Posted on 01/22/2011 6:36:32 PM PST by Bigtigermike
If pundits and columnists represented the GOP base, Mitch Daniels would be the odds-on favorite for the presidential nomination in 2012.
The Indiana governor has been showered with favorable coverage from political thinkers and analysts in recent months, most of which heaped praise on his thoughtful and principled approach to governing while celebrating his serious yet down-to-earth mien.
“Of all the Republicans talking about the deficit these days, Mitch Daniels, the governor of Indiana, has arguably the most credibility,” claimed The New York Times’ David Leonhardt in an Indianapolis-datelined economics column recently.
Daniels is hardly the first presidential prospect to be greeted with bouquets from the cognoscenti as the Last Honest Man in politics. There is a long, bipartisan tradition of White House aspirants who play the truth-teller role and they almost invariably receive better reviews in print than at the polls.
Bruce Babbitt, Paul Tsongas, Ross Perot, John Anderson, Lamar Alexander and John McCain in 2000 all won plaudits from elites for their willingness to speak hard truths about the real problems facing the country rather than just pandering to the partisan rabble.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
"He went to all the right schools (Bachelors, with honors, at Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School and a law degree, with honors, from Georgetown), learned at the knee of a political Wise Man (veteran Sen. Richard Lugar) headed up a think tank (Hudson Institute), was a top executive at a Fortune 500 company (Eli Lilly), and for two terms has been a governor, where, as the mandarins’ formulation goes, all the real policy innovations take place."
He went to the right school? that's where for some Establishment people think Sarah started on the wrong foot back in the 80's - learned from wise Dick Lugar! LOL!
Boy the pundits all need to dial 1-800-Get-A-Clue
Do you have any specific complaints about Mr. Daniels?
If Mitch Daniels is the nominee, I’ll vote third party. I’m not interested in the “Elites” choices.
Do you have any specific complaints about him?
The other is to try to compare him to "others" claimed to be undifferentiated from him in any way.
In the end you are left with the problem that he's sitting atop the ONLY state government in the Mid West or East of the Mississippi that is SOLVENT! In fact, Indiana is right there next door to America's number one basketcase ~ ILLINOIS!
His edge for "higher office" is simply that his government is not broke and all the others are! It's almost like you don't want anyone with some financial acumen to get in charge.
Hey, TEAParty people ~ Hey, yeah, you guys ~ do you want a candidate who cares about something beyond waste, fraud and abuse like, perhaps, lower debt, lower taxes.......
If you do, find us a candidate eh!
Honestly, I know nothing of Mitch Daniels, other than he is kicking Illinois' ass. I'll find out more about him when the time comes.
If Mitch Daniels is the nominee, I’ll vote third party. I’m not interested in the “Elites” choices.
__________________________________________________________
Exactly!
We got McCain last time! Never again should we allow the Left and the Elites pick our candidates.
It’s very telling that the Left goes after Palin, who hasn’t even announced her intentions for POTUS yet, but don’t offer a word of criticizm towards those they already know are going to run like Romney, Newt and Pawlenty.
Who ever the Left fears most they attack and demonize. This is why I know Palin is the right choice (if she decides to run of course)!
Mitch Daniels open to VAT, oil tax hike
These comments come on the heels of a September profile in Newsweek, in which Daniels said tax increases might be necessary to tackle the federal deficit. “At some stage, there could well be a tax increase,” Daniels told the magazine. “They say we can’t have grown-up conversations. I think we can.”
Daniels has previously clashed with Norquist over the former’s refusal to sign the “No New Taxes” pledge.
Is there such a thing as the Official Free Republic Kiss of Death? If there is, Mitch Daniels is now the proud owner of one.
Very clever writing. Praise the man with faint praise, paint him as an elite and watch the rabble with the pitchforks and torches tar and feather him without bothering to find out who he is.
He has supported VAT tax, hasn't lifted a finger to get a marriage amendment passed in Indians and slapped social conservatives in the face by calling for a truce on social issues.
He has supported a VAT tax, hasn't lifted a finger to get a marriage amendment passed in Indians and slapped social conservatives in the face by calling for a truce on social issues.
Mitch has been known to raise more than a few taxes.
Mitch Daniels opens to VAT and oil tax hike. These comments come on the heels of a September profile in Newsweek, in which Daniels said tax increases might be necessary to tackle the federal deficit. “At some stage, there could well be a tax increase,” Daniels told the magazine. “They say we can’t have grown-up conversations. I think we can.” Daniels has previously clashed with Norquist over the former’s refusal to sign the “No New Taxes” pledge.
Pat Bauer stopped the Marriage Amendment in the House, didn’t he?
Details?
hasn't lifted a finger to get a marriage amendment passed in Indians
Is there a reason why he would need to do so in Indiana?
and slapped social conservatives in the face by calling for a truce on social issues.
And that, sir, shows that you've bought the spin without reading what he actually said.
Here's all you need to know about Daniels...
Mitch Daniels Furthers Truce, Abortion Shouldn’t “Get in the Way”
Yeah, a huge one. I find his voice irritating and he isn't doing a damn thing to change it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.