Mitch Daniels for 2012?

In "A Republican Surprise," Ross Douthat says that Mitch Daniels, governor of Indiana, would be "the best president of any of them." During George W. Bush's first term, Daniels was the director of the Office of Management and Budget. And according to Douthat, Daniels "has become America's best governor." By directing his opinion towards Republicans, he is casting light on a possible candidate who might not be too well known by American voters. Douthat says he's not sure if Daniels would be able to win the 2012 elections, but he'd be the best choice. Douthat quotes Daniels from CPAC, "I think a lot of Republicans are over-reading all of this ... They're a little ahead of themselves, a little too giddy." "He’s admired by elites, but unknown at the grass-roots level. He’s a social conservative, and his gubernatorial campaigns have played the populist card successfully — but he lacks the built-in constituencies of other candidates," says Douthat on Daniels. Douthat goes on to say, “unlike the Republicans at the health care summit, he balanced criticisms of Obamacare with candor about the problem of the uninsured. “’This is a very real issue, and we were determined to have a constructive approach to it — but one that would be affordable.’” Can Mitch Daniels come from underneath and surprise everyone? It’s possible. I think Ross Douthat makes some very reasonable points. I had never heard of Mitch Daniels before CPAC. I am interested to see what becomes of him in the next few years before 2012 Presidential Elections. I haven’t made up my mind if I agree with Ross Douthat yet. I need to learn more about Mitch Daniels. Maybe he has enough experience to run our country, but maybe he has some hidden skeletons in his closet.