The Howey Political Report Is Published by Newslink As Gov
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Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003 Volume 10, Number 9 Page 1 of 8 he Kernan brings on T Davis for key roles Howey Now Hoosers await the 2004 decision By BRIAN A. HOWEY in Indianapolis The brilliant addition of Kathy Davis as lieutenant governor to the fledgling Kernan administration only partial- Political ly resets the Hoosier political equation. The other shoe to either drop or make the kickoff will be Gov. Joe Kernan’s decision on whether he will seek a full Report term of his own, setting up a potentially riveting matchup with Republican Mitch Daniels. The Howey Political Report is published by NewsLink As Gov. Kernan introduced what he said was the most Inc. Founded in 1994, The Howey Political Report is qualified on the list “who happens to be a woman,” both he an independent, non-partisan newsletter analyzing the political process in Indiana. and Davis seemed to leave the door open for the 2004 options. “It’s not something we’re not talking a great deal Brian A. Howey, publisher about,” Kernan said before a packed Senate chambers this Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington writer afternoon. “We’ve really got our hands full running the State Jack E. Howey, editor of Indiana. This is not something we’ve had time to talk about. This is about Kathy Davis and that’s where I’d like to The Howey Political Report Office: 317-254-1533 PO Box 40265 Fax: 317-968-0487 leave it.” Indianapolis, IN 46240-0265 Mobile: 317-506-0883 Davis, who opened up her new tenure by saying, [email protected] “Hello, greetings to all of you. I’m happy to be here,” lauded www.howeypolitics.com Gov. Kernan for his “great spirit” and “leadership with skill” before adding, “We are sooo with you. My whole heart is in Washington office: 202-775-3242; Business Office: 317-254-0535. this job.” Davis described her new job as a “15-month opera- Subscriptions: $250 annually via e-mail or tion,” but after she was asked if she’d consider being on a fax; $450 annually including the HPR Daily ticket with Kernan, said, “We’ll be talking, I’m sure.” Wire. Call 317-254-1533 or 254-0535. Twisting, twisting in the wind are Democratic guber- © 2003, The Howey Political Report. All rights natorial candidates Joe Andrew and Vi Simpson, who have reserved. Photocopying, Internet forwarding, faxing or encountered the second frozen pond in the the party’s quest reproducing in any form, in whole or in part, is a viola- for a nominee, both coming from actions by the reluctant tion of federal law and is strictly prohibited without governor. The first occurred last December when Kernan consent of the publisher. “From the time I stopped drinking, I have Ticker: Roemer’s new job p. 2 dedicated my life to helping other people. My Horse Race ‘04: A new equation p. 3 past is my greatest asset ...” City Elections: Where’s the anger? p. 5 Horse Race ‘03: SigmaSix questions p. 6 - Crown Point Democratic mayoral nominee Columnists: Carter, Colwell p. 8 Wayne Isailovich, Times of Northwest Indiana Covering 10 years of Indiana politics Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003 Page 2 of 8 withdrew from the race and the party interacted with both Statehouse waited with halted breath as Sen. Evan Republicans and Democrats. As Mayor Bayh, U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, Mayor Bart Peterson’s controller since 2000, she had Peterson and former House Speaker John been the administration’s point person on Gregg took a pass. budget issues. Through no fault of his own, the Davis, 46, is a Boston native whose KERNAN KICKS OFF MAR- events since Sept. 8 with the illness and father has roots in Evansville. She studied KETING CAMPAIGN: Gov. death of Gov. Frank O’Bannon is a huge mechanical engineering at the Massa- Joe Kernan announced a blow for the Andrew and Simpson cam- chusetts Institute of Technology. She $1million marketing cam- paigns, both which have been cast in the earned her MBA at the Harvard Business paign yesterday to promote the business-friendly fea- harsh light of events beyond their control. School. Upon graduation there, she came tures of last year's tax over- Typical was the take of House to work for Cummins Inc., at a time when haul in Indiana (Associated Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, who said of the U.S. auto industry was being pressed Press). The campaign Kernan to the Associated Press, “He by Japanese automakers. She told the begins this week and would not only be the best candidate for Indianapolis Business Journal last April, includes television and our party, but would make the best gover- “I chose heavy manufacturing because I radio commercials, promo- nor for our state.” He called the selection was wondering: Did we not understand tional kiosks in airports, of Davis “a brilliant choice.” how to be competitive, or were we just direct marketing to busi- Throughout the week, those kind of not able to do it? I found we understood, ness owners and advertise- comments from Democratic legislators but making change in a big organization is ments in newspapers and business publications. It will about Kernan have essentially voiced a hard.” be targeted primarily toward “no confidence” in the Andrew and It is easy to see why Davis emerged states and cities in the Simpson campaigns at a time when both as Kernan’s choice. It is historic because it Midwest but also will seek credibility and money. breaks the male gender stranglehold on include promotions in The Davis nomination, expected to the state’s top two executive positions California and other states. be universally hailed, poses another prob- since 1816. Davis is personable, attractive Kernan said it would "high- lem for the Andrew-Simon campaign. and businesslike. Her legacy in the Bayh, light how Indiana has been Davis has already gone through the vet- O’Bannon and Peterson administrations is different than other states in ting by Indiana State Police and Kernan’s that of a fiscal conservative. these difficult times. There office, and will undergo a similar review Asked about her ability to work is nobody else who did what Indiana did last year in by the Indiana news media. with both Republicans and Democrats, restructuring taxes," Kernan In contrast, Simon has refused Davis described herself as an “engineer said during a news confer- media interviews following her July selec- and an analyst” who deals with “facts.” ence with officials from the tion by Andrew, and has yet to answer “An honest look at facts goes a Indiana Department of even the most basic of boilerplate issues long way,” she said. Commerce. (abortion, death penalty, home rule, etc., She is a bureaucrat sans political etc.) that Davis will most likely be pre- ambition, giving Gov. Kernan a variety of ROEMER TO HEAD POLICY pared to answer in the coming days. governing and political latitude during the CENTER: Former 3rd tough decisions ahead. In her budgetary District Rep. Tim Roemer roles, she has yet to help shape a tax begins a new job today as Kathy Davis president of the Center for The other jarring contrast between increase that Gov. Kernan is already under National Policy, a nonparti- Davis and Simon is the established rela- fire from the Republicans. san, public policy organiza- tionships she already brings to the table. tion based in Washington, Davis served as Gov. Evan Bayh’s A heavy role D.C. "I'm very excited," said budget director a decade ago that brought Her background in heavy manufac- Roemer, bubbling with her into contact not only with legislative turing gives Kernan a set of unique cre- enthusiasm for his new role leaders, but then Bayh Chief-of-Staff Bart dentials as he begins to reshape the (James Wensits, South Bend Tribune). "There's a Peterson. During the O’Bannon adminis- Hoosier economy from one dominated by tration, Davis headed the Family Social old-line manufacturing to that of an Continued on page 3 Services Administration where, again, she advanced, high-tech nature. Page 3 of 8 Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003 2004 Racing Form Indiana 2004Gubernatorial Governor 2004: Republican: Mitch Daniels, Eric Miller, Petersburg Mayor Randy Harris, Bob Parker. Democrat: Joe Andrew, State Sen. Vi Simpson, Roy Graham. 1996 Results: lot of work to do, but I'm O’Bannon (D) 1,075,342, Goldsmith (R) 997,505, Dillon (L) 35,261. 2000 Results: O’Bannon very excited about it." (D) 1,230,345, McIntosh (R) 906,492, Horning (L) 38,686. 2004 Forecast: A new day and Roemer compared his new reality has emerged for the 2004 elections. Kernan resisted the “nothing that has occurred in the job to the best parts of last 30 days” speech about his potential political future. He will be under intense pressure by being a member of people in the Democratic Party he cares deeply Congress, only "without the about to run in 2004. A Kernan-Davis ticket fund-raising." The 46-year- would be formidible, particularly if they confront old South Bend Democrat, some of the nagging problems facing the admin- who served six terms in istration. Daniels concluded his first lap around Congress from 1991 until the state at Fishers Town Hall. “I see this as a 16-month job interview, with each of our fellow 2003, will fill the prestigious citizens entitled to inspect the applicant personally. And I feel a duty, should I be hired, to be as shoes of such past center prepared and knowledgeable as one person can be about the problems and the possibilities of presidents as former U.S.