Will we see another side of Daniels (11/13/06)

Now this should be interesting.

What happens when a hard-charging governor runs into a power shift in the General Assembly? We're about to find out.

Gov. Mitch Daniels has been known for many things. He's intelligent, articulate, and a quick study.

But no one would ever accuse him of being a consensus-builder.

Compromise hasn't been his hallmark.

And his skills of persuasion have been used more on the campaign trail than in the halls of the Statehouse.

Our guess is, that's about to change.

For if this governor is going to succeed during the final two years of his first, and perhaps only, term in office, he's going to have to transform himself.

He's going to have to do precisely those things which have eluded him in the past. He's going to have to hone his listening skills. He's going to have to bend. He's going to have to make his case to Democrats in the House rather than just counting on Republican votes.

Can he do it?

That remains to be seen.

But folks have underestimated Mitch Daniels in the past and lived to regret it.

Last week's unveiling of a bold proposal for a new toll road bypass around Indianapolis showed that the innovative, big ideas version of Mitch Daniels is alive and well.

What's needed to make those big ideas reality is another Mitch Daniels, one who is still on a learning curve when it comes to bipartisan governance. The governor prides himself on being a quick study. Let's see how fast he can develop the skills he needs for act two.

One thing is certain: It's going to be an interesting couple of years. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]