Not at all. He's quiet and thoughtful, which is different from a lot of others, but he's got a good presence, seems humble, and he's funny. (Check out, for example, his interview on CSPAN Q&A.)
he's inconsistent
Not according to his actual record.
and keeps using this RINO tactic of dissing the base,
If by "the base" you mean that gaggle of squabbling single-issue zealots who are the single biggest reason why conservatism is on the political ropes, then yes, he "disses them" by pointing out that they're not helping matters and may actually make things worse. But if you go by context (which Daniels' single-issue detractors never seem to do), then his position makes sense. See, for example, his CPAC Speech.
not good if you expect to win anything.
But very good if you expect to win over the larger number of folks who distrust "the base."
I'm just curious, do you think Rush Limbaugh is an idiot?
I think Limbaugh is a very able entertainer and self-promoter. I also think he's a blowhard with a huge ego and an inflated sense of his own influence; and I've found that on matters of verifiable fact he's not a reliable source of information. Limbaugh is not careful with his opinions -- he goes for the sound-bite, rather than real understanding.
Well said.
Just that would give me pause.
Even the lady from the Washington Post who wants him as the nominee says he's like a gray accountant. I'm sorry, he's short, bald and boring, and unfortunately that's death in a culture that has HD TV. You can claim that's not important, but then you're not dealing with reality. If I want someone who I don't trust as a conservative (and Mitch is untrustworthy) I'll vote for Pawlenty or Gingrich.
I'll vote for Daniels if he wins, but I'll not do so enthusiastically knowing he won't stick up for the things I value. I want a bold candidate who will continue to explain why conservatism and what it stands for is a good thing. I want someone who is going to put forth conservative principles and defend them. I want someone who will convince moderates why they should believe conservative principles, not someone who won't stand up for them. I want someone who shows the bright colors, not the palest of pastels. It's the one who can stand up to the media, rather than one who will bow to media memes that I want.
Mitch doesn't and will never proclaim the bright colored differences conservatives value, and he'll never get beyond being short, bald, boring, inconsistent and uninspiring.
Sorry, them's the facts. He may be a great governor and a great manager, but with the aforementioned facts he can never be elected president in this day and age.
Or something like that.
Lakeshark, as his post says there, this poster is no conservative, his being so excited about Daniels is all the proof that FR needs to show what the true Daniels is like.