Gov. Mitch Daniels made it clear in a press conference today that he was not prepared to fight for the passage of right-to-work legislation, which is being pushed by GOP state lawmakers. Today most Indiana Democrat assembly members left the state in order to ensure there would not be a quorum.
“For reasons I’ve explained more than once, I thought there was a better time and place to have this very important and legitimate issue raised,” said Daniels.
In a December interview, Daniels said that he was against the issue being raised this legislative session since it had not been a focus on the campaign trail. “I think if you’re going to try to do something that fundamental, you owe it to the public to have that kind of an airing first, and that has not happened here,” he remarked.
Daniels also emphasized he didn’t want to escalate the issue any further.
“I’m not sending the state police after anybody,” he said.
“I trust that peoples’ consciences will bring them back to work,” Daniels added. “I choose to believe that our friends in the minority, having made their point, will come back and do their duty and the jobs that they’re paid to do.”
So much for Mitch Daniels' presidential aspirations.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYup. He just lost my vote, too. I'm hearing the same from many friends.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuseand that response is exactly why he is pretty unlikely to have a presidential campaign that gains any real traction.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFirst he goes La Raza on us with his support for amnesty and his unwililngness to restore the rule of law in immigration. Now this. Mitch, your star is falling, ami.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHey Mitch: way to go giving the unions a veto over your state's policies. So ends any presidential run by Daniels.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWell, goodbye 2012 for Daniels. Too bad. I had hoped he might be the next Calvin Coolidge, but Coolidge dealt rather more forcefully with unions, as I recall. We can't afford a candidate or president who's preoccupied with bending over backwards to be courteous to our political enemies (who never reciprocate), and who insists on fighting with one hand tied behind his back.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHe probably thinks the legislature is being too harsh. So do my kids when I make them go to bed at 9:00.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGoodbye Mitch, NRO can't save you from this one.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMitch Daniels has not only just legitimized legislator walk-out as an effective tactic, he even went so far as to echo the precise complaint we are hearing from Dems in Wisconsin
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI can see that this might not be his fight, and maybe this brings the dems back and they spring the vote on them later. But, I think GOP voters are looking for a fight, and it is time to fight.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRight to work is not everyone's issue, but it is a conservative issue
Actually, if what he says is true (he didn't campaign on the issue), then his statements now are laudable. Despite the fact that forced unionization should be done away with, it is a rather fundamental change to the way the state does business. At least on the surface, he is opposing the legislation on the principle that it wasn't on anyone's radar, and therefore is not fair-game for passing now. Being silent on it during the campaign, and then expending political capital to get it passed would be rather like, I don't know, a Democrat claiming on the campaign trail that he opposed an individual mandate to buy insurance, and then having that be the centerpiece of his domestic agenda.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWow--first Thune, and now Daniels.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis is stupid on every level conceivable.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThanks Mitch for showing early what a weenie you are. But don't worry, unlike so many of your fellow citizens lacking work, I am sure you will find a job whatever happens. In fact, here's a tip: the Civility Institute will likely be hiring soon and I hear RINOs always have a leg up. Tell George Herbert Walker I sent you.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePalin 2012
The lady knows how to fight!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHe also doesn't seem to indicate that he won't sign it, just that he's not pushing it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseEven if you're too timid to face the issue, Gov. Daniels, you owe it to your state and other governors not to legitimaze this childish and anti-democratic de-quorum tactic employed by Democrat legislators.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMr. Daniels is out of step here. Now is a time to put the conservative pedal to the metal.
d(^_^)b
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"Because the Only Good Progressive is a Failed Progressive"
Daniels can forget the presidency, and worry instead about a primary opponent for governor.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSpoken like the true Bushie, prep-school Republican he is.
We do not need another "turn the other cheek" Republican in the White House. That's one of the reasons we are where we are today.
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