Today's Wall Street Journal reported that Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has withdrawn from the 2012 Presidential race. He stated that he withdrew because he felt that running would not be in the best interest of his family.
Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump have also withdrawn from the race this week. Governor Daniels was seen as a serious candidate--he had a solid record as a cost cutter as governor of Indiana.
For a presidential campaign that seems to be starting early, this is an odd race. I believe that what is happening is that the gap between the Republican establishment and the Tea Party is becoming a problem for the Republican establishment. In the past, the gentlemenly Republicans simply gave the Presidential nomination to the oldest person whose turn it was. There were occasional contests (for example, Reagan vs. Ford in 1976), but generally speaking, the oldest good guy got the nomination. I believe the Tea Party changes that scenario. The Tea Party wants the old guard Republicans to step aside and let someone who will actually cut spending and act like what Republicans are supposed to act like be nominated. I don't believe the struggle within the Republican Party will lose the election--I believe it will make the party stronger.
There really is not a first-tier Republican candidate who represents the Tea Party. Right now the remaining first-tier candidates is Mitt Romney, who will still be explaining Romneycare in the 2016 election. There are, however, some tea-party acceptable candidates below the first tier--Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Rick Santorum, and Tim Pawlenty. It remains to be seen whether Rick Perry of Texas or Sarah Palin will enter the race.
Whatever happens next, it's going to be an interesting year and a half.
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