I have some tell me privately that the Indiana GOP is an old boys network and more hackery going on than we know and were rather jaundice about him and the state of the states conservative movement.
Tell me where this sentiment is off-base...
Daniels first act as gov was to de-certify the UAW as the representative of state employees. The UAW was brought in by Evan Bayh who paid them off with lottery / casino $$ and turned them into a stout campaign / lobbying force. It took 16 years for that party to finally end with the election of Daniels in Nov 2004.
That took a lot of b@lls in a state heavily populated with union members in the manufacturing industry. Also gradually the state legislature has been improved the last 6 years with Republicans finally having control of both branches.
Daniels wouldn’t be my first pick, but Pence isn’t running, so he’d get my vote. Indiana is certainly the best run of the rust belt states.