Mitch Daniels Responds to Critics Over Social Issues 'Truce' and Defense Cuts

PALO ALTO, Calif. March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Indiana governor Mitch Daniels has delivered his first extended response to critics of his advice that the Republican Party should stand down on social issues.  

Daniels’ comments came in an interview for the online television program Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson.  Although the interview has not been aired, excerpts have been posted in advance on YouTube.

In the program, Daniels defended his record as a social conservative. But he stressed that focusing on social issues could prevent the formation of a large enough coalition to enact sharp spending cuts.  Such cuts will be necessary to save America from fiscal disaster, he said.  Daniels added that he believes President Obama will prove a formidable candidate for reelection.

Daniels explained that his call is a tactical decision and that no other issue would matter if America goes broke.  

In answer to a question from program host and Hoover fellow Peter Robinson, Daniels said he would not shrink from cutting the nation’s defense budget.  Although he worked for two Presidents who believe in peace through strength, Daniels said, “We have not been in this bind before.  We have not been as broke as we are, or are about to be.”  Failing to resolve our financial woes now, he said, would cripple our defense in the end anyway.  

The full interview will be released in five segments, one segment each day, beginning next Monday, March 14, 2011 on NationalReview.com.  Uncommon Knowledge is a production of the Hoover Institution, which is affiliated with Stanford University.

To see the advance release excerpts, click here.

About Uncommon Knowledge

Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson is production of the Hoover Institution, a public-policy research center devoted to the advanced study of politics, economics, and political economy — both domestic and foreign — as well as international affairs.

SOURCE Uncommon Knowledge