(CNN) – Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who recently decided against a run for president, said he could have beat President Barack Obama in 2012.
"Yes, I think so," Daniels said Sunday on ABC's "This Week," adding, "I mean, no one can know."
Daniels reiterated that his family was the reason behind his ultimate decision not to seek the GOP presidential nomination.
"We've got young women, three of them married not too long," Daniels said, referring to his four daughters. "They're looking forward to building lives, starting families and this was just a disruption that they were very, very leery of, and who wouldn't understand that?"
When asked if those sentiments are a result of the current political environment, Daniels, who served in the administrations of former Presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, said "If it weren't for the cheap shots and the, you know, personal unfairness that would, that would come with it, there's also just the inevitable loss of privacy, the security, all of that."
– On Monday, June 13, CNN will host the first New Hampshire Republican Presidential Debate, live from Manchester, NH at 8 p.m. ET. Follow all the issues and campaign news leading up to the debate on CNNPolitics.com and @cnnpolitics on Twitter.
From CNN Politics
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i coulda' been a contender!
The Donald already owned that quote, Mitch. Sorry dude.
I could beat Obama too but I'm not going to run either. LMAO!
It doesn't matter if you could've won.
If I had decided to run for president I know I would win but alas I have decided not run for president in '12.
If you can beat president Obama what stopped you then? Talk is cheap...you chose a short cut knowing you have zero chance of becoming the president of th USA!
Talk is sooooooooo cheap. Loser.
This man was Bush's budget director, for goodness sakes. That was the baggage that would have kept him from being elected, not his personal life.
Sir, now you sound like Trump, the spoiled, rich-kid, blowhard.
You could not have one for 1 simple reason: you were No. 43Ls Budget Director. You set up the economic and fiscal mess that President Obama is fixing.
The killer question for all Republicans is –
1) Do you support tax cuts at a time when we have a record National Debt?
2) Do you honestly believe that income tax cuts, as you supported, lead to lower unemployment and a vibrant economy?
They all say the same thing. I could have won. Liars.
Yeah, right!
When Gov. Mitch Daniels said “ I love my country I love my family more” its clear 2012 for Obama that mean Obama 2 term president unbeatable
Gov. Mitch Daniels has more sources than any other candidates tea party support, American cross road and republican establishment etc
We did the calculation you got strong advice you can’t beat Obama so you withdrew
I don't think even Daniels believe what he said. If a politician truly believe they can win an office like the presidency, they'd be tripping over themselves to get in. It always looks easier until they get in. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. I'm sure he looks perfect to those who 'wish' he got in. Two problems, first: Obama is trying to clean up a lot of the mess left by a Republican. Second: everyone have weaknesses. If he gets in, his would be exposed too. Then it would not be as easy as putting out theories. He probably did the best thing for himself by declining.
I could have won the presidency but I don't feel like running either.
Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse could won too, if they decide to run.
Republicans are voting in large numbers AGAINST VETERANS' RIGHTS. That in itself is reason enough to NEVER put them in power again.
They want a bunch of poor men to send to fight their battles. That all they want with a high birth rate among the poor.
Well, since he could have won, why run? He is right to simply rest on his laurels.
Well, maybe you'll get a chance in 2012 when we will have changed the laws so he can win as often as he gets the votes.
shoulda, coulda, woulda......be honest what do reporters THINK he was going to say? " I would have LOST??" Some quotes really don't need to be posted.
Saying I could have beat Obama is like saying I could have been a millionair too. Sarah Palin had a better chance of beating President Obama than Mitch had. You see, she got out there. While she had about as much chance as a snowball in hell, because she was out there, her chances of beating him were better than your chances sir. I do congratulate you on the brave statement you made concerning loving your country but loving your family more.
Is there any better way to show how much of a coward and blowhard you are? "I COULD win, but uh, yeah, I don't want to make it too tough for Obama, so I'm going to sit this one out. But remember, I would have beaten him."
How, exactly would you have won?
Sir, you and every othe Republican Governor, Former Governor [or 1/2 Gov.] like to say that you know how to create jobs. YOU DON`T.
All you know how to do is play a shell game. You steal jobs from one of the other 49 states by offering tax cuts/ incentives to companies alraedy opperating there to relocate to your state. This doesn`t CREATE anything. It does nothing to lower unemployment at the national level. You can`t apply this model to benefit America.
You sir, are a fraud if this is what you`d have us believe.
Would've, should've, could've.
Kinda like If, And, But.
Nonsense.
Dude – there is no way you could have won. NOBODY Knows you.
Politics requires a huge ego.
Even republicons do not want to run on the Republican platform of hate, Ryan-Nocare, tax cuts for the wealthy, no jobs for the people, etc.
Sould've, Could've, Would've....BUT DIDN'T!!!
woulda, shoulda, coulda, please!
And I could have been an all-pro linebacker. Not.
How about I could have lost to Obama.
Of course he could have won. He got the unemployment turned around in Indiana, and look at all the jobs bills he got going in congress. He, what wait, huh? No jobs bills? Just anti gay legislation?
Yeah. Sure, you could beat Obama. Sure.
He could have won the repub nomination, but I'm setting the bar awfully low, here.
Yeah sure ya coulda Mitch. Keep dreaming.
I could have won too! Easy to say since the statement won't be tested.
I could have won too but I am not running either.
What is wrong with these people? When would they man up and say that they won't stand a chance against Obama??? Everyone knows it!
Also, until one maintains a comb over, it means that the person is not confident with himself... Remember Rudy? He came out from the comb over and he looked better. Not that he BECAME better but he looked more real.
What Is It with all you Republican , yes I could have beat him. Well If that was the case than why didn't you ran. That all you Republican do Is LIES. And I'M from Indiana and I don't think you could.But than again that what all you Republican say that are not running ,because you know you really couldn't. And Republican like Saran Palin and Michele Bachmann would lose so bad It going to make you Republican look petty Dumb. Because these two don't stand a chance In hell. people Till reminder what the Republican have done that was back by the Tea Party and the American people Isn't going to let that happen any more.
All I hear is excuses republicans.....................
Hmmmm....I think Mitch has a skeleton in his closet.
I could have beaten Obama too, but I ain't runnin. Obama is lucky I decided not to run.
coulda woulda shoulda
wrong time, wrong world, wrong country
How in the world did he come up with that conclusion?? You worked for Bush-Cheyney. No More Tank Jobs in our Country!!!! Get it? He wants Mainstreet Americans and elderly, to pay for GOP Blunders!!! Wow
Why not show some class and say – "It really doesn't matter, since I am not running"!!
Yeah. Right. Chicken.
Do you really think he would have said he couldn't beat President Obama? His future in politics would have been zeroed out.
Republicans that went on record to kill Medicare will lose big time in the next election. Ask any senior, or the kid the senior would have to move in with if they support killing grandpa and grandma's Medicare. More tax breaks for big oil and businesses that send jobs overseas. How about tariffs on all those cheap imports that cause our manufacturing jobs to be shipped overseas.
What kind of nonsense is this? If he think he could have won, why not run? You know why...he did not believe he could win. He is not as dumb as Sarah Palin and know beating Obama would be a tall order, so he decided not to be the Repulican looser for 2012 and save himself the headache, the expense, and the time. God...I wish politicians could just tell the truth sometimes. But that's too much to ask. Lying and being a politician go hand in hand.