Gov. Daniels appears to be about to sign legislation in Indiana defunding any organization (including Planned Parenthood) that provides abortions.
That’s pretty good by me.
He may be one of those politicians of whom it may be better to watch what he does than what he says.
I was initially very upset with the whole social issues “truce” talk. But if it’s mostly talk to enable him to attract fiscally-conservative pro-aborts to restrain the deficit and the national debt, and he appoints pro-life justices and judges, and he pushes (perhaps under the guise of “fiscal restraint”) things like defunding Planned Parenthood, I think I’d vote for him.
With moderate enthusiasm.
Daniels is very active in getting absentee fathers to be responsible. That's a social issue.
It's at the Federal level he's leery. And rightly so. The liberals dominate social issues there.
Return social issues to the states and many social problems will be solved. This is anathema to liberals because they will lose.
From the Weekly Standard:
Mitch Daniels Doubles Down on “Truce”
Mark Hemingway writes:
I got a call this morning from Indiana Governor and rumored presidential candidate Mitch Daniels. In my column yesterday on his remarks about a “truce” on social issues, I left the door open to the possibility that the Governor’s remarks may not have been a “rhetorical misstep.”
Of course, if you know anything about Mitch Daniels in this respect he’s the anti-Obama. He’s far more concerned about communication than rhetoric, he’s thoughtful and rarely speaks without consideration. Rhetorical missteps are exceedingly rare.
And indeed, Daniels called me to say that he’s dead serious about the need for the next president to declare a truce. “It wasn’t something I just blurted out,” he told me. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while.”
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/mitch-daniels-doubles-down-truce
But, if he does so by insulting the social conservatives, what has he gained.
I'm deeply bothered by a candidate who would essentially start his campaign by publicly insulting half his base, telling them he won't support their issues.
That's not politically astute. And it smacks of country club elitism, as well. It reminds me of...John McCain.
As far as I'm concerned, Daniels dug himself a deep hole that he'll have to climb out of if he's going to win my support.