Daniels' GOP dinners fuel White House speculation

[September 15, 2010]  INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says he has not decided yet whether to run for president, but he has been dining and talking privately with people who could help pave the way to the White House.

Daniels has been hosting dinners with top Republican fundraisers and business and policy leaders from around the country this summer to discuss issues such as the federal budget.

Former Congressman George Nethercutt of Washington state says he attended a dinner in June, with about 10 others. He said they discussed defense policies.

Daniels says he had no intention or plans to run for president and that his priorities are fixed on his duties as governor. But he has not ruled it out.

The dinners were first reported Tuesday on the website Politico.com.

[Associated Press]

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