2012 Election TL (Gameplay Thread)

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Governor Mitch Daniels (R-IN) appears at Indianapolis in front of thousands of eager Hoosiers:

"I've said before that you couldn't get me back to Washington, D.C. if you forced me to go at gunpoint. But now I'm changing my belief - I think it's Washington that's holding America hostage, and that someone needs to go there and stop it.

That person might as well be me. I have decided that I am a candidate for President of the United States.

I can not sit idly by as America's future is drowned in debts, taxes, and false commitments made by the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama. America can not keep tumbling down this path toward a banana republic. We have to re-assert ourselves as a world power, and I believe that nobody is in a better position to do that than I am.

We've done some truly monumental work here in the Hoosier State. Now let's bring Indiana's conservative fiscal policies to Washington. Come and help - it will be worth it!!!"

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Governor Daniels tours all U.S. states from New Jersey to Colorado, listening and speaking to the people of America and giving them his ideas on their concerns.

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At a rally in Indianapolis, Governor Mitch Daniels is endorsed by several prominent Hoosiers, including:

Senator Richard Lugar (R) - "The man's a genius, quite frankly. He's the only one who can save us from this disaster Obama has created."

Senator Dan Coats (R) - "I think that Mitch represents conservatism and Hoosier values. He has done a lot to improve Indiana, and I'm honored to support him."

Evan Bayh, former Senator (D) - "We need bipartisan work in Washington, not the backroom deals pertaining to health care and cap and trade. That's why I'm endorsing Mitch."

Congressman Mike Pence (R) - "Mitch is my Governor and will be my President."

Dan Quayle, former Vice-President (R) - "I think that Mitch Daniels will has been a very effective Governor in the Hoosier State and will be a very effective Commander-in-Chief."

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During a visit to Illinois, Governor Daniels is endorsed by Senator Mark Kirk (R).

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During a Virginia rally, Governor Daniels is endorsed by former Senator George Allen and Congressman Eric Cantor.

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Governor Mitch Daniels makes a trip to Virginia:

"I believe that Americans have a choice to make. To put it bluntly, they need to choose between socialism and freedom. To put it even more bluntly, they need to choose between Barack Obama and a principled, responsible leader.

I believe that I am that leader. Look at what we've done her in Indiana - we expanded health insurance with the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) via private health savings accounts. We've had a balanced budget for every year I've been in office. We have charter schools and students are learning more and more effectively. WE HAVE NEVER RAISED TAXES. We've capped property taxes, permanently, at 1-3% for all payers. And we've reduced corruption by reforming the congressional redistricting process.

I have the kind of record a good leader needs - more importantly, I have done the things in Indiana that need to be done in the United States of America. We need fiscal responsibility and tax cuts. We need freedom, not Obama brand socialism."

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Governor Mitch Daniels stops in Chicago:

"I'd like to thank Chicagoans and Illinoisans for their warm welcome tonight! I just want to say a few things right off the bat - Illinois and Indiana are doing pretty well. With respect to the economy, both Indiana and Illinois's unemployment rates are under 10%. Neither of our states have raised taxes, and both of our states have had balanced budgets for a good long time. I want to keep it that way in Illinois and Indiana, and all across the county. Fiscal conservatism is the way we have to go to avoid the Obamanites from pummeling our economy to death."

Governor Daniels' next stop was in Peoria:

"Abraham Lincoln made a stand for reform right here in 1860. He stood against the evils of divisions and slavery. Now, America's evils are not as severe as they were then, but we are divided. America is divided between those who want to continue on this treacherous path towards debt, deficit, and the dissolution of freedoms with ObamaCare, and those who want to get our fiscal house in order and maintain the freedoms the founders gave us."

Governor Daniels gives a FOX News Sunday interview after Governor Haley Barbour is finished:

WALLACE: Thank you for being here, Governor Daniels.

DANIELS: Thanks, Chris. I really enjoy being here at FOX.

WALLACE: So, Governor, you have made statements before that seem very anti-political: in a 2008 ad you said that Governor of Indiana was the only elected office you have held and the only one you ever will hold; you have said before that someone couldn't send you back to Washington at gunpoint; and you've called D.C. a "hellhole" and a "wolf-pit." Why the change of heart now?

DANIELS: Well, Chris, over the last three years in the Obama Administration, I have seen America abused terribly. First, we're on a rapid road toward another Depression, what with 10%+ unemployment rates; second, we've got ObamaCare, which is a disaster waiting to happen; and we're simply unsafe when it comes to Iran, North Korea, and terrorism. I feel that America needs to go in a different direction, a better one, and I'm the best person to do that. Just look at my record as Gov -

WALLACE: Tell us about your record as Governor...?

DANIELS: Well, Indiana has had a balanced budget every year since 2005 (the year I first took office) and we've never raised taxes once. We remained fiscally sound even during the beginning of the recession. Indiana has improved healthcare with the Healthy Indiana Plan, or HIP, which includes private retirement accounts. We've also improved education, with charter schools.

WALLACE: How about the Indiana Toll Road?

DANIELS: Look at the benefits of globalization and how many jobs we've brought to impoverished nations like Mexico through NAFTA. I support globalization as I think that it's important to support developing nations. Not give them a crutch, no, no, no, but to work with them to cooperatively increase their economic benefit.

WALLACE: What do you think of your opponents, Congresswoman Blackburn, and Governors Huckabee, Romney, and Barbour?

DANIELS: I think that Congresswoman Blackburn is a wonderful woman and a true conservative. I think that Governors Huckabee, Romney, and Barbour have been very effective in their tenure and would be wonderful Presidents. It's just that I think I would be a better one (laughs).

WALLACE (laughing): Well, we'll see about that Governor. Thanks for being with us tonight.

DANIELS: My pleasure, Chris. Thank you.

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"I've worked with Mitch Daniels and I believe that he has the courage and the principles to get America back on track again. He's been a wonderful Governor and would make an even better President. I am proud to stand by My Man Mitch."

----George W. Bush, former President of the United States of America, during a Boulder, Colorado speech

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Governor Mitch Daniels travels to Grand Junction, Colorado where President Bush gives a tremendous speech in his support:

"Mitch Daniels is the man who can put America back on track! He can restore conservative principals to this nation! He will cut taxes, improve health care, improve education, and keep America safe from threats both at home and abroad! My Man Mitch is the man for America!"

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Mitch Daniels, too, travels through the U.S. South, with former President George Walker Bush accompanying him. He visits Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Louisiana the most heavily.

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Mitch Daniels travels to Oregon immediately after a rally in Crawford, Texas, to focus on his credentials in green energy:

"Indiana is the second state when it comes to renewable energy. The Hoosier State built the biggest and most successful wind farm in the history of the nation. America needs energy independence. I would propose an all-of-the-above energy policy: we'll use oil, coal, natural gas, wind power, solar power, hydro-power, industrial hemp, and any other innovative energy sources possible. But you know what we won't do? We will NOT pursue the Cap&Tax policies of the Obama Administration."

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Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn releases a statement regarding the 2012 election campaign:

"I have reviewed my options and will be more than happy to offer my endorsement to Governor Mitch Daniels. His record as Governor has been excellent, and I believe that he would make for a fine President."

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The Daniels campaign releases its reaction to Marsha Blackburn's endorsement:

"We are humbled and honored to accept Mrs. Blackburn's endorsement. She is a wonderful woman and a wonderful politician with astounding conservative credentials. We will be happy o work with her in coming months."

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Mitt Romney stages a press conference outside of his Los Angeles home:

"I left this race some time ago, and Congresswoman Blackburn left the race after me. I have come to a final conclusion, however: I am endorsing Governor Mitch Daniels for President of the United States. Governor Daniels has an amazing record as a fiscal conservative, and he is the best choice to lead this nation from the dark path that it has been going down for so, so long. I won't be able to campaign actively for Governor Daniels, but I do wish him the best of luck. God bless you, and thank you coming."

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Reporter: So Mitch - it's just been broken that Mitt Romney is endorsing you for President.
Daniels: Is that so?
Reporter: Yes. What's your reaction?
Daniels: Well, I've worked with Mitt. I think he's a really spectacular guy, I like him a lot, and he's done a lot of terrific things. Not only as Governor, but as the leader of his Free, Strong America PAC. I wish Mitt the best of luck, and I'm glad to welcome him onto to the team.

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Governor Mitch Daniels meets with Mitt Romney at his Los Angeles home to personally thank him for his support. Daniels then speaks on energy, the economy, and illegal immigration, the top three issues that Californians look for in a candidate.

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Former President George W. Bush appears in Texas for a rally in support of Mitch Daniels. Thousands gather to hear him speak. This is the beginning of his statewide "Tour for Daniels."

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Governor Daniels travels to Colorado, where he speaks on his economic policy.

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Governor Daniels announces a series of "educational" events around the nation concerning government spending. The first events are held in Colorado and see massive turnout from voters and non-voters alike.

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Mitch Daniels holds more educational events throughout Oklahoma and Kansas.

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Mitch Daniels holds more educational events throughout Nebraska and the Dakotas.

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Mitch Daniels holds more educational events in Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri.

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Mitch Daniels holds events in Illinois.

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Mitch Daniels holds events in Wisconsin, Michigan, and his home state of Indiana, where he receives and exceptionally warm welcoming from the eager crowd of 8,500.

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Mitch Daniels travels through Ohio.