A Game Changer
I have been reading the Mitch Daniels posts and comments with great interest.
My gut tells me to like the guy. I understand the misgivings that have been expressed, and I am particularly grateful for Paul Rahe's thoughtful presentation of concerns. Likewise, Mr. Pippen's response shows our community great respect, does it not?
The Wall Street Journal has a piece on Daniels today. I'm not gonna lie. This passage might just make up my mind for good:
[Daniels] revamped a sluggish Bureau of Motor Vehicles so people could get new plates or driver's licenses in a matter of minutes, still one of his most popular moves. When he dropped by a BMV office in Lafayette recently, a woman pushing a baby carriage rushed to embrace him.
"Hello, Mitch," she gushed, telling him "I got everything I needed in 10 minutes."
A matter of minutes, folks. Minutes!
I was also intrigued by the final paragraphs:
When asked about a presidential run, Mr. Daniels often laughs and brushes the query aside. He is focused on Indiana and the current legislative session, he says. Or, he says, it's a question his wife and four daughters will help decide. (His wife, he says, isn't at all supportive of another campaign.)
Mr. Daniels is convinced that as president, he would know how to fix the country's debt and swelling entitlements. He's less sure he has the stomach for pursuing the job.
"A friend of mine said to me, 'Mitch, you have a fatal flaw as a candidate.' And I said, 'I have a lot of them. Which one did you have in mind?' And he said, 'You can live without it.'"
His wife's not into it. He may not want it bad enough. Are these two strikes against him? Or two chips in his favor? For me, it's the latter. I want a guy who's more than a little reluctant and whose wife has the sense to be repulsed by the nature of campaigning. How about you?
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Jun '10
Re: A Game Changer
I agree, Ursula. Chips in his favor --- big time! Our governor here in NJ says the same thing.
Now, I could tell you horror stories about NJ motor vehicle experiences. Not able to with the 200 word limit here at Ricochet.......
Jun '10
Re: A Game Changer
...His wife's not into it. He may not want it bad enough. Are these two strikes against him? Or two chips in his favor? For me, it's the latter. I want a guy who's more than a little reluctant and whose wife has the sense to be repulsed by the nature of campaigning. How about you? ·
Ursula Hennessey:
Candidates need to passionately want the job. They just have to want it for the right reason. In the 1970's, Ronald Reagan was not reluctant to seek the presidency. He knew he was ready and knew what had to be done. If Daniels is not passionate about the job, that's fine, as long as he's not the Republican nominee. If he's the Republican nominee, he better want it like Charlie Sheen wants the next bag of cocaine. Because that's what it takes.
Re: A Game Changer
etoiledunord
...His wife's not into it. He may not want it bad enough. Are these two strikes against him? Or two chips in his favor? For me, it's the latter. I want a guy who's more than a little reluctant and whose wife has the sense to be repulsed by the nature of campaigning. How about you? ·
Ursula Hennessey:
Candidates need to passionately want the job. They just have to want it for the right reason. In the 1970's, Ronald Reagan was not reluctant to seek the presidency. He knew he was ready and knew what had to be done. If Daniels is not passionate about the job, that's fine, as long as he's not the Republican nominee. If he's the Republican nominee, he better want it like Charlie Sheen wants the next bag of cocaine. Because that's what it takes. · Feb 26 at 6:42am
I agree -- but there is something to be said for hesitating before taking the plunge. The personal price can be steep. That having been said, once a candidate has taken the plunge, he needs to put heart and soul into it. No more Giuliani's!
Feb '11
Re: A Game Changer
etoiledunord
...His wife's not into it. He may not want it bad enough. Are these two strikes against him? Or two chips in his favor? For me, it's the latter. I want a guy who's more than a little reluctant and whose wife has the sense to be repulsed by the nature of campaigning. How about you? ·
Ursula Hennessey:
Candidates need to passionately want the job. They just have to want it for the right reason.
I agree with etoiledunord... and also with (my read of) Ursula's sentiment that power-hungry candidates who seek election at all costs are to be avoided. Christie of NJ knew that the state needed him. No one else could've done it. Service, not power. He, as etoile says, wanted it for the right reason. But he also knew he was the best man for the job and the only one who could do what needed doing, and also that the rest of the country would come to know how desperately his kind of leadership is required! When Bob Casey Sr. wanted to run for president, he said, "I think I can win." Wrong answer. You have to know it.
Sep '10
Re: A Game Changer
I used to live in Sacramento and I would drive 30 minutes west to Davis CA to be there by 8 am to be in the large line to get my stuff done in just an hour or two. Sacramento's DMVs were kind of like the Caracas airport except the lines were slower.
In Oklahoma, on the other hand they have long ago privatized the "tag agencies" as they call them. They spring up in mini malls all over town and you never wait more than 15 minutes for anything.
I am always amazed when government regulation is thrown out as a fix for something. For example, people (myself included) don't necessarily understand the derivatives market, but why would anyone presume the government could effectively regulate it when it gets the DMV so wrong?
Re: A Game Changer
We should not blame Governor Daniels' wife. Her reluctance is a sign of sanity -- as is his. But, as I said, if he takes the plunge, he should go whole hog -- as he no doubt will.
Oct '10
Re: A Game Changer
Could it be argued that we are then the insane, given our infatuation for analysis of the legitimacy of presidential qualifications of men who have up to this point rejected the notion? Although having much greater civility and knowledge, these discussions on some level resemble the debate of comic book fans on IMDB over the merits and legitimacy of the Spider-Man reboot before ever seeing a photo or line of script.
All these discussions about Gov. Daniels (or Christie for that matter) ought to be understood as hypothetical and it would be imprudent to make a decision for or against without giving Candidate Daniels the chance as a candidate to address these issues himself. I'm not claiming the Ricochetoire are blind to this fact but I personally find the ardent polarization curious given the uncertainties.
On the other hand, Gov. Daniels and Mr. Pippen responded... out of commitment to Ricochet or appeal to base?
Oct '10
Re: A Game Changer
Another quick point, I believe there was a post that I cannot find (not for lack of effort) in regards to a "new" nomination procedure. If I recall correctly the idea was for each candidate to argue why the voters should choose the other guy and what their own shortcomings were to make them the undesired choice. I think the overall point is sometimes the people who would be best and most effective in positions of leadership are the ones who do not shrink from the task but might be a touch too humble or have respect and honor for the position.
Nov '10
Re: A Game Changer
So because he loves his wife and four daughters he’s who we want for president?
Oct '10
Re: A Game Changer
"[Daniels] revamped a sluggish Bureau of Motor Vehicle so people could get new plates or driver's licenses in a matter of minutes, still one of his most popular moves."
Ahhh, the wonders of Federalism. Something like this would be impossible at the Federal level.
Dec '10
Re: A Game Changer
Except that Gov. Daniels has not rejected the notion. He is contemplating embracing the notion and is being promoted by many, including on Ricochet, as the best candidate. He has also publicly proposed something that sounds like a national campaign strategy position, the "truce".
OTOH, Gov. Christie has rejected the notion of running, explicitly and unequivocally stating he is not running.
If Gov. Daniels had said the same thing we would not be having these discussions.
Also, at least the discussions concerning Gov. Daniels are about substantive issues and policy. That is in stark contrast with much of what has been posted here about former Gov. Palin. She is also someone who has not ruled out running and who is being promoted as a candidate. The tone and tenor of discussions about Palin have been much different from those about Gov. Daniels.
Edited on Feb 26, 2011 at 8:56amOct '10
Re: A Game Changer
Nickolas
Except that Gov. Daniels has not rejected the notion. He is contemplating embracing the notion and is being promoted by many, including on Ricochet, as the best candidate. He has also publicly proposed something that sounds like a national campaign strategy position, the "truce".
Nor has he accepted it. I think it is still a big distinction between potential candidate and candidate. Until it's definitive, it's all hypothetical. Christie is still being promoted by many, including on Ricochet, so I don't think that is as strong a claim. I agree that the discussions have been great, that's why we clamor for this conversation forum. But I think it is somewhat unreasonable to expect to understand and judge the positions and experience of a sitting governor on foreign policy since they are well outside his current duties.
May '10
Re: A Game Changer
The Republicans need a candiate who can throw a punch, and take one.
A candidate who will not smile benignly and expatiate incoherently during presidential debates. But who will push President Obamas face straight down into his record and call him to account for it.
A candidate who will talk to the American people like adults (which may preclude his or her election, but at this stage we need true clarity, like Dennis Prager said the difference between the passengers on the Titanic and the citizens of California is that the passengers on the Titanic didn't vote to hit the iceberg).
Chris Christie would be such a candidate, Scott Walker may be. So we need someone like them. Mitch Daniels certainly does have strong points, he might do even though he's had his skin peeled by little strips here on Ricochet recently.
We would be much better off if Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and Newt Gingrich would disappear for about 2 years.
May '10
Re: A Game Changer
The world is falling apart and I hope it will transition out of this chaos like it did after Jimmy Carter gave us Ronald Reagan. But we need a Ronald Reagan now more than ever. Mitch Daniels may be the guy to help us get out of our fiscal disaster, but there's a bigger "Game Changer" (Ursula's title) in all of this...that's our national security in the midst of the world disorder that Paul Rahe described in his post "Thinking About Mitch Daniels". So, perfect titles for both of these posts. I considered what Professor Rahe wrote about the political condition of our planet and its potential perils while I "Thought About Mitch Daniels" and it was a "Game Changer" in my mind. I want a Ronald Reagan. Someone with conviction that our world is going in the wrong direction and he/she's going to move hell and high water to fix it. I want someone with a passion that's overriding all else. And if I don't see it I want it weeded out, hurt feelings or not. I'm sure Ronald Reagan would love this exercise and blow us away.
May '10
Re: A Game Changer
I think if Governor Daniels continues to garner the attention he is getting, he will have to start discussing global politics, strategies, and the rest. Maybe he could ally all of my fears and just say he will appoint Mark Steyn at Sec State or at least "global czar."
I'm as big a fan of Ronald Reagan as anyone, but we really can't keep imposing Reagan as some magical all-incompassing purity test. Please remind me if I'm wrong, but how much spending compromise did Reagan make to get anything through Congress? Who did Reagan appoint to the Supreme Court? What real progress did Reagan make on broader social shifts to the left?
It took decades for Reagan's leadership to grab hold, he was not born into the adoration we have for him today. I remember well how much turmoil he faced for years as President until his economic and foreign policies began to show signs of what was to come. We cannot expect a Ronald Reagan to enter the scene.......because even Reagan to some time to become the president we remember.
Jun '10
Re: A Game Changer
"So because he loves his wife and four daughters he’s who we want for president? "
Maybe we read a different post? I didn't see anything in Ursula's post that implied that at all.
It's simpy refreshing that Mitch isn't showing signs of narcissism, like our current president. I don't want another power-hungry fool in office, so dazzled by his own importance that he is blind to his weaknesses. I want someone who comes thoughtfully to the realization that he or she is the best person to exercise the principled leadership we desperately need right now. Any candidate who doesn't face the prospect of a presidential run with a bit of humility is bug-eating nuts.
Remeber that Washington had to be coaxed into serving & he did a fine job, right?
Jul '10
Re: A Game Changer
Nickolas
Also, at least the discussions concerning Gov. Daniels are about substantive issues and policy. That is in stark contrast with much of what has been posted here about former Gov. Palin. She is also someone who has not ruled out running and who is being promoted as a candidate. The tone and tenor of discussions about Palin have been much different from those about Gov. Daniels. · Feb 26 at 8:53am
Edited on Feb 26 at 08:56 am
Perhaps that's because she is a half-term quitter with a reality TV show and a Facebook page, while he is a superbly-accomplished two-term Governor who continues to work his tail off for the people who elected him?
Edited on Feb 26, 2011 at 1:10pmMay '10
Re: A Game Changer
Well put Kenneth.
Dec '10
Re: A Game Changer
Q.E.D.
May '10
Re: A Game Changer
Mama Toad
I agree with etoiledunord... and also with (my read of) Ursula's sentiment that power-hungry candidates who seek election at all costs are to be avoided. Christie of NJ knew that the state needed him. No one else could've done it. Service, not power. He, as etoile says, wanted it for the right reason. But he also knew he was the best man for the job and the only one who could do what needed doing, and also that the rest of the country would come to know how desperately his kind of leadership is required! When Bob Casey Sr. wanted to run for president, he said, "I think I can win." Wrong answer. You have to know it. · Feb 26 at 6:58am
I will point out once more, for the purpose of retained history, that Christie was the RINO in the NJ election who defeated the TEA Party favorite. In that Republican primary, Christie wasn't conservative enough, and there were people on the Right talking about sitting out the election.