used in some kind of unholy unity, political class has raced forward in an expansion of power and prerogatives, mistakenly assuming that assuming power is doing good. even the simplest among us knows this is not so. power is an instrument of fatal consequence. it is can find it no more readily than quicksilver and escapes good intentions as easily as air flows through mesh. those were entrusted with it must educate themselves and self-restraint. -- in self-restraint. a republic, if you can keep it, is about limitation. and for good reason. because we are mortal, and our actions are imperfect. the tragedy of presidential decision is that even with the best of choice, some, perhaps many, will be left behind. and some, perhaps many, may die.

because of this, a true statesman lived in what churchill called a continual stress of the soul. he may give to paul, but only because he robs peter. you must beware of a president that flaunts his own greatness. all greatness is tempered by a mortality and every soul is equal. it is a tragedy indeed the new generation attributes failures of governance to insufficient power, and invariably, seek more of it. in the judiciary, this has seldom been better expressed by thurgood marshall's victim that -- thurgood marshall's and um that you doct what you think is right and let the law catch up. in the congress it presents itself in massive legislation, so complicated no human being could read through them in a lifetime, much less understand them, much less apply them justly to a people that increasingly feel they are no longer being asked. they feel like they are being told. our nation finds itself, too often of late, in the position of a dog whose duty it is not to

ask why, because the why is to elevated for his nature. it simply obey. but america is not a dog. it does not require a because i said so jurisprudence. or legislators who knit laws of such insulting complexity that they are heavier than chains. or a president who acts like, speaks like, and is received as a king. [applause] mr. pence: the presidency has run off the rails. it begs a new clarity, a new discipline, a new president. [applause]

mr. pence: the president is not our teacher, our tutor, our guide, or our ruler. he does not command us, we command him. we serve neither him nor his vision. he should not redefine custom, laws, or beliefs. to seize the country and put his charisma on all the people. it is not his job to shift power of decision away from the people, or to the acolytes of his choosing. is my characterization of unprecedented corruption correct -- and correct? listen to the exact words of president obama's transition team. who said at the point of his election "it is important that president-elect obama is prepared to really take power

one." in to rule day or more recently, the new head of the financial consumer bureau "president obama understands the importance of leveling the playing field." take power, rule, leveling. this has never been and should never again be the model of the presidency or the character of the american president. [applause] mr. pence: no one can say this too strongly. no one can say it enough until it is remedied. we are not subjects, we are citizens. [applause] mr. pence: we fought wars so we

do not have to treat things like kings. like kings.gs if i may remind you, we won that one. [applause] vp-elect pence: the powers of the presidency are extraordinary and necessarily great. and great presidents treat them sparingly. no more profound understanding of the presidency and the command of humility placed upon has ever been expressed in my judgment, then by president coolidge. he, like lincoln, lost a child while he was president. the son of 16. today i became president, coolidge wrote, he had just started to work in a tobacco field when a fellow laborer said to him, if my father was president, i would not be working in a tobacco field. to which young calvin replied, if my father were your father, you would.

[laughter] vp-elect pence: his affection for the boy was obvious. and his admiration. while in though white house, president coolidge's son contracted blood poisoning. coolidge wrote words and that resonate with any parent in the room. he wrote, what might have happened to him under other circumstances we do not know. that if i had not been president, and then he continued. in his suffering he was asking me to make him well, and i could not. when he went, the power and the glory of the presidency went with him.

sensibility like this, not power, is the source of presidential dignity. and it must be restored. it depends entirely upon character, self-discipline, and an understanding of the principles that underlie the republic, and life itself. it communicates that the president feels the gravity of his office and is willing to sacrifice himself. that is eye is not upon his own prospects, but the storm of history through which it is his responsibility to navigate with the specific powers accorded to him, and the limitations placed upon them. not merely by man, but why god. -- by god. in the capitol rotunda are heroic paintings, the signing of the declaration, and something seldom seen in history. a painting that depicts a

general, the leader of an armed rebellion, resigning his commission and surrendering his army to a new democracy. upon hearing from benjamin, that george washington had won the war, would instead returned to his farm. he said, if he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world. he did. and he was. [applause] vp-elect pence: to aspire to such virtue and self-restraint would be difficult. but in another sense, it should be easy. difficult because -- because it would be demanding an ideal. but easy because it is the right

thing to do. and the rewards are immediate and self-evident. a president who likes -- dislikes the constitution is like a rider that hates his horse, he will be thrown. [applause] mr. pence: and the nation along with him. he protects the constitution. he does not overlook or reinterpret it. [laughter] mr. pence: other than in a crisis of morality, decency, and existence, like the civil war. if he should change it to fit his designs he should do so by amendment rather than adjustment. if he joins the powers of his office to his own willful interpretation, we step away from laws toward a government of man. the president should regard the constitution and the declaration

like an obsessed lover. they should be on his mind all the time. though we have sometimes gradually moved away from this, we can move back to it. who better than the president to restore this wholesome devotion? whereas at home the president must be cautious, dutiful, and deferential, abroad, his character must change. he would ask how to act in relation to other states, nothing else is needed up to this point. and were that to be written in 1776 or 2010, you can be confident it would contain at least the following instructions. first, you do not bow to kings. [applause]

vp-elect pence: outside our borders, the president of the united states and bows to know -- no man. when in foreign lands, you do not criticize your own country. [applause] vp-elect pence: you do not argue the case against the united states, but rather, the case for it. [applause] vp-elect pence: you do not apologize to the enemies of the united states of america. [applause] vp-elect pence: should you be

confused, let me help. a country, people come or region that harbors, shelters, supports or encourages attacks upon our country are enemies of the united states of america. and you do not apologize to them. [applause] vp-elect pence: closely related to this and perhaps the least ambiguous of the presidents complex responsibilities is his duty as commander-in-chief. in this regard there is a very simple rule. unknown to some presidents, regardless of party. if, and it is the biggest if any president can face, for it will follow not just him, but hundreds of thousands or millions of others. not just the rest of their lives, but beyond life itself. if, and it is an if that requires long and deep thought, tremendously hard labor in determining the truth of things, education, the

knowledge of a general, the wisdom of a statesman and the heart of an infantry man. if after careful deliberation, the deepest prayer, if then you go to war, then having gone to war, by god, you go to war to win. [applause] vp-elect pence: you do not cast away american lives are those of the innocent noncombatant upon a theory or notion. if the politics of your own election or own party entered -- own party in truth upon your decision for even an instant, there are no words for this. more commonplace are other expectations for the president

in this regard. he must not spend money on equipment of the armed forces, if he errors it should be on the side of surplus. he must be the guardian of his troops, taking every step to avoid the loss of every single american life. the american soldier is as precious as the closest of your kin because he is your kin. the president must say to the congress and the people, i am the commander-in-chief. it is my sacred duty to defend the united states of america and to give our soldiers what they need to complete their mission and come home safe. [applause]

vp-elect pence: in fulfilling his duty, if the president labors, he would have betrayed his office. this is not policy. it is not an expedient artifact of imagination, it is written on the bloodsoaked ground of saratoga, yorktown and pearl harbor, iraq and afghanistan. 1000 other places in our history in lessons repeated over and over again. >> at the height of the conflict between congress and the president in early 2011, mike pence seemed to endorse the idea of a government shutdown. we are joined by tony cook of the indianapolis star who has covered mike pence. what can we expect from vice president-elect pence if the situation arises as he is vice president? what sort of guidance will he give president trump? >> i think you have already seen to some extent how he is going to handle these situations. he is going to be trump's liaison to congress. he has a very good relationship

with paul ryan and many others in the house from his time there and i think that he will probably be the person in the administration who seeks to smooth over any hurt feelings for harsh disagreement. of course, a lot of this is going to depend on who is in control of congress. we know with the case will be for the next two years but after that, if democrats were able to take back one of the chambers, i think that could be a very different scenario and i think you could see pence bringing out some of the more hard lined tactics in that case. >> in march of 2011 at the height of the shutdown crisis, tea party activists rallied in

washington, demanding government shutdown if indeed significant budget cuts were not made. congressman mike pence spoke to that group and supported some of their goals. vp-elect pence: i am mike pence, from indiana, the tea party, patriots, americans, welcome back to your nation's capital. [applause] vp-elect pence: with the deficit of $1.65 trillion in the national debt of $14 trillion and a defiant, liberal majority in the senate, it is time to pick a fight. in 2010, the american people sent a deafening message to both political parties in washington dc. they said it is time to end the borrowing and the spending and the bailouts and it is time to and the congress of nancy pelosi once and for all, and you did it.

and you get it. [applause] mr. pence: house republicans have gone to work, awarded the majority again. we cut our budget, we repealed obamacare locks stock and barrel on the floor of the house of representatives and we voted to cut spending. the pre-stimulus, prepare about levels, defunding obamacare and all funding for planned parenthood of america. that is what we did. the house republicans have run headlong into harry reid. harry reid actually took to the floor of the senate and said that our modest down payment on fiscal discipline was reckless, irresponsible, mean-spirited. he even defended federal funding for the cowboy poetry institute

in nevada. the truth is, they just do not get it. they do not understand the party is over for liberals in washington dc. the american people are demanding that we change the physical direction of our national government but i have to tell you, i learned a long time ago things do not change here in washington, dc, until they have to. we have to say to harry reid and liberals in the senate, this far and no farther. we have to borrow a line from another harry and say the debt stops here. if liberals in the senate would rather play political games and shut down the government instead of making a small down payment on fiscal discipline i say, shut it down.

nobody wants the government shutdown, but if we do not take a stand we will shut down the future for our children and grandchildren. this is a defining moment for the majority in congress. this is actually just a down payment, maybe just earnest money on restoring fiscal discipline but it is a start and it is a first step and it will be a first win for taxpayers that could set the stage for larger victories on battling against the debt ceiling increase without fundamental reform, battling for a budget and a long-term vision for fiscal discipline and setting our nation back toward a constitutional limited government.

you know, sometimes even small steps boldly taken can change history. like it did on christmas night 1776. the harsh winter storm in the delaware river valley, public support for the war was waning, troops were married and demoralized. a general conceived of a bold and daring plan. he would pick a fight in the dead of night, taken directly to -- take it directly to the enemy. boats, crossede the great river and they won the day. by historical standards his crossing was a small event. 2400 americans fought 1500 haitians that lasted a couple that lasted ans

couple hours. by contrast 115,000 men fought a battle that continued for a day, battle of the bulge involves more than one they -- more than one million men. while the victory in trenton was not a great battle, it was a battle of consequence. it was a defining moment in our still young nation. the victory rocked by the -- that small victory wrought by the continental army showed victory was within our reach. the americans were still willing to fight and it rekindled the fire of independence and set the stage for larger victories to follow. today, our struggle is not against an implacable enmity and it will not -- enemy and when i compare military contests with political debates but the principle is the same. by picking a fight and we need this one small step toward

fiscal discipline in washington dc, the american people will see that victory over deficits and debt is within our reach, that we can fight and we can win and we can restore limited government at the national level. and so we must fight. [applause] vp-elect pence: republicans must show we are worthy of this moment, equal to the crisis, willing to stop, turn and squarely face of the mountain range of debt that threatens our children's future, squarely face all of those who defend the status quo. if harry reid wants a fight, let's give it to him. [applause] vp-elect pence: democrats in the senate may think they have the advantage, but let me assure you, it only seems that way.

a minority in the senate plus the american people equals in majority. [applause] vp-elect pence: and know this, know this, men and women. whenever you take a stand for freedom, future generations, for traditional values you do not fight alone. he who stills the waters, he who cleared the ice on the delaware will make a way for america, for he is not done with america yet. let's go take a fight. -- let's go pick a fight. [applause] >> one of the more high-profile controversies that mike pence had to deal with as governor was a law that was passed and he signed that critics said made it easier for businesses and individuals to discriminate against people based on their gender. we are by tony cook of the indianapolis star. tell us what the law dated out -- what that law did and how did the governor react to the

criticism? >> the law essentially tipped the balance in favor of religious objectors who said that if someone were to say that a government regulation infringed on their religious rights, it would tip the balance in that person's favor. the concern was this would allow christians or other religious believers to turn away gay or lesbian people because of their religious beliefs. it was a big controversy here in indiana, calls for boycotts, federal does several businesses threatened to cancel projects here in indiana. it is a big sports and entertainment town with a big convention. business and there was a real threat to the tourism industry here in indiana.

there was opposition to the law and demanded it be scaled back some. some of the few cases were i have seen pence actually reverse or bow down to calls that he moderate on social issues, he did sign a fix to the law that essentially prevented it from overwriting local nondiscrimination ordinances that some cities here in indiana had on the books. it was sort of a compromise with the business community and it was a situation where i also think you saw mike pence's propensity for message

discipline to backfire in a way. he appeared on some sunday news programs to defend the law at the height of the controversy and really stumbled when asked whether the law would allow discrimination. he stuck to his talking points over and over and over again rather than really addressing the question and that caused him some problems. while that message of discipline may be a great thing when you are running with donald trump who likes to shoot from the hip, it can also be a liability in some cases. >> what about when he is in the white house with donald trump? titus his experience with that law and of the controversy surrounding it, how does i guide him in a future encounter with this kind of legislation or issues in the white house? >> despite the fact that he was willing to sign a fix to the law, he never moderated his initial position on that issue. he has been a rock conservative

from day one. i cannot imagine that changing in the white house. i think one of the reasons donald trump chosen is because even the a social conservative. i think you will see him be that voice and encouraging trump who may not be as familiar with some of the history of the social issues, may not be as passionate about them. he is going to be that conservative voice. >> one of them was adding a provision protecting lgbt rights and responsibilities. here is a look at the news conference. vp-elect pence: thank you all for coming.

it has been a tough week in the hoosier state. we are going to move forward because as governor have the great privilege of serving the greatest people on earth, the people of indiana. the me say first and foremost i was proud to sign the freedom restoration act last week i believe religious liberty when president clinton signed the federal law, i believe religious liberty is our first freedom. it is vital to millions of americans who cherish faith as i and my family do. it is also vital to the

framework and freedom of our nation and this legislation was designed to ensure the vitality of religious liberty in the hoosier state. hoosiers are entitled to the same protections in our federal courts for the last 20 years. clearly there has been misunderstanding and confusion and mischaracterization of this law. i come before you today to say how we are going to address that. we have been working over the last several days, literally around the clock and talking

with people across the state of indiana, talking to business leaders and talking to organizations around the country who have spent time in indiana, enjoy the hospitality of the people in indiana and we have been listening. let me say first and foremost, as i've said to each one of you, the religious freedom restoration act was about religious liberty, not about discrimination. as i said last week, had this law been about legalizing discrimination, i would have vetoed it. this law does not give anyone a license to discriminate. the religious freedom restoration act directed at my services. it is simply a balancing test used by federal courts and jurisdictions for more than two decades. but let me say on the subject of the bill itself, i do not believe for a minute that it was the intention of the general assembly to create a license to discriminate or a right to deny services to gays, lesbians or anyone else in the state and it certainly was not my intent.

i can appreciate that is become the perception, not just here in indiana but all across the country. we need to confront that and confront it boldly in a way that respects the interest of all involved. personal reflection for a moment, if i can. i abhor discrimination. the way i was raised was like most hoosiers with the golden rule. you should do unto others as you would have them do unto you. i believe in my heart of hearts that no one should be harassed or mistreated because of who they are, who the love or what they believe. as i said, we have a perception problem because some people have

a different view. we intend to correct that. after much reflection, and in consultation with the general assembly, i have come to the conclusion that it would be helpful to move legislation this week that this does dr. businesses the right to deny service to anybody. let me say that again. i think it would be helpful and i would like to see on my desk at the end of the week legislation that is added to the religious freedom restoration act in indiana that makes a clear this law does not give businesses the right to deny

services to anyone. we went to make it clear that indiana is open to business. we want to make it clear that hoosier hospitality is not a slogan, it is our way of life. it is the reason why people come here from around the world and they come back again and again and again because hoosiers are the kindest, most generous, most decent people in the world. me say i believe this is a clarification but it is also a fix. it is a fix of a bill through mischaracterization and confusion would be greatly misunderstood and i determined -- and i am determined to address this this week and move forward as a state. i know we will. indiana has come under the harsh glare of criticism from around the country. some of us get paid because of the criticism.

the things that been said about our state have been deeply offensive to me. and i will defend the good and decent people of indiana we are going to make that happen. >> governor mike pence from 2015. we are talking with tony cook of the indianapolis star. the issue of mike pence's rocksolid conservative views have been discussed. what is the root of his political beliefs. >> he will tell you he grew up a democrat and it was not until he

was at hanover college that he really got to know some conservative republicans and essentially along with ronald reagan whom he grew to admire really changed his political views. at the same time he met karen pence and his wife and became a born-again christian. that is a religious experience that he has talked about a lot over the years and that really forms a core part of who he is. >> tony cook has been a part of the indianapolis star since the 12. you can read his reporting. -- since 2012. you can read his reporting. thank you for joining us. >> thank you for having me. >> we will wrap up with mike pence speaking earlier before his selection as vice presidential running mate for donald trump. here he is speaking at the annual cpac gathering in washington.

[applause] vp-elect pence: thank you. thank you, john. thank you for that warm introduction. good evening to you all. it is an honor to be with you among such a large group of so many americans, men and women who represent the bolt work of the leadership of the conservative movement in the united states of america. i appreciate that kind introduction but the introduction i prefer is a little bit shorter. i am a christian, conservative and republican in that order. [applause] vp-elect pence: there is an old saying, when you see a box turtle on a fence post, you know

one thing for sure, he did not get there on his own. that is certainly true of my life other than my faith, my family, my beloved wife who is here with me tonight and my fellow hoosiers, i arrive tonight first and foremost to pay a little bit of gratitude to you. i owe so much to cpac, to the movement, to the namesake of this dinner for the inspiration and opportunities i have been given. it is good to be back at cpac, the premier conservative gathering in the united states of america. [applause] vp-elect pence: we gather in 2015 in a challenging time in the life of this nation, and administration paralyzed right ideology and incompetence that has weakened america's place in the world. while the challenges we face are daunting, the choices are not.

50 years ago, ronald reagan helped birth are movement. today we are coming to another time for choosing. you either choose to view america as a shining city on a hill that inspires the best in all mankind or you do not. you either want america to stand by friends and stand up to enemies or you do not. you are either for limiting the power of the federal government or you are not. you are either for protecting the unborn and the religious liberty or you are not. after winning both houses of congress, more state houses than ever before and electing 31 republican governors in states like maryland and massachusetts

it illinois, the american people have made their choice and we are on the verge of a great american come back for our ideal. i believe that because i believe in this movement. my grandfather immigrated from ireland. while i actually started in politics as a democrat, when i heard it the voice of the 40th president of the united states, it all changed for me. i live the dream of becoming a becoming a congressman and only so as of the great state of indiana. [applause] vp-elect pence: i served 12 years in the congress and death i only had 12 more years i would

want to live it as a number of congress because that was the longest 12 years of my life. [laughter] vp-elect pence: the truth is, we have not had a government as good as our people in washington , d c, for some time. it is worse today than ever before. at home, the errors are almost too numerous to count whether it is a government takeover of health care, the internet, the president's unconstitutional amnesty or the war on coal, the administration's policies are snapping the vitality and threatening prosperity. most americans understand you cannot improve health care by ordering every american to buy health insurance whether they wanted or needed or not. you cannot expect the internet to thrive with these unwarranted and unjustifiable regulations. you cannot change the laws by executive fiats and you cannot build an energy policy by putting it on americans.

it should go without saying that obamacare must be refilled -- repealed. the president's executive action rescinded and the war on energy must end. [applause] vp-elect pence: tonight, allow me to offer some advice. to the rising generation of leaders who may be gathering in looking on the country and how we might confront the challenges we face abroad and home. first, let me submit the 2016 could actually be the first foreign policy national election since 1980. sadly, this administration has reduced our army to the smallest size since 1940. the navy has fewer ships than

any time since 1960 and the air force has it smallest tactical fighter force in history. history teaches you cannot reduce our military's strength without provoking our enemies. weakness arouses evil. as we speak, isis is setting up franchises across the middle east and is on the offensive across the arab world. the president says that jobs are the answer to violent jihad. mr. president, jihadi john does not want a job. he wants to see paradise and i think we should help them get their as quickly as possible. [applause] vp-elect pence: with the growing threat of homegrown terror, it

is important to remember our first line of defense is the right of self-defense. now more than ever the right to keep and bear arms must not be infringed on the american people. violent jihadist not our only threat. in asia, china is massively expanding its military. last month the pentagon admitted the chinese satellite and ballistic missile technologies are rapidly approaching our own. as we gather here tonight, a new iron curtain is descending down the spine of europe as modern russia seeks to redraw the map of europe by force. unlike the former soviet union who respect the strength of the west, putin ignores talks of sanctions. if we do not know enough about the threat of iran, the heritage foundation military strength released just this week lists iran as "by far the most

significant security challenge facing the united states and its allies and interests in the middle east." in a few days, the leader of our most cherished ally will come to washington, d c, to warn congress and the american people of the gathering storm he believes will strike his country and threaten ours if we allow the worlds most dangerous regime to obtain the world's most dangerous weapons. traveling to israel, and that -- israel, i met with the prime minister in his private quarters. on the very day the palestinian authority was trying to force a settlement on israel through the united nations. it would've compromised israel's security. i saw firsthand the resolve and determination of this courageous leader. who stands to often alone in times of great peril across the middle east. speaker boehner was right, to

invite prime minister netanyahu to address our congress and nation at such a time as this. israel's cause is our cause, their enemies are our enemies. if the worldthing else, -- if the world knows nothing else, let it know this, america stands with israel. [applause] vp-elect pence: the truth is, you cannot respect the world while refusing to call islamic extremism by name is an abdication of leadership. as president reagan taught us, peace comes through strength. providing for the common defense of the united states is the chief responsibility of our national government. with everything happening in the world, i believe my fellow

conservatives, i believe it is imperative that conservatives again embrace america's role as leader of the free world and the arsenal of democracy. [applause] vp-elect pence: i believe the time has come to dramatically increase defense spending. without rebuilding our military, no strategy or innovation, no matter how brilliant, will be sufficient to protect the american people and the sovereignty of the united states. among other measures, we could revive, the future combat in the marine corps. we can rebuild our navy. a safer america is a more prosperous america. of course, our strength begins

at home and our families, communities, businesses and states. second, let me suggest that our movement also puts the promise of federalism and state-based reform back at the center of the conservative agenda in the 21st century. [applause] mr. pence: as president reagan said, it is important to be reminded, and i quote, that the federal government did not create the states, the states created the federal government. [applause] mr. pence: our states are not territorial of the federal government, they are at wellspring of vitality and reform. i should know. i come from a state that works. [applause] mr. pence: in indiana, we balance budgets and have a aaa bond rating. that is a lot better than washington dc. we passed the largest state tax

cut in history. i am proud to say indiana was the first day to withdraw from common core in the midst shifting sands of contemporary culture and law, we have stood without apology for the sanctity of life, the importance of marriage and the freedom of religion. [applause] mr. pence: it is working. in our first two years in office, unemployment has dropped from 8% to 5.8%. we have seen 100,000 new private sector jobs created and at last year be that the nation in manufacturing jobs created. graduation rates are up, test scores are up and life is winning in indiana. abortion is in decline and the great state of indiana for the fifth straight year in a row. [applause] i do not come here to brag about

indiana. well, i did not come here just to brag about indiana. [laughter] mr. pence: i came here to encourage teaching everyone if you with the progress being made in indiana and other republican led states and to urge you as leaders and activists in this movement to take encouragement from the successful results, conservative policies achieving in states across the country. after 12 years in congress and two years as governor, i am more convinced that the cure for what ails this country will come more from our nations state capitals than it ever will from the nation's capital. let's put state-based innovation and reform at the center of our national agenda. let's look to the example of republican led states. that includes getting runaway federal spending under control.

when it comes to most public assistance programs, states are simply better equipped to innovate and manage anti-poverty programs in a fiscally responsible way. states cannot print money. during my years in congress, i honestly never recall anyone focusing on revenue forecasts when we passed a spending bill, but in indiana or we have a balanced budget, this year's budget will only be completed when we get the final revenue forecast to make sure that the income meets the outcome. states are better equipped to innovate and reform the integrated programs. in indiana we ended traditional medicaid for all able-bodied adults and replaced it with consumer driven health care and health savings accounts. [applause] mr. pence: we have expanded access to health care, not through federal mandates but marketplace reforms founded in self-reliance.

education because we believe all on his work is honorable, indiana as crafty plans to be the first state in america to make career in vocational education a priority in every high school. that's a power of the states to develop positive, substantive alternatives. let's give ourselves room to try new ideas and innovate. once wean ourselves off the washington center notion that every problem must find his answer in our nations capital. some say the next nominee of our party should be a governor. i am certainly sympathetic to that view. [laughter] mr. pence: all kidding aside, what i can tell you i am looking for is somebody that says, send to washington dc and i will run our nation's capital the way i

ran our state capital. for those of us that served in the city, you know washington, d.c. is not a state, literally or figuratively. i am listening for someone that says, send me to washington dc and i will make it more possible for the next person running my state to run it with more freedom and more flexibility. that is the constitutional way. [applause] mr. pence: when we win back the white house and reelected republican to congress, let's make it our aim to permanently produce the size and scope of the federal government by restoring the states the freedom, flexibility and resources as there's under the constitution of united states of america. [applause] mr. pence: finally, and finally as we strive to be the party of solutions at home and abroad, let's be relentlessly positive. i have said for years, i am a conservative that i'm not in a bad mood about it. we need to be cheerful partisans.

we need to be happy warriors. lord knows we need a little optimism these days. i was reminded of that at the indiana state fair. a man walked up to me, a great conservative, older gentlemen, with sad eyes and a very look at the approach me to say he supported everything i stood for and that he asked with troubling this, governor, do you think the country is going to make it? he had all the telltale signs of excessive cable television viewing. i put my head on his shoulder and i said, of course. we are americans. we always make it. we always find a way. [applause] mr. pence: you know, that man and millions like him are worried understandably about our country and future because of the failings of our national government. our national government has all kinds of problems and flaws and

weaknesses. let's remember the american people is not the american government. let's stop confusing the american government with the american people. we are a people with a government, not the other way around. i learned that lesson a long time ago when indianapolis was hosting all of the living recipients of the middle of honor. we were dedicating a memorial to all of those great men. i was talking to a show host and i have the privilege of interviewing them with one of them named jack lucas born in 1928 in north carolina. he enlisted in the marine corps in 1942 at the age of 14. lucas was so determined to join combat that he stowed away on

the uss dual to join the fifth marine division. jack turned 17 at sea just a few days before landing in imaging a. on the day following the landed, private lucas was following through a ravine with three men when two enemy can grenades landed nearby. he used his body to cover both hand grenades and save his marines despite horrible injuries. in 1945 he was awarded the medal of honor by president harry truman. [applause] we talked about his experiences, we exchanged pleasantries and he spoke with remarkable humility

about his extraordinary courage. i asked him a question. i said, jack, you are part of the greatest generation. you probably worry about this country when you see young people these days. in that moment, his countenance changed. the old soldier looked at me and said, son, you obviously have not the first idea we were talking about. i laughed nervously. this was live radio. i said, why don't you enlighten me? and he did. he said, growing back in the 1930's we did not have any more sense than kids did these days. we wasted just as much time, party just as much but when the time came, we stepped up because we are americans. kids these days will do just the same thing. [applause]

mr. pence: as we say, i have been told. i do not know how right jack was until a few years later. on a sunny morning in september of 2001, the day i found myself as a member of congress on capitol hill with sirens blaring in every direction in smoke billowing from the pentagon, and the next day, there were lines outside every recruiting station in every station in town across -- and town across this nation. in the years that follow, in my trips to visit soldiers in afghanistan and iraq, i saw the sacrifices of the new greatest generation, who just like jack said, stepped up.

and did what needed to be done. so i say with conviction tonight, the american people today, despite the failings of our national government, the american people are every bit as strong and peach got a and generous and selfless and resilient and freedom loving as they have ever been throughout the great history of this great nation. [applause] mr. pence: our nation deserves leaders of our party and movement believe in the american people with an unshakable faith. faith is my final point. we are not in this alone. the bible says for the spirit of the lord is, there is liberty. when we hold the banner of liberty high and take up the cause of freedom at home and abroad, i believe in all of my

heart we take this cause as our own and we do not fight alone. my fellow conservatives, let's be confident and let's have faith. faith in america's unique responsibility and the founder's vision of limited constitutional government. faith in the capacity of the american people, especially in our states to craft solutions to the complex problems that are facing us and faith in him who said this miracle of democracy on this world and the shores that he will fulfill his promise for this last best hope of earth. we have come to another time of choosing and i believe with all of my heart with your help and with god's help, once again, america will choose freedom. [applause] mr. pence: thank you and god bless you. [applause]

♪ >> next, a profile of the next senate democratic leader, charles schumer of new york. congressional correspondence tall cane at the washington post and jennifer steinhauer of the riseork times discuss his and his relationships with mcconnell and president-elect donald trump. this hour-long program also includes video of senator schumer's house and send career -- and senate career.

>> i am honored to receive the support of my colleagues to be the leader of the next senate democratic caucus. >> charles schumer announced as the nextelected senate democratic leader for the 115th congress. we are going to look at his house and senate career and discuss his rise in democratic leadership and how he will work with a republican-led congress and a new president. we will use video from our c-span library over the arc of his career and we are joined by two long-term capital watchers, jennifer steinhauer. and paul kane. thank you to both of you for joining us.