Young Surveys '08 Governor Field
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V13 N23 Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007 Young surveys ‘08 governor field Only announced Democrat talks about Judy O’Bannon & learning from four govs By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - On Tuesday, HPR sat down with Senate Minority Leader Richard Young in his Statehouse office to discuss his gu- bernatorial candidacy, the first by a Senate leader since Robert Garton’s 1996 run. Currently Young is the only Demo- cratic candidate with an exploratory commit- tee. He surveyed the potential field, believing that Mayors Bart Peterson, Jonathan Weinza- pfel, former House Speaker John Gregg and Senate colleague Vi Simpson will not enter the Senate Minority Leader Richard Young in the Senate chambers on Tuesday. (HPR 2008 race. Photo) And Young talked of the four gover- nors - Evan Bayh, Frank O’Bannon, Joe Kernan and Mitch Young: Having worked with four governors, I Daniels - he’s worked with and how they will influence his know the difficulties of the job, campaign. Here’s our exclusive conversation: particularly through many discus- HPR: How did you decide to run for governor? sions with Gov. O’Bannon, telling See page 3 Payton & Peyton Society By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - The most mysterious aspect of life in the Great Midwest is that of the Chicago Cubs and the team’s psychological hold on otherwise reasonable people. This phenomenon gripped “Remember, tomorrow is promised the sports/photo staff of the Elkhart Truth during the first week of to no one.” October 1984 as if the sadistic Big Brother was directing it himself. - Chicago Bears runningback Walter They were enthused about game Payton 5 of the National League playoffs where the Cubs were poised to go to their first World Series since 1945. This would be the game when Page 2 Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007 Leon Durham’s mitt was drenched in The Howey Political Report is The Howey Political Report Gatorade, and using another “Buck- PO Box 40265 published by NewsLink Inc. It Indianapolis, IN 46240-0265. nered” a groundball, allowing the San was founded in 1994. Diego Padres into pre-Bartman glory. www.howeypolitics.com The press/photo passes to the Chicago Brian A. Howey, Publisher [email protected] Bear/New Orleans Saints game at Sol- Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington Indianapolis Office: 317-506-0883. dier Field were awarded to yours truly, Writer by default. Indianapolis Fax: 317-254-0535. Mark Curry, Washington Writer Washington, DC Office: 202-256-5822. But this was no ordinary Jack E. Howey, Editor Business Office: 317-254-0535. game. This was the game that Bear runningback Walter Payton would Subscriptions: ©2007, The Howey Political Report. break the great Jim Brown’s rushing $350 annually HPR via e-mail; All rights reserved. Photocopying, Internet record of 12,213 yards. It was a race, $550 annually HPR & HPR Daily Wire. forwarding, faxing or reproducing in any because Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Call 317-254-0535. form, in whole or part, is a violation of Harris was also closing in on the mark. federal law. “I want to get it before Franco gets it,” Payton said as the ‘84 tent and I inexpicably ended up right and Peyton Manning were exploiters season commenced. next to Payton, literally of any error, of seizing any moment. “I’ll be starting the my scrawny shoulder Payton had that kick step that even season with the touching the turf-stained as I think about it now, I feel a chill afterburners on.” shoulder pads of Sweet- in my spine. Or the hammer he would So there I ness as he took a con- unleash on any defender trying to was, on the Soldier gratulatory phone call bring him down. With Peyton Manning, Field sidelines with from President Reagan. I there are the mind-games at the line my Canon camera, was close enough I could of scrimmage, a mental chess match awaiting history. hear The Gipper’s voice of epic dimensions, and the tight I stood directly as Payton aw shucked spirals over the outward shoulder of behind Payton and and laughed. I stepped Marvin Harrison, just out of reach of quarterback Jim away as the phone call the Champ Baileys of the world. McMahon dur- ended, shooting off I attended an IU-Northwest- ing the National three frames of Payton ern football game at Evanston a few Anthem, the two talking to the president. years before this. My friend looked affectionately tap- To me, Walter Pay- down on the field and said, “Hey, ping knuckles as ton, and for that matter, there’s Walter Payton.” And there the sell-out crowd Peyton Manning of the he was, alone, across the running sang and whistled. Colts, represent the finest pro football track of Dyche Stadium, lean- Sometime during the first half, has to offer. Not only were and are ing against the Payton took a handoff from McMahon they the finest physical specimens chainlink and picked up six yards, eclipsing the the game has to of- fence. We great Jim Brown. fer, but walked down I remember rushing to say hello. onto the field with the Sweetness media horde as Payton was most displayed the historical pleased leather spud before he gave to chat it up to Pro Football Hall of with these Fame Executive Director Pete regular Elliott. Teammates Otis Wilson Joes. and Calvin Thomas laughed Behind the friendly veneer, with “Sweetness” as kicker Bob they was the intense competitiveness. On Thomas placed his arm around share many traits: Oct. 7, 1984, Walter Payton wasn’t the star runner. It was an amaz- tireless preparation for every entirely satisfied with his milestone. ing moment. game; emotionally settled, and decent “Brown set his record in nine seasons. But there was more to come. human beings. I wish I could have done it in nine. I After the game, we were herded into a But on the field, Walter Payton could have, too, if the strike hadn’t Page 3 Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007 shortened the 1982 season.” thing to watch. For most of the first half, Walter Payton “My father always told me never to settle for sec- acted as a decoy, going in motion and throwing some huge ond best,” Payton once said. “That you either try to do your blocks for fullback Matt Suey, including one for a 10-yard best or don’t try at all.” TD run. In the first half, William “The Refridgerator” Perry As a Bear rookie, he (looking small by today’s insisted on a $126,000 signing linemen) tried to throw a bonus, because that’s what it touchdown pass. He would took for the New Orleans Saints rumble in for a rushing TD in to sign Archie Manning. And it the second half. Walter Pay- was the biggest bonus at the ton fumbled on his second time for an NFL player from carry. He didn’t score. It was the state of Mississippi. When Coach Ditka and Defense he arrived in 1975, the Bears Coordinator Buddy Ryan stunk, just as they had almost who were hoisted on the big every year since I began watch- Bear shoulders at the Super ing them as a kid in Michigan Dome. City in 1965. Coach Abe Gibron lived down the block and In our household, there was great sadness when they seemed to live under his credo: “Dey may be sons of Walter Payton died in 1999. Life ain’t fair. How is it that bitches, but dey’re our sons of bitches.” Walter Payton could die, and Keith Richard survives a fall The team generally sucked, but always had great from a coconut tree? players. I’ll take the career highlight reels of Gale Sayers, Shortly after the Super Bowl shuffle and the ulti- Dick Butkus, Mike Ditka, Walter Payton and Mike Singletary mate victory, I began following the Indianapolis Colts. I’m over any five players you care to come up with. one of those Hoosiers with NFC allegiances to my beloved Last Sunday as my family gathered to cel- Bears, AFC due diligence to my Colts. ebrate the month’s birthdays, my brother-in-law produced a So here they are, together, in this epic Super Bowl. DVD. And there we watched “The Super Bowl Shuffle.” Indiana is now a football state. “My name is Sweetness and I like to dance ... play- I am not an equivocator, but I hope for Pey- ing the game is like making romance.” ton Manning what I had for Walter Payton 21 years ago. It was audacious theater. They had come off an Regardless of the outcome on Sunday, there won’t be that NFC Championship Game beating to the 49ers and the fol- sting of defeat we felt against the Patriots a few years ago, lowing summer, laid claim to the 1986 Super Bowl with one or the Steelers last season. of the first rap songs. No team has dared do so since, lest This Sunday, my most favorable thoughts will be they eat 350-pound crow. with them. Walter Payton uttered a phrase we use in our We then watched the ‘86 Super Bowl, a 46-10 shel- household: “Tomorrow is promised to no one.” lacking of the New England Patriots. It was a bittersweet Seize this day. v From page 1 me the many aspects that he found in running a statewide campaign. I feel like we need a different type of leadership that’s responsive, leadership that listens to the people of the state, and who develops solutions which are collaborative. What I see from this administration right now, I don’t believe that’s how they operate.