Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels wants 'truce' on social issues

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Governor Mitch Daniels is under attack from both Republicans and Democrats Friday for remarks made in a national publication.

The GOP governor was the subject of a flattering article this week in the Weekly Standard where he was quoted saying that the next president would have to "call a truce" on social issues.

He said the focus needs to be on fiscal matters and terrorist threats.

The right wing of the GOP pounced. In a blog posting Friday titled, " The Heartbreaking Truce " former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee said he was disappointed by the remark and considers abortion and traditional marriage to be critical issues.

Friday Daniels said it was just a suggestion.

"I really believe for the first time," he said, "the future of the American experiment is at risk and it's a thought that maybe we could just agree to disagree. I picked the word 'truce' because no one has to change their point of view, no one has to surrender."

Democrats have also pounced accusing Daniels of causing a split in the GOP.

It's evidence that members of both parties consider Daniels a potential challenger for the 2012 GOP Presidential nomination.

Meantime, Daniels continues to downplay his ambition saying that he's not doing any of the things candidates do. He said he would leave the door to a run for president open so that people would listen to his ideas and the strategy appears to be working.