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.”