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There has been so much speculation lately about Mitch Daniels' potential presidential run that the Mike Pence will he/or won't he has died down a little. But it's back:

An independent campaign to draw GOP Rep. Mike Pence into the 2012 presidential race is under way, with a veteran of the Reagan White House launching a petition drive on Monday urging him to enter the primary contests.

Ralph Benko, a deputy counsel to Ronald Reagan, announced the America's President Committee to encourage a Pence-for-president bid. Former Rep. Jim Ryan, R-Kan., is also helping the campaign to collect signatures from conservatives and tea party activists.

 Mike Pence extraordinarily exemplifies the optimistic, pro-growth, pro-job creation Reagan-Kemp wing of the GOP. Grass-roots conservatives, Republicans, the tea party and populists are looking for a man or woman of principle who can champion and unite the newly energized and engaged citizenry," Benko said. "Mike Pence is the best choice to lead us into a new era of peace and prosperity."

The story notes the obvious that Pence would face an uphill struggle against better known Republican candidates, such as Mitt Pomney and Sarah Palin, who have already organized fundraising operations. But there's more than a year for him to get his name out.