Ride Along With Mitch
Andy Ferguson's cover story on Mitch Daniels in the current issue of the Weekly Standard represents a really glorious piece of journalism, deeply reported, gorgeously written, and--let's just say it--important. Andy presents a thorough account of Daniels's record as governor of Indiana, of course--turning a $200 million deficit into a $1.3 billion surplus, cutting property taxes, shrinking the state payroll by more than ten percent--but also a portrait of Daniels in motion, criss-crossing the state on his Harley. Stopping at a McDonald's, for example, the governor asks a couple of Hoosiers if he might sit down with them.
[They were] a pair of unkempt young men in wifebeaters hanging loose at their shoulders. Both had pony tails....They were roofers stoking themselves with five or six Sausage McMuffins before getting to the job. The governor asked whether the building trades were picking up. They were extremely genial and had no more than a dozen teeth between them....
"You all got families?": Daniels asked.
The roofers looked at each other.
"I got kids, yeah," the first one said. "They're with their mama. I just got single again."
"Why's that?" Daniels asked.
"Well, governor, me and my kids' mama, we were together for like five years..."
"S---, governor," the friend said. "You're going to make him cry. Again."
"I do take care of them, I go without so I make sure they got everything they need."
"Well, that's good," Daniels said. "I guess. But what they really need is you."
The man dropped his head and swung it back and forth.
"I know this, governor, I know this."
Read it all here.
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Jun '10
Re: Ride Along With Mitch
Peter,
It was a great article on an incredibly interesting politician.
Actually a sort of un-politician politician.
Although tending pretty far right in my personal politics I, more and more, desire simple honesty. Honest liberals, honest democrats, honest conservatives, honest republicans.
Gov Daniels is simply an honest man seemingly doing the right things - a rarity.
May '10
Re: Ride Along With Mitch
This article has made me quite nostalgic for my Indiana days. The locations and people are described wonderfully.
I would also like to add, for anyone who knows Indiana history, that Governor Daniels has been with any doubt the finest governor the State has ever had. Even if he never runs for president, Governor Daniels can be proud that he has made a profound and lasting impact on our little corner of the country. Hoosiers are fortunate he decided to serve.
May '10
Re: Ride Along With Mitch
Bless you for recommending this article, Peter. It almost gives me faith in our ability to pull ourselves out of this mess. Let's hope that a way can be found to bring these same lessons and management methods to our other states and our Federal government.
And as a Californian, it also breaks my heart to compare the Indiana experience to California's, and -- especially -- its governor to ours.
May '10
Re: Ride Along With Mitch
He is a tremendously impressive guy, and in my opinion, the best Presidential candidate the GOP has to offer. I am planning on retiring to the Philippines mid next year. He is the only potential candidate for whom I would be willing to come back to the US for a few months and work on his campaign.
I think Rob is spot on in his man crush.
May '10
Re: Ride Along With Mitch
It's official. I want him to be our President. I really enjoyed that article!