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The Spectacle Blog
Politico’s Jonathan Martin takes a look at Indiana governor Mitch Daniels’s preparations for a 2012 presidential run. Namely, he’s hosting dinners for Republican donors and businessmen at the governor’s mansion. It doesn’t take long for Martin to turn to the big problem with a potential Daniels candidacy: his apparent boringness.
One attendee, who has spoken with fellow Republicans who’ve attended the dinners, offered an assessment echoed by others: “Everybody was impressed with his policy knowledge, but does he have the fire in the belly?”
This Republican, who arrived in Indiana with high hopes about Daniels, worried that the Hoosier may not fit the political moment.
“He’s not particularly angry nor is he particularly passionate so you just come away wondering is this what the mood of country is going to be ready for - a Dukakis technocrat?” said the attendee. “You don’t get the sense he’s going to ride his Harley onto the Capitol steps.”
Still, this Republican quickly added: “But he’s so smart.”
[Former Rep. George] Nethercutt, who said he’d support Daniels if he ran, acknowledged the knock on the balding, diminutive governor but said America needed a sober adult.
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More Blog Posts by Joseph Lawler
http://spectator.org/blog/2010/09/14/politico-profile-of-mitch-dani
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Martin| 9.14.10 @ 12:39PM
Given the appalling track record of Republican primary electorates since 1988, Daniels would be an excellent choice, far above Bush, Bush, Dole, Bush, Bush, McCain. There are several obviously bad choices for 2012, but no obviously good ones (I think Palin's qualified, though marginal, but she's so polarizing she'd almost certainly lose to The One.)
Daniels, who is very able and a genuine conservative, is thus currently my #1 choice.
Siegfried X| 9.14.10 @ 12:54PM
He's a moderate, establishment Republican who wants a "truce" on social issues. In other words, we stop talking about abortion, stem cell, homosexuality, etc. so that the Democrats can decide everything.
The RINO leadership is shopping Daniels and Haley Barbour around as backups in case Mitch Romney falters.
JP| 9.14.10 @ 2:07PM
I live in Indiana, and I must say Govenor Daniels is perfectly qualified to be a Treasury Secretary, Commerce Dept Secretary, OMB ( his last job), Trade Negociator, or sit on the Council of Economic Advisors. But, he would make a poor President. Siegfried X has gotten it right. He isn't a conservative per se. He's more of a good steward, manager, or bean counter than political leader. His call for a truce concerning social policy difference shows ignorant he is vis-a-vis national politics. Being a CEO or govenor is totally different than being President.
Spicy Joker| 9.14.10 @ 3:10PM
He doesn't have a chance. That said, I'd rather vote for him than Twit Romney or Mike Hucksterbee.
Brandon| 9.17.10 @ 1:24PM
What does it matter if he's not "cool enough?" Is this a 2nd grade class president election/popularity contest?" Look what "cool and hip" got us. Obama. Mitch is all business and he's got my vote.