I think Daniels has good conservative instincts. He is a doer, not much of a persuader. He is not going to fight the ideological battle with inspiring speeches and is likely to back away from fights from time to time when he doesn't think it is the right moment to do battle. I don't think he is a RINO, but I also don't think he is the kind of guy that will fight the big picture ideological wars. He makes a really great governor, but we need a charismatic leader as President - someone that can really sell conservatism to the masses. If we had a massive majority in the US House and Senate and all we needed from a President was to propose and sign conservative legislation, Daniels would be fine - but we need far more than that.
I've never bought the "Daniels is a RINO" rap. People are far too quick to throw that label around when the read a news story or two about him backing away from some particular fight. His record is quite conservative and he is a real asset to the Republican party. The problem with Daniels is that he is just not very charismatic, exciting, etc. We can't have another campaign where the VP nominee is solely responsible for drawing and firing up the crowds. We can't have another presidential candidate or President that can not communicate conservatism to the American people.
Of course all that is just my opinion and I am a Palin fan to give you an idea of where I am coming from.
So if he had the charisma, tact, and charm of Reagan he would be a good choice to run at the national level? If he made it to the state level there might still be a chance he could win on a national level even without the charisma.
“but we need a charismatic leader as President - someone that can really sell conservatism to the masses.”
What you really want is bomb-thrower, someone to counter the daily barrage of hate and lies we get from the Left.
In fact, most here want a bomb-thrower, yet a Bomb-Thrower will not be able to out throw the king of the Bomb-Throwers, the media-supported Obama.
REMEMBER SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT, FOLKS
Elections now are not like they were 10, or even 12 years ago.
We are not only running against the Democrat, but 80-90% of the media, as well, and they are a POWERFUL opponent. That squishy 20% in the middle decide elections now, and they can be very turned off by that very same bomb-throwing.
If 2008 taught us ANYTHING, its that people will vote against their own long-term interests, if the idiot box tells them to.
Thank you for your posts.
IMO, he’s too cautious.
Not what we need now...