> Meet Your 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate

t's a big day in American politics. Eight of the nine remaining states are holding their primaries for governor and Congress (Hawaii votes Saturday). But all eyes are on Delaware ? proving that if you wait long enough, anything can happen ? where Tea Party candidate Christine O'Donnell seems at least an even bet to defeat moderate Republican and current U.S. representative Mike Castle for the GOP Senate candidacy. A win by O'Donnell would be the story of the day ? not least because it would hand the Democrats a seat they were, until days ago, destined to lose.

Except that I think the story of the day has already been written. Politico reports that Mitch Daniels is now openly laying the groundwork for a presidential run. This is not the coy bid for "optics" routinely pulled by presumed candidates Palin, Romney, and Gingrich ? not a trip to Iowa or New Hampshire to meet the demos, not a shiny new book full of apple pie and empty promises. It's a sit-down with a dozen of the Republican party's machers. It's as serious as a heart attack. And I think it means we've just met the party's 2012 presidential candidate.

Daniels is, among other things, the only inarguably successful politician in serious contention. Palin quit office, Romney flubbed 2008, Huckabee likewise, Gingrich retired in disgrace, and Pawlenty is leaving office amid tanking approval ratings. Daniels is and long has been enviably popular in his home state of Indiana (current approval rating: 65 percent), largely thanks to what can only be called his prudent conservatism. He is a conservative, no two ways about it; but he has not shackled himself to ideology the way the rest of the field has. Instead, he has espoused sensible and politically workable solutions to Indiana's woes, neither demonizing all government nor idolizing all private enterprise. (It's funny how actually governing, as opposed to politicking, makes pragmatists of people. Funny how most people approve of pragmatists, too.)

There are other arguments for why Daniels will win his party's nod in 2012. It does not hurt that he is a native Midwesterner, and will face his first vote in Iowa. And it can only help to have the cartoonish hucksterism of Palin, Romney, and Gingrich to contrast himself to. But he makes the best arguments himself. Read this Time interview, and then read this discussion he had with Ezra Klein about his deficit plan. This is what a serious Republican sounds like. And I expect the country will be ready for a serious Republican in two years. Meantime, we'll get Christine O'Donnells instead. At least for another few weeks.


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