Freight Train of Change at Statehouse Landmark Education, Abortion Legislation Poised for Daniels’ Signature by BRIAN A
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V16, N33 Thursday, April 28, 2011 Freight train of change at Statehouse Landmark education, abortion legislation poised for Daniels’ signature By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - In his 2004 Indiana Re- publican Convention nomination speech, Gov. Mitch Daniels promised a “freight train of change.” It roared out of the House and Senate this week as legislators passed landmark education reforms and abortion restrictions that includ- ed the defunding of Planned Parent- hood after an emotional debate. Both not only reshape 21st Century Indiana for Hoosier women and children, they could become - potentially - part of the presidential campaign of Gov. Daniels. The education reforms will State Rep. Matt Ubelhor, one of the House freshmen Republi- be the topic of discussion at a May cans as part of Gov. Daniels “Aiming Higher” class, argues for 4 speech by Daniels in Washington the Planned Parenthood defunding. (HPI Photo) before the American Enterprise In- stitute. If you believe there is a political strategy that slings concerns facing education today,” Indiana Superintendent Daniels out of the Indiana orbit and into a national one, it of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett said on Monday. is the education reforms. “With leadership on the part of Gov. Mitch Daniels and “No other state has taken on such an encompass- ing array of reforms in one fell swoop to address the many Continued on page 3 Is there ‘fire in the belly?’ By CHRIS SAUTTER WASHINGTON - Mississippi Governor Haley Bar- bour bowed out of the Presidential race Monday saying he lacked the requisite “fire in the belly” needed “I told President Obama that I to run a successful race. If Barbour, would serve two years but that who had been frantically running around the country seeking support family considerations would be for his candidacy over the past year, lacks the necessary fire in the belly, front and center after that.” what does that say about the reluc- - Tim Roemer, ambassador to tant Mitch Daniels, who has been avoiding the presidential trail like the India, on his resignation plague? HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 2 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, April 28, 2011 In fact, Republican Party clearly not enthused by the repeat leaders have been practically begging candidacy of Mitt Romney. Daniels to run. Now with Barbour out The reality is that most quality of the race, Daniels has a near lock on leaders in the Republican Party are Washington establishment money to either not connecting well with the Re- www.HoweyPolitics.com fund his campaign. So why has Dan- publican base in early primary or cau- iels been engaging in a public Hamlet- cus states or they are not running—or like “to be or not to be” debate? neither. Why that is may explain a lot Howey Politics To answer that question, one must about whether Daniels decides to run Indiana recognize what is going on within the or not. is a non-partisan newsletter Republican Party. The two potential GOP can- based in Indianapolis. It was The GOP presidential field didates currently at the top of the founded in 1994 in Fort Wayne. continues to shrink as respected national polls are former Arkansas establishment figures like Barbour and Governor Mike Huckabee and busi- South Dakota Sen. John Thune take ness tycoon Donald Trump—both party Brian A. Howey, Publisher a pass. Potential candidates pass outsiders. In fact, Donald Trump is Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington on running for president for one of the only potential GOP candidate to Jack E. Howey, editor two reasons. Either they believe the create any excitement in the race Beverly K. Phillips, associate nomination is not worth having, that so far, though it has been based is the incumbent is so strong that the mostly on Trump’s pushing the bizarre editor odds of winning are too long to risk “birther” issue. Trump’s wild accusa- their careers on it. So, for example, tions about Obama’s background have Subscriptions in 1991 with George H.W. Bush at 91 made Michele Bachman almost look $350 annually HPI Weekly percent in the polls in the wake of the mainstream. first Gulf War, the Mario Cuomo’s of In fact, support in the polls $550 annually HPI Weekly and the Democratic Party decided to sit out for Trump’s outrageous run-up to the HPI Daily Wire. of the race, while the lesser-known Bill presidential starting line represents 'Call 317.627.6746 Clinton snatched up the nomination a kind of protest vote against the and then the presidency. Republican establishment, of which Or, more frequently, the po- Daniels is clearly a member. What Contact HPI tential presidential candidates recog- some who in the party establishment Howey Politics Indiana nize they cannot win the nomination. are calling a vacuum in the field may 6255 N. Evanston Ave. For example, Evan Bayh dropped out be more like a signal. Indianapolis, IN 46220 of the 2008 Democratic race after rais- The Republican base - those www.howeypolitics.com ing $13 million when he realized there voters in the early states that decide was no place for him to go in that presidential nominations - has moved [email protected] race. so far to the right that establishment 'Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 With President Obama’s candidates are having trouble getting 'Washington: 703.248.0909 approval rating stuck below 50 per- their footing. The field is being de- 'Business Office: 317.627.6746 cent and the economy still sputtering, fined by the fringe rather than by the the Republican nomination is clearly center. The side-show in GOP presi- worth something. Simply put, Barbour dential politics has become the main © 2011, Howey Politics Indiana. dropped out because he wasn’t sell- attraction. All rights reserved. Photocopy- ing. Like Bayh in 2007, Barbour was For example, outsider candi- ing, Internet forwarding, fax- getting very little traction as a result of dates who attract support from social ing or reproducing in any form, his trips to Iowa, New Hampshire, and conservatives and far-right conserva- whole or part, is a violation of even South Carolina. tives - Huckabee, Santorum, Bachman, Former Minnesota Governor Palin, and Paul - are drawing well over federal law without permission Tim Pawlenty isn’t doing much better 50 percent in early Iowa caucus poll- from the publisher. v with the Republican base than Barbour ing. Iowa is so inhospitable to estab- did, but Pawlenty’s geographic prox- lishment Republicans like Romney that imity to Iowa gives him a shot there. the 2008 also-ran really isn’t going to And, primary and caucus voters are do much to compete there in 2012. HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 3 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, April 28, 2011 Barbour and Daniels are two of the smartest politi- standard line about family. The real reason will be because cal operatives in the Republican Party and they both have Daniels understands the transformation going on within his strong ties to the party establishment. The conventional own party and he hasn’t figured out a way to pull the party wisdom has been one or the other, not both, would run. As back to the center. v sharp political minds think alike, it may be more likely that neither runs. Sautter is a Democratic political consultant based in If Daniels demurs on running, he will invoke the Washington. House Minority Leader B. Patrick Bauer decried Freight train, from page 1 the moves, saying, “Universal public schools are going to be diminished. We’re going to see an increase in charter thoughtful debate and action on the part of Indiana’s schools and a proliferation of private schools. It’s a matter legislators, our schools will have all the tools they need to of money.” dramatically improve academic results for students.” Bennett became the point man less than two years The “Putting Students First” agenda takes the fol- after Daniels recruited him to replace long-time Supt. lowing actions to transform Indiana’s education system: Suellen Reed. He said he had met with more than 30,000 * Reforms collective bargaining law to give students, parents, teachers and administrators to discuss school leaders the freedom and agility they need to run the reforms that prompted a five-week walkout by Indiana their schools effectively; House Democrats and rallies at the Statehouse. * Ends the practice of laying off teachers with Coupled with the property tax reforms that allowed less seniority first, regardless of their effectiveness; most Hoosier students to transfer to any public school * Gives great teachers the opportunity to district, Indiana families now face an array of choices that earn pay increases and professional protection based on include the expansion of charter schools along with 7,500 their effectiveness - not just on their seniority or the col- students who can apply for vouchers. lege credits they earn; “Across the state, the conversations about educa- * Requires multifaceted evaluations for teach- tion reform are changing from ‘What are we doing and ers and principals - based in part on student learning and why?’ to ‘What are the next steps, and how can we be growth; ready?’” Bennett said. “That’s a powerful and exciting tran- * Creates Indiana’s first school voucher pro- sition; it means people are ready for action. Given these gram, allowing qualifying families to use a portion of their additional opportunities, I am confident Indiana’s parents, child’s per-student state allocation to help pay tuition costs teachers, principals, superintendents and school board at participating non-public schools; members have the power and the support necessary to * Expands the number of entities that can give our students the academic preparation they will need sponsor charter schools and increases accountability for to be successful.” charters to ensure only the highest-quality options for Hoo- State Sen.