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

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007

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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)


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.


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, 2007

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


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)


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

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


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: [email protected]

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)


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)


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


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,[email protected]://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


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

rep. souder & the kelty fiasco - in

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