Democrats will aim at 8 GOP freshmen; Knollman, McClain may retire, avoiding primary wars By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - The first sequence of the Battle for the Indiana House in the second 21st Century decade will likely take place in 14 open seats, including 10 that were redrawn without an incumbent. The four seats that include Republican and Demo- crat incumbents appear to be split - on paper - with two Battle for House centers on open seats By MORTON J. MARCUS INDIANAPOLIS - Last week, the New York Times ran a story under the headline “Indi- ana: The Exception? Yes, but …” The article gave a factual presentation of our state’s economic circumstances, but with an overriding sarcasm that left a bad taste in Hoosier mouths. Probably this piece was assigned to the reporters before our Governor withdrew from the presi- dential primary race. However, since they already did the work, and it was a slow news day, an article depict- “I never thought in a million years that politics would get so personal and dirty.” - Secretary of State Charlie White, after the Indiana Recount Commission ruled he could stay in office on Tues- day Thursday, June 30, 2011 V16, N40 Continued on page 3 favoring each party, though one of those battles may not happen if State Rep. Peggy Welch decides to seek the 9th CD Democratic nomination. In the four districts that feature at least two incum- bents from a single party, retirements are likely in two of the seats. And sources in both parties tell HPI that State Rep. Chet Dobis is considering a move from HD14, where he would face fellow Democrat Vernon Smith in a heavily African-America district, to the open HD15 seat nearby. While no final decisions have been made, State Reps. Tom Knollman - placed in HD68 with freshman Re- Public investment lacks
17
Embed
Thursday, June 30, 2011 Battle for House centers on open seats - … · 2020-05-26 · HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 3 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 30, 2011 publican
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Democrats will aim at 8 GOP freshmen; Knollman, McClainmay retire, avoiding primary warsBy BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS-ThefirstsequenceoftheBattlefortheIndianaHouseinthesecond21stCenturydecadewilllikelytakeplacein14openseats,including10thatwereredrawnwithoutanincumbent. ThefourseatsthatincludeRepublicanandDemo-cratincumbentsappeartobesplit-onpaper-withtwo
Battle for House centers on open seats
By MORTON J. MARCUS INDIANAPOLIS-Lastweek,theNewYorkTimes
“I never thought in a million years that politics would get so personal and dirty.” - Secretary of State Charlie White, after the Indiana Recount Commission ruled he could stay in office on Tues-day
ingthedifficultiesofthedenizensofIndianamusthaveseemedharmless. TheproblemsofIndianaremainunchangedbyreceivingatten-tionintheNewYorkTimes.SomeofourfellowcitizenswereincensedbytheTimesstory;othersshruggedandcontinuedtowaitforthebasketballseason.Despitegrowthinrealpersonalincomeforsixconsecutivequarters,theHoosierstatedemonstrateslittlemorethanmediocreeconomicad-vances.Inthefirstquarterofthisyear,realpersonalincomerose0.86percentinIndianaand0.84percentinthenation.Fewcanrejoiceoversuchstatisticalnoise.Forthepastyear,wegrewby3.05percentandthenationby3.09percent.Sincethestartoftherecentrecession,Indianascratchedoutamere0.17percentgrowthinrealper-sonalincomewhilethenationlimpedinat0.66percent.Thisisourongoingproblem.Ingoodtimesandbad,Indianagenerallyfailstomatchorexceedthenationalrateofgrowth.Wemaynotchoosethehardshipsofaleadershipposition,butdarewesettlefor25thor33rdpositionintheeconomicderbyofthe50states?Weboastourfiscalpositionissound,butwecannotclaimourpublicservicesmeetresponsiblestandards.Partoftheproblemismoney.Wedon’twanttoinvestinIndiana. We want the privatesectortoinvestinourstate,buttheneces-sarypublicinvestmentsineduca-tion,publichealth,publicsafetyandtransportationarelacking.Ourpoliticalleadersfearapublicthatdoesnotseetheconnectionbetweenprivateafflu-enceandpublicgoods,apublicunwill-ingtobearhighertaxesorfeesinexchangeforimprovedpublicservices.OnlybyleasingtheTollRoadwasthegovernorabletofinancesig-nificantinfrastructureimprovements. OnlybysellingofforleasingpublicfacilitiescantheIndianapolis
mayorpavethemostdamagedstreetsinhiscity.Onlybyclingingtogam-blingmoneycancommunitiesfromEvansvilleandVevaytoEastChicagoandHammondfinancenecessaryproj-ects. Our repeatedly reelectedGeneralAssemblyinsistsonmakingpaupersofourcities,towns,coun-ties,andschooldistricts.Theselocalgovernmentsnowbegforfundingtomaintainordinarypublicservices.WouldanyonewanttoinvestinIndianawhenthequalityofourcommunitiescrumblesunderthefiscalburdenofaTeaPartymentality? Soonourlowtaxeswillbeallthatwehavetoofferinvestors.Ironically,theNewYorkTimeswasabletoseeallthiswhilemostHoosiersremainblindtothedisinte-grationofourstate. Andwewereoffended! Few candidates formayorthisyearandthetwocandidates-presumptiveforgovernorin2012don’ttalkaboutthesematters.Theso-called“socialagenda”ofabortionandgaymarriagearemoreimportanttovotersthanthe“survivalagenda”ofastateindangerofbecomingaholeinthemapbetweenDetroit/ToledoandChicago,Dayton/LouisvilleandSt.Louis.Wehavethemoneytoflourishasastate.Welacksufficientinsightandthenecessarywilltobemorethanmediocre.v Marcus is an independent econo-mist, speaker, and writer formerly with IU’s Kelley School of Busi-ness.
HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 30, 2011Page 3
Democratic Intra Party Seat HD14:StateRep.ChetDobisisexploringamoveintotheopenHD15,thusavoidingaprimaryshowdownwithStateRep.VernonSmithinaheavilyAfrican-Americandistrict.TheproblemisthatDobishastoliveinthedistrictforayearbeforetheNovember2012election.SoDemo-cratsarelookingatoverlappingprecinctsbetweenhiscur-rentdistrictandthenewHD.
Republican vs. Democrat incumbent seats HD20:RepublicanStateRep.TomDermodywaspairedwithDemocratStateRep.NancyDembowski.SourcesinbothpartiessaythisisaDemocraticdistrictthat
Potential Open Seats HD 5:ThisisStateRep.CraigFry’sdistrict.FryisrunningformayorofMisha-wakaandthusthisseatcouldopenupaftertheNovemberelectionifhedefeatsMayorDaveWood.Gentrydescribesitasa“50/50”district.St.JosephCountyCouncilmanDaleDevoniseyingarun.HelosttoStateRep.RyanDvorakin2008. HD34:ThisisStateRep.DennisTyler’sdistrict.HeisanearlyfavoritetodefeatRepublicanMuncieMayorSharonMcShurleyinNovember.Itisconsidereda“LikelyDemocratic”district. HD51:ThisseatcouldopenupifRep.DickDodgedecidestoretire,whichappearslikely.DemocratCodieRoss,wholosttoDodgein2010,isexpectedtomovefromAuburntorelocateinthedistrictandrun.TherelikelywillbeacontestedRepublicanprimaryifDodgeretires.
percent”Republicandistrict,butParkerdisagrees,sayingthatoverthepastdecadeithasvoted51percentDemocrat.“Thatrisesinapresidentialyear,”Parkersaid.TheDemocraticchairmanexpectsDeL-aneytoseekreelection. HD 97: IfRep.Sullivanoptsforachal-lengetoSen.Waltz-whichwebelieveislikely-thiscouldpavethewayforacomebackbyformerRe-publicanRep.JonElrod,whodefeated2001map-makerEdMahernin2006beforelosingtoSullivanin2008.
Freshman GOP Reps. Ellspermann and McNamara will be targeted.
HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 30, 2011Page 6
Charlie’s credibilityBy BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS-OurSecretaryofHack,CharlieWhite,emerged“triumphantly”fromanIndianaRecountCommissionthispastweekwhichvoted3-0tolethimkeephisjob-atleastfornow. AndCharlietoldus,withastraightface,thathis“credibility”was“intact.” Ihatetobethebearerofbadnews,Charlie,butevenifyousurviveyoursevenfelonychargesforfraudinacourtoflawthisAugust,“credibility”isthelastwordIwoulduseforyou. Whenyoulookatallofourmodernsecretariesofstate-EdgarWhitcomb,BillSalin,EdSimcox,EvanBayh,JoeHogsett,SueAnneGilroy,ToddRokita-nonebehavedlikeCharlieWhitehas.Theyrecognizedtheofficeforwhatitis:thestate’schiefelectionsofficer,theenforcerofsecurities,aregistrarofbusinessconcerns,andapoliticalspringboard.
andthenwithindayshavethegovernor,partychairmanandpredecessorsurgeresignationbecauseoftheethicalclouds. AfterCharlieWhitewasindictedforvotefraudforlivingsomewhereotherthanwherehisvoterregistrationsaid,hetriedtobegoffthechiefelectionsofficerrole,say-ingthatwasn’twhattheofficewasabout. Thatcommenttransportedmebackintimeto1994,whenaDemocratnamedTimJeffersranforthejob.Hisplatformwasthis:abolishtheofficeasanelectedposi-tion.Secretaryofstateisabureaucraticwarren.Itshouldbeappointedbythegovernor-alongwithacontroller(combiningthestateauditorandtreasurer)-andasuper-intendentofpublicinstruction.Thesesofficesshouldbepartofagubernatorialadministration.Theattorneygeneralshouldbeelectedforchecksandbalance. The governor should headacoordinatedteamthatdealswithfinance,regulationandeducation. Thebuckshouldstopwiththegovernor.JustasitdoeswiththeAmericanpresident. Whatwehaveintheseconstitutionalofficestoday
areaspiringpoliticianswhoviewthemassteppingstones.OnlytheIndianaRepublicanPartytakestheseofficesseri-ously.Therehasn’tbeenaDemocratelectedtooneofthestatewideconstitutionalofficesforalmost20yearsnow,andthatwaswhenJeffModisettwaselectedattorneygen-eral,thoughhedidn’tevenfinishouthisterm. Because Indiana is a nominal Republicanstate,thestatewideconstitutionalofficesarealmostalwaysfilledwithelectedRepublicans.Votersdon’tmakeadecisionbasedonthequalificationsofatreasurerorsecretaryofstate.Theyvotefortheparty. IndianaDemocratsroutinelyplacetheiremphasisandassetsonwinningthegovernorship,legislativeandCongressionalseats. Idon’thavemuchfaiththatIndianaisgoingtochangethewayitgovernsitself.Yes,therewerethe27recommendationsfromtheKernan-ShepardCommission,andahandfulofthosehavebeenimplemented,butnoneofthebigones. IndianagovernancehastakenonaJanusperson-alitywithadouble-facedhead.TheRepublicansparadearoundandtalkabouttheirabhorrenceofunfundedman-dates,urgedecentralization,andlocalcontrol. Butwhat’sactuallyhappenedduringthefirstdecadeofthe21stCenturyisthattheIndianaGeneralAs-semblyhasbecomethestate’scitycouncil.Ithasbecomethestate’sschoolboard. Withthepropertytaxreforms,theyarenowfund-ingtheoperationalbudgetsofeverypublicschooldistrict.AnIndianabiennialbudgetnowmaydeterminewhethersomeofthesetinyschoolcorporationsevenexist.Theleg-islaturenowrulesasthatgiantcitycouncil,negatingeverylocalgunanddischargeordinance.Thelegislaturepassed-andvotersinananti-taxspasmapproved-constitutionalpropertytaxcaps.Thishastakenthefundingflexibilityfromthebiggestandmostdynamicunitsofgovernmentwehaveinthestate:ourcities. When the 1851 Constitutionwasforged,mostHoosierslivedinruralareas.Theygovernmentalunitsthatservedthembestwerecountiesandtownships. TheIndianaConstitutiondoesn’tevenaddressmunicipalgovernment.Therearenoprotectionsforit. ButtheIndianaConstitutiongivesustherighttochosecandidatesforbureaucracy,whomakelittlepublicpolicy.AnditgivesuspublicservantslikeCharlieWhite,amanwithunbridaledpoliticalambition,whowassweptintoofficeasaRepublican,andnotbecauseofhisresume. Gov.DanielslikestolecturethefolksupinLakeCounty,whovotefortheir“crummy”andcorruptpoliticos,whoarealmostalwaysDemocrats.ButallHoosiersgetthecrummygovernmentattheStatehousewedeservewithaguylikeCharlieWhite,whosecredilityisanythingbutintact.v
HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 30, 2011Page 7
The Administrative hearing Wecan’tforgettheRecountCommission’shold-ing;Whitedidnotcommitvoterfraud.AlthoughWhitemayhavewalkeduptotheline,hedidn’tcrossit.IfIwereWhite’sattorney,thefirstthingoutofmymouthtoajurywouldbetopointoutthatapanelofDemocratsandRepublicanslookedat500pagesofdocuments,hoursoftestimonyandallunanimouslyagreedthattherewasnovoterfraud. (IndianaDemocraticChairmanDanParkertoldHPIthattherewasnodiscoveryintherecountcase,andnowaytocross-examinewitnesses.)
The smoking gun Therewasnosmokingguninthecivilhearing.Thebest“surprise”witnesswastherealestateagentwhodidn’treallyaddmuchtothediscussiononewayoran-other.Theprosecutionwillhavetoproducesomeonewhochangesthedynamic,likeanosyGladysKravitznextdoorwhowatchedWhite’scomingsandgoingsateitherad-dress.Andnote,inrealtrials,allpartieshaveanobligationtoturnovertotheotherpartytheevidencethattheyhaveintheirpossession.
The X-Factor Thisisthatthingthatpopsupattrialthatnooneexpects,likecontradictorytestimonyorakeywitnesswholossesitonthestand.Thesearethethingslawyerscan’tplanforbuttheymustbereadytoreacttoatamomentsnotice. ThesearejustahandfulofitemsthatcometomindaswewatchtheCharlieWhitestoryunfold.I’msuretherewillbealotmoreaswegetclosertotrial.Staytuned.v
Surveying the CharlieWhite criminal trialBy ABDUL HAKIM-SHABAZZ INDIANAPOLIS-NowthattheIndianaRecountCommissionhasruledthatIndianaSecretaryofStateChar-lieWhitedidnotcommitvoterfraud,alleyesareturningtowardthecriminaltrialscheduledforAugust8.Whitehas
The burden of proof Inacriminaltrialthestandardofproofismuchhigherthaninacivilproceeding,howeverassomeobserv-ershaveopinedthecriminallawinvolvedhereissimplerthanthecivillaw.
The jury IfIwasCharlieWhiteIwouldfavorajurytrialbecauseallIneedisonepersontoruleinmyfavortoscoreavictory.I’dalsotrytomakesureoneoftheju-rorswentthroughamessydivorce.Whiteisportrayinghimselfasafamilyman,whowasessentially“homeless”forayear,livingforthemostpartinhiscar,withsomeovernightstaysathisex-wife’s
Secretary of State Charlie White survived the Indiana Recount Commission, but barely. Now he faces a Hamilton County criminal trial on Aug. 8.
HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 30, 2011Page 8
Speculation on Burton,Delph, McIntosh, BrooksBy BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS-Indiana’s5thCDwasthesubjectofintensespeculationthisweekasformercongressmanDavidMcIntoshappearedtobereadytojumpinwhileothersspeculatedthatU.S.Rep.DanBurtonmighttrytoanointasuccessorinthe11thhourbeforedroppingout. Otherspeculationcenteredonnewnamesforthe
2nd CD: Mullen is in ChairmanParkersaidthatitappearsthatBrendanMullen,33,aSouthBendnativewhoisagraduateofWestPoint,whereheplayedfootballforArmy,willseekthe2ndCDDemocraticnomination.“HewillprovideaninterestingcontrasttoJackieWalorski,”ParkersaidoftheRepublican,whocamewithinafewthousandvotesofupsettingRep.Donnellyin2010.DonnellyhasoptedfortheSenaterace.MullenservedinIraqandSouthKorea. SourcesalsosaidthatStateSen.CarlinYoderwillnotentertheRepublicanfield.OnWednesdayitwasannouncedthatYoderwouldbecomeU.S.Rep.MarlinStutzman’sdistrictdirector.
East Chicago mayor: Aguilera to run? JohnAguileraisrumoredtobeponderingarunforEastChicagomayorasanindependentasthefinalcallformunicipalcandidatesapproaches(NWITimes).SourceswithincountypoliticalcirclessaidAguilera,whoservedfrom1994to2000asacountycouncilmanandthefollowingsixyearsasastatelegislatorrepresentingEastChicago,washopingtowinHispanicsupportforarunagainstMayorAnthonyCopelandintheNov.8general
HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 30, 2011Page 9
U.S. Senate: Money time for Mourdock FacingaJune30FECsecondquarterdeadline,IndianaTreasurerRichardMourdockisseekingtoraise$50,000onlinebyThursday,appealingto“saltoftheearthconservatives”tohelpfundhiscampaignagainstthe“lib-eral”Sen.DickLugar. “RightNOW,Indiana’sliberalRepublicansenator,DickLugar,isonthephoneaskinghisWashington,D.C.,friendsformoney,”Mourdocksaidinanemail.“RightNOW,IamaskingsaltoftheearthconservativestostandbehindmyconservativechallengetoSenatorLugar.Weneedtoraise$50,000beforethisThursday’sdeadlinetofullyfundmysummercampaigninitiatives.Sofar,over500conserva-tiveshavepitchedintoraiseoverhalfofourgoal.”Lugarhada$3millioncampaignfundadvantageafterthefirstquarter. SourcestellHPIthatMourdockhopestopost$500,000forthesecondquarter.AnythingunderthatcouldcrimpMourdock’seffortstofindanationalfundraisingbasetoupsetLugarintheMay2012Republicanprimary.Whilecandidatefundraisingisimportant,thekeytowinningcouldbetheindependent527contributions.Inthe2010U.S.Senaterace,U.S.Sen.DanCoatsandDemocratBradEllsworthraisedsimilaramountsofmoneyfortheircam-paigns.However,independentexpendituresbrought$2milliononbehalfofCoatsandnothingforEllsworth,whotrailedformostoftheracebydoubledigits. Mourdockmadehismoneypushcomingoffanunsettledmonthwhenhiscampaignattimesappearedtobeindisarray.HespentthepastweekinIsrael,perhapstryingtomakeinroadstoNewYorkmoneyviaTelAviv. HiscampaignmanagergotintoaconfrontationwithabloggershootingvideoataTeaPartyeventinKokomoonJune11.HealsosawkeycampaignstaffloseIndianaRepublicanCentralCommitteeraceswhencongressionaldistrictsreorganized30daysafterthenewmaps.MourdockappearedtobethedarlingofnationalbloggerswhenhesurfacedtochallengeLugar,buthasfallenofftheradarinrecentweeks.ManyoftheblogsdidnotreportMourdock’scampaigngaffesorthestorylastweekthathehadclaimed
Lugar endorsed by mayors 1. Mayor Herbert Arihood, City of Rensselaer, JasperCo.“IhavealwaysrespectedSenatorLugarandthehistoryofhisprogressfromschoolboardtoMayor,andhehasparlayedthatexperienceintodoinghonorableworkinthefederalgovernment.RichardLugarhasdonealottomakeIndianalookgoodintheeyesofthenationandtheworld.SenatorLugarisjustasgoodtodayaswhenhefirsttookoffice.” 2. Mayor Jim Brainard, City of Carmel, Hamil-tonCo.“SenatorRichardLugarisnoordinarypolitician.Hehasconsistentlyledbecauseofboldideas,extraordinaryvisionandpoliticalcourage.DickLugar’sleadershiphasbroughthonor,respectandrecognitiontoIndiana.” 3. Mayor Bryan Conklin,CityofUnionCity,RandolphCo.“SenatorLugarhasbeenadistinguishedandhonorableleader,servingwiththehighestdegreeofprofes-sionalandpersonalintegrityinrepresentingHoosiersandournation.I’mproudtoendorseSenatorLugarbothasmyfriendandmySenator.” 4. Mayor Jon Costas,CityofValparaiso,PorterCo.“DickLugarisastatesmannotapolitician.Heactsforthesuccessofthenextgeneration,notthenextelection.” 5. Mayor Bradley Crain,CityofCovington,Foun-tainCo.“SenatorLugarhasservedourStatewellformanyyears,andIlookforwardtohiscontinuedserviceinthefuture.” 6. Mayor Phil R. Deckard,MayorofMartinsville,MorganCo.“IamhonoredtosupportSenatorRichardLugarinhisfuturepoliticalendeavors,andamproudtocallhimmyfriend.HisunwaveringdedicationtoU.S.leader-shipintheworldandhiscombinedexperiencesonforeignrelationsandcommonsenseapproachtoforeignrelationshavehelpedtoensurethatthepeopleheservesarebeingrepresentedbyamanofhonor,dedication,integrityandtrust.” 7. Mayor John Dennis, CityofWestLafayette,TippecanoeCo.“SenatorLugarhasbeenverygoodtoWestLafayettewithsupportforthecommunityandPurdueUniversity.Hehasproventobenotonlyaleaderinourcommunity,butalsoinourstate,nationandthroughouttheworld.IamhonoredtosupportSenatorLugar.” 8. Mayor Terry Dilk, CityofBeechGrove,MarionCo.“SenatorLugarisamodelofpersonalintegrityandcommitmenttoservice.WeareblessedtohavesuchareasonedandthoughtfulsenatorlikeRichardLugarrepre-sentingourinterestsinournation’scapital.” 9. Mayor John Ditslear, CityofNoblesville,
HamiltonCo.“SenatorLugarisrepresentingIndianaverywellwithhisseniority,andhisglobalknowledgeisunprec-edented.” 10. Town Council President Scott Faultless,TownofFishers,HamiltonCo.“Duringacriticaltimeinthehistoryofourcountryandworld,weneedmorepeoplelikeDickLugarinWashington,D.C.” 11. Mayor Scott Furgeson, CityofShelbyville,ShelbyCo.“SenatorLugarhasalwaysbeenafriendtoShelbyville.Hehasalwaystakenanyissue,bigorsmall,andhasdoneallthathecantohelpthepeopleofShelbyville.” 12. Mayor William Graham,CityofScottsburg,ScottCo.“Ican’timagineSenatorLugarnotrepresentingIndianainWashington,D.C.Weneedhiswisdom,experi-ence,honestyandintegrity.” 13. Mayor Donnie Hastings,CityofAurora,DearbornCo.“Intheseinterestingtimes,itisimportantthatastrongconservativewithexperiencemakedecisionsonbehalfofthecitizensofsoutheastIndianainWashing-ton,D.C.” 14. Mayor Bruce Hosier, CityofPortland,JayCo.“SenatorLugarhasbeenadistinguishedandhonor-ableleader,servingwiththehighestdegreeofprofessionalandpersonalintegrityinrepresentingHoosiersandourna-tion.I’mproudtoendorseSenatorLugarbothasmyfriendandmySenator.” 15. Mayor Harold “Huck” Lewis,CityofLeba-non,BooneCo.“SenatorLugarhasbeenabighelpforLebanonandBooneCounty.HesupportslocalgovernmentandrepresentsIndianaverywell.Heisatruestatesman.WeneedhiminWashingtonrepresentingourinterest.” 16. Mayor Wayne Seybold,CityofMarion,GrantCo.“IamsupportingDickLugarformanyreasonsafewofthoseareasfollows:DickLugarisatrueStatesmanatatimewhentheyarehardtofindinourCountry.HehasrepresentedourStateandourCountryformanyyearswithrespectanddignity.AsaformerMayor,SenatorLugarunderstandsthatallthingsfromWashingtonandtheStaterolldownhilltolocalgovernment.DecisionsmadeinWash-ingtonwilldeterminehowweprovideservicesintheareaofjobcreation,publicsafety,roads,housing,andqualityoflife.SenatorLugarhasbeenafriendtoMarionandGrantCountyinthequesttocreateanenvironmenttoattractstrongjobstothearea.WelookforwardtoworkingwiththeSenatorthroughhisnextterm.” 17. Mayor Robert Shepherd,CityofAttica,FountainCo.“SenatorLugarisoneofthemostknowledge-ablepeopleinfederalgovernmenttodayinforeignpolicy.Inourglobalsociety,Ifeelthatthisisacriticalissue.” 18. Mayor Mark Smiley, CityofRochester,FultonCo.“AsMayoroftheCityofRochester,IamendorsingSenatorDickLugarforhisexperience,wisdom,knowledge,
HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 30, 2011Page 11
andhisvision.” 19. Mayor Rob Thoman,CityofSouthport,MarionCo.“Forabout30years,IhavebeenacasualobservertheactivitiesandactionsofMayorandthenSenatorLugar.Thesepast15years,I’vebecomemuchmoreawaretheSenator’simpactonmypersonal,profes-sionalandpublicservicelife.I’vestudiedhisrisefromIPSschoolboardmembertotheU.S.Senate.Hislonghistoryofconstructiveinfluencehasbeen-andcontinuestobe-apositiveimpactformyneighborhood,mycity,mystateandmycountry-yes,evenmyplanet.HisexperienceandknowledgemakesourIndianaSenatorthe“go-to”resourceonmattersofsuchdiversityasnationaldefenseorenergy,agricultureornutrition.SenatorLugarremainsfocusedonthebigpicturewithoutdistractionbypoliticalfadsortheflashofemotionsthathavesoclearlyconfusedotherpoliticiansandcandidatesfromseeingthetrulyimportantissuesthatfaceourstateandourcountry.Ican-anddo-withoutreservation,expressmysincereappreciationanddeepgratitudeforhisdistinguishedleadership.HeisatruestatesmanandalivinglegendthatrepresentsHoosierRepublicans,DemocratsandIndependentswithutmostprofessionalismandcandor.” 20. Mayor Jason Thompson,CityofMonticello,WhiteCo.“BeingaformerMayorhasshapedthefocusofSenatorLugarandtheresultisthathehasdonealotofthings,especiallyinruralcounties,suchascommunityblockgrantsandhomelandsecuritygrantsforfiredepart-ments.IfeelSenatorLugartrulybelievesthatmunicipalgovernmentisclosesttothepeople.” 21. Mayor Leonard Urban,CityofConnersville,FayetteCo.“IhaveworkedwithSenatorLugarforthepasttwoyearsonaneconomicdevelopmentprojectcalledCarbonMotors.ItisasmallcompanythatselectedCon-nersvilleasitshomebasetobuildapurpose-builtpolicecarwhichwouldbecometheonlytrulypurpose-builtcarintheUnitedStatesmakingitasafehavenforalllawen-forcementofficersacrosstheUnitedStatesandtheworld.SenatorLugarhasendorsedthiseconomicdevelopmentprojectpersonallyandprofessionallyalongwithhisstaffandmetwithprincipalsofthecompanyandmyselfonsev-eraloccasions.HeisagreatstatesmanandhasaprovenrecordofhelpingHoosiersandalsohastheseniorityandthecloutintheUnitedStatesSenatetobeoftheutmostvaluetotheStateofIndiana.” 22. Mayor James Walker, CityofPeru,Mi-amiCo.“IsupportSenatorLugarinhisre-election.AsaformerMayorhimself,SenatorLugarunderstandstheproblemsmunicipalitiesfaceandhehasalwaysstoodupforwhatisrightforIndiana.HeisagreatstatesmananddeservestocontinuetorepresentIndiana.” 23. Mayor Ernest Wiggins,CityofWarsaw,KosciuskoCo.“IappreciateSenatorLugar’sstatesmanship
andhisinvolvementinimportantcurrentevents.Weneedhisexperienceandleadership.” 24. Mayor David Wood, CityofMishawaka,St.JosephCo.“AsMayoroftheCityofMishawaka,IhaveadmiredSenatorRichardLugar’spoliticalserviceasbothaMayorandaSenatortoIndiana’scitizens.HeconnectswiththeissuesHoosiersarefacingdailyanddrawsonhisexperienceandexpertisetobetterourcommunities.Sena-torRichardLugarisawellrespectedandhighlyregardedstatesman,bothhomeandabroad.”
Former Republican Mayors 1.RobertC.Beutter,formerMayorofMishawaka,St.JosephCo.“IndianacitiesandcitizensarefortunatetoberepresentedintheUSSenatebyastatesmanandschol-arlikeDickLugar.Heunderstandstheimportantissuesfacingourstateandnationincludingjobcreation,energyandforeignpolicyandisaneffectiveleaderinaddressingthem.” 2. Stephen Goldsmith,formerMayorofIndia-napolis,MarionCo.“IamproudtosupportSenatorLugarwhoseextraordinaryleadershiponbehalfoffiscalrestraintfirstasMayorandthenasSenatorhasnotonlyhelpedim-provethelivesofIndianacitizens,buthassetanimportantexampleduringacriticaltimeforourcountry.“ 3. William H. Hudnut,formerMayorofIndianap-olis,MarionCo.“SenatorLugarisanationallyrespectedleaderwhosere-electionwillserveIndianaandAmericawell.” 4. John McCane,formerMayorofRushville,RushCo.“SenatorLugarhasmycompletesupport.Asafor-merMayor,andRepublicanCountyChairman,hehasbeenresponsivewhencalledupon,andhislifetimeconservativevotingrecordillustratesthequalitiesIlookforinmyelect-edofficials.Iknowhimtobeamanofgenuineconviction,withastrongmoralcompassanddeepconservativevalues.SenatorLugarisagreatHoosier,andatrustedleaderforIndiana.” 5. Kevin Smith,formerMayorofAndersonandcurrentcandidateformayor. 6. Robert Stewart,formerMayorofColumbus
2011 Mayoral Candidates endorsing Lugar 1. Blair Milo,candidateforMayorofLaPorte 2. Richard Pasco,candidateforMayorofGreen-field 3. Jeff Sponsel,candidateforMayorofShelbyville
v
HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 30, 2011Page 12
The ABO CaucusBy MARK SOUDER FORTWAYNE-IamaproudmemberoftheABOPresidentialCaucus(AnybodyButObama).ItiscurrentlythelargestRepublicangroup,withonlytheAABOCaucus(AlmostAnybodyButObama)followingcloselybehind. Unfortunately,likemanyofmyfellowRepublicans,thisisnotanewfeeling.Waybackin1972IwasontheboardofdirectorsforYouthAgainstMcGovern,whichhadthecleverslogan“holdyournoseandvoteforNixon.”
haveourbestspokesmanouttheretoexplainwhyMedi-carereformisessentialtosaveit. In1968IwasforRonaldReagan,aswellas1972,1976,and1980.Ittooktwelveyears,buthemadeit.Iwillsoonbe61.IfIsupportRyanuntilhewinsadozenyearsfromnow,I’llbe73andalmostoldenoughtorunforU.S.SenatorinIndiana.(Forthosewhodon’tknowme,and/orlackasenseofironichumor,letmeclarifythatlastremark:Ineverwillrunforpublicofficeagain.) Asfor2012,thereareafewwarningsignsthattheABOcampaignisnotgoingaswellasplanned:1)amongtheleadingcandidatesaretwofromUtahandtwofromMinnesota,whichcombinedhavethesameelectoralvoteasGeorgia;2)thenumberofnon-MormonleadingcontendersbarelyoutnumberthenumberofMormons;3)thenumberofformerpizzachainfoundersisgreaterthanthetotalofincumbentgovernorsandsenatorsseekingthenomination;and4)thecandidatewhohasheldthehighestpostapparentlyhasabiggerlineofcreditatTiffany’sthanhehasforhisowncampaign. The good news is thattheRepublicanshaveadeepfarmsystem.Ofcourse,aseverybaseballfanwilltellyou,thiscanbemisleading.TheSanDiegoPadresandKansasCityRoyalshaveoftenledthatcategory.Noteveryoneplayinginlowerlevelscanwithstandthepressureofthebigleagues. OftheRepublicancandidateswhohavedeclaredforPresident,theABOCaucuswouldfindtherealisticchoicesacceptable,ifnotamongthefirstchoices.FormerMassachusettsGovernorMittRomneycouldbegoodifhe
finallylatchesontoprinciples.TheCaucusisfairlytolerant,butgenerallyspeakingwouldprefernotmorethanoneflip-flopperissue. Romneywasagainstabortion,stronglypro-choicewhenrunningagainstKennedyforsenator,thenagainstabortionagain,andnowwon’tsignthepro-lifepledge.HewasforastateversionofObama’shealthcarebill,thenbe-gantoretreatduringtheObamaCareblowbackperiod,andnowisbraggingitupagain.ButRomney’sfinancialsavvy,provenexecutiveexperienceintheprivatesectorandgov-ernment-andjustthefactthathehassurvivedthislongandstillisatthefrontoftheline-areallstrongindicatorsofwhyheisfavoredtowinatthispoint. Then there is Jon Huntsman,theformerGovernorofUtahwhomakestheliberalDemocratsheartsgopitter-patterasapotentialRepublicannominee.Thenever-endingpraisefrompeoplewhodon’tsharetheviewsoftheRepublicansishardlyarecommendationifyouwanttobetheRepublicannominee.Heseemslikeanice,brightguybutnearlyeveryliberalwritercomparedHuntsmantoReaganbecauseheannouncedwiththeStatueofLibertyinthebackground.First,theliberalscontinuetodemonstratetheirfalsebeliefthatReaganwonbecauseMichaelDeaverarrangedgoodphoto-ops.Second,RonaldReaganwouldhavenotacceptedapostintheCarterAdministration,resigningonlytorunforPresident.Givemeabreak. FormerGovernorTimPawlentyhasbeenthepotential“sleeper”candidateforsometime.Ashefinallybegantopickupsteamamongthosepayingattention,heblewitinawaythatmaynotberecoverable.Hecoined“ObamneyCare”onFoxNews,theninthedebatewhengiv-enthechancetoconfrontRomneyontheissuehemeeklypassed,andthenhitRomneyagainafterthedebate.Thisiseveryconservative’sfear.APresidentwhotalkstough,collapseswhenthepressureison,butthencomesoutinfrontofthemicrophonesblowingsmokeagain.NotexactlyReaganesque.Andhewon’tbestealingMichiganGovernorSnyder’s“OneToughNerd”ad.PawlentystillcouldwinbutitwilltakesomethingdramatictoupsetRomney. Of the rest, only Michelle Bachmanhasachancetoemerge.MichellesaysshetakesthebooksofAustrian-AmericaneconomistLudwigvonMisestothebeach,whichIfindplausible.IknowMichelle.Ifshedidashowonacablechannel,itwouldbeabouttheevilsoftaxationnotfishing.IfshehadadaughteronDancingwiththeStars,she’dbeseentalkingtothepersonnexttoheraboutthedangersofbiggovernment.Shehasstartedimpressively,hasstrongconservativeappeal,andmaycontinuetoimproveonthecampaigntrailasshehasdonesofar.Nevertheless,itseemsthatshemaybebettersuitedtoleadamovementthantobeChiefExecutive. GovernorChrisChristiemaybereconsideringhisposition,buthonestly,forallhisgruffcharm,heseems
HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 30, 2011Page 13
Where have yougone, Doc Bowen?By SHAW FRIEDMAN BURLINGTON,Vt.-WhateverhappenedtothemoderatewingofIndianaRepublicans?AsIsithereonabalconyoverlookingtheGreenMountainsinVermont,I’mreadingintheBurlingtonFreePressawirestoryonthede-cisionofafederaljudgetoenjointheIndianaLegislature’s
twoRepublicanlegislatorswhoauthoredthesetwobillstookashotatoneofthejudgesinvolved,claiming“judicialactivism”whenoneofthejudgesisaReagan-erafederaljudge. SeemsthatultraconservativeRepublicanlegisla-torsscream“judicialactivism”anytimeajudgedisagreeswiththem.ForgetthefactthattheJohnRobertsSupremeCourthasoftenabandoneddecadesofprecedenttorenderdecisionsinfavoroflargecorporationssuchastheCitzensUnitedcaseandyetweheardnocomplaintsabout“judicialactivism”fromSen.Delphthen.Forgetthefactthatwearenowattributingalltherightsofindividualcitizenstomul-tinationalcorporationsindropping40yearsofcampaignfinancelawintheCitizensUnitedcase. No, these extreme statutesdrivenbyRe-publicanideologuesarestruckdownbecausetheybadlyoverreachandgobeyondtheextentofpermittedfederallaw.WhateverhappenedtomoderateRepublicanswhoknewtoputthebrakesontheirmoreideologicalcolleaguesintheRepublicanparty? WenowhaveanIndianaRepublicanPartythat
brooksnodissentandwhichisopenlyandavowedlyop-posedtoanykindofsocialsafetynet.Republicancongress-menlikeToddRokitawhotalkabouttheneedforcutsinvarioussocialprogramsclaimingthereisaneedfor“neartermpain”inordertobringdowndeficits.When,Congress-manRokita,willyouandyourcolleaguesinsistonwealthyRepublicansbearingthesameneartermpain? It’sapparentlyalrightinthecurrentIndianaRe-publicanPartytotargetMedicaidfordramaticcuts,slashunemploymentbenefitsby25%orevencutmentalhealthfundingormoniesavailablefortheelderly. But please tell me Mr. Rokitawhenyouorothershaveeverurgedthattaxbreaksandsheltersforthewealthybeclosed?Whenhaveyoueverurgedthatourmostprofitablecorporationspaytheirfairshareoftaxesoreveninsistedthatthe$2trillionincashthesecorporationsaresittingonbeusedtocreatejobshereinIndiana? NotonlyhaveIndianaRepublicanschosentogoaf-terpoorwomentodenythempreventativehealthcare(thePlannedParenthoodstatute)ortriedtovilifyimmigrants(thenowenjoinedstatute)theyhavechosentodemonizemembersofthemiddleclassliketeachers,firefightersandpolice. WhateverbecameofthestrainofmoderateIndi-anaRepublicanslikeDocBowenandBobOrr?Whileveryprotectiveofbusinesstheystillunderstoodtherewasaroleforgovernmenttohelpleveltheplayingfield.Therewasalmostasenseof“noblesseoblige”thatacertainstrainofRepublicansunderstood.WhowouldthinkthatmanyRe-publicanswouldnowturnagainsttheiconofmainstreamRepublicanisminIndiana,RichardLugar?TheIndianaRepublicanPartynowtiltssofartotherightitbearsnoresemblancetotheBulen/LugarPartyofthe60sand70s. It’s my belief that Indiana voterstendtobemorecentrist,moredevotedtocommonsense,middlegroundsolutionsandaren’tlikelytotoleratemoreoftheextremeideologythatdroveadoptionofthesetwostat-utes.ThankheavensagainthatideologueslikeRichardMourdock,JimBoppandMikePencecan’tdomuchaboutthelifetimetenureoffederaljudges.Thankheavensourfoundershadthegoodsensetoinsulatethefederaljudicia-ryfromthewhimsandwishesofnarrow-minded,dogmaticthinkerslikethese. DocBowen–whereareyouthesedays?v
Shaw Friedman is a LaPorte lawyer and a regular contributor to HPI.
HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 30, 2011Page 14
A tale of two South BendsBy JACK COLWELL SOUTHBEND-Truly,thisisataleoftwocities. OneisanAll-Americacity.Thebestoftimes? Theotherisadyingcity.Theworstoftimes?Thetwocitiessodescribedhappentobeonecity,SouthBend.Andtimesareneitherthebest,despiteSouth
Ron Klain, Bloomberg: Fortwoyears,pollshaveshownthattheAmericanpeoplehavetwostronglyheldbe-liefs.First,theythinkthepresidentshoulddomoretocre-atejobs.Second,theybelievefederalspendingshouldbecut,andthegovernmentshouldshrink.Totheprogressive
HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 30, 2011Page 16
Daniels laudsMajor Moves By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS-Gov.MitchDanielsobservedthefifthanniver-saryofhisMajorMovesprogramonWednesday,callingit“Indiana’sLouisianaPurchase,”sayingitwasnotonlythedealofacenturybutthedoorprettymuchslammedshutrightafterIndianareceivedfourwiredmoneytransfersof$3.85billion.ItcomesasCintra-Macqua-rie,theSpan-ish-AustralianconsortiumoperatingtheIndianaTollRoad,strugglestostaysolvent. “Here’sthismorning’snews-paper,”Danielssaid,holdingheadlinesthatsaid“Indianawarehousingjobsstackup.”Henotedthatthenewsarticleandthemoneytransfersthatstoodframednearbyonaneasel“arenotunrelated.Itwasthejobsvoteofthegeneration.”Hecalledita“recordbuildingboominourstate.Themostimportantjobsarethesethatarecom-ingtoIndianabecausetheCrossroadsofAmericagotseriousaboutinfra-structure.” “Idon’tknowifanyonecaneverdoadealthisgoodagain,”Danielssaid.“Youmighthavediffer-entinvestorsaftertheoriginalonestaketheirhaircut,buttheoperatorsaredoingafinejobandwillprobablycontinue,”hesaid.“Wearefullypro-tected.Ifnewinvestorswantanewoperator,wegettoapproveordisap-proveit.TheleaseofthetollroadwasanextraordinarymomentinIndianahistory.WhenIcalledMajorMovesthejobsvoteofageneration,Imeantit.IndianaistheenvyofAmericatoday.”saidDaniels. “Whatweseeonthisfifthanniversaryisoverahundrednewmajorroadsprojects,includingthose