Mitch Daniels and "The Social Truce"

Mitch Daniels. Republican governor of Indiana. Possible, wannabe-Republican-2012-Presidential-nominee. Got (and still getting) lots and lots of press for what he told Andrew Ferguson of The Weekly Standard, in an interview last year. I dare you to Google “Mitch Daniels Social Truce.” The emphasis is mine:

And then, he says, the next president, whoever he is, “would have to call a truce on the so-called social issues. We’re going to just have to agree to get along for a little while,” until the economic issues are resolved.

Today, this:

Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels plans to sign a bill that will restrict abortions and make Indiana the first state to cut off all government funding for Planned Parenthood.

The move is likely to beef up his credentials among social conservatives as he considers a 2012 presidential run.

Daniels said Friday that he's supported the abortion restrictions from the outset and the provision added to defund Planned Parenthood didn't change his mind. Daniels says women's health, family planning and other services will remain available.

The move puts at risk $4 million a year in federal family planning grants likely to be cut off because of the bill. The legislation also would ban would abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy unless there's a substantial threat to the woman's life or health.

Daniels is well known as a fiscal guy. But if he’s doing this because he thinks it is going to save his state money, he’s dreaming. Unwanted pregnancies due to lack of family planning, and cancers caught too late to be treated effectively and efficiently do not save money.

But then again, maybe he thinks it’s time to call off the truce because all our economic issues have been resolved.