Could Mitch Daniels be "The One"?

Indiana’s Republican governor Mitch Daniels won reelection last year with 58% of the vote even as Democrat Barack Obama captured the Hoosier State with 50% of the presidential ballots. Such success distinguishes the former Dick Lugar staffer, Office of Management and Budget Director, and pharmaceutical executive in a party deep in identity crisis, desperate for leadership, and still reeling from the national GOP’s dismal electoral performance.

Daniels campaigned saying, “Governor is the only office I have run for or ever will.” He reiterated that position recently. “I’m not a candidate for any office – now or ever again.” But for a man without political ambition, the pragmatically conservative Daniels seems determined to play a prominent role in the national debate.

First, in an interview with National Journal, Daniels dismissed Republican “whining” about the lack of Democratic bipartisanship. He urged his party to instead “always have a better idea.” Daniels credibly claimed, “In Indiana, Republicans are the party of change and reform; ask anybody -- our opponents, the press, everybody… And so we are the party that restored fiscal integrity. We are the party that addressed health care for the uninsured. We are the party that rebuilt an attractive business environment. We are the party that cleaned up the ethics issues in government -- that and much more.”

Next, Daniels delivered a provocative commencement address at Butler University. In it, he told graduates the shameful story of his own Baby Boom generation. “Our parents scrimped and saved to provide us a better living standard than theirs; we borrowed and splurged and will leave you a staggering pile of bills to pay. It’s been a blast; good luck cleaning up after us.” Daniels urged the younger generation to build a better, fairer society, and be judgmental about “selfishness and irresponsibility in business, personal finances, or in family life.” “Go ahead and stigmatize them,” he said. “Too much such behavior will hurt our nation and the future for you and the families you will create.”

Daniels then surfaced on the Wall Street Journal op-ed page decrying Obama’s “imperial climate-change policy” that would prop up the “decaying economies” of “wealthy but faltering” states by more than doubling electricity bills and costing jobs in states like Indiana. He sarcastically concluded his compelling case: “We humble colonials out here in the provinces have no choice but to petition for relief from the Crown’s impositions.”

When most politicians disavow ambition for higher office it is code meaning that they actually covet it. Daniels may be different. Despite his disclaimers, Daniels demands attention as Republicans look for leaders who can compellingly make the case against the unfolding liberal Democratic nightmare.