Indiana Gov. Mitchell wins Oregon straw poll, trailed by Romney, Palin

SEASIDE, Ore. — Oregon Republicans attending the annual Dorchester Conference in Seaside, Ore., say they would vote for Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels as a presidential candidate, while former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin came in third.

Thirty percent say they would vote for Daniels. He was praised Sunday for being fiscally conservative, having "core moral values" and running a state government with a budget surplus.

The Daily Astorian reports that another 23 percent say they would vote for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and 18 percent would vote for Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee garnered 10 percent of the vote in the straw poll.

Mitch Daniels did not cave to the unions.

In case folks forget, Daniels rammed through a no-collective bargaining provision for public unions way back in 2005 — what Wisconsin is just now getting around to doing.

Scott Walker is only seeking to limit collective-bargaining rights for most public-sector employees, with notable exceptions for public-safety workers: a much more modest, reform. In other words, Daniels has already done more on the issue of public-sector unions than Walker is even attempting.

Right now, there are a bunch of other Daniels/GOP proposals relating to education and labor that the Democrats really hate in Indiana, including an Arizona-style immigration measure. And despite the GOP promising to not take up right to work until next term, the Democrats still aren’t coming in because of how much they oppose these other proposals.

Only now, by giving on RTW, Daniels has made himself look like the reasonable guy and outflanked the lefties with the voters on all those other highly controversial issues. So now the GOP can fight that fight on better ground, and then come back on RTW when the decks are cleared.

Judge the guy’s strategy when the battles are over, not when they’re just beginning. The governor clung to his view that this is not the year to tackle right to work. He is now simply saying the reasonable: you lead on those issues you told people you would lead on.

You can listen to his NPR radio interview where he assaults unions http://is.gd/s5bv21 with a verbal offensive against labor unions.

The Democratic minority in the Indiana legislature wields considerable power that Daniels has no choice but to deal with. In the Indiana House of Representatives, Republicans have 60 seats and Democrats 40. However, quorum in the Indiana House is 67. By contrast, in the Wisconsin Senate, a quorum of 20 senators is required to pass fiscal legislation, but only 17 are required to pass non-fiscal legislation; Republicans control 19 seats there. Hence, in Wisconsin, Republicans have the ability to pass a wide range of legislation while Democrats are absent. Not so in Indiana.

Clear, serious, competent, record of success. He is one of the best Governors in the country and Mitch has been a fantastic governor... the best Indy has ever seen. Indiana has its fewest state employees since 1978, the nation’s lowest state government employment per capita, lowest effective property taxes and third-lowest per-capita spending.

He does what has to be done to solve the problem and the critics be damned. He’s pulled this state back from the brink and they now operate with a surplus. He cut taxes and has created jobs. He’s definitely against unions and doesn’t make excuses for it. I think he’d make a great President, but I too do not see him running.

The proof would be in what Daniels has done as a chief executive on his own and that proof during this recession is darn solid. Someone like Daniels would focus like a laser beam on healthcare and other entitlements. That CPAC moment was one of the best speeches I heard since Ronald Reagan.

The reason that Team Obama is so worried about Daniels is because the first thing that he did after taking office was to de-certify ALL government unions. Daniels is diametrically opposed to what Democrats stand for.

I know his talk of a “truce” on social issues while the fiscal house is put back in order didn’t set well with many. Yet, he is crafty. He’s not pro-abortion. He opposes federal funds for embryonic stem cell research and supports conscientious objection protection for pharmacists.

He doesn’t have executive hair. But, I think if he did get elected he would not compromise on financial conservatism. I don’t think he would care what the press or dems said about him, because he sure hasn’t seemed to care what they say in Indiana.

One thing Mitch Daniels is NOT is a normal ego-inflated politician. I like his abilities, his faith, his manner with people, his message and his “gravitas”. The primary process will accurately and thoroughly vet all the GOP candidates.

Problem area.. He said our country’s fiscall problems are so threatening that he could consider a VAT tax. He sold Indiana Toll Road to a foreign company.... and once pondered a tax on foreign oil. I’m suggesting that there are no “saviors” out there now. And when he speaks seriously about the debt, he is riveting. By all accounts he’s been an excellent governor. He’s a serious guy. He doesn’t spin like your typical politician.

People will say: “Mitch Daniels has some significant baggage with respect to contributing to the unholy debt of the US during the Bush years.” I start with the people in Congress who actually voted for all this debt. And, Daniels left the Bush administration well before the massive hike in debt/deficits. Daniels was long gone by then, having decided to become executive over Indiana’s finances which, because of him, are now in healthy shape.

In any case, Daniels was out of his OMB slot in June ‘03, only 3 months after the Iraq war started ... he really can’t take credit or blame for what happened after he left. Daniels made budget recommendations. They were not followed. If he would become the nominee, he’ll have plenty to opportunity to lay that out.

Anyway, that’s what I know... Doesn’t sound like a RINO to me...

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