The Fast Fix: President Mitch Daniels?

Could Mitch Daniels, the Republican governor of Indiana and former Bush Administration official, be a serious contender in 2012?

Mitch Daniels, the governor of Indiana, isn't all that well known by the general public, yet he's seen as a very serious contender for the presidency if he decides to run in 2012.

Why?

Daniels has a long and impressive resume in politics that has been capped by seven well-regarded years as Hoosier State governor.

But even more importantly is the fact that Daniels is one of the few people in either party who seems willing to take on the nation's ever-growing debt problems. In a speech earlier this year, Daniels' compared the debt to the threat from Russia during the Cold War.

In Indiana he has balanced the budget for four straight years without raising taxes, a record that has has many Republicans clamoring for a Daniels candidacy.

Daniels isn't without problems though. His call for a "truce" on social issues has not gone over all with party activists. He did sign a bill defunding Planned Parenthood in the state late last month though.

Daniels has said a decision will come "within weeks". Circle this Thursday on your calendar. It's the spring dinner for the Indiana Republican party and many people expect Daniels to go public with his plans then.

Do you think anyone just circled Thursday on their calendar?

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