The leader of Indiana’s Republican Party says Gov. Mitch Daniels will continue to influence the national debate surrounding the 2012 presidential campaign while working as Indiana’s governor. 

Daniels said over the weekend that he won’t run for president in 2012, citing concerns for his family.

State Republican Party Chairman Eric Holcomb told reporters on a conference call Monday that speculation of Daniels as a vice presidential candidate is hypothetical. Holcomb acknowledges that that a vice presidential run presents some similar obstacles as a presidential run, but says he won’t “take it off the table” for Daniels.

Daniels’ first public appearance is scheduled for Tuesday at a meeting of the Indiana Education Roundtable.