Mitch Daniels tells C-SPAN he doesn't ideate about becoming President, but nevertheless, has "deep views and alarms, frankly, about the condition and direction of our country".
EAMON JAVERS: You've [Mitch Daniels] been mentioned as someone who might be among the Republican candidates for President. Where do you see yourself? Do you see yourself in that Republican Presidential field in 2012?
DANIELS: Eamon, I told one of your colleagues [that] there has never been a President of the United States in my bathroom mirror, and there wasn't this morning, either.
It's almost a surrealistic question to be asked.... I don't expect to run, and am not planning to run. I've got a duty here as we've just been discussing -- any governor these days has his or her hands fully trying to do right by the citizens of their state.
I've got some views about how our party might make a more positive presentation to Americans. I've got some very deep views and alarms, frankly, about the condition and direction of our country, but there are other ways to try to have some impact on those things.... I don't think I'll have a different answer, but ask me in a year.
JAVERS: So you're leaving a little bit of wiggle room there. "I don't expect to run" is not the same as "I will not run".
DANIELS: I gave an answer like that a month ago, and somebody back here interviewing my wife said "It sounded like Mitch cracked the door a little bit", and Cheri said, "When he gets home tonight, the door might not be cracked".
In August of last year, retiring Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas also invoked his wife when asked the 2012 question.
"My [Wife] Dorothy has a divorce lawyer on speed dial if I ever utter that crazy idea".
[Hat tip: Jonathan Martin]
