Less than 20 months to the next presidential election

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels hasn’t declared his candidacy for president, though the Republican is often named among his party’s bright prospects. Perhaps this illuminates why he was interviewed last month on PBS’s “Tavis Smiley Show” where he spoke to collective-bargaining rights for government employee, saying such workers in 41 states fare better than the taxpayers who support them.

His claim, rooted in a March USA TODAY news article, shakes out as egregiously simplistic because such comparisons don’t hold up if employee education levels–related to the jobs they hold–are taken into account.

Our Daniels’ foray stands to be joined by many Texas Truth-O-Meter tests of people running–or potentially running–for president in 2012. Gov. Rick Perry could prove a player while U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson, might launch his third chase of the nation’s highest office.

Paul, who pursued the GOP nod in 2008, once was the Libertarian nominee for president. He’s also just published a book, “Liberty Defined,” which we’ll troll for testable claims.

PolitiFact National sketches out its plans for the presidential election year here, and we’ll continue to weigh in as well over the next 18 months.
Ready to warm up? Click on the names of these could-be candidates to see their to-date records on PolitiFact: U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich,  Sarah Palin, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and New York magnate/celebrity boss Donald Trump.

One more, of course: President Barack Obama.

We overlook anyone? Happy (campaign) trails.