2012 Watch: Mitch Daniels: Decision in the coming months
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/08/25/art.mitchdaniels.file4.gi.jpg caption="Gov. Mitch Daniels responded to rumors that he will run for president Tuesday."]
(CNN) - Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said Tuesday he'll make a final decision about running for president in the coming months, but stressed that he currently has no intention of seeking the Republican nomination in 2012.
His statement came in response to the latest story to spark talk about a potential Daniels candidacy: a Politico article detailing a series of private dinners the governor has held with top national GOP donors and policy experts in Indianapolis.
With his star rising among Republicans searching for a staunch fiscal conservative in the 2012 field, the soft-spoken, 5'7" budget hawk has repeatedly denied interest in seeking the White House.
But he's also carefully left the door open to a possible bid. Daniels has strenuously avoided making appearances in key presidential nominating states, for example, but his staff has also welcomed national political reporters to Indiana to profile the governor and his repair work on the state's economy.
The full statement from Daniels, after the jump:
"I've said I have no intention or plan to run for president. That is true.I've said I'm not taking any of the steps or going to any of the places that a presidential candidate would go. That is true.
I've said that many people have asked to visit with me about a candidacy and about reconsidering my disinclination to run. That is true.
I have said that my priorities and my attention are firmly fixed on my duties here in Indiana. That is true.
I've said I've made no final decision about running for president and won't for months, and that is true.
The Politico article and other recent stories confirm the truthfulness and accuracy of each of these statements."
Everytime a Republican is in the news, the media THINKS that they are running for president. Give me a break.
Flood the field with all these conservatives and where do those of us who used to be republicans go? Are there any moderates or liberals left in the party of NO?
Why are we already talking about the 2012 election?
Is there a single Republican who ISN'T running for the Presidential nomination? One screwed-up leaderless Party!
Like I said in a previous post - by the time 30 or 40 republicans fight tooth and nail to get the nominations, the dems won't have to dig up any dirt. They'll kill each other
ha ha ha ha ha
Daniels is an idiot. He has ruined the ecology in this state. He has a toothless DNR that does not penalize law breakers. He loves privatization, pouts when he doesn't get his way.
That the national or any other media would think of this clown as presidential material is an incredible joke.
All these governors are derelict in there duties to the people who put them in office, they aren't innovative in creating jobs. Just what exactly do governors proclaim to do for their states, I see nothing absolutely nothing and then they blame it on Washington. Governors are useless and self serving individuals for wealth and fame at the peoples expense.
"With his star rising among Republicans"
At the rate these "rising" stars flame out, the Reds will have to move to another galaxy.
On a positive note...
What Republican politician isn’t posturing for a run at the presidency? That field is becoming more crowded than a NASCAR race.