Daniels downplays presidential bid, again

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Mitch Daniels started the week appearing on national television as a potential candidate for President in 2012. He finished the week today by downplaying his White House ambition.

The Republican governor led a motorcycle ride Friday to promote safety and raise money for National Guard families. It's the sort of thing that would be a great photo opportunity for somebody looking to run for President, but Daniels started out by saying that's not his goal. "I'm not thinking it," he said. "You watch my schedule, I'm not doing anything that people do when they're actively pursuing it."

He is answering the question because he was labeled a potential candidate in a network news interview on Sunday, but even there, Daniels downplayed 2012 saying, "My attention is entirely fixed on the challenges and I think opportunities facing Indiana."

Regardless, Daniels is not closing the door to a run for the White House. "A lot of people have asked me, please don't slam the door all the way closed," he says. "That's the extent of what I've done, not quite slam it."

Daniels made those comments with a cable network news crew listening in. They are doing a story on his prospects for 2012, and in the process, proving that until or unless he does slam the door closed, he will be considered a potential nominee for the Republicans.