Posted on 11/11/2008 3:38:42 PM PST by Kimmers
Kevin Rader/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - Governor Mitch Daniels may be picking up more than he bargained for when he accepts an award in Washington D.C. Wednesday.
The governor will be presented with the 2008 Public Official of the Year Award from Governing Magazine, as the Republican Party works to rebuild itself.
If there was one thing Daniels has been adamant about, other than his campaign theme of change, it was in his determination to make his re-election campaign his last campaign.
The biggest surprise one week after his re-election victory is that some Republicans now want Daniels to consider a national run.
"Will Governor Daniels set sights higher - perhaps the Oval Office? Some want him to run for president," wrote NY Times columnist William Kristol.
Meanwhile, USA Today calls Daniels the "bright spot for the GOP." In a column in the Washington Post entitled "Governors Know Best," David Broder writes the GOP should look to successful chief executives like Daniels.
"Indiana's Daniels, just re-elected to a second term, may offer the best example of the distinctive approach of these politicians," Broder wrote.
"At the top of that list is Mitch Daniels," said State Republican Party Chairman Murray Clark.
He says the governor is more concerned about Indiana, but he understands the attraction.
"He sticks to his guns, is resolute about sticking to fundamental Republican principles - less government, lower taxes - and at the same time, he relates to everyday people," Clark said.
Daniels' name also surfaced during this week's Meet the Press.
"The fact is that there's a lot of bright stars of our party. Mitch Daniels had an excellent day," said Senator Mel Martinez. "On a day when the Republican ticket lost Indiana, he won re-election overwhelmingly. That's because the kind of governor he's been and the kinds of things he has done."
Some say that begs the question if Daniels really is done after this term, even if he doesn't seem like he's going to change his mind.
"There is always a chance," Clark said.
"At the state level, we have statutory term limits and in the broader sense, we have the Cheri Daniels term limits and the penalty for violating the latter is more severe," Daniels said.
As the poster boy for the Republican Governor's Association, he will most likely be asked to consider it.
at least we could win back Indiana!
We have a great crop of candidates for 2008! Daniels, Palin, Jindal, Pence, Sanford...much better than this years primary
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Daniels is a nanny state jerk wad. He is fiscally conservative is his only good value. We need more jerk wads like this like we need more RINO’s
Enough said.
Is there anyway to compare the states the GOP runs with D runned states? i.e. the GOP has Jindal, Palin, Daniels, Huntsman- and they all seem to be doing decent jobs.
What are the D’s running their states? Granholm, Sebelius, Patterson, Corzine
Not interested.
Sarah Palin or Jindal are the only two that interest me. And if Sarah isn’t the Presidential nominee, I’m not interested in her being a Veep. Been there, done that.
Either Sarah/Jindal or Sarah/conservative or Jindal/conservative.
Maybe someone else will appear in four years to add to the list, but Daniels’ won’t be that someone.
Hear Hear!!!
Daniels is a formula for another disastrous pseudo-conservative election choice.
Sorry. Not interested.
Palin '12
Unfortunately, I have to agree with your assessment.
Don’t forget Mitt!
Mitch Daniels was a Bush-guy.
Also..anyone who William Kristol is pushing,...I am running the other way.
Hunter/Jindal
The only way to win it back. No more amnesty supporting, global warming believing, reach across the aisle, class warfare republicans.
You should replace the word "GOP" with the word "idiots." I submitted a comment to the Indy Times that said only idiots and fools voted for Obama. Apparently my account got deleted due to excessive vulgarities in reply to my comment.
That is what the republican need a toll road king. Non starter!!!!
Jindal joined the Dems and voted for SCHIP while in Congress.
He did? Another compassionate conservartive?
Hunter/Pence
It was Daniels and his Toll road that cause the lose to begin with.
Every Repub will be called a RINO on FR with the discovery of the first flaw found in their record.
Count on it.
Not to mention open borders Martinez.
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