Sunday, May 22, 2011

Daniels Decides Against Republican Presidential Bid

May 22, 2011, 1:32 am

Daniels Decides Against Republican Presidential Bid

Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana has decided not to seek the Republican presidential nomination, telling supporters in an e-mail message early Sunday that he decided against entering the race because of family considerations.
“In the end, I was able to resolve every competing consideration but one,” Mr. Daniels wrote. “The interests and wishes of my family, is the most important consideration of all. If I have disappointed you, I will always be sorry.”
The message from the governor was sent from Eric Holcomb, chairman of the Indiana Republican Party, who is one of Mr. Daniels’ closest political advisers. The e-mail, obtained by The New York Times, was confirmed by another aide to Mr. Daniels who spoke on condition of anonymity to not preempt the governor’s announcement.
For weeks, Mr. Daniels has inched closer to entering the Republican presidential race. Several party leaders have urged him to run, saying his experience on fiscal issues would strengthen the Republican ticket. But he has said that family concerns from his wife and four daughters remained a significant hurdle.
“If you feel that this was a non-courageous or unpatriotic decision, I understand and will not attempt to persuade you otherwise,” Mr. Daniels wrote in the message. “I only hope that you will accept my sincerity in the judgment I reached.”
Mr. Daniels was expected to make his decision known this week. The message to supporters was intended to explain his choice before he announced it publicly.
“The counsel and encouragement I received from important citizens like you caused me to think very deeply about becoming a national candidate,” he wrote.
He added, “Many thanks for your help and input during this period of reflection. Please stay in touch if you see ways in which an obscure Midwestern governor might make a constructive contribution to the rebuilding of our economy and our Republic.”
Mr. Daniels, a former budget director in the George W. Bush White House, had secured the fund-raising commitments and political support from a large contingent of alumni from the Bush network.
In an interview on Thursday in Indiana, he said that he was still actively considering the race, but added: “It’s complicated.”

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