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The Spectacle Blog
I watched Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels’ response to President Obama’s SOTU.
I must confess this is the first time I’ve heard him speak at any length. My overall impression of him is a Jon Huntsman without the condescension. He managed to speak of putting patriotism and national success over party, ideology and self-interest without describing conservative activists as cranks. I also liked his use of the term “loyal opposition” something which took me back to my days in Canada and for that matter Britain (i.e. Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.)
Daniels has a low-key disposition punctuated with a sharp wit. I can see why Bill Kristol is all gaga over him and why there is an effort to draft him into the GOP race. But for better or worse what we have what we have. To paraphrase onetime Boston Celtics coach Rick Pitino, “Mitch Daniels isn’t walking through the door.”
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More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/01/24/an-observation-of-mitch-daniel
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Clint| 1.24.12 @ 11:33PM
We're Hearin' Talk Of Mitch Daniels Being Drafted , As Well.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Headed For A Brokered Convention.
Chuck| 1.25.12 @ 12:02AM
Mrs. Daniels won't allow it. She is a flaming adulteress and the Democrats will dig up every last piece of dirt on her so therefore no draft.
O Tamandua| 1.25.12 @ 10:33AM
If Gov. Daniels were one of the current Republican presidential candidates still standing right now I'm convinced many of the pundits on our side would be moaning words to the effect of: "Oh, if only Chris Christie had entered the race. Or Sen. John Thune. Then we'd have a real electable candidate."
Dai Alanye | 1.25.12 @ 3:28PM
Exactly!
Kate| 1.25.12 @ 12:34AM
"Loyal opposition" reminds me of George H.W. Bush, who used it too.
It's too bad that some people found Huntsman to be condescending. I didn't. His diplomatic style (or perhaps his talking with his hands) may have caused him to appear condescending to some. In reality, Huntsman is down to earth. He's much different in person and town hall meetings than the way some people perceived him solely through watching the debates. And I think he came across stronger in the debates as time went on. People should cut him some slack -- every candidate has pros and cons and can make stylistic improvements over time. There are plenty of things to both like and dislike about Daniels and other so-called "A team" candidates who didn't have the courage to get into the arena for whatever reason. They haven't been tested yet.
Your Rick Pitino line is appropriate. But I suppose anything is possible, given this crazy election cycle, especially if we get to the brokered convention that some are predicting. If so, we'd be lucky to wind up with a Daniels/Huntsman ticket. Two governors with bold economic ideas, conservative records and the ability to work across the aisle to get things done. Both are head and shoulders above Mitt and Newt.
Pete| 1.25.12 @ 11:47AM
His view on Man-caused global warming made him unelectable.
Dai Alanye | 1.25.12 @ 3:30PM
If anyone in this group was unelectable it was Huntsman, who oozed condecension in his public offerings.
Mike| 1.25.12 @ 12:57AM
With Daniel's speech on tape, I shall never worry about insomnia again.
Mike| 1.25.12 @ 12:58AM
With Daniel's speech on tape, I shall never worry about insomnia again.
Nancy in NC| 1.25.12 @ 8:33AM
Then you must not have listened very well.
That's the problem with too many Americans. They want to be entertained 24/7, and a speaker that speaks reasonably with facts rather than rhetoric and hyperbole falls on deaf ears.
I found Mitch Daniels speech to be right on. He made an appealing plea for conservatism. I will remember his "we want a government to serve us rather than superivse us" forever.
That's the appeal of Newt Gingrich...not his character, not his record, not his ideas...but the sound bites.
That kind of thinking got us Obama. If the American people keep choosing their candidates in this fashion, we are screwed.
Tim Williams| 1.25.12 @ 1:34AM
I'll tell you who's not walking through the door: Ronald Reagan. Mitch Daniels is just a guy. If he were running, we'd all hate him just like the rest.
But any one of them is better than Obama, and Gallup shows both Mitt and Newt in a virtual tie with Obama in the trial heat today.
Relax. There is no "A Team." It's all graded on a curve.
Larry| 1.25.12 @ 3:55AM
The loyal opposition! That sure doesn't sound like Democrats to me. Their loyalty is not to this country, it's to their ideology and their power. I'm sick of milquetoast politicians. We need more venom, as well as clear solutions. It's clear that "working across the aisle" isn't working very well, not when the other side is trying to destroy you politically.
Jeremiah Smirking| 1.25.12 @ 7:39AM
Two snaps given to both Mike and Larry. Spot on!
martin j smith| 1.25.12 @ 7:42AM
I think we need a response that is given by some one who has taken his or her Ensure. Times two.
bobmontgomery| 1.25.12 @ 9:15AM
Perhaps it would be a good idea for those gauging Mitch Daniels to obtain a transcript of what he said and parse it....especially the part where he called for a ......PAUSE.....in piling on regulations.
Perhpas we need a ...PAUSE...in being "Spectators", with a renewed emphasis on reading and understanding.
Pete| 1.25.12 @ 11:45AM
The guy is rather boring frankly. He has not been vetted. We would see all the things we don't like about moderate Republicans come forward in the general election.