LOOKS LIKE DANIELS IS IN – AT 9:20 A.M. ET:  Mitch Daniels is a terrific Republican governor of Indiana.  Under his leadership, Indiana has become a success story.  Contrast please with neighboring Illinois, which, as a state, could never get basic collision insurance.

The Great Mentioner has mentioned Daniels as a possible presidential candidate for next year.  Based on record alone, that makes sense, and Daniels clearly is interested.  From The Politico:

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels boasts that he would turn heads with his fundraising firepower and roster of big- name GOP supporters if he jumps into the 2012 presidential race.

“If I were to decide to do this, we would have an unbelievable letterhead,” Daniels predicted in a POLITICO interview Wednesday, lighting up as the hour-long conversation turned to why he could win.

“I don’t know if we’d raise the most, but for whatever reason there are an awful lot of people standing by who I think know how to do this a lot better than I do,” he said, noting that he’s being pushed to run by an array of business types and political figures.

Daniels suggested three things could keep him from plunging in: his wife’s concerns, the calculation that his party or the country aren’t ready for his tough-love message or the emergence of another capable candidate.

And...

He wouldn’t say it, but those who have spoken to him indicate Daniels doesn’t see anyone in the current GOP field focused on the fiscal issues that motivate him. If such a person doesn’t emerge – and Daniels said he’ll announce his decision “no later” than May and potentially in April — the chances of him running will increase. Daniels recounted that his close friend Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour indicated during a conversation a few weeks ago at the Alfalfa Dinner in Washington that he was seriously considering a presidential run. But Daniels declined to say if the presence of Barbour in the field would dissuade him from mounting his own bid.

COMMENT:  It is reported that Mitch's wife is strongly against his running.  And there are other issues:  He is barely known to the public outside Indiana, and he is, frankly, often a dull speaker. 

It could be, of course, that a plain-spoken, quiet man from the Midwest is just what the public wants, but Daniels will still have to show that he can appeal to a nation via television.  I saw him speak publicly last year, and that's far from certain.

By the way, the name being mentioned more and more is Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, who is personable, intelligent, and has a fine record.  The great drawback, of course, is his name.  We don't like dynasties in America, and the Bush name isn't quite up there with Lincoln's.  But Jeb Bush would, at least, bring excitement, which is lacking right now.

Supposedly, the frontrunner at the moment, if there is one, is Mitt Romney, the very mention of whom cures all insomnia.  In fact, in typing his name I just fell asleep over my computer, awakened only by the overwhelming rush of subliminal conscience. 

But do watch Daniels.  He'd be a terrific president, if he can get there.

February 10, 2011