This afternoon, I had a chance to ask Congressman Mike Pence about President Obama’s reference to a new attitude toward science.  In today’s inaugural address, the President said he wants to restore “science to its rightful place.”

Congressman Pence said he ”certainly caught that line” and several others that suggest “traditional liberal Democrat signals.”  But, since Mr. Obama “won a contest of ideas,” Pence won’t begrudge the right to offer something contrary to Republican preferences.

Overall, though, Congressman Pence said the inaugural speech “ struck a very positive tone for the country and I expect folks back home will receive it as such.”