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.
Mitch said in his acceptance speech he was not running again for any office!
Yes he’s better than most any Democrat, but he’s definitely a Bushie Pub.
Which probably explains the “enthusiasm” expressed by the Republican party in keeping him around. The stupid party still wants to ignore it’s base.
Based on my experience with Daniels, he is reliably conservative on business/economic issues, and is quite liberal on some, but not all social issues. The first time he ran, he was opposed in the primary by an unapologetic social conservative, but he had no serious challengers this time.
Daniels is to the right of Dick Lugar, but that’s not saying much.
Could he do well in a national election? Perhaps. He has been a successful administrator in both the private and public sectors, and transformed all of the organizations he worked for.
No.
And, what you know about Indiana you could put in a thimble.
Republican today doesn’t = conservative.
That needs to change fast if we have a farts chance in a hurricane of weak kneed wimpy woosies with no balls.
F em. If they are fools let them rot.
Our way or the highway.
Dems do it. They won. Reach down and find a pair and tell the bleeding heart to go F themselves. (nicely)
Maybe secretary of the treasury but that is it. He does not have what it takes to head a national ticket.
Sorry to get yer hopes up !!!!
LOL.
Dems do it? Basically say whatever they need to to get elected.
You would really let your candidates do that? Nonsense. The opposite is true with the right. A couple flaws and they're out.
No FRiend... they do not compromise.
I AM DONE COMPROMISING.
MY WAY OR FO and burn with the rest of them.
“transformed all of the organizations he worked for.”
Doesn’t say much. “Transformed” can be taken many ways.
DRAFT DODGER. Next candidate please.
Did Gore win TN?
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