BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
Mike LaRoche ·
May 22, 2011 at 5:37am
From Politico:
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels told supporters in a midnight email early Sunday that he is opting against a 2012 presidential run, a decision that he said ultimately came down to family concerns.
The decision by the former political operative and favorite of much of the GOP establishment will again roil the unsettled GOP field—and likely intensify efforts to convince another major candidate to join the race, such as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush or New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
So, who will the Republican establishment now rally behind?
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Dec '10
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
I am surprised and not sure if I am glad or disappointed. I think the press would have Dukakised him ultimately. Any news on Rick Perry?
Oct '10
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
As far as I know, Rick Perry has no plans to run for the presidency. He loves being the Governor of Texas, and we're glad to have him, having re-elected him handily to a third term this past November. I do think he would make a fine President, though.
May '10
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
I'm relieved. For all his real accomplishments, I was plagued with doubts about his viability after the "truce" comment. Then I heard about his close association with Lugar. Then I heard him mention Condi Rice as VP...
Now I'm hoping Pawlenty will really step us his game and prove himself. I have better hope for him at this point than any of the others.
Except Paul Ryan.
Pawlenty has substantive appeal to both tea party and establishment types.
Jul '10
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
Thanks for nothing, Mitch. At least we won't have to worry about a ticket with Condoleeza Rice on it.
Mar '11
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
Disappointed. I greatly admire Daniels' ability to state solid conservative principles in a calm, non-threatening manner. He seemed to be the one who might actually convince undecided voters based on the merits of our arguments, not just the usual repetition of platitudes and mud-slinging.
I think the nomination is now Pawlenty's to lose.
Oct '10
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
if i were obama, i'd make sure to tell surrogates to affect the primaries in a way that romney will end up as the nominee.
with the GOP running against obamacare, but nominating the guy who created romneycare... it could demoralize the base.
if this is just a head to head between romney and pawlenty, i believe pawlenty will end up with the nomination. romneycare is just too much of an albatross on mitt... unless romney goes really negative on pawlenty in the early stages while tim is still trying to broaden his name ID.
Edited on May 22, 2011 at 2:24amMay '10
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
Sorry to see Mitch bow out, but then my default position is that nobody should ever run for President for any reason. So have to say it was a good call.
I also believe the race is now between Tim Pawlenty and Herman Cain. Does anyone really disagree? The Electable vs the Tea Party. The race has, ahem, clarified remarkably in the past week.
Oct '10
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
Kennedy Smith:
I also believe the race is now between Tim Pawlenty and Herman Cain. Does anyone really disagree? The Electable vs the Tea Party. The race has, ahem, clarified remarkably in the past week. · May 22 at 2:38am
instead of using the "electable" standard, i'd rather support the most qualified legit conservative republican for president.
Mar '11
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
Mendel: Disappointed. I greatly admire Daniels' ability to state solid conservative principles in a calm, non-threatening manner. He seemed to be the one who might actually convince undecided voters based on the merits of our arguments, not just the usual repetition of platitudes and mud-slinging.
I think the nomination is now Pawlenty's to lose. · May 22 at 1:51am
You may be right about Pawlenty, I suspect its still too early to tell. At least we can look forward to sleekly produced epic-action-movie-esque political ads from his campaign (yikes...). You are exactly right on Mitch Daniels.
The question now seems to be: can the Republican party find a national candidate who unites the party and doesn't alienate too many independents?
Dec '10
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
From my perspective his wife had a lot to do with this decision. Can you blame him? The media has made it very clear that anyone running against their establishment faces a kind of denigration--including their children--the likes of which has never been realized. Sure as a public official one has to expect a certain amount to exposure, but at what price. If he knows, and he knows better than anyone, that his family (his wife) cannot wear the abuse that awaits, then I don't blame him for choosing not to run. From all accounts, he has performed exceedingly well as governor and he can continue to serve the people of Indiana to the end of his eligibility.
Paul Ryan is who the establishment can rally behind. He even kind of looks like Reagan.
Dec '10
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
Kennedy Smith: Sorry to see Mitch bow out, but then my default position is that nobody should ever run for President for any reason. So have to say it was a good call.
I also believe the race is now between Tim Pawlenty and Herman Cain. Does anyone really disagree? The Electable vs the Tea Party. The race has, ahem, clarified remarkably in the past week. · May 22 at 2:38am
I really like Herman Cain; I also like the idea of a true businessman and a true Washington outsider. I don't like the intangible electability but something tells me he lacks it. Regardless, candidates better pay attention to what makes Mr. Cain so attractive ( I assume it is his true straight talk ) because folks like what he is selling and the way he is selling it.
Mar '11
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
Mike Visser
Kennedy Smith: Sorry to see Mitch bow out, but then my default position is that nobody should ever run for President for any reason. So have to say it was a good call.
I also believe the race is now between Tim Pawlenty and Herman Cain. Does anyone really disagree? The Electable vs the Tea Party. The race has, ahem, clarified remarkably in the past week. · May 22 at 2:38am
I really like Herman Cain; I also like the idea of a true businessman and a true Washington outsider. I don't like the intangible electability but something tells me he lacks it. Regardless, candidates better pay attention to what makes Mr. Cain so attractive ( I assume it is his true straight talk ) because folks like what he is selling and the way he is selling it. · May 22 at 3:46am
True dat. Warriors seem to be doing better than conciliators. Sorry, Gov. Huntsman -- that pretty much leaves you out of the fight. While I am appreciative of the courtesy that a thank-you note represents, I want someone who knows how to throw an elbow.
Mar '11
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
One can only respect any potential candidate for not subjecting themselves and their family to a media onslaught.
Having said that, Daniels possesses a somewhat unusual trait. The media tries to classify Republicans into two camps: moderates who are rational (see Romney or Huntsman), and uncompromising conservatives who are lunatics (see Palin etc). Daniels is an unabashed conservative who nonetheless projects an aura of calm and thoughtfulness (what some might call boring), and would have made it very difficult for the media to classify as a wingnut.
If a conservative is to win the general election, I think it will have to be someone whom independents and moderates see as non-threatening. Mitch Daniels is such a person; but hopefully not the only one.
Jun '10
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
Now that Mitch is gone, I'm more dissatisfied than ever with our field of candidates. I'm willing now to start looking at our bench for a slugger: Christie, Jindal, or West.
Apr '11
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
Mendel: Disappointed. I greatly admire Daniels' ability to state solid conservative principles in a calm, non-threatening manner. He seemed to be the one who might actually convince undecided voters based on the merits of our arguments, not just the usual repetition of platitudes and mud-slinging.
I think the nomination is now Pawlenty's to lose. · May 22 at 1:51am
Agreeing with Mendel. The existing Republican line-up is weak. I fear we can look forward to a two term Obama.
Will the last adult to leave turn out the light?http://www.theonion.com/articles/nation-down-to-last-hundred-grownups,20491/
Apr '11
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
As frivolous is this will sound, I do mean it:
As a short man, at five-foot-nine, I am relieved that I will not have to watch our society reject my height-challenged brother. Daniels is too short to unseat Obama.
America doesn't vote for short men -- if we ever did. Let's just get it out there: a man must be at least six feet, and preferably at least six-feet-two, to have a shot at the White House.
We short, smart guys can be effective civil servants and political movers-and-shakers behind the scenes, and apparently we can be governors in our home states, but the Presidency is larger-than-life -- it's a B-movie theater screen. Our nation requires someone who "looks" like a "real" President, and height is an important matter of appearance to a decisive majority of Americans.
This primary process is about producing a candidate who can win. It is working -- mercilessly. Despite his excellent resume, Mitch Daniels would never have measured up to the expectations of appearance. I do think he'd make a great Secretary of the Treasury. Clearly there are no height requirements for that job.
Edited on May 22, 2011 at 6:02amDec '10
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
Daniels was my top pick. I'm finding it difficult not to despair over the GOP field. Republicans seem to perpetually seek another Reagan. How about someone more contemporary? Someone like Bibi Netanyahu. Someone articulate, competent, conservative and adult. Someone who remains civil while shredding the illusions of the Left. I thought that someone was Mitch Daniels.
Per the last Ricochet podcast, I believe Romney is our John Kerry. I'd hold my nose and vote for him in the general, but only in the hope that others actually like him.
Pawlenty is the invisible man to me. Too young. Too unformed in my mind and probably in the public consciousness.
Allen West is magnificent, but his executive competence is unproven. We can't go into 2012 with our version of Obama.
Hermain Cain is also very impressive, but the presidency isn't an entry-level position in electoral politics.
Excuse me while I go cry in my cereal.
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
I would not be so sure that we do not have to worry about that. Consider what this leaves us with.
I must say that, if this report is true (and I presume that it is), it speaks ill of Governor Daniels. He strung us along and strung us along. In the process, he induced others not to enter the race, and now the hour is growing late. I shudder to think what the consequences might be.
Mar '11
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
Mike LaRoche
So, who will the Republican establishment now rally behind? ·
I don't care who the Republican establishment rallies behind - who will the Tea Party rally behind?
Dec '10
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Mitch Daniels Not Running for President
And one thing on convincing Mrs. Daniels. I would have thought she would recognize this is 1775 in our country. 2012 will determine what we will be. If she and her husband were called to sacrifice their comfort, privacy, security for this great country, it does not speak well of her that she would choose her own self-interest.