Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana, in a low-key appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, was mum about a potential 2012 presidential bid. “I have agreed to consider it,” he said, but did not sound enthusiastic about the prospect. “Others have said over the course of the last year and a half that I ought to consider something that had never entered my mind.”
With regard to a timeline for his decision, Daniels has “no idea.” He did not shoot down moderator Chuck Todd’s question about waiting until the summer. “I am completely committed to the job I am in now,” he said. “If deadlines pass, they do.” Besides, he mused, it is a “blissful occurrence” that the presidential horse race has been slow to start.
Daniels praised the emerging field of contenders as he sidestepped questions about his own intentions. “There are some really good people running,” he said. “I like them all. I am hoping that our party will simply step up to the issues of the day, and it could be any one of those folks.”
Yet many of those same candidates criticized Daniel indirectly last week at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s spring kick-off. In a series of speeches, White House hopefuls such as Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum argued that social values should be the keystone of the GOP platform.
Daniels last year proposed a “truce” on social issues, hoping to see Republicans focus on fiscal problems. On Meet, he shrugged off the criticisms. “I happen to share their views and respect their passion,” he said. “Some of it, however, comes to this: Are you more committed to results or rhetoric?”
“I don’t sit around calculating the political pluses and minuses of every little word I utter,” Daniels said. If Beltway leaders want to achieve meaningful fiscal reform, he added, they are “going to have to get together people who disagree on other things.”
Daniels, who served in the Bush administration as director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, also weighed in on the budget debate brewing on Capitol Hill. “To see them arguing over nickels and dimes like this,” he said, is “almost comic,” especially as entitlement spending soars.
Daniels then wagged a finger at House Republicans, who have attached politically-tinged amendments — often dubbed “riders” — to recent spending bills. “As a general rule, it is better practice to do the people’s business, try to concentrate on making ends meet, which Washington obviously has failed to do for a long time, and have other policy debates in other places,” he said. Still, when pressed by Todd, he did not criticize House Speaker John Boehner for enabling such “riders” to be brought to the floor.
Turning toward Hoosier State politics, Daniels offered hearty support to Sen. Dick Lugar, who is facing Tea Party opposition in the run-up to the 2012 GOP Senate primary. “I’m for Dick Lugar, he’s the role model I’ve had,” he said.
Daniels, who once served as Lugar’s chief of staff, emphasized that he would not meddle in the primary. Voters, though, will know where he stands. “Folks in Indiana know that I am for him and that I admire him and think if he wants another term, he ought to have one,” he said.
By supporting Lugar (the Obama favorite R), daniels is further signalling he Aint running in 2012, which is a good thing as he has No chance given his almost RINO like stances on social issues. Daniels would make a good Treas. Sec to the future R potus.
"If he wants to have one, he should have it". And if the voters don't want him to have it? Daniels continues to hurt his chances, should he run. With all his yapping lately sounding more like he's not running because he keeps driving off potential voters nationwide.
If Daniels' role model is Richard Lugar, he isn't getting my vote. Too bad. He had potential. He has a reasonable, common sense approach to governing which has been sorely lacking in Washington for decades. But Lugar is one of the "go along to get along" deal makers who has gotten us to the place we are today and it's not a great place to be. There's much to be said for compromise, but it has its limitations and compromising core values and principles should never be part of the deal.
As a hoosier, I like Daniels, I think he has been a pretty good governor. As for Lugar, ugh... He turned me off many years ago. But as in politics, Daniels probably owes him somehow. I hope the Tea Party puts up a good candidate, because I haven't always liked the tea party candidates and would like to vote for one, but it needs to be a good candidate, not just attaching Tea Party to them is going to do it for me.
Right-on Jenna. Compromise for the GOP always means higher taxes and more spending. Compromise for Democrats only means less of a tax increase than they wanted, large instead of merely-monstrous spending increases, and something just short of a full government takeover of an industry.
Maybe we can find a picture of Lugar hugging Daniels. It worked for Obama/Christ.
"I’m for Dick Lugar, he’s the role model I’ve had"
In fairness to Daniels, he's not shy about telling you where's he's coming from. The only trouble is that 'where he's coming from' makes Bush and McCain seem like hard-line conservatives. Which makes it an even bigger mystery that the writers on NRO keep talking him up as potential presidential candidate.
Lugar not only voted to confirm Kagan and Sotomoyer, but he spoke eloquently about them. If Daniels thinks highly of Lugar, I can only imagine where his head is with respect to judicial appointments. Republicans CANNOT afford to nominate a candidate that might appoint a Souter-like Supreme Court Justice.
For me, Daniel's comments make him absolutely untrustworthy - that is to say, I don't trust that he'll appoint reliably conservative judicial appointments.
Sen. Lugar has all but begged conservatives to abandon him. I'll be turning out for Richard Mourdock in the primaries, though I have supported Lugar in the past.
Another concern: he will be 79 years old on election day. Why in the world is he clinging to this seat? He should simply retire and enjoy the rest of his life.
I guess we should be thankful that Daniels isn't trying to pretend to be a conservative in his run-up to running like Dubya did, only to betray supporters with his Big Government Compassionate Liberalism. He has been weak on right-to-work, weak on life, weak on values - is there anyone besides Rich Lowry who gets warm and runny inside over his potential candidacy?
While Govs. Christie and Walker should what men with a working pair look like, Lugar and Daniels continue to show the failed moves that brought shame to the GOP.
What's Daniels supposed to say about his former boss; he's a RINO? He did the right thing in that he gently finessed the question. When the time comes, he either change sides or just remain silent, and that's how it's done in politics. You don't burn bridges while you're still standing on them.
Daniels is quite astute in placing social issues on the back burner. No one thinks they're gone from the party consciousness, it's only that we've got this more pressing issue of the country economically imploding on our collective minds.
The person elected president in 2012 will be the one who has most effectively connected with the American electorate on the economy and the imminent threats of the national debt. Get that right and the rest will fall into place.
"I can get behind the idea of putting social issues on the backburner; because really, if we go bankrupt, the social issues don't really matter."
I agree with Mark Steyn, who approvingly quoted Mike Pence:
"To those who say we should simply focus on fiscal issues, I say you would not be able to print enough money in a thousand years to pay for the government you would need if the traditional family collapses."
If Mitch Daniels' role model is Dick Lugar, I might as well vote for Mitt Romney. I can't tell you what a turn-off and a deal-breaker that comment is. It's like an attractive woman in a bar letting slip that her role model is Lorena Bobbitt.
Ugh, this GOP field just gets worse and worse (and we have so many younger potential candidates who are worth something!).
Several people have said "yeah, but you'd pull the lever for him over Obama II". Yes, I would. But I doubt that the fervor that drove turnout in 2010 would return in 2012 for Mitch Daniels *as we currently understand him*. It would be like pulling the lever for McCain II. I'll wait and hear what he has to say which I've been saying for awhile now. None of these guys/gals has been really tested politically in a heated primary. Only Christie (NJ) and now Walker (WI) have taken on the Establishment Left and won so far. Let's see Daniels show some moxy, then I'll believe he can rally the GOP.
If he is a Dick Lugar Republican, he'll lose to Obama 54-46%...or worse.
We've done a great job taking the party back, so let's not blow it on a guy who based on the original post is an old-school Party-Ahead-of-Principle Republican.
Did any of the people here who are writing off Daniels actually watch the interview? Seriously. Chuck Todd was trying to trap him on every question and he handled it all quite deftly, but maybe not deftly enough because now there are quotes that make Daniels out to be the world's greatest RINO. Once you are done watching the interview, watch Daniels' CPAC speech as well.
For those that have decided that Daniels is now anathema, who is our pure and undefiled candidate that can actually win in 2012?
By supporting Lugar (the Obama favorite R), daniels is further signalling he Aint running in 2012, which is a good thing as he has No chance given his almost RINO like stances on social issues. Daniels would make a good Treas. Sec to the future R potus.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"If he wants to have one, he should have it". And if the voters don't want him to have it? Daniels continues to hurt his chances, should he run. With all his yapping lately sounding more like he's not running because he keeps driving off potential voters nationwide.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf Daniels' role model is Richard Lugar, he isn't getting my vote. Too bad. He had potential. He has a reasonable, common sense approach to governing which has been sorely lacking in Washington for decades. But Lugar is one of the "go along to get along" deal makers who has gotten us to the place we are today and it's not a great place to be. There's much to be said for compromise, but it has its limitations and compromising core values and principles should never be part of the deal.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI liked him until I read this. Lugar is a RINO or worse. He NEEDS to go.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAs a hoosier, I like Daniels, I think he has been a pretty good governor. As for Lugar, ugh... He turned me off many years ago. But as in politics, Daniels probably owes him somehow. I hope the Tea Party puts up a good candidate, because I haven't always liked the tea party candidates and would like to vote for one, but it needs to be a good candidate, not just attaching Tea Party to them is going to do it for me.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRight-on Jenna. Compromise for the GOP always means higher taxes and more spending. Compromise for Democrats only means less of a tax increase than they wanted, large instead of merely-monstrous spending increases, and something just short of a full government takeover of an industry.
Maybe we can find a picture of Lugar hugging Daniels. It worked for Obama/Christ.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseCount me among the conservatives who doesn't see what the big deal is about Daniels. THIS guy is our potential savior? I'm thoroughly unconvinced.
I can get behind the idea of putting social issues on the backburner; because really, if we go bankrupt, the social issues don't really matter.
But Daniels just strikes me as too "Aw shucks, can't we just get along..." It's hard to get voters excited about that.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYes, Daniels just put a nail in his own coffin for me for the Presidential primary with his hearty backing of Lugar in his primary.
But should Daniels win the nomination and Obama the nominee too, how many of us will hold our noses and vote for Daniels?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWell he lost me. I agree with ALL you guys. I'd vote for him against Obama, but that's it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHeckuva job, Mitchie.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"I’m for Dick Lugar, he’s the role model I’ve had"
In fairness to Daniels, he's not shy about telling you where's he's coming from. The only trouble is that 'where he's coming from' makes Bush and McCain seem like hard-line conservatives. Which makes it an even bigger mystery that the writers on NRO keep talking him up as potential presidential candidate.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLugar not only voted to confirm Kagan and Sotomoyer, but he spoke eloquently about them. If Daniels thinks highly of Lugar, I can only imagine where his head is with respect to judicial appointments. Republicans CANNOT afford to nominate a candidate that might appoint a Souter-like Supreme Court Justice.
For me, Daniel's comments make him absolutely untrustworthy - that is to say, I don't trust that he'll appoint reliably conservative judicial appointments.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSen. Lugar has all but begged conservatives to abandon him. I'll be turning out for Richard Mourdock in the primaries, though I have supported Lugar in the past.
Another concern: he will be 79 years old on election day. Why in the world is he clinging to this seat? He should simply retire and enjoy the rest of his life.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI guess we should be thankful that Daniels isn't trying to pretend to be a conservative in his run-up to running like Dubya did, only to betray supporters with his Big Government Compassionate Liberalism. He has been weak on right-to-work, weak on life, weak on values - is there anyone besides Rich Lowry who gets warm and runny inside over his potential candidacy?
While Govs. Christie and Walker should what men with a working pair look like, Lugar and Daniels continue to show the failed moves that brought shame to the GOP.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat's Daniels supposed to say about his former boss; he's a RINO? He did the right thing in that he gently finessed the question. When the time comes, he either change sides or just remain silent, and that's how it's done in politics. You don't burn bridges while you're still standing on them.
Daniels is quite astute in placing social issues on the back burner. No one thinks they're gone from the party consciousness, it's only that we've got this more pressing issue of the country economically imploding on our collective minds.
The person elected president in 2012 will be the one who has most effectively connected with the American electorate on the economy and the imminent threats of the national debt. Get that right and the rest will fall into place.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDistrictDawg:
"I can get behind the idea of putting social issues on the backburner; because really, if we go bankrupt, the social issues don't really matter."
I agree with Mark Steyn, who approvingly quoted Mike Pence:
"To those who say we should simply focus on fiscal issues, I say you would not be able to print enough money in a thousand years to pay for the government you would need if the traditional family collapses."
External Link
Steyn argues that "the social liberalism always ends up burying the fiscal conservatism."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf Mitch Daniels' role model is Dick Lugar, I might as well vote for Mitt Romney. I can't tell you what a turn-off and a deal-breaker that comment is. It's like an attractive woman in a bar letting slip that her role model is Lorena Bobbitt.
Ugh, this GOP field just gets worse and worse (and we have so many younger potential candidates who are worth something!).
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDaniels is proving to be the "conservative" I suspected him to be. It also becomes more & more obvious why the blue-bloods are pushing this guy.
As for the Indiana senate race, on't live in Indiana, but you can be assured I will be sending $$ to defeat Lugar.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSeveral people have said "yeah, but you'd pull the lever for him over Obama II". Yes, I would. But I doubt that the fervor that drove turnout in 2010 would return in 2012 for Mitch Daniels *as we currently understand him*. It would be like pulling the lever for McCain II. I'll wait and hear what he has to say which I've been saying for awhile now. None of these guys/gals has been really tested politically in a heated primary. Only Christie (NJ) and now Walker (WI) have taken on the Establishment Left and won so far. Let's see Daniels show some moxy, then I'll believe he can rally the GOP.
If he is a Dick Lugar Republican, he'll lose to Obama 54-46%...or worse.
We've done a great job taking the party back, so let's not blow it on a guy who based on the original post is an old-school Party-Ahead-of-Principle Republican.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDid any of the people here who are writing off Daniels actually watch the interview? Seriously. Chuck Todd was trying to trap him on every question and he handled it all quite deftly, but maybe not deftly enough because now there are quotes that make Daniels out to be the world's greatest RINO. Once you are done watching the interview, watch Daniels' CPAC speech as well.
For those that have decided that Daniels is now anathema, who is our pure and undefiled candidate that can actually win in 2012?
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse