Evening eats

a. Lindsey Graham wants GOP rising stars to run in 2012.

b. Mitch Daniels' PAC slams Indiana Dems in radio ad.

c. Tim Pawlenty says Republicans should consider a government shutdown.

d. Will Newt get a boost from a book?

e. Ex-Utah Sen. Bob Bennett wants a centrist nominated.

f. Is Huck being entirely fair to RomneyCare?

g. Rick Perry forbids (some) followers.

h. Does Nikki Haley want a truce, too?

Huckabee praises "refreshing" Justin Bieber

Mike Huckabee tells Newsmax that singer Justin Bieber's stand on abortion is a politically-tough, but morally-worthy line in the sand.

"How refreshing it is that a young person who really could have easily just taken a walk on that issue had the courage to stand by his convictions.

I find it interesting that the left -- they always preaches choice, and as long as you agree with what they would choose, which is abortion, they celebrate choice."

In February's issue of Rolling Stone, Bieber told the mag that he was against abortion, because "it's like killing a baby."

Huckabee: "Political idiots" think Obama is easy to beat

Mike Huckabee thinks the odds (not to mention the Intrade) aren't a slam dunk for a GOP nominee.

"The people that are sitting around saying, ‘He’s definitely going to be a one-term president. It’s going to be easy to take him out,’ they’re obviously political illiterates – political idiots, let me be blunt."

Last week, Huck made the same point.

"You don't beat presidents easily. And this idea that he's absolutely a one-term [president] and easy to beat -- this race is going to be like climbing a ladder, pointing toward you, because Barack Obama is going to start this race with a billion dollars.

He's going to have no primary opponent. The Republicans are going to have a crowded field, all elbowing their way under the basket for the layup, and it's not going to be a layup. It's going to be a tough shot.

That being said, Obama's possible strength isn't Huck's most burning concern about running for president.

Getting the nomination is the headier task, according to Huck.

"Here's the reality: I think he [Obama] can be beat.

I, frankly, think that I would be in a very good position to do it, because I believe that standing head-to-head with him, articulating the very clear, decisive difference between our positions would be a great contrast.

But it's the process of getting to that nomination that's tough."

Gingrich: "Clarity" is key to beating Obama

Without missing a beat, Newt Gingrich gives the GOP's 2012 nominee advice for beating Obama (and then makes a stumpy-sounding case).

NEWSMAX: What will it take to beat Obama?

GINGRICH: Clarity. I think that's all it takes.

This is the most radical president in American history. His values are about a 19%-20% minority of the country. He is at the highest unemployment rate for a continuing period of time of any president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the Great Depression. He is dangerous in foreign policy because of the level of confusion in his team. He is fundamentally wrong about the constitution, as they've proven this week.

.... I think what you need is a candidate on the Republican side who can reach out to moderates; frankly, to Democrats."

ABC: Gingrich to announce this week

Jonathan Karl:

A spokesman for Newt Gingrich tells ABC News that the former Speaker of the House will announce this week whether he intends to form a presidential exploratory committee.

.... his spokesman’s comments to ABC News provide the clearest timeline yet of his presidential decision-making process.

Newt had previously said he'd make an announcement by March 8.

Now it appears that time frame will be Feb 28-March 4 (assuming he doesn't want to announce on a weekend).

Mitch Daniels, Arne Duncan chat often

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels tells the WSJ he talks more with Education Secretary Arne Duncan than he did with any Bush Administration cabinet secretary during his 2001-2003 tenure at the White House.

"What I want in education is almost completely aligned with what President Obama wants," Mr. Daniels says, noting the administration's support for charter schools and merit-based pay for teachers.

He talks more often with Obama Education Secretary Arne Duncan, he says, "than with any cabinet secretary during my entire time in the Bush White House."

Obama praises RomneyCare (again)

The Hill's Mike O'Brien:

President Obama pointedly praised on Monday the healthcare program Republican Mitt Romney installed as governor of Massachusetts.

Obama singled out Romney for praise over his healthcare plan, which shares similarities with the president's own healthcare reform law, in a bit of backhanded praise for the likely Republican presidential candidate.

"I agree with Mitt Romney, who's recently said he's proud of what he accomplished in Massachusetts," Obama said at a gathering of governors at the White House.

This isn't the first time Obama or one of his top advisers has made the link.

Last November, the POTUS explained the politics of his health care bill (while announcing that Mitt Romney was running for president).

“We thought that if we shaped a bill that wasn’t that different from bills that that had previously been introduced by Republicans -- including the Republican governor in Massachusetts who’s now running for president -- that we would be able to find some common ground there, and we just couldn't.

And last October, David Axelrod made the connection when asked about Mitt Romney.

.... you know, he started off as a kind of moderate Republican in Massachusetts, passed a health care plan very much like the President's health care plan.

The troubling prospect for Romney: His health care plan could be an issue in both the GOP primary and -- if he wins it -- the general election.

Gingrich to Iowa next week

The Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition announces that Newt Gingrich will participate in a forum with Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum, and Herman Cain on March 7.

It's good timing for Gingrich, who's expected to make a major announcement regarding a presidential run before March 8.

If he does, Newt would enter the forum with a huge contingent of buzz and media at his side.

Pawlenty apes McMillan

At last weekend's tea party gathering in Arizona, Tim Pawlenty invoked Jimmy "The Rent is Too Damn High" McMillan to create a motto of his own.

"Do you remember a year or so ago when that guy was running for the mayor of New York City, and he ran his entire campaign on a simple motto.

He said, over and over again: "The rent is too damn high." You remember this guy?

So here's our simple motto: The government's too damn big."

Comes 11 minutes in.



In case you'd forgotten, now you've remembered.



[Hat tip: Alexander Burns]

Huck to keynote annual NRA meeting

Mike Huckabee is set to deliver the keynote speech at the National Rifle Association's Celebration of American Values Freedom Experience, April 30, in Pittsburgh, PA.

Last year, some big names showed up at the conference, which organizer Chris Cox called "a beauty contest of those who support the Second Amendment.

Among the stars last year: Sarah Palin, Jim DeMint, John Thune, Mike Pence, and John Bolton.

Branstad on the 2012 field

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has repeatedly said he's remaining neutral in the Iowa caucuses, but he's still willing to break the field down.

The only assessment that veers from the generic thoughts of someone who doesn't want to stir things up-- he fesses up that Mitt Romney probably won't play hard in Iowa this time.

On Mike Huckabee: "Huckabee obviously won the state last time; you gotta consider him the favorite. I'm not even sure he's going to run. But if he does, I think he's obviously the favorite."

On Tim Pawlenty: "Pawlenty, from neighboring state of Minnesota, was a very fine governor there. I think certainly somebody to look at and I think he's going about it in the right way. He's putting an organization together."

On Haley Barbour: "We have a lot of respect for Haley. He did a great job with Republican Governors Association. I go way back with him when he was chair of the Republican Party and I was chair of the Republican governors. Don't underestimate Haley."

On Mitch Daniels: "We think he was the first governor that really took the fiscal bull by the horns and has wrestled it to the ground in Indiana. I think you've got other governors now who are saying, [Chris] Christie and [Scott] Walker, and many many others that are taking this on now."

On Rick Santorum: "There are a lot of social conservatives in Iowa."

On Mitt Romney: "My guess is Romney has a little different strategy. He's not going to spend as much money or as much organization in Iowa.

But I think he recognizes that the does need to compete in Iowa if he's going to run again. I think that's important. I think he recognizes that he's not the favorite in Iowa. On the other hand, if he does compete and do better than people expect -- last time the problem was he was the favorite."

[Hat tip: Aaron Blake]

Rubio lies low

The Miami Herald notes that potential Veep candidate, Marco Rubio, has been far less visible than two, other tea party* freshmen -- Rep. Allen West and KY Sen. Rand Paul.

.... the rising star has shunned the national spotlight and Sunday talk shows in an orchestrated effort to show he’s focused on Florida.

To that end, he’s made a practice of holding roundtable interviews with Florida reporters in the decidedly unglamorous basement office he temporarily occupies in the Senate. A favorite topic: the federal deficit.

His goal, said spokesman Alex Burgos, “is for his constituents to hold him accountable, even at this early going, that he is serving them well, that he is focused on their issues.”

Huckabee claims Iowa still in sights

The Quad City Times (ea).

Some other potential 2012 candidates, while not formally committing to bids either, have taken some of the more traditional steps in Iowa, such as hiring staff and meeting with activists.

“I’m talking to some folks. It may not be as obvious,” Huckabee insisted.

Huckabee talked to Thune about presidential run

In an interview with Gannett, Mike Huckabee says he talked with John Thune about the Senator's possible presidential bid (and might have, unintentionally, discouraged him).

Huckabee talked a lot about the frustrations of running.

"What I told him was, I wish it were about the issues and ideas and dreams and visions," Huckabee told me.

"Unfortunately it is about how much money you have raised or how many staffers have you got. ... You will want to talk about policies, you will end up talking about the process, and that can be discouraging."

Jokingly, Huckabee added: "So I must have discouraged him."

It's understandable that Huck and Thune chatted about the downside to a national campaign -- Huckabee himself has aired very public concerns about the trials of another run.

One more interesting extract from the Argus-Leader -- Thune talked extensively with John McCain about a run, and also chatted with Sam Brownback, Lamar Alexander, and -- get this -- Mitch Daniels.

Iowa governor would move caucuses up

The candidates might be abnormally late in announcing their bids this cycle, but the state primaries and caucuses could come earlier than ever.

Over the weekend, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said that if Florida moved it's primary up to January, Iowa would respond, in kind.

"I am just saying we will do what we need to do," he said.

"Far be it for me to tell Florida what to do. But we are committed to being the first contest in the country. We have moved it before and we will do it again."

Herman Cain wins tea party straw poll

Former Godfather's Pizza CEO, Herman Cain, won a weekend presidential straw poll at a national summit for one of the tea party's largest groups -- The Tea Party Patriots.

1. Herman Cain 22%

2. Tim Pawlenty 16%

3. Ron Paul 15%

4. Sarah Palin 10%

5. Mitt Romney 6%

It's important to note that the top three finishers -- Cain, Pawlenty, and Paul -- all spoke at the event.

Iowa: Palin favorability rating at 65%/30%

A new Des Moines Register poll of likely Republican voters in Iowa shows Sarah Palin's favorability rating has slipped a bit in the state since November 2009.

65% view her "mostly" or "very" favorably, while 30% look on her "mostly" or "very" unfavorably.

In November 2009, those numbers stood at 71%/23%.

Even though that's a statistically significant drop, I don't think it's dramatic enough to cause Team Palin much concern.

It's also tough to draw a link between her ebbing popularity and apparent lack of interest in doing legwork in the state -- even though Iowa voters are notoriously demanding of their candidates. It's just not that big a slip.

Big Gingrich announcement expected

The AP's David Espo:

Republican officials say former House Speaker Newt Gingrich intends to take a formal step in the next two weeks toward a run for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

.... The officials say an announcement is likely in the first half of March. It is not clear what type of declaration he intends to make. Some White House hopefuls set up exploratory committees, while others simply announce their candidacy.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to disclose Gingrich's plans.

Meanwhile, another report has Gingrich announcing the formation of an exploratory committee on March 8.

Whichever the date and whichever the step, it seems that Newt is ready to be the first major contender to jump in.

Christie: Palin needs to go unscripted

On Face the Nation today, NJ Gov. Chris Christie urged Sarah Palin to prove she can mix it up.

"I think -- if she wants to prove that she's ready for this -- you've got to have some unscripted moments.

Now, she may very well be up to it, and if she is, good for her. But I think people want to see that.

They're very much interested in her, so they want to see that about her to make a judgment as to can you trust somebody in the Oval Office who can do that. Unless you do those unscripted moments, I think it's hard to get the person to pull the lever for you in the voting booth.

Host Bob Schieffer then asked if Palin was ready to be president.

Christie replied:

"Listen, she's got to make that judgment herself. And you know what, Bob, I'll make my vote in the voting booth, privately, like every other American."

Christie defends Michelle Obama weight effort

On Face the Nation today, Chris Christie sided with Michelle Obama on her efforts to fight childhood obesity.

Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh have both ridiculed Obama for her anti-childhood obesity campaign.

BOB SCHEIFFER: What do you think about this criticism coming from the Right of Michelle Obama, because she's trying to get people to eat better?

CHRISTIE: I think it's unnecessary. I think it's a really good goal to encourage kids to eat better. You know, I've struggled with my weight for 30 years, and it's a struggle.

And if a kid can avoid that in his adult years or her adult years, more power to them. I think the first lady's speaking out well.

I mean, I don't want the government deciding what you can eat and what you can't eat. I still think that's your choice.

But I think Mrs. Obama being out there, encouraging people in a positive way to eat well and to exercise and to be healthy? I don't have a problem with that.

Huck: RomneyCare doesn't disqualify Romney

Mike Huckabee tells Chris Wallace that RomneyCare isn't necessarily a deal-breaker for Mitt Romney's hopes for the nomination.

"I don't think it disqualifies him.

Let me surprise you with this. I think the purpose of states are always to be laboratories of government.... it's not a good plan, but he attempted something that he wanted to see [if it] would it work.

You know, I think his answer ought to be not 'Hey, it's not what I really did. It's different [from ObamaCare]', because it really isn't that much different. I don't think he ought to try to say 'Well, it's the same plan, but they didn't implement it the right way.'

Why doesn't he just say 'We tried it, it didn't really work like we thought, but that's what states ought to do, and I'm willing to take a risk. That's what leaders do.'

I don't have a problem with a governor in any state taking a risk, trying something bold, but if it doesn't work, for heaven's sakes, let's don't put it in all fifty states."

Huckabee: I'm not breaking Reagan's 11th Commandment

Mike Huckabee says criticizing Mitt Romney's health care program in Massachusetts doesn't make him guilty of breaking Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment, which states that thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican.

Huckabee: Obama unconstitutional on DOMA

On Fox News Sunday, Mike Huckabee blasted Barack Obama for his refusal to defend the Defense of Marriage Act.

"Why is it that -- on one hand -- he has been saying that if this issue is addressed, it should be addressed, legislatively, and now he's doing it -- not legislatively, not even judicially.... he's doing it administratively.

I don't think that what he's doing is constitutional. If a president begins to decide which pieces of the law he's going to choose to support or endorse or enforce based on a lower court decision; not because it's actually bubbled up to a final adjudication, that is an unusual precedent for a president to take."

He then went on to accuse the POTUS of hypocrisy.

"He said because some lower court decided that a part of DOMA was unconstitutional, that he would not enforce it.

Okay, by that logic, he should not try to implement ObamaCare because some lower courts have already decided that it's unconstitutional. That's hypocritical."

Mitch Daniels on the Charisma Thing

On Fox News Sunday, Mitch Daniels admitted that if a presidential election came down to "height and hair", he "probably wouldn't do very well."

FOX HOST CHRIS WALLACE: Some people have suggested that you don't look presidential.

Barack Obama is 6'1"; you're 5'7". He's charismatic and, forgive me, but some people suggest, perhaps, you're not.

Does that matter?

DANIELS: Well, probably, with some voters.

I've never -- in the limited, elective time I've had -- I've never suggested to a voter what they should consider a valid criterion.

So, sure if it comes down to height and hair, I probably wouldn't do very well.

But I guess that's just something you weigh in the balance with many other factors.

Mitch Daniels defends truce

On Fox News Sunday, Mitch Daniels once again defended his call for a truce on social issues.

Notice how he puts some burden on the other (Left) side, too.

"A truce, first of all, is only a truce if both sides agree to stop fighting for a little while.

I don't want to have an argument with anybody about this -- it was a suggestion, really, tactically. It starts with the premise that our nation is at mortal risk.

I'd love to learn that I'm wrong about this -- that the debt is not threatening not just our economy, but our entire way of life, our role in the world, maybe even our national security.

Now, if you share that fear, then all I'm saying is we're going to have to unify a lot of Americans. We're going to have to get a lot of people together to make these changes.

You ask me -- tackling these problems that we're talking about [Social Security, Medicare] is supposed to be politically undoable.

Well, if we're going to do the undoable, we're gonna need to gather ourselves together as a nation, and that will, by definition, mean that there'll have to be some folks in that coalition who do disagree about other things."

Daniels: OMB not accurate reflection

On Fox News Sunday, Mitch Daniels responded to criticism that a big, federal budget surplus turned into a big budget deficit during the time he served as Director of President Bush's Office of Management and Budget (2001-2003).

"I was proud to be part of that Administration. Yes, I think the original tax cuts were good and timely and helped the economy to recover very, very quickly from that recession.

But if you want to know what I think about fiscal issues, don't look at 2.5 years where I was in the supporting cast with no vote.

Look at six years where I was in a responsible position submitting budgets and fighting for them, and there's the record that, I think, is most accurate.

Mitch Daniels talks end-of-life care

Mitch Daniels and Chris Wallace get into some interesting territory on Fox News Sunday.

WALLACE: You even say that government should put limits on end-of-life care. Are you talking about what Sarah Palin called the "death panels?"

DANIELS: No, I didn't say the government should put limits on this, necessarily. What I'm worried about is: is the government making these decisions? I just stated what I think is a simple fact -- I wish it wasn't, but I think it is -- that we cannot afford, in an aging society, to pay for the most expensive technology for every single person regardless of income to the very, very last day.

WALLACE: Who makes that decision?

DANIELS: I think at least a part of it has to be the family, and the patient himself or herself.

WALLACE: But does the government, at some point, say we can't afford to give the 92 year-old the liver transplant?

DANIELS: Chris, I told you -- I think, with some specificity -- what I think ought to happen in Social Security and Medicare. I just answered a question honestly.

I think this problem will have to be addressed. I don't pretend to have an exact answer to this one, except that auto-pilot won't work.

Evening eats

a. Rick Santorum wants Boehner to get involved in DADT.

b. T-Paw has a big T-party gig this weekend.

c. Haley Barbour hits the POTUS on DOMA.

d. Trump would self-fund.

e. Allen West is humbled by Veep talk.

f. Junkies will love this. The FOX primary begins. Newt stands, live, in the corner, while Mitch Daniels talks.

Gingrich: Obama violating constitutional oath on DOMA

Newt Gingrich blasts Barack Obama with the most forceful blow of any '12er on the Defense of Marriage Act yet.

And while he doesn't raise the prospect of an immediate impeachment, he claims it's a "violation" of Obama's "constitutional oath."

“I believe the House Republicans next week should pass a resolution instructing the president to enforce the law and to obey his own constitutional oath, and should say if he fails to do so that they will zero out [defund] the office of attorney general and take such other steps as are necessary until the president agrees to do his job.

His job is to enforce the rule of law, and for us to start replacing the rule of law with the rule of Obama is a very dangerous precedent."

Newsmax then asks if it's impeachable offense.

"I think that's something that you get to much later, but I think clearly it is a dereliction of duty, clearly it is a violation of his constitutional oath, and clearly it is something which cannot be allowed to stand."

Btw, Drudge is giving it headline, reading "Gingrich gives Obama impeachment warning."

Vintage Mitch Daniels

Erin McPike recounts a 20+ year old story that shows just how long Mitch Daniels has been around politics and just how underrated his skills as a polemicist can be.

Right after the 1986 midterm elections, when the GOP lost eight Senate seats on his watch as political director of the Reagan White House - and Republicans were staring down what appeared to be a tough 1988 presidential election - Daniels plunked himself down in front of veteran Washington journalists Rowland Evans Jr. and Bob Novak for an interview on the duo's CNN show.

He easily swatted down a series of questions about the party's political positioning in light of the midterms and the fallout from the Iran-Contra scandal, earning him glowing praise from Evans.

.... Evans sought out Anthony Dolan, who served President Reagan as chief speechwriter for his entire presidency, and urged him to view Daniels' appearance.

You can watch that TV appearance here (his southern accent seems stronger..).

Gingrich defends 1995 shutdown

In a new Washington Post op-ed, Newt Gingrich has a message for House Republicans who might be flirting with a government shutdown, and -- implicitly -- Americans who think the 1995 impasse was a failure of Gingrich's leadership.

While the shutdown produced some short-term pain, it set the stage for a budget deal in 1996 that led to the largest drop in federal discretionary spending since 1969.

The discipline imposed by this budget - overall spending grew at an average of 2.9 percent a year while I was speaker of the House, the slowest rate in decades - allowed us to reach a balanced-budget deal in 1997.

.... This historic success was not an achievement of the Clinton administration.

This is a good news/bad news situation for Newt.

With the current budget stand-off, he's as relevant as he's been in a long time.

The bad news is that, reality or not, the popular impression is that Gingrich shut down the government on a whim. That's why he's probably more invested in today's battle than any other '12 candidate.

Huck hasn't bumped into Palin at FOX

CNN's John King asks Mike Huckabee if the many '12 prospects (Gingrich, Huckabee, Santorum, Bolton, Palin) on the FOX payroll have practice debates.

Daniels won't back down on union comments

On Fox News last night, Greta Van Susteren asked Mitch Daniels if he'd like to take back comments he made earlier this week, when he called public union members "privileged elite."

Daniels:

"I stand by that.

You know, the average public employee is paid a lot more than the taxpayer who pays his salary -- in the case of federal employees, it's 50% more, and that's just the beginning. The benefits are vastly higher in most cases than they are in the private sector, and the job security is, in most cases, nearly total.

I'm not against this, in many cases. I'd like to see certain public employees like our best teachers paid more, but the idea that these folks are somehow the underdogs in this situation is exactly the reverse of reality."

Gallup: Social conservatives love Huck, Palin

Gallup is out with a bookmark-worthy and totally-intuitive poll that confirms popular opinion -- Republicans most concerned about the economy favor Mitt Romney; those most concerned about social values favor Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin.

The most interesting finding comes from those who view national security/foreign policy as most important. That set favors Palin.

Finally, Romney's numbers among the social/moral values set might be why he's thinking of skipping Iowa.

Huck's book tour

A reason why Mitt Romney might not want Mike Huckabee to run -- the media has absolutely seized on Huck's willingness to criticize RomneyCare during his book tour.

In fact, Huckabee usually doesn't even have to bring it up. He can just sit there and wait for the inevitable questions about "RomneyCare"; then hammer it.

I can't remember this many questions about RomneyCare publicly raised, even during Romney's own book tour.

This morning provided another example.

JOE SCARBOROUGH: Can he win, considering that he had a health care system in Massachusetts that resembled Barack Obama's health care system?

HUCKABEE: I think it depends on how he handles it, and the brief answer is that if he comes and says 'Look, states are supposed to do bold things and try them. I tried it. It didn't really work. We shouldn't try it in all fifty states, 'cause the state we tried it in didn't turn out so well."

That's a way he could answer it.

Comes at the very end.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

SC Republicans doubting Palin

McClatchy's Steven Thomma:

At a recent gathering in South Carolina, the site of a crucial early presidential primary next year, party activists said the former Alaska governor didn't have the experience, the knowledge of issues or the ability to get beyond folksy slang and bumper-sticker generalities that they think is needed to win and govern.

Many are shopping for someone else. They're looking at Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., for example, and seeing what they call a smarter, more experienced candidate who's equally as conservative.

Of course, that's anecdotal, but there's evidence to suggest the activists are onto something.

In a February PPP poll of likely GOP primary voters in the Palmetto State, Palin managed just a third place finish.

Even more surprising was the fact that Mitt Romney vaulted above her. South Carolina has a big evangelical contingent, and you'd expect a Mormon like Romney would fare worse than Palin.

Now the caveat to my point is that Huck leads the whole field there, and you could make the argument that if he doesn't run, much of his support could turn to Palin.

But that's not a sure bet.

In favorability ratings, Romney actually has a higher net % in SC than Palin (+38% vs. +33%), so the two might run fairly evenly in a head-to-head.

Huckabee, Colbert rib Romney

Three highlights from Mike Huckabee's appearance on the Stephen Colbert Show last night.

First, on Mitt Romney (Colbert's parting shot is hilarious).

COLBERT: You said Mitt Romney won't win because he reminds people of the guy that laid them off.

HUCKABEE: Well, during the last campaign, I never said "him". Everyone assumed that I was talking about him.

What I said was "Americans would like to elect somebody that's like the guy they work with; not the guy that laid them off."

That's all I said, and everybody said "Oh you're talking about Mitt Romney." I didn't say Mitt Romney; everyone else did.

COLBERT: Well, what do you think Mitt Romney looks like?

Second, on the so-called FOX primary.



And third, on Obama's religion.

David Brooks urges Mitch Daniels to run

The New York Times' David Brooks spends a column praising Mitch Daniels (much as George Will has recently done).

His concern? That Daniels won't run, and indeed, Brooks uses the phrase "not running" three times in three sentences.

The man who would be the party's strongest candidate for the presidency is seriously thinking about not running.

The country could use a serious, competent manager, which Governor Daniels has been, and still he's thinking about not running. The historic moment calls for someone who can restrain debt while still helping government efficiently perform its duties.

Daniels has spent his whole career preparing for this kind of moment, and still he's thinking about not running.

As if that paragraph weren't clear enough, he titles the piece "Run, Mitch, run."

UPDATE: Matt Lewis notes:

If the 'truce' comments and right-to-work stuff didn't end Mitch Daniels' presidential hopes, David Brooks' glowing column probably did.

Gingrich: 2012 decision within two weeks

The Palm Beach Post reports that Newt Gingrich told an audience at a Florida GOP dinner last night that he'll make a decision on a presidential run within one or two weeks.

He also said he wanted a race free from "nitpicking baloney", which could be a warning to fellow rivals not to go after some of his personal issues.

Also interesting: he said Florida boasted four vice-presidential possibilities: Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Rep. Allen West, and Gov. Rick Scott.

[Hat tip: Mike O'Brien]

Late-night eats

a. Mitch Daniels calls public unions "privileged elite."

b. Jon Huntsman's PAC walks a fine line.

c. Chris Christie and Scott Walker were once slammed as moderates.

d. Humor and 2012.

e. Marco Rubio warns of debt "death spiral."

f. Fred Karger is still trying to get into that Iowa debate.

g. Haley Barbour backs Scott Walker.

h. Newt Gingrich: Rule of Law has morphed into Rule of Obama.

i. Don't expect George Clooney to run in 2012.

j. Mitch Daniels talks about his arrest as a youth.

Huckabee: The Bushes wouldn't support me

On Laura Ingraham's show today, the often class-conscious Mike Huckabee praised Jeb Bush, even though he claimed the Bush family would never return the favor.

HUCKABEE: I think Jeb Bush is a remarkably gifted, articulate political figure, and I like him on both a personal and professional level.

As a colleague in the governor ranks, I admired the fact that he was a person who not only had convictions but stuck by them, and I thought he did a really outstanding job of managing Florida.

INGRAHAM: There's nothing more establishment than the Bush name. There is absolutely nothing more establishment, and do you think he would support you?

HUCKABEE: Probably not. I mean, the reality is...

INGRAHAM: ... The Bushes are not going to support you.

HUCKABEE: I understand that. They did not support me before. But that's okay. I mean, I can live with that knowledge, and I understand that.

Again, good personal terms, but I would never expect there to be a rally in which George W. Bush or Dick Cheney came out and stood up on the stage and said "this is our guy" unless they had to.

Vid via Mediaite.

Spokesman: Romney is "proud" of RomneyCare

Mike Huckabee's relentless attacks on Mitt Romney's health care plan in Massachusetts have prompted a response from Team Mitt.

Spokesman, Eric Fehrnstrom, tells the Boston Globe.

“Mitt Romney is proud of what he accomplished for Massachusetts in getting everyone covered.

What's important now is to return to the states the power to determine their own healthcare solutions by repealing Obamacare. A one-size-fits-all plan for the entire nation just doesn't work.”

(ea) The bolded text is easily extractable for commercials, flyers, you name it.

In one sense, Team Romney can't sit back and take the incessant beating, but in another sense, juxtaposing "proud" next to the health plan might be the political equivalent of the strategic Bush blunder, "Bring 'em on".

Aaron Blake wrote a good article on Romney's dilemma yesterday, comparing it to Hillary's quandary over her Iraq war vote in the 2008 campaign.

Clinton, by refusing the apologize for her vote or say that it was a mistake, ensured that she would be asked about it at nearly every campaign stop.

Romney, whose advisers did not comment for this article, looks to be headed down a similar path; after all, he didn't even mention health care during his recent speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

If Mitt's going to eventually apologize, it'd make sense to do it now -- before everyone's tuned in.

It would be a severe blow to flip on health care in the midst of primary season, when the worst narratives about his political expediency would merely be reinforced.

Santorum: Fighters don't call truces

During a taping for Iowa Public Television today, Rick Santorum once again fired a shot at Mitch Daniels over his call for a truce on social issues.

"There are some people who are willing to stand up and fight for the family and others who would rather, to use the comment of one potential candidate, call a truce on these things."

He then defined "truce."

“A truce in this case means ceding ground to the other side."

Santorum hit both Mitch Daniels and Haley Barbour by name earlier this month.

Daniels: I got there before Scott Walker

Mitch Daniels tells Neil Cavuto that he already did in Indiana what Scott Walker is trying to do in Wisconsin.

"Please notice that the things Scott Walker -- to his credit -- is trying to do in Wisconsin -- I did those six years ago.

We don't have collective bargaining in Indiana."

Mitch Daniels: Faulty pronoun led to misunderstanding

This afternoon, Neil Cavuto asked Mitch Daniels why he suddenly seems to have taken a harder line on Indiana legislators who fled the state.

CAVUTO: Governor, maybe you can clarify some things for me, sir, because there have been some critics of yours who've said "Well, we don't quite know where Mitch Daniels is coming from."

Specifically, on this issue of Democrats bolting the state. You had said at the time, I believe: "This is a perfectly legitimate part of the process."

Did you say that? Because it sounds like what you say now is different.

DANIELS: Well, they can be forgiven, because I was a little careless with my words. Most people understood exactly what I meant. What I said was legitimate was the protests by union members and others out in the capitol of our state.

I was just simply saying they were within their First Amendment rights. I have always said what the Democrats did -- walking off the job, taking taxpayer dollars over to a swimming pool in Illinois -- was unacceptable and outrageous and embarrassing.

But there was one news story in which those two things were confused, and I'll take the responsibility for not being clearer about my pronoun.

(ea) Originally, Daniels had said the Democrats' flight was a "legitimate part of the process", but soon thereafter, claimed he was misinterpreted and that he was referring to pro-union protesters and not fleeing legislators.

Jonathan Martin has a great read on the possible presidential politics surrounding Daniels' shift in rhetoric -- if, indeed, it is a deliberate shift, or just a misunderstanding, as Daniels claims.

Huckabee worries about money, part 700

Today, Mike Huckabee's continual pre-occupation with personal finances continued.

"I need to make sure I'm ready to give up my job to declare my candidacy.

The day I say, 'I'm running,' that's the day I don't have an income."

Over the past few years, the financial cost of running (both in terms of absolute and opportunity cost) has played a large role in Huckabee's public musings on a run.

A good, recent example comes from Karen Tumulty:

When Huckabee and his wife, Janet, picked out the lot for the house they are building on a Florida beach, "We just looked at each other and started laughing. We thought, can you believe we can do this?" he said.

"Our first apartment was $40 a month. Our closet in this house will probably be as large as that tiny little apartment."

And the closet in that house will probably be bigger (and nicer) than a Super 8 in Ames, Iowa.

Christie doesn't mind 2012 questions

An endearingly, frank moment from Matt Bai's terrific new profile of Chris Christie: the NJ Gov. mocks potential candidates who act as though they get tired of being asked if they want to run (emphasis added).

While Christie has flatly ruled out a presidential run in 2012, there is enough conjecture about the possibility that I felt moved to ask him a few weeks ago if he found it exhausting to have to constantly answer the same question.

“Listen, if you’re going to say you’re exhausted by that, you’re really taking yourself too seriously,” Christie told me, then broke into his imitation of a politician who is taking himself too seriously.

“ ‘Oh, Matt, please, stop asking me about whether I should be president of the United States! The leader of the free world! Please stop! I’m exhausted by the question!’

I mean, come on. If I get to that point, just slap me around, because that’s really presumptuous. What it is to me is astonishing, not exhausting.”

Btw, Newt Gingrich has claimed a "citizen's obligation" and "duty" might compel him to run, and Sarah Palin has consistently said that she might "offer myself up in the name of public service" by running for president (aka, apply for the most desired, powerful position in the world).

[Hat tip: Garance Franke-Ruta]

John Kline endorses Pawlenty

Tom Scheck reports that U.S. Rep. John Kline (R-MN) will run for reelection and has opted to endorse Tim Pawlenty for president over his colleague in the House, Michelle Bachmann.

Of course, neither Pawlenty nor Bachmann has announced yet, but Pawlenty is a sure thing to run.

Christie: I want to influence presidential debate

Chris Christie tells Michael Shear how he can reconcile not running for president with his increasing focus on national issues.

"What I'm trying to do is inspire a conversation among those people who want to be president.... it doesn't mean you can't have opinions on what the national issues should be just because you're not willing to run for president yourself.

I think that's a false choice. I could still be part of a vigorous, national debate and weigh in with my views on those things without having to offer myself for the presidency."

Romney: Huntsman a "terrific guy"

After a closed-door reception in Salt Lake City last week with supporters from his 2008 bid, reporters asked Mitt Romney what he thought about potential 2012 rival, Jon Huntsman.

Romney replied, "terrific guy."

Utah Gov. Bob Herbert was also at the event and indicated he'd support Romney over Huntsman in a 2012 race -- as he's implied in the past.

That being said, Herbert thinks Huntsman has a bright future.

"Politics is a lot about timing.

You've got to pick your right time to run and when you can maximize your opportunity. Whether that's now or 2016, who knows. My crystal ball is as foggy as anybody's. But Gov. Huntsman is certainly young enough to be a player on the national stage for many elections to come."

Romney and Huntsman have a long-rumored feud, something I've chronicled in the past here.

Huntsman at the Jasmine Revolution

U.S. Ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, accidentally happens upon a "would-be revolution" in Beijing, realizes he's been seen, leaves the scene, and promptly finds his name blocked on Chinese microblogs.

Huckabee: "Misplaced" focus on Jeremiah Wright in 2008

Mike Huckabee, looking back at both his and Barack Obama's religious history in a new interview with Christianity Today.

"If people went back and heard every sermon I heard when I was a little kid and some of the more fundamentalist pastors were yelling from the pulpit at me, if they took every one of those sermons and lifted out of them certain phrases and things, it could be scandalous, but only out of the context of the bigger picture.

That's why I thought that a lot of the focus on Jeremiah Wright was misplaced."

So by my count, Huckabee has called 2008's controversy over Jeremiah Wright "misplaced", forcefully defended Michelle Obama, questioned U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, and castigated the tea party for its emphasis on purity -- all in one week.

Still think he's running for the GOP nomination?

Barbour, Bolton to speak at California convention

Haley Barbour and John Bolton are scheduled to speak at this year's California Republican Party Spring Convention, March 18-20 in Sacramento.

Last year, the convention was dominated by a primary struggle for the GOP gubernatorial nomination between Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner. Mitt Romney also spoke.

Two years ago, Romney, Mark Sanford, and Meg Whitman all spoke.

Romney sends money to Wisconsin GOP

Kasie Hunt reports that Mitt Romney is sending a maximum $5,000 contribution to the Wisconsin Republican Party, via his Free and Strong America PAC.

“Liberal big government interests are fighting efforts to rein in out-of-control public employee pay and benefits in Wisconsin," Romney said in a Thursday statement.

"It is critical that we stand with the Wisconsin GOP as it stands up for the rights of the taxpayer."

Yeah, but Pawlenty's got a video.

Jindal takes on the truce delicately

In a new interview with Christianity Today, Bobby Jindal doesn't take the opportunity to attack Mitch Daniels' truce on social issues -- he just seems to disagree without saying so.

Q: Indiana governor Mitch Daniels called for a truce on social issues until economic issues are resolved. Is this possible?

A: I think that it's absolutely critical to get the economy growing without raising taxes or increasing the deficit.

I'm also proud to belong to a party that stands for the sanctity of human life and traditional marriage. Those values remain important during good and bad economic times.

Of the major '12 names (prez or veep), only Haley Barbour has expressed sympathy for Daniels' truce, although he seemed to backtrack at CPAC.

Pawlenty tends to D.C.

Tim Pawlenty continues to court insiders:

Tim Pawlenty will hold a luncheon and political briefing for his Washington, D.C., supporters and others on Monday at Carmines restaurant in Penn Quarter.... A source familiar with Monday’s luncheon described the Carmines event as a meet and greet.

“A lot of people still have not met the governor and this is a chance to do so,” this source said.

Huckabee: Romney should admit health plan didn't work

Mike Huckabee, offering analysis and advice for Mitt Romney yesterday on dealing with the political implications of his Massachusetts health care plan.

The analysis:

"I think it's not a killer for him. But he has to say either 'I love it,' 'I hate it,' or, 'Hey I tried it, it didn't work and that's why I would say to you, let's not do it nationally'."

The advice:

"The position he should take is to say: 'Look, the reason Obamacare won't work is because we've tried it at the state level and we know it won't work.... Our experiment did not turn out as we had hoped. It cost more, waiting times were higher, quality of care went down, people were greatly dissatisfied and it ended up having almost the polar opposite effect of what was intended'."

Two, other 2012 prospects have sharply criticized Romney over his health care plan -- Rick Perry and Rick Santorum.

Perry's warning (circa November 2010) was similar to Huckabee's -- apologize or else.

VAN SUSTEREN: Is there any way you could ever support Governor Mitt Romney in light of the fact that the Massachusetts health care program is so similar to the national health care plan?

PERRY: I think it's a problem to go -- if he were to stand up and say "You know what, this was a program that didn't work, and I wish I hadn't tried it" -- I think that would help him substantially.

But the fact is: they are so similar that it is going to be a major anchor unless he stands up and repudiates that approach.

Santorum expressed similar concern over RomneyCare's implications for its creators nomination fight.

"I think it's hard to see a path for him given the 'Obamacare' issue... It's just hard for me to see how he gets past that [in a Republican primary]."

Pawlenty cuts video for Scott Walker

Tim Pawlenty puts out a new video, defending Scott Walker and promoting the website address www.standingwithscott.com, which is merely a redirect to another page on Pawlenty's PAC's site.

Axelrod: Palin enjoys being Palin

CNN's John King asked David Axelrod last night if he thought Sarah Palin would run for president.

"I don't know. She seems to be enjoying being Sarah Palin. Being Sarah Palin seems like a pretty good gig. Whether she wants to give that up to be a candidate is something I can't answer."

Axelrod sat for an interview with Fox earlier this month where he offered more complete thoughts on the '12 field.

MACCALLUM: Let me get your quick impressions on a couple of potential opponents that you might be facing.

AXELROD: All Fox News personalities.

MACCALLUM: Well, a couple of those, a couple of others. I just picked a couple names off the top of my head. One -- because Mitt Romney seems to be at the top of a lot of the polls that I see right now.

What do you think about running against Mitt Romney?

AXELROD: He was a formidable governor. In fact, many of the elements of our health care plan were derived from his health care plan.

MACCALLUM: Some people in Massachusetts aren't too happy with the....

AXELROD: [interrupting] ... actually, it's very popular in Massachusetts. I'm sure that he'll be remembered fondly for that in Massachusetts.

MACCALLUM: What about Sarah Palin?

AXELROD: She's an interesting person. I know she has a robust broadcast career at Fox, and I don't know if she's going to want to give that up.

The same with Governor Huckabee, who's a very formidable person, a very genial person, someone I personally like, but they have a great platform right now, and I don't know whether they're going to want to give that up.

MACCALLUM: Would you relish a run against Sarah Palin?

AXELROD: Whoever the Republican party nominates will show up, and we'll have a good debate.

Huckabee: Michelle Obama criticized out of "reflex"

At a Christian Science Monitor talk today, Mike Huckabee again differed sharply with Sarah Palin and other conservative, talk-show hosts over Michelle Obama's anti-childhood obesity program.

"I think a lot of it [protests] is because she's [Obama] the one presenting it, and that's why I've been defensive of her.

I still think that her approach is the right one. I do not think she's out there, advocating that the government take over our dinner plates. In fact, she's not.

She's been criticized unfairly by a lot of my fellow conservatives. I think it's out of a reflex; rather than out of a thoughtful expression.

And that's one of the things that bugs me most about the political environment of the day.

We don't have to believe that everything the other side proposes is immediately and altogether bad.

And the reason I have been very vocal -- even doing an event with her and publicly speaking out for her initiative -- is because it is exactly what Republicans say they believe -- that you put a focus on individual responsibility."

Palin first began hammering Obama on the anti-childhood obesity campaign in December when she told conservative talker Laura Ingraham:

"Take her anti-obesity thing that she is on. She is on this kick, right. What she is telling us is she cannot trust parents to make decisions for their own children, for their own families in what we should eat. ... Just leave us alone, get off our back."

More recently, she took a jab at the First Lady for her breastfeeding advocacy.

Santorum staffs up in New Hampshire

Today, Rick Santorum announced that he's brought on four more members to his New Hampshire PAC's advisory committee. They are -- Richard Girard, Brock Weber, Charlie Morgan, and Laura Morgan.

That brings a total of six to the committee, thus far. Earlier this month, he brought in former Manchester GOP chair, Jerry Thibodeau, and Daniel Tamburello.

Palin heads to India next month

Sarah Palin is traveling to India next month for a speech at the Indian Today Conclave -- a policy conference.

Her talk is titled, "My Vision of America", and will, presumably, be about her vision of America.

Other speakers at the India Today Conclave including Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who made the first state visit to the U.S. during President Obama's presidency, and Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei.

Huckabee doesn't see endgame in Afghanistan

At a Christian Science Monitor talk this afternoon, Mike Huckabee became the most prominent GOP presidential prospect to express significant concern about U.S. involvement in Afghanistan.

"My doubts about Afghanistan happen from being there in January 2006.

And when I say my doubts I believe our military is capable of doing whatever they are assigned to do given the resources to do it. But I came away from that experience wondering: What does the end game look like here? I can't see a conclusion."

Bleakly, he added:

"You go to Afghanistan, you look around and you say, 'My gosh, am I in a country or on the surface of the moon?'

You honestly could not see what it is that can happen here. You can't grow anything but poppies. The cash crop is essentially developing the basis of heroin for Europe... and the government is so incredibly and hopeless corrupt.

Sam Stein notes:

[Huckabee] provided the first definitive hint that the Afghanistan war could become a point of fissure, both within the Republican presidential primary and possibly the general election.

It's a great point, and makes me think of that famous exchange from Bob Woodward's Obama's Wars.

Joe Biden told the POTUS that if he adopted Gen. McChrystal's strategy, he would "own this war." Obama replied: "I already own it."

With the POTUS accepting ownership of the conflict, it gives Republican candidates a chance to attack Obama on another issue. Up until now, there's been near, unanimous agreement among the prospects on his approach to Afghanistan, although many are quick to add that he took too long "dithering" before he announced the troop surge.

But Huck's comments put him to the Left (or is this a left/right issue?) of the major '12 candidates.

I still can't imagine Mitt Romney or Sarah Palin defying foreign policy hawks, but Huck's remarks are certainly a surprise, and I'd guess another sign that he's leaning against a presidential run.

Pawlenty slams "ninny" Democrats

On Fox this afternoon, Tim Pawlenty blasted the Wisconsin Democrats who still remain in Illinois and called for their removal from office.

"The notion that they're doing their job.... by not doing their job. It's preposterous. It's Alice in Wonderland. It's through the looking glass. It makes no sense, at all.

And when you raise your right hand, and you look the people of Wisconsin and the country in the eye and say that you're going to uphold the constitution and uphold your duties, and then the first time you have something that isn't going to go your way, you skedaddle like a little ninny out of the state, it is a dereliction of duty, and they should be removed from office."

Huntsman teaches China a lesson

The Weekly Standard's Kelley Currie makes an excellent point about a potential Jon Huntsman presidential bid (ea).

.... one has to wonder what Huntsman's current interlocutors in Beijing are making of all this. China's authoritarians struggle to understand our political system at the most basic level.

And whereas challenges to the Communist Party's political leadership generally result in imprisonment or worse, Huntsman's not-so-stealth campaign to unseat his present boss - and Obama's mild reaction to it - must be incomprehensible to them.

As counterintuitive as it may seem to the Chinese, it is probably a testament to the underlying stability of our outwardly chaotic political system that such a situation could arise and not even be the day's top story in the GOP primary sweepstakes.

Gallup 2012: Huckabee leads close GOP field

A new Gallup poll of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents shows a GOP presidential race that hasn't shifted much since it began in November 2008, although Mike Huckabee continues to show the most momentum (see second table).

1. Mike Huckabee 18%

2. Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin 16%

4. Newt Gingrich 9%

5. Ron Paul 5%

6. Michele Bachmann 4%

7. Tim Pawlenty, Haley Barbour, and Mitch Daniels 3%

10. Rick Santorum 2%

11. Jon Huntsman, Chris Christie, Gary Johnson, Mike Pence, John Thune 1%

Notes: As in poll-after-poll, Sarah Palin's support hails largely from a very specific demographic: Lower and middle-income voters who don't have a college education.

Surprisingly, Palin nips Mitt Romney among "liberal" or "moderate" Republicans, while Mike Huckabee trumps the field among "conservative" Republicans.

Romney leads among college graduates; Palin leads among non-college graduates.

Frequent church-goers prefer Mike Huckabee by a wide margin over Romney and Palin, while Palin scores best among those who seldom or never attend church. It's a surprising result, since Palin is often considered a natural for churchgoers.

One side-note: Check out Bachmann's nipping Pawlenty. She probably has higher, national name ID, but again, it's a sign of how difficult it's been for T-Paw to gain traction.

Right-to-work legislation dies in Indiana

The Courier-Journal:

The leader of the Indiana Senate said Wednesday that controversial right-to-work legislation that died this week in the House won’t be resurrected in the Senate — and should not have been introduced this year at all.

“It was a mistake,” said Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne.

Long said he advised House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, against pursuing the legislation “because of the chance it would blow up the session and we would have exactly the reaction we have out there.”

If you haven't been following Indiana's drama, because -- face it -- we all only have the capacity for so many Midwestern union dramas at a time, then you should read Avik Roy's summary of the Indiana situation.

Mitch Daniels has been taking a beating from some conservatives for not standing forcefully for right-to-work legislation, but Roy does a nice job explaining why Daniels has already done more on the issue of public-sector unions "than Scott Walker is even attempting."

Roy also dives into state-specific laws that make generalization between the two states difficult.

But again -- it's understandable if you only have the capacity for one Midwestern union drama at a time. For as good as he is, it's also hard to watch two Anthony Minghella films successively.

Christie: No plans for PAC

On the Today Show this morning, Chris Christie again denied any interest in running for president.

"There is no chance. Zero chance under any circumstances. Close the door, nail it shut."

He also said he has no plans to form a federal PAC, as was reported over the weekend.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

South Dakota pols comment on Thune's decision

This is interesting -- South Dakota's Democratic Senator, Tim Johnson, puts out an actual press release, offering his thoughts on John Thune's decision to pass on a run.

“I respect John’s decision not to run for President,” said Johnson.

“I know it must have been a difficult decision for him, Kimberley, and their family. I look forward to continuing to work with John in the Senate on the difficult challenges facing South Dakota and the nation.”

Meanwhile, another home-state boy, George McGovern, offers his thoughts.

"It's a very difficult question I know how I grappled with it many years ago but I think probably he made the right decision.

.... He's gotten his name out on the news media across the country so that's an asset to him in terms of anything he'll do in the future."

North Carolina 2012: Huck edges Obama

A new Public Policy Polling survey shows Mike Huckabee with a small lead over Barack Obama in a 2012 general election.

a. Mike Huckabee 47% Barack Obama 46%

b. Barack Obama 47% Mitt Romney 44%

c. Barack Obama 48% Newt Gingrich 44%

d. Barack Obama 51% Sarah Palin 41%

Favorability Ratings:

a. Mike Huckabee 43%/34% for +9%.

b. Mitt Romney 37%/39% for -2%.

c. Newt Gingrich 30%/48% for -18%.

d. Sarah Palin 37%/57% for -20%.

Barack Obama's job approval rating is 47%/48% for -1%.

Notes: Democrats made up 45% of the sample, while Republicans only made up 37%, which actually isn't unreasonable since 2008 exit polls showed Democrats making up 42% of voters and Republicans 31%.

Last month, Obama led all four Republicans, but trails Huckabee this month, thanks to Huck's 5% lead with independents.

Pollster Tom Jensen:

The big picture on Obama's numbers in North Carolina remains the same- he's certainly not going to run away with the state next year but he'll have about an even chance of taking it again and it should be very close once more.

As an aside, Mike Huckabee held a 9% lead over all GOP challengers in a North Carolina poll taken last month.

Does Mitch Daniels want a truce on fiscal issues, too?

Mitch Daniels continues to take a beating from grassroots conservatives for declining to support right to work legislation in Indiana.

Red State's Erick Erickson:

.... despite union battles on the front page of every newspaper in America today, Mitch Daniels decided he wanted a truce on fiscal issues just like he wants on social issues.

It is not that Daniels has been bad. Frankly, it’s not even that he is wrong (though I think he is). It is that Mitch Daniels, a much talked about potential 2012 candidate, is extraordinarily tone deaf.