Influential GOP consultant and policy adviser Karl Rove says former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels would be the perfect running mate for whoever wins the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.
And at the very least, Rove adds in an exclusive interview with Newsmax TV, the GOP's vice presidential pick should be a Midwesterner to maximize the Republican ticket's drawing power.
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"It would be good to have somebody from the Midwest. I've got an out-of-the-box idea for you, how about the former governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels," Rove said Wednesday on "Newsmax Prime" with J.D. Hayworth.
"[He's] done an exemplary job serving in the Reagan administration, serving in the Bush administration, serving as an eight-year very successful governor of a Midwestern state.
"And is now taking a strong role in reforming our education as the president of Purdue University. Anybody would be well-advised to look at him as a VP running mate."
Daniels, 66, served as governor of Indiana from 2005 to 2013. He considered a 2012 presidential run, but bowed out early citing family and personal concerns. His name was also briefly voted as a potential presidential candidate this year.
Nicknamed "The Blade" by President George W. Bush when he was director of Office of Management and Budget from 2001 to 2003, Daniels also was also a member of the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council.
While Rove likes Daniels, he said he was one of many candidates qualified to back up the next commander-in-chief.
"Obviously every person who's running for president gets to be seriously considered, but I'm giving you the out-of-box idea here as a Thanksgiving eve present," Rove said.
Rove is author of the new book
"The Triumph of William McKinley: Why the Election of 1896 Still Matters," published by Simon & Schuster.
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