Daniels Reprimands Romney for Negative Campaigning

In an interview with the Indianapolis Star, Governor Mitch Daniels admonished Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney for running a negative campaign during the GOP primary and advised the presumptive nominee against using the tactic in the general election.Earlier this week, Daniels endorsed Romney for president in the race against President Barack Obama. Republican opponents complained that much of Romney's message was more about crushing his GOP rivals than promoting his own agenda.Daniels warned against using a "slash-and-burn" strategy.From Indianapolis Star: "You have to campaign to govern, not just to win," he said. ". . . Spend the precious time and dollars explaining what's at stake and a constructive program to make life better. And as I say, look at everything through the lens of folks who have yet to achieve." After a pause, Daniels added with disappointment: "Romney doesn't talk that way." "You don't change one thing about the policies you advocate or your principles," he said, noting instead that candidates should simply make clear how their policies would lift up those who are struggling. For instance, he said, at fundraisers Romney's message shouldn't be about how his policies affect the well-heeled people listening in the audience, but rather those who can't afford a ticket to get in.