You're watching...
Gov. Mitch Daniels, (R-Ind.), on social issues becoming a focal point of the GOP Presidential race instead of how to boost the economy.
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
Economic crisis here with a reality check Republican governor -- Most of Indiana.
Welcome back to the show governor great to have you again so our Republican spending too much time on social issues in your -- I'm -- did this to say amen.
Jerry to your opening a minute ago with.
Did they wouldn't have seven minutes -- nothing more to talk about so.
Let -- let me let me just underscore what I believe viewers say and that.
That clearly that urgent.
Desperately urgent priority for this country's got to be a private economy that grows more swiftly.
Coupled with spending restraint that.
Along with that growth allows us to deal with the biggest danger we face to other than war time ever which is the -- we've piled up.
The American people know this is the threat to their future they want to hear.
Both sides I think speak persuasively to it.
And I'd also point out just simply from way.
Political standpoint this is the point of vulnerability for the president the failure of his policies very manifest.
We need to show those of us in their loyal opposition that we have a better answer.
Well -- I didn't even mention that oil prices headed to for box some people say and five.
But I wanna ask you about the one Republican candidate who's really focused on social issues.
That's Rick Santorum.
I got he's talked about a lot of different kinds of social issue -- And it's playing well in fact he's leading by double digits in some polls and national poll today as a matter of fact.
What do you make that are are they talking about social issues because -- does have currency with this electorate.
-- he's a very sincere in his views I respect them very much basically share.
Many of them.
I don't really know what did to what to attribute his recent climb in the polls except his own hard work in.
And that possibly that continuing.
Restlessness -- of Republicans that governor Romney is the the best standard bearer for us.
But nothing changes I don't think the validity of this of the point you made Jerry.
Which is that the mortal threat to this country in the one that bothers the American people.
The one that -- cries out for leadership.
And and also the one in which the president is is clearly the most vulnerable.
Is the the economy the debt -- the related debt issues around them.
-- you -- you spoke about that in a very inspired way I thought in your response to the state of the union.
I was period to articulate.
You make great points about how maybe we shouldn't be it taxing the rich more but at the end of the day they shouldn't get quite so much of -- entitlement spending dollars either.
Do you think that's going to resonate T think anybody else can carry that message in as persuasive way as you have really gonna hear Romney Santorum.
All -- folks the president talk about cutting entitlement spending.
-- sure anybody can it's not that complicated message and I think that.
Our eventual nominee whichever it is will know.
The both the nature of the problem and the best way forward.
You know it's not hard to say that two Americans those who are retired now -- about to be you are good to go don't worry about a thing but join us in making sure they.
Younger people have.
Have something to fall back onto and I just don't see any reason for timidity on the part of -- our party.
In addressing what really people in across the spectrum honest people know we cannot go on with the entitlement programs as they are we cannot go -- -- the president's budget suggest just marching into hopeless levels of debt.
Well it -- -- again you sound inspired and this week we have so many voices saying.
Odd that these Republican candidates don't represent the best -- the party talk about a brokered convention what kind of impact.
You think a brokered convention would have on the general election.
It's a bad thing people think that democracy is seized in a bunch of guys in the back room deciding that party's candidate this.
First of all it wouldn't be brokered -- we don't know what it would look like we haven't seen one in our lifetime but.
You know Barney brokers anymore it would be hotly contested the delegates.
Will come with their own convictions and their own preferred candidates -- probably be a real free for all I really don't know what the impact could be.
It would be it would certainly grab the attention of the nation and you know if it could result in a very positive outcome.
Or I suppose it it could give an impression of disarray that was so harmful.
Well -- -- and we keep hearing people float your name again and again and you keep denying that you B Anderson than it.
But Republican leaders came to you at the convention and said well you run would you.
Well I just don't see that happen and and it's the egg -- I can't this say often enough that.
This is just not an obsession -- -- personal ambition of mine.
In my obsession.
Is is to see this country succeed.
And we are dangerously close to.
National failure possibly -- retrieval failure.
I just think there are other ways that are concerned citizen can contribute in.
I'm looking for those ways.
Pretty -- stands -- best chance of really capturing.
The excitement and enthusiasm of voters Santorum.
Romney somebody else hideous -- Don't know don't pretend to know I will say this in excitement Scott adds value in politics but there's also a time.
I believe for a sobriety and for leveling with the American people.
You know these are these are very dangerous times we're in and and as -- illustrated in your opening.
We've got a lot of very dispirited fellow citizens out there the percentage of Americans working today is the lowest since the days of the stay at home mom.
Millions have given up completely and we can and I believe that it I campaign maybe it's exciting maybe it's.
Just the simply a pretty.
Straightforward that says the folks here's the nature of our fix and here's a a way out.
Join us in in taken the necessary measures that may be the most effective campaign of all.
Straightforward would be refreshing particularly if it really.
Got to the heart of the issues governor Daniels thanks for coming on today we really appreciate your time.
Thanks --
