thursday, june 30, 2011 battle for house centers on open seats - … · 2020-05-26 · howey...

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

ranastoryundertheheadline“Indi-ana:TheException?Yes,but…”Thearticlegaveafactualpresentationofourstate’seconomiccircumstances,butwithanoverridingsarcasmthatleftabadtasteinHoosiermouths. ProbablythispiecewasassignedtothereportersbeforeourGovernorwithdrewfromthepresi-dentialprimaryrace.However,sincetheyalreadydidthework,anditwasaslownewsday,anarticledepict-

“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

favoringeachparty,thoughoneofthosebattlesmaynothappenifStateRep.PeggyWelchdecidestoseekthe9thCDDemocraticnomination. Inthefourdistrictsthatfeatureatleasttwoincum-bentsfromasingleparty,retirementsarelikelyintwooftheseats.AndsourcesinbothpartiestellHPIthatStateRep.ChetDobisisconsideringamovefromHD14,wherehewouldfacefellowDemocratVernonSmithinaheavilyAfrican-Americadistrict,totheopenHD15seatnearby. Whilenofinaldecisionshavebeenmade,StateReps.TomKnollman-placedinHD68withfreshmanRe-

Public investment lacks

HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 30, 2011

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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.


publicanJudMcMillin-andStateRep.RichMcClain,whowillfacefellowRepublicanDonLeheinthenewHD25,areponderingretirement.ThatwouldleaveaRepublicanprimaryshowdownbetweenpowerfulWays&MeansChair-manJeffEspichandStateRep.DanLeonardinthenewHD50. OtherpotentialretirementscouldincludeRepub-licanStateRep.DickDodgeinHD51andDemocratStateRep.SheilaKlinkerinHD27,whereshewilllikelyfaceastrongRepublicanopponentinadistrictthatleanstotheGOP,andinHD86whereStateRep.EdDeLaneyfacesamuchmorepotentGOPelectorate.IndianaDemocraticChairmanDanParkertoldHPIonWednesdaythatheex-pectsKlinkerandDeLaneytoseekreelection, InadditiontoRep.WelchseekingtochallengeU.S.Rep.ToddYoung,sourcestellHPIthatStateRep.MaryAnnSullivan-nowina47percentDemocraticHD97-isweigh-ingachallengetoStateSen.BrentWaltz. MikeGentry,whoheadstheHouseRepublicanCampaignCommittee,toldHPIthatthecaucuswillfocusonthe10openseatswithoutincumbentswhileprotectingincumbents.ParkersaidhispartywilltrytopickoffsevenRepublicanfreshmen. GentrycautionsRepublicansfromgettingtoocomplacentaboutthenewmaps.“In2002,Democratslostseatswiththeirnewmaps,”Gentrysaid,notingthechamberwentfrom53/47in1998and2000to51/49Demo-cratin2002.AndhadStateRep.JimAtterholtnotlostbyahandfulofvotes,thechamberwouldhavebeentiedat50/50. BothGentryandParkeracknowledgeditisfartooearlytounder-standwhatthedynamicwillbelike17monthsfromnow.ButHPIbelievesthatupto30Housedistrictscouldbeinplayineitherthe2012primaryorgeneralelec-tions. HereisHPI’sinitialandexclusiveanalysisofthenewHousebattlegroundseatsforthe2012cycle:

Republican Intra Party Seats HD25:RepublicanStateReps.DonLeheandRichMcClain.RepublicansourcesinCassCountytellHPIthat

McClainissignalinghewillretireinsteadoftakingonLeheintheGOPprimary. HD68:RepublicanStateRep.TomKnollmanwouldfacefreshmanStateRep.JudMcMillin.Knollmanhashealthproblemsandisatthetopofthelistofpotentialretirements.ThenewHD68isalsomuchmoreRepublicanfriendlysincemanyDemocraticareaswerecutout. HD50: Ways&MeansChairmanJeffEspichandRepublicanStateRep.DanLeonardlookliketheywillhaveaprimaryshowdown.WegiveanearlyedgetoEspichinwhatwilllikelybeamarqueeGOPprimaryracein2012.

Democratic Intra Party Seat HD14:StateRep.ChetDobisisexploringamoveintotheopenHD15,thusavoidingaprimaryshowdownwithStateRep.VernonSmithinaheavilyAfrican-Americandistrict.TheproblemisthatDobishastoliveinthedistrictforayearbeforetheNovember2012election.SoDemo-cratsarelookingatoverlappingprecinctsbetweenhiscur-rentdistrictandthenewHD.

Republican vs. Democrat incumbent seats HD20:RepublicanStateRep.TomDermodywaspairedwithDemocratStateRep.NancyDembowski.SourcesinbothpartiessaythisisaDemocraticdistrictthat

favorsDembowski. HD45:RepublicanStateRep.BruceBordersfacesDemocraticStateRep.KregBattlesinwhatisnowadistinctlyDemocraticdistrict.WhileBordersisatoughandpersonablecampaigner,Battleswillbetheearlyfavorite. HD53:RepublicanStateRep.BobCherrywouldfaceDemocratStateRep.ScottReskeinthisnewdistrictthatisdistinctlyRepublican.IndianaDemocraticChair-manParkersaysthatReskeis“keepingallofhisoptionsopen.”Cherryhasn’thada

toughraceinyears,whileReskedefeatednew5thCDRe-publicanChairmanKyleHupferinoneofthemostexpen-siveracesofthe2010electioncycle. HD60:StateRep.RalphFoleywouldbetheearlyfavoriteinashowdownwithWelch,whoappearslikelytooptintothe9thCDandtakeonU.S.Rep.Young.

Open Seats, No Incumbents HD11:ThisisasouthernLakeandPortercounty

Battle for House, from page 1

State Reps. Bruce Borders (left) and Kreg Battles are poised for a November 2012 showdown.


districtthatRepublicansseeasa“LeansGOP”district.Parkersaysitwill“leanRepublicaninanoffyearandwillbecompetitiveinapresidentialyear.”Neitherpartyidentifiedanypendingcandidacieshere. HD13: The“CornfieldDistrict”takesinpartofNewton,Jasper,Benton,Fountain,MontgomeryandTippecanoecounties,allwithintheLafayetteTVmarket.Gentryseesitasa“Leans”Re-publicandistrict.AtticaClerk-TreasurerSharonNegele,whonarrowlylosttoStateRep.DaleGrubbin2010,isex-pectedtorun,aswellasformerNew-tonRepublicanChairmanKyleConrad.TherecouldalsobeaprimarycandidatetoemergefromTippecanoeCounty.Democratsdonothaveacandidatetodate. HD15:TheLakeCountyseatiscenteredaroundScherervilleandSt.Johns.ScherervilleTownCouncilmanHalSlagerispositioningfortheRepublicannominationinwhatGentrydescribesasa“50/50district.”Thereisspecula-tionthatStateRep.ChetDobismightmoveintothisdistricttoavoidaprimaryshowdownwithRep.VernonSmith. HD17:Coca-ColaexecutiveFrancisEllert,whonarrowlylosttoRep.Dembowskiin2010,willruninwhatisnowa“Likely”Republicanseat.NoDemocratshavesurfacedyet. HD24:Thisisa“Safe”Repub-licandistrictcenteredaroundZionsville,WestfieldandtheVillageofWestClay.ItishometoRepublicanssuchasRecountCommissionerTomWheeler,SusanBrooksandPeterRusthoven.BrooksandRusthovenwouldbeconsideredmore5thCDcalibercandidates.Therecent5thCDRepublicanelectionsappearedtobepartofhorsetradingthatbroughtthechairtoKyleHupfer.AstoldtoHPI,HupfergotBooneCountybackingwithatacitagreementthataBooneCountyRe-publicanwouldgetthenomination.CurrentlyBooneCountydoesn’thaveaHousemember. HD37: Thisisa“98percent”FishersdistrictwithafewprecinctsfromNoblesville.Gentryconsidersit“Safe”RepublicanbutParkermaintainsthatFishersisdifferentthantherestofHamiltonCounty.Intheflotsamofthe

CharlieWhitecase,ParkersaidthatFishersishometo“corrupt”governmentandbelievesaDemocratcancom-petethere.Nocandidateshavesurfacedfromeitherpartytodate. HD47: ThisisaJohnson/MorganCountyseatandwillbe“Safe”Republican.JohnsonCouncilmanJoshMc-Cartyisexploringarun.


OldenburgandLakeSantee,ispreparingtorun.SheranunsuccessfullyintheoldHD67afterRep.CleoDuncanretired. HD64:CenteredaroundtheToyotaplantinGibsoncountywithpartsofKnoxandPikecounties,Gentryseesitasa“LeansRepublican”district,butParkersaysitcould“LeanDemocratinapresidentialyear.”Nocandidateshaveemergedyet. HD82:ThisseatiscenteredaroundKendallvilleinNobleCountyandincludespartsofElkhart,LaGrange,Whit-leyandAllencounties.Itisconsidereda“Likely”Republicandistrict.NobleCountyYoungRepublicanChairmanDavidOber,24,ofAlbion,hasalreadydeclaredandDeniseLemmonofKendallvilleisweighingarun.

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.

Republican Targets HD27: StateRep.SheilaKlinkerfindsherselfina53percentRepublicandistrict.GentrysaysthatKlinkerhastakencriticismforherpartintheDemocraticwalkoutandalsowillsufferfromthesentimentthat“she’sbeentheretoolong.”HRCCistalkingtoa“highprofileRepublican”andGentrysays,“Shewillhaveaverytoughrace.” HD56:DemocratStateRep.PhilPflumlosttheNewCastleportionofhisdistrict,whichisnowcenteredinWayneCounty.Gentrysaysitisa“LeansRepublican”dis-trictwithAuditorTimBerrygetting61percentofthevotethereinthe2010GOPtidalwave.FormerWayneCountySheriffMattStrittmattermighthavebeenacandidateuntilhetookajobwiththeDanielsadministration. HD86:ThisisaWashingtonTownshipseatinIndianapolisheldbyStateRep.EdDeLaney.IthasmovedintopartsofPikeTownship.Gentrydescribesitasa“52

percent”Republicandistrict,butParkerdisagrees,sayingthatoverthepastdecadeithasvoted51percentDemocrat.“Thatrisesinapresidentialyear,”Parkersaid.TheDemocraticchairmanexpectsDeL-aneytoseekreelection. HD 97: IfRep.Sullivanoptsforachal-lengetoSen.Waltz-whichwebelieveislikely-thiscouldpavethewayforacomebackbyformerRe-publicanRep.JonElrod,whodefeated2001map-makerEdMahernin2006beforelosingtoSullivanin2008.

Democrat Targets EightfreshmanRepublicans-StateReps.SueEllspermann,WendyMcNamara,RonBacon,MikeKarickhoff,KevinMahan,RhondaRhoads,CindyKirchhoferandMattUbelhor-willbetargetedbyIndianaDemocrats.ParkersaidthatEllspermannandMcNamarawillbethe“No.1targets.”FormerStateSen.BobDiegisweighingarematchwithMcNamarawhileformerRep.TrentVanHaaftenisnotexpectedtorun.ParkersaidthatformerStateRep.RonHerrellwillnotchallengeKarickhoffinHD30,andformerStateRep.JoePearsonisnotlikelytoseek

arematchwithMahan.FormerStateRep.JohnBarnesisweighingarematchwithKirchhoferorachallengetoStateSen.PatMiller.

Republican Primary HD54:StateRep.TomSaundersisexpectedtohaveaprimarychallengefromHenryCountyCouncilmanNateLamar,whohadconsidereda6thCDrun.

Democratic Primary HD6:HouseMinorityLeaderB.PatrickBauerfindshimselfwithmostofSouthBend’sAfrican-Americanpopu-lationinhisdistrict.Inpreviousmapsithadbeensplit.RepublicanlegislativeleaderssuchasSens.RobertGartonandLarryBorstlostprimaryraceseventhoughtheywereconsideredheavyfavorites.Thisdynamichasnottrans-lated-todate-withIndianaDemocrats,whohavehadtoendureBauerasthefaceoftheparty,muchtothechagrinofmayors. ButDemocratsinSouthBendareponderingwhetherBauerhasbeentheretoolong.Dobishasde-scribedBaueras“paranoid”andHPIhaslearnedthatBauer’slatestdelusionofgrandeurwasabriefflirtationwitha2012gubernatorialrun.WhileBauerhasmaintainedanirongriponhiscaucus,therearefissuresappearingwithin.Butthegreatestthreattohisstoried,controversial,stacisttenurewouldbeawell-financedDemocraticprimarybattlewithaSouthBendrisingstarandPresidentObamaontheballot.v

Freshman GOP Reps. Ellspermann and McNamara will be targeted.


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.

WhitcombandBayhspenttwoyearsintheofficebeforerunningandwinningtheIndianagovernorship.HogsettandRokitajumpedoutoftheofficewithCongressionalbids.GilroyranformayorofIndianapolis.OnlySalinandSimcoxreturnedtothepri-vatesectorandworkedinbankingandenergy. AndnoneoftheseofficialsbecamethepublicspectaclethatCharliehasbecome.Theydidn’tcomeintooffice

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


homesohecouldspendtimewithhisson.Hesayshedidn’tliveinthecondoheowned,outofrespectforhisfiance’swishesthattheynotshackupbeforemarriage.Themorethejurorcanseethingsthroughtheeyesofa“tryingtodotherightthingforthoseIlove”defendant,theeasierlifewillbe.

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

beenchargedwithsevenfelo-niesincludingvoterfraud(lyingaboutwherehewasregistered)andmortgagefraud. Ispoketothespecialpros-ecutorinthecase,DanSigler,whohasnoofficialcommentontheCommission’sruling.Hesimplysaysheisplanningtomoveforwardwiththecriminalindictmentandfinishthejobhewashiredtodo.Howdifficultthatjobwillberemainstobeseen.

TherearesomedynamicsinplaythatIdon’tthinkalotofobservershavetakenintoaccount.

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.


Speculation on Burton,Delph, McIntosh, BrooksBy BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS-Indiana’s5thCDwasthesubjectofintensespeculationthisweekasformercongressmanDavidMcIntoshappearedtobereadytojumpinwhileothersspeculatedthatU.S.Rep.DanBurtonmighttrytoanointasuccessorinthe11thhourbeforedroppingout. Otherspeculationcenteredonnewnamesforthe

race:formerfederalprosecutorSusanBrooksandformer3rdCDchallengerBobThomas. McIntoshtoldHPIlastweekthathewasweighingbidsinthe“5thandsome-whatthe6th”CDs.RepublicansourcestellHPIthatMcIntoshhasbeguntocallsupporters

sayinghewillchallengeBurton.McIntoshdidnotreturnphonecallsthisweekforcomment.HewouldjoinformerMarionCountycoronerJohnMcGoff,whoannouncedhisthirdchallengetoBurtonlastmonth. SeveralinformedandreliableHPIsourcestellHPIthatBurtonisseeinginternalpollingthatsuggestshispositionisuntenableafterhis2010race,wherehebarelystavedoffLukeMesser,winningonly29percentofthevote.ThenewcongressionalmapsdeletedBurtonstrong-holdsinHuntington,WabashandMiamicounties,whileaddingMadisonCounty,whereMcIntoshhasanapart-mentinPendleton.GOPfinancierssuchasJimKittleJr.,AlHubbardandP.E.MacAllisterbeganurgingMcIntoshtoruninthe5th,insteadofthe6thCD,wheretheyarebackingMesser. ThesourcestellHPIthatBurtonissignalingtoafewprominentRepublicansthathewillremainpoisedforareelectionbiduntiljustbeforefilingdeadlinenextFebruary;predictinghemaythendropoutandendorseStateSen.MikeDelph,acloseallyandformerstaffer. DelphwasinthenewsthispastweekafterfederalJudgeSarahEvansBarkerissuedaninjunctionontheim-migrationlawheauthoredduringthepastsessionoftheIndianaGeneralAssembly. “LiberalelitismischokingAmerica,especiallyourhallsofjustice,”DelphtweetedonSaturday.Inanotherposthesaid,“Judicialreformisgrosslyneededbothatthenationalandstatelevel.OneofthegreatAmericanliesisthatjudgesareapolitical.” JudgeBarkerwasappointedtothefederalbenchbyPresidentReagan. WISH-TV’sJimShellanotedthatDelphisstudyingforasecondattemptatpassingtheIndianabarexam.If

hewasalicensedattorney,hiscommentscouldgethiminethicaltrouble,Shellareported.SaidBillJonas,aboardmemberwiththestate’sbarassociation,whentoldofDelph’stweets,“Iwouldcounselanyapplicantforthebaragainstintemperatecriticismofanyjudicialofficial.” Thomas,aFortWayneautodealer,ranaself-financedprimarychallengetothenU.S.Rep.MarkSouderinthe3rdCDRepublicanprimaryin2010,losingbyabout10,000votesinafour-wayrace. BrookssaidinanemailtoWTHR-TV,“Theearlyresponsehasbeenveryencouraging.”Brooks,whoservedsixyearsastheappointedUSAttorneyfortheSouthernDistrictandwasanIndianapolisdeputyunderStephenGoldsmith,saidshewillmakeadecisioninthenexttwoweeks. TheUSIndiaPoliticalActionCommittee(USINPAC)issupportingDr.McGoff,astrongcandidatetounseatnotedIndiacriticBurtoninnextyear’sRepublicanprimaryelection.McGoffisanemergencyphysicianandabrigadiergeneralintheAirNationalGuard. Burton’snumerousattacksonIndiaincludeaccus-ingIndiaof“beingoneoftheworld’sworsthumanrightsabusers”andforhaving“arecordofcommittingactsofterrorism.”HehasmadeunsubstantiatedaccusationsaboutIndiaonthefloorofCongressmorethan16timesinthepasttwodecades. “WeareexcitedtoworkwithUSINPACtosup-portDr.McGoffinthiscrucialracethatissignificanttotheinterestsofIndianAmericansandIndia,”saidVinnieRao,anIndian-AmericanleaderfromIndianapolis.

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


election.Aguileradidn’treturncallsseekingcommentnorhadhefiledapetition,asrequiredbystatelaw,listingthesignaturesofregisteredEastChicagovotersendorsinghimasacandidatebyWednesdayafternoon.ButheandanyothershopingtofillvacanciesinthefallballothaveuntilnoonThursdaytofilecandidacypapers.CountyGOPChair-womanKimKrullandCountyDemocraticChairmanThomasMcDermottJr.bothsaidthisweektheyarescoutingforpotentialofficeseekerstomakeracesoutofscoresofmu-nicipalofficesthatnowhaveonlyonecandidatebeforethevoterssincenoonefromtheotherpartyraninthespringprimary.

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

twohomesteadtaxexemptions. SourcestellHPIthatMourdock“self-reported”thedualhomesteadexemptions.Afewdayslater,officialsre-portedthat“campaignprofessionals”askedforthehome-steaddocuments.WTHR-TVthenbroketheMourdockstorylastFriday. ArobustsecondquarterFECreport-intheneigh-borhoodofatleast$500,000-couldbecriticalforMour-docktopickupnationalsupport. Lugarhassteeredarightwardcourseinrecentmonths,openlychallengingPresidentObama’sassertionthattheLibyanmilitaryactiondidnotamountto“hostili-ties.”Lugarvotedagainsttheresolution,butsupportedhisamendmentsandothersthatplacerestrictionsonAmericaninvolvementintheconflict.Lugarvotedagainsttheresolu-tioninterveningintheLibyancivilwarbecause“theUnitedStatesisstillengagedinwarsinAfghanistanandIraqandournationaldebtexceeds$14trillion.” OnTuesday,LugarslammedObama,saying,“EvenifonebelievesthatthePresidentsomehowhadthelegalauthoritytoinitiateandcontinueU.S.militaryoperationsinLibya,itdoesnotmeanthatgoingtowarwithoutCongresswaseitherwiseorhelpfultotheoperation.Thevastmajor-ityofmembersofCongress,constitutionalscholars,andmilitaryauthoritieswouldendorsetheviewthatpresidentsshouldseekcongressionalauthorizationforwarwhencir-cumstancesallow.” AndlastSaturday,LugarcharacterizedPresidentObamaas“lyingintheweeds”whenheisneededtohelpbringaboutabudgetdealbeforetheAug.2debtceilingdeadline. “He’sgottoshowsomeleadership,”LugarsaidattheCandyDishinNashville,Ind.,wherehemadeanap-pealtoendfederalsugarsubsidieswhenthenextfarmbillcomesupforpassage. Asforthebudgetanddebtcrises,LugarsaidofObama,“He’sthinkingtoomuchaboutthecampaignof2012andleavingthisrightnowto(SenateMajorityLeader)HarryReidandtheDemocratsinCongress.He’sdelegatedittothemtohandlethedifficultwork.”AskedwhenhebelievesObamamightintervene,Lugarsaid,“Idon’tknow.Ilookforwardtoreadingthenewsovertheweekend.” OnMonday,ObamaannouncedhewouldengageinthedebttalksandmetwithDemocraticcongressionalleadersonWednesday.LugarhasbeencriticizedbyMour-dockandconservativeblogsforbeinga“RINO”andtheyfeaturephotosofLugarandObamawhentheyservedintheSenatetogether. IndianaDemocraticChairmanDanParkernotedLugar’sturntotherightandtoldHPIitwasadangerouscoursebecauseheisnow“alienating”independentsandDemocratswhomighthavebeeninclinedtovoteintheRe-publicanprimaryforLugar.CurrentlyitlooksasifU.S.Rep.


JoeDonnellyseekingtheDemocraticSenatenominationandJohnGreggrunningforgovernorwon’thaveseriousoppositioninthe2012Democraticprimary,allowingforapotentialmigration.

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,


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


The ABO CaucusBy MARK SOUDER FORTWAYNE-IamaproudmemberoftheABOPresidentialCaucus(AnybodyButObama).ItiscurrentlythelargestRepublicangroup,withonlytheAABOCaucus(AlmostAnybodyButObama)followingcloselybehind. Unfortunately,likemanyofmyfellowRepublicans,thisisnotanewfeeling.Waybackin1972IwasontheboardofdirectorsforYouthAgainstMcGovern,whichhadthecleverslogan“holdyournoseandvoteforNixon.”

ItisnotthatIwanttobejustnegative.IpersonallyencouragedMikePencetorunforPresidentlastyear.ThenIboostedourGovernor,MitchDaniels.SenatorJohnThunewouldbeafinecandidate,aswouldSenatorJimDeMint(whoselow-keydemeanormaskssteelydetermination).MycurrentfavoriteisCongressmanPaulRyan.Heistheleaderintacklingbudgetandentitlementreform,whichlikelywillbethedefinitiveissue,sowemightaswell

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


Where have yougone, Doc Bowen?By SHAW FRIEDMAN BURLINGTON,Vt.-WhateverhappenedtothemoderatewingofIndianaRepublicans?AsIsithereonabalconyoverlookingtheGreenMountainsinVermont,I’mreadingintheBurlingtonFreePressawirestoryonthede-cisionofafederaljudgetoenjointheIndianaLegislature’s

newstatutedefundingParenthood.IreadanaccompanyingstoryonanotherfederaljudgeenjoiningIn-diana’sextremeanti-immigrationbillthatevendisallowsuseofconsularcertificates. WecanthankourluckystarsforanindependentfederaljudiciaryanditsabilitytofairlyandimpartiallyrenderjudgmentsonclearlyillegalstatutessuchasthetwoadoptedbythisRepublicanlegislatureandthensignedintolawbyourGovernor.Ihavetolaughatthenotionthatthe

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.

likehecouldbetooaccident-proneforaPresidentialrace.GovernorRickPerryofTexas,onceheunderstandsthattheCivilWarresolvedthenullificationissue,mayyetbecomethenumberonethreattoaRomneynomination.Heshouldnotbeunderestimated.

FormyselfandmyfellowmembersoftheABOCaucus,weatleasthavesomechoices.Itcouldbealotworse;DonaldTrumpcouldhaverun.ThenIwouldhavejoinedtheAABOCaucus.v


A tale of two South BendsBy JACK COLWELL SOUTHBEND-Truly,thisisataleoftwocities. OneisanAll-Americacity.Thebestoftimes? Theotherisadyingcity.Theworstoftimes?Thetwocitiessodescribedhappentobeonecity,SouthBend.Andtimesareneitherthebest,despiteSouth

BendwinningtheprestigiousAll-AmericacityawardfromtheNationalCivicLeague,northeworst,despiteahatchetjobonthecitybyaformerGeorgeW.BushspeechwriterintheWallStreetJournal.IsthatAll-Americadesigna-tionabigdeal?Yes.Itiscovetedtoboostspiritsathomeandimagena-tionally,withintensecompetitionforthisoldestandmostpresti-giouscommunityaward. Italsoismisunderstood,

resultinginsome“arewereallyworthy?”commentslocally. Theawarddoesn’tgotocitiesfoundtohavenocrimeconcerns,nounemploymentproblems,noinfrastruc-turewoes,nounhappinessovertaxes.Ifthatwerethecriteria,nocitywouldwin. Theawardisbasicallyfor“communitygrassrootsproblemsolving.” SouthBend’spresentationstressedthreeex-amples:RevitalizingtheNortheastneighborhoodinwork-ingwiththeUniversityofNotreDame,turningaNatato-riumthatwasalandmarkofsegregationintotheIndianaUniversitySouthBendCivilRightsHeritageCenter,anddevelopingapeer-to-peerefforttocutthehighschooldropoutrate. There’snoclaimthattheseprogramswipedoutcrime,doubledtheworkforceorpreventedsnowandcoldinthewinter. The presentation anddocumentationenabledSouthBendtowinoneofthe10All-Americaawards,beat-ingout,amongotherfinalists,AnnArbor,Mich.;Buffalo,N.Y.;Beloit,Wis.,andothercitiesfromCalifornia,Iowa,Massachusetts,Oregon,TexasandUtah.Philadelphia,CincinnatiandNebraska’sDakotaCountydroppedoutasfinalists. Thiscommunityrecognitionishailedlocallyasare-sponsetoNewsweekmagazine’sdesignationofSouthBendasa“dying”city. Thatdesignation,thoughcomingfromamagazineregardedinthepublishingworldasitself“dying,”stillisa

bigdeal.Itspreadsanegativeimage. Newsweek’sdeathlyforecastwasbasedonpopula-tiondecline.AndSouthBend,likesomanyotherMidwestcitieswithhistoricrelianceontheautomotiveindustryandotherRustBeltmanufacturing,hasindeedlostpopulation. Butdemise?No.NotwithNotreDamearoundtojoininprojectsthathelpedwintheAll-Americaawardandwithothereffortsoninnovationforjobsofthefuture. Taleoftwocities? Pittsburgh shares the samecontradiction;itwascitedbyNewsweekas“dying”andbyForbesasthecoun-try’s“mostlivablecity.”MorethanCensustotalscount. ThehatchetjobonSouthBendwaswrittenbyWilliamMcGurn,chiefspeechwriterforPresidentGeorgeW.BushandalsoaspeechwriterforRupertMurdoch.Hispar-tisanpoliticaltakeonSouthBend’sproblemsisthattheyareallthefaultofDemocraticmayors. McGurnsavagedthecity,comparingSouthBendwithDetroit,whichreallyhasexperiencedtheworstoftimes.HewrotethatSouthBend,“likeatleastoneofitscompanionsonthedyingcitieslist,Detroit,hasn’thadaRepublicanmayorforfourdecades.” Faircomparison? CityservicesfunctioninSouthBend.NotalwayssoinDetroit.NoneoftheSouthBendmayorshavebeenjailedoreverchargedwithanyillegality.Theyhavere-frainedfrompartisanrhetoric,usuallywinningsupportfromRepublican-tendingbusinessleadersatelectiontime.It’snottheirfaultthatthereoftenwasasorryRepublicanalternative. Havetheysometimesfailedineconomicdevelop-mentefforts?Yes.Toooften. ButitisasunfairforaRepublicanspeechwritertosaySouthBend’seconomicproblemsarethefaultofDemocraticmayorsasitwouldbeforsomeDemocraticmouth-piecetosaytheproblemsareallthefaultofPresi-dentBush’seconomicpolicies. McGurn, in his political piece,alsolabeledSouthBendasanexceptionto“theeconomicrecoverythatGov.MitchDaniels’reformshavebroughttotherestofthestate.” Gee,alltherestofthestate?May2011unemploy-mentpercentagesshowSouthBend’smetropolitanstatisti-calareadoingbetterthantheareasofAnderson,Elkhart,Kokomo,MichiganCityandTerreHauteandbetterthansomeruralcounties,too. SpeechwriterMcGurn’strashingofSouthBendalsoisabigdealinthistaleoftwocities.IthurtstheSouthBendarea.Anunflatteringportrayalagaingoesnational.Andmanyreaderswon’tknowit’sapoliticaltale.v

Colwell has covered Indiana politics over five de-cades for the Souh Bend Tribune.


Doug Ross, NWI Times: TheIndianaDepartmentofEducationisworkingfeverishlytowritetherulesforhowparentswillapplyforschoolvouchers.Whenthat’sdone,Ihopeitwillworkonprovidingparentssomeguid-anceonschoolchoice.Betweenopenenrollmentinsomeschooldistricts,charterschoolsandvouchersfornonpublicschoolsinafewweeks,parentscouldusesomeguid-anceonhowtoshopforaschool.It’sagoodproblemtohave,onethatdidn’texistformanyparentsuntilrelativelyrecently.Openenrollmentcameaboutwhenthestateas-sumedthelion’sshareofthecostofoperatingschoolsinIndiana.Withthestatepickingupthetab,thereasoninggoes,whynotallowstudentstoattendschooloutsidetheirdistrict,aslongasthereisroominthatdistrict?Charterschoolsarearelativelynewdevelopment,too.Thesearepublicschoolsthatsignacontract,inessence,promisingtodeliveraqualityeducationinexchangeformorelatitudeinhowtheschooloperates.Iftheschoolsfailtodeliverontheirpromise,thechartercanberevoked.Non-publicschools--typicallyreligiousschools--havebeenaroundalongtime,butaffordabilityhasbeenabarrierformanyfamilies.Thevouchersystemchangesthat.Forqualifyingfamilies,thestatewillpaytheprivateschoolasmuchas90percentofthecostofeducatingthatchildatatraditionalpublicschoolinthechild’shomedistrict.Parentshavesomedifficultchoicesahead.

Rich James, Post-Tribune:IwasproudofwhatLakeCountyDemocratsdidduringthelastsessionoftheGeneralAssembly.Andthat’snotsomethingIhavesaidveryoftenovertheyears.IwasespeciallypleasedwithSen.EarlineRogers,whowentoutofherwaytostoptwoill-advisedattemptstofundthemaintenanceoftheLittleCalumetRiver.RogerswenttobatattheurgingofHammondMayorThomasMcDermott,whoalsoiscountyDemocraticchairman,andcountySurveyorGeorgeVanTil.WhatRogersdidwasclearthewayfortheformationoftheLittleCalumetRiverBurnsWaterwayconservancydistrict.So,whentheLegislatureadjournedattheendofApril,VanTilandMcDermottwenttoworktoformtheconservancydistrict.Itseemedtobegovernmentatitsfinest.Unlikeoneoftheunfair,misguidedplansRepublicansproposedintheLegislature,theconservancydistrictwouldincludeev-eryoneintheriver’swatershed,aswellascostthepeopleless.Theconservancydistrictproposalputsmaintenanceoftheriverinthehandsoflocalelectedofficials—takingcontrolawayfromagaggleofRepublicansappointedbythegovernor.Thingsweresailingrightalong.ThefloodsgotblamedonDanGardner,theexecutivedirectoroftheLittleCalumetBasinDevelopmentCommissionforyearsandyears.TheysaiditwasGardner’sfaultbecausetheprojecthadn’tbeencompleted.Don’tbuyit.Gardnerwas

simplythefallguyeventhoughhehadbeengoingtotheLegislatureformorethantwodecadesbeggingforstatemoneytoprovidethelocalmatchforthefederalmoneytobuildthelevees.Someyears,Gardnergoteverythingheaskedfor.Someyearsjustabone.Thingswereprogress-ingwelluntilLakeCountyRepublicansgotinvolved.Theydidn’twanttogiveupthepowertheyseizedwhenGardnerandthecommissionerswereoustedacoupleyearsagoinfavorofthegovernor’sappointees.Andnow,Republicanshavemadethingsterriblypolitical.TheyarefollowingVanTilaroundlikeapackofpuppies,nippingathisheels,hop-ingsomeonewillpaythemattention.

Ron Klain, Bloomberg: Fortwoyears,pollshaveshownthattheAmericanpeoplehavetwostronglyheldbe-liefs.First,theythinkthepresidentshoulddomoretocre-atejobs.Second,theybelievefederalspendingshouldbecut,andthegovernmentshouldshrink.Totheprogressive

economistswhoformthecadreofPresidentBarackObama’sadvisers--andindeed,tomostmain-streameconomists--thesetwoviewsaremutuallycontradictory.IntheclassicalKeynesianplaybook,thewaythefederalgovernmentcancreatemorejobsisbyspendingmore:investinginpublicworksprojects,providingfiscalaidtostateandlocal

governments,sendingstimuluscheckstotaxpayers,andevenjusthiringpeopledirectly.Demandsthatthegovern-mentspurjobcreationwhilealsoreducingspendingare,inthisview,asunrealisticasthePharaoh’spunitivedirectivetohisslavesto“makebrickswithoutstraw.”HowandwhythepublicsouredonKeynesianeconomicsisatopicthatwe’llbedebatingforageneration.Whatisbeyonddebate,however,isthatforthepasttwoyears(includingthefinalyearofDemocraticcontroloftheU.S.House),traditionalstimulativepoliciestocreatejobshavelackedsupportamongthepublicandthemajorityinCongress.Indeed,inWashingtontoday,thedebateisn’tabouthowmuchmorethegovernmentshouldbespendingtocreatejobs,butratherhowdeeplyfederalspendingshouldbecuttoreducethedeficit.Thepresidentshouldputforwardahalf-dozenjob-creationideasinJuly,andcallonCongresstocomebackearlyfromitsAugustrecesstogivetheseproposalsup-or-downvotesbeforeLaborDay.Then,hecouldpro-poseahalf-dozenmore,anddemandvotesonthosebeforeCongressfinishesitssessionthisyear.Theadministrationmaylosesomeofthesevotes;andideasthatwinapprovalbyCongressinfallorwinterof2011mayhavelimitedimpactontheemploymentrollsbeforeElectionDay2012,buttheAmericanpeoplewillbegratefulforthepresident’sdetermination.v


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

thathavebeenonthedrawingboardforgenerations,andoverahundredmajorroadandbridgerestorationandpreservationsprojects.Allthisisbeingdonewithnonewtaxesandnoborrowing.Onthedaywemadethetransaction,weknewitwasagreatmomentforIndiana,anditlooksbet-tereachpassingyear,”Danielsadded. Amongthechiefaccomplish-mentsofMajorMovestodate:185highwaymileshavebeencompleted,with413expectedbytheendof2015;588bridgeshavebeenrehabilitatedorreplaced;bytheendof2015,1,190bridgeswillhavebeenrehabbedorreplaced;AsofApril2011,thestatehasearnedover$755millionininvest-mentincomeontheleaseproceeds;Bytheendof2012,65projectswillbecompletedorsubstantiallyunderconstructionand30projectswillbeaccelerated,comparedtotheoriginal2006plan. DanielspraisedINDOT,say-ing,“Projectafterprojectisaheadofschedule;projectafterprojectisunderbudget.” AskedbyHPIifhewascon-cernedaboutthepersistent8percentunemploymentinthestate,Danielsdescribeditasa“national”dynamic,andnotedthatIndiana’sjoblessrateis

stillbelowallofitsMidwesternneigh-bors. “Itishoveringbeloweverystatearoundus,”Danielssaid.“It’shoveringafullpointbelowthena-tionalaverage.Wedon’tlikewhereit’shoveringbutlet’sstartwiththecon-text.Wewerebelowthenationalaver-agewhenthebubbleburstandwe’rebelowittoday.Ithinkwe’relookingatIndianainthenationalpicture.Incomeisreallyupinthisstate.Youcanseeitfromtheextraordinarilystrongincometaxthestateisgetting.You’regoingtoseethatagainwhenthebookscloseinadayortwo.Itappearsthatincomeisbeingearnedbythesamepeoplewithovertimeandalotofpart-timepeoplearebeinghired.AsItalktobusinessIguessIunderstand,they’reverynervousaboutthenationaleconomyandnationalpolicy.Theyarebeingverycautiousabouttakingonfulltimeemployees.WithinthatlousycontextIndianaisout-performing.”

Obama blasts GOPon tax hikes WASHINGTON-PresidentObamaonWednesdayusedhis


harshestlanguageyettourgecon-gressionalRepublicanstoagreetoendtaxbreaks“formillionairesandbillionaires”aspartofadealtoreducetheannualbudgetdeficit,sayingthatthelawmakers’refusaltoconsideranytaxincreasesisindefensible(Wash-ingtonPost).ButhealsopredictedthatRepublicanswouldreconsidertheirpositionasthedeadlinenearsforraisingthenation’s$14.3trillionlimitonborrowing.Atapressconfer-enceintheEastRoomoftheWhiteHouse,Obamasaidheiswillingtocutspendingonarangeofprogramsbymorethan$1trillion,totrimthedefensebudgetandtolookforwaystocontrolentitlementcosts.ButhesaidRepublicansmustagreetoallowtaxestoriseonthewealthiestAmeri-cansandtoeliminatetaxbreaksforoilcompaniesandcorporatejetowners.“ItwouldbehardforRepublicanstostandthereandsaythatthetaxbreakforcorporatejetsissufficientlyimportantthatwe’renotwillingtocometothetableandgetadealdone,”Obamasaid.“Whatwe’veseeninnegotiationshereinWashingtonisalotofpeoplesayalotofthingstosatisfytheirbaseortogetoncablenews.”“HopefullyleadersatacertainpointrisetotheoccasionanddotherightthingfortheAmericanpeople,”thepresidentadded.Obamaalsoexpressedimpatienceoverthepaceoftalksonaspendingplan,astheTreasuryDepartment’sAug.2deadlineloomsforraisingtheborrowingceilingbeforetheUnitedStatesdefaultsonitsdebt.AndherebuttedRepublicancriticismthathehasnotbeeninvolvedenoughinnegotiations,sayingthathehasleddebateontheissueandthatit’snowtimeforCongresstomakeadecision.“Theyneedtodotheirjob,”Obamasaid,addingthatlawmakersshouldhavetocanceltheirsummerrecesstripsiftheycan’tstrikeadeal.Healsocomparedthestallingwithhistwodaughters’efficiency,sayingthatifMaliaandSashacoulddotheirhomeworkontime,there’snoreason

thatCongressshouldbetakingsolongtoworkoutaplan.

Legislators lookinto police entry INDIANAPOLIS-HoosiercomplaintsaboutanIndianaSupremeCourtdecisionterminatingthecom-monlawrighttoresistunlawfulpoliceentryintoahomearelikelytoleadtochangesinstatelaw(NWITimes).AcommitteeofstatelegislatorsmetWednesdaytoreviewthecourt’scon-troversialBarnesv.StaterulinganddiscussactionstheGeneralAssemblycouldtakethatwouldhavetheeffectofoverturningthedecision.“Nexttodaylightsavingstime...I’venotreceivedmorecallsonanythingthanthis,”saidstateSen.BrentSteele,R-Bedford.Lawmakerswerepuzzledathowthecourtcouldeliminatetherighttoresistbasedonpublicpolicycon-cernsforpoliceofficersafetybecausea2006lawexplicitlypermitsHoosierstostandtheirground,andevenusedeadlyforce,todefendthemselvesagainstviolentcrime.“ThatisthepublicpolicyofthestateofIndiana,”saidstateSen.MichaelYoung,R-Indi-anapolis.Youngispreparinglegislationtoclarifyindividualself-defenserightsthatheplanstopresentattheAugustcommitteemeetingandintendstosponsorwhentheGeneralAssemblyconvenesinJanuary.TheSupremeCourtstillcanreviseitsruling.Apeti-tionforrehearingaskingthecourttoreconsideritsdecisionwassubmittedearlierthismonth.

Judge rules onObamacare CINCINNATI-Afederalap-pealscourtinCincinnatiruledtodayinfavorofakeyprovisionofObama-Care.However,therulinghasnoimmediatebearingonIndianawhich

ispartofaseparatecase(WIBC).AtissueistheindividualmandaterequiringnearlyallAmericanstobuyhealthinsurancecome2014orfacefinancialpenalties.Themandateisseeingheavychallengesfromgroupsandstatesnationwide...includingIndiana.Wednesday’srulinginCincin-natibyathree-judgepanelsaystheprovisionofthePatientProtectionandAffordableCareActisindeedavalidexerciseoflegislativepowerbyCongressHowever,IndianaAttorneyGeneralSpokesmanBryanCorbinsaystherulingisoneofatleastthree,twoofwhicharestillbeingheardbyotherfederalappealscourts.Indianaispartofa26-statechallenge,alongwithFlorida,Georgiaandothers,pendinginAtlanta.Decisionsinthepend-ingcasesareexpectedinthecom-ingmonths.TheissueisexpectedtoreachtheU-SSupremeCourtbyyear’send.Challengesarealsopendinginlowercourts.

Terre Haute getsABC affiliate TERREHAUTE-AllABCtelevi-sionprogrammingwillsoonbeprovid-edbyTerreHaute’sownChannel38,currentlyaFoxNetworkaffiliate.Forthepast16years,ABCprogramminginTerreHautehasbeenavailableonlyonpaytelevision,suchascableorsatelliteTV.BeginningSept.1,WFXW-TVChannel38willbecomeWAWV-TVChannel38,anABCstation.“We’rereallyexcitedbecausethisdoesofferadditionalprogrammingoptionsandopportunities,”saidTimSturgess,gen-eralmanagerofFox38andWTWO-TVChannel2.“Wejustthinkit’sgoingtobeagreatthingforourviewersandagreatthingforthecommunityofTerreHaute,whichhasn’thadalocalABCaffiliatesincethemid1990s,”Sturgesssaid.

thursday, june 30, 2011 battle for house centers on open seats - … · 2020-05-26 · howey...

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