Daniels 'startled' by Coats' candidacy

[IndianaGreen]

Daniels 'startled' by Coats' candidacy

By Mary Beth Schneider
Posted: February 4, 2010

Gov. Mitch Daniels today said he was "startled" that former Sen. Dan Coats is exploring a run against Sen. Evan Bayh.

"He has no need to do this. It wasn't his idea," Daniels said of Coats.

But, he said, Coats is "just alarmed about the country, I can tell you that from talking to him."

Daniels said Coats contacted him Monday about the potential match-up with Bayh.

"I was startled. And I don't know, I don't think any of us can tell how it works" and impacts other races on the ballot, Daniels said.

He said he did not know who had recruited Coats, and said Coats was as surprised as anyone that he was re-entering politics.

Daniels said he would not get involved in the May 4 primary election, and would back which Republican wins. To be on that ballot, Coats must turn in to county election officials by noon Feb. 16 the petition signatures of 4,500 registered voters -- 500 from each congressional district.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100204/NEWS05/2040524/Daniels-startled-by-Coats-candidacy

[LiberalFighter]

1. Do you buy that Daniels was startled by it? I don't

[IndianaGreen]

2. The surprise is that Dan Coats hasn't lived in Indiana for years

but then, neither has Evan Bayh.

[LiberalFighter]

3. There are differences though.

Bayh is registered to vote in Indiana.
Bayh does own a residence in Indiana.
Bayh does return to Indiana periodically.

His wife probably has to return to Indiana a minimum of 4 times a year.

I haven't attended the event in many years but the Bayh's probably are in Indiana during Christmas.

Saying that. I personally don't think much of Bayh or his wife. At one time I thought she was great but that was before her involvement with the health insurance industry. I never really thought much of Evan as I thought his personality was bland with no energy. Every time I attended an event that he spoke I was annoyed whenever he talked about Hoosier family values as if they are better than the values of other states. Personally, I don't think any smart candidate should reference natives as if they are the only ones in the state that can vote for them.

In 2007, 426,000 Indiana residents moved out of the state and 432,000 moved into the state.

Coats on the other hand changed his voter registration in April of 1999 to Virginia. Just several months after his exit from the Senate.
Coats does not own a residence in Indiana. Not Marion or Allen County.