Menu
Gov. has no plans for White House just yet, calls attention good for state
GREENCASTLE -- As rumors continue to swirl about Gov. Mitch Daniels' future political aspirations, the governor himself has little to say about the issue.
"I'm not doing anything about it," Daniels said on his stop in Greencastle Wednesday. "If you look at my schedule, my attention's completely fixed on the assignment that I have and the issues that face Indiana."
Instead, Daniels has chosen to keep his attention on the state. With more two years remaining in his term, he said he is looking forward to the challenges ahead.
"What I'm most excited about is the possibility of a great legislature next time and new change and reform -- things we haven't been able to get done so far. That's where my mind is," he said.
However, as he continues focusing on the state and continued economic recovery, Daniels said the buzz generated by the rumors isn't necessarily a bad thing.
If people are talking about Indiana's governor as a candidate, Daniels contended, it must mean something is going right in the state.
"If you think about it, the only reasons for the stories and the profiles and all the attention is because Indiana's seen as doing a little better," Daniels said. "People have noticed us for various reasons. 'Everybody's broke and you're not. You're adding jobs faster than other people. You're on all these lists of places for good jobs. You're building roads and everyone else is stuck. You cut property taxes and everybody else raised them.'
"So it's not me. I always say, it's not my matinee idol looks; it's because they've noticed Indiana, which is something we've always wanted to happen," he added.
He also said he's not bothered by being asked again and again, even if his answer remains the same. If people want to know, they are going to ask.
And the more journalists and commentators talk about it, the more attention the state gets, not just here in the U.S.
"(Tuesday) afternoon, I gave an interview to a fellow who's the deputy editor of the largest business magazine in Germany. He said, 'We're the Fortune magazine of Germany,'" Daniels said. "Why does that guy want to come out and see me? Because he's heard all this noise. I said, sure, I'll talk to that guy. Then what did I do? I gave a commercial for Indiana."
If the attention brings German investment in the state, then Daniels said it was worth his time.
"One good thing I can say about it is, we might turn it into a job or two," Daniels said.
So even as he continues not to talk about a run for the White House, he also won't say "no" outright.
"I've agreed to keep an open mind about this question, but it's in the back of my mind. If it's still of interest to people come next spring, we'll talk about it then," Daniels said.