COMMENTARY | In the aftermath of the Republican Party response to the president's State of the Union address, an exasperated GOP had a sudden revelation. As if proclaiming 'what if?', the enamored party hopefuls (Rush Limbaugh included) gave high marks to Governor Mitch Daniels (R-Ind.) and began advocating his 12th-hour run for the presidency.
In many ways, Daniels is an ideal candidate for a party searching for unity and identity. A fiscal conservative, he possesses a unique combination of experience in government and private enterprise. The once Senior Vice President at Eli Lilly is credited with a keen understanding of finances and once served as director of the Office of Management and Budget under George Bush. Nicknamed "the blade" for his ability to crunch numbers and spending, many credit him as the catalyst for Indiana's solid economic standing and improved unemployment rate.
A social conservative, Daniels cut all funding for Planned Parenthood in Indiana. He has taken a hard stand on illegal immigrants, denying them in-state tuition rates. Daniels has also been the proponent of hefty fines for employers who hire illegals. He is a Christian who has attended Tabernacle Presbyterian Church for close to fifty years. He is a harsh critic of atheists.
However, what most entices Republicans is Daniels record on shrinking government. For many, he is the anti-Obama and boasts that Indiana has the smallest of all state governments.
Does all this make him a better candidate than Newt Gingrich or Mitt Romney, the current Republican frontrunners?
The short answer is, yes. Lacking the liberal label of Romney and the baggage of Gingrich, Daniels is representative of the party moderates. Daniels is conservative enough, particularly on the economy, to satisfy the tea party. Additionally, his history of calmly delivering concise, reasonable solutions may be exactly what those undecided in the party and independents may be craving for.
The impediment for a Daniels run is all in the timing. At this late stage of debates, funding, attaining an organization, and legal restrictions, Governor Daniels would be hard-pressed to make a serious run. Then there is the history of those who made these 12th-hour charges at the presidency. Consider Fred Thompson and the sudden jolt in popularity he received entering the 2008 elections only to be dismissed virtually weeks later.
For now, the GOP can only hope and dream. Unfortunately that may mean waiting until 2016.
sources: Yahoo! News
nytimes.com
Bureau of Labor and Statistics
keeping-the-republic.com
Robert Watkins is former investment professional and partner. He lives with his family in Glen Mills, Pa., and is a frequent contributor to Yahoo! News.
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