Mitch Daniels: The Dinner

Perhaps you know about my rather interesting relationship with conservatism. Born with a fiscally conservative father (currently undergoing a kind of "social liberal" make-over), without any one religion, raised on a horse farm in the hills of Pennsylvania, having attended an all-girls feminist and near bra burning institution, and currently at Yale--the bastion of elitist liberalism on the East Coast---naturally I have a funny kind of relationship with the GOP and with those Dems.

I mean, come on think about it:

+ (PLUS) +

=

? WTF ?

When I heard of this Mitch Daniels fellow, it was through my friend Max Eden, who started the Students for Daniels movement, to try to get Mitch to run for President in 2012. Ambitious and dedicated as he was, Max (the former long haired hippie who campaigned for Obama) started a national student movement with over 65 chapters at schools around America to get Mitch to run.

I was skeptical. How could a REPUBLICAN ever solve America's problems. But then I researched more about this guy. Some basic stats: Under Mitch, Indiana (what I thought to be quite the poor "backwards" state before), now has a Triple AAA credit rating by Standard and Poor's. He changed a $600 million deficit into a $370 million surplus within a year. He has reduced the state's debt by 40%. He has brought many jobs to the region and many international trade deals. His goal is to make Indiana the best place to open a business in the world. Basically, he wants people to have the choices in their pursuit of happiness.

That is Mitch's thing: choice, agency, freedom.

Of course, I ask about social issues. On these, Mitch is relatively quiet. Okay, pro-life, but has not banned abortion in the state. He has supported the choice of abortion up to 20 weeks (by then, you should know...) Gay marriage, he has been quite quiet on. Of course, I am skeptical of him on these issues, but the man is deeply concerned with the deficit of our country and how our country is just about to default on our debt. As he said, "Our problems right now are purely mathematical." He is less concerned with converting values as he is from converting red to blue ink on a ledger.

Basically, I was curious. I decided to go to the Indiana GOP dinner along with over 50 other students from out of state who are all gunning for Mitch to run. We were "tipped off" that he might announce his candidacy that night (based on the fact it was live streamed and nationally televised). Luckily, a member of the Indiana Republican Party donated the $200 per head dinner tickets... and made sure we sat in the very front next to the podium in a room of 1,100 people at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. I put on a not-so-Republican blue dress with grey stilettos and went down to meet Mitch at 5:00. He had agreed to meet with all of us students, encouraging us that "If anyone could be a factor in his candidacy, it was us." He also encouraged that "Most politicians don't know 'why' they want to run, other than for themselves. I know the 'why' now it is just if me and my family are ready." (He later made the analogy that running was like going bungy jumping with 5 people who did not want to jump). He was charming, short (5'6"), self-deprecating, but very very intelligent. I was struck by his humility. He was just not so much of a rock star as one sees in Obama.

At dinner, he said he "was not saying we wouldn't" run, but he definitely let the issue aside. Instead, he emphasized out the Indiana GOP was different than national movements. In Indiana, they were more concerned about getting things done fiscally and economically, offering up a social truce until everyone could agree on certain things, like the budget. He said that the Indiana GOP used to be a "conservative party" meaning they did not like change or newness. Part of his goal was to make sure not just the GOP but Indiana changed that way, dusting themselves off and "MAKING THE CHANGES" that make everyone else change. Some would say he is speaking as Reagan would want. Others, including myself, think he is calling for a new order (even if informed by those Republican heydays).

Mitch was definitely no Newt. That is for damn sure. While we did not get the announcement of candidacy we had hoped for, we got a speech from Cheri Daniels, Mitch's reluctant wife. From one of Mitch's politicos, we ascertained that this was a test in Cheri's public speaking abilities; she has never campaigned for Mitch before and would have to hold off on milking the cows and being Indiana state's "Miss Maiz" or champion milker in order to give a public speech. (Wearing shorter heels would have helped....) It was a sign they were preparing for the public light.

At the dinner, I was sitting with the women from Chicks on the Right, a conservative blog dedicated to giving conservatism a make-over. (Check out the article they wrote after here). They helped me understand certain social issues of Mitch's I had been skeptical of. They were cool and wanted to sop my friend from Tennessee "up with a biscuit." They commented about Cheri's very full chest and loved Max and Michael, the two Students for Daniels leaders.

After dinner, we mingled. Max ended up asking the governor to a bar after and, after canceling his other plans, the Governor came with the Students for Daniels! I was standing outside of the hotel (not wanting to walk the 6 blocks to the bar in my heels). The Governor saw me and asked, "Do you need a ride?" I said yes, and soon 4 others were with me, riding in the Governor's personal SUV. He was genuinely kind.

Later at drinks, I asked him a more personal question, "Why did you go into politics?" He answered more along the lines that in college, he had been inspired while working in the Mayor's office, but went into the private sector upon their advice. Later, people were begging him to go into public service! (Better than forcing oneself early on!) For him, it was a twist of fate, interest, and passion. He asked me then, not where I go to school, but said, "Danielle, where are you from?" I was struck that he knew my name. I had not tag on. (He must have remembered me as the "ambivalent Democrat" on CNN, because I did not talk to any of his politicos up to that point). Turns out we are both from Western PA and he was happy to share his Kennywood park memories, Steelers fanaticism, or love of sports. He was actually driving to Monongahela the next day.

I was struck. I actually liked someone in politics. WHAT? How could this be? A REPUBLICAN no less?

In the end, I hope he runs, regardless of election. His dialog about fiscal truth and responsibility is something this nation needs (even if we don't get it at first). Making the social truce and focusing on the monetary (which is directly tied to the social) is the first step in the political process I would like to see in 2012. Unfortunately if Newt or some such person gets the nomination, I fear further division. At least both Obama AND Mitch can talk to both sides of the party line.

Who knows, Mitch just might make this bleeding heart liberal think twice about one or two things. And it certainly would not be from his charm, height, or smooth talking, but sound reason, proof, and logic.