V23, N2 Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017

Rokita announces with Delph support Braun, Rokita join Senate race, Delph out, and Messer announces Saturday By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS – The Republican U.S. Sen- ate race took definition Wednesday morning with U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita’s entry that came with a full-throated endorsement of State Sen. Mike Delph, who consid- ered a candidacy himself. Rokita’s official entry will be bookended by the emergence of State Rep. Mike Braun into the race on Tuesday, and U.S. Rep. Luke Messer’s official kickoff at his annual barbecue in Mor- ristown on Saturday. Unless Attorney General Curtis Hill decides to get in, and his office did not return an inquiry on that from Howey Politics Indiana, the field and make his case to voters on Saturday. looks to be set at six with Terry Henderson of Atlanta, The presumption is that Messer and Rokita will Mark Hurt of Kokomo and Andrew Takami of New Albany be the brawling frontrunners, but Braun believes many already declared. Messer announced his candidacy on

Facebook last week, and is expected to tout his resume Continued on page 3 Coming fire and fury By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS – On Aug. 6, 1945, President Harry S Truman, a mostly unknown political figure, commander in chief for just less than five months, and widely seen as a novice, made a stunning announcement: “Sixteen hours ago an “I’m honored that people believe American airplane dropped one bomb on Hiroshima, an im- in my ability to help our nation portant Japanese Army base. succeed in the same way Indiana That bomb had more power than 20,000 tons of TNT. We has prospered, but after much are now prepared to obliterate more rapidly and completely consideration, I have decided not every productive enterprise the to seek a seat in Congress. ” Japanese have above ground in any city. We shall destroy - State Sen. Brandt Hershman their docks, their factories, and their communications. Let there Page 2 be no mistake; we shall completely to understand diplomatic language … destroy Japan’s power to make war.” I think it was important that he deliver On Tuesday, President Trump, that message to avoid any miscalcu- widely seen as a novice on all things lation on their part,” Tillerson said, military and diplomatic, reacted to a apparently standing by Trump’s threat. report that North Korea had attained “I think what the president was just a miniaturized nuclear warhead with reaffirming is that the United States arms folded and clenched to his torso, has the capability to fully defend itself saying, “North Korea best not make from any attack, and our allies, and any more threats to the United States. we will do so. So the American people Howey Politics Indiana They will be met with fire and fury like should sleep well at night.” WWHowey Media, LLC 405 the world has never seen.” Defense Sec. Jim Mattis add- Massachusetts Ave., Suite It was a chilling moment, ed, “It must be noted that the com- 300 Indianapolis, IN 46204 underscoring comments U.S. Sens. bined allied militaries now possess the Joe Donnelly and Todd Young made to most precise, rehearsed and robust www.howeypolitics.com HPI earlier this summer that Ameri- defense capabilities on Earth. The cans need to wrap their heads around DPRK regime’s actions will continue to Brian A. Howey, Publisher the notion that we may be grossly overmatched by Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington be at war – nuclear war ours and would lose any arms Jack E. Howey, Editor – in a matter of months. race or conflict it initiates.” Perhaps it’s just weeks or The Wall Street Mary Lou Howey, Editor days now. Journal editorialized today: Mark Curry, photography Trump and Kim “Diplomacy works best when Jong Un are now locked there is a credible stick to go Subscriptions in a duel of belicosity, with the carrots. The Trump neither providing the Administration has the right HPI, HPI Daily Wire $599 other much space to idea, even if the President’s HPI Weekly, $350 back down and save face. Kim re- words lack the usual diplomatic poli- Ray Volpe, Account Manager sponded to Trump with a threat to tesse.” 317.602.3620 bomb Guam. And it had TV producers We learned in 2016 when email: [email protected] seeking B-roll of MSNBC’s Joe Scarbor- Trump’s temperament issues were ough recounting a Trump conversation raised that there is no check and bal- with foreign policy experts: “Three ance if a President orders a nuclear Contact HPI times [Trump] asked about the use strike. [email protected] of nuclear weapons. Three times he The BBC reported: “That asked at one point if we had them, military aide will be carrying a satchel Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 why can’t we use them?” over his or her shoulder containing a Washington: 202.256.5822 The real chilling aspect briefcase known as ‘the nuclear foot- Business Office: 317.602.3620 came from former National Security ball’. Inside will be a piece of digital Agency Director Michael Hayden when hardware measuring 3 inch by 5 inch, © 2017, Howey Politics Scarborough then asked a hypo- known as ‘the biscuit’. This contains thetical question: How quickly could the launch codes for a strategic nucle- Indiana. All rights reserved. nuclear weapons be deployed if a ar strike. The briefing for the incoming Photocopying, Internet forward- president were to give approval? “It’s president on how to activate them will ing, faxing or reproducing in scenario dependent, but the system is have already taken place out of public any form, whole or part, is a designed for speed and decisiveness. sight, but the moment President-elect violation of federal law without It’s not designed to debate the deci- Donald Trump takes the oath of office sion,” Hayden said. that aide, and the satchel, will move permission from the publisher. Quick, get Dennis “the Worm” quietly over to his side. Donald Trump Rodman on the phone. will then have sole authority to order Secretary of State Rex Til- an action that could result in the lerson, himself a novice in diplomacy, deaths of millions of people in under tried to reassure a jittery world. an hour. The question on a lot of “What the president is doing is send- people’s minds right now is, given his ing a strong message to North Korea thin skin and impulsive temperament, in language that Kim Jong Un would what are the safeguards, if any, to understand, because he doesn’t seem prevent an impetuous decision by one Page 3 man with catastrophic consequences?” pay any attention to word choice.” Mark Fitzpatrick, a nuclear non- The New York Times quoted White House proliferation expert at the International insiders: “[Trump’s] ominous warning to Institute for Strategic Studies in Washing- Pyongyang was entirely improvised, accord- ton, told the BBC that ultimately, the sole ing to several people with direct knowledge of authority to launch a strike rests with the what unfolded. In discussions with advisers be- president. “There are no checks and bal- forehand, he had not run the specific language ances on the president’s authority to launch by them. Among those taken by surprise, they a nuclear strike. But between the time he said, was John F. Kelly, the retired four-star authorizes one and the time it’s carried out, Marine general who has just taken over as there are other people involved,” Fitzpatrick White House chief of staff and has been with said. the president at his golf club in Bedminster, N.J., for his That would include Sec. Mattis. Fitzpatrick notes, working vacation. “The idea of a rogue president taking such a monumental “But the president’s ad-libbed threat decision on his own is unrealistic. He gives the order and reflected an evolving and still unsettled approach to one of the secretary of defense is constitutionally obliged to carry the most dangerous hot spots in the world as Mr. Trump it out. The secretary of defense could, in theory, refuse to and his team debate diplomatic, economic and military op- obey the order if he had reason to doubt the president’s tions. The president’s aides are divided on North Korea, as sanity, but this would constitute mutiny and the president on other issues, with national security veterans like Mattis can then fire him and assign the task to the deputy secre- and Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, the national security adviser, tary of defense.” on one side and Stephen K. Bannon, the president’s chief Whew. strategist, and his allies on the other.” The questions quickly percolated up Tuesday. White House adviser Sebastian Gorka said the Was Trump speaking off the cuff, or were his words vet- situation was “analogous to the Cuban missile crisis” and ted? Was he simply ratcheting up the pressure on Chinese trumpeted the supremacy of the American “hyperpower.” President Xi? Or, as he’s done in office and on the cam- So, the strong message has been sent, but with paign, was he winging it? very little wiggle room. Kim lobs another missile, and Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear nonproliferation expert does Trump then order a preemptive strike? Does he do it who tweets as ArmsControlWonk, told Washington Post before non-essential U.S. military personnel are evacuated columnist David Ignatius, “Tillerson has drawn the line from South Korea, Japan and Guam? If that does occur, in a more traditional and reasonable place. The question what kind of panic ensues in Seoul and Tokyo. is: What did Trump think he was saying? My guess is he What’s that line I kept using through the 2016 didn’t think about it at all. That’s the problem. He doesn’t campaign? Anything can happen. Anything. v

Rokita, from page 1 President Mike Pence. Rokita told a small group of supporters and the Republicans have soured on the pair’s negative attacks media on the south Statehouse steps just below his former against each other. “During county fairs, I was talking to office, of his 2002 secretary of state race. “The political county officials as well and basically got the same read- elite didn’t engage me when I was 30 years old,” he said ing,” Braun said in a HPI Interview on Tuesday. “There was of that campaign, though he had the backing of financiers a presumption that one of the two would end up being the Bob Grand and Dan Dumezich, who is finance chair of his Republican nominee, and that wasn’t resonating well.” Senate campaign. “In fact they tried to work against me. Braun also noted the CBS Poll which has con- But the good, hardworking people all over Indiana sup- gressional approval at a scant 19%. “I think that’s going to ported me and they supported me in great numbers, just be tough for them, not only because they’ve been involved like they do in my congressional district. I sat in diners, in in politics most of their careers, but they’ve been part of living rooms, farm house kitchens, factory backrooms and the D.C. scene,” Braun said. went and continue to go almost anywhere you can imag- Rokita’s campaign comes with the trappings of the ine. I had thousands of conversations with real people, not Donald Trump populist movement, with signage and an the people to make policy. Internet video declaring “defeat the elite.” It came after “I heard about the growing distrust in our insti- Rex Early and Tony Samuel of the 2016 Indiana Trump tutions,” Rokita said. “People think public servants say one campaign signaled support for Rokita last week, though thing and do another. Hoosiers will believe that politicians Messer finance chairman Greg Pence said the pair were are only looking out for themselves. When you visit Wash- not speaking for President Trump and his brother, Vice ington, D.C., these days or work there, you realize they Page 4 are right. You see in D.C., business is booming and the in Indiana. We don’t have that in Joe Donnelly and there’s business is big government. The construction cranes of the too much at stake to accept it.” rigged system are everywhere in Washington. Six of the Rokita vowed to accomplish goals and pointed to 10 wealthiest counties in America are in the D.C. suburbs. his record as secretary of state to “back it up.” He ex- They are signs of a gross government out of control.” plained, “As secretary of state, I cleaned up our election “No wonder so many Americans believe there is data and fought for the integrity of our elections by imple- a rigged system; politicians, bureaucrats and the media menting and defending all the way to the Supreme Court even, look out for themselves and look down at the rest of our voter ID law. It’s now a national model employed in us,” Rokita said. 28 states.” Working with Gov. Mitch Daniels, Rokita said, “I He contrasted himself with Messer, whom the took on my own party to push for reform in the redistrict- Rokita campaign portrays as living in a wealthy Wash- ing process to make it less partisan and pushed for term ington suburb while claiming a Shelbyville address of his limits for career politicians to get rid of the rigged system mother. “It’s one reason I fly back and forth every week- and I’m glad I did it. As secretary of state, right there in end to be with Kathy, Teddy and Ryan,” Rokita said of his that office, we put white collar criminals behind bars with wife and sons. “I sleep on my (office) record jail time. couch in Washington. Being in Indi- “And in Congress,” Rokita ana keeps me in touch with Hoosiers continued, “I rewrote federal and our values. education laws to return power “When I see what goes on to parents, power to states in Washington and talk to my neigh- and local school districts, and bors, I see their disappointment, we stopped Common Core. On their anger and their distrust,” Rokita the Transportation Committee I continued. “Some go to Washington brought over $5 billion back to and get caught up in the distrust. Indiana over a five-year period They buy million dollar homes, move for the roads, bridges and infra- their families. The golf club mem- structure required to keep our berships are sometimes worth more economy growing. And no, Mike, than the average Hoosier home. And, we didn’t have to raise taxes to of course, the lobbyist dinners. They do it.” become Washington, and when they That was a barb aimed come back to Indiana, it’s here where they get off the at Gov. Eric Holcomb and General Assembly leaders who tower. If they lose an election, that’s okay because they’ll raised fuel taxes and user fees for a 20-year road funding stay there and profit from the system. That’s their world. plan. Sen. Delph has been critical of the gas tax hike. That’s not what we elected them to do.” In the Senate, Rokita vowed to “restore trust and That was in reference to former Indiana U.S. sena- defeat the elite. Only the elite will accept Obamacare. We tors Vance Hartke, Birch and Evan Bayh, Richard Lugar, must continue efforts to repeal and replace it and that Dan Quayle and, for a time, Dan Coats, who either resided will be one of my top priorities. We must reform taxes to in Washington after leaving the Senate or worked there make America competitive again. I will vote to rebuild our (Quayle, however, lives in Arizona). military, defend the border and end sanctuaries in cities Rokita took aim at Donnelly, saying, “They vote and states. They need to follow the law when it comes to one way and vote the other way in Washington. In other immigration. I will sponsor term limit legislation and sup- words, they are hypocrites. This brings us to Sen. Don- port a lobbying ban for former members, removing incen- nelly. He personifies why there is distrust in Washington. tives for people seeking the office in the first place.” And Mr. Donnelly will tell you he is always with us in Washing- Rokita advocated reforming federal agencies and “dispers- ton, and that is somewhat true. He is usually with us every ing jobs” to other areas of the country as a “way to drain time it doesn’t matter. Man, when it matters, he’s not with the swamp.” us. He’s with Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and President “President Trump and Vice President Pence have Obama. When it matters, Joe Donnelly is one of the final an agenda Hoosiers fully support,” Rokita concluded. “They votes for Obamacare.” need more partners in the Senate willing to challenge the “When it’s taxpayer funded abortion, when it’s gun status quo from both parties and take on the failed policies regulations, whatever it is that matters, Joe isn’t with us,” of the Washington elite. We can change the Senate, we Rokita said. “And just recently, we find out that despite all can change Washington, and we can defeat the elite.” of his rhetoric about protecting American jobs, he, himself, Delph, who had pondered an entry into the race, was profiting from jobs out-sourced to Mexico. was the surprise element to Rokita’s kickoff on the south “Indiana needs a conservative senator who votes steps of the Statehouse. Rokita and Delph had opposed our values,” Rokita added. “Indiana needs a senator who each other for the 2002 secretary of state race. votes in D.C. based on the promises he’s made right here “I thought I’d make some news with my town Page 5 meeting, but this is a bigger deal,” Delph began. “Todd HPI Senate race analysis Rokita is the right man for the job. He is a conservative Internal polling by both the Rokita and Messer who can defeat Joe Donnelly. He is the only Republican in campaigns reveal that while both have higher name ID this race who has won twice statewide as a Republican. than the other four candidates, neither candidate has a Todd has the work ethic and determination to take the decisive edge over the other and both must build a state- fight to Joe Donnelly and defeat Joe Donnelly in 2018. wide brand. Rokita has won two statewide races, but the I know this because I remember our secretary of state last occurred in 2006, so he’s not had that kind of expo- race back in 2002 when Todd and I battled through all 92 sure for 11 years. counties for two years. I saw Todd’s work ethic first hand. Prior to his endorsement of Rokita, Delph made Todd is a tireless campaigner. His work ethic and tenacity the same observation that Braun did, that running as a are unmatched in this Republican field. Simply put, Todd member of Congress could be a liability this cycle. Delph is relentless and will be outworked by no one. He will be said there was a “conservative lane” for another can- everywhere, all the time.” didate. Both Braun and Henderson have the ability to Delph added, “People are waking up and they self-fund, to some extent. Braun says he will have about want an end to the nonsense in “two thirds” of the 70-member Washington, D.C.,” Delph said. Indiana House Republican caucus “Indiana needs a conserva- either tacitly or publicly backing tive senator who will actually his candidacy, forming a skeletal represent regular Hoosiers in statewide support system. Washington and will do what Henderson, Hurt and he says he will back in Indiana. Takami have yet to show any On taxes, our 2nd Amendment, traction financially (Hurt reported the right to life, Obamacare, $56,000 on his second quarter FEC the Iran deal, you name it, Joe report). Donnelly says one thing here The failure of congres- in Indiana then turns around sional Republicans to repeal and and votes with the Washington replace Obamacare is just now liberal establishment.” starting to impact national polls. Donnelly campaign Unclear is how Obamacare and manager Peter Hanscom reacted, saying, “As Congress- other GOP issues failing to gain traction and the chaotic man Rokita has said, we need hard workers representing Trump White House will impact Rokita and Messer. A our state in the Senate. Joe Donnelly has built his career Gallup survey earlier this month revealed Trump’s job on reaching across the aisle to find the best solutions for approve/disapprove stood at 47/48% in Indiana, a steep Hoosiers, and he’s worked every single day to strengthen dropoff after he carried the state with a 20% plurality last his connection to the people he represents. He spends November. as much time as he can back home in Indiana when the Rokita has clearly hitched his wagon to Trump Senate’s not in session because there’s no substitute for populism. That could help him in a primary race, though hearing Hoosiers’ concerns firsthand. This race will come a CNN Poll earlier this week revealed that base support is down to whomever has a strong connection to Indiana. beginning to erode. It will be interesting to see how and We’ve been glad to see that both Congressman Rokita and to what extent Messer embraces the Trump/Pence White ourselves feel that Joe Donnelly is that candidate, and we House. That Greg Pence is on his finance committee sug- appreciate his praise.” gests he will mount as emphatic embrace as Rokita did on Hanscom noted an April 20 Howey Politics Inter- Wednesday. view with Rokita when he said, “No. 1, [Joe] works the Donnelly will gladly watch Messer and Rokita state real hard. I see him on the airplane with me every embrace Trump/Pence. It will provide potential fodder for weekend. That’s why we need a candidate who comes the fall campaign once a nominee is chosen. back to the state, lives in the state, raises his family in the Continued Trump and congressional issue failures state. It keeps me connected, just like Joe Donnelly, who could open up that lane for one of the non-members of is fairly connected to voters in this state.” Congress. A complete wild card would be a war – per- haps even a nuclear war – with North Korea, which has Attorney General Hill says ‘stay tuned’ the potential of completely transforming the 2018 cycle Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is not ruling in ways hard to fathom at this writing. If perceived as a out a possible Republican bid for a U.S. Senate seat (As- success, Americans could rally around Trump as they did sociated Press). Hill was asked about joining the Senate in 1991 with President George H.W. Bush. Worth remem- race a short time later at a separate news conference. bering is that Bush lost a reelection bid a year later. And Hill wouldn’t rule out a bid and ended the event by saying his son, President George W. Bush, won reelection after “stay tuned.” his 2003 Iraq War, but Republicans suffered heavy losses Page 6 in the 2006 mid-terms after the quick invasion became a law enforcement community (he’s a former LaPorte County protracted and bloody problem. two-term sheriff) would aid him in the district. Rep. Walor- HPI Horse Race: Tossup. ski is viewed by many as vulnerable to a challenge for her unwavering support for the House Republican health care Congress bill that President Trump labeled as “mean.”

2nd CD: Arnold eyes Walorski challenge 4th CD Reports are circulating that former State Sen. Jim Arnold (D-LaPorte) is strongly Hershman won’t seek seat; Morales in considering a possible run for 2nd State Sen. Brandt Hershman will not seek the CD against incumbent Republican open 4th CD seat. Hershman posted on Facebook Wednes- Jackie Walorski (Howey Politics day. “I’m honored that people believe in my ability to help Indiana). Arnold was first elected our nation succeed in the same way Indiana has pros- to the State Senate in a caucus pered, but after much consideration, I have decided not to in 2007 to file the seat of the late seek a seat in Congress,” Hershman said. “I have met with Sen. Anita Bowser (D-Michigan others interested in serving and believe that at least one City) and then went on to win talented and thoughtful leader with the right values for the handily in 2008 and 2012. He state and nation.” did not file for reelection in 2016 Senate President David Long said during his sine reportedly due to concerns over die speech last April that the biennial budget could be the his wife’s health, but since that last one forged by Hershman and State Sen. Luke Kenley, time she has fully recovered and who announced in July he would retire in September. Her- is reported to be “very supportive” of his making a run for shman was bypassed by the Trump administration for an the congressional seat. Arnold filed for LaPorte School FCC post, leading to speculation that he might try for the board last year and was the leading votegetter, winning a 4th CD. Hershman had been an aide to U.S. Rep. Steve seat on the board. Knowledgeable observers in the district Buyer. say that Arnold’s status as a veteran with strong ties in the Diego Morales, an Army veteran, former senior

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Visit www.indianachamber.com/ echochamber or subscribe at iTunes, GooglePlay or wherever you get your podcasts. Page 7 advisor to Vice President Mike 8th CD: Tanoos Pence while he was Governor, declares for Democrats and current Indiana business Today via an online leader, has officially launched video (http://williamtanoos. his campaign for the 4th com), Terre Haute attorney CD. “Over the past several William Tanoos announced his months and actually for the candidacy for the 8th CD. “I’m past several years, I’ve been running because I believe our exploring how I can best serve middle class is what has made the people of our great state America the greatest country and, more specifically, the 4th in the world for generations. District,” said Morales. “What It’s clear to most everyone that I’ve learned is that my fellow Diego Morales (left) is running for the 4th CD GOP nomination those currently in Congress Hoosiers want someone with and William Tanoos has declared for the 8th CD Democrats. have lost their way. They no an understanding of national longer work for the working security who shares their con- families in their communities, servative values and is guided by faith. As an Army vet- but instead for the special interests that have come to eran, I will stand firm in supporting President Trump and define Washington. I want to go to Congress to change Vice President Pence’s vision for a stronger America where that,” Tanoos said. Tanoos currently works as a disability our families can grow and prosper.” Morales is particularly attorney. “The American dream is not dead. Together, we familiar with the 4th Congressional District, having stud- can rebuild the middle class and support working Hoosiers ied for his MBA at Purdue University. “For me, living the who have proven to be the backbone of this great coun- American Dream in this great Hoosier State is a privilege try,” said Tanoos. “That’s what families all around our state that I never take for granted and it brings with it a duty have valued and relied on for generations and we have to serve,” Morales explained. “It will be my duty to ensure no intention of letting it go without a fight.” Tanoos is an we protect our borders and enforce immigration laws, alumnus of South Vigo High School and Indiana University while fighting to preserve our Constitution so everyone can and IU’s McKinney School of Law and practices law in the discover his or her own American Dream. Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. “I am 100% pro-life and believe in protecting the unborn,” Morales continued. “Congress needs to under- Moss primary rematch with Bucshon stand our values can never be taken for granted and that Dr. Richard Moss will seek a Republican rematch is why I will always oppose any infringement on our right with U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon (Evansville Courier & Press). to keep and bear arms. I will work every day to repeal Bucshon will mount his fourth reelection campaign next Obamacare and oppose Common Core, because I be- year, having ascended to his first two-year term in Con- lieve more government is not the solution.” Morales is gress in 2010. And, for the fourth consecutive time, he has a graduate of Indiana University. He currently serves as drawn a challenger for the Republican nomination in the Chief Business Development Officer for The Sodrel Hold- 19-county 8th District. Moss is a Jasper-based ear, nose ing Company, Inc., and is an Adjunct Professor at Ivy Tech and throat specialist who unsuccessfully tried to wrest the Community College. GOP nomination away from him in 2016. Bucshon easily Fourth CD Republican Chairman Mike O’Brien told turned back Moss’s challenge then, winning by a margin of the Lafayette Journal & Courier that Steve Braun, Depart- 65-35%. ment of Workforce Development commissioner, is a poten- tial candidate as well as State Sen. John Crane of Browns- General Assembly burg. “I don’t get the sense we’re going to get another 13-way primary,” O’Brien said. “We could have four, five or six. I think that’s probably more likely than having a really Gambill to challenge Sen. Ford crowded field like we did in 2010.” Chris Gambill of Terre Haute announced his candi- Jeff Fites, Indiana Democratic Party’s 4th District dacy Tuesday for the Indiana Senate seat held by Re- chairman, had a handful of candidates lining up before publican Jon Ford (Taylor, Terre Haute Tribune-Star). The Rokita’s Senate ambition left an open seat. The candidates 59-year-old attorney said he is seeking elected office for include Ivy Tech Dean Sherry Shipley and Joe Mackey of the first time because of “the public cynicism that exists Lafayette, and Tobi Beck, Roger Day and Bruce Bohlander about public officeholders” who are often not viewed as an of Hendricks County. Fites said more could jump in ahead adequate voice for their communities. v of the filing deadline for the May primary. “Rokita does give you a lot to work with, but if you’re talking about reshaping an election, you’re assuming the person on the ballot will be the opposite of Todd Rokita,” Fites said. Page 8

have support from Indiana House members? Braun sees Senate path Braun: I think two-thirds of my caucus will tacitly or overtly support me, some within the districts of Messer and Rokita, mostly because I’ve made friends there and and a funded campaign they know I’m a no-nonsense guy with the nitty gritty of By BRIAN A. HOWEY ideas on how to fix things. I think there’s an appetite for INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Mike Braun became something like that; that’s what catapulted Trump to such the fifth Republican to enter the U.S. Senate race on Tues- a strong showing in the state. People were fed up with day. The Wabash College graduate first joined the Indiana politicians as usual and Todd and Luke are going to have House in 2014 and served on the powerful Ways and to explain they’ve been in that arena for most of their Means and Roads and Transportation committees. careers. The Jasper Republican stresses his business and HPI: Have you spoken to Speaker Bosma and is entrepreneural background and his ability to translate he on board? it into government action. “I’ve Braun: The biggest comment from the speaker built a small company and made and others is they’re going to miss me in the House, and I it into a big company. I clearly take that as a compliment. His was one of the early phone come out of the private sector, calls I’ve made; I owed it to him. I’ve been on two great know my way around politics with committees, Ways and Means and Transportation, and he my experience in the Statehouse was very encouraging but cautious that I get my ducks in and I think that’s going to benefit a row. I took that advice and spent eight weeks making me in the long run as people sort out a large field,” he phone calls and out in the field. said. “There is going to be a clear contrast between my background and the two frontrunners. If everybody else is coming from the outside, I don’t think anybody is go- ing to be able to articulate infrastructure and health care and tax code issues as well as I can. That’s what’s going to be the essence of what I’m going to talk about.” Braun is founder and CEO of Meyer Distributing, a company he began in 1981 as Meyer Body Company. He has served on the Jasper School Board and was a board member of the Conexus Indiana Logistics Coun- cil Southwest and the Mid-State Corridor Development Corporation. HPI conducted this interview late Tuesday after- noon, just hours after he announced he would enter the race. HPI: Talk about the process you just went through that brings you to the U.S. Senate race? Braun: It started seven or eight weeks ago. I made as many phone calls as I could fit into a day. I’ve been traveling around the state as well. It basically grew and grew in terms of interest and enthusiasm, a lot of it due to the fact that it’s gotten so acrimonious between the two guys that were undeclared most of that time. As I asked state legislators, friends of mine, “Does this make sense?” It kept building. During county fairs, I was HPI: Who will be on your finance committee? And talking to county officials as well and basically got the there’s been speculation that you might be a self-funding same reading. There was a presumption that one of the candidate. two would end up being the Republican nominee, and that Braun: My finance committee will be composed of wasn’t resonating well because it implied that everybody people probably not in the normal political arena – other else was just out of the field, so it just built for that rea- entreprenuers and business guys, many from the southern son. I’m a guy who’s made my cred in the private sector part of the state. I believe I will have, now that things are and know my way around government. I think there’s a sorting themselves out, new folks who have been involved real appetite for someone who solves problems, who has in mainstream and establishment politics, but most of the the experience that lends to the kind of change discussion people are out there touting my campaign and helping we normally hear in D.C. raise money are going to be business people, CEOs, indi- HPI: Can you describe your support? Will you viduals mostly not known in political circles. Page 9

HPI: Will you self-fund, at least partially? me.” And they realize I’m going to be able to put a com- Braun: I’ve worked too hard to build a busi- petitive campaign together. As all of that gets out there, I ness and finally create a bottom line. I’ll have the ability think I will build gradual steam. to make the race competitive and I’m going to spend the HPI: Congressional approval hovers between 17 time and energy to get buy-in, especially from the busi- and 22%, depending on what poll. I’ve heard people say ness community, friends outside of politics who are going they believe Rokita and Messer will be vulnerable on that to help financially and with moral support. But I will be front. there out of the gate if things equalize fairly quickly so Braun: That’s a known fact. I thought the per- there is no apprehension about getting behind my cam- centage might have been lower. I think that’s going to be paign because I’m not going to commit the resources to it. tough for them, not only because they’ve been involved in That’s not going to be the case. politics most of their careers, but they’ve been part of the HPI: The field stands at five now; Rokita will an- D.C. scene. Even though they can fall back on, “Well, we nounce imminently. I’ve got calls into Attorney General Hill can’t get things put together,” I don’t know how Repub- and Sen. Delph, so this field could grow to eight. How do licans and conservatives will have a better chance to do you win a primary in such a field? this with the lineup we have now. We’ve had people in the Braun: The two front-runners out of the gate Senate who are going to be behind Trump and his agenda have been in politics for a long time. That may resonate. and I think that’s going to help. I don’t know how you Throughout much of the state, there will be people who could possibly make a credible argument for those two want to kick the tires on other options. The only candi- when they’ve been part of the apparatus and have poor date who is going to be able to put the funding together approval ratings for not getting anything done. realistically is going to be myself, and I’m going to be talk- HPI: What would you like to see on health re- ing about particular issues of concern, health care, infra- form? structure, tax code and jobs and the economy. I’ve lived it Braun: Obamacare came into place because the viscerally. I’ve had to react to politicians and government ball was dropped by the health care industry to address while being successful in those arenas. I think that’s going things like pre-existing conditions, limitations on coverage. to resonate. I’m going to have a message that people will I have the unique position over the last eight years of be- say, “Hey, this is different; he’s saying things meaningful to ing able to put together a real working plan that has been Page 10 consumer-driven, that has incentives our roads; we were going to go from to keep healthy, to manage wellness. 7% of roads needing repair to 10%. If you get critically ill, or have a bad We took a gut check. Many of us were accident, your coverage is completely fiscal conservatives, fiscal hawks who taken care of other than your deduct- had to go along with raising user fees ible. We’ve done it out of necessity for infrastructure. Clearly it had to be because it’s become a hassle for most done, should have been done 10 to 15 businesses to administer. I wanted to years ago if we had planned things ap- find a way, despite an industry that is propriately. That didn’t happen. I was not transparent, doesn’t work to really glad to be a part of that. I co-authored engage in the free enterprise system SB128 that allows local regional areas like most of us do. We’ve found a way to have skin in the game to help pay to do it. I’ve never heard a politician for a project that is being overlooked get down into the weeds like that. by INDOT. I couldn’t find a national bill Health care is probably the single big- like that. We already have an RDA be- gest issue that businesses and people ing teed up in the southwestern part of grapple with, and we’ve got a system the state to do it. I was co-author on that is working, has drawn out costs SB198, a workforce bill to get jobs filled and created better coverage. that we are not filling currently. It is HPI: What about tax reform? based on career and technical education. That seems to be coming up in Con- We’re spending way too many dollars gress. on four-year degrees, shipping many of Braun: That is the one thing them out of state. We’ve been neglect- that is primarily driving where Trump ing low-hanging fruit that could dump is. The tax rate is 40% and it needs billions of dollars into our economy if we to be in to the high 20s to low 30s. start filling those jobs. They are going Then you’d see the biggest explosion unfilled, currently. I feel real good about of economic growth we’ve seen in a long time. Some of that, common sense stuff that points to practical benefits. that is being discounted in the stock market and the better HPI: We have the opioid crisis tormenting the approval ratings for Trump when it comes to handling the state. How would you confront that as a senator? economy. It’s based on the hope that might occur. It would Braun: It’s not only a state problem, it’s a na- be a game changer for small businesses that suffer with a tional one, starting with the over-prescribing of painkillers. burdensome tax rate if they are successful. To me it’s one of the easier things to fix in terms of the HPI: What is your take on President Trump’s first supply. Too many prescriptions are written too large or are six months in office? done too casually. That seems like something we can put Braun: Trump, like most entreprenuers, those the clamp on right away. With opioids as well as other less who have been outside of established politics, is viewed expensive things on the street, in states and nationally it as the guy who made it through the system, broke the we have to start insisting on rules and regs as to prescrip- glass ceiling of establishment politics. It’s been the biggest tions, and trying to ferret out the dealers on the street. disruption within the beltway in many years, if ever. Most Like the drug war, we win some and lose some. Opioids people who have been involved with it hope he’s going has added a definite dimension where too many places are to fail, as well as most of the media. Some of the things impacted. Everybody knows somebody who’s had a family are, would he put on hold an onerous federal government member affected. It’s not going to go away. regulation that was going to take minimum salaries to HPI: What is the case you’re going to make $47,000 and would have disrupted many small businesses. against Sen. Donnelly? That’s been rolled back. Lifting of other regulations put Braun: Sen. Donnelly, from everything I know, into place during the Obama era gets no coverage, but has has voted almost completely out of sync with what most lifted the burden and nobody’s talking about it. He doesn’t Hoosiers would have in terms of values. He’s made some get any credit, and I don’t think any other president would strategic votes to keep himself in play, but he has been have done that. mostly in line with the Pelosi, Reid, and now Schumer kind HPI: What are the highlights of your General As- of thinking. He’s voted mostly with President Obama. I sembly career? think we’ll clarify that. I don’t think he’s going to be able to Braun: Out of the gate I was on the Roads and make up for a very out-of-sync voting record with what he Transportation Committee and Ways and Means. The claims he does in constituent services. I think that’s going first year on Ways and Means, we were interviewing the to fall short and it’s going to be easy because he’s created commissioners from each department and Karl Browning a record where it’s very clear where he’s been. v with INDOT made it clear that we were in trouble with Page 11

admissions to prison were for drug dealing. Today, the Prosecutors call for comparable number is 5%. Fully 30% of the worst of the worst drug dealers convicted in Indiana received no prison more drug enforcement sentence last year. Prosecutors never disagreed that drug penalties were too high before the criminal code reform. By PATRICIA A. BALDWIN Our position has been and remains that a 90% reduction INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Drug Prevention, in prison sentences for drug dealers goes too far, and that Treatment and Enforcement Task Force has released a there is no justification for the worst of the worst drug plan for dealing with the state’s opiate epidemic. Laudably, dealers failing to go to prison. the plan proposes increased prevention and treatment There have been real consequences from this efforts. However, the plan dramatic reduction in penalties. Our prison population has lacks meaningful enforcement fallen from 29,377 in January of 2013 to 25,117 in March proposals, without which the of 2017. At the same time, local jail populations have ex- prospects of controlling the ploded because the people we are not able to put in prison epidemic through prevention are still committing crimes. They now revolve in and out of and treatment are impossible. local jails on short term sentences. Consequently, offend- Drugs like opiates are ers are increasingly on the streets creating problems for classified as controlled sub- our communities. stances by the federal gov- Reports of child abuse and neglect are up as ernment. These drugs are evidenced in the increase in CHINS (Child in Need of controlled because they are Services) cases, which have risen from 14,227 in 2014 to dangerous if not delivered 23,120 in January of 2017. Further, Indianapolis and Fort properly. There are effectively Wayne are now among the top 30 cities in the nation for two delivery systems for con- murder per capita, and both cites experienced record mur- trolled substances in Indiana, der numbers in 2016. The extreme violence in these cities the legitimate medical industry and the illicit drug industry. evidenced by the murder numbers is due in most part to The legitimate medical industry is highly regulated and gangs fighting over drug dealing territory. provides several important functions regarding controlled The narrative that spurred the criminal code substances. Pharmaceutical companies test and develop rewrite, and that informs the Indiana Drug Prevention, drugs, and are overseen by federal regulators to ensure Treatment and Enforcement Task Force report is that drug efficacy and purity of the substances. Highly trained medi- use is a medical issue and not a criminal issue. The report cal professionals evaluate patients, make diagnoses and urges us to think of a heroin user as having a substance prescribe medications. Pharmacies help screen for drug use disorder (SUD), and to ignore the illegal aspects. interactions, and guarantee purity and dosage. Patients Proponents of this way of thinking suggest that SUD is no are monitored with an end goal of restoring health. different than diabetes. The illicit drug industry has different aims. It is Most in the law enforcement community do driven solely by profit. It has traditionally been even more not accept the comparison. In my analysis, I won’t quibble highly regulated than the medical industry. It is a criminal with that issue. It is not necessary to make my point, and offense to possess or deliver controlled substances out- I believe the criminal justice community and the medical side of the legitimate medical processes. The aim of the community can agree to disagree and still work effectively criminal justice system in this area is to discourage partici- together. I suggest that the criminal justice systems does, pation in the illicit drug industry. Prosecutors and police do in fact, treat SUD and diabetes the same. Diabetes suffer- this by attacking the supply side of drug use by arresting, ers almost exclusively participate in the legitimate medical prosecuting and incarcerating drug dealers. We also apply industry in treating their disorder. If a diabetes sufferer consequences to drug users to encourage rehabilitation. were to opt out of the legitimate medical industry and in- Since 2014, law enforcement has suffered from a weak- stead purchase medications from a man on a street corner, ened ability to accomplish these two important parts of the the criminal justice system would rightly intervene. As a equation – holding dealers accountable and encouraging matter of public policy, our state does not want diabet- users to get help. ics to get medication that is illicitly obtained, not tested The 2014 criminal code reform to a large or labeled for purity, not prescribed after examination by extent deregulated the illicit drug industry. Penalties for a doctor, not monitored for dosage and usage, and not drug dealing and possession were dramatically decreased. administered with the goal of maintaining the patient’s As an example, dealing over 3 grams of heroin under the health. old criminal code was a class A felony with an advisory Conversely, most addicts obtain opiates outside of sentence of 30 years. That same offense today would legitimate medical channels. There are, of course, avenues be a level 5 felony with an advisory sentence of 3 years. in the legitimate medical industry to treat addiction even Prior to the criminal code reform, 60% of A and B felony with the use of opiate replacements like Suboxone, but un- Page 12 like diabetics, most addicts do not choose this path. That tion and treatment effort. choice is where the corrective action of the criminal justice I, and prosecutors around the state, certainly ap- system should be applied. If a person suffers from SUD, preciate the efforts of the task force to bolster prevention he or she has an obligation to seek treatment through the and treatment resources in our state. We want the plan to legitimate medical industry. succeed. It cannot succeed, however, without a compara- If we excuse or enable an addict to seek opi- ble and equivalent improvement on the enforcement side. ates through the illicit drug trade, we endorse, then, all of Penalties for drug possession and dealing are too low. the negative consequences associated with that industry. Prosecutors are asking the governor and his task force to Further, we undermine the efforts of the legitimate medical recommend balancing the equation, and give law enforce- industry to treat this problem. The more readily available ment the tools necessary to help our state. v opiates are through the illicit drug trade, the less likely an addict will seek legitimate medical assistance. The less Baldwin is president of Indiana Association of Pros- severe the consequences for possession of drugs, the less ecuting Attorneys, Inc., and is in her sixth term as likely addicts will take corrective action. A robust enforce- elected prosecutor of Hendricks County. She was a ment effort is absolutely necessary to a functional preven- deputy prosecutor for 14 years prior.

of those candidates have embraced Trump, that may be a Can Donnelly mistake, given his plunging approval rating. While Republicans are wrangling, Democrats, par- ticularly in northern Indiana, have taken to social media to win reelection? promote the reelection of Donnelly. He also has become a By RICH JAMES frequent visitor to Northwest Indiana, where he is particu- MERRILLVILLE – Perhaps the biggest political larly close to Lake County Democratic Chairman James L. question in Indiana is whether U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly can Wieser. win reelection next year. Judging by the crowded field of While Indiana remains a red state, Donnelly Republican hopefuls, the answer would have to be no. But notes that he substantially defeated Richard Mourdock, given that he is the second most who beat Lugar with the help of the Tea Party. Donnelly bipartisan member of the Sen- also is expected to campaign on Democrats taking control ate, the answer would have to of the Senate, or at the least, keeping Democrats within be maybe. striking distance on key issues. Indiana Democrats suf- . v fered a stinging defeat last year when Evan Bayh lost in his bid Rich James has been writing about state and local to win back the Senate seat he government and politics for more than 30 years. He gave up several years earlier. is a columnist for The Times of Northwest Indiana. So, for the first time since the 1970s, Indiana doesn’t have one of its native sons, Demo- crats Birch and Evan Bayh and Republican Richard Lugar, in the U.S. Senate. That can’t change next year, but Democrats are bent on making sure Donnelly is reelected. Democrats think that’s possible, because there won’t be a presidential race heading the bal- lot. There won’t be a governor race high on the ballot either. Who Republicans nominate remains to be seen, but chances are it will be someone out of the Donald Trump mode. That would have meant a great deal last year but won’t mean nearly as much next year. Republican candidates thus far are U.S. Reps. Todd Rokita, a Munster native, and Luke Messer; State Rep. Mike Braun; Hamilton County businessman Terry Henderson; Kokomo attorney Mark Hurt; and Floyds Knobs educator Andrew Takami. Although most Page 13

Dodgers and are currently the seemingly invincible Los It’s who you know Angeles Dodgers. His core friends – the man who invested to give him majority control, another man who became the By MARK SOUDER team attorney and handled the legal dealings in building FORT WAYNE – “It’s not what you know but who Ebbets Field, and a third who purchased half of the team’s you know.” stock so Ebbets could construct the ballpark – were all While researching the history of Tammany Hall and bowling buddies of Ebbets. They were also political allies its relationship with professional baseball, I came across and held powerful offices in New York City government. In an interesting little book titled, “Ethnicity and Machine Poli- other words, whether they were winning bowling competi- tics,” by Jerome Krase and Charles LaCerra. It is a history tions, building an historic baseball team or winning elec- of how the Madison Club dominated Brooklyn politics from tions, they had decades-long core friendships anchoring 1905 to 1978. their trust of each other. In the 1970s, club member Emmanuel “Manny” And internal New York politics could be almost Cellar was the senior member of Congress. Other Madi- as brutal as Indiana primaries. The featured speaker at son Club members included then-New York Gov. Hugh one large gathering of reform Democrats railed against Carey, New York City Mayor Abe the Brooklyn Democrat bosses with rather harsh words: Beame, New York State Control- “Brooklyn has been ring-ridden for over a quarter of a cen- ler Arthur Levitt, and Speaker tury by the same hoggish ringsters who are still feeding of the State Assembly Stanley and fattening at the trough. These inveterate grabbers, for Steingut. It was a small, but whom the prisons yawn, and who ought to hide their faces very powerful, political club in shame, are holding high their haughty heads, as if their reminiscent of the Tammany ill-gotten wealth entitled them to special distinction in the Club across the East River. community.” One insight in particular By the way, the reformers were crushed in the jumped off the page, turning primary. Noise is not the same as votes. the original quote with which I For the record, as an incumbent, my view on started this column on its head. people who challenged me in a primary was simple: They “It is not who you know but were a traitor to me, to the Republican Party and possibly rather, who knows you.” Power and influence is signified America. Whoever is the favored candidate hates the idea not by your name-dropping, but whether people in charge of being challenged. The question is not whether prima- know you by name. ries are destructive to your side – I had eight of them and In reading the descriptions of the Madison club- never lost a primary or a general election campaign – but house, it was like many political headquarters in Indiana. whether the candidates endorse each other and work The patterns are similar, regardless of size. The authors together in the general election. Tomorrow your intra-party note how the regulars at the clubhouse often greeted rivals may be your best allies, so don’t torch every bridge some people more warmly and loudly, which they took to beyond rebuilding. be a sign of the person’s power. But it was not. It was a When you currently watch the chaos in Washing- sign of friendliness among the second echelon. The “im- ton, the traditional glue seems to be absent. The presi- portant” people breezed by without greeting, were talked dent, and too many others, don’t know what a political about reverentially as if they were powerful, and always clubhouse looks like or even a bowling club. Who are the seemed to be coming from something important and about president’s real friends that he can trust? He seems to to head to something else important. turn on about whoever he appoints. No bowling buddies of In other words, like any machine, it had many decades around him. tiered levels that adjusted around each other and which When one becomes president without a pyramid built a team of mutual interests – sometimes personal, underneath, it is tough to accomplish much. The year sometimes social, sometimes around an issue. In Indiana, 2017 requires different approaches to teamwork than when I was a student, I was fortunate to be able to be in- 1917, of which alternative media can be one, but you still volved with and observe Old Guard people like Seth Denbo need a team of allies to implement those goals, not just and Orvas Beers. It was a privilege to one of the “token insult those who don’t salute your every idea. yutes” in the BPMS (The Beer and Pizza Marching Soci- Some of the president’s strong rhetoric has ety, or William Jenner Society) of conservatives led by M. seemed, along with other variables, to have improved Stanton Evans, even if they considered me too “squishy” the economy, made America stronger, and reduced illegal at times. I saw how both party and ideological loyalty and immigration for at least the short term, but a strategy to teamwork were supposed to work. make them stick is lacking. The Trump allies in govern- My research also has uncovered how Charles ment, even loosely defined, are a small little band standing Ebbets gained ownership and built in steps, back in the atop a government largely run by Obama political appoin- late 19th and early 20th century, what were the Brooklyn tees. Page 14

The president, not seeing himself as a part of a Politics is a team sport. The president is steadily team and rocking between assisting and attacking Re- running out of time as he pursues personal vendettas and publican legislators, still has not nominated personnel for seems to trust no one for more than brief periods of time. many key positions. And many of them were so recently It’s sad because the opportunities remain great for him to announced that background checks and hearings for even make a real difference beyond his rhetoric. v those nominated are going to drag on for a long time. Furthermore, the president seems to regularly undermine Souder is a former Republican congressman from even his understaffed closest allies. Indiana.

. . did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Joking with Trump Roswell?” The crowd was laughing uproariously. Well, not By JACK COLWELL everybody, not Trump. Then Seth Meyers, the master of SOUTH BEND – Most people can take a joke. ceremonies, came on with more jokes about Trump. One Some can’t. Make fun of them in a punch line, and they example: “Donald Trump often appears on Fox, which don’t laugh, don’t smile, don’t joke back. They punch is ironic because a fox often appears on Donald Trump’s back, angry, vindictive. head.” In “Devil’s Bargain,” new best-selling book about I remember watching the event on TV. The President Donald Trump and his chief strategist, Steve cameras focused on Trump as Obama and then Meyers Bannon, author Joshua Green, drew laugh after laugh with barb after barb. Trump didn’t national correspondent for laugh. He sat frozen, at first trying to force what author Bloomberg Businessweek, poses Green called a “rictus grin.” Then he gave up any pretense the question of whether Trump of finding anything funny. As Green describes it: “Trump ran for president because he was plainly humiliated – and it showed.” couldn’t take a joke. Trump didn’t run for president in 2012. It ap- Well, it was a series of peared, as Green writes, that he had been “brutally jokes that Trump didn’t take well. dispatched – his dignity snatched away from him, his foray It was on April 30, 2011, into politics swiftly cut short, the preening, grasping inter- at the White House Correspon- loper who had barged into a world where he didn’t belong dents’ dinner in Washington. sent crawling back to his rightful station: A tawdry world of That’s a swank event attended bimbos, pink marble, reality TV . . .Only that wasn’t what by elite of government, busi- had happened at all.” ness, society and entertainment. The president tradition- No, it wasn’t. Trump continued to stir “birther” ally attends, taking a lot of ribbing and then responding suspicions, despite the birth certificate, playing to conspir- with humorous remarks of his own, usually poking fun at acy believers. But that wasn’t enough to win. Then Ban- himself as well as at the news media and political officials non, the populist pugilist heading “incendiary” Breitbart and other important people in the room. News, found Trump, a candidate to promote his populist- Trump was in the room. He was invited to sit at nationalist beliefs. And Trump found with Bannon what he the Washington Post table. He was then a TV celebrity needed to expand his base and win: How to use the news who was toying with running for the Republican nomina- media while denouncing it. How to make angry Americans tion to oppose President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection. angrier. How to stick it to the establishment, Republican And he was getting national attention with his “birther” as well as Democratic, and make conventional political charges, perpetuating the fake news that Obama really wisdom look stupid. wasn’t born in the United States. Trump long had toyed with running for president. Green writes of Obama’s introductory musical He really wanted to do it. Obama’s comedy routine nei- video, with American flags and screaming eagles to high- ther started nor stopped the desire to run. He likely would light a display of Obama’s long-form birth certificate from have run in 2016 – now-or-never time – whether or not he Hawaii – the certificate Trump had said was nonexistent. was at that 2011 dinner. But would animosity now toward Obama already had released it publicly. Obama run so deep? He now would sign any health care “Donald Trump is with us tonight,” Obama said. bill, even if “mean,” as long as it removed “Obama” from in “Now I know he’s taken some flack lately. But no one front of “care.” v is happier, no one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than the Donald. And that’s because he can Colwell has covered Indiana politics over five de- finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter, like . cades for the South Bend Tribune. Page 15

I believe the answer to both questions is a firm The earnest irony no. And in fact, in using an ironic edge to describe this node at the Crossroads of America, I argue that we reveal a richer and more complex kind of civic pride than is pos- of Indy’s civic pride sible in many other cities. By JAY RUCKLESHAUS Tom Collins, a British geographer, explains that the INDIANAPOLIS – The sign in the airport was concept of civic pride is rooted in the idea that “cities con- hard to miss: A giant blue banner suspended in the glass stitute distinctive political communities where people share atrium: “WELCOME TO INDY.” Groggy from my flight, I a sense of identity.” Any conception of civic pride requires blinked at it for a few seconds, then smiled broadly. Indy. some “other” to compare our city to and define it as a dis- After living in England for the tinct entity. The obvious candidates are other cities – e.g., past year, I had gotten used to Indy is better than Boston. So one way of constructing telling people I was from India- civic pride is to ground it in a reflexive sense of home turf. napolis – not “Indy,” a name no This is the civic pride of hometown sports loyalty; we root one would’ve recognized. It was for the Colts (and against the Patriots) largely because great to be back where using they’re simply our team. the city’s more pronounceable Now Indy residents are fiercely loyal sports nickname doesn’t raise confused fans, but our civic pride runs deeper than this. To see why, eyebrows. Quite the opposite; it we have to examine the way young people talk about was striking, returning home, to Indy. The irony and notes of bemusement aren’t belittling. notice the seemingly-universal Instead, I think this tone shows a kind of honesty and insistence on using “Indy” in points to a unique feature of Indy civic pride. When we everything from shop names to add a self-deprecating wink to our praise of Indy, we’re the Visit Indy tourism agency acknowledging that it’s sort of a surprise that our city is as to those giant, cursive-scripted vibrant as it is. “Indy” photo ops sprinkled The same dynamic is at work in the embrace of throughout the city. that other nickname – “Naptown.” We took the sleepy It’s tempting to see in this embrace of our nick- sobriquet that residents of other cities used to disparage name an affectionate kind of civic pride, one that aims to us and made it our own, redefining it as a badge of honor. present our city as lively, hip, modern. It can seem almost So the posture of ironic affection reveals not boredom or self-conscious – a concerted, officially-sanctioned effort to disappointment with our city, but something like their op- project a certain image of this mid-sized city to the world. posites. “Indy” is on the rise. It’s also, I think, something more. When we factor But this way of talking about the Circle City in the earnest irony I’ve mentioned, we see that we’re doesn’t always gel with the way not – or not exclusively – defining Indy’s character against young people and recent college other cities. Nobody seriously thinks grads like me describe our home. we’re battling New York or LA for We, too, embrace the name cultural supremacy, which is partly “Indy.” But there’s an apparent why it’s funny to compare us to disconnect between the sincere them and find us lacking. tone of civic enthusiasm, on the Instead, the relevant comparison one hand, and the understated is between Indy and itself – the city sarcasm many of my friends use now and the city as it once was. to describe this place, on the I think we’re proud of Indy not other. merely for what it has to offer, but Some typical formula- because the merits of what we have tions: “You won’t believe they’re are thrown into relief by what others actually building new apartment presume Indy to be like. buildings,” or “There’s a lot go- So Indy civic pride is aspirational; ing on…for Indy,” or, even more it contains an implicit vision of prog- explicitly, “Who knew there could ress that motivates us to improve be so much culture in the midst the status quo. We’re optimistic. of cornfields!” Part of what we’re proud of is the At first blush, this tone might seem scornful, or at fact that Indy isn’t sitting still; it’s aggressively pursuing least at odds with the sentiment of the airport banner. You talent and 21st-century investment and striving to become might ask, then, “Does my generation lack civic pride? Or a welcoming place for folks of all kinds. is Indy civic pride simply a spiritless marketing strategy?” This is a kind of civic pride that couldn’t exist in Page 16

New York. There’s a unique energy in creating something So yes, Indy is on the rise. It’s lively, hip, modern. that’s never existed before, in pushing Indy forward. It’s But it is in its own way, a non-complacent way, and it gen- intoxicating. erates a unique kind of civic pride. We are indie Indy, not So Indy civic pride, at its best, is a political ideal Indianapolis. Home to Kurt Vonnegut and a big car race that challenges us to consider what it really means to be and, if not quite a metropolis, then the biggest small town from this place. Like all political ideals, it’s partly moral, in America. v and it’s this morality of geography that turns the 317 from a place on a map to a community to be proud of. Ruckelshaus is a Rhodes Scholar from Indianapolis At stake in our self-referential and dynamic civic and graduate student in politics at the University of pride – in the difference between Indianapolis and Indy – Oxford. He studied political philosophy and history is nothing less than a vision of active citizenship, grand as at Duke, where he graduated first in his class in that may seem. It takes seriously the ideas of commitment 2016. Jay is interested in the role of ideas in demo- and improvement. It allows – actually, it requires – tak- cratic discourse and aspires to a career in which he ing stock of the parts of our city of which we may not be can help reinvigorate the American public sphere. proud.

“They don’t understand my expanding upper torso Hanging with Miss isn’t a sign of health. It’s occurring because Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, food stamps, unemployment compensations and other transfer payments by govern- Per Capita Income ment accounted for 29% of the increase in Indiana’s By MORTON MARCUS personal income over the past decade.” INDIANAPOLIS – My studies take me all over “Right,” I agreed. “And what are transfers ex- Indiana with frequent trips into the Data Dungeon. Today cept money to help people who are elderly, sick, disabled, I saw Per Capita Personal Income (called PCPI by her poor, or out of work? That kind of growth is not a sign of a friends) alone and sobbing. healthy economy.” Passers-by don’t recognize her “It’s awful,” she sighs. “We’ve had Hoosier gover- despite her popularity and stun- nors tell us they will use me as a metric to assess the suc- ning figure. cess of their programs. Counties make false claims about “What’s up, kid?” I said me. I’m going to have a reputation my family back at the to the sad fraction with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) will find shocking growing numerator and the … passed around from one ignorant booster to another….” pleasing denominator. “Lots of data,” I said, “good kids like you, want “Politicians, economic to tell an honest story, but are denied the opportunity developers and PR people keep because the national or state legislature won’t allocate the talking about me and they don’t money needed to let you do your job. You end up with have the faintest idea who I imputations, numbers stuck onto you, adhering by only the am,” she said. skinniest assumptions.” “You know the score,” I “I’d feel better,” she said, “if I could shake off told her. “People don’t bother examining both numerators $20 billion imputed as income in rent and interest pay- and denominators. In your case, they don’t care how per- ments to Hoosiers. Imagine thinking the rental value of sonal income grows in your upper parts as long as it does your home, or interest credited to some account in your so faster than the population in lower reaches.” name, are really income! It’s phantom money that makes “All those eyes on me all the time.” She was clearly me feel unclean.” disgusted. “Don’t they care how and why I’m changing? That’s how it is, folks, down there in the Data All they want is my figure to look spiffy without recogniz- Dungeon. v ing what I go through.” “Everywhere people think your growth is a sign of well-being. They don’t know it might be the result of Mr. Marcus is an economist, writer, and speaker declining population,” I said. “Falling population helped 47 who may be reached at mortonjmarcus@yahoo. of Indiana’s 92 counties to have growing PCPI between com. 2005 and 2015. Jay County, with a 2.2% decline in popu- lation, led the state with a 55% growth in PCPI.” She fought back the tears. Page 17

your representative know whom you’re representing – Democracy rests don’t exaggerate your numbers – and above all, make it very clear what you want him or her to do or not to do. And you’ll be far more effective if you’re well-informed with communication about the core facts on the issues and about the person By LEE HAMILTON you’re speaking to: His or her party, length of service, BLOOMINGTON – The heart of representative de- committees, interests, views, ratings and priorities. mocracy rests in the communication between the elector- Understand that legislators deal with many ate and elected officials. We should make this conversation challenging relationships: Voters, donors, constituents, more fruitful and effective. Do ordinary citizens still have a interest groups, party officials, congressional or legislative voice in Washington and in their state capitals? Despite the leadership, governors and presidents, and an array of oth- cynicism of these times, my answer is, yes, we do – but ers. So, listen carefully and ask a lot of questions, and get we have to exercise it. clarity about where your representative stands on your is- I don’t just mean going to a town hall meeting sues and why. Test his or her knowledge of the issues, and and yelling, or shooting off a letter or email. I mean mak- the depth of commitment to the views he or she takes. Be ing an appointment to sit down firm in insisting on direct answers, but don’t be adamant with your representative – in or unreasonable. If you want to, record the session, but be his or her office, at a cafe in the sure to advise the representative you are doing so. district, or wherever else you In short, having a productive conversation with can meet – and holding a real elected representatives comes down to being informed, conversation. We don’t do this remaining courteous, being curious and open to dialogue often enough, perhaps because yourself, and stating your views and understanding of the most people think it’s impossible issues as clearly as possible. to arrange. It’s not, although it If you engage in this fashion with your repre- might take patience to get an ap- sentatives on a regular basis, I think you’ll have reason to pointment with a busy represen- be satisfied that you’re stepping up to your responsibilities tative. And to my mind, it’s the and raising your effectiveness as a citizen. And if conver- most effective way for citizens to sations of this quality are multiplied across the country, it communicate with their representatives. really will improve the quality of our representative de- This is important because the heart of a represen- mocracy and contribute to the direction and success of our tative democracy does not lie in its electorate, or even its country. v elected officials. It rests in the communication between them, in the give and take that allows each to understand Lee Hamilton is a Senior Advisor for the Indiana the other. Over my years in office I noticed a few things University Center on Representative Government; about how to make this conversation more fruitful and ef- a Distinguished Scholar, IU School of Global and fective, and, for what it’s worth, I pass them along. International Studies; and a Professor of Practice, My guess is that in almost all cases, the represen- IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He tative will be gracious, attentive, and welcoming; he or she was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives will see the meeting as a chance to reach out and perhaps for 34 years. win a constituent’s support. What makes the difference in these meetings is the manner in which the voter ap- proaches them. Hamilton raises war concerns So my first comment is that you want to keep the discussion respectful and polite. Incivility and confron- BLOOMINGTON – Former Indiana Congressman tation are counter-productive. If you want to have an im- Lee Hamilton sees a war with North Korea fraught with pact, do not be argumentative or confrontational. Explain danger (Indiana Public Media). “I think we’re in a very how the issues affect you personally and make it clear that dangerous moment because of the threat from North Ko- you’re seeking to establish ongoing communication, not rea,” Hamilton said. “The provocative statements from the just a ‘one and done’ meeting. two leaders, North Korea and the United States, has fueled If your representative comes to respect you alarm across the world, and we could easily blunder into because of your approach and your knowledge, that’s an war. So, I think now is the time to ratchet down the rheto- important step forward in expanding your influence. Don’t ric and the actions and try to calm things down and open forget that the reverse can also be true: You’ll make it up a political process with North Korea. I don’t suggest easy to ignore you by behaving ungraciously. that will be easy, but we must turn away from war be- This next part may seem daunting, but it shouldn’t cause the consequences of even a quick, ugly war would be: Do your homework. It goes without saying that you be catastrophic in terms of casualties no matter who wins should identify yourself and whoever else is with you, let or how they win.” v Page 18

Whether it was appointing the eminently unquali- Trump could learn fied Betsy DeVos to head the Department Education or the uniquely unsuitable former governor of Texas, Rick Perry, to head Energy, this president has had a knack for putting from Holcomb, Milo the wrong people in the wrong positions. The piece de By SHAW FRIEDMAN resistance has to be Trump’s appointment of his woefully LaPORTE – Governor Eric Holcomb’s recent ap- under-qualified son-in-law Jared Kushner, whose life expe- pointment of LaPorte Mayor Blair Milo to a highly lucrative rience seems to have been renovating three story walkups ($172,000 a year) prestigious cabinet appointment in his in Manhattan for sale as good re-sale properties. Now he’s Administration could teach a thing or two to our president charged with a portfolio that runs the gamut from reform- regarding the twin goals of quality political hiring – re- ing the VA to bringing peace to the Mideast! warding loyalty, yet insisting on absolute competence. Compare that appointment to Blair Milo whose First off, this president experiences as mayor have included stints working closely has shown that the loyalty he with Workforce Development and Ivy Tech on job training demands of subordinates is one- issues and skills development and developing competen- way and unrequited. Trump’s cies for the jobs of the future. Her work ethic and com- failure to reward two of his most munication skills make her well suited to serve in a role loyal surrogates, former New York that will have her actively interfacing with employers, City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and New attracting new developers to our state and dealing with Jersey Governor Chris Christie, is various educational and job training facilities throughout testament to how transitory and the state. transactional he really is. Couple How intellectually curious and exacting is Blair that with his inexplicable attacks Milo? This is a woman who wrote detailed procurement this past week on the one Cabinet manuals for the Pentagon. She’s got the smarts and savvy member, Attorney General Jeff to do a solid job for the state in a position that is critical Sessions, most intent on carrying out the so-called Trump for the state’s future economic development prospects and agenda – weakening voting rights, reduced civil rights job creation. enforcement – and you see a pattern developing that loyal I’ve long joked with my friends on the other side service in support of The Donald’s agenda doesn’t carry of the aisle that we Democrats would trade for both Blair with it any real rewards. Milo and our highly popular Republican sheriff John Boyd Contrast that with the loyalty shown by LaPorte’s and give the Republicans in return two future first-round energetic mayor who committed early and fervently to draft picks and an undisclosed amount of cash! Unfortu- Eric Holcomb’s U.S. Senate campaign nately, I’ve had no takers. and agreed to serve as the co-chair With Blair Milo’s voice now in of his campaign committee, when the Indianapolis, I think it does bode well for outcome of that GOP Senate primary Northwest Indiana which as a region has to fill Dan Coats’ impending open seat often suffered from being “out of sight, out was very much in doubt. Holcomb of mind” under both former Govs. Pence never forgot that loyalty and commit- and Daniels. On the political front, Demo- ment that Blair Milo had demonstrated crats in LaPorte can now be pleased that to him. we’ve at least now got a shot at regaining Many of us who have the mayor’s office in 2019, as Blair Milo watched this young mayor’s impres- would’ve been tough to beat, just as she sive rise on the state political scene was unopposed for reelection in 2015. fully expected Gov. Holcomb to reward her with one of his Bottom line: The governor’s pick of Mayor Blair premiere cabinet positions in January and were surprised Milo represents not only smart politics in rewarding a to see a cabinet rolled out with her name missing. Yet Gov. longtime friend and loyalist, but addresses that second key Holcomb was clearly biding his time to come up with just prong in any good political hire – unquestioned compe- the right appointment for Milo. Speaking of loyalty, don’t tence. think that Mayor Milo’s status as a Navy veteran hurt one It’s a shame that our president can’t take a lesson bit in solidifying that alliance with Holcomb. He’s justifiably or two from this governor on placing the right political ap- proud of his Navy service in his own right and clearly very pointees in the positions they’re really qualified for.v loyal to that branch of the service. Then we come to the competence quotient – i.e. Shaw Friedman is former legal counsel for the In- trying to fit the right “loyalist” into a position that they diana Democratic Party who has a law practice in are qualified for – again, an area that the president has LaPorte and is a longtime HPI columnist. He can be abjectly failed in. reached at [email protected] Page 19

Chris Cillizza, CNN: The New York Times pub- television shows, he has done nothing but run for office, lished a story over the weekend detailing the “shadow” winning all but the first two times. Pence is not a man to campaign underway among ambitious Republicans to be look a gift horse in the mouth. He’s got his eye on 2020. v prepared in the event that President Donald Trump doesn’t run for a second term in 2020. The story mentioned that Michael Warren, Weekly Standard: Whatever Vice President Mike Pence’s “schedule is so full of politi- strategic planning the Trump administration has for a cal events that Republicans joke that he is acting more North Korea with nuclear weapons capabilities, there was like a second-term vice president hoping to clear the field no preparing for the president’s comments on Tuesday. than a No. 2 sworn in a little over six months ago.” And The White House, including the national-security team, that Pence -- via aides -- is making sure he’s first in line was unaware President Trump was preparing to speak if Trump bows out; “multiple advisers to Mr. Pence have publicly about North Korea when he did so Tuesday at his already intimated to party donors that he would plan to golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. “North Korea best not run if Mr. Trump did not,” wrote Timesmen make any more threats to the United States,” said Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns. In reaction Trump, his arms crossed. “They will be met with to the story, Pence -- and this is no exag- the fire and the fury like the world has never seen.” geration -- went bananas. He released a Trump said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has statement through the vice president’s office been “very threatening beyond a normal state.” insisting that the Times story was “disgraceful Trump’s aides and staff will now be forced to fit and offensive to me, my family, and our entire their messaging and agenda to the president’s words. v team.” He also called it “laughable and absurd” that he was doing anything in regard to 2020 other than working New York Times: The other day, to ensure Trump wins a second term. Pence’s reaction was Frank Bruni, from the Naval Observatory in Washington, you heard far more aggressive than the others -- Sens. Tom Cotton a howl of such volume and anguish that it cracked mir- of Arkansas and Ben Sasse of Nebraska, as well as Ohio rors and sent small forest animals scurrying for cover. Gov. John Kasich -- mentioned in the story as laying the Vice President Mike Pence was furious. He was offended. groundwork to be ready if Trump exits after a single term. Someone — namely, my Times colleagues Jonathan Martin (This may all be a moot conversation, given that Trump and Alexander Burns — had dared to call him out on the insists he is running in 2020 and has already raised about fact that he seemed to be laying the groundwork for a $17 million for his re-election race.) Pence’s (over)reaction presidential bid. Problem No. 1: His president is still in the raises a simple question: Why? And the answer starts with first year of his first term. Problem No. 2: That president “Donald” and ends with “Trump.” Pence’s political fortunes is Donald Trump, who doesn’t take kindly to any glim- are 100% tied to Trump. They have been since the day mer that people in his employ are putting their vanity or the then-Indiana governor said “yes” to Trump’s offer to agenda before his. Just ask Steve Bannon. Or Anthony share the ticket. His path to become president is to be the Scaramucci. They were too big for their britches, and Trump-endorsed candidate, the heir to the movement that Trump snatched their britches away. The Times report put Trump built during the 2016 campaign. And to do that, Pence in similar peril, so he pushed back with an operatic Pence absolutely must make sure there is never any dis- outrage that showed just how close to the bone it had cut. tance between him and the president. It’s doubly impor- When a story’s actually wrong, you eviscerate it, exposing tant for no one to be able to slip a piece of paper between its erroneous assertions without ever breaking a sweat. Pence and the president because the president is Donald When it’s a stink bomb at odds with your plotting, you set Trump. The unforgivable sin in Trump’s world isn’t saying your jaw, redden your face and proclaim it “disgraceful,” or doing impolitic things, it’s appearing to be something never detailing precisely how. That was Pence’s route. And short of entirely loyal. v his rancor, I suspect, reflects more than the inconvenient truths that Martin and Burns told. It’s overarching. It’s Richard Cohen, Washington Post: Mike Pence existential. On some level, he must realize that he’s in a is denying reports that he is positioning himself to run for no-win situation. Without Trump he’s nothing. With Trump president in 2020 if, for some reason, Donald Trump falls he’s on a runaway train that he can’t steer or brake. If it by the wayside or decides that one term is enough. The doesn’t crash, Trump can scream down the tracks straight vice president’s denial was so over-the-top — “disgraceful through 2020. If it does, Pence will be one of the casual- and offensive,” he called the New York Times article — ties. So why has Pence formed a political action commit- that had he been on a polygraph, he would have frizzled tee, the only sitting vice president ever to do so? Why is the wires and blown the circuits. The only thing wrong he taking all these meetings, building all these bridges? about the article was its timing. Pence’s presidential ambi- I guess there could be some imaginable future in which tions are nothing new. He’s been running his entire life. Trump falls and Pence is left standing strong enough to Pence is the very personification of the career politician. soldier on. But mostly he’s in denial, and he’s living very With the exception of a few years doing talk radio and dangerously.v Page 20

this occasion as well.” The raid oc- Young, Rokita back curred July 26 at Mr. Manafort’s home Young says tax ‘fire and fury’ in Alexandria, a suburb of Washington, reform has a chance D.C. Federal Bureau of Investigation FORT WAYNE — Two federal agents executed the search warrant WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. lawmakers from Indiana expressed a day after Mr. Manafort met with the Todd Young (R-Ind.) says he’ll join fel- support Wednesday for President staff of the Senate Intelligence Com- low Republicans in Congress to make Donald Trump’s vow to answer threats mittee. The Washington Post reported tax reform his priority this fall (Ropeik, from North Korea “with fire and fury earlier Wednesday the execution of Indiana Public Media). “Tax reform is like the world has never seen.” (Fran- the search warrant. probably the best bang we can get for cisco, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette). our policy buck,” Young says. Young In separate visits to Fort Wayne, Sen. Jurors see tape of mentioned untaxed, offshore assets Todd Young, R-Ind., and Rep. Todd and tax barriers for small businesses Rokita, R-4th, said Trump’s statement Buncich, bribe cash as key issues for him. But he says he Tuesday was appropriate in the wake HAMMOND — Federal jurors knows major reforms are a lofty goal. of reports that North Korea has the saw a video tape Wednesday of Lake “We need to make a very strong run capability to put nuclear warheads County Sheriff John Buncich handling at it,” he says. “I think we have more on intercontinental ballistic missiles. $7,500 in what the govern- than a fighting chance to get it done.” “To the extent that the ment claims is bribe money president’s remarks were (Dolan, NWI Times). In the IDEA to honor calculated to create a tape, Buncich is seen putting measure of uncertainty the money in his desk drawer. Judy O’Bannon among our enemies, Government prosecutors in then I think that can be NEW ALBANY — Former First U.S. District Court presented a good thing. We want Lady Judy O’Bannon will receive the more than seven hours of surveillance to keep our enemies off balance,” Lee Hamilton Public Service Award at recordings to bolster their corruption Young said at a meeting with The the Hamilton Dinner at the 137th In- case against Buncich during the third Journal Gazette editorial board. Dur- diana Democratic Editorial Association day of the trial. Bryan C. Truitt, of ing a stop at Allen County Republican (I.D.E.A.) convention, at 6 p.m. Aug. the sheriff’s defense team, told U.S. Party Headquarters to announce his 26 at the French Lick Springs Resort District Court Judge James T. Moody candidacy for Indiana’s other Sen- Hotel. he wants the judge to instruct jurors ate seat, Rokita said about Trump’s that they could decide the money was comments: “I think it’s showing strong Hill to replicate legitimate political fundraising. leadership. There are parts of the Ten Point Coalition world that don’t respect anything but Madison Co. ends strong leadership power, and I think INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana the president exhibited that.” needle exchange Attorney General Curtis Hill wants to replicate the work of an Indianapolis Manafort’s home ANDERSON – The Madison anti-violence program in other com- County Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to munities around the state. Hill plans raided by FBI effectively end the needle exchange to set aside money from his office to program by adopting an ordinance WASHINGTON — Federal spread the Ten Point Coalition model. that prohibits funding for an employee agents working with Special Counsel Hill says it’s effective at reducing to oversee the operation of the pro- Robert Mueller raided the Virginia violence and homicides. “There are gram (Anderson Herald-Bulletin). The home of Paul Manafort, President pockets of violent areas all over the ordinance prohibits the use of county Donald Trump’s former campaign state that can benefit from this type of funds or donations and gifts to pur- chairman, to obtain documents and neighborhood, community, one-house- chase the needles and the necessary other material last month, according at-a-time engagement,” Hill says. Hill supplies. The council listened to al- to people familiar with the matter. is setting aside $500,000 from his most two hours of comments for and Related “FBI agents executed a search office’s Consumer Protection Fund to against the needle exchange program. warrant at one of Mr. Manafort’s resi- use as what he calls “seed money” to The program was started in 2015 after dences,” Jason Maloni, a spokesman replicate Ten Point’s work in five or the Madison County commissioners for Mr. Manafort, confirmed in a state- six other communities. “What we’re declared a public health emergency ment. “Mr. Manafort has consistently looking at is to provide seed merely,” over concerns about the potential cooperated with law enforcement and Hill says. “Ultimately, these programs spread of hepatitis C and HIV. other serious inquiries and did so on have to be supported within the com- munity.”