Indiana Gov. Pence: Not ‘Helpful’ To ‘Question The President’s Patriotism’

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence announces that the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services had approved the state's waiver request for the plan his administration calls HIP 2.0 during a speech in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Ja... Indiana Gov. Mike Pence announces that the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services had approved the state's waiver request for the plan his administration calls HIP 2.0 during a speech in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) MORE LESS
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When asked if he agrees with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) that President Obama doesn’t “love America,” Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) said he didn’t think people should question Obama’s patriotism.

“I don’t think it helps to question the president’s patriotism or motives,” Pence said on “Fox News Sunday” when asked about Giuliani’s comments.

“But look, Rudy Giuliani is a great American. He saw nearly three thousand of his own citizens die on 9/11, and he is understandably frustrated with a president, who — as I said before — is fully willing to lecture the people of this country about The Crusades, but is unwilling to call Islamic extremism for what it is,” Pence continued, referencing Obama’s comments at the National Prayer Breakfast.

Fox host John Roberts asked Pence again whether he himself questioned Obama’s patriotism.

“I just don’t think it’s helpful in the public debate to question motives or to question patriotism,” the governor responded.

Pence echoed 2016 hopeful Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who said Saturday that it was a “mistake to question” the president’s “motives.”

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