I’m in Indiana where the political conversation is centered on Republican Governor Mitch Daniels’ interest in a White House run in 2012. Or is he interested? Daniels has said he is open to the idea, but he has yet to take the kick-off trips to Iowa and New Hampshire.
Over the weekend the press here buzzed about the possibility with Daniels receiving national attention from Fox News and Newsweek. Arnold-like, Daniels rode around for the cameras on a motorcycle in a charity ride that included hundreds of bikes.
Daniels is getting attention for the top government job because Indiana is in relatively good shape compared to other states suffering during the economic downturn. Locals have told me that when Daniels is criticized for the state’s fiscal condition he points out how much better Indiana is doing than California or Illinois.
To be an example of what not to do is so foreign to California’s past history and so common in this day and age to be depressing.
Daniels recently was criticized for reversing his position on the new stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama. Monies from the $26 billion package will go to the states in part to keep some public sector workers on the job and balance local and state government budgets. Daniels had signed a letter in February supporting such a move.
However, when it finally came to pass he was opposed. Indiana’s financial picture had brightened and Daniels was complaining that his taxpayers would be helping bail out other states that were not as well fiscally managed. We can guess one state he had in mind.
It is probably naïve to think so, but it amazes me that with the mid-term elections still months away, presidential politics are already on the radar.