Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
Governor Daniels spoke on Saturday at the annual dinner of the Gridiron Club, a bipartisan, light-hearted, fancy dress event (as far as I know, it's the last surviving event in Washington at which the gentlemen are expected to wear white tie). The event is closed to the press, but by today the word-of-mouth accounts began appearing in the press--and a neat consensus had formed that
Ricochet's own Mitch Daniels walked away with the evening.
If you'd like to see Mitch talking about policy, click on Uncommon Knowledge. (See the photograph on the right-hand side of this homepage. In segments of the interview that will air later this week, by the way, I read to Mitch from pieces critical of him by Ricochet's own Bill McGurn and Paul Rahe. I'll be eager to hear what you make of his replies. Come to think of it, so will Mitch.) But for the lighter side of the Governor of Indiana, read on.
From the Scripps Howard news service:
"They wanted a small businessman so they got the smallest one they could find," Indiana's governor, Mitch Daniels, told some 600 fellow diners at the Washington Gridiron Club's annual spring dinner here where he carried the weight for the Republicans.
The diminutive state executive, sporting a sling from a recent shoulder problem, then looked to the man seated on his right at the head table and said that the problem with having only one arm was he didn't know which to hold in it, "my Bible or my gun." The man on the right happened to be the President of the United States and the remark was a clear reference to Barack Obama's 2008 controversial campaign comment about the main interest of small town Midwesterners.
- Comment (28)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (3)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments :
Jul '10
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
Peter, I was dismayed this morning to read that Governor Daniels has heartily endorsed Dick Lugar for re-election. I realize they go way back, but Lugar needs to be retired, not re-elected.
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
As I understand it, Mitch has been saying all along that he'd support Sen. Lugar. In re which:
a) I'm with you. If I were voting in the Indiana primary, I'd vote for Lugar's opponent, the energetic and thoroughly conservative State Treasurer Richard Mourdock.
b) Mitch has known Lugar a long, long time. Immediately after graduating from college, Mitch went to work for Lugar, then mayor of Indianapolis. When Lugar was elected to the Senate, Mitch moved to Washington with him, serving for a number of years as Lugar's chief of staff. I don't know. For Mitch Daniels, opposing Lugar would be like opposing his father.
c) Even at that, I read Mitch's endorsement as tepid. Here he is this past weekend on Meet the Press:
If he wants another term. That's not exactly a full-throated endorsement--not of a man who's 80.
Edited on Mar 14, 2011 at 7:45pmRe: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
The Gridiron dinner is consistently the best entertainment in Washington (much better than the White House Correspondents' Dinner, with its annoying distractions such as out-of-place professional comedians and journalists).
I think we can be ecumenical in the service of humor and note that President Obama came with some good material too:
"And Mitch is experienced. Before he was governor Mitch was a pharmaceutical executive and he was George W. Bush's budget director. I don't have a joke here. I just want to point it out."
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
It pains me to say so--yes, alas, I really am that partisan--but the Obama line really is just excellent, isn't it?
But stop there, Troy, would you?
Jul '10
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
Peter, as I'm constantly harping about the importance of a candidate's character, I suppose I should give Mitch a pass this time. Loyalty to one's friends and mentors, especially when it conflicts with one's own interests, is a commendable quality.
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
That's the way I feel about it. Mitch is being courteous to a lovely older man to whom he owes a lot. There are worse sins.
Edited on Mar 14, 2011 at 7:53pmJul '10
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
We are all flesh and blood, we all have friends across ideological divides that we would never throw to the wolves. Ron used to have drinks with Tip, and we even allowed Christopher Buckley to keep his last name after endorsing Obama. I'm having lunch with a friend tomorrow who pays actual money for a subscription to Selzberger's New York Times. Good fellow, simply inculcated young in the ways of the dark side, happily living in the single party state of Maryland. Federalism offers something for everyone.
Peter: The quote I saw clipped the "and think if he wants another term he ought to have it." Glad you posted it. Sounds to me like a gentle hint from an old friend.
May '10
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
I watched the first part of your interview, Peter, and was impressed. Hopefully, he will continue to impress as he addresses our previously discussed concerns.
May '10
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
I'm sorry, but Daniels isn't going to run, and if he does, he will never defeat Obama (if he gets to the general) I really think you should give up on this Quixotic thing asap--not helping the center-right cause.
Edited on Mar 14, 2011 at 8:03pmNov '10
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
Mitch Daniels has made it clear that he doesn’t want any of Rush Limbaugh’s loyal listeners to vote for him. Why else would he so gratuitously dis them by dissing Rush.
So here is how he’s going to win — by endorsing Dick Lugar [tepid endorsement? That won’t wash], advocating a VAT, and dissing millions of conservatives in one stroke. Oh, and he’s against Right to Work.
What could possibly go wrong?
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
Another absurdly good interview, Peter. This is exactly why I sing your praises in my NPR blog this morning. Also in the hopes you will buy me a drink.
Sep '10
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
I was hoping Mitch might have snuck in a "Zenga, Zenga" or two.
Nov '10
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
I may somehow be disconnected from the average voter, but just why is it that everyone thinks that Daniels doesn't have a chance and that Romney will surely get the nomination? I mean... does anyone actually like Mitt Romney? Does anyone agree with his positions? Does he have any positions?
I recently read that Mitt Romney outpolled Chris Christie in his own state, and as a New Jersey resident, I have to say it sounded totally ludicrous. I've never heard a single word of praise for Mr. Romney from anyone I've ever met... ever.
Feb '11
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
Well, Christie has continually said he isn't running. I think people are starting to believe him.
And they've heard of Romney. That's my highest praise for him, by the way.
No, I won't be voting for him.
Feb '11
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
Is this in reference to Daniels' CPAC speech? I would encourage you to watch it (Daniels doesn't come on until around the 28 minute mark, feel free to skip ahead) and see if what he said constitutes an actual insult to Rush or his listeners. He simply says that in order to deal with the looming debt disaster (which is very real) we will have to win the support of people who are not politically engaged, the types that don't listen to Rush or watch CSPAN. This does not seem insulting or unreasonable to me.
Oct '10
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
Peter... Just finished watching part 2 of the MD interview, and came here looking for a chance to express my views. Mitch Daniels is much more impressive than I have believed up until now. Anyone who has followed my occasional posts knows that I am, first and always, a social conservative... to the right of even the esteemed Rush. Given that, from this point on, I am going to really take MD seriously. His approach to both school choice and social security show a determined and cautious approach that reads the political moment. No need to mention his fiscal cajones. His record speaks well enough for that area.
Regarding the "social issues" truce? The Tea Party movement clearly is giving a mandate to congress for both the fiscal and social conservative direction for the country. It might possibly be that Daniels is simply keeping his priorities on what will get him elected over Obama. After all, I want to point out, he has never come out against the social conservative position, merely said that that is a fight for another day. I have no expectation that he would oppose legislation in that area.
He had a good reason to oppose RTW.
Edited on Mar 15, 2011 at 6:11amMar '11
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
Unabashed Palin supporter here, but I can't give Daniels a hard time over his support of Lugar. That endorsement is similar to Palin's endorsement of McCain in his recent re-election bid. It's about personal loyalty.
Nov '10
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
Other Conor
He simply says that in order to deal with the looming debt disaster (which is very real) we will have to win the support of people who are not politically engaged, the types that don't listen to Rush or watch CSPAN. This does not seem insulting or unreasonable to me. · Mar 15 at 5:44am
I know his point was that Rush’s audience by itself is not big enough to carry a national election. But it’s pretty big and it’s highly educated and motivated. It’s a lot bigger than Daniels' following at this time. Nobody in Rush’s audience was angry at Daniels. So why did he gratuitously take a hit at them in manner and words that were inept, to say the least? Put into the context of his other well known antipathies for conservative social issues, I think he inadvertently revealed a certain disdain for those “Neanderthals” that listen to Rush.
If you want Obama to have 4 more years Daniels is your guy. You’ll know that’s true when Democrats start saying nice things about him.
Edited on Mar 15, 2011 at 9:28amMar '11
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
Other Conor
He simply says that in order to deal with the looming debt disaster (which is very real) we will have to win the support of people who are not politically engaged, the types that don't listen to Rush or watch CSPAN. This does not seem insulting or unreasonable to me. · Mar 15 at 5:44am
To "deal with the looming debt disaster" we need pols who are willing to walk through the gangrenous stench and amputate. Republicans are elected because they are ostensibly opposed to bloated government; it's long past time to make the transition from ideology to reality.
Feb '11
Re: Mitch Daniels Breaks a Leg
TeeJaw
...why did he gratuitously take a hit at them in manner and words that were inept?
I don't think it was a gratuituos hit or dis. Daniels' underlying premise is that the survival of the nation is at stake and that the drastic changes needed in order to survive require a substantial base of support.
I very much enjoy listening to Rush. In the context of our survival as a nation I don't find any of this offensive or insulting:
We have learned in Indiana, big change requires big majorities. We will need people who never tune in to Rush or Glenn or Laura or Sean. Who surf past C-SPAN to get to SportsCenter. Who, if they’d ever heard of CPAC, would assume it was a cruise ship accessory. The second worst outcome I can imagine for next year would be to lose to the current president and subject the nation to what might be a fatal last dose of statism. The worst would be to win the election and then prove ourselves incapable of turning the ship of state before it went on the rocks, with us at the helm.