In tapping Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana to deliver Tuesday's Republican response to the State of the Union address, Congressional leaders wanted a sober figure, noted for his seriousness on fiscal matters and unencumbered by the presidential nomination fight roiling the party.
But the sight of Mr. Daniels on national television is sure to raise wistful “if onlys” in a Republican establishment that had put the governor at the top of its wish list for a White House run.
Aides to Speaker John A. Boehner and Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, say their choice was not meant to elicit another round of hand-wringing over the contentious Republican presidential field.
“Mitch Daniels is a successful two-term governor with an extraordinary record of fiscal responsibility and job creation,” Mr. Boehner said. “He provides a great contrast to President Obama’s policies.”
Now before Republicans start the drumbeat again for a Draft Daniels movement, I would just like to remind them that the Indiana governor was also the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush. According to Wikipedia (my emphasis):
During Daniels' 29-month tenure in the position, the projected federal budget surplus of $236 billion declined to a $400 billion deficit.
Is that what Mr. Boehner meant by "an extraordinary record of fiscal responsibility?"
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