INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Mitch Daniels on Wednesday finally got behind a GOP candidate for president – Mitt Romney.
Daniels had declined to endorse anyone in the race, but now that the competition has narrowed to Romney – and voters in the Indiana primary will not play a role in picking the nominee – he came out in support of the former Massachusetts governor.
“Mitt Romney has earned our party’s nomination and now deserves the support of every American still committed to government that serves the people rather than rules over them,” Daniels said in a statement.
“The ruinous debts and anti-enterprise policies of today threaten more than our near-term economy; unaddressed soon, they will end the promise of upward mobility that our nation has always offered to its young and its poor. And they will end the U.S. leadership which has promoted peace and progress around the world for so many decades. Mitt Romney has proven that he understands what is at stake and is prepared to summon Americans to the changes that will restore the American Dream and our national greatness. I’ll do whatever I’m asked to help him.”
Daniels himself considered running for president last year but bowed out when his wife and daughters asked him not to do it. Since then, his name often comes up in speculation about vice presidential running mates.
Although he hasn’t ruled out a run for vice president, Daniels told reporters in Florida on Monday it’s highly unlikely he will join the ticket. He was in Vero Beach as the final speaker for a lecture series and said running for vice president is not at the top of his to-do list.
“I don’t want to do it,” said Daniels, whose second term is coming to a close. “I have no intention to do it, but I don’t think a citizen of this government should say ‘no’ if asked to serve.”
Romney said Daniels’ leadership and service in Indiana should be an example to public officials across the country.
“Governor Daniels shares my background in business, and he has used the principles of the private sector in government,” Romney said. “Indiana has been served well by his leadership based on fiscal discipline, smaller government, and a friendly environment for job creators. I am honored to have his support and look forward to working with him to fix our economy and get our country on the right track.”
