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Home , Dawn Johnsen, Earl Landgrebe, Evan Bayh, Floyd Fithian, Tea Party protests

V15 N19 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010 Critical ‘Mass’ for Dems? Senate upset bloodies the waters for Bayh, Blue Dogs

By BRIAN A. HOWEY - Usually the people of Massachusetts are seen from the Hoosier perspec- tive as outside the norm: the one state that held out against President Reagan’s landslide in 1984 when morning returned to America. This week, with Ameri- cans still in an economic night- liberal states. But the consequences of one state’s election mare and no clear end in sight, Hoosier Republicans are sent a shudder through the Democratic Party. telling a vastly different story: The people of Massachusetts Within hours, the Hotline and were report- are speaking for all Americans. The riveting developments ing that U.S. Rep. was going to listen to Senate in Massachusetts Tuesday night with Republican Scott Republican pleas for him to challenge U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh. Brown winning the U.S. Senate race will almost certainly Rumors were sweeping Capitol Hill this morning that Bayh have an impact here in Indiana. The extent is unknown, is considering retirement. “No way,” said Indiana Demo- but within hours key were reacting. cratic Chairman Dan Parker. In late December, Pence chief It was a one-state rebuke of President Obama on health reforms, though it is the one state that already has universal coverage. It is also considered one of the most See Page 3 Uncharted cap territory

By JULIE CROTHERS INDIANAPOLIS - The constitutional amendment to cap property in Indiana may take the state into uncharted territory. “There are a lot of states that have some type of property limita- “I think it’s important to pass tions in their constitution, but I don’t this legislation, I do. If that’s the recall that there were any models along the one that we creatively came up only option in town, maybe that’s with here,” House Minority Leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said. what we ought to do.” More than 30 other states have property tax caps - U.S. Rep. , in place, but few are as stringent as Indiana’s, which on would limit property taxes on homes to 1 percent, on whether the House should pass the Senate farms and rental properties to 2 percent and on business- health care bill, to Politico Page 2 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

es to 3 percent. Howey Politics and a round of deep budget cuts from Those states’ experiences with local government entities. Indiana tax caps may provide some clues as to “At a time when many people how this change in Indiana’s constitu- were being forced out of the state is a nonpartisan news- tion will affect the way government by property taxes, the caps provided operates in the Hoosier state. much needed relief,” Stanton said. letter based in Indianapolis Revenues from property taxes A report issued by the and published by NewsLink often pay salaries of local government Center on Budget and Policy Priorities employees, fund road and school con- stated parts of Massachusetts have Inc. It was founded in struction, park maintenance, and other had to lay off local employees, includ- services. Proponents of tax caps say ing fire and police, while freezing 1994 in Fort Wayne. that they force communities to operate wages and shutting down town librar- more cost-efficiently. Critics say they ies and community centers in order to will force communities to eliminate Brian A. Howey, publisher comply with the state’s Proposition 2 important services. ½, similar to the effects of ’s Mark Schoeff Jr., The record for tax caps’ ef- Prop. 13 initiative. Jack E. Howey, Editor fectiveness is mixed. California voters approved their version Beverly Phillips, of property tax cap legislation, Associate Editor Proposition 13, in 1978. Shortly after its adoption, California’s education, healthcare, transpor- Subscriptions: tation and other public services $350 annually HPI Weekly dramatically declined. Their edu- cation system - which formally $550 annually HPI Weekly & HPI ranked one of the top in the Daily Wire country, found itself positioned Call 317-627-6746 among the worst. Similar to Indiana’s Howey Politics Indiana legislation, the bill applied to all 6255 North Evanston Avenue types of property, not just home- stead property. Indianapolis, IN 46220 Proposition 13 set a maximum property tax rate at Contact Us 1 percent of the value of the Gov. congratulated the General As- property. Once instated, the www.howeypolitics.com sembly for passing the property tax caps during property could only be revalued Tuesday’s State of the State address. (HPI/Franklin [email protected] upon a change of ownership. Photo by Steve Dickerson) Howey’s Mobile: 317-506-0883. Though a benefit for commercial real estate, the consequences Indianapolis Fax: 317-254-0535. left holes in the equity and efficiency Massachusetts’ law mandated Washington: 202-256-5822. of the state’s tax structure. property tax revenues not exceed 2.5 In nearby , legisla- Business Office: 317-627-6746. percent of a community’s assessed tion passed in 1994 set a tax cap at 5 value and that a community’s property Howey Politics ©2010, percent or the current rate of infla - tax revenue not grow by more than Indiana . All rights reserved. tion, whichever was lower. The result 2.5 percent a year. was an almost immediate reduction Photocopying, Internet forwarding, Other states are far less re- in property taxes for everyone in the strictive in their property tax laws. faxing or reproducing in any form, state and a leveling of the playing field ’s caps, for ex- in whole or part, is a violation of between school districts. ample, only apply to senior citizens. Public Information Officer for In West , statewide federal law without permission from Michigan’s Department of the Treasury property tax caps - much like Indiana’s the publisher. Terry Stanton said with the tax reduc- proposed constitutional amendment tions came an increase in sales tax - depend on the type of property, but Page 3 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

also where it is physically located. Once the caps were ners and losers are and I don’t think that’s clear right now in place, flexibility in the amendment’s language regard - among taxpayers,” he said. ing West Virginia’s property taxes allowed the caps to be Indiana will join the tax cap brigade, instituting exceeded if approved by the people. the state’s 1-2-3 tax cap system. Bosma said he thinks the As of 2008, caps on residential, farm real estate state is ready for the caps to be under way, but recognizes and all other properties in and outside municipalities have it won’t be an easy transition. been exceeded. “(The caps) require work. They require community State Sen. John Broden, D-South Bend, said he’s buy-in, they require elected officials not to just operate in a concerned Indiana could face similar challenges without vacuum, but to convince members of the public that their added flexibility to the tax cap legislation. actions are best,” Bosma said. “There was certainly a great deal of heat on policy “Will local governance under the caps be makers to do something. They could not eliminate prop- tougher for local officials? Without a doubt. Will it be more erty taxes because the alternatives were too daunting and responsive to taxpayers and more protective of the prop- would be equally unpopular with voters,” Broden said. erty tax payer? Absolutely. And that was our goal.” v However, Broden is confused at why legislators would vote to place the caps in the state’s constitution Crothers is a member of the HPI/Franklin College before giving them a trial run through the end of 2010. Statehouse Bureau and is executive editor of The- “At this point, we really don’t know who the win- FranklinOnline.com.

ing and 54 percent against the health reform bill. Last July, Critical Mass, from page 1 Quinnipiac showed that Obama led Republicans by 20 per- centage points on the health care “trust” factor. Last week’s of staff Bill Smith told HPI that Pence had no interest in the poll showed that Republicans had taken the lead there. Senate race. On Wednesday, Smith wasn’t returning phone , challenging U.S. Rep. , calls. Pence told Gannett News Service on Wednesday, “I’m decided to file his candidacy at the secretary of state’s willing to hear them out.” office Wednesday morning. “The morning after one of the Bayh told ABC News on Tuesday even before the biggest upsets in American political history I am excited votes were tabulated, “There’s going to to announce my run in this congres- be a tendency on the part of our people sional primary,” Messer said before to be in denial about all this, but if you he filed. “From town hall meetings lose Massachusetts and that’s not a to tea parties to last night’s election, wake-up call, there’s no hope of waking voters in this country are trying to up. send Washington a message. They “The only way we are able to are tired of leaders who don’t listen. govern successfully in this country is They are tired of the wasteful spend- by liberals and progressives making ing that threatens the future of our common cause with independents and country. The people of America spoke moderates,” Bayh said. “When you have last night.” just the furthest left elements of the A Jan. 5-6 Public Opinion Strate- Dem party attempting to impose their gies Poll in Indiana showed President will on the rest of the country, that’s not Obama with a 44 percent approval going to work too well.” rating and 51 percent “strongly op- One of Bayh’s potential Repub- posed” to the health reforms. lican challengers - State Sen. Marlin “If it passes, we have to be pre- Stutzman - announced he had signed a pared with a coalition of leaders who “repeal it” pledge on the health reforms have a plan to repeal it, and minimize pushed by former Indiana Congressman the damage it does,” said Stutzman. and the . Republican Luke Messer decided to file his He lives about 20 miles from Choco- Chocola told the Times that candidacy at the Statehouse Wednesday la’s Bristol home. the health reforms “will be the defining morning just as the Senate upset in Mas- And there was Republican State issue in 2010.” A national Quinnipiac Poll sachusetts began sinking in. (HPI/Franklin Rep. , who is chal- last week showed 34 percent approv- Photo by Ethan Leffel) lenging U.S. Rep. . She Page 4 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

explained, “The people were heard today. ’s cally for years. It would aggravate his Democratic base, victory isn’t a victory for a political party. It’s a victory for part of which is already livid about his tepid support or by millions of Americans all across the country who want to the fact that he voted against President Obama 23 percent have a voice in the current health care debate in Washing- of the time. ton. Tonight Americans hit the reset button on the health We are also hearing anecdotal stories of Bayh care bill. This could be the most important and impactful congressional district signature sheets gleaning little ink legislation in our lifetimes and the American people want a during recent Jefferson- bill of such gravity produced Jackson Day events. If by a process of rigorous de- Bayh is feeling the heat bate and compromise,” she - and we think he is - this said. has implications across “This is a positive the board. His voracious step. The American people money machine will begin are at the table. Let’s keep sucking every dollar it them there and start over,” can, while poor B. Patrick Walorski added. Bauer and Baron Hill look The Cook Politi- on wistfully. In the past, cal Report is forecasting a a Bayh candidacy bolsters net gain of 28 to 30 seats down-ballot Democrats, in the U.S. House for the but unless they coordinate GOP. They need 40 to re- this right, Hoosier Demo- take control. If the current crats risk an every-man- environment persists, and for-himself scenario. The Massachusetts Senate upset reverberated in the Indiana State- there is no notable economic As for who offers house on Wednesday as State Rep. Jackie Walorski and State Sen. improvement with today’s the best potential chal- - both aiming for Congress - heralded the results. jobs report more negative lenge, right now the GOP (HPI/Franklin Photo by Ethan Leffel) than expected, HPI forecasts establishment would that the 2nd, 8th and 9th prefer State Sen. Marlin congressional districts in In- Stutzman, simply because they see as diana, as well as the U.S. Senate race, could all be in play (pick an adjective: weird, strange, fringe), while Don Bates by next fall. Jr. and Richard Behney are unknown and, to date, have Here is HPI’s first congressional forecast of 2010: shown very little money traction. But if Pence were to enter, he’d be the nominee. U.S. Senate: Bayh approval swoons Mike Copher, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Steve It is hard for anyone imbued with conventional Buyer, told HPI, “I would be shocked to see Pence run as wisdom to grasp the idea that Sen. Bayh could be vulner- he is not known as a ‘risk taker’ but if you want to be a gi- able. And the HPI Horse Race is nowhere close at this ant killer ... why not?” writing to making the kind of ultimately accurate forecasts Copher said that the National Republican Senato- that we issued in the months and weeks leading into 2007 rial Committee and the Senate GOP leadership “has put out with , 2006 with Bob Garton, and 2004 with several feelers from different members seeking any inter- Larry Borst. However, when we survey President Obama’s est.” approval rating at 44 percent here in Indiana in the Jan. Other leading Republicans wondered why Pence 5-6 Public Opinion Strategies Poll, and 51 percent “strongly would opt for a Senate seat when he is so close to reach- opposed” to the health reforms, you don’t have to be too ing top House leadership, which is a more powerful station. good at connecting the dots to reach the notion that Evan The consensus was that Pence would likely pass, but .... Bayh is probably looking at his worst approval and re-elect Stutzman told HPI on Wednesday that he is close numbers since he won the Senate seat in 1998. to gathering the needed signatures, though he will con- The numbers aren’t as bad as he saw in 1980, tinue to collect them up through Feb. 18. If none of the when he managed Sen. ’s final race, but with Republicans gather enough signatures, the Indiana Repub- another health care vote possibly coming up, logic suggests lican Convention could choose a candidate and if it couldn’t that such numbers will probably dip further. If Bayh were to reach a consensus, it would be up to the Indiana Republi- vote against the reforms, it would do little to help him with can Central Committee. Either of those two options could the Republicans and independents he has feasted on politi- become a Bayh nightmare. Page 5 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

We wonder if Dan Dumezich’s assessment that he Donnelly will get high marks from the many autoworkers had only a 30 percent chance of winning was a mistake, in his district. He was the most conspicuous member of given the events of this week. And Bayh must be pray- the Indiana delegation making the case for GM and Chrys- ing that U.S. Rep. Mike Pence doesn’t change his mind ler in 2009 when it looked like the sector would collapse. and mount a challenge. Horse Race Primary: Leans During his State of the State Address Tuesday night, Gov. Stutzman; General: Likely Bayh Daniels noted that Indiana is now attracting auto jobs from other states. While publications like the Rothenberg Politi- 1st CD: Visclosky safe for now cal Report do not have the 2nd on its radar screen, we do. The storm clouds are still billowing around U.S. This could easily be a very competitive race in the fall, as Rep. as the congressional ethics probe sur- Republican Chairman Murray Clark told Jack Colwell. Horse rounding PMA has refused to absolve him (though it did Race Primary: Safe Walorski; General: Leans Donnelly Rep. Murtha). On Wednesday, three Republicans - includ- ing Hammond Republican Chairman Rob Pastore - filed to 3rd CD: Right challenger, wrong cycle challenge. The House Committee on Standards of Official U.S. Rep. faces two primary op- Conduct has been reviewing PMA Group’s dealings with ponents - Phil Troyer of Fort Wayne and Rachel Grubb of Visclosky, D-Ind., and U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., since Auburn. We don’t expect either to give Souder much of a Dec. 2 (). The panel was required to report challenge in the May primary. Troyer was to be the anoint- by mid-January the status of the cases, which were re- ed candidate in 1992 to challenge U.S. Rep. Jill Long, but ferred to it by an independent ethics entity the House cre- gun rights activist Chuck Pierson defeated the college stu- ated in 2008. But in a statement released Friday, the panel dent in the primary. Troyer, now a financial services attor - said it will continue its investigation until March 2, by which ney, calls Souder a big spender and hopes he can switch on time it will “announce its course of action.” Pastore told the the anti-incumbency. Grubb is a supervisor for Group Dekko Times of Northwest Indiana, “The other representatives and is a political novice. Souder has the keenest, precinct- around him are not going to sign on to any legislation that by-precinct acumen of anyone in the Indiana delegation. If he wants to help us here in Northwest Indiana. He’s no lon- he cranks up the fundraising this winter and begins adver- ger an effective representative.” It’s unclear whether any tising well before the primary, it may be an indicator as to Republican in normal times can actually give Visclosky a how potent the anti-incumbency virus is during what will good race. Gov. Daniels tried and made little inroad. We’re probably be a low-turnout primary. As for the fall, former skeptical it can happen even in this cycle. Horse Race: Fort Wayne Councilman Tom Hayhurst is seeking a rematch Safe Visclosky of the 2006 race he lost to Souder by 15,000 votes. That was the closest call Souder has had since the 1994 tidal 2nd CD: Expected to be in play wave swept him into office. Many Democrats had hoped Hayhurst would challenge Souder in 2008, when he While Jack Jordan is a self-described “regular guy” could have ridden on Obama’s coattails. The problem for who teaches at IUSB, worked for Eli Lilly for 15 years, and Hayhurst is that any wave is likely to be going against him is president of the Bremen School Board, the likely chal- and the Democrats this time out. Horse Race Primary: lenger to U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly is still Rep. Walorski. She Safe Souder; General: Safe Souder comes at this race as a self-described “” fan willing to stoke up the Tea Party tribes within the district. Even Republicans see Walroski as abrasive and sharply con- 4th CD: All quiet in Frankendistrict servative. She is trying to get traction on a bill that would U.S. Rep. doesn’t appear to have a increase felony charges against anyone involved in a fatal credible opponent lined up against him at this point, in ei- or injury traffic accident with marijuana in their system. ther the primary or the general in this most gerrymandered When Jordan announced his campaign last Saturday, he ex- district. Recent concerns about an educational foundation plained, “I’m not running a throw-the-bum-out campaign. that were covered by CBS News haven’t ginned up much Joe Donnelly is not a bum. He’s a very nice, sincere man. speculation that he’s vulnerable. Horse Race: Safe Buyer What I am running is a campaign against Nancy Pelosi and her misguided policies.” That is a sentiment we hear a lot 5th CD: Critical 10 days coming about Donnelly from many Republicans. Perhaps the best The next 10 days will be critical for this race. way to defeat him is to tie him to Speaker Pelosi, and if it’s When the FEC reports are made public, we’ll have a much going to happen it will likely be this year. While Donnelly better idea of how the challenger field - Dr. John McGoff, voted for the first round of health care reforms, he did vote Brose McVey, State Rep. Mike Murphy and Luke Messer against Cap-and-Trade and is a Blue Dog in good standing. - will fare. Murphy and Messer are expected to post the best money numbers of the challengers. Jen Hallowell told Page 6 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

HPI on Wednesday that Messer raised “six figures” dur - port this weekend. A campaign official said that 95 percent ing the last quarter of 2009. If McVey or McGoff are wildly of the funds come from individual donors in the 8th CD. off the money mark, there will be considerable pressure With the cardiologist in this race challenging U.S. Rep. Brad for them to drop out. But as of mid-January, there weren’t Ellsworth, certainly the Obama health reforms will play a any signs that would happen and many believe a five-way major role in how the it develops. “Voters are telling Wash- primary almost certainly brings the re-election of U.S. Rep. ington that enough is enough,” Buschon said of Tuesday’s Dan Burton. Or as Rothenberg put it last month, “Burton election. “Americans are demanding that Congress end its is helped by the crowded field.” A two- or three-way race fiscal irresponsibility. is a different story. Burton’s standing with the GOP estab- Sadly, has supported this agenda of borrow- lishment is certainly in atrophy, given the vast number of ing, spending, bailouts and government takeovers. Voters public and party officials who have endorsed his challeng - in Massachusetts rejected this agenda, and I believe they ers. Watch for him to actively court the Tea Party tribes will reject it here in Southern Indiana as well.” As with and gain further traction with discontent over the health the 2nd, HPI sees this as an emerging race. The day after reforms, President Obama and Speaker Pelosi. Burton can Massachusetts, Ellsworth appeared with President Obama also be expected to maintain a wide fund advantage. He at the for a bill signing. Horse Race: Leans is already running TV ads, which signals he understands Ellsworth the challenge he faces. The problem for the anti-Burton cabal is ... it’s a four-headed hydra. Horse Race Primary: 9th CD: Young buoyed by Massachusetts Leans Burton U.S. Rep. Baron Hill is at this point considered to be the most vulnerable of the Indiana Democrats in what 6th CD: A Pence re-election? could be a wave year. A Democratic group called Firedo- U.S. Rep. Mike Pence will not have a credible chal- glake has a poll out showing Hill trailing 49-41 lenger and will easily be re-elected unless he changes his percent. As Rothenberg points out, “Hill can’t take the mind on the Senate race. Pence had planned to campaign GOP-leaning district for granted, especially in a mid- for House Republicans, both nationally and here in the Indi- term.” His comments Wednesday on the health reforms ana General Assembly, earning IOUs that could be cashed to Politico - “I think it’s important to pass this legislation, in 2012 when he might consider presidential or gubernato- I do. If that’s the only option in town, maybe that’s what rial runs. Horse Race: Safe Pence we ought to do” - were quickly picked up by the on Wednesday. 7th CD: Carson is safe The best thing that can happen to Hill in the early Carlos May and Rafael Ramirez are the Republi - part of the cycle is already happening with Mike Sodrel’s re- can challengers with May getting a clear edge in the GOP entry, seeking a fifth race against the Democrat. With high primary. But even with a wave poised at Democrats, at name ID and a tap into the , Sodrel this point it’s hard to see U.S. Rep. Andre Carson in much might be expected to be Hill’s nightmare in this emerging trouble. Having said that, the growing perception across scenario. the spectrum is that Carson is not But there is the specter of much more than a legacy Democrat NY23 where Republicans divided who was handed his late grandmoth- and were conquered in a race er’s House seat. He sticks with the they snatched from the jaws talking points and does what the of victory. Sodrel’s race against party leadership demands. The only , who is expected to way we see Carson losing this seat report $300,000 later this month is if a well-heeled, credible Democrat and has been campaigning for a takes a swing at the Carson machine. year, may get nasty. And with all Horse Race : Safe Carson the nastiness going on already, it’s going to be a challenge to 8th CD: Bloody but patch the party together after not in the E.R. the primary, let alone recoup the money the GOP will spend Nationally, the Bloody 8th still clobbering each other. The hasn’t shown up in emergency room, Republican Todd Young filed his candidacy at other part of this equation is but Dr. Larry Buschon will report more the Indiana Statehouse on Wednesday. He has an whether voters will have any than $100,000 raised on his FEC re- intense race with former Congressman Mike Sodrel. stomach for anyone running Page 7 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

a traditional DC-style mudslinging race. In a wave year, it crats in recent years. Our campaign stands for turning the could be expected to see the party money spigots open for page, and trying to go to Washington to set priorities, and, a credible challenger. But Republican National Chairman Mi- if necessary, to make some difficult decisions and stand chael Steele is turning out to be an albatross. The GOP had up against my party leadership and insure that we remain $22.8 million in the bank when Steele took the helm and fiscally responsible for the future.” Young said that Hill has it plunged to $8.7 million by November, according to New been “very out-of-synch with the 9th Congressional District. York Times columnist Frank Rich. So it’s unclear whether Today, we are coming off a victory of our U.S. Senate can- Sodrel or Young can count on the money spilling in the way didate in Massachusetts. One of the things that represents it did for David McIntosh, Souder and Hostettler in the last is that there will be consequences for this rubber-stamping four months of the 1994 campaign. Going into the Sodrel- and Nancy Pelosi’s agenda that Congressman Hill has been Young primary, the early money will be on Sodrel (it’s not doing in recent months. I think the approach taken so far known whether he will self-fund) but there may come a bends the cost curve, but it doesn’t bend it downward. It point when Republicans consider Young’s appeal for the bends it up. It increases cost for Americans. It will take need of a “new era” of Republican leadership in Congress. away from American citizens.” This much is known: The 9th When Young filed at the Indiana secretary of state’s of - CD will be the most fascinating district for both the primary fice Wednesday, he explained, “It starts with stopping the and general election cycles. Horse Race: Republican Pri- bleeding and getting back to the basics. There has been mary - Leans Sodrel; General: Tossup v a lot of irresponsible spending by Republicans and Demo- Bryan Ault and Katie Coffin contributed to this story.

Indiana’s 10 greatest political upsets

By CHRIS SAUTTER blockade, Capehart stepped up his criticism. It backfired as WASHINGTON - Americans love to root for the Bayh argued an international crisis required national unity. underdog. Yet, Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts is Bayh won by less than one vote per precinct. proof why underdogs rarely win elections. A unique set of circumstances must coalesce to turn a 2. Greg Ballard Shocks Establishment (2007) quixotic underdog into a giant killer: Com- In a race that anticipated the Tea Party movement, placency on the part of the incumbent or political novice Greg Ballard shocked Indianapolis’ political incumbent party, an aggressive challenger establishment by knocking off two-term incumbent mayor who has the ability to connect with vot- Bart Peterson. The race was classic David versus Goliath. ers, and a volatile political environment or Early polling suggested it would be a runaway victory for dramatic event that levels an otherwise Peterson. The mayor’s massive war chest scared off top Re- tilted playing field. publican challengers. The Republican Party was cool toward Indiana has had several classic its own candidate while Governor Mitch Daniels ignored the political upsets in the “modern era.” Here race. But the race tightened as issues like crime and taxes is my top 10 list: bubbled to the surface. Petersen’s administration appeared 1. Birch Bayh Upsets Homer Capehart (1962) tone deaf to the growing chorus of complaints about ris- The Cuban Missile Crisis and a catchy campaign ing property taxes and an increase in violent crime. And, theme song boosted 34-year old Birch Bayh past three- Petersen’s slick TV ads reinforced the sense that he was term incumbent Sen. Homer Capehart. Bayh ran the quin- growing out-of-touch with the concerns of average voters. tessential underdog retail politics campaign. Trailing badly, Grass roots organizations began to hold rallies and booed he traversing the state in an old Mercury stopping at every politicians of both parties. In the end, it was the little Hoosier hamlet. Unknown outside of political circles, Bayh’s known underfunded Ballard who defeated Peterson on the campaign adopted “Hey, Look Him Over” to boost his name strength of a grassroots anti-tax movement. In his vic- recognition. The visual contrast between the old cigar- tory speech, Ballard declared the win the “biggest upset in chomping politician and the young energetic candidate also Indiana political history.” A strong case can be made that it helped. But Bayh would have still come up short had the was. Cuban Missile Crisis not intervened. Capehart had been attacking President for being soft on Cuba and 3. Quayle, Hiler upset Bayh, Brademas (1980) urged him to institute a blockade. When Kennedy ordered a The 1980 landslide victory in Indiana by Ron- Page 8 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

ald Reagan and a public perception that Birch Bayh had in Indiana was on the rise. Yet, it was clear that without a become too liberal for Hoosiers helped Congressman Dan big break, Deckard was going to win. Three weeks before Quayle win a long-shot race for Senate. Quayle ran a near the election that break arrived when Deckard drove his car perfect campaign in Indiana while Bayh was often stuck into a tree and was charged with driving under the influ - in Washington. Bayh was also the target of tough attack ence. Deckard ducked the media for days. When he finally ads by a new right-wing group known as NCPAC, which appeared publicly, he sported a big scar over his eye. For took credit for Bayh’s defeat. Still, almost nobody predicted the remainder of the campaign, the newspapers ran a wire Quayle would win. The same is true with political unknown photo showing Deckard with his scar. McCloskey never John Hiler who defeated 22-year incumbent John Brade- mentioned the accident as Deckard’s lead evaporated. Mc- mas. Brademas, the House Majority Whip, was 3rd in line Closkey won 51-49 percent. to be Speaker. 8. Dave Evans Surprises Bill Bray (1974) 4. Derails Bill Hudnut (1990) National forces never had greater impact than Indianapolis Mayor Bill Hudnut’s attempt to use the in 1974, the year resigned the presidency. Indiana Secretary of State’s office as a stepping stone to Four incumbent Republicans House members went down the governor’s mansion was met head on by the aggres- in Indiana. Three of them had easily defeated the same sive campaign of Evan Bayh protégé Joe Hogsett. Hogsett opponents in 1972, Nixon’s landslide year. Phil Sharp had had managed Bayh’s campaigns and then succeeded him lost two times to David Dennis before finally prevailing. as Secretary of State when Bayh won governor’s office in None of the four Republicans had spoken out against the 1988. Hogsett began more than 40 points behind, but at- administration’s conduct in the . Den- tacked Hudnut relentlessly for raising city taxes. Hudnut’s nis voted against impeachment as a member of the House defeat ended his political career. Judiciary Committee. , whom would defeat, uttered the immortal lines “don’t confuse 5. Jill Long Wins House Special (1989) me with the facts” just days before Nixon resigned. But Jill Long’s chances of winning the House special the most remarkable upset victory that year goes to 28- election for ’s former seat were considered so year-old Dave Evans, who defeated Bill Bray spending only long that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Commit- $14,000. Evans, who managed only 35 percent against tee refused to target the race until 3 weeks out. But Re- Bray in 1972, won the rematch in the most Republican publicans nominated a lackluster candidate in Dan Health, district in the state by knocking on 55,000 doors while a Fort Wayne city official. Long was the “girl-next-door,” to Bray barely campaigned. Heath the political insider. Long also benefited from a local property tax revolt. When she squeaked past Heath in the 9. Hostettler Overtakes McCloskey (1994) decidedly Republican district, Republican National Chairman John Hostettler was considered a long shot to even Lee Atwater confessed, “I’m ashamed we lost.” win the Republican nomination in 1994. But the novice Hostettler skillfully capitalized on voter anger over big gov - 6. Knocks Off Gov. Handley (1958) ernment in Washington to defeat six-term incumbent Frank Running for the seat of retiring William Jenner, McCloskey. a little known 39-year old Evansville Mayor Vance Hartke rode voter unrest over high unemployment, high taxes, 10. Carries Indiana (2008) and a government scandal to an upset victory over Gov. Few even in the Obama campaign believed he Harold Hadley. Hartke also exploited concern that Repub- would carry Indiana. No Democrat had carried the state licans wanted to cut Social Security. Hadley’s charges that since Lyndon Johnson’s landslide victory in 1964. Obama Hartke’s city administration was corrupt failed to sway benefited from Indiana’s dismal employment picture. And, voters who were persuaded by Hartke it was time for a Obama campaigned in the state, while McCain took it for change. Hartke was the first in Indiana to run an aggres - granted. This would have been a truly great upset if Obama sive statewide retail style campaign. had needed Indiana’s electoral votes to win the presidency. v 7. Joel Deckard Paves Way for McCloskey (1982) In 1982, Bloomington Mayor Frank McCloskey Chris Sautter is an attorney, media strategist, and was headed toward what he termed a “respectable loss” documentary filmmaker. He directed and produced against incumbent Joel Deckard. McCloskey, who started The King of Steeltown: Hardball Politics in the out 45 percent points behind, made up ground because the Heartland (2001) about East Chicago’s controversial economy was sputtering under Reagan and unemployment 1999 mayoral election. Page 9 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

day night, the Republicans did the impossible. The lesson is The Massachusetts clear: If conservatives can win in Massachusetts, they can win anywhere. Yet Speaker Nancy Pelosi ignores that mes- message from Tuesday sage. She continues to steer her party farther and farther left - even if it means they go off the cliff next November. By DAVID M. McINTOSH Interestingly former Clinton advisor WASHINGTON - Once again Concord and Lexing- seems to agree. In a Wall Street Journal article entitled ton have fired a shot heard round the world. Just like John “The Loss in Massachusetts: Lessons for Democrats to Adams and the Sons of Liberty, New Englanders have over- Learn” he writes: “Bottom line: We liberals need to re- thrown the political establishment claim the Democratic Party with New Democrat positions in America. of and the New Politics/bipartisan aspirations Scott Brown will drive his of Barack Obama - a party that is willing to meet half-way pickup truck from Massachusetts with conservatives and Republicans even if that means only down to Washington to become step-by-step reforms on health care and other issues that the first Republican in 50 years do not necessarily involve big-government solutions.” to hold the “Kennedy” seat. He For Republicans the lessons are more subtle. 2010 campaigned for freedom - no more holds out great promise - much like 1994 when I first ran government takeover of health- for Congress. But it’s too early for the GOP to celebrate. care; free markets will create Massachusetts was not so much a victory for “Big Tent American jobs; strength in the fight Republicanism” as a New England version of the Tea Party against terrorism. voters sending a message to Washington - they have had Brown won because he enough. reminded us that it was the voters’ So for the GOP to win in November it will have to seat: Government of the people, rebuild a coalition of independents, conservative Democrats by the people and for the people remains alive and well in and Republicans who unite around an agenda that offers America. up real solutions to the problems facing America. Both Democrats and Republicans can learn a lot by To focus on economic recovery and jobs, this agen- listening to the Massachusetts voters: da should reject tax increases and government takeovers • The American public wants nothing to do of the private sector and instead promote competition and with government-run health care. Every poll in America free enterprise that leads to real job creation. To strength- shows this to be true. But in Massachusetts there was a en families as the foundation of our society, it should unique angle: It already has universal health care – and endorse traditional values of life, marriage, and religious the people don’t like it. Senior citizens turned out in droves liberty. And to protect Americans from terrorism at home last Tuesday because they have the most to lose from and abroad, this agenda should champion a strong national government run health care that cuts Medicare spending. defense and individual liberties for law abiding Americans. More than half of voters in Massachusetts indicated that In Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia Repub- health care was driving their vote. Of those voters, nearly lican candidates won by building just such a coalition based all voted for Scott Brown. on these conservative principles. • Middle class voters have left the Obama Now it is up to Republican national leaders to fol- Democrats. Election night polling shows that Brown won low suit. v every income bracket from $40,000 to $100,000. The middle class has returned to its conservative roots. McIntosh is a former Indiana congressman and now • I t’s not politics as usual. Something larger practices law in Washington. than old fashion electioneering is going on in cities and towns across America. The American people, and specifi - cally independents who had previously voted Democratic, are fed up with politicians who promise statesmanship and then turn around and push partisan solutions that infringe upon their personal liberty and freedom. They want gov- ernment solutions, but within the limits of our constitutional framework of divided and limited powers. The Tea Party movement is alive and well. For Democrats the election means there are no safe seats in 2010. In capturing “Ted Kennedy’s seat” Tues- Page 10 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

made headlines docking executive bonuses and is now Obama’s first year and talking about a tax to regain the TARP funds, estranging him from 2008 supporter Warren Buffett. But little has unrealistic expectations been done structurally to keep the barons from doing the exact same things they did leading up to that meltdown. By BRIAN A. HOWEY The Goldman Sachs’ sponsored U.S. Treasury has former INDIANAPOLIS - We are not seeing any “1.19.13” CEO Timothy Geithner signing our greenbacks, and there bumper stickers - yet, but at the end of President Obama’s is eroding confidence on this front. Here it appears Ameri - first year at the White House, he is receiving a stinging cans will be condemned to repeat history, though Obama is rebuke from the most liberal state in the tagged as the “socialist” while Bush is not. Go figure. union with the election of Republican The stimulus? It’s fueling the Tea Party move- Scott Brown to the Senate. ment. Republicans lash out at the stimulus, but here in It closed an absolutely wild year Indiana, it bailed the state out and kept severe education and prompted me to go back and look cuts temporarily at bay. Without the Obama stimulus, we at what I said as Obama entered the would be raising taxes and shutting down services. Some presidency. A couple of things that were economists don’t believe the stimulus was enough and written still stand true today. I predicted others are outraged that Pelosi and Reid back-loaded it for that given the array of problems Obama political advantage later this year. Now there is no political inherited when he entered the White stomach for a stimulus redux. With the jobless rate at 10 House, the deck was stacked against percent, I can hear James Carville’s wicked voice: “It’s the him. I said his approval rating would probably be in the economy stupid.” Duoh! 40th percentile by November 2009. There were too many Energy? We had virtually no energy policy during “damned-if-you-do; damned-if-you-don’t” scenarios. the Bush-Cheney years. Obama’s efforts to increase CAFE And here we are! standards and incentives to the electric car sector appears Do you pull out of Afghanistan and take heat to be paying off, particularly here in Indiana as EnerDel as a war wimp soft on terror, or push forward with a surge? grows and Th!nk comes to the state. In a normal year, this On that one, Obama committed troops to what would have been a major appears to be a quagmire, only to find the next achievement. In the year terror attack attempt emanating from Yemen, of Obama, it’s almost an the new al Qaeda redoubt. This pleased the afterthought. conservatives, unnerved his base and, by golly, Education? I re- what took him so damn long? As for , he member riding back from avoided a crisis there while we appear to be on Kokomo with Gov. Daniels course for a pullout next summer. in the fall of ‘08 as he Do you let and contemplated a potential liquidate? If you do, the 10 percent “President Obama” and jobless rate surges to 12 to 15 percent as the said that if he had the rest of the auto sector collapses. The Ameri- guts, he could reshape can manufacturing base - a bare 12 percent American education in of the economy - erodes further. The UAW is a Nixon-goes-to-China betrayed. On this one, Obama rejected two GM type scenario. On this and Chrysler restructuring plans, forced them front, Obama and Dan- into an accelerated bankruptcy, and by the end iels are speaking from a of last year GM began paying back the TARP similar script. Daniels and funds. Chrysler is still a precarious basket case. Supt. Tony Bennett have It was President Bush who “bailed out” the embraced the Race to the auto sector in late 2008, though Gov. Daniels Top. But the results of this called it the “biggest political payoff in history.” education revolution both On Tuesday night, Daniels heralded Indiana as here in Indiana and na- a revived auto state. tionally are far, far away. What do you do with Wall Street, President Obama made his first trip out of Health care? the true benefactor of the biggest political Washington to Elkhart to make a push for the Now we know why the payoff in U.S. history with $780 billion at the stimulus as Hoosiers worried about a depres- White House was press- end of the Bush presidency? Here, Obama has sion. (HPI Photo by A. Walker Shaw) Page 11 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

ing for the reforms to pass the House last July before the August recess. When they didn’t, the Guns of August appeared, watering the tree of liberty with the blood of patriots and young presidents. This is the proverbial snow- ball in hell that grew into the ballot box shots in Lexington on Tuesday. Republicans like Sen. Lugar counseled Obama to concentrate on the economy and take an incremental approach. Such counsel fell on deaf ears, even for Obama who used Lugar as a campaign example of consensus building. You can understand how Obama made the deci- sion to use his political capital early, forge historic reforms and hope that good public policy nourishes his reelection three years hence. Today, it stands in shambles. Obama Jasper Mayor Bill Schmidt (left) and House Minority Leader Brian vowed during countless Indiana campaign appearances Bosma look on as State Rep. Scott Pelath takes on the tax caps. that he would reach out to Republicans. It was a half-heart- (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey) ed effort on both sides. Leaving the details to the Congres- sional liberal leaders has provoked a vigorous backlash. The deficits? Whew! This just makes folks angry, A bitter pill for cities as particularly Republicans and Sen. Bayh. The $1.4 trillion deficit is staggering and Obama must use his Jan. 27 State Bosma feels their pain of the Union address to reverse course. But give Obama credit for at least putting everything on the ledger; as op - By BRIAN A. HOWEY posed to the good old Bush-Cheney days where about a INDIANAPOLIS - Hizzoner, Brian Bosma feels your trillion dollars spent on two wars weren’t counted. pain. So, we’re looking at a one-term president, right? You’re just going to have to writhe with it for a Not so fast. Obama has endured bitter lessons very couple more years. early in his presidency; much earlier than President Clinton House Minority Leader Bosma, a big proponent of did. Clinton lost the health reforms in 1993 and Congress Gov. Mitch Daniels’ property tax caps, appeared at the In- in 1994. Two years later, he had a relatively easy reelection diana Association of Cities and Towns Con- victory over Bob Dole. The problem for Republicans is they ference on Tuesday and told the mayors don’t even have presidential timber as credible as Bob Dole what they didn’t want to hear. He acknowl- right now. edged that now with the tax caps likely to Do you run a good ol’ southerner like Haley Bar- be chiseled into the Indiana Constitution, bour against the first black president? Does get mayors and councilmen and women “face savvy enough to ride a Fox-fueled lightning bolt of anger tremendous challenges in your community. to the White House? Can fill out his cardboard I understand the strain you’re all under.” persona with flesh? Newt? But as far as the “flexibility” that legislators and One more thought. Daniels often talk about - like allowing cities to decide for As early as last spring, more so by August, and cer- themselves whether to install option income taxes - it won’t tainly by the end of 2009, Republicans were quick to point happen in 2010. “Flexible options have to be looked at in out that the misadventures, miscalculations and outright the future,” Bosma said. Instead, he urged them to use malpractice of the Bush-Cheney president were now under HB1362 to merge, consolidate and create co-ops. “You can Obama ownership. It’s a crazy notion embraced by Ivy do anything you want with any of the governments which League educated people who know good politics even if it touch your borders.” means getting fast food grease on your necktie. We live in Bosma noted the Zionsville merger with two a fast food society and we expect instant results. Humpty townships as well as the Perry and Franklin township merg- Dumpty should go from omelet and back into shell; Obama ers with the Indianapolis Fire Department as examples. “It should get the toothpaste back in the tube. can happen,” Bosma said. “It’s tough medicine, but I want The odds were so stacked against him and are to encourage you to explore those options.” even more so today. We just can’t wait to get the Republi- State Rep. Scott Pelath earned wide applause cans back in control so they keep a lid on things. v when he described himself as one of the few legislators to vote against the tax caps twice. He described his lifetime in Michigan City and said, “I don’t want to live anywhere Page 12 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

else.” And he said that taxpayers there expect the streets less so with cities above that population. Luecke noted a to be plowed, the sidewalks cleared and the city to be case where neighboring Penn Township recently added 30 “vibrant.” firefighters. South Bend suggested a mutual agreement to Pelath said he has been told that he had “courage” cover parts of the township with nearby city firehouses. to vote against the caps, but explained, “Let me tell you, The offer was rejected. “They tell you they don’t want it’s not a very courageous position as long as you take the Unigov,” Luecke said. time to explain it to constituents.” And Luecke called the caps a precursor to an end The Democrat believes that the caps will threaten to annexations, saying that mayors will now begin asking the “health of our cities” because the people will need the themselves, “Can I afford to annex any longer?” v services that face budget cuts due to the cap constraints. “We need safe streets and quality of life,” he said. Plainfield Town Manager Rick Carlucci likened IMMIGRATION BILL RETURNS TO SENATE: Indiana the caps to the 2008 incident where a confrontational man could have tougher immigration standards if a bill before was subdued by police, pleading, “Don’t tase me, bro.” He the becomes law (Downs, HPI/Franklin). said that with the caps, cities and towns could no longer The Senate Bill 213 would require contractors E-Verify, a afford unfunded mandates from the state. software system set up to check people’s citizenship, and Again, Bosma was sympathetic. “You’ll receive a would increase penalties for using false identification. The lot of support for that in the legislature. That debate must bill passed the Senate Pensions and Labor now change. I agree with you wholeheartedly.” But Pelath Committee, 9-0, and was sent to the explained, “All 150 legislators will say they agree with you Senate Appropriations Committee. The unequivocally and then they just keep doing it.” bill’s primary sponsor, Sen. Mike Delph, Goshen Mayor Allan Kaufmann asked if road fund- R-Carmel, said it will help Indiana deal ing would increase. “No,” said Pelath, the second ranking with immigration without costing money. Democrat on the House Ways & Means Committee. “Cer- Delph has introduced similar versions of tainly not in the short term.” the legislation in each of the last two ses- Bosma said the “next solution” to that would be sions of the General Assembly. Sen. Tim Skinner, D- Terre the “next Major Moves” where the state will attempt to Haute said he like this bill because it argues the legal side leverage money out of underused assets. of the debate on unauthorized aliens, and not the business Mishawaka Mayor Jeff Rea, a Republican, ex- side. The biggest change this bill could make is that em- plained that while Daniels and Bosma have called for ployers will no longer have to verify that their employees “creativity,” that will only take cities so far. Mishawaka, for are citizens but the contractors of Indiana will, said Sen. instance, has joined Angola, Lafayette and Highland in a Phil Boots, R- Crawfordsville. Contractors will now have to health insurance trust to try and contain the 15 percent go through E-Verify to check their new employees’ status annual increases in insurance costs. He noted that of as an American citizen, said Boots. He said E-Verify doesn’t Mishawaka’s $40 million annual budget, $8.5 million deals allow contractors to check the employees they have now, with health insurance. But the trust won’t save the city only future employees. “(SB 213l) will help us going for- money. He hopes it just keeps the annual increases in the ward,” said Boots. “It won’t help us going backward.” The 3 to 5 percent range. bill likely will move to the Senate floor for second reading Rea fears the caps will force cities to cut parks on Monday. and recreation budgets. “We’re trying not to cut into public safety. It’s made contract negotiations very tough.” MARRIAGE AMENDMENT PASSES JUDICIARY: This While the caps change the revenue streams for morning the Indiana State Senate Judiciary Committee cities, collective bargaining agreements haven’t changed passed SJR-13, the proposed constitutional amendment along with them. to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. The legislation South Bend Mayor Stephen Luecke, a Democrat, passed on a vote of 6-4 party line vote with one senator noted another problem. out of the chamber at the time of the vote (Blue Indiana). South Bend and LaPorte have been the targets of lawsuits over sidewalks and American Disability Act stan- NO WORD ON OXLEY: No one in state government dards. “Do you lay off firefighters to put in new sidewalks?” seems to know whether or when Rep. Dennie Oxley, D- he asked. Taswell, will return to the House. (Lemon, HPI/Franklin). Rea said that mergers and consolidations can Oxley suffered a heart attack in November. “All I can do is work, but mentioned a study that showed that munici- refer you to the family,” said John Schorg of House Demo- palities under 10,000 people can find cost savings, but crats. The family has not responded to several calls. v Page 13 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

plummeting in Indiana. Clark sees Donnelly- That, the chairman said, and an anti-incumbent feeling toward members of Congress, help to make Don- Walorski as a hot race nelly vulnerable. Walorski, a state representative who was encour- By JACK COLWELL aged to run by the National Republican Congressional Com- SOUTH BEND - Indiana Republican Chairman Mur- mittee, is viewed by Clark as the type of challenger who ray Clark says the 2nd Congressional District race, with can reverse the situation of the ‘08 race, when Donnelly Jackie Walorski skewering Democratic Congressman Joe won big against token opposition. Donnelly, “could be the most exciting in the state” this fall. “Jackie is tough, seasoned and articulate,” Clark In an interview during a stop in South Bend, the said. state chairman also said: She will get help from the NRCC and the state 1. The main focus of the GOP organization, party organization, Clark said, with prospects of the 2nd working with Gov. Mitch Daniels, will be on capturing District race being in the national spotlight as Republicans control of the Indiana House. That would give Republicans seek to reclaim a majority in Congress. complete legislative control during Daniels’ final two years Clark was less confident of an ability to successfully as governor and enable Republicans to draw the new legis- challenge Bayh. While Bayh could face some of the same lative districts after the 2010 Census. problems politically as Donnelly, Clark said no potential 2. Daniels is serious challenger has shown thus far the ability to compete in the about wanting new districts, state manner that Walorski has at the district level. legislative and congressional, to be Bayh has a huge fund-raising advantage and has more compact, without weird shapes been voted for by Hoosiers in election after election, Clark of traditional gerrymandering, and noted. the governor “absolutely” would veto The chairman also said many Republican candi- a map with such irregular district dates in Indiana this fall, especially for the Indiana House, boundaries. Clark said a map en- will be helped by the success of the governor and state abling Republicans to win a majority legislative Republicans in pushing a constitutional amend- of House races can be drawn without ment on property tax caps to a referendum vote this fall. blatant gerrymandering. That proposal is expected to bring out additional 3. Republicans suffered losses voters who will vote for the caps and for Republican candi- nationally in the ‘06 and ‘08 elections because “the Republi- dates as well. can Party lost its brand,” with a GOP Congress and adminis- Although many Democrats in the House were skep- tration spending more, not less, and growing government, tical about whether the caps really will hold down taxes, not restraining it. “The American public punished us,” Clark especially those of homeowners, most of them voted to put said, and the party must convince voters that it has learned the proposal on the ballot. Those who didn’t, Clark said, its lesson. will hear about it in the fall campaign. 4. Daniels, drawing more national attention, A potential danger as well as a potential plus for “has become the poster child for what our brand should Republicans, Clark said, are the Tea Party protests. be.” Clark said. But a Daniels’ presidential bid? “He hasn’t The people at the protests, concerned about taxes, told me anything other than he’s not interested.” health care proposals and the response of government, While political party chairmen sometimes predict would seem more likely to vote for Republican rather than only sure victory for their candidates and belittle the op- Democratic candidates. And Clark hopes they will be ener- position, Clark avoided such hyperbole. gized to do just that. In discussing the 2nd District race, Clark described He is aware, however, that many of them are dis- Donnelly as “a nice fellow” who, like Democratic Sen. Evan pleased with Republican as well as Democratic incumbents. Bayh, has crafted a moderate image that is popular in Indi- That’s why he is so concerned that Republicans show they ana. have learned a lesson from ‘06 and ‘08 defeats. But Donnelly “has the problem a lot of Democrats It would be “disastrous” for Republican candidates, do,” Clark said, citing votes for health care and stimulus and helpful to Democrats, Clark said, if the Tea Party pro- funding. tests brought a third-party movement. v Although President Obama was the first Democrat to carry Indiana in a presidential election since 1964, Clark Colwell has been covering Indiana politics over five sees “buyer’s remorse,” with the president’s popularity decades for the South Bend Tribune. Page 14 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

Jerry Davich, Post-Tribune : President Barack Since leaving the national stage after his fizzled attempt Obama preached in the spirit of the Rev. Martin Luther King to win the 2000 GOP presidential nomination, Quayle has Jr. behind the pulpit at Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in been minimally involved - at least publicly - in his party’s Washington, D.C. “Folks ask me sometimes, ‘Why do you doings or public policy. So these endorsements, which look so calm?’” Obama told parishioners on Monday, MLK came on top of a fund-raiser he did for a Hoosier Repub- Day. “There are times when I am not so calm. During that lican trying to unseat a Democratic congressional incum- time, it is faith that brings me calm.” I found Obama’s last bent, made some folks wonder whether Quayle is hoping line most telling. Not because he relies on his for a comeback. A rational person might say: faith to settle his nerves, fears and worries. How do you make the leap from the endorse- But because Obama’s believers will need a ment of a couple of Republicans to a Quayle similar faith to calm their rising dismay, disap- candidacy? If you’ve been bitten by the political pointment and disillusionment over his first bug or watched it up close, you know there’s year in office. As we mark Obama’s one-year no vaccination against wanting to recapture anniversary in the White House, it’s not hard the sense of power, prestige and adulation. So to find rampant doubts and biting criticism the idea of Quayle as a 21st century candidate from the American people -- and I’m talking is not far-fetched. If Quayle were interested in about his own supporters. His presidency to re-establishing himself as a national Republi- date has been a sitting-duck target for critics, but I ex- can figure, one approach is to become a factor in a Senate pected this regardless of his accomplishments or failures. race that is emblematic of the internal struggle of the GOP: A recent CBS-TV poll shows that Obama’s approval rating the near-Libertarian Tea Party-esque candidate (Quayle’s has dropped to 46 percent, reportedly the lowest ever at choice) vs. the more conventional Republican. That’s pos- the beginning of a president’s second year in office. This sible. But here are another set of background notes: The doesn’t surprise me at all. Let’s face it. His approval rat- New Hampshire candidate was Quayle’s state chairman ing had to plummet because most of his supporters had when he was trying to win the GOP presidential nomina- unrealistic visions of his seemingly limitless powers from tion. In short, Quayle may simply be returning a favor, not the Oval Office. He would stop the war. He would halt the taking sides in the intra-party struggle. His appearance housing crisis. He would rescue the economy. He would at a fund-raiser for Todd Young in southern Indiana was, create jobs. He would secure health care for all. He would indeed, a personal favor. Young is married to a relative of v leap tall buildings in a single bound. Not to mention the Quayle’s wife. added pressure of being the first minority in office and even more expectations from “his people.” I asked around Doug Ross, Times of Northwest Indiana: On about Obama’s local approval rating and I received mixed Thursday, President Barack Obama took a step toward ful- results from voters on both sides of the political aisle. Some filling his promise of changing the way the federal govern - are losing the faith. Others never had it to begin with. Most ment operates. I’m curious how much of this zeal will filter are profoundly dissatisfied. “I am disappointed,” someone down to the local level. The White House Forum on Mod- told me. “I do not see the change in transparency. It is still ernizing Government brought together CEOs from a variety business as usual in (Washington) D.C.” v of corporations to discuss with federal officials ways to quickly transform the federal government’s interaction with Sylvia Smith, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: its citizens. On Thursday, Lake County Attorney John Dull A resurrection of Dan Quayle? Two announcements last unmasked himself as the author of a series of memos on week got political tongues wagging at the prospect that ways to improve operations of Lake County’s government. the former vice president/senator/congressman is back in He called himself Publius Valerius Publicola, and collectively the game. The Senate or even presidential aspirations of published this Federalist Papers-styled collection of essays Rep. Mike Pence? The political tea leaf-readers saw that as the Lake-itis Papers. Dull said he is revealing himself as interpretation in Pence’s hiring of a nationally known and the author after neither of his goals -- implementing the experienced political operative. In an environment where Good Government Initiative efficiency recommendations the slightest move is examined for its underlying mean- suggested by Maximus and developing a more equitable ing, the activity around Quayle and Pence was sliced, diced local option income tax -- was realized. His latest missive -- and served on the political menu. Are the interpretations this time with his real name -- shows the level of frustration half-baked? Early in the week, Quayle publicly endorsed in Lake County at the sluggishness with which local govern- a candidate in the Republican Party’s contest for the New ment is changing. Perhaps the Obama administration can Hampshire Senate nomination. Late in the week he en- transform the federal government more rapidly. Perhaps v dorsed a Republican in a suburban Chicago House race. the local folks will be inspired to act similarly. Page 15 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

HRCC reports big the economy, which polls show are $20 million annually, according to an easily the public’s top concerns. analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative money edge over Dems Services Agency. That’s too much, said INDIANAPOLIS - Financial re- Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke ports by the two Indiana House cam- Indiana applies for Kenley, R-Noblesville, who also serves paign committees shows an edge for Race to the Top funds on the education committee. “I hope Republicans. INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana is you understand that,” Kenley told Tony The House asking the federal government for Bennett, the state superintendent of Republican half a billion dollars in the Race to the public instruction, who supports the Campaign Top competition for education money, bill and testified Wednesday. “The fis - Committee double what the guidelines say the cal (impact) is so large I don’t see how reported state is eligible to receive (Soderlund, we can possibly pass the bill out of the $608,569 Fort Wayne Journal Gazette). As part Senate this year.” House and Senate cash on of President Obama’s education stimu- leaders have banned their members hand, lus package, Race to the Top will make from introducing or moving legisla- compared $4.4 billion available to school districts tion that will cost money, a rule that to $396,766 for the House Democratic willing to make serious changes to went into effect this year as Daniels Campaign Committee. Minority Leader struggling schools. Obama announced announced budget cuts to deal with a Briam Bosma reported $368,522, Tuesday he plans to add $1.3 billion in revenue shortfall. while Speaker B. Patrick Bauer posted his fiscal year 2011 budget proposal $359,398. Together, HRCC and Bosma to continue Race to the Top. Based together raised $ 678,528 more than on population, the U.S. Department of Walorski, Stutzman Bauer and HDCC. Bosma and HRCC Education Web site indicates Indiana push for states rights posted a 22 percent increase over could receive between $150 million INDIANAPOLIS - Rep. Jackie what it reported in 2007, while HDCC to $250 million. “Indiana submitted Walorski, R-Jimtown, presented her and Bauer reported 11 percent less a $500 million application because resolution to about 40 supporters than they did in 2007. we know Secretary (Arne) Duncan is Wednesday morning that would claim committed to investing in states that Indiana’s sovereignty under the Tenth will make systemic and long-lasting Amendment (Coffin, HPI/Franklin). Obama ponders scaled reforms,” Superintendent of Public In- House Concurrent Resolution 10 says down health reforms struction Tony Bennett said. “I believe that “the states are demonstrably there is no better investment than in treated as agents of the federal gov- WASHINGTON - President Indiana. Our plan deserves this type of ernment” and “many federal laws are Barack Obama and his Democratic historic funding.” in direct violation of the Tenth Amend- allies are conceding for the first time ment to the Constitution of the United that they may have to accept a less States.” The resolution also calls for ambitious health overhaul bill than the Kenley douses social federal legislation deemed in violation massive one they’ve struggled for a promotion bill of the Tenth amendment be “prohib- year to assemble (). INDIANAPOLIS - Less than ited or repealed.” Walorski said 14 Shorn by Massachusetts voters of their 24 hours after Gov. Mitch Daniels other states have similar legislation. pivotal 60th Senate vote and much of called for schools to stop promot- Walorski asked those in attendance to their political momentum, the White ing third graders who can’t read, a take copies of the legislation to House House and congressional leaders are key state senator said the proposal Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, considering a more modest version would be too expensive to pass this and tell him they want it heard. She of Obama’s top legislative priority. It year (Weidenbener, Louisville Cou- said it will take pressure to get the could focus on curbing insurance com- rier-Journal). Senate Bill 258 would speaker to put it on the floor. “[The pany practices like denying coverage require schools to identify struggling resolution] basically guarantees the to sick people and on helping low- readers and retain them if they are sovereignty of the state of Indiana so earning people and small businesses not proficient in reading at the end of that as we see these unprecedented afford coverage, officials said. Also third grade. It then calls for 90 min- mandates happening at the federal fueling the Democratic search for a utes per day of intensive instruction level... that we basically say together fresh health care strategy is a convic- to bring those students up to grade as a state that the time of this is over,” tion by many in the party that it’s time level. That alone could cost schools Walorski said. “The federal govern- for an election-year focus on jobs and ment is usurping the state’s author- Page 16 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

ity, and by doing that they’re usurping appeared that Johnsen might have the war chest almost two years before our authority as citizens.” Sen. Marlin necessary 60 votes. But once Brown he would face re-election, accord- Stutzman, R-Howe, said the Senate has takes his seat, she will probably max ing to campaign finance reports been working on legislation like this out at 59. that were due Wednesday. India- and actually passed similar language napolis Mayor Greg Ballard hasn’t last year. “Right now, federal govern- said publicly whether he will seek a ment continues to reach further and Baird files for HD44 second term, but campaign finance INDIANAPOLIS - Bill Baird has further, taking over the responsibilities reports filed Wednesday show that filed his candidacy to challenge State that the states have specifically in the the first-term Republican mayor has Rep. Nancy Michael this morning. Baird Constitution,” Stutzman said. However, more than adequate cash to run is a former Putnam County Purdue Rep. Russ Stilwell, D-Boonville, said again in 2011 (Indianapolis Star). extension agent and runs an in-home he doesn’t think legislation is worthy Ballard has a little more than $1 health care company (HPI). to come to the floor unless “it’s slowly million in campaign money. vetted in a committee to make sure it is reasonable enough to come for a 2 file for Sipes seat; vote.” “Maybe she (Walorski) is running Blumenberg defies for Congress more than she is serving Leatherbury running DLGF takeover in the state legislature,” Stilwell said. “I INDIANAPOLIS - In Senate GARY - Calumet Township don’t know if that’d be the case, but it District 46 – now represented by retir- Assessor Booker Blumenberg shot might be indicative of that.” ing Sen. Connie Sipes, D-New Albany back at a state official Wednes - – two candidates filed to run. Floyd day, accusing him of unethical Smoking ban passes County Commissioner Chuck Freiberger behavior and making false claims will seek the Democratic nomination. to discredit Blumenberg’s office House committee In the Republican primary, New Alba- INDIANAPOLIS - Smoking (Post-Tribune). A spokeswoman ny-Floyd County School Board member would be banned in most public places for Timothy Rushenberg, commis- Lee Ann Wiseheart filed as well. She statewide in Indiana under legislation sioner of the Indiana Department is expected to face Jeffersonville City endorsed Wednesday by a House com- of Local Government Finance, said Councilman Ron Grooms, who had not mittee (Louisville Courier-Journal). The Friday his office would complete filed by 3 p.m. Filings in other districts bill approved by the House Public Policy assessments for Calumet Township by 3 p.m. included: Senate District 47: Committee on a 7-5 vote would ban after a ratio study revealed contin- Sen. Richard Young, D-Milltown. House smoking in restaurants, bars and other ued errors in Blumenberg’s work. District 66: Republican Jim Lucas. places where the public is allowed. Those errors are the only thing Incumbent Rep. Terry Goodin, D-Croth- Casinos and pari-mutuel horse racing holding up Lake County tax bills, ersville, said he also filed but his name venues would be exempt, however. The according to Rushenberg’s office. did not make the state’s 3 p.m. list. bill now moves to the full House, which However, Blumenberg wrote in his House District 70: Republican Brett passed a similar bill last year that failed letter to Rushenberg that his deci- Lloyd of Greenville. House District 71: to pass the Senate and died during sion changes nothing. “You and the Incumbent Rep. Steve Stemler, D-Jef- late-session negotiations. “This is a bill DLGF will make a few keystrokes to fersonville, said he filed, although his whose time has come,” said Rep. Char- generate trending factors and take name did not make the state’s 3 p.m. lie Brown, D-Gary, the bill’s primary the credit,” Blumenberg wrote. “But list. sponsor. “Secondhand smoke does a lot you will be taking credit by stealth. of harm to people who don’t smoke.” Nothing has changed. There is no Henry, Ballard have ‘takeover.’” Mary Jane Michalak, Rushenberg’s spokeswoman, said Johnsen nomination big war chests there seems to be “confusion” in FORT WAYNE - While Mayor Blumenberg’s letter about the role may be in trouble Tom Henry has been mum on his WASHINGTON - The prospects of the DLGF and Blumenberg’s du- future political life, he has been rais- for Dawn Johnsen’s confirmation as ties as township assessor. She said ing money like someone preparing for head of the Justice Department’s Office the DLGF will conduct the annual a re-election campaign (Lanka, Fort of Legal Counsel took a hit last night adjustment for Calumet Township. Wayne Journal Gazette). The mayor (Powerline). When Sen. Arlen Specter raised nearly $290,000 in 2009 and had said he would support Johnsen, has almost $350,000 in his campaign whom he had previously opposed, it