Rep. Souder & the Kelty fiasco - in

Rep. Souder & the Kelty fiascoThursday, Oct. 18, 2007V14 N10

By BRIAN A. HOWEY FRANKLIN–IsatatatablewithaFranklincitycouncilman,thecityclerk,alibrarian,anactivistfromUnionCountywithapopulationof7,000,andMarkLaw-renceoftheIndianaChamber,wholivesinIndianapolis

withapopulationofmorethan700,000. TheywereparticipatinginthefinalBlueRibbonCommissiononLocalGov-ernmentReformlastWednesdaynightatFranklinCollege.Theyponderedwhatagovernmentfora21stCenturyIndianaandbeyondmightlooklike.OrasformersecretaryofstateandBlueRibbonCommissionerSueAnneGilroy

“It’s conduct unbecoming of an of-ficer whether on or off duty. Cer-tain standards you are supposed to be living by, I failed to do so.” - Chris Minor, 2nd CD Republican can-didate, on a fight that led to his leaving the Kokomo PD (Kokomo Tribune)

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Endorsement pulledfor a campaign thatis taking the cakeBy BRIAN A. HOWEY FORTWAYNE-Witheightwords-“MyendorsementofMattKeltydoesnotstand”-U.S.Rep.MarkSoudermayhaveshiftedthepoliticaldynamicinIndiana’ssecondlargestcityinawaythatcouldhaverepercussionsthatgowellbeyondtheNov.6election.SoudertoldHPRonWednesdaythathisdeliberationswere“agonizing.” Itendedaweek-long,angst-riddenexercisethathadhisdesiretobeagoodRepublicanoutweightakingamoralitystancewithregardtogoodgovernance.WhenSouderpulledhisendorsementoftheindictedGOPmayoralnominee,anychancethatKeltymighthavehadtowinprobablyhasvanished.ItcameatatimewhenSouder’sownprobable2008opponent-DemocratMichaelMontagano-reportedimpressivefundraisingnumbers.

Government from scratch

ItrecalledtheturmoilinwhichSouderfoundhimselfinDecember1998whenhewasoneoftheloneconservativestoquestiontheimpeachmentofPresidentClinton.Intheend,hevotedagainstthreeofthefourar-ticlesofimpeachment,puttinghimselfatoddswithmem-bersofhisfamily,staff,andtwoGOPchairs.Souderbegan

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toldme,“Wehaveanopportunitytocreateagovernmentfromscratch.”That’sopposedtothenotionthatifwehaveaproblem–andwedo,whichisreflectedinyourpropertytaxbill–wejustslapanotherpatchonthejalopy. I’d prefer a hybridgovern-mentthatissleek,fast,andefficientwhileitcoversthebasesofsecurity,education,andtransportationwhileprovidingastrongsocialsafetynet.Itmustbeaffordable. Theforumswereanexcel-lentexerciseincivicduty.Insteadoftwohoursofpeoplestreamingtoamicrophoneandrepeatingthesamethings,thisforumhadpeopleseatedat12tableswheretheyselecteda“reporter”anda“recorder.”Theyspentthetwohoursdiscussingtheircurrentgovernment;whatservicesarecriticaltothesuccessoftheircom-munityandfamily;whatcanbedonetostreamlinelocalgovernmentsandtheirservices;thebiggestimpactlocalgovernmenthas–bothpositiveandnegative–indeliveringservices;andwhattheirthreerecommenda-tionswereforgovernmentreform? Ofthe100orsopeopleatFranklinCollege,agoodnumberwerelocalandstateelectedofficials,likesix-yearFranklinCityCouncil-manKenAustin.“Wehavesomanylayersofgovernment,”Austinsaidattheroundtable.“Wegetsoboggeddown.Wearesoslowtoreact.”FranklinisinJohnsonCounty,whichClerkJanetAlexanderdescribedasoncebelievingthattheywereatthebackdoorofIndianapolis.“We’reatthefrontdoorofIndianapolisnow,”shesaid.Alexandergetscallsfor“everyclerk”inJohnsonCounty.“Peopledon’tunderstandit.Thelayersofgovernmentmakeitverydifficult.” Beverly Martin,directoroftheJohnsonCountyPublicLibrary,said,“Weseethestateastoopatri-archal”andfailingtoprovidemanyofthebasics.Shesaidthatatonetime,Indianahadinterurbanmasstransittomanycommunities“andnowtheydon’texist.”Martinbelievesthat

governmentreformshouldcomefromthegroundup,whichisaconceptGov.MitchDanielshasrecommendedtocityandcountyofficialsoverthepastseveralyearsashetoldthemtobegin“reformingyourselves”beforethestatedoes.Essentially,withtheBlueRibbonCommissionheadedbyformerGov.JoeKernanandSupreme

CourtChiefJusticeRandallShepard,thestategoingtodoit. IlikedwhatMartinsaid.“Iwouldleavethedefinitionofacom-munityopen.Itcanbeanysizeandanyshape.” Whenthevarioustables“reported”whatthey“recorded,”onerecommendationfromanothertable

wasthis:don’treplacethecurrenttemplatewithanotherone.Someruralcounties,forinstance,maybebestservedwithatownshiptrustee.Orasonemanputit,insomecountiesthesurveyorisdeemedoneofthemostimportantoffices.MaeHubbardofUnionCountysaidshefeltthattown-shipsarealayerofgovernmentshehaslittleinteractionwith. Hubbard’s concernwasherlocalschoolcorporation,whereshesaystheboardmembersmightspendtwohoursonabudgetthesuperin-tendentpresentstothemandhavehadfiveyearsofdeficits.CouncilmanAustin,likethedozensofcouncilmenandwomenIcoveredasareporterinElkhartandFortWayne,spendsexhaustivehoursgoingthrougheveryfacetoftheircitybudgets.That’swhyIdon’tbuyintoGov.Daniels’percep-tionthatlocalgovernmentsarespend-thrifts. Here’sanotherbroadpleafromFranklin:“Stoptheunfundedmandates.”Anotherwas,electlibraryboardssotheycanbeaccountabletothepublic.Anothersuggestionwastohaveschooldistrictsconformwithgovernmentdistrictsasopposedtotheoverlappingwehave.Anumberofpeoplethoughtthatthecountyrecord-ers,auditorsandtreasurersshouldbecombinedintoa“controller.”Therewerecallstodoawaywithelectingcountycoronersandhavearegionalmedicalexaminer.Someeventalkedofreducingthenumberofcounties.v

Franklin Councilman Ken Austin, with Blue Ribbon Commissioner Louie Mahern in the background. (HPR Photo by Brian A. Howey)

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007 Page 3

thisodesseyearlythisyearwhenhejoinedmostoftheAllenCountyRepublicanestablishmentinendorsingcountyCommissionerNelsonPetersformayor.ItcameatatimewhenFortWayneRepublicanswereextremelyoptimisticofcapturingthemayor’sofficeaftereightyearsofDemocraticruleunderGrahamRichard.DuetoMayorPaulHelmke’saggressiveannexationprogramofthe1990s,therewouldbe25,000newandmostlyRepublicanvotersinconserva-tiveAboiteTownshipvotingintheirfirstcityelectionin2007.“Thiswholethinghasbeenagonizing,includingmyendorsementofNelson,”SoudertoldHPR.“It’salmostimpossibletoget27electedofficialstoagreeonanything.” KeltylinedupagainstPetersasapro-lifealternative,boastingendorsementsfromthelocalRighttoLifeandstatewidefamilygroups.Keltymusteredanimpressivegrass-rootseffort,boxedawaveringPetersinontheHarrisonSquare/stadiumissue,andinlateMarch,benefittedfromaZogbypollthatshowedtheraceadeadheat.ItwaswiththatpollthatKeltybegantosinkintothemorassoflegaljeopardythatre-sultedinagrandjuryinvestigation,anine-countindictmentthatincludedtwoperjurycounts,allwhileessentiallyshatteringtheFortWayneandAllenCountyGOP. Beforetheindictmentswereannounced,SouderralliedtoKelty’ssideonJuly23andmadeapublicen-dorsement.Souder,whocalledbothKeltyandDemocratnomineeTomHenry“goodfriends,”saiditcamedowntoabasicquestion:“WhocanbestleadFortWayneintothefuture?”Soudersaidhisendorsementwasfor“fiscalreasons”duetothe“outrage”ofpropertytaxesandthegrowing“backlash”fromvoters.“Mattoffersanewvision,anoptimism,awillingnesstoconfronttoughchoices,inanenvironmentofopposingnewtaxes,”Soudersaid.“Theydon’twanttheirtaxesraised.Somewilllikelybeforcedtoselltheirhomesatdepressedprices.” Soudersoundedemphaticandemotionalashesaidhewas“shocked”thatCongressionalDemocratswereplanningtoraisetaxes.“MattKeltyhasraisedthetaxandspendingissuesfromthebeginningofhiscampaign.Hehasspenthisentireadulthoodraisingthesequestions.” SoudersaidthatKeltyoffered“freshleadershipandanewvoice.MattKeltyistheRepublicancandidateforanewera.” Souderalsosaidthatalltheinformationhadbeenmadepublicontheallegedcampaignviolations.“ItshouldhavebeenexpeditedbyAug.1,”Soudersaid.“Itisanat-tempttoinfluencetheelectionthroughthecourtprocess.Thefactsareallpubliclyknown.Thereisnoadditionalinformationrequiredbylaw.”

ButonAug.13,thebombshelldroppedwhenKeltywasindictedontwocountsofperjury,fivefelonycountsoffraudulentelectionfilingandtwomisdemeanorcountsofcomminglingcampaignandpersonalfunds.

The birthday cake & judgment Whathashappenedsincehasbeenperhapsthestrangestcampaignsequenceinthehistoryofmayoralpoli-tics.Keltyhasgonefromwagingoneofthebestcampaignswhenhecamewithinlessthan100votesofupsettingStateRep.WinfieldMosesJr.in2002,towhatcannowbe

describedasthebiggestfiascothissideofIraq. ThefinalstrawmighthavecomelastweekduringKelty’s43rdbirthdaypartywhenacakewasdecoratedinaWizardofOzthemewithanout-housethatwaslabeled“GOP”headquartersandawitchthatwaspurportedtobeRepublicanAllenCountyProsecutorKarenRichards.Therewasadispar-agingimageofSouder.AcakemighthavebeentheworkofsomeofKelty’szealousbase,buttheyeastyphotoendeduponKelty’scampaignwebsiteandwassubsequentlypulledduringthe

resultingfuror. Bylatelastweek,theFort Wayne Journal Ga-zettequotedSouderassayinghewas“verytroubled”bytheKeltycampaignandsaid,“Continuingconcernsaboutthejudgmentofthecandidateandhisstaffleadmetoquestionhisabilitytoleadthecity.” Souderdroppedonebighint:hesaidhisconcernsaboutKelty,withwhomheservedonthestaffofU.S.Sen.DanCoats,werecompoundedbythecampaignfinanceviolations,theperjurycharges,andotherthingsthathavehappenedsince,“Many,”Soudersaid,“thataren’tpublic.” OnTuesday,Souderdroppedhisownbomb.“Be-causeIwastheseniorelectedRepublicaninthecity,be-causeIwasalong-timefriendofMattKelty,andbecauseIsharedhisconservativeviews,afterhewasclearedbytheelectionboardandbeforehewasindicted,Ifeltitwasimportanttoendorsehim,eventhoughfewotherelectedRepublicanshavedoneso,”SoudersaidofhisJulypresserwithKelty. “InWashington,”Soudersaid,“thefilingofcam-paignchargeshasbeenusedasapoliticalweapontodiscreditopponents.Unfortunately,moreoftenthannotthechargeshaveproventobetrue.Butthat’snotthecaseforthemall;somehavebeenunjustlysmeared.Inmyopinion,prosecutorKarenRichardshadnochoicebuttomakeareferraltoaspecialprosecutorwhenthecasecamebeforeher.SinceshehadendorsedPeters,noonewould

Perhaps the most famous Hoosier birthday cake since Steve Hilbert met Tommi Sue.

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007 Page 4

haveseenanydecisionshemadeasfair.DanSigler,thoughaformerDemocratprosecutor,waselectedinaveryconservativecounty(Adams)withwidespreadRepublicansupport.Hehadareputationforfairness.Itwouldhavebeenhardtofindanycurrentorpastpros-ecutorwhowouldnothavebeencriticizedbysomeone.DanSiglerisaboutasclosetonon-partisanasexistsinourregion.”Hesaidhisdecisionwas“notahastyone.Wehaverealconcernsabouthowwe’regoingtogoverninFortWayne.Itwasoneofthehardestthingswe’veeverhadtodo.” Soudersaidthatbeforeendors-ingKelty,hehadquestionedhimabouttheZogbypollandsaidthe“opinionofmylong-timefriendJimBoppalsohelpedpersuademe.”However,Soudersaid,“WhenIlearnedthespecificsofthesevenfelonycountsandtwomisdemeanors,itbecameclearthatthecasewasalotmorecomplicatedthanithadatfirstappeared.Theindictmentsweresubstantial,notsu-perficial.Twowereforfelonyperjury.”SoudertoldHPRthattheZogbyPollpaidforbyRedRostandDonWillisincludedtwocompaniesthatneeded“securityclearance.Thisisprettyseriousstuff.”RostismanagingdirectorofCommandSystemsatGeneralDynamicsC4Systems.WillisisCEOofSentryPoints,asoftwarecompanyworkingwithHomelandSecurity. ThencamesomeofthemostincrediblequotesfromSouder:“AnincreasingnumberofdefectorsfromtheKeltycampaignclaimedthatpeoplewithinthecampaign,andthecandidatehimself,continuedtomakedisparagingremarksaboutmeandattackedmyfriends.ThoseactiveintheKeltycampaignhadportrayedCathyHawksasater-rorist,Dr.JohnCrawfordasaNazi,smearedthecharacterofKenNeumeister,andportrayedProsecutorRichardsasawitch,justtonameafew.” Souderexplainedfurther,“Afterdecliningtotapearadiocommercial,andafterrefusingallrequeststosup-porttheKeltycampaignsincetheindictments,theKeltycampaignneverthelessmailedoutmyearlierendorsementwithouteventhecourtesyofaskingmeorthecommondecencyeventoinformme.EachFortWaynevoter,includ-ingmyself,hastomakeuphisorhermindaboutthesub-stanceoftheindictments,thecharacterofthecandidates,andtheimportanceoftheissuedifferences.Myvotewillbeprivate.ButbecauseIhadpreviouslybeenoneoftheonlyelectedRepublicanofficialstoendorseMattKeltypublicly,thequestionskeptcomingaboutwhetherthatendorse-mentstillstood.Forthestatedreasons,myendorsementofMattKeltydoesnotstand.”

Political risk Souder’sstancecomeswithsomerisk.HehasalreadyexpressedconcernabouttheimpactoftheIraq

Warand,uncharacteristically,hasbegunhisfundraisingfor2008.DemocratMichaelMontaganohada$147,000to$145,000leadoverSouderintheSept.30FECreport. Soudernormallyrollsupmorethan60percent

ofthevote,butin2006,hegotonly54percentagainstDemocratFortWayneCouncilmanTomHayhurst,eventhoughtheCookPartisanRatinghasthe3rdCDas+17percentRepublican(com-paredto+18forRep.SteveBuyer’s4thCDand+20forRep.DanBurton’s5thCD.Anysuppres-sionofhisChristianrightbase,whichhasstuckwithKeltythiscampaign,couldposeproblemsin2008iftheIraqWarbecomestheRepublicanmillstone,thoughifRep.Souderweretoloseorevenfindhimselfinabarnburner,thenRepub-licanswouldessentiallybeinthemidstofa1964/1974calibercatastrophe. LastFebruaryasthesurgegotunderway,Souderexplained,“Wecannotsustainthisin-tenseaneffortindefinitely.Completevictoryover

terrorismisunlikelyevertooccur.Sometimesyouhavetorepositionandprepareforthebroaderbattle,notexhaustyourselfonjustonefrontandthenriskdefeatintheoverallconflict.”

Conscientious Souder & impeachment Souderhasgonethroughcontroversialperiodsbefore.HisvoteagainstthreeofthefourClintonimpeach-mentarticlesenragedsomeofhis4thCDsupporters,put-tinghimatoddswithAllenCountyChairmanSteveShine(whoisstillbackingKelty). Duringtheimpeachmentsequence,Souderhadex-tensivediscussionswithRep.Buyer,animpeachmentfloormanager,andU.S.Rep.EdPease.“Hewasbeingstudious,”saidBuyer,whoreferredSoudertodocumentsattheFordBuilding.SouderpouredthroughthousandsofpagesoftheMonicaLewinskyinvestigationanddecidedtovoteagainstthreeofthearticles,bringingthewrathoftheWeekly Standard andotherconservativejournals.TherewerefurtherconversationswithSen.Coats,CharlesColsonandGaryBauer.“Hewantedtoseemoreevidence,”BuyertoldHPRatthetime.Peaseexplained,“HeiswhatI’vealwaysknownhimtobe-conscientious.” HPRwoulddescribeitthisway:“SoudercontinueddownthetorturousimpeachmentroadallthewayuptotheSaturdaymorningvotes.”Whenitwasfinal,Soudersaid,“ThedangerofmyvoteisIdidn’tmakeanyonehappy.Butthisisn’taboutmakingpeoplehappy.IdidthebestIcould.” InFortWaynethesedays,lessthanthreeweeksbeforeanelectiontheRepublicansthoughtwouldbringthemvictory,nooneintheGOPishappy.CertainlynottheearnestconservativeU.S.Rep.Souder.v

Democrat Michael Mon-tagano is raising cash to take on Souder

Thursday, Oct.18, 2007Page 5

Gubernatorial Democrats,Washington Post’s Cillizza headline ‘free’ HPR Forum INDIANAPOLIS-WhentheannualHPRForumgathersat1p.m.Tuesday,Oct.23,attheMadamWalkerTheaterballroom,theopening2008presidentialprimariesandcaucuseswillbelessthanthreemonthsaway.Washington PostbloggerChrisCillizzawillgivethekeynoteaddressatthisyear’sHPRForum.Priortothekeynote,theDemocraticgubernatorialcandidates,JimSchellingerandJillLongThompson,willmakeoneoftheirfirstjointappearancesbeforethegeneralpublic.

HPR Forum Schedule1to5p.m.Tuesday,Oct.23,2007MadamWalkerTheater,FourthFloorBallroom,

1p.m.Welcomingremarks,BrianA.Howey1:15p.m.IndianaDemocraticgubernatorialcandi datejointappearance1:20 JimSchellingeropeningremarks1:30 JillLongThompsonopeningremarks1:50 Questionsfromaudience2:10 Questionsfromjournalists:BrianA.Howey, VinceRobinson,JackColwelland MattTully.2:20p.m.BREAK:Music2:30p.m.Lt.Gov.BeckySkillman2:45p.m.Questionsfromjournalistsandaudience3:00p.m.KeynoteAddress,ChrisCillizza, WashingtonPost4:00p.m. Bloggerpanel:ThomasCookofBlueIndi- ana,GaryWelshofAdvanceIndi- ana,MarkCurryofHPR5p.m. Receptionv

2008 Indiana Governor Governor 2008:Republican:Gov.MitchDaniels,LaRonKeith.Democrat:JimSchellinger,JillLongThomp-son.1996 Results: O’Bannon(D)1,075,342,Goldsmith(R)997,505,Dillon(L)35,261.2000 Results:O’Bannon(D)1,230,345,McIntosh(R)906,492,Horning(L)38,686.2004 Results: Daniels(R)1,302,912,Kernan(D)1,113,900,Gividen(L)31,644.2008 Forecast:SchellingertodaycriticizedGovernorMitchDaniels’failuretoimprovewomen’shealthcareafterthreeyearsinoffice,asanindependentreportgaveIndianaafailinggradeforitspoliciesonwomen’shealth.“In2004,MitchDanielspromisedto‘focusonresults’andgetIndianato‘aimhigher,’”Schellingersaid.“Buttoday,welearnIndianahasbeengivenan‘F’foritsresultsandpoliciesonwomen’shealthcare.Ifthat’swhatMitchDanielsconsiders‘aiminghigher,’thenHoo-siershaveyetanothergoodreasontodemandachangeinleadership.”Inthereportcardtitled“MakingtheGradeforWomen’sHealth”releasedyesterdaybytheNationalWomen’sLawCenterandOregonHealthandScienceUni-versity,Indianaranked40thamongthe50statesandwasoneof12statesassignedan“F”grade.“Indianadeservesbetterthanbeingrankedasoneoftheworststatesinthenationonthehealthofitswomen,”saidSchellinger.“AndGovernorDanielsdeservestobeheldaccountable.” Daniels’re-electioncampaigngotahugeboostlastweekafterCarmelhigh-techentrepreneurScottJonesputonabashtoendallbashes(Fort Wayne Journal Ga-zette).CampaignspokesmanCamSavagesaidthedona-tionsarestilltricklingin,butheisconfidenttheeventmetits$1milliongoal.Theglitzyfundraiserwasattendedbyabout200peopleatnolessthan$5,000aperson.Severalbandsplayed,includingtheFourTopsandDragonfly.Dan-ielsarrivedonhismotorcycleinjeansbutatuxedojacket. Washington Post bloggerChrisCillizza,whowillkeynotetheHPR ForumonOct.23,postedthisontheIn-dianagubernatorialrace,whichheratesasthefourthmostcompetitivein2008:Indiana: Thisisaraceisfullofdis-connects.TaketheDemocraticprimary.Thesmartmoney-bothinstateandnationally-seemstobeonarchitectJimSchellinger(D)andyetformerRep.JillLongThompson(D)hasacomfortableprimaryleadandthesupportofEMILY'sList,whichmeansshewillbeabletocompetefinanciallywithSchellinger.ThegeneralelectionprovidesasimilarconundrumasRepublicansareabsolutelyconvincedthatGov.MitchDaniels(R)willbere-electedgoingaway,citingthestate'sRepublicanleanandtheturnoutpatternsinapresidentialyear.Andyet,anindependentpollconducted

lastmonthshowed45percentofvotersratingDaniels'jobperformanceas"excellent"or"good"and47percentratingit"fair"or"poor".Wearen'tsurewhattothink,butthisracehasallthemakingsofarealcontestinboththeprimaryandthegeneralelection.Democratic Primary Status: LEANSLONGTHOMPSON.v

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007Page 6

Daniels has a tax plan thatwill seek ‘permanence’By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS-Gov.MitchDanielstoldHPRonTuesdaythatheknowswhereheisgoingonthepropertytaxreformplanthathewillunveilbeforetheendofthemonth. “I’mprettywellsetonwhatIthinktherightcourseis,”DanielssaidafteraddressingtheIndianaCommissiononHispanic/LatinoAffairs.“There’safewmorepeopleIwanttoconferwith,listentoandcomparenoteswith.IsaidbytheendofthemonthandI’llmeetthatdeadline.” Askedifheissatisfiedwiththeplan,asmilecreasedhisfaceandheresponded,“Satisfied?I’mexcitedaboutthepotentialtoachievesomeverydra-maticreliefbutalsoreform.Ithinkthattheenergyandurgencyistheretodoit.Thatmakesitagreattimetomakebigchange.” Earlierintheweek,thetaxcommissionheadedbyStateSen.LukeKenleysaidthatitwasunlikelytocomeupwithasingleplan,butwouldinsteadlayoutsomegeneraloutlines.Dan-ielswasaskedifhefelthehadgottenoverthehumpsthatKenleywasstilldealingwith.“I’mnotsureexactlywherethey’reat.I’vetakeninputfromeveryconceiv-abledirectionandineverypartofthisstate.IthinkIseetheoutlinesofagoodwayforwardandI’mgoingtolaythemoutthereandatleastgivereverybodyachancetoreact.” Anyhints? “Oh, I’vesaidfair,far-reachingandfinal,”thegovernorsaid.“Thistimethewatchwordisperma-nence,whichtomemeansconstitutionalchange.Wehavetoreducehomeownerandresidentialpropertytaxesandthistimewehave

tolockthosereductionsin.” AttheBlueRibbonCommissiononLocalGovern-mentReformonTuesdayatNewAlbany,severalelectedofficialsappearedtobebracingforchange.“Consolidationmayneedtobeinorder,”saidStateSen.SteveStemler,D-Jeffersonville,athistable.SeveralatStemler’sandWhite’stableagreedthatwiththeeaseofinformationaccessovertheInternet,consolidatinggovernment,too,couldbemorepainlessthanever(News-Tribune).IndianaTownshipAssociationPresidentDebbieDriskollofHamiltonCountysaidthatatherforumtable,peoplewantedconsolidation“whereitmakessense.” Earlier in the week, BeckyWilliamsoftheIndianaAssessorsAssociationproposedconsolidatiingthe1,008townshipassessorsinto10regionaldistricts.Ac-

cordingtothePost-Tribune,theplanstillcallsforlocalassessmentoffices,butnotnecessarilyineachtownship.InsteadofbeingrunbytheIndianaDepart-mentofLocalGovernmentFinance,WilliamsproposesmovingtheassessmentdivisionundertheIndianaDepartmentofRevenue.Williamssaidsuchamovemeansassessmentsnolongerwouldbepaidthroughpropertytaxes.Noneofthepositionswouldbeelected,underWilliams'plan.Allwould

beappointed,startingwiththeassessmentadministrator,whowouldoverseetheentirestate.Theassessmentadmin-istratorwouldappointdistrictassessmentsupervisors,whowouldappointlocalassessorsandchiefdeputieswithineachdistrict. "With everything thathashappenedoverthestateinthelastyear,"Williamssaid,referringtotrendingissuesthathaveforcedreassess-mentsinseveralcounties,"wefeltthiswasmoreimportantthanever."WilliamssaidshehassenttheproposaltoDan-iels'officebuthasyettoseearesponse.v

Gov. Mitch Daniels after speaking to the Indiana Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs on Tuesday (top photo). Blue Ribbon Com-missioners Louis Mahern and Sue Anne Gilroy chat at Franklin College on Wednesday. (HPR Photos by Brian A. Howey)

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007Page 7

2008 Indiana Congressional Congressional District 2: Republican:DavidC.“Chris”Minor.Democrat:U.S.Rep.JoeDonnelly. Geography: SouthBend,MichiganCity,Mishawaka,Elkhart,Kokomo,Plymouth,Logansport;LaPorte,St.Joseph,Starke,Marshall,Pulaski,Fulton,Cass,CarrollandpartsofHoward,Porter,ElkhartandWhitecounties.Media Market:SouthBend-Elkhart,Indianapolis,Lafayette,Chicago.People: Urban/rural73/27%;medianincome$40,381;Poverty9.5%;Race84%white,8%black;5Hispanic;Blue/whitecollar:34/50%.2002 Result:Chocola95,081(50%),LongThompson86,253(46%); 2004 Result:Chocola140,496(54%)Donnelly(D)115,513(45%)2006 Result:Donnelly103,561,Chocola88,300.2008 Forecast: IfJoeDonnellyhadanyconcernsoverMinor’scomingcampaign“fromthesandsofIraq,”thispastweekbroughthimsolace.SinceMinorannouncedthechallenge,ithasbeendeterminedheworksforBlackwaterUSA,whichisonthevergeofbeingexpelledfromIraq.Thinkaboutthatoneforamoment:Inanationfullofterrorists,killersandthugs,Minorisassociatedwiththeonecompanybeingaskedtoleave.Overtheweekend,theKokomoTribune’sScottSmithandKendelaBastideconducteda40-minuteinterviewwithMinorinwhichhedetailedhisbriefcareerwiththeKokomoPoliceDepartmentthatendedafteraHalloweenPartyfightwithanothercop,andaDUI.InwhatmaybethegreatestunderstatementeverwrittenbytheHorseRace,thisisnotthebestwaytogetacampaignstarted. Minorsaidheresignedfromtheforcein1991aftergettingintoanoff-dutyaltercationataHalloweenparty.Hehadbeenonthedepartmentlessthanayearandhadnotcompletedhisprobationaryperiod,hesaid.“Beingapoliceofficer,peopleexpectyoutomeetahigherstandard,”Minorsaid.“ObviouslyIfailedthattest.”Minordidn’tofferanyfurtherdetailsofthefight,butsaidhe’dbeendrinking,noweaponswereinvolved,andtherewerenoseriousinjuries.Hesaidheresignedaboutamonthafterthealtercationandcouldn’trecallifhe’dbeenchargedwithanydepartmentalviolations.“Thedepart-mentwaslookingintoit.Itwasoneofthosethings,youknow,I’mcertainlynotproudof.Hesaiditcamedowntohimresigningfortherightreasons.“It’sconductunbe-

comingofanofficerwhetheronoroffduty.Certainstan-dardsyouaresupposedtobelivingby,Ifailedtodoso,”hesaid. MinorsaidhewasarrestedonadrivingundertheinfluencechargeinKokomoin1994,achargehesaidhepleadednocontesttoatthetime.Hesaidthereweasnoaccidentnorinjuriesintheincident.“Ihadbeenoutwithsomefriends,homeforthefirsttimeinalongtimefromtheArmy,”Minorrelated.“Iwasoutcelebratingwithsomefriends.Iignoredtheiradvicetotakeacabandpaidtheprice.Itwasapoordecisionthatendedinanunfortunatecircumstance.” Minorsaidhedecidedtomakethetwoincidentspublicbecausehebelievedtheywouldbecomeknowninthefuture.“Someonewasgoingtobringitupinonefash-ionoranother.VotershavearighttoknowifIhavesomedirtylaundry,”hesaid.“NotanythingI’mproudof.”Hesaideveryonehasdoneregrettablethingsintheiryoungeryears.Hesaidpeople“learnfromitandgoontomakedueforthem.”“Myserviceinthemilitaryandgovernmenthavemorethanmadeupforthesemistakes.Iwanted

Sept. 30 FEC Totals 1st CD:U.S.Rep.PeteViscloskyraised$234,100inthethirdquarterandhad$1,464,774.14cashonhand. 2nd CD:Rep.JoeDonnellyraised$224,188inthethirdquarterandhad$553,592.58cashonhand. 4th CD:U.S.Rep.SteveBuyerraised$73,805.00andhas$443,465.71onhandwhileDemocratNelsAckersonraised$134,104.00andhas$94,863.40onhand. 5th CD: U.S.Rep.DanBurtonhasan$871,000to$81,000leadoverDr.JohnMcGoffintheFederalElectionCommissionfilingsforthethirdquarter(HPR).Burtonraised$189,684to$20,999forMcGoffinthethirdquarter. 6th CD: U.S.Rep.MikePenceraised$154,768.57andhad$491,156.01onhandwhileDemocratBarryWelshdidnotreport. 7th CD:U.S.Rep.JuliaCarson,whohasextendedhersickleaveuntiltheendofOctovber,hadraised$6,178forthefirstsixmonthsandraised$8,734forthethirdquarter. 8th CD: U.S.Rep.BradEllsworthraised$115,043.41andhas$481,730.89onhandwhileRepublicanGregGooderaised$51,148.84andhas$32,678.23onhand. 9th CD: U.S.Rep.BaronHillreceived$228,000incontributionsduringthefundraisingquarterthatendedSept.30,accordingtotheIndianaDemocraticParty.Hillhasraised$925,000forhis2008re-electionbid.Hehasnearly$700,000onhand,thepartysaidinastatement(Louisville Courier-Journal).

MINOR

Page 8 Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007togetthisoutearly,letpeopleknowwhothey’regettinginvolvedwith,”Minorcontinued.“Knowalittlebitmoreaboutme,[it’s]fairthattheygettoseeI’vedonesomethingsI’mnotproudof.” MinoralsoissuedapressreleaseFriday,whichblamedunnamed“opponents”forlaunchingasmearcam-paignagainsthim.ThepressreleasestatesMinorbelieveswhatthepressreleasecalls“severalnegativeandmislead-ingnewsstoriesandanerror-fillededitorial”appearingsinceheannouncedhiscandidacy“havebeeninspiredbypersonshopingtoderailhisbidfortheU.S.House.”Status: LIKELYDONNELLY Congressional District 9:Republican:Open.Democrat:U.S.Rep.BaronHill.Media Market: Evansville(11%),Indianapolis(23%),Louisville(55%),Dayton,Cincinnati(10percent).People: urban/rural52/48%,medianincome$39,011;racewhite94%,2.3%black,1.5%Hispanic;blue/whitecollar:34/50%;2000 Presidential:Bush56%,Gore42%;CookPartisanVotingIndex:R+8.2004 Presidential: Bush59%,Kerry40%.2002 Results:Hill96,654(51%),Sodrel87,169(46%).2006 Results:Hill110455,Sodrel100,469,Schansburg9,893.2008 Forecast: Thelatestpay-per-viewboxingmatch?No,araceforCongressinsouthernIndianathatpitsBaronHill,theDemocrat,againstMikeSodrel,theRepublican,forthefourthstraightelection(Cillizza&Murray,Washington Post).Itbeganin2002whenSodrel,awealthytruck-ingcompanyowner,sank$1millionofhisowncashintoachallengetoHill.Theincumbentprevailednarrowly.Twoyearslater,Sodrelwasbackand,benefitingfromstrongRepublicanturnoutinthepresidentialandguber-natorialraces,nippedHillbyfewerthan1,500votes.Hillreemergedaschallengertwoyearslaterand,afteradecidedlynastycampaign,reclaimedhisseatby50percentto45percent.Luckilyforpoliticaljunkiesevery-where,Sodrelannouncedlastweekthatheisgoinginforafourthtimearoundin2008."Alotofvotersvotedforchangein2006,"Sodrelsaid."Idon'tthinkhighertaxes,morespendingandmoreprogramswerewhattheyhadinmind.""We'reinunchartedwaters,"saidBrianHowey,anindependentanalystofIndianapolitics.HoweynotedthatformerDemocraticcongressmenJohnBrademasandPhilSharpaswellascurrentRep.MikePence(R)wereelectedtoCongressontheirthirdtry.(Themostfamous,andoft-cited,exampleofelectoralpersistenceisNewtGingrich,wholostcongressionalracesinGeorgiain1974and1976beforebeingelectedin1978.)ButnoneofthoserivalstheHill-Sodrelepic,abattlefueledbytheirmutualdistasteforeachother.Howeysuggestedthatvoterfatiguewithbothcandidatesisarealpossibility,adding:"WemayseeTivosalesgoingup."FredYang,Hill'slongtimepollster,saidthe

factthatvotersknowsomuchabouthisclientandSodrelwillworktotheincumbent'sadvantage."TheSodrelcampneedstorealizethatsequelsreallyonlyworkwhenanewtwistorelementisaddedtothefamiliarstory,andgivenhow2008isshapingup,it'shardtoenvisionSodreloffer-inganythingdifferentthatwillchangetheresult,"Yangsaid. Hillplanstoswitchhisnovoteonlegislationthatwouldexpandachildren'shealth-insuranceprogramtoayesastheHousetriestooverridePresidentBush'sveto(Louisville Courier-Journal).Inamessagee-mailedtosupporters,Hillsaid"providinghealthcareforournation'schildrenissimplytooimportanttoabandon,"eventhoughhebelievesthelegislationisunfairtoIndiana.Estimatesshowthebill's61-cent-per-packincreaseinthefederalcig-arettetaxmeansHoosiersmokerswillpaymoreintotheprogramthanthestatereceivesforhealth-careprograms."IwillvotetooverridethePresident'svetoinanefforttoagainshowmysupportfortheprogramanddesiretomovetowardsafairerbill,"Hillsaidinthemessage.HillwasoneofonlyeightHouseDemocratstovoteagainstit.Status:TOSSUP.

2007 Mayoral Anderson: Republican:MayorKevinSmith.Democrat:KrisOckomon.Independent:RooferBobJoz-wiak.2003 General Results: Smith(R)8,947,Rock(D)7,821.2007 Forecast: ThecandidatesdebatedWednes-daynight.AskedaboutattractingjobstoAnderson,candi-datesofferedseveraltheoriesastohowtodoit.Smithsaidjobswerethemostimportantissuefouryearsagowhenhewaselected,andtheyarestillthemostimportantissueinthiselection(Anderson Herald-Bulletin).“Nowwehaveanewattitude,”hesaid.“Weworkedtochangeourreputationaroundthestate,thenationandglobally.”SmithsaidpartnershipsandanaggressiveapproachtoeconomicdevelopmenthelpedAndersongrowandwouldcontinuethatprocess.OckomonagreedwithSmiththatanaggres-siveapproachtoeconomicdevelopmentwastheanswertothejobsprobleminAnderson.However,hesaid,thekindsofjobscomingintothecityshouldbemoreimportant.HesaidbettereducationandlowercrimerateswouldattractmorebusinessestoAnderson.Status: LEANSSMITH. Indianapolis:Democrat:MayorBartPeterson.Republican:GregBallard.Libertarian:FredPeterson.2003 Results: Peterson(D)92,763,Jordan(R)55,354. 2007 Forecast: Unlikethecandidates’firsttelevisedface-offearlierthismonth,whencandidatesjustansweredques-tions,Wednesday’seventtelevisedbyWRTV(Channel6)fromtheIndianaHistoryCenterwasamoretraditionaldebate(Indianapolis Star).Discussionheateduponahandfulofkeyissues,thefirstofwhichwasPeterson’sbackingoftheCity-CountyCouncil’svotetoincreasecity

incometaxes.“Ithinkthat65percentincometaxincreaseatthatparticulartimeontopofpropertytaxeswasalmostarrogant,”saidBallard,apoliticalnewcomerwhoservedintheMarineCorpsformorethantwodecades.“Wecouldhavewaiteduntilwegotthepropertytaxesundercon-trol,andthenwecouldhaveseenwhatweneededtodo,andthat’swhatIwouldhavedone.”Peterson,atwo-termDemocraticincumbent,counteredthattheincreasewasvitaltocurbingcrimeandhiringmoreofficers.“Ifyoubelieveweneedtostepupthewaragainstcrime.....thenyoucan’tdoitwithoutpayingforit,”Petersonsaid.“Any-onewhosaystheybelieveinfightingcrime,butwe’llfigureouthowtopayforitsomeotherway,Ijustdon’tthinkisbeingstraightwiththecityofIndianapolis.”Ballardalsocriticizedthecity’shandlingofabandonedhomes,whichPetersonsaidhasbecomeanincreasingproblem,notonlyforIndianapolisbutforcitiesacrossthecountry.Petersonpointedtorecentlegislationhisadministrationpushedforthatallowsthecitytogaincontroloftheresidencesfaster.Ballardcalledthehomes“warehousesforcrime,”addingthatitshouldtakethecityonlysixmonthstoseizethem.Ballard’ssharpestcriticismcameinresponsetoaques-tiontoPetersonaboutwhetherGrayshouldbereplaced,givenanethicsinvestigationintohisconcretecompanyandallegationsofghostemploymentassociatedwithhisjobasfiredepartmentliaison.PetersonsaidhebelievedindueprocessoflawandthatGrayshouldnotbethesub-jectofa“trialbymedia.”“Hewillfacethepeopleofhisdistrictin20days,”Petersonsaid.“Ithinkthat’sthewaythesethingsarebesthandled.”BallardblastedGray’sfiredepartmentpositionandPetersonforallowingittocon-tinue.“Theworst-keptsecretinthefiredepartmentisthatMonroeGraymakes$80,000ayearandhasnojob.ThisisnotthesystemofaccountabilityIwouldexpectfromthecity’sadministration,”Ballardsaid.“Costsavings?There’s$80,000.That’sacoponthestreetrightthere.”Status:LikelyPeterson. Madison:Democrat:TimArmstrong.Repub-lican:MayorAlHuntington.2003 General Results: Huntington(R)1,746(unopposed).2007 Forecast:"It'saverytightrace,"Huntingtonsaid.Onpaper,the62-year-oldHuntington'sexperienceandbackgroundingovernmentandbusinessandhisroleasacivicleaderwouldappeartogivehimasignificantedgeoverArmstrong,aMadisonPolicedetective(Louisville Courier-Journal).Hunting-ton'scallingcardisthatherunsthecitylikeabusiness,soeconomicdevelopmentisatoppriority.Hementionsrecentgains--an$8millionseweroverhaul,upgradesattheairportandanexpansionattheIvyTechcampus.Healsotoutshisleadershipinbuying62acresnexttothecity'sindustrialpark--landthatHuntingtonbelievesiskeytoattractingnewemployerstothecityofabout12,000.Butthemayoralsoisonthedefensive,tryingtofendoffanop-ponentwaginganaggressivebidtoousthim.Armstrong,

47,isrunningonthethemethatit'stimeforachange.TheraceisinterestingbecauselocalDemocrats,whohaven'talwaysbeenunified,seemwell-organizedthisyear,saidBillKubik,aprofessorofpoliticalscienceatnearbyHanoverCollege.Status: TOSSUP Mishawaka:Democrat:CouncilmanMikeHayes.Republican:MayorJeffRea.2003 Results: Rea(R)5,691,Bodle(D)4,225.2007 Forecast:Hayes,ap-pearingwithReaataforumWednesdaynightatMisha-wakaHighSchool,suggestedthatthemayorbeallowedtoappointoneschoolboardmember(South Bend Tri-bune).MembersoftheCommonCouncilnowappointallfiveschoolboardmembers.Effortstogetenoughsigna-turesforanelectiononwhethertoswitchtoanelectedschoolboardfailedrecently.Hayes’proposalcameinre-sponsetoaquestionaboutwhetherornotthemayorcouldimprovethequalityofeducationorfundingforeducation.Hesaidgivingthemayoranappointmentwouldkeephiminvolvedwiththeschools.Andifappointingamemberisnotpossible,Hayessaidthemayorshouldattendboardmeetings.Reasaidthemayorneedstobeinvolvedandbeacheerleaderbuthasnorealauthorityoverschoolopera-tion. Hehadalreadyansweredthequestionanddidn’thaveachancetoreacttoHayes’ideaaboutthemayorappointingaboardmember.Infact,thetworarelyreacteddirectlytoeachother.Infact,wheninvitedbymoderatorGarySieber,fromWTRCradio,todescribetheirdifferences,bothdeclined. Status: LIKELYREA. South Bend:Republican:JuanManigault.Democrat:MayorStephenLuecke.2003 General Re-sults:Luecke(D)10,598,Schmidt(R)4,188. 2007 Fore-cast: AcampaignmailingfromthestateRepublicanPartytoSouthBendresidentsisgeneratingcontroversy(Wensits,South Bend Tribune).Thecardpicturedatombstone

surroundedbyadesolateland-scape.Theepitaph:"RIP.HereliesSouthBend,aoncevibrantcitynowabandonedbybusiness,overrunbyviolentcrimeanddrivingpeoplefromtheirfamilyhomesbecauseofhighpropertytaxes."Onthereverseside,the

mailingaccusesMayorLueckeofhaving"neglectedourcityandallowedittodie."Themessageisdestructive,Lueckesays."Itsaddensme,ittearsdownourcity.It'stheworstkindofcampaigning,"hesaid."Alotofpeopleareveryupsetaboutitandtheyshouldbe,"Lueckesaid,notinghehasheardfromresidentsaswellasacoupleofbusinesspeople.RepublicanmayoralchallengerJuanManigaultex-pressedsupportforthemessage,butsaidhehadnothingtodowithsendingit.Hesaidthemailingisnotnegativecampaigning."Thisisthetruth,"hesaid."Thisiswherethecityisheaded.Thisiswhatthecityhasbecome."Status:LEANSLUECKEv

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007Page 10

About that other Hoosierveep possibility (psst... Lugar)By BEVERLY PHILLIPSand BRIAN A. HOWEY AboutthatotherHoosiervicepresidentialcandi-date...Dick Lugar! Whilethere’sbeensomuchfocusonU.S.Sen.Evan Bayh onaticketwithHillary Clinton,ThePolitico.comhadLugar,whohasbeenmentionedasapotentialvicepresidentialcandidatesince1972whenhewasPresi-dent Richard Nixon’sfavoritemayor.In1980,LugarwasonRonald Reagan’s shortlistuntilhechoseGeorge H.W. Bush(andchangedthecourseofhistory).ThePoliticowrites:TheRepubli-canvicepresidentialcontestismoreinterestingthantheDemocraticonebecauseitisfarlesspredictable.WiththeDemocratspossess-ingsomanyadvantagesandPresidentBushlikelytoweightheticketdownwithhisbasement-levelapprovalratings,manytopRepubli-cansmaybeunwillingtogiveuptheircurrentjobstojoinalosingeffort.Still,thenomi-nationhastogotosomeone—here’salookatthelikelychoices:Sens.John Cornyn (Texas),John Thune(SouthDakota)andLamar(!) Alexander (Tennessee),andGovs.Matt Blunt (Missouri)andTim Pawlenty (Minnesota).Allhavetheirstrengths,buttwoatthetopofthewhiteboylistareSouthCarolineGov.Mark Sanfordand: “Sen. Dick Lugar of Indiana.Alegislatorre-spectedonbothsidesoftheaisleforhisforeignpolicyexperience,hesymbolizesbipartisanshipandcoopera-tion.Hewouldbeutterlyunabletofulfillthetypicalroleof“attackdog”fortheticketandwouldnotfireupthebase.Still,pickingsomeonethisqualified,seriousanduntelege-nicwouldbeanunexpectedmove.“

Daniels offers Latinos a path Gov.Mitch Daniels’greetingcameinSpanish,andthenheurgedonTuesdaymembersoftheIndianaCommissiononHispanic/LatinoAffairsto“seize”thead-vantageofeducationeffortsandMajorMovesandhelpthestatebecomeaneconomicpowerhouse.Danielssaidthatthe“PowerHour”programthroughIndianaBoys&GirlsClubscanhelpLatinochildrenincreasetheirEnglishprofi-ciencyfromtwotofourgradelevels.DanielstalkedoftheMajorMovesprogramasnothavingadded“acentofnewtaxes”orbonds“tobepaidbyourchildren,”explainingthat“ifwearetobetheCrossroadsofAmerica,theintersectionbetterbewellpaved.”Thegovernorsaidthattheconstruc-tiontradeswill“flourishasallthisworkgetsdoneandthenflourishwhentheeconomytakesoffbecauseofthiswork.Thesearegreatopportunitiesforouryoungpeople.Thesejobspaywell.Theyarehighlyskilledjobs.”Danielssaidthatthestatemusthave“fullparticipationofallourcitizens.”Hesaidthat“allHoosierswillbenefitifweputourfearsaside”anddealwiththeproblemsassociatedwithimmigration.”Notingthat53percentofLatinochildreninIndianawerebornoutofwedlockin2004,Danielsurgedthecommissionaddressthatproblem.Danielssaidifachildisbornintoatwo-parentfamily,graduatesfromhigh

schoolandcankeepafirstjobformorethanayear,thechancesareoverwhelmingthatthechildwillavoidpoverty.DanielsisshownherewithmembersoftheCommis-sionwhichwasmeetingTuesdayinIndianapolis.

“No anchovies or political endorsements please.” Earlierthisweek,HPRcolumnistandWXNTradiohostAbdul Hakim-Shabazzinter-viewedanIUPUIstudentwhomakeshislivingdeliveringpizzas.WhiledeliveringpiestotheofficesoftheMarionDemocraticParty,hedecidedtoplayajokebywrit-

ing“VoteforBallard”insidethepizzabox.BallardistheRepublicanunderdoginnextmonth’sIndianapolismayor’sraceagainstMayorBart Peterson.OneangryphonecalllatertohisbossbyaDemocratpartyofficialresultedinthedriverbeingsuspendedfortendays.“Ithinkit’smoreironicthatthesamepeoplewhowon’traiseapeepaboutCouncilPresidentMonroe Gray’santicsthatareonacollisioncoursewithagrandjuryoneofthesedays,willcomplainaboutapizzadeliveryman,”writesAbdulonhisIndianaBarristerblog.v Got a tip for the Boar’s Nest? Send it to: phillipsc-group@comcast.net

Gov. Mitch Daniels with members of the Indiana Commis-sion on Hispanic/Latino Affairs at the Sheraton at Key-stone in Indianapolis on Tuesday. (HPR Photo by Brian A. Howey)

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007 Page 11

Clinton, Obamaget Indiana boostsBy MARK CURRY WASHINGTON-TheClintonpresidentialcam-paignannouncedsevenleadingHoosiersasIndianaCo-Chairs,includingU.S.Sen.EvanBayh,HouseSpeakerB.PatrickBauer,StateSen.ViSimpsonandformerFirstLadyJudyO'BannonandformerLt.Gov.KathyDavis(HPR)."HillaryClintonhasthestrengthandexperiencetodeliverthechangethiscountryneeds,”saidIndianaHouseSpeakerB.PatrickBauer."Her35-yearrecordfightingforchildrenandfami-liesmakesHillaryuniquelyqualifiedtobePresidentandhitthegroundrunningonherfirstdayinoffice,"saidformerIndianaFirstLadyJudyO’Bannon."WeneedaleaderwithHillary’sabil-itytoendthewarinIraq,provideuniversalhealthcareforeveryAmericanandmoveustowardsenergyindepen-dence,"saidStateSenatorViSimpson."We'veseengrow-ingsupportinIndiana,andI’mhonoredthatthesecom-munityleadersarejoiningourefforttochangeAmerica,"Clintonsaid.Alsoco-chairingareformerSecretaryofStateJoeHogsett,formerHouseSpeakerJohnGregg,MarionCountySheriffFrankAndersonandBrenSimon. InthewakeoftheServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion’sdecisionnottounitebehindonecandidateonana-tionwidelevel,twoDemocraticpresidentialhopefulsbeganpickingupendorsementsfromthemajorlaborunion'sstatebranchesonMonday(CNN).FormerNorthCarolinaSen.JohnEdwardsannouncedtheIowabranch’ssupport,whileSen.BarackObama,D-Illinois,haswontheofficialbackingoftheSEIUinbothhishomestateandIndiana.

The Republicans have a plan PitytheGrandOldParty.Theirbaseissplintered,thepresident’sratingsareataround25percent,andmanyoftheirmoststeadfastandgenerousdonorshaveyettowriteasinglecheckduringthecurrentelectioncycle.Formost,thepast11monthshavebeenalivinghell,andthe

onlygoodthingtocomeoutoflosingcontrolofthelegisla-tivebranchisthedismalrecordoftheirsuccessors. Butthatcouldallchange,beginningsoon.MikeAllenandPatrickO’ConnorofPolitico.comsayHouseRe-publicanshaveaplantorescuetheirpartybynextyear’selections. InanarticledatedOct.17,theduodescribesa

three-prongedstrategy: •PainttheDemocraticmajorityaspartofanunpopularWashingtonstatusquo; •ForceDemocratstomakeun-popularvotesontoughissues;

•LockarmsaroundanewGOPissuesagenda. BrianKennedy,commu-nicationsdirectorforHouseMinorityLeaderJohnA.Boehner(R-OH),toldtheauthorsthattheGOPisworkingto“re-es-tablishtheRepublicanbrand”byusingparliamentarymaneuversthatrequireDemocratstotaketoughvotesonproblematicprovisionsthathavebeenaddedtopopularlegislation.KennedysaidDemocrats,especiallythosefromconservativedistricts,havebeenbackedintoacorneronimmigrationandwhethertoprovidegovernmentbenefitstoundocumentedaliens,nationalsecurity,intelligenceandtaxa-tion-all“red-meatRepublican

issues,”hesaid. PresidentBushappearstobeonboard.LateyesterdaymorninghehostedapressconferenceintheJamesBradyBriefingRoomattheWhiteHouse.Hisopen-ingstatementsetthetonefora1,000-wordassaultontheDemocratic-controlledlegislature. “We’renowmorethanhalfwaythroughOctober,andthenewleadersinCongresshavehadmorethanninemonthstogetthingsdonefortheAmericanpeople,”hesaid.“Unfortunately,theyhaven’tmanagedtopassmanyimportantbills.NowtheclockiswindingdownandinsomekeyareasCongressisjustgettingstarted.” Speakinghurriedlyandpausingonlyforasmileorfrowntoemphasizeapoint,thepresidentexpressedhisdissatisfactionwiththeHouseandSenateineightareas.AccordingtoBush,“Congresshasworktodo”inhealthcare,nationalsecurity,fundingthegovernment,educa-tion,housing,trade,veteransaffairs,andlawenforcementandjudiciary.“It’slittletimeleftintheyear,andCongresshaslittletoshowforallthetimethathasgoneby,”hesaidbeforeinvitingquestions.“Nowisthetimeforthemtoact.”

Former First Lady Judy O’Bannon has endorsed U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. She and Gov. Frank O’Bannon are shown on Election Night 2002. (HPR Photo by Brian A. Howey)

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007 Page 12

ItfelltoDemocratNancyPelosiofCaliforniatocountertheBushoffensive.ShemayruntheU.S.HouseofRepresentatives,butthespeakerwastrumpedbythepresident,whocommandeerednationalairwavestodeliverhismessage.Pelosididissueastatementwiththefol-lowingmoneyquotecarriedonafewmajornewsoutletsyesterdayevening.“ThereisnobetterexampleofwhyWashingtonisnotworkingfortheAmericanpeoplethanthePresidentclaimingtoseekcommongroundatthesametimeheisbitterlyattackingCongress,”shesaid.“Today’sPresidentialpressconferenceperfectlyillustrateswhoisstandinginthewayofprogressfortheAmericanpeople.” Itremainstobeseenwhat,ifany,impacttheRepublicanplanwillhaveonnextyear’scongressionalandpresidentialelections.AlthoughCongresshasn’tpolledwell,theDemocraticPartybeststhecompetitionregularly,andthathasmanyintheGOPworriedabouttheirprospectsforretakingeitherbranchofgovernment. “Thereiscurrentlyalackofenergy,alackofen-thusiasm,alackofoptimismaboutthenear-termfutureoftheparty,”JohnWeaver,aformersenioradviserforArizonaRepublicanSen.JohnMcCain’scampaign,toldChrisCillizzaandMatthewMoskoftheWashingtonPost.“Ifitdoesn’tchangequickly,it’saleadingindicatorofwhatkindofprob-lemwearegoingtohavenextfall.”v

Hoosier Support List Giuliani:MarionCountyProsecutorCarlBrizzi,Ste-phenGoldsmith,TimDurham,BeurtSerVaas,SteveHilbert.McCain:Gov.MitchDaniels;AttorneyGeneralSteveCarter,DanCoats.Romney:SecretaryofStateToddRokita,JamesBoppJr.,DanDumezich,BobGrand,ChrisChocola.Thomp-son:U.S.Rep.SteveBuyer,U.S.Rep.DanBurton,DavidMcIntosh,MikeMcDaniel,RexEarly.Clinton:Sen.EvanBayh,JoeHogsett,MelSimon,BrenSimon,SpeakerB.PatrickBauer,JudyO’Bannon,KathyDavis,JohnGregg,StateSen.ViSimpson,MarionCountySheriffFrankAnder-son.Edwards:RobinWinston,AnnandEdDeLaney,9thCDChaiirMikeJones,VidyaKora,StateReps.RussStilwell,DennieOxley,TerriAustin,TerryGoodin,SheilaKlinker,LindaLawsonandScottPelath;RobertKuzman,GreencastleMayorNancyMichael,BillMoreauJr.,ShawFriedman,VanderburghCo.ChairmanMarkOwen,8thCDViceChairMaryLouTerrell,GregHahn,BruceKehoe.Obama:KipTew,StateRep.CharlieBrown,MelinaKennedy,StateRep.MaeDickinson,StateRep.BillCrawford,StateRep.JebBardon,StateSen.EarlineRogers,FrankShort,JackWicks,AndyMiller,JohnFernandez,DennisLee.v

2008 State Presidential PollsIowa (R) Date Romney Giuliani Thompson McCain HuckabeeDes Moines Reg. Oct. 1-3 29 11 18 7 12ARG Sept.26-29 22 21 16 11 4

New Hampshire (R)ARG Sept.26-29 24 20 8 20 3Zogby Sept.26-28 24 21 7 16 5

South Carolina (R) Inside Advantage Oct. 2 16 16 21 16 11

Florida (R)Quinnipac Oct. 1-8 17 27 19 8 --

Iowa (D) Date Clinton Edwards Obama RichardsonARG Sept.26-29 30 19 24 10Des Moines Reg. Oct. 1-3 29 23 22 8

N. Hampshire (D)ARG Sept.26-29 41 10 22 8Zogby Sept.26-28 38 12 23 8

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007Page 13

Doug Ross, Times of Northwest Indiana-AtMonday’spublicforumfortheIndianaCommissiononLocalGovernmentReform,Iheardalotofwishy-washysuggestions--andsomegoodones.WhatIhadhopedtohearmoreoffromthe200-pluspeoplegatheredatIndianaUniversityNorthwestwasarip-up-the-blueprints-and-start-from-scratchphiloso-phy.Here’stheadviceIgavetothepeopleatmytable:Thisisyourfirst--andlast--chancefordecadestobringaboutmajorchangesinthewaylocalgovernmentoperates.IndianahashadthesameConstitutionsince1859.Sincethen,thetelephone,theautomobile,theairplane,thecomputerandtheInternethaveallbeeninvented.Butlocalgovern-menttrudgesalonglargelyunchanged.Ilistenedtothecomplaintspeoplemadeaboutpoorcustomerservicefromthegovernmentbureaucracy.Ilistenedtothecomplaintsabouthavingsomanyagenciesprovidingthesameorsimilarfunctions,includingassistanceinfindingjobs.Ihadhopedtohearmorepeopletalkingaboutstreamlininggovernmenttoofferone-stopshoppingforsocialservicessopeoplewouldn’thavetogothroughmultiplescreen-ingprocessesatmultiplevenues.Butmostly,thesugges-tionsdealtwithminortweaks.Istronglyencourageyoutodreamofthegovernmentyouwouldliketohave,notjustwhatyouexpect,andsendyourbigideastothecommis-sion.Withoutyourinput,themandateformajorreformswillbeweak,andyourtaxeswillcontinuetoreflectthat.Opportunity’sknocking,butyoustillneedtoopenthedoortoinviteitin.Callthecommission’svoicemaillineat(317)261-3025,e-maillgreform@iu.eduorvisithttp://indiana-localgovreform.iu.edu.Andsendyourcommentsmywayaswell.I’denjoyreadingthemand,hopefully,publishingthem.Orareyousatisfiedwiththetaxbillsandgovern-mentyou’vegotrightnow?v

Jack Colwell,South Bend Tribune-JillLongThompson,buoyedbyresultsofastatewidepoll,nowisviewedinsomepoliticalanalysesofthe2008Indianaraceforgovernorasthefront-runnerfortheDemocraticnomination.LongThompsonsaysthepollhasbeenhelpfulasnewsofitspreadstoDemocratsaroundthestate.NotjustinshowingherwithabigleadoverJimSchellinger,theIndianapolisarchitectwhoisheropponentforthenomination,butalsoinindicatingthatshealreadyisonly8percentagepointsbehindRepublicanGov.MitchDaniels.“ItshowsIcanbeatMitchDaniels,”shecontends.AlthoughtheMarshallCountyDemocratseemedtobealong-shotwhenshefirsttalkedofrunning,LongThompsonmakesclearthatshehasnointentionofdroppingherbidforthenomination,asoneothercandidatehasdone.Whywouldshewhenthepollshowsherahead?Anominationracetherewillbe.Whetherthat’sagoodthingorsomethingnegativeforDemocratichopeswilldependonwhetherthe

nominationwinneremergeswithenhancedpopularityandmomentumorwithwoundsandfinancewoes.“I’minthistowin,”LongThompsonsays,talkingabouttheraceagainstDanielsaswellastheprimarycontestnextMay

withSchellinger.BackersofSchellinger,accordedearlyfront-runnerstatusduetopowerfulen-dorsementsandfundraisingprowess,scoffatLongThompson’sshowinginthestatewidepollconductedforWISH-TVinIndianapolis(41-10percentoverSchellinger).TheysayitreflectsjustearlynamerecognitionfromherpastracesforCongressandnotvoterfocusyetonissuesandqualifications.TwoinfluentialDemocratsin

the2ndCongressionalDistrict,whereLongThompsonlostaraceforCongresstoRepublicanChrisChocolain2002,sayherpollshowingisbasedstrictlyonnamerecognitionandwillnotswaythemfromsupportofSchellingerasthecandidatetodefeatDaniels.OwenD.“Butch”Morgan,thedistrictandSt.JosephCountyDemocraticchairman,says“Jillisafriend,”butSchellinger“isthebettercandidatetotakeonDaniels.”HeattributesherpollshowingtovotersrecallinghernamefromservinginCongressinwhatthenwastheFortWayne-based4thDistrict,her2ndDistrictraceandotherpoliticalactivity.MorgansaysSchellinger,whilenotyetattractingwidespreadvoterattention,isef-ficientlyraisingthebigmoneyneededforaraceagainstDanielsandisgettingpartyofficialsenthusedabouthiseffort.WhileMorganplayedakeyroleinLongThompson’scaptureofthecongressionalnominationin2002,hesays,“Iwasdisappointedinthewaysheranherfallcampaign.”ShawFriedman,LaPorteCountyDemocraticleader,alsoendorsesSchellinger.“IjusttalkedtoJimthreeminutesago,”henotedbeforecitingSchellingerasthebetterchoice.“I’mpersonallyfondofher,”FriedmansaysofLongThompson.“Butweneedtoputourbestteamonthefield.Jimisourstrongestpossiblecandidate.”Friedmanalsosaysthepollreflects“justearlynameID.”v

Rich James,Post-Tribune-Ithurtswhenyouseeafriendhitrockbottomandthere’svirtuallynoth-ingyoucandotohelp.That’sprettymuchwhathappenedtomewhenPeterKatichittheskidslastFriday.Whenyoucauseanaccidentat3p.m.withablood-alcohollevelof0.34percent--morethanfourtimesthelegallimitinIndiana--there’snomoreroomforexcuses.You’vebot-tomedout.KatichadaquickrisethroughtheranksofLakeCountyDemocraticpolitics.Hisfutureseemedlimitless.Hegothisstartalmost30yearsagoasoneoftheyoungeststaterepresentativesinIndiana.Heenjoyedconsiderablesuccess,butgaveuptheStatehousegiginthe1980stowinelectionasHammondcityjudge.Peterstillhasafu-ture,aslongashecankeephislawlicense.Heneedshelp.Hedoesn’tneedtobepunishedforaproblemthathasspunoutofcontrol.v

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coverage.IntheU.S.Houseasuc-cessfuloverridewillrequireamajorshiftinRepublicanvotestoachieveaveto-proofmarginof289fromthe265congressionalrepresentativeswhopassedthebillthefirsttime.SeveralIndianaDemocraticcongressionalrepresentativesvotedagainstthebill,butatleastone,Rep.BaronHill,planstosupporttheoverridevotethistime.U.S.Rep.PeteVisclosky,D-Mer-rillville,votedfortheSCHIPbill,asdidU.S.Sens.EvanBayh,aDemocrat,andRichardLugar,aRepublican.TheSenate’smarginwasvetoproof.Butdespitereportsofvoteswitching,backersoftheSCHIPexpansionandreauthorizationconcedetheycouldfallshort,forcingleaderstonegotiatewiththeBushadministrationtocraftabillthepresidentwouldsign.IndianawouldbealoserEventhosenormallysupportiveofchildren’shealthissues,suchasStateRep.CharlieBrown,D-Gary,opposetheHousebillandsidewithRepublicanGov.MitchDaniels,Bush’sformerbudgetdirector.Brownandthegovernor’sadministrationsayIndianawouldbeanetloserundertheSCHIPbill,whichwouldadda61-centcigarettetaxincreaseontopofthe44centstheGeneralAssemblypassedthisyear.Indianaisoneof14statestopassstateprogramsthatwouldexpandSCHIPandcovermoreuninsuredchildrenandtheirfamilies.

Women’s health inIndiana rated poor INDIANAPOLIS-Indianalagsbehindmostotherstatesinwomen’shealth,accordingtoareportre-leasedWednesdaythatconsideredhealthbenchmarksandpolicies(Fort Wayne Journal Gazette).Indianaranked40thandwasoneof12statestogetafailinggradeoverallinthere-port,aprojectoftheNationalWom-en’sLawCenterandOregonHealthandScienceUniversity.Moststatesgradedpoorlywithnonereceivinganoverall“satisfactory”grade.ButIndi-anafaredworsestillforhighersmok-ingandlungcancerratesandlower

Papsmearandmammogramscreen-ingrates,amongothermeasures.

Local governments don’tfile tax paperwork FORTWAYNE-Almosthalfoflocalgovernmentagenciesthatreceivepropertytaxmoneydidnotsubmitpa-perworkattherequestofanewboardcreatedtocontrollocalpropertytaxes(Fort Wayne Journal Gazette).ThenewlyformedtaxadjustmentboardmetWednesdaytofinalizeitsscheduleandprioritiesasitundergoesthefirstroundofscrutinizinglocalbudgets,taxleviesandtaxratesfor2008.TheboardplanstomeetMonday,partofTuesdayandpossiblyWednesday.Atleastseventaxingunitsarealreadyscheduledtomeetwiththeboardbasedonappealsforadditionalprop-ertytaxrevenue,orbecausetheunitsareoverseenbyanappointedboard.JeffersonandAboitetownshipscouldbeaddedbecausetheyareappealingforadditionalpropertytaxdollars.But14of39taxingunitsdidn’treturnthequestionnaires.Manyofthesmallertownshipswithtrustee/assessorsdidnotrespondtotheboard’srequestforinformation.

Convicted sex offenderliving at courthouse MADISON-AregisteredsexoffenderwhoishomelessandhasbeensleepingandlivingontheJeffersonCountyCourthousestepssinceJuly12isbreakingnolaws,accordingtohisprobationofficerandcityandcountylawenforcementofficials(Madison Courier).JohnGribbons,61,wascon-victedinNovember1999formolestingachildundertheageof14,afelony.HewassentencedbyJeffersonCountyCircuitJudgeTedToddto20yearsinprison,withfiveyearssuspendedandsupervisedprobationfortheremainderofhissentence.HewasreleasedinJuly2007afterservingeightyearsofhissentence.GribbonswashesandshavesintheCourthousemen’sroomandsaidwhenitgetscolderthereisaheaterintheretokeephimwarm.

Bush’s SCHIPveto upheld in House WASHINGTON-U.S.Rep.DanBurton[R-IN-05]todayvotedtosustainPresidentBush’svetoofaDemocraticbilltoreauthorizetheStateChil-dren’sHealthInsuranceProgram(SCHIP).SaidBurton,“IamgladthatthePresi-dentvetoedtheDemo-crats’planthatplaysgameswiththehealthofmillionsoflow-incomechildren.TheStateChildren’sHealthInsuranceProgramwascreatedbyaRepublican-ledCongresstenyearsagoinordertotargethealthcaredol-larstolow-incomechildrenwhoneedthemmost.InsteadofbringingtotheHouseflooracleanreauthoriza-tionofthiscriticalprogram–whichthePresidentwouldbemorethanhappytosigntoday–CongressionalDemocratscontinuetoinsistontryingtoFederalizehealthcareandturnaprogrammeanttohelplow-incomechildrenintoonethatcoverschildreninsomehouseholdswithincomesofupto$83,000ayear,andmakesiteasierforillegalalienstobreakthelawandqualifyforMedicaidandSCHIP.”

SCHIP bill strainsIndiana political lines WASHINGTON-IfCongressvotestodayasexpectedtooverridetheStateChildren’sHealthInsuranceProgramreauthorizationbillPresidentBushvetoedOct.3,itwouldcoveranadditional40,000to52,000Hoo-sierchildrenabovethe75,000nowinsuredwiththepopularprogram(Times of Northwest Indiana).ButtheSCHIPdebateisdividingAmeri-cansalongpoliticalandideologicallines.Someconservatives,includingBush,viewSCHIPasthefirststepinamovetowarduniversalhealth