Via the Indiana GOP’s Twitter site.
The bill would prohibit all abortions after Week 20 of pregnancy, or after viability, whichever comes first. It would also defund Planned Parenthood in the state.
This is almost certainly a sign that Gov. Daniels is prepared to take the plunge into the presidential field.
Update: Daniels has released a statement clarifying his position on the legislation.
“I supported this bill from the outset, and the recent addition of language guarding against the spending of tax dollars to support abortions creates no reason to alter my position,” said Daniels in a statement.
He had this message for Planned Parenthood, which had actively campaigned against the bill: “Any organization affected by this provision can resume receiving taxpayer dollars immediately by ceasing or separating its operations that perform abortions.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
There we go, Mitch…
Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?
April 29th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
“This is almost certainly a sign that Gov. Daniels is prepared to take the plunge into the presidential field.”
Well, hopefully that’s not the only reason he signed it.
He signed it because he believed in it.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
The fact that he was not for this from the start and has been playing politics with this issue tells me he’s no committed fiscal or social conservative. He’s not going to break out anyway.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
He now joins four other conservative who have signed the 20 week ban along with a dozen more states on their way very soon…
April 29th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
He now joins four other conservative *GOVERNORS*, that is.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
If Huckabee doesn’t run then this guy is going to win Iowa and catapult to the top of the field.
Mark it.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
So he’s probably running. But as what? Will he still talk about the truce? What will he answer when he gets questions about it?
This does help his chances in Iowa and SC, but with no clear role for him to fill, I still don’t think he can win (unless something happens that causes Romney to drop out or so).
April 29th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
#3 – He was from this from the start and made it clear he was. He was simply gathering the facts about the PP portion of the bill that was added at the last minute. SOme of you act like he has been flip-flopping for weeks on this. The bill didn’t hit his desk until earlier this week.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
And even though he stupidly mentioned a “truce” on social issues, actions speak louder than words .
That’s a lesson the Rombots would do well to take to heart when they proclaim that Mitt would never institute a mandate on a national level.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
The “truce” doesn’t matter. It’s just words.
The mandate matters.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
The thing is, there is a huge percentage of Republicans, maybe even a plurality, who are ready to glom onto whomever is running as the small government, entitlement reforming, debt busting candidate. Right now we don’t really have anyone in the field like that, because in order to be serious about the debt, you have to either embrace Ryan’s plan, or come up with something equally seismic, and no one’s really doing that. The only candidates I can imagine doing that are Ryan himself, Chris Christie, or Daniels. And Daniels seems to be first in line out of those three to take the leap.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
I prefer that he took his time to assess the bill and then made the decision he did. Seems some people here prefer candidates who are on auto-pilot without the ability to think. What if the bill does what we understand it to do, but in the fine print there was a clause that would do away with any future pro-life initiatives? Not saying that was in there, just that I appreciate someone who does what it takes to understand what he’s actually signing, regardless of the topic.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
#8 And he waited a whole week to see whether it’ll damage him politically or not, which tells me he’s a very moderate thinking politician. Even if you’re just a fiscal conservative, this should’ve been an easy test to pass. For Daniels, it seemed like it was very very difficult.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
13,
Assuming Huckabee doesn’t run, who is going to make that case? Romney? He doesn’t have anything like a stellar record with the so-cons.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Daniels just cemented his standing with the so-cons. Absent a Huckabee run, Daniels is now the most likely candidate to consolidate support from all wings of the party. As a viable “stop Romney” candidate and a governor who won his last election by 16 points in a state Obama carried, watch his political stature surge.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
#13 – He hasn’t signed the education bill he fought so hard for…is that choice difficult too? No, this is a case of making something out of nothing.
#15 – Agree with you 100%. He is the only candidate (assuming he is in now) that I see that can consolidate all wings of the GOP while attracting Independents as well.
He is from the Midwest and will help tremendously in that region. Indiana is automatically out of play (it might be regardless). A Daniels/Rubio or Daniels/McDonnell are both attractive/winning tickets.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
It remains to be seen whether people will support short, boring, ugly Daniels.
I don’t know a ton about him yet.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Dangit, I really thought he would fold. I got nothing to come back at this with. All I did was hold the line. I’ll have to blame it on the legislature.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
#9 Adam X, “actions speak louder than words.”
I hope you keep that in mind in the future when you attack Romney on Abortion. After all is said and done, Romney opposed pro-abortion legislation that came to his desk.
I’m glad Danials signed this but how is this a true victory when abortion is still legal prior to 20 weeks? It just feels odd cheering this… great for the child at 20+ weeks, not so for the child at 19 and less.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Adam–someone who’s called for a truce on social issues will not be getting a large portion of that wing of the party, think McCain 2000. No one wants to feel their issues are not important. This field is like 2008 with social cons split amongst many candidate, the most with Huckabee and the least with Giuliani. This time social cons will be the most with either Huckabee, Pawlenty, Bachmann and the least with Daniels. The question will be can Daniels make up for it with the other wings of the party. The problem there is he’s already competing with Romney for those moderate voters and Romney has NH tied up.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
It’s Friday. Fridays are no typically great days for making news. This guy needs some PR help.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
“I supported this bill from the outset, and the recent addition of language guarding against the spending of tax dollars to support abortions creates no reason to alter my position,” said Daniels in a statement.”
count me among the confused. were there legions of people out htere thinking that Daniels would somehow suddenly not support a pro-life bill, because more pro-life language had been added/
April 29th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@21: Hey Watrch,
Have you not been following the storyline, that’s part of Daniels’ Bland Charm.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Daniels/Rubio or Daniels/McDonnell
Daniels/Ryan. Double down.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
20,
Huckabee would clearly do better than Daniels among so-cons. But if Huck doesn’t run, a candidate who is essentially so-con but had a slip of the tongue one time is going to do better among this group than a late comer like Romney.
Bachmann is going to be too easily painted as “fringe” – and T-Paw has Romney’s Blue State problem. His Cap and Trade deviation from party orthodoxy is far less damning than Mitt’s much discussed mandate problem.
I get the sense that LOTS of Republicans are looking to find the best possible candidate to take on Obama…and not simply make a statement. Daniels doesn’t have a mandate monkey, he’s pro-life and not too preachy. This guy has a huge chance to see his numbers grow.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
The Right Wing print pundits are for Daniels, so this is set up to give him some buzz before announcing, should e make up is mind.
The Talk Radio Wing (Limbaugh & Levin) have already been savaging the guy, so don’t expect this to change things. ZThey are still trying to keep their girl’s political future alive.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
“Have you not been following the storyline, that’s part of Daniels’ Bland Charm.”
If Daniels needs some charisma maybe I could be persuaded to forgo starching some of Mitt’s pants and starch Mitch’s instead.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
The Talk Radio Wing (Limbaugh & Levin) have already been savaging the guy, so don’t expect this to change things. ZThey are still trying to keep their girl’s political future alive.
That’s a fair description – but Limbaugh proved himself to be pretty impotent in 2008. The question is, where does the Talk Radio Blabospere go once they realize that most Republicans aren’t stupid enough to nominate the sure loser Palin.
I get the sense that Limbaugh and Co. would more naturally align with Daniels than with the pro-mandate Mitt.
Daniels has the opportunity to completely cut Romney at the knees.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Gary Johnson also signed into law a ban on late term abortions. Socons have already identified Daniels as The Enemy — I don’t think this will change that.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
@27 – How old are you to hide behide a fake name?
Now get away from Daddy’s computer before you break it.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
#24 – I love Paul Ryan too. I think he would be a great compliment to a ticket, but electorally speaking Rubio and McDonnell are more helpful while being equally conservative and well spoken. They are from key swing states that will be crucial to a GOP victory.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
30
I take offense.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
20.
Agree with Viking.
I think Daniels will still almost entirely draw from Romney’s pool of supporters, and not from Huck’s really at all.
Like Adam said though, this could very much open up Huck’s pool of support if Huck would drop out.
Problem is, Huck’s almost definitely in..
Supporters say Huckabee inching toward 2012 run
(AP) – 1 hour ago
April 29th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Wow. this feels like an electric week. I predict he announces an exploratory committee M/T/W but definitely before the education speech. The education speech will be his opening post-exploratory committee salvo
April 29th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
#25–you’re a true believer in Daniels; most are not and he has a long way to go when he’s in the low single digits and isn’t starting to do well in an early state like Pawlenty.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Please. Please. don’t put me on top of the car again. The weatherman says the wind chill factor is going to be -20 tomorrow.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
This is fun
April 29th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
I am not sure who the Radio Crowd would go to. They’d have to do a lot of walking back of recent ant-Daniels comments. How do they do that w/o losing cred?
I also agree they were too persuasive in 2008. Partly because they share the same audience. So if Rush has 20 Million a week accross the USA, the others with less ratings and different time slots will be speaking to the same crowd. For example in NYC it’s Rush from 12-3, then Hannity from 3-6 and Levin from 6-9.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
#29 – I think people are making far too much out of this “truce” comment. Daniels will certainly promote his 100% pro-life record once he enters the race. The “truce” issue will be long forgotten once his record is known. I am a socon as well as a ficon and I have no problem supporting Daniels.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
I would rather see ryan shepard his budget proposal through, let him gain some real accomplishments to his record. We have to get the point of electing these higher-up leaders for actual accomplishments, not just ideas.
Plenty of time to put Ryan on the ticket in 2016. VPs can be replaced.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
#38 – should read “not too persuasive”
April 29th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
God bless Mitch Daniels. I expected nothing less, though.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
John,
“but with no clear role for him to fill”
Did you watch his CPAC speech?
None of the other potential candidates are talking like that.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Now that this so-con exposure is settled…I have to say….so far..I find TPaw all hat and no cattle. Daniels CPAC speech trumps every attempt TPaw has made to interject himself in this race. He is top heavy with advisors, far too cautious on policy, and a little to in love with his ability to get quoted all the time. There is something a little retro about several of the candidates
Romney == McCain 2008/Kerry 2004
Pawlenty == Romney 2008/Edwards 2004
Huckabee == Gephardt 2004
My man mitch needs to get out the harley and spend July darting through tons of towns in IA, NH and SC
JFH
April 29th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Mitch Daniels is not running.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Fantastic statement from Mitch. He’s just keep on keeping on
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53954.html
April 29th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Question: Would a Daniels run hurt Romney more, or Pawlenty more?
April 29th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Folks, you do realize that the budget battle in IN for the next 2 years is still winding down right? Daniels wanted to sign the bill the entire time, but was negotiating parts of the budget. This is not complicated and there is no alterior motive to him waiting to sign it. There is no bonus to signing it the minute you get it, it will go into effect the same time.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
See 48
April 29th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
If what Nick says is true – that’s a perfectly fair explanation for the wait.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
45. “Mitch Daniels is not running.”
True. Neither is any potential candidate who has not yet announced.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Adam the thing about Mitch is he will never say that is why he waited. He will simply tell people to look at his record on the subject. I am no shill for Mitch, but people who think he has no “constituency” are nuts. He is a Bushie, and will be the only one in the race…do you really think he will be starting from nothing?
April 29th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
51
Toucheeee!
April 29th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
This might explain the delay, from Joe Hannah’s Politico link:
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53954.html#ixzz1Kx8TcfxT
April 29th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
quick usage question. How do you guys produce the blue blocks that represent lifted material. Is that a special tag you are wrapping around the text? or is that something only editors can do?
April 29th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
I love how people here, without having read the document themselves, without being privy to Daniels thought process, without knowing the complexities and knock-on effects of such issues, presumed to criticize Mitch for not signing as fast as they feel he should have.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
55.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
and
April 29th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
sign ON Daniels!!! Here’s to hoping other presidential hopefuls will take bold, drastic conservative action in order to enhance their chances.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
you have to put the …..blockquote….. HTML code within the pointed brackets.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Liz, will they have opportunity to do so? It doesn’t seem as though many of the current candidates hold office at all.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Viking (13):“And he waited a whole week”
No, he waited two days, which doesn’t seem an unreasonably long amount of time to do a review of the effects of a bill before signing it.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Oops … didn’t realize #62 was duplicating.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
He announced this end of day Friday to bury it in the news. He knows SoCons will now about it, but doesn’t want it to define him for everyone else.
Is this such a mystery from the author of the “truce”?
April 29th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Two days?! That’s all? Who does this jump up think he is? I’m next in line and have been waiting years and he cut’s in after two day?! What’s next? Cutting defense spending, reforming SS and Medicare?! Don’t go too fast buckoo, leave something for the rest of us to pander on
April 29th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
And the nerve, he didn’t even take time to write a book, he just went and did something! That’s not how things are done around here newby.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
#64, very astute, which is why Daniels will not get much social con support and will have to fight Romney for every moderate he can get.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Look, I have not minced words about Daniels’ political team. They are clearly a sleepy Midwestern bunch without a lot of experience in the optics of national politics. The statement that the guv released, as transcribed by MWS and Bob above, should have been released days ago. I disagree with my esteemed colleague Matthew Miller, who says that Daniels has poor political skills. I think Daniels has a pretty typical political team for someone who previously had near zero national aspirations. These are the sorts of rookie mistakes you would expect.
When Daniels jumps in, he’ll basically have the entire GOP establishment waiting to drape him in royal garments and put the scepter in his hand. Dick Armey is with him. Jeb Bush is behind him. Barbour. Scott Walker. Ryan and Christie love the guy. And scores of donors and strategists, that sort of thing. It will be their job to prevent these sorts of rookie mistakes going forward.
You don’t say “VAT.” You say “consumption tax… you know, like the Fair Tax.” You don’t say “truce over social issues,” you say “we need to bring people together that we normally disagree with to save the country.” You don’t leave people wondering why you’re not signing a key piece of legislation. You say “I am proud of the legislature for protecting the unborn with this bill, and after I let the legal eagles parse it, I hope to be able to sign it in the next couple of days.” This sort of thing comes naturally to very few people. When it doesn’t come naturally, it is the job of advisors who understand the tenor and optics of national politics to coach and train and teach when it comes to rhetoric and timing. Daniels hasn’t had people like that around him previously. He will now. And that will makes tons of difference.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
[...] fiscal policy shouldn’t be too much of a stretch. Daniels’ decision to sign that “sweeping abortion bill” is probably a sign that he’s running and maybe he’ll be “the guy”. But [...]
April 29th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
The sad thing, Dave, is that Mitch was one of those guys. He was a political advisor for Reagan and also for Sen. Lugar.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
68
+ 1.
Eric Holcomb either has the stuff to run a campaign or he doesn’t. Does Barbour’s term expire this fall? He’s the Jim Baker that mitch needs to make sure he doesnt try and manage his own campaign.
April 29th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Thank the heavens!
April 29th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Joe (71): No, Barbour’s term is through 2012. I see Barbour as the strategist anyway, not as the nut & bolts campaign manager. That might be Holcomb or possibly Henry Barbour.
This assumes Daniels is running. I’m still not 100% certain — signing this bill proves nothing, because I’m nearly certain he would sign it regardless.
April 29th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Yes, Daniels signed the bill because he’s pro-life, not for political ambition. The man isn’t known to do and say things just to be popular.
April 29th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
(73) Just checked wikipedia and it says he was re-elected in 2007. Mississippi is one of those off off year states. So his second term will expire this fall. Good.
JFH
April 29th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Joe: You’re right — why did I forget that? Great news.
Though I still think he’s more the strategist, but it gives him full time to concentrate on the race.
April 29th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
This is fantastic news. I don’t particularly care about the abortion issue, but the fact that this signals a Daniels run makes me very happy. Run Mitch run!
April 29th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
I am one Huckabee “im not in” away from throwing my 100% support behind a Daniels/Rubio ticket thanks to this confirming that the previous comments were nothing to be held on to. The fact that this bill would have passed after a week if Daniels didnt veto it really makes me believe he is a hard core conservative both fiscally and socially. As a supporter of the bound for life movement for over 7 years it is great to see abortions being restricted slowly but surely!
April 29th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Welcome to the race Governor Daniels.
April 29th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Which potential candidate is closest to George W. Bush? I love President Bush, but I don’t think the country is ready for someone so close to the Bush administration yet. I don’t know much about Daniels. The little I do know I like, for the most part. I don’t see him being the powerhouse he is being made out to be though. I am excited that there are more adults getting into the race. Right now, TPaw is my #2, but I am open to Daniels taking that spot if he is as good as advertised.
April 29th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
You don’t say VAT Tax or energy tax or even maybe. Never mind the fact that he proposed raising taxes on people making over $100,000 a year. Fortunately Republicans in the state legislature killed that. Daniels is a Washington insider and is being backed by insiders.
April 30th, 2011 at 12:48 am
“This is almost certainly a sign that Gov. Daniels is prepared to take the plunge into the presidential field.”
I often agree with your analysis, Dave. But I am so glad that many politicians are not the manipulators your statement implies. I don’t want a president who signed legislation because he plans on running for president. I doubt if that was his motive at all. I trust he is pro-life.
It is a not a sign of anything. If it is, he’s not my candidate.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:04 am
Tell me, where are women to get low cost mamograms and pap’s? It was not all about abortion. But you knew that, dident you?
April 30th, 2011 at 9:05 am
More women will go without necessary medical tests, because they don’t have health insurance, and can’t access low cost services that were offered through PP. That’s OK. It’s men making these choices for us women.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:43 am
reason,
See #54.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:53 am
Daniels/Rubio?