He had the opportunity to run as a fiscally-strong, conservative candidate with no baggage. The "elites" would have leapt all over him because he had none of Romney's negatives, was more electable, and had a good conservative record. Instead, he declined to run.
I understand that he had his reasons, and he's entitled to them. But if he was unwilling to chip in then, he oughta just shut up now. And I say this as someone who really, really wanted him to run so I wouldn't be stuck with Larry, Curly, or Moe.
No baggage? Daniels?
Do you know what the evil media would have done with his divorce story?
A run for president would have been devastating to his family.
The man is a governor, by all accounts a good one, and he has the right to speak his mind just like you and me. Difference of course is that he is a lot more likely to be heard beyond the confines of our safe little FR world. He might even be the candidate who, after the RINO's and the T-Partiers decide a compromise is in order and someone undamaged by the Primary bloodletting is needed, comes out of Tampa with Rubio in tow. Not likely but possible (and a better option than anybody named Jeb).
Just the elites?
I remember the vast majority of FReepers jumping all over him as well. I don't know if you were around here when he was suggested as a possibility, but he had very little support here.
If the elites were against him as well as conservatives, where would his support have come from?