Indiana Republican Rep. Mike Pence, candidate for minority leader and former head of the Republican Study Committee, just concluded his conference call/meeting with bloggers.  He said opponent John Boehner “is an honorable man. He is a conservative” and Boehner “staved off what could have been a much larger rout in 2006.”  But, Pence said, he ”is the best candidate of the three to win back the public confidence.”

Then Pence laid down his marker with the White House.

He said the role of the minority leader is to “oppose this President publicly and boldly when we believe he is violating” principles of limited government.  “Be willing to challenge the President of our own party forcefully and respectfully” should Bush violate core conservative principles, he vowed.

“As Moses said famously, I’ve been burned by a Bush before,” Pence said.  “I will support this President when he is right, and oppose the views of the President when he is wrong.”

And what about Nancy Pelosi’s public embrace of Jack Murtha for the majority leader post?  Pence: “It does suggest that despite their rather euphoric and understable victory lap … things over there will likely be more interesting than initially appears.”  With the suspected Democratic agenda and votes, Pence ”expects a target rich environment. … an embarassment of riches for those on this call.”

(Thanks again to The Truth Laid Bear for setting up these blogger calls.)