tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373131336974671914.post5753325326272974953..comments2023-10-31T04:51:07.590-04:00Comments on Potomac Fever: Post-CPAC 2012 Presidential Election ThoughtsTJEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16658864498584155557noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373131336974671914.post-3784707586301800312011-02-13T22:01:12.763-05:002011-02-13T22:01:12.763-05:00While I agree that Mitch Daniels is an exciting ca...While I agree that Mitch Daniels is an exciting candidate who could conceivably attract independent/moderate support, I worry that I (and others) put too much stock into him just because he's the type of Republican we respect. If he did manage to win the nomination, I'd think he could give Obama a serious run for his money- I'm not sure fiscal issues are an Obama strongpoint. However, the extremes of the Republican and Tea Parties might push Daniels into politically sensitive (if realistic) policy positions. It would be nice to see Daniels win the nomination- it would hopefully make the presidential election cycle an adult debate (I'm looking at you Sarah Palin!)which might be a good thing for our nation.PLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11192623386934104687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373131336974671914.post-79917848371279505662011-02-13T16:45:33.504-05:002011-02-13T16:45:33.504-05:00I mostly agree with all of your evaluations, Patri...I mostly agree with all of your evaluations, Patrick, but I think you discount Mitch Daniels too much. He was recently interviewed by Politico and seemed pretty confident about his fundraising abilities and appeal to Republican power players. He also is the most appealing to me because of the way he has talked about being in favor of raising some taxes in the past. I don't love (or even really pay) taxes, but think it is refreshing to hear a Republican talk about favoring raising them in some places. Republican primary voters aren't going to care what I think, and could probably turn on him for holding that position on something like the gas tax. The social issues "truce" will probably be a problem for him in the Republican primary as well, but I don't want to count him out yet. <br /><br />I also think that CPAC straw polls can be a little overblown, because Ron Paul always wins, but never gets the nomination. I do, however, think that either the nominee or the Republican VP candidate will have to have some serious tea party appeal. I guess we just have to wait and see how this all goes down.PBMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06499465407307921512noreply@blogger.com