Mitch Daniels won't run

[Quietus]

He announced this in an email. Drudge Report has it.

From what I was seeing last week, he may have had the support for running for Pres, of the Bush family.

The Indiana Supreme Court decision two weeks ago which allowed warrantless police entry into homes (guess you could call the decision an enlargement of the "exigent circumstances" exception for the need for warrants), was written by one of his appointees. That would have been a millstone around his neck in some circles, but mostly would have gotten a pass. Press would have been more concerned about previous marriage problems.

The fact that Daniels is not running, is good news to me. He's made some statements previously about the desirability or need for getting along with the other folks, that I have found to be distasteful.

[rubberneck]

You find the idea of a President willing to work with the other party distasteful? Is that how a sign of how bad things have gotten in this country? When this country was at it's best we had a loyal opposition that would stand it's ground for what they believed but was always willing to work together when they had common goals. The utter distrust of people who don't share our own political views is one of the biggest reasons why this country is circling the drain IMHO.

Daniels isn't running for one reason and that's his wife. During the 90's she lost her mind and walked out on Daniels to go shack up with another married man. It has been long rumored that she wants no part in having to explain that period in her life publicly. Frankly I couldn't care less about issues surrounding the first lady or first family. I only care about the President. Because the media feels the need to pry into the personal lives of the President's family we lose out on one of the most qualified candidates in the past 50 years.

It's a damn shame as he was the one Republican that I really could get excited for. I guess that like 2008 I will have to hold my nose and vote for another underwhelming GOP candidate in 2012, and with Daniels bowing out there is little chance that any of the announced candidates has a shot at unseating Obama. It makes me sick to think of another 4 years under that smug egomaniac.

[Gypsy]

I am very disappointed to read this, I was really beginning to like him and his chances.

[Richard]

Just because he says he isn't running now doesn't mean he won't change his mind and throw his hat into the ring at some point down the road.

Richard

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Gypsy

I am very disappointed to read this, I was really beginning to like him and his chances.

Must know something you and I don't, Gypsy.

[Gypsy]

Originally Posted by Dusty

Must know something you and I don't, Gypsy.

Maybe, my friend. I think I like Richard's post. There's always hope...until there isn't.

[rubberneck]

Originally Posted by Richard

Just because he says he isn't running now doesn't mean he won't change his mind and throw his hat into the ring at some point down the road.

Richard

While it's true that can can announce at a later date the longer he waits the bigger the handicap he gives his candidacy. Obama is already raising funds and is running unopposed which allow him to spend every dime of it on the general election. The Republican candidates first have to figure out how to raise money just to win the nomination before even thinking about the general election. I have heard several veteran campaigners say that the drop dead date for any candidate is quickly approaching.

If he is really reluctant to run because he is concerned about his wife being put through the ringer I have to respect him for putting his family ahead of his own ambitions. I don't like it but it is what it is.

[Dusty]

I don't GAF who beats him.

I do know that recently it's hard to spot an Obama-Biden bumper sticker in town, whereas up until recently they were all over the place...

[rubberneck]

Originally Posted by Dusty

I don't GAF who beats him.

I do know that recently it's hard to spot an Obama-Biden bumper sticker in town, whereas up until recently they were all over the place...

I don't like him as a President but historically sitting Presidents are hard to unseat. With the money advantage this President will enjoy the only real shot the GOP has to beat him is to select a challenger that excites people beyond the base and frankly I don't see one out there right now. This is almost 1996 all over again. Clinton wasn't particularly well liked and wasn't doing much better than Obama is doing in the polls currently but the best candidate the GOP could find was Bob Dole. Don't get me wrong he is a great man, hero and a patriot but as a candidate he was about as bland as you could get and he had little appeal beyond the GOP. He got his doors blown off in the general election and we had to endure four years of scandal.

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by rubberneck

You find the idea of a President willing to work with the other party distasteful? Is that how a sign of how bad things have gotten in this country? When this country was at it's best we had a loyal opposition that would stand it's ground for what they believed but was always willing to work together when they had common goals. The utter distrust of people who don't share our own political views is one of the biggest reasons why this country is circling the drain IMHO.

Daniels isn't running for one reason and that's his wife. During the 90's she lost her mind and walked out on Daniels to go shack up with another married man. It has been long rumored that she wants no part in having to explain that period in her life publicly. Frankly I couldn't care less about issues surrounding the first lady or first family. I only care about the President. Because the media feels the need to pry into the personal lives of the President's family we lose out on one of the most qualified candidates in the past 50 years.

It's a damn shame as he was the one Republican that I really could get excited for. I guess that like 2008 I will have to hold my nose and vote for another underwhelming GOP candidate in 2012, and with Daniels bowing out there is little chance that any of the announced candidates has a shot at unseating Obama. It makes me sick to think of another 4 years under that smug egomaniac.

Your points are well taken...........

Big Teddy

[ZonieDiver]

Your points are well taken...........

Oh, I don't know. LBJ, Ford, Carter, Bush 41... I think were about due!

But, (and like my Aunt Edna, it's a BIG but) the R's have to come up with someone other than the current 'usual suspects" in order to oust him. Cain?!? Come on! The voters will mutiny. (And...Godfather's Pizza was godawful!)

[AMP]

Daniels's has done a hell of a job keeping the state of Indiana in the black. I am just not sure about his budget cut of 300 million towards education. And his ideas on education reform.

[Dusty]

Romney's being groomed, but Pawlenty may shoulder him out of the way.

I think it may come down to the running mate, this time.

At least the Rasmussen and Gallup polls will start seeping back to normal; OBL's dead, Gitmo's staying open, and the troops can't get withdrawn in time for Nov '12.

I don't think the GOP has anyone who can beat Obama in 2012. We may have a few candidates come along in 2016, 2020 and beyond, and when they arrive, we as a nation will look more Euro, more social and more in debt. Open riots beyond civil control, Militias fighting with gangs, if not deployed OCONUS, National Guard units protecting schools, stuff like that.

When the time of change does arrive, it will be on the level equal with the colonies debating if we should revolt against England in 1776, a long process that will leave most exhausted.

A few new congressmen, gov., senators that have recently joined the ranks may survive with good track records, but they could also fall victim to becoming just another few sell-outs, and the dream will be lost.

Now while we were in a cold war, hostages in Iran, Carter having entered the office (1976), the world was safer then it is now. We tend to just continue trending down the spiral, we need someone who can jog the emotional, fundamental base of American ideals that transends party lines and get an entire nation wanting "that guy".

When Reagan arrived, he was not well liked by most republicans. What he did do was convert republicans to conservatism. He also identified "the enemy".

The religious votes was long time held to the left, starting well before Carter. Clinton won the religious south again in 96 because domestic, social injustices, education, healthcare were more important than acknowledging foreign policy.

The president who can change this situation is the guy who can say, "My job is to protect America, see that we have a strong ecomony, respected by our allies, feared by or enemies."

------------BT------------

If we were to stop all foreiegn aid to all counties, would it help, hinder or bolden our enemies?

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by wet dog

I don't think the GOP has anyone who can beat Obama in 2012.

Please explain, WD.

Today's Rasmussen Poll (an unbiased and accurate one), has only 25% of the voters strongly approving of Obama. 35% strongly disapprove. And this is after the most positive event of his Presidency, the supposed assassination of OBL (at his own hand, the way he spouts).

Why do you think he's unbeatable?

If your answer is because we're divided as Demwit foes, I concur.
But, if we unite against the menace...what's to stop us?