Armey: Daniels should run for White House

(CNN) - Dick Armey wants Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels to run for president.

The chairman of FreedomWorks, a national organization that provides much of the organization behind the tea party movement, tells CNN that "Mitch is exactly the kind of candidate that our folks across the country are looking for."

Armey, the former House Majority Leader, was with Daniels on Thursday, giving the term-limited Republican governor a FreedomWorks award for what he says is Daniel's dedication to rein in spending in his state.

"He's a serious guy, he's no showhorse; he's a workhorse. He keeps his eye on the ball. We really feel like we need a guy like him in this race and I'm trying to get him to understand that," adds Armey. "He really fits the bill more than he realizes."

Daniels has said that he would decide on a run for the GOP presidential nomination after Indiana's current legislative session ends on April 29. But a walkout by Indiana Democratic lawmakers over a move by Daniels and state Republicans to cut the budget and limit collective bargaining rights for some union workers could force a special session. Democratic lawmakers left the state to stall the initiatives, delaying a decision by the governor on a White House run.

"It certainly complicates making a decision. I said all along that one of the major considerations was doing the duty to this job. I will not compromise on that and the fact that it may take longer to do that, yes, it's a complicating factor," said Daniels Thursday, according to the Indianapolis Star.

If Daniels does decide to run, would Armey endorse him?

"He's certainly the kind of person we would endorse but at this point it's premature to talk about endorsements," the FreedomWorks chairman tells CNN.

FreedomWorks is a nonprofit, conservative organization based in the nation's capital that helps train volunteer activists and has provided much of the organization behind the tea party movement. The group also supports conservative candidates in Republican primary and general election contests.

In his conversation with CNN, Armey also had nice things to say about former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who earlier this week announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee, and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who's also seriously considering a bid for the Republican nomination.

"I think the governors, right now, are the ones we are turning our attention to," says Armey.

Daniels, who served as budget director during President George W. Bush's first term, is popular among many fiscal conservatives, but his call for a truce on social issues has opened him up to criticism from many social conservative activists.

Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @PsteinhauserCNN