Over on HumanEvents.com the call has been put out to the right-wing and conservative bloggers to begin a grassroots campaign for Mike Pence for Minority Leader and John Shaddegg for Minority Whip.  Rather than dilute the reporting of Human Events by putting this info into my own words, I have copied over two pieces available on the Human Events web site.  At the end of the second is a phone number where you can contact your representative and request (actually demand) that they support Reps Pence and Shaddegg

Here is the letter that John Shaddegg sent to his colleagues earlier this year to announce his campaign for House Leader:

The following is Rep. John Shadegg's (R.-Ariz.) letter to Republican colleagues announcing his entrance into the House majority leader race today.

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Dear Republican Colleague,

Ten years ago, we took control of the House of Representatives for the first time in half a century. It was a historic achievement, and it was possible because we stood for the principles the American people believe in: a smaller federal government, returning power to the states, lower taxes, greater individual freedom, and – above all – reform. I am running for Majority Leader, and I ask for your support. In addition, in order to make clear my commitment to this race and my goal of leading a reinvigorated Republican majority, I am resigning my position as Policy Chairman. I personally believe it is not appropriate to try to retain one position in our elected leadership while running for another. My campaign is based on reform, and reform should begin with an open process In the past decade, particularly recently, we seem to have lost sight of our ideals. I believe that in order to reconnect with the American people, and retain and grow our Republican Majority in the House, we need to recommit ourselves to our principles.

We need to reform the earmark process and end secret backroom deals. We must also reform our antiquated budget process, and take a clear stand for open and honest government. No elected official, including a Member of Congress, who takes a bribe should get a taxpayer-funded pension.

I grew up watching the example of Barry Goldwater, who worked closely with my father. He taught me that, “a government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away.” That is the philosophy that guided me when I ran for Congress in 1994. I was thrilled to be part of the Revolutionary Class of ’94, and the sense of hope and mission of the early days after Republicans took back the House is still with me. We believed then that we could take back our government, and I believe it today. When I ran for Policy Chairman last year, I told Members that I wanted to help our Leadership, and our entire Conference, achieve our agenda for the American people. I was able to reach out to all corners of our Conference, and was honored to be elected without opposition. As Policy Chairman, I continued to try to bring the Conference together by hosting a series of Unity Dinners to find consensus on the difficult issue of immigration reform.

Members of our Republican Conference disagree about policy and tactics, but we stand together in our respect for this institution, our hatred of corruption, and our support for the basic principles of our party. The American people overwhelmingly support the principles we stand for. We cannot allow the current scandals to distract their attention from our substantive agenda.

I do not need a poll or questionnaire to tell me what Republicans stand for. The party of Reagan exists not to expand government, but to protect the American people from government’s excesses. Reagan once said, “If you’re afraid of the future, then get out of the way, stand aside. The people of this country are ready to move again.” I think this Conference is ready to move again, and move toward the reforms the American people deserve.

Sincerely,

John Shadegg

And here is a piece from Human Events endorsing Mike Pence.

When the now-defeated Republican majority in the House of Representative was led astray on key issues by President Bush, House Speaker Dennis Hastert and former Majority Leader Tom DeLay, it was Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana who rallied backbenchers to fight back in defense of conservative principles.

That is why Pence should be elected minority leader for the next Congress.

Under Pence’s leadership over the next two years, we believe, House Republicans can put themselves in position to retake the majority in 2008. More importantly, they can be counted on to fight for what’s right—even when that means defying a president of their own party.

Speaker Hastert did the right thing today by stepping aside. But if Republicans in the House simply elevate the other members currently in the leadership—go back to business as usual—the party may find itself mired in the minority for years to come. Conservative activists need to speak out now to make certain this doesn’t happen. They need to say: No to the old leaders. No to business as usual. Yes to Mike Pence.

When President Bush pushed through the No Child Left Behind education law in his first year in office, Mike Pence opposed it. Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, the current House majority leader, not only supported No Child Left Behind, he became its principal congressional advocate—along with liberal Democratic Sen. Teddy Kennedy of Massachusetts.

In 2003, when Bush pushed through his $8-trillion Medicare prescription drug entitlement, creating a new welfare program for the middle class, Boehner supported Bush again. Pence led a gang of House conservatives who valiantly opposed it. When the leadership brought the drug plan up on the House floor in the wee hours, Hastert and DeLay tried to bully conservatives to switch their votes. Some did. Not Mike Pence.

Boehner voted for the drug entitlement.

Last year, when President Bush, stung by criticism of his response to Hurricane Katrina, started tossing out federal tax dollars like a carnival king tossing out Mardi Gras favors, Pence led the conservatives in the House Republican Study Committee, which he chaired, in demanding spending cuts to offset Bush’s proposed spending. Eventually, Pence and Company forced reluctant Republican leaders to accept at least some cuts—even in entitlement spending.

Pence is not a big government conservative. He is a Ronald Reagan conservative. Like Reagan, he recognizes that government is often not the solution, but the problem.

He is a supply-sider who has always favored lower taxes on income, savings and investments--as well as lower federal spending. He believes in a strong military and a strong national defense. He is committed to defending the right to life and traditional marriage.

Pence is also like Reagan in that he is a former broadcaster and excellent communicator. Unlike Speaker Dennis Hastert, who was never a compelling presence in the mass media, Pence will be able to make persuasive arguments for the conservative cause on national television and radio programs.

Conservatives should call House members now and urge them to support Mike Pence for minority leader.

You can contact your member by phone at (202) 224-3121 or e-mail.