Source: Greg Swiercz/South Bend Tribune, via Associated Press via The New York Times
Mitch Daniels, one of the more promising candidates in the Republican field, announced today he would not be running for the Republican presidential nomination.
His rationale centered on family considerations.
It seems Obama’s reelection victory appears increasingly likely as one of the more qualified Republican candidates exits the field.
Reflections of a Rational Republican 
I mean, it’s Pawlenty’s to lose at this point, right?
I don’t know. It is probably between him and Romney now. I may take another serious look at Huntsman. Unfortunately, some of the more religious bigots in my party will rule him out based purely on his Mormonism.
There is some policy stance Pawlenty took at some point that was completely irrational. I forget what it was, but I have been sour on him ever since (BTW it wasn’t climate change).
I’ve been saying for a while that there’s no way Romney can take it because of the Mormon issue, but I also thought Daniels was a front runner. 🙂
I think you are right on both issues.
Also, Daniels is a great stand-in for “Older Putin” in that photo
You are right.
Speaking of Putin, did you see that bizarre article in the New York Times in which some Texan had a man-crush on Putin, so Putin granted him an exclusive interview?
Bizarre…
Does this create pressure on Chris Christy or some one like that to come in???
I wish. I don’t think Christie will come in no matter what happens. I think he is just biding his time for 2016.
As much as I like Chris Christie, he is in the second year of his first term as NJ Governor. There is something to be said for people who get elected to a second term. Being reelected means the people who know you best have seen you in the job and want you back. It’s the people’s vote of confidence. Politically I always wonder about those who choose not to seek a second term and that is one of the reasons I am concerned about Mitt Romney. When the people who know you best do not want to keep you, or your afraid to submit to their verdict, there is a message buried somewhere in that. Pawlenty and Huntsman have been there and had the people extend their administrations. A good thing I think.
I agree in principle. However, when the nation calls, the nation calls. I fear if Christie fails to enter the race, Obama will likely win a second term.
I stay up at night fearing President Obama in a second term. However in the sumer of 1979 Ronald Reagan looked like a washed up has-been and John Connoly was the great hope of the GOP. What a difference a year makes. Yes I would like a few more serious candidates in the race, but I think some we have now (T Paw and Huntsman) would stack up nicely with the current president.
Not a fan of T Paw, but I kind of like Huntsman. However, I don’t think the religiously right would ever let him win the nomination.