Gov. Daniels apparently has an aversion to being seen with Gov. Palin. Or, at least his schedule is tragically (or comically) at odds with her campaign appearances in Indiana.
Daniels said he plans to talk to folks in the parking lot, but can’t fit into his schedule a joint appearance with Palin.
This is Palin’s third trip to Indiana, and Daniels has yet to campaign with her, though Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman was with Palin at the previous rallies in Noblesville and Fort Wayne.
“I’m going by (the Palin rally.) I’ve got another event scheduled at the same time, but it is close by, so I’m going to go by and spend as long as I can there and hang out in the parking lot and spend some time with the folks standing in line or patiently waiting to get in,” Daniels said. “I’m not speaking at the rally, no.”
And why not? Gov. Daniels has a good campaign going. He isn’t seen as particularly partisan. Plenty of folks seem ready to vote for him and Senator Obama. Gone are his accusations about Democrats “car-bombing” the process. It’s hard telling what a second Daniels term will look like. I suspect if Democrats retain control of the state House of Representatives, Daniels will govern more like he did in 2007-2008; if Republicans take control, it will look more like 2005-2006. An appearance with Palin throwing out red meat to the 25% or whatever who still think Bush is doing a good job wouldn’t be in Gov. Daniels’ self-interest. He probably doesn’t want to get stuck answering questions like, “Gov. Daniels, do you agree that Sen. Obama is a terrorist-loving, America-hating socialist who is ‘not like us’?” and “Will you also be relying on ‘Joe’-the-‘Plumber’ to shape your policy? If not, is it because you are an elitist who hates ordinary Americans?”
By the way, Doug, I had a meeting with the Governor on Monday. How many people are aware that he never plans to run for office again after this election? That might change the way in which he governs as well.
I’m in the group of Obama / Daniels voters, pretty sure I’m not alone.
I suspect more cynically, that as a matter of strategy, Daniels did the things he thought would be controversial in the early part of his term, leaving the latter half for less controversial measures.
That’s sad that people are voting for Obama and Daniels. Give Obama someone he can work with, not an extension of the Bush administration (remember the 2006 photo ops of President Bush with his arm around Govenor Daniels at the White House). Governor Daniels, if re-elected will be a thorn in Obama’s side.
But I’m sure that Obama will do things that Governor Daniels will have no control over at the federal level, and since his buddy George Bush won’t be in office, there is nothing that Daniels will be able to do about it.
Do you really think that Daniels will not run for another office? You heard it here first in four years Lugar will announce his retirement and the main contender for his seat will be none other than Mitch Daniels.