Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is offering some terrible advice to Gov. Mitt Romney. Daniels reportedly said that Romney’s campaign is being too negative toward Barack Obama, and that he needs to explain a more “constructive program” to the American people.

Good grief. Mitch Daniels could NOT be more wrong! Mitt Romney is offering a constructive program, but the 2012 Election should be a referendum on the conduct and policies of Barack Obama as President. That means, Romney MUST talk about Obama’s abject failure and why is not qualified to continue leading this country! John McCain tried the nice guy approach to Obama. It does not work. The media will never tell the truth about Obama. If Republicans do not, then no one will. Romney needs to keep pressing the offense and keep Obama on the defensive. I’m confident he will.

Let’s Hope Mitt Romney Does NOT Listen to Mitch Daniels and His Campaign Advice – 4/20/12

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Here is video of Indiana Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels delivering the GOP response to President Obama’s “State of the Union” address tonight. Daniels tore down Obama’s economic house of cards, making it clear that the State of the Union is “grave,” and saying President Obama “has to know in his heart.” He focused on the massive debt and lack of jobs that have characterized the Obama Presidency, and said America has a small window of time to turn things around, but that it can’t be done with the current course being set by Barack Obama.

Gov. Mitch Daniels Delivers GOP Response to Obama’s “State of the Union” Address; Says Obama has to Know “in His Heart” the State of our Union is “Grave” – Complete Video 1/24/12

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels announced via email late last night that he has decided NOT to seek the 2012 GOP Nomination for President:

NYT: THE CAUCUS - Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana said early Sunday that he would not become a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, telling supporters in an e-mail message that concerns from his family were the overriding factor in deciding to stay out of the race.

“In the end, I was able to resolve every competing consideration but one,” Mr. Daniels wrote. “The interests and wishes of my family is the most important consideration of all. If I have disappointed you, I will always be sorry.”

His announcement answers one of the most highly anticipated questions about the 2012 Republican campaign, but introduces new uncertainty into the race. He is the latest in a string of prominent Republicans to decline a presidential bid, leaving the field without a clear front-runner less than eight months before the first voting could begin. . . . Read More

Gov. Mitch Daniels Announces in Late Night Email He Will NOT Run for President

Word is out this afternoon that Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels had to have 16 stitches this afternoon to close a wound left in his forehead after he was reportedly hit in the head by a door:

POLITICO: An accident at the gym left Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels with 16 stitches on his forehead on Friday, his office announced.

Daniels, who is weighing a run for the White House, was standing near a door at the National Institute for Fitness and Sport in Indianapolis, and “the door suddenly swung open and struck the governor in the forehead,” his office said in a statement. “He was treated and released and is recovering at home.” . . . . Read More

Ouch!

Gov. Mitch Daniels Gets 16 Stitches After Being Hit in the Head with a Door – 5/20/11

There is confusion today over whether or not Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels may have supported a form of an “individual mandate” for “Universal Health Care” back in 2003:

WASHINGTON EXAMINER (Philip Klein): During his 2003 run for governor, an Indiana newspaper reported that Mitch Daniels supported a form of an individual health insurance mandate.

An item in the South Bend Tribune from October, 23, 2003, on a campaign stop Daniels made to a health clinic, reported:

“The candidate said he favors a universal health care system that would move away from employee-based health policies and make it mandatory for all Americans to have health insurance.

Daniels envisioned one scenario in which residents could certify their coverage when paying income taxes and receive a tax exemption that would cover the cost.

“We really have to have universal coverage,” Daniels said.”

. . . Earlier today, I defended Daniels from what I thought was an unfair attack. But this apparent past support for a form of a federal mandate is legitimately alarming and warrants greater scrutiny . . . Read More

However, NRO is quoting a Daniels spokesman that he does not endorse an individual mandate – and never has:

NRO: . . . Jane Jankowski, a spokeswoman for Daniels, said that the governor does not support an individual mandate.

“Governor Daniels favors giving every American a tax credit individually so they can purchase insurance that is right for them,” Jankowski told National Review Online. “He believes nearly all would use it, so coverage would be nearly universal. He does not support a mandate.”

Jankowski added that opposition to an individual mandate “has always has been the governor’s position.” . . . Read More

Confusion over Gov. Mitch Daniels’ Position on a Health Care “Individual Mandate”

Here is video of Politico’s Jim Vandehei reporting that “GOP Elites” are not satisfied with the current field of 2012 GOP Presidential Candidates. He said many of them are urging Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels to get in the race, because they don’t believe those currently running can defeat President Obama in 2012. Vandehei rated the chances Daniels will get in at “50/50,” and said if he does not, the Elites are likely to turn to GOP Rep. Paul Ryan, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, or former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

___________________

I don’t agree with the “elites.” I think several of the candidates in the current field could defeat Obama. I believe Herman Cain is one of them. But the idea of Paul Ryan getting in the race is extremely interesting!

Vandehei: GOP Elites Not Satisfied with GOP Field; Urging Daniels to Get In; Will Turn to Christie, Ryan, Jeb Bush if Daniels Passes – Video Report 5/18/11

Here is video of George Will today on This Week where he declared that “one of three people” will be inaugurated as President on January 20,2013: Barack Obama, Tim Pawlenty, or Mitch Daniels!

I guess Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Donald Trump and everyone else might as well wrap it up. George Will has decreed it to be so!

George Will Decrees “One of Three People” Will be Inaugurated President on January 20, 2013 – Video 5/15/11

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

In an outstanding piece about Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and his wife, Cheri, RealClearPolitics’ Erin McPike says Daniels told a group of college students supporting him former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice would be someone “he’d like to pick” as a Vice-Presidential running mate if he decides to get in the 2012 Presidential race. It sounds like concern over questions that could arise about the divorce between Daniels and his wife in the 1990′s is the final hurdle to him making an announcement. Be sure a read McPike’s entire piece to get the low-down

REALCLEARPOLITICS: . . . . .He has obviously given some thought to the area beyond Indiana’s borders, too.

Daniels accepted an invitation from those 55 students to meet at a spacious bar several blocks away after the event; he sipped Woodford Reserve bourbon as he asked them about their own lives and families. In return, they asked him who he might like to tap as his vice presidential nominee if he runs.

Hypothetically, he told them, he’d like to pick Condoleezza Rice. . . . . Read More

Gov. Mitch Daniels on Who He Might Like as a VP Running Mate: “Hypothetically” Would “Like to Pick Condoleeza Rice”

Here is a video report on Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, and the momentum that is building for him to jump into the 2012 GOP Presidential Nomination race.

Daniels is said to be waiting on approval from his wife to seek the Presidency. Interestingly, the report mentions that Daniels was married to his wife, Cheri, divorced – with her marrying another man – and is now remarried to her. Daniels said it matters a great deal to him what she thinks. “Family comes first with me,” he said.

On the question of whether Daniels thinks he could beat Obama if he runs? Daniels said: “I think our chances would be quite good. That is really not a factor.”

Momentum Builds for Mitch Daniels Candidacy; Daniels Says His Chances Would be “Quite Good” to Beat Obama – Video 5/10/11

Here is audio of Rush Limbaugh today talking about the possible candidacy of Gov. Mitch Daniels for President. Limbaugh said it is clear that both “Republican Washington Insiders as well as Democrat power-brokers want the (GOP) nominee to be Mitch Daniels.”

Limbaugh took on Daniels for having said in February that “purity and martyrdom is for suicide-bombers,” meaning Republicans should not focus on social issues in choosing candidates because that will not get Independents to vote for the GOP Nominee. Rush asked if you really believe the Democrats would want the GOP to nominate someone they think can beat Obama? He went on to say that the “gravitas” they say Daniels has actually means “boring.”

Rush Limbaugh: “GOP Insiders as Well as Democrat Power-Brokers” Want Mitch Daniels to be the 2012 GOP Nominee – Audio 5/9/11

Gov. Chris Christie has reportedly said today that would give “real consideration to supporting” Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels for the 2012 GOP Nomination:

BLOOMBERG: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who’s met with potential Republican presidential candidates seeking his backing, said he would give “real consideration” to supporting Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.

Daniels, a former budget director under President George W. Bush, told Bloomberg’s Al Hunt on May 6 that he would announce whether he is running within weeks.

“He’s certainly somebody who I have enormous respect for and would give real consideration to supporting,” Christie said today on CBS Corp.’s 1210 WPHT, a Philadelphia news-talk station.

Christie said he wants his party’s 2012 nominee to have gubernatorial experience.

“Governors have tended to be some of our best presidents,” Christie said. “When you have executive responsibilities and you’re the one who has to make decisions, it trains you.” . . . Read More

It certainly sounds like Daniels is about to get in the race, and the full-court press is on to build him up among an element within the GOP. If Daniels were to win the nomination, could there be a Daniels/Christie Ticket in the offing – hire a pair of Governors to replace a pair of Senators to turn things around?

Gov. Chris Christie Says He Would Give “Real Consideration” to Supporting Gov. Mitch Daniels for President

A decision by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels on whether he will run for the 2012 GOP Presidential Nomination will come “within weeks,” and some are saying a Daniels entrance into the race would change everything because he is “the adult in the room”:

WASHINGTON POST – Chris Cillizza: . . . A Daniels candidacy probably would be taken as a sign that the games are over for the Republican Party, that it is time to buckle down and organize to beat President Obama.

“He will turn a race that is about less serious politics into a race about more serious policy,” argued Alex Castellanos, a Republican media consultant who is not aligned with any candidate heading into 2012. “Daniels is the adult in the room saying the party is over, it’s time to clean house. That contrast in maturity is how a Republican beats Obama.”

The president has acknowledged as much about Daniels, telling an Indiana television station that the governor is “a serious person” before adding: “I have some significant philosophical differences with him.”

Should Daniels opt not to run, on the other hand, the unpredictability that has ruled the race would almost certainly continue unabated. . . . Read More

Yesterday, Bill Kristol said on Fox News Sunday that he believes Daniels will enter the race in the next “two or three weeks.” Daniels may be the “adult in the room,” but he will have some work to do if he decides to run, because he has already alienated a good many conservatives in the GOP with his talk of setting aside social issues because of the need to make non-conservatives like us. He also sounds a lot like John McCain did when he speaks of the “coarsening” of our politics and our rhetoric. Staying above it all with Barack Obama worked out real well for McCain, didn’t it? We don’t need another PC candidate. We need someone who will stand strong on all conservative principles and tell the clear and blunt truth. I’m not saying Daniels can’t be that person, but his second act had better be different than his first if he wants the support of conservatives across-the-board in the GOP.

Is the “Adult in the Room” about to Jump into the 2012 GOP Presidential Race?

Here is video from the Fox News Sunday “Panel Plus” today where they discussed the 2012 GOP Field of candidates. Juan Williams commented how surprised he was that so many people thought Herman Cain was the clear winner of the first GOP Debate held in South Carolina this past Thursday night. But Williams said people at his hotel and elsewhere all seemed to have that sentiment.

Bill Kristol said he believes Newt Gingrich will announce his run for the Presidency this coming Wednesday, and he believes Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels will announce he is running for President in “two or three weeks.”

Bill Kristol: Newt Gingrich Likely to Announce Presidential Run on Wednesday; Gov. Mitch Daniels “in Two or Three Weeks” – Video 5/8/11

Here’s a great new ad issued overnight by the Indiana GOP which praises Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels for his record of serious accomplishment in the state.

Indiana’s legislative session ended late last night, and Daniels has said he would wait until the session was over to decide on whether he would run for President. His answer could come very soon, because he has said he would not keep people waiting long.

This ad is very effective in setting forth his record of results that matter. Americans are starved for fiscally responsible, job-creating results.

Is this ad a signal Daniels is going to run, or is it pressure from the Indiana GOP hoping to persuade him to run?

Indiana GOP Releases Ad Praising Gov. Mitch Daniels’ Record of Results; Prelude to Presidential Run? – Video 4/30/11

Here is video of political consultant Dick Morris on with Sean Hannity last night where he said he believes Republicans have a strong field of top-tier candidates to challenge for the 2012 GOP Nomination. Morris believes Donald Trump is one of those candidates, along with Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann.

Morris said the only one of his “top-tier” candidates he does not like is Romney, because of his “RomneyCare” plan he implemented in Massachusetts while Governor.

He also said he has “one thing against” Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Morris said:

“His (Pawlenty’s) Minnesota housing finance agency set up a Sharia-compliant home loan program to help Muslims buy homes without paying interest.” (See rebuttal to this assertion by Morris in the first comment below. Pawlenty says he shut the program down immediately upon becoming aware of what was going on.)

When Hannity pointed out that Pawlenty says he did not know about it, Morris responded, “So it ran for a year-and-a-half in the state, there were demonstrations at every meeting, my book sold 300,000 copies criticizing him on it, and he didn’t know it? He’s either not a good Governor or he was wrong on it.”

Morris said the only other possible GOP candidate he could see making his way into that top-tier is Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. But Morris said he does not think Daniels will run.

Morris believes Gov. Mike Huckabee is going to jump into the race, and that “he has a tremendous capacity to win.” That surprised me, because my sense has been that Huckabee is not going to run. We’ll see if Morris is right.

Dick Morris Says GOP has 5 “Top-Tier” Candidates; Slams Pawlenty for “Sharia-Compliant” Home Loans to Muslims while Governor – Video 4/25/11

Via Hot Air, we learn that CNBC’s John Harwood is reporting on Twitter that a Mitch Daniels confidant tells him that the Indiana GOP Governor is now “60-70″ likely to jump in the 2012 GOP Presidential Nomination race.

Source Close to GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels Says He is “60%-70% Likely” to Run for President

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