Speaking Tuesday, Indiana Republican Governor Mitch Daniels reaffirmed his decision not to seek the Republican presidential nomination, citing his 2011 announcement in which he explained that he would forgo fighting for the 2012 nomination. At the time, Mr. Daniels cited opposition to a White House bid from his wife and daughters.
Mr. Daniels said he was aware of that “noise” concerning calls for him to recording, but the Indiana Republican noted that he would not reconsider.
“I never wanted to run, never planned to run,” said Mr. Daniels.
The Indiana Republican’s reaffirmation comes as polls show Republican voters increasingly discontent with the current field of candidates. The latest polls show former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum in the lead for the 2012 nomination.
While Mr. Daniels remains committed to not entering the 2012 race, his decision has not tamped down on speculation that a major fight for the nomination may take place at the Republican convention later this year.
Speaking earlier this month, Mr. Daniels speculated that a fight between two of the four candidates could place pressure on delegates to ultimately decide which candidate receives the nomination.
“It is not impossible that no one gets there with the thing locked up,” said Mr. Daniels.
The Indiana Republican also noted that he understands the concerns expressed by Republican voters.
Concerns over the field “originate in people’s very sincere alarm about the condition of the country and its direction. If it weren’t that, I don’t think you’d have quite the degree of urgency of finding someone who’s capable of presenting a winning alternative. … When you overlay that on a field that hasn’t yet shown an ability to win in the fall, you get what you’ve got,” said Mr. Daniels.
Mr. Daniels gave the official Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address last month, leading to speculation that he was reconsidering his decision not to enter the 2012 race.
