Indiana congressman Mike Pence has gotten a lot of buzz as a potential GOP presidential candidate who could appeal to both establishment Republicans and Tea Partiers—social conservatives and fiscal conservatives.

While Pence has a plausible path to the GOP nomination, and the presidency, it would be a long, hard slog. On the other hand, he could take the governorship of Indiana in a walk. Not an easy choice. But if Pence ever wants to run for president, it’s hard to see how there will be a better moment than now.