INDIANAPOLIS -- A conservative heavyweight wants Gov. Mitch Daniels to reconsider jumping into the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

The party announced Thursday that Daniels would give the Republican response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address next week.

In a piece posted on The Weekly Standard, conservative columnist Bill Kristol imagined that Daniels would use the opportunity to test the presidential waters.

"I want to announce tonight that I am open to reconsidering my decision not to seek the presidency in 2012," Kristol imagined Daniels saying. "I have hoped someone else would prove up to the task. But my family and I have now decided that country must come first. I am considering joining the race."

Daniels' office assured RTV6 that Kristol's piece does not reflect the speech the governor intends to give Tuesday night.

Still, Kristol seems to have faith that Daniels could and should put himself into the race at a critical time to ensure Republicans nominate the very best candidate.

"If I run, I will run to win, because this country deserves leadership that will fundamentally remodel our government and restore our nation," Kristol imagined Daniels saying.

Just two days before the South Carolina primary, Mitt Romney was stripped of his Iowa caucus win after a new count showed Rick Santorum with the most votes. Meanwhile, Rick Perry announced that he's ending his campaign, and giving his support to Newt Gingrich.