Armey: Daniels 'Perfect Pick'

The Hill reports:

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) would be the "perfect pick" for the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, said Tea Party figurehead and former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas).

Armey, in a video posted Friday to the website of the conservative magazine em>Newsmax<, effused praise for Daniels and expressed a preference for one of the other former governors expected to join the race as a possible alternative.

"I think Mitch Daniels would be the perfect pick for us; he's exactly the man with the proven record that we're looking for," Armey said. "He has no need for sensation, but he knows how to get focused on the work and get it done."

If not Daniels, Armey said, one of the other governors should get the nod.

Armey expressed disappointment that Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) passed on a run this week. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) have each formed exploratory committees, while former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) each are mulling a campaign.

"I do think we have to look to the governors," he said. "But once again, the experience of the governors that have really grappled with budgets and dealt with them — right now I think is what we're looking for."