V15 N14 Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 HPI’s All-Political Hoops All-Stars stardom in DePauw Tiger (and future congress- man) Lee Hamilton led Evansville the Hoosier state rarely Central to the state title game, won the Trester Award, but had to accept translates to political power the award in the locker room during an injury. (DePauw University Photo) By BRIAN A. HOWEY NASHVILLE, Ind. - Basketball season is upon us and hope abounds. Purdue is ranked No. 7 in the nation. Butler’s Bulldogs are 10th. Things are looking up for the Hoosiers in Bloomington. The Final Four returns to - napolis next March. And the Peru Tigers are returning to historic TigArena for the first time in a generation. So in the spirit of ’s passion, I thought it was time to compile the first HPI All- Politics Basketball All-Stars (not to be confused with the annual HPI “Power 50” published in January). Two events prompted me to put together this list. First, U.S. Reps. Baron Hill and Brad Ellsworth played a pickup game with President Obama earlier this fall. Then, a few

See Page 4 Sarah, Oprah & me

By BRIAN A. HOWEY ELKHART - I watched Sarah on Oprah the other day. The ex-governor of Alaska didn’t come off as bad as I thought she would, me being one of those “lamestream media” types. “This is not good public Actually, I found Gov. Sarah Palin before most Americans did. When policy. It is good politics.” there was rampant speculation on - Sen. Vi Simpson, whether would put on the Hillary Clinton on the Democratic tick- property tax caps legislation that will et, I wondered: Is there a Republican woman ready for a national ticket? come up during the 2010 Indiana Sadly, the names within the Big General Assembly Tent Grand Old Party were sparse on the gender front. There was Sen. Kay HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 2 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

Bailey Hutchison, former Gov. Chris- Howey Politics gress. I don’t believe Hoosiers have tine Todd Whitman, or the two Maine ever sent a female Republican to Con- Indiana senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan gress. The Republicans need to take Collins, although they are those suspi- note of the Indiana Senate, where is a nonpartisan news- cious moderates. some half dozen female senators have Beyond that, not many Repub- ascended into leadership. letter based in lican women came to mind. What we’re seeing this and published by NewsLink But I week - including to- remembered Gov. day in Fort Wayne and Inc. It was founded in Palin; went to the Noblesville - is a Repub- State of Alaska lican love affair with the 1994 in Fort Wayne. website and found ceiling shatterer. They the Palin family. I love Sarah Palin. I can liked what I saw: Brian A. Howey, publisher see why. When she talks First Dude Todd of learning her child Trig Mark Schoeff Jr.,Washington Palin, a fisherfolk had that “extra chro- Jack E. Howey, Editor of the north slope. mosome” as she told The governor Beverly Phillips, Associate Oprah, she asked, “Why was a reformer us?” Todd replied, “Why Editor who took on the not us?” calcified Republi - As the step-dad to a can establishment lovely autistic 9-year- Subscriptions: there, and won! old, the sequence hit a $350 annually HPI via e-mail; She is attractive. deeper spot within me (Am I sexist for than the torrent of Palin $550 annually HPI & HPI Daily saying so?) fan lust and media feed- Wire. After ing frenzy. She talked Call 317-627-6746 watching Sarah on Oprah, I began to about her grandson’s father - Levi- see all sorts of grays emerge for this who had just finished his photo shoot Howey Politics Indiana Palin story. It has a Dan Quayle tinge with Playgirl Magazine in New York. PO Box 40265 to it. An obscure but talented politi- This is the full thrust of the Palin tab- cian is plucked out of the masses and Indianapolis, IN 46240-0265. loid glare. But Sarah Palin left the fam- immediately put on the Big Stage with ily door open for teenage Baby-Daddy the glare of the klieg lamps and a tor- Levi (or is it Ricky Hollywood?), even Contact Us mented, craving news media, pissed if Oprah had to coax her into inviting that they didn’t get the scoop. The him over for Thanksgiving dinner. www.howeypolitics.com campaign handlers lose their grip and She talked about the [email protected] the nominee twists and twirls in the infamous Katie Couric interviews. It Howey’s Mobile: 317-506-0883. gale. was those disastrous sessions (along There were all those adoring with the infamous decapitation Indianapolis Fax: 317-254-0535. fans, like the 24,000 Hoosiers who presser after the election) that gave Washington: 202-256-5822. showed up during rush hour at Verizon me great concern that someone this Music , or the male Hoosier Business Office: 317-627-6746. unsophisticated could have become a Republican delegate who quickly heartbeat away from a presidency that Howey Politics ©2009, anointed Sarah “one hot chick” at the would have to deal with two vicious Indiana . All rights reserved. national convention. wars, the Wall Street meltdown, the That was not what the Photocopying, Internet forwarding, auto industry collapse, and the Great Lugar Series on Public Excellence had Recession of 2009 that pushed the faxing or reproducing in any form, in mind. If the Republican Party wants jobless rate up to 10 percent (some in whole or part, is a violation of to regain enduring power, it needs statistics say it’s more like 17 percent). to not only expand the Big Tent into Yet, on Oprah, Sarah Palin federal law without permission from regions of America (like New ) talked about Couric as “the perky one” the publisher. but also into demographics. It needs who didn’t just get an hour or so with more women in statehouses and Con- the veep nominee. According to the HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 3 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

ex-governor, Katie kept popping up in some four different crossed her mind). interviews. And the governor was saying things the McCain She is a political celebrity. But she is not presi- campaign handlers cringed at because she was out of the dential material, even though William Kristol thinks she is. loop. According to Palin, the worst moments of someone Kristol, a former aide to Vice President Quayle, explained, in the deer-in-the-headlamp mode got stitched together in “I don’t think it is foolish for Palin to think, ‘You know what, several 2 minute packages on the CBS Evening News. if that’s the world we live in now where people don’t value This has that Jim Baker handling Dan Quayle — maybe correctly — years of experience in Washington, greek tragedy written all over it. The McCain campaign had or two terms counts more than two and half years as wrapped up the nomination essentially in February 2008 governor of Alaska.’ Maybe she thinks she gets out there and then it wasted time, money and ultimately the vice and becomes a leader of the conservative movement, and presidential nomination luster. And it wasn’t Sarah Palin’s then a leader of the Republican Party, and then conceivably fault. She simply got swept up in the whirlwind. a nominee of the Republican Party, and then conceivably a Now her book, “Going Rogue,” which seems president just as Obama did.” to be more intent on settling scores as opposed to pon- Say what? If he really, truly thinks this - particularly dering the great dilemmas of the day and providing great after the Sarah-inspired debacle in New York 23, which thoughts and enduring solutions, has hit the stands. It will contributed to the razor thin health care vote in the House be No. 1 on the New York Times best seller list. Why didn’t - then Bill Kristol should come and run the Sarah Palin Sarah just tell Katie that she reads Newsweek, the Weekly presidential campaign. Standard, Rolling Stone and the New York Times? As for Sarah and me, I still can’t erase the great Today, Hoosiers will adore Sarah Palin. They will unease with the thought that she came perhaps one quote stand in long lines outside bookstores and extra cops will (“the fundamentals of the American economy are sound”) have to come in to keep the crowds orderly. Lots of TV away from the heartbeat away. cameras will show up. She will get lots of publicity and But after watching Oprah, I found a real, compas- there will be rampant speculation that she will run for sionate woman. I hope the Republican Party brings us even president (even though she told Oprah the thought hadn’t more. v

fellow citizens in a way that seems to work even in years Daniels GOP speech when things are going against our party?” Daniels said. This kicked off speculation of a preordained reignites ‘12 speculation “Draft Mitch” movement, similar to the one that began as a whisper campaign in 2002, reaching a crescendo in 2003 By BRIAN A. HOWEY and finally the candidacy. CARMEL - Gov. Mitch Daniels speech to Indiana Then came the crux of his remarks. “Many of them Republicans Monday night has reignited speculation that he are alarmed at the direction of our nation and they’re has his eyes on the White House, some- right to be. I am too,” Daniels said. “To the thing the governor has consistently denied. very great surprise of many Americans we Friends of the governor have told are facing now a radical program. An extreme HPI that while 2012 is still off the draw- program that Americans did not vote for. ing board, they wouldn’t rule out 2016. Around America right now a lot of people are But even that notion seemed to take a hit saying, ‘Who signed me up for that? I don’t Monday when Daniels said, “I want to close recall signing up for a takeover of the housing with just a few thoughts that fall outside industry, the banking industry, the insurance our borders. Because around America industry, or the student loan industry.’ People tonight people are noticing Indiana. When say, ‘I didn’t understand my government was I get down to Texas tomorrow, people will going to go into the automobile industry. Let have questions. They’re writing about us alone it was going to steal money from the in the press as Murray (Clark) made men- retired teachers and government workers of tion. I’m personally getting some very strange phone calls, Indiana in order to pay for it.’ And right now emails, and letters these days.” people are asking, ‘Did I really sign up to see 17 or 18% of Daniels said some callers are concerned be- the American economy that is now wrapped up in health cause their own states are in a wreck. Others are tired of care taken over by the federal government? Did I really losing. “They want to know, how is it you approach your sign up to have utility rates double in Indiana, to undo HOWEY Politics Indiana

Page 4 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

so much of the economic progress we’ve made in pursuit of nothing? In pursuit of no environmental improvement All Stars, from page 1 through a Cap-and-Trade bill so called that by its own com- puter models will not budge the world thermometer. Will weeks later, I was at a gathering of Indiana House Republi- not save one polar bear. But will enrich undeserving states can candidates and there sat Bob Heaton and Kyle Hupfer, on the coast at the expense of Hoosiers. I didn’t sign up for both of whom led their college teams to a title game. that.’” I started to ponder the link between athletic prow- Daniels then turned to President Obama. “If ess and how it transfers to political power. I came up with you watch the trajectory, the statements, the votes of our a list of 10 players and one fabled coach who entered new president, you knew that he sincerely believes these the political arena. For some, like Bobby Cantrell, it pro- things. I have been surprised, and I’m saddened to see all vided a career as a kingmaker, and a hard downfall. For this abetted by some members of Indiana’s congressional Kent Benson, the fame ignited some initial curiosity when delegation, who have voted in recent days for some of the he turned to politics, but it wasn’t enough to propel him worst of this. Jackie, you can’t get there in time. You can’t into the realm of credibility. At Benson’s campaign kickoff get there too soon.” That was an aside to State Rep. Jackie outside the NCAA Walorski, who will challenge U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, one of headquarters, he read three Blue Dog Democrats in the state who voted for the his scripted speech recent health care reforms in the House. as Jim Bopp stood “I mean, the pose is over,” Daniels said. “I don’t nearby. I remember know what color these dogs are, but friends, it ain’t blue, telling Bopp, “He can’t I’ll tell you that right now.” be reading his stump Finally, Daniels spoke to the that many see as speeches.” The Ben- a potential entry into national politics. “So people around son candidacy didn’t America are looking for a different model,” Daniels said. last long. “ So our first concern is, and always will be, the good Others, like junior people of this state. The struggling people of this state, high school, turned and especially the young people of this state toward whom Mr. Basketball, turned we’ve always aimed everything we did. America may be IU star Damon Bailey determined, or some people, to hand over to the next - who rose to national generation an unsustainable set of bills and unaffordable fame in John Fein- debt. And entitlement programs that plunder the young to stein’s book “Season benefit those of us who are older. I hope we can turn away on the Brink” - have from that while there’s time.” been courted by po- The governor then told a story. “In the book “Lee’s litical parties. Bailey, Lieutenants,” the classic study of Civil War generals under IU’s Kent Benson was a Mr. Basketball now a Bedford busi- Robert E. Lee, there’s a great line. It’s about Gen. Beaure- and NCAA All American, but he didn’t nessman, has resisted gard, whose best battles were his first ones. Bull Run. Early last long in the political arena. thus far. So he’s not days of the war. Then he gets cautious. Then he gets timid. on this list. If Damon Then he’s always looking at the newspapers to see how it’s ever runs, he’d be our all playing. Freeman, the author, says, ‘A soldier is on the 11th man. wane from the moment he begins to think more of reputa- For others, like congressmen Baron Hill and Lee tion than opportunity.’” Hamilton, it was an entry into the public mindset - high The questions Daniels subsequently asked school basketball star goes to Congress - and eventually a will bring more questions about himself. “A soldier is on small line on the resume. Neither Hill nor Hamilton boast the wane from the moment he begins to think more of about their athletic careers, though it’s sometimes men- reputation than opportunity. He meant if you start think- tioned at political appearances, usually by others. Occa- ing more about yourself than the people you’re there to sionally you might hear them use an anecdote from their serve, the cause you’re there to serve, if you start worrying playing days to make a political point. Hill has one picture more about how it’ll look, how it’ll play, than about what’s from his Seymour HS days on his congressional website. the next challenge? What’s the next hill? What’s the next I also realize that in the more than a century of battle? What am I going to do for the benefit of the cause Indiana’s love affair with basketball, there were other stars I’m a part of? Then you’re not the soldier you used to be. or players who moved into city hall, the county courthouse You’re not the soldier you ought to be.” v or even Congress. If you know of any others, let me know. This list, however, appears to be the cream of the HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 5 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

crop from the “modern era” (1950 in prison. Cantrell played with the 1960 forward). So, here’s HPI Political Bas- East Chicago Washington state champi- ketball All-Stars, listed in alphabetical onship team for Hall of Fame Coach John order: Baratto, winning the Arthur L. Trester Kent Benson, sec- Award. He was a three-year starting guard for the University of Michigan, retary of state candidate: playing for Hall of Fame Coach Benson’s past flirtation with politics Strack, and captained the 1964 Big Ten was brief. He entered the 2002 secre- champs. He coached at East Chicago tary of state race as a Republican and Washington from 1965 to 1968 before then dropped out shortly thereafter. diving into Lake County’s rough and He was the No. 1 NBA draft pick for tumble politics. Cantrell is in the Indiana the after a sensa- Basketball Hall of Fame. tional career at IU, where he was an All-American and led the team to the Lee Hamilton, U.S. House, 1976 national title. Benson scored 25 911 Commission: The congressio- points in the final game victory over nal Democratic legend began his public Michigan and was named the Final career as a basketball legend. Hamilton Four’s outstanding player. Benson was a two-year starter for Evansville was a consensus All-American pick Central HS and as an All-Stater led his that year, and the next, winning the team to the 1948 Final Four. He scored Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player Award. 16 points in an afternoon victory, but a He scored 1,740 points. He starred fourth-quarter leg injury knocked him out at New Castle HS and was the 1973 of championship game, according to the Mr. Basketball. In his first NBA game, Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar cold-cocked him, he is enshrined. He was named Trester breaking Benson’s jaw and Jabbar’s Award winner, but his injury was so fist. severe that the presentation was made in Ron Bonham, Dela- the locker room. Hamilton went on to be a four-year starter at DePauw, graduating ware County commissioner: in 1952. He was elected to Congress in Bonham was a Democratic two-term 1964. commissioner and superintendent of a local reservoir. He was a member of two Bob Heaton, Indiana NBA title-winning teams House candidate: He was a Clay and played on the first edition of the City HS basketball star who played at the . Bonham was a two-time, and then transferred to first-team all-stater at Muncie Central and Indiana State, where he played on the 33-1 graduated in 1960 as the all-time leading NCAA runner-up with in 1979. His Bearcats scorer with 2,023 points and a left-handed shot with time expiring gave ISU Mr. Basketball title. Bonham helped the a 73-71 upset victory over Arkansas that sent University of Cincinnati to one national ISU to its first NCAA finals and paved the way championship, and the runner-up spot for the classic Bird vs. show- the next season (losing to Bobby Knight’s down against Michigan State. Heaton chal- Ohio State), and was a first team All- lenged and lost to State Rep. Vern Tincher in American as a junior, second team as a From top, Larry Bird and Bob 2008 and is trying again this cycle. senior. He is a member of the Indiana Heaton (right) at ISU; Baron Hill Baron Hill, U.S. House: Basketball Hall of Fame. at Seymour HS; and Kyle Hupfer Hill was a three-sport star at Seymour High Bobby Cantrell, Lake at Manchester College where he School, where he was all-state in football and County political kingmaker: played for Coach Steve Alford. basketball and set records in track. He attend- Cantrell became the man behind the cur- ed Furman University in South Carolina. He tain of Lake County politics until he was was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall convicted on corruption charges earlier this year and is now of Fame in 2000. He was the leading scorer in Seymour his- tory, 1,724 points, first team all-state and fifth team Parade HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 6 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

All-American. Hill was elected to Congress in 1998 (as well as the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame) and has served all but one Coach Marvin Wood term since then. Hill is a potential 2012 (center, top) with the Democratic gubernatorial candidate. 1954 Milan Indians Kyle Hupfer, candidate state champs. Below, for Indiana House: Hupfer is chal- Reps. Hill and Ells- lenging State Rep. Scott Reske. He served worth join President two years as commissioner of the Depart- Obama for a pickup ment of Natural Resources under Gov. game at the White Daniels. He was a Pendleton HS basketball House. (White House star who went on to Manchester College, Photo) where he played under Coach Steve Al- ford. That team advanced to the NCAA Division III national championship game, where it fell to Wisconsin-Plat- teville, 69-55. Hupfer was named to the all-tournament team as Manchester finished 31-1. Drake Morris, Indiana House candidate: He was the eighth leading scorer during the single class era at East Chicago Washing- ton HS, graduating in 1977. He then starred for Purdue on the Final Four team that played at Market Square Arena in 1980. Morris scored 20 for Purdue as the Boilers upset Indiana 76-69 in the only meeting between the two schools in the NCAA Tournament. Morris challenged State Rep. Earl Harris in the 2008 Democratic primary, losing taken during the campaign. It’s worth noting that Obama is by about 2,800 votes. probably the most basketball-obsessed president. Frank O’Bannon, governor, Indiana Coach Senate: The Corydon HS star played one year for Indi- Marvin Wood, Indiana House candi- ana University on the team that included the first Big 10 black basketball player, Bill Garrett. The Democrat went on date: Wood ran against State Rep. Craig Fry in the late to follow his father into the Indiana Senate and then served 1980s and lost. He had moved to Mishawaka, where he as lieutenant governor under Evan Bayh (a dedicated coached the girls basketball team. During the campaign, he pickup hoops player himself) and then governor. HPI never was diagnosed with cancer. He was a friendly, magnificent witnessed O’Bannon on the court, but a campaign TV ad person when I covered his campaign. Wood played for Mor- had him drilling a three-pointer. ristown HS and then Butler’s Bulldogs. But his 22-year coaching career was Rod Roberson, Elkhart City Council: highlighted by the fabled 1954 per- Roberson, a Democrat, is an Elkhart Central HS grad who formance of his Milan Indians team played at , once scoring 21 points that struck a blow for small schools to upset No. 4 ranked Michigan in 1981. He scored more everywhere by beating mighty Mun- than 1,300 points at NU. He has served as president of the cie Central for the state title. Wood Elkhart City Council, but his latest b-ball fame came when inspired the Gene Hackman character he shot hoops with candidate Barack Obama at Riverview in the movie “Hoosiers,” considered Elementary School a few days before the 2008 presidential one of the best sports movies ever by primary. Obama campaign manager David Plouffe told HPI experts and readers of ESPN. v the photos of Obama at Riverview were some of the best HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 7 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

states. IU’s Kelley School of Business is predicting 3 percent The hurricane flags are growth, though with a largely “jobless” recovery. But there are signs of life in the RV belt, with Heartland RV joining several other firms this week in announcing 400 coming up at the Statehouse new jobs. By BRIAN A. HOWEY Legislative leaders are girding for the worst. “Any INDIANAPOLIS - Listening to legislative leaders, spending bill is dead on arrival,” said Senate President Pro Indiana Chamber and Fiscal Policy Institute prognosticators Tempore David Long. “We’re going to clamp down as hard earlier this week, you’d think Hurricane Mitch was careen- as we can and weather the storm.” ing across the state’s bureaucracies, funds and the legisla- The Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute characterized the tive chambers. state’s fiscal status in terms of a “hurricane.” IFPI Director Hurricane Mitch was the 1998 category 5 storm John Ketzenberger explained, “While Indiana has weath- that formed in the Caribbean Sea, dumped historic ered the recession so far, there is no end in sight. The amounts of rain (up to 75 inches) in Honduras, re-formed decisions only get tougher for policy makers.” He suggested and eventually ended up in Florida as a legislators “stay out of the way” as Gov. Daniels tries to strong tropical storm. stanch the hemorrhaging situa- It killed up to 18,000 tion. people. At one point it Legislators “will have to was called a “storm with face some very difficult choices malice” as it unpredict- going forward in this coming ably wound across the session,” said Ketzenberger. “As tropics. much as nobody around here In Indiana Statehouse parlance, wants to talk about it, the state the “perfect storm” is an oft-used phrase may have to consider increas- when the economy intersects with the ing revenue, which means a workforce and, ultimately, impacts the tax increase of some sort.” He budget. Throw on top of that the 2010 suggested a tax on services elections along with the Tea Party move- could generate in excess of ment drawing large crowds across the $2.3 billion. state and you have a script that could Bauer and Long agreed defy conventional wisdom. There are to hold December hearings on signs that the “Hurricane Mitch” likely to seven pieces of legislation they blow into the Indiana General Assembly deemed important, includ- in January could be the milder version. Or ing Bauer’s ethics package it could be a terror, with the 33 Depart- (HB1001), the Unemployment ment of Administration layoffs late last Insurance Trust (SB23), the tax week serving only as a precursor to what might be in the caps (SJR1), a bill requiring 80 percent of any public works offing. project to employ Hoosiers (HB1002), an anti-FSSA privati- Revenues are already off $310 million in the early zation bill (HB1003), and capping assessments (HB1004). part of the biennium. A trending chart provided by Cham- But just about every legislative leader has taken ber Vice President Cam Carter at Monday’s legislative tax hikes off the table, including the $300 million Unem- preview shows a worst case scenario of close to a billion ployment Insurance trust tax passed last April. dollar shortfall “assuming we have no acceleration in the deterioration or uplift. It’s just a hair’s breadth under a bil- Unemployment Insurance lion dollars by June of next year.” The UI Trust is an area where the legislature could “It will certainly have an impact on the debate in do the opposite of what Ketzenberger suggests. Senate the Indiana General Assembly,” Carter said. Republicans are calling for a delay in instituting the pro- But there are signs suggesting a recovery. Moody’s gram, saying the $300 million in annual tax increases on Economy.com lists Indiana as one of 11 states that are businesses could cost the state jobs. House Minority Leader in recovery. It determines where a state is in the reces- Brian Bosma said he agrees with Long on the need to delay sion based on employment rates, home prices, residential the program, saying there will likely be a federal bailout. construction and manufacturing production figures. Some On Tuesday, Long promised to “fast track” that legislation. or all of these indicators are stable or improving in these It’s an interesting twist on who favors what fed- HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 8 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

eral bailout. Republicans (like Gov. Long said the caps are the key to Daniels) have been harshly criti- government reforms, mostly at the cal of the government bailout of local level. “Local governments are General Motors and Chrysler, calling holding back on changes because they it the “biggest political payoff in his- are waiting to see what we do,” he tory,” but less so of the $780 billion said. Bosma called the caps a “catalyst federal bailout of Wall Street that for local government reform,” for once included firms that almost collapsed the caps are placed in the constitution a decade ago. “they will set off a wave of consolida- Long acknowledged that tions.” instead of the legislation hammered But Bauer said “the catalyst to out last year bringing the state to reform is to get it right” and the grow- solvency in four years, it would ing assessments are evidence that the be more like a decade. He noted caps are wrong. that 40 other states are in the red and suggested that the government could forgive the states on that bailout or treat Kernan-Shepard it as an interest free loan. This issue showed some diversity between Repub- Speaker B. Patrick Bauer was critical of the state licans Long and Bosma. “If we do take steps on Kernan- rejecting $140 million by not adopting federal standards on Shepard, they will be small,” Long said. He uses township sexual harassment. trustees as an example. Long believes that heavily popu- Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson warned that the lated urban townships like Wayne in Fort Wayne and Center downside to a delay is that the bill will run up to $1 billion in Indianapolis are redundant government, calling them by the end of this fiscal year and $3 billion by the end of “duplicative and expensive.” 2010. That could be disastrous if there is no federal bailout. Long mentioned that he tends to favor one county commissioner instead of the current three. But, he said, in Property tax caps smaller counties like Blackford, folks in the rural area fear The property tax caps, too, will play a huge role. that one commissioner would likely come from Hartford Just about everyone acknowledges the popularity of the City and dominate county decision-making. In Blackford caps. Sen. Simpson said, “If it comes up, it will pass. It will County, township trustees are more effective than in urban pass in my caucus. It will pass in referendum.” areas, he said. Carter noted that if a vote on the caps is denied by Bosma, too, predicted “small strides” on Kernan- Speaker Bauer, “populism will overrun the political consider- Shepard, but said there are plenty of areas where House ation.” Republicans will support change. He mentioned anti-nepo- Bauer will certainly exact some price for the caps. tism, preventing municipal employees from serving on On Monday, he was quoting the late pop singer Michael councils and boards that fashion budgets, and the consoli- Jackson. “If you’re 1-2-3 for Michael Jackson, you’ve got dation of township government. On that front, he said Re- to do A-B-C. ‘A’ stands for assessment. Assessment is out publicans supported legislation that did away with township of control. Let’s make it a song we all love.” Long shared boards (and some 5,000 of the 11,000 locally elected of- his concern on Tuesday. “While you can be for tax caps, ficials) but would keep the trustee, with the county councils you can also be for improving the assessing or tightening approving budgets and ensuring reporting requirements. scrutiny, or whatever is going to require us to make sure Gov. Daniels has yet to articulate what the admin- that the long-term objective, fair assessing standards, are istration will push for in 2010. Mark Lawrence, the Indiana in place across the board,” he said. Chamber’s point man on Kernan-Shepard, told HPI on Republican leaders see more than political popu- Wednesday that at least two major bills are being drafted. lism if the caps are denied. Long said denying an election “The governor’s staff is quietly floating it around with vari - vote on the constitutional amendment “will open the door ous legislators,” Lawrence said. to a constitutional challenge. The chaos that would ensue Two Senate bills and one or two in the House will would be a disaster.” House Democrats do not appear to deal with similar concepts. Lawrence said the House bill be monolithic in allowing Bauer to stonewall that vote. “I’m “will be bipartisan” likely involving State Rep. Ed DeLaney. in favor of it,” said State Rep. Dave Cheatham, D-North It will focus on township government transition regarding Vernon. “I voted for it last time and will vote it for it again. poor relief and other services. Another bill would deal with I think it’s a real good chance it will pass. I’ll say it’s almost an optional single county executive replacing some of the certain, but you never know for sure around here.” three-person boards of commissioners, nepotism, school HOWEY Politics Indiana

Page 9 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

board elections in the fall, and municipal elections in even the proverbial “poison pills.” numbered, non-presidential years. Bauer defended the almost comical actions of During the 2009 session, Daniels and support- House Government Reform Committee Chairman John ers like the Indiana Chamber and the Indiana Association Bartlett, who killed all the reform legislation during a Key- of Realtors were blindsided by the Bartlett/Bauer circus. stone Cop committee hearing last February. He referred to And other than a few town halls that featured the governor the legislation as “the whole lump” and said “they would and former Gov. Joe Kernan, there was no media campaign have been beaten on the floor 80-20.” to push the reforms. Bauer hinted at what he might allow. “Everyone The Democrats were critical of the reforms in 2009, should have to pay for one police department, one fire de - though many reformers believe they allowed flawed bills to partment, one park department. If you live in the city, you surface only to be voted down. Simpson, for instance, said pay for two. If you live in the county, you pay for one.” she couldn’t vote for legislation that exempted Lake and Simpson said that the “proper approach is incre- Marion counties, though those provisions were put in as mental.” v

educator; and elimination of collective bargaining in Indi- Sen. Simpson open to ana. Earlier in the week, Bennett said Indiana hoped to win $225 million in President Obama’s Race to the Top ed reform ‘discussion’ program. “Our reform efforts already under way closely By BRIAN A. HOWEY mirror the pillars of Race to the Top, because they have INDIANAPOLIS - Battle lines on controversial issues been crafted with the goals of increasing accountability, are mostly predictable at the Statehouse. But with seis- freedom and competition in our schools to increase stu- mic education reforms poised for hearing during the 2010 dents’ academic achievement,” Bennett said. Indiana General Assembly, Senate Minor- Indiana DOE spokesman Cam ity Leader Vi Simpson issued a cautionary Savage told the Associated Press, “We’ll be warning that the game is changing. very bold in what we propose. We’ll have an Simpson told the Indiana Cham- aggressive program that really attempts to ber’s Legislative Preview Conference on move the needle on student achievement.” Monday that while she has “long been a Simpson asked rhetorically, “Do I supporter of public education” there were agree with Supt. Bennett? No.” She men- “tough issues for Democrats, who have a tioned the efforts to lift professional licens- long history of support for teachers.” ing standards and added, “It’s a profession.” “I think there’s a turn in a different However, Simpson appeared to direction,” Simpson said. “I look forward to be moved by President Obama’s strategy that discussion.” that tends to mirror many of the Bennett On Nov. 3, Nate Schnellenberger arguments. “President Obama has opened of the Indiana State Teachers Association the door to look at these issues in different warned his membership that Gov. Mitch ways,” Simpson said. “It deserves to have Daniels and Supt. Tony Bennett were intent the discussion. There may be new ways. in pushing dramatic change during the 2010 session. “After Democrats will be more open to these changes, not be- sitting through today’s Roundtable meeting, I believe the cause of Tony Bennett, but Barack Obama. I think you’ll be groundwork is being laid for legislative efforts in the up- surprised at our willingness to have a discussion.” coming session of the General Assembly that will advance Senate President David Long acknowledged that the same agenda that was shared at today’s meeting,” Bennett “is an agent of change” and added, “Some believe Schnellenberger said. that he’s a bull in a china shop. We need one.” These reforms included: elimination of tenure House Minority Leader Brian Bosma called Indiana’s and seniority, meaning that every teacher would only be is- graduation rates and other education dilemmas “our state’s sued a one-year license; evaluation of teachers by student most daunting challenge” saying that the status quo “has test scores; pay based on those evaluations; school choice; retarded our economy. It will be THE topic of 2010.” Bosma teacher licensure retention tied to passing a test; allowing said the education reforms “can’t be small steps. It will be v multiple and non-traditional paths to become a licensed leaps and bounds.” HOWEY Politics Indiana

Page 10 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

can Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, there Murphy to co-author were nearly 400,000 people employed in the Fifth District ethics bills with Bauer from 2006 to 2008. 5thCD: Nasser eyes Democratic nod By BRIAN A. HOWEY On a related 5th CD item, Dr. Nasser Hanna, an INDIANAPOLIS - If there’s a set of legislation that IU Medical Center oncologist, is signalling he will seek the will get marquee billing next January through March, it’s Democratic nomination. Hanna is making the rounds in House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer’s ethics package. It will the district and will announce soon, according to Indiana likely get political billing as well now that State Rep. Mike Democratic Chairman Dan Parker. Murphy has signed up as a co-author. And that will bring a lot of free, contrasting earned Politics of health care media for the Indianapolis Republi- Americans United for Change and AFSCME are can challenging U.S. Rep. Dan Bur- coming to the defense of U.S. Reps. Baron Hill and Brad ton. “All public servants, be they in Ellsworth for their vote on the health care reforms that the legislative or executive branch- passed the House earlier this month. es, need to maintain the highest A new TV ad in the Evansville, Terre Haute and standards of ethics,” Murphy said Louisville media markets will spend $115,000 and will at- on Tuesday. tempt to counter ads from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Murphy’s campaign will certainly and the 60 Plus Association that began late last week. use this high road on ethics to contrast with Burton’s Gerald McEntee, president of AFSCME, explained, various rounds on golf courses and use of taxpayer paid “The health care crisis is dragging down our economy, yet franked mail. It will also provide a contrast with former all the insurance industry cares about is their profits. The State Rep. Luke Messer, who left the legislature and be- House passed a strong bill that lowers costs, improves came a lobbyist before establishing his own Shelbyville law quality, covers more Americans and stops insurance com- practice. pany abuses.” Murphy has also signed on to the House GOP’s Tax- “We will stand with the members who stood for payer Protection Plan unveiled on Tuesday that advocates real reform and the middle class against the powerful inter- passing the property tax caps, no new tax increases, and a ests of the insurance companies,” he added. clamp on spending. A television ad counter-offensive was launched yesterday backing Ellsworth (D-8) and Hill (D-9) who voted 5thCD: McVey proposes tax holiday for the Affordable Health Care for America Act and now find Brose McVey proposed the first element of a new themselves in the cross hairs of the special interests and Jobs 2020 economic growth plan today that he said he the ads from the Chamber of Commerce and 60 Plus Asso- would pursue if elected to Congress next year. ciation. Americans United for Change and AFSCME yester- The initial phase of McVey’s plan: Calls on Congress day unveiled a response ad called “Not Happy,” which will to enact a six-month Payroll Tax Holiday; calls on Washing- air for a week on a mix of broadcast and cable television in ton to cancel and suspend the remainder of the “stimulus” the Evansville, Terre Haute and Louisville media markets. plan and use the unused funds from that program to pay Tom McMahon, acting executive director of Ameri- for the payroll tax holiday, and; Recommends that payback cans United for Change, said, “We’re not going to sit by to the federal government of bail-out funds by banks and and let these special interests push around Congressmen financial institutions be sent to strengthen the beleaguered Baron Hill and Brad Ellsworth for ... voting for real health Social Security Trust Fund. insurance reform that will guarantee all Hoosier families “A payroll tax holiday will reduce the cost of labor, access to the quality and affordable health care they de- put real cash in the pockets of every American worker serve.” within weeks, allow employers to keep more folks on their The 60 Plus ad running against Hill says, “The payrolls, and requires no bureaucracy to administer. It is House passed a 2,000-page health care bill that: cuts the kind of economic injection we should have enacted six Medicare $400 billion; raises taxes on small business, killing months or a year ago,” said McVey. jobs, and makes insurance you have cost more.” “For the average Hoosier family earning $50,000 “This bill adds hundreds of entitlements and only per year, this tax holiday would put over $1,900 in their cuts one – Medicare,” said Jim Martin, president of 60 Plus. pockets in the next six months, and it would do the same “By voting ‘yes’ these Members betrayed seniors and the for their employers,” said McVey. According to the Ameri- best interests of their district. I have a warning for Con- HOWEY Politics Indiana

Page 11 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

gress. There is a senior citizen tsunami flooding toward the HD21: Nappanee mayor won’t run halls of Congress, unless it subsides, they can expect their Nappanee Mayor Larry Thompson has no interest offices to be flooded with angry voices.” in running for State Rep. Jackie Walorski’s seat in the Indi- The U.S. Chamber has spent $2 million on its Indi- ana General Assembly. If Walorski leaves to challenge U.S. ana ad campaign against the House health care package. Rep. Joe Donnelly in the 2ndCD, that is. “I’m staying home and taking care of things in Nappanee,” Thompson told the U.S. Senate: Stutzman starts TV ads Elkhart Truth on Wednesday. State Sen. Marlin Stutzman’s U.S. Senate cam- The fourth-term mayor said he’s recently been paign has launched a new television message it says will contacted by several people and organizations, asking if reach over 1.1 million Hoosiers across the state. The spot, he’s mulling a run for higher office. The inquiries made entitled “Empty Suit,” draws attention to Senator Bayh and by individuals, Thompson said, seem to be from people his weak check on government spending. “Senator Bayh interested in the seat themselves. Walorski, R-Elkhart, has is the definition of an ‘empty suit.’ Indiana’s junior senator formed a committee to explore the viability of her candida- is a Washington Millionaire who has proven incapable of cy against the two-term incumbent Donnelly, a Democrat. making tough decisions,” Stutzman said. “Senator Bayh is The thought of a new campaign wasn’t one he’d considered simply more interested in the idea of being Senator and en- much, he said. Given the economic struggles of the city, he joying the lifestyle that comes with that than he is actually said, now would not be the time to leave Nappanee. “I’m being a leader for the people of the Hoosier state. We have very content,” said Thompson, up for re-election in 2011. got to have a Senator who will balance President Obama’s “I’ve got the best political job there is.” reckless spending. Senator Bayh is merely a bystander,” The uncertainty of the redistricting process that will Stutzman stated. occur after the 2010 Census is another reason to avoid a When asked about the release of an ad nearly a campaign, Thompson said. He’s just a “stone’s throw” into year from Election Day, Stutzman added, “Evan Bayh has Walorski’s current district, he said, and what district he will forced the 2010 campaign on Hoosiers early. People across fall in for the 2012 election is anyone’s guess. Walorski’s this state are concerned about the runaway spending and HD21 covers part of the southern half of St. Joseph and the lack of balance in Washington right now, and he’s Elkhart counties, including sections of Mishawaka, Elkhart, characteristically silent. I want Hoosiers who are concerned Nappanee, Jimtown and Wakarusa. right now to know help is on the way.” HD46: Heaton will announce in January 8CD: Buschon critical of stimulus Republican Bob Heaton tells HPI that he will likely Republican candidate Dr. Larry Buschon reacted to wait until January to officially kick off his challenge to State ABC News reprots that stimulus funding has taken place in Rep. Vern Tincher. congressional districts that don’t exist. “The false and mis- leading stimulus figures are outrageous,” said Bucshon. SD46: Sipes retires; 3 candidates line up “It demonstrates either dishonesty or incompetence, but State Sen. Connie Sipes, D-New Albany, announced neither scenario gives us much confidence in Congress. last Thursday at a Democratic dinner in New Albany that This is government bumbling at its worse.” she will not seek a fourth term, ending a 14-year run next year. Floyd County Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Frei- 2012 Governor: Ellsworth doing more JJs berger used the event to announce that he will run for the Rep. Brad Ellsworth continues to travel the state far District 46 seat. Already, two Republicans – Jeffersonville beyond his southwestern Indiana district, stoking up more City Councilman Ron Grooms and New Albany-Floyd County speculation that he is eying the 2012 gubernatorial race. Schools Board member Lee Ann Wiseheart – have an- Last week he toured the AM General plant in Mishawaka nounced they will seek the seat. (Louisville Courier-Journal) and spoke to the St. Joseph County Jefferson-Jackson Din- ner. On Friday, Ellsworth will keynote the Jennings County Rokita lauds movement on redistricting JJ in the 9th CD. Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita likes what he’s seeing in the Indiana General Assembly thus far. “I find HD17: Ellert to challenge Rep. Dembowski it very promising that we now have representatives in both Informed and reliable Republican sources tell HPI chambers expressing their commitments to redistricting that Francis Ellert of Plymouth will challenge State Rep. reform,” Rokita said Tuesday. “This tells me that they are Nancy Dembowski in HD17 in 2010. Ellert is owner of the hearing the message from Hoosiers that partisan redistrict- Coca-Cola distribution center in Plymouth. ing is no longer acceptable.” v HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 12 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

Jontz of Monticello back in 1992, he defeated a congress- Buyer has many man who turned down congressional pay raises and gave that money back to a 5th District scholarship fund. A board comprising representatives from the district awarded schol- questions to answer arships based on the funding. Buyer, however, didn’t turn By DAVE KITCHELL down pay raises. And he didn’t continue the scholarship LOGANSPORT - It came as no surprise when Jon fund Jontz established. Schwantes said on Indiana Week in Review earlier this There are other priority questions, such as month that a controversy will continue to follow Rep. Steve who will benefit from future scholarships from the founda - Buyer for a while. tion? Will they be paybacks to volunteers and Republican In fact, it followed him right into the next week voters? Will they be awarded based on need and not politi- when CBS News pursued the story with cal connectedness? Will they be awarded in counties Buyer a one-on-one interview with Buyer, served both in the 5th and 4th Districts? R-Monticello. And why, in a state that lags behind the nation in What we know is this: A founda- college attainment for residents 25 and older, did Buyer not tion set up via connections to Buyer, decide to award at least some scholarships by now to help including an office in his campaign struggling families? headquarters, collected more than If his own county was decimated by another $800,000 for college scholarships. tornado like the one that destroyed the county courthouse We know that Buyer has gone on that once stood across from his Monticello office, would he record indicating he wanted to raise a want immediate federal aid and response? Yes. large initial sum before awarding any If his own county was flooded along the Tippeca - scholarships. We know that more than noe River, would he want immediate disaster assistance for $100,000 has been spent from the his friends and neighbors? Yes. amount donated to his Frontier Foundation, yet none of it If a major employer in his county such as Monon has been used for a scholarship. Trailer went out of business and left pensions hanging in First, in Buyer’s defense, even Ben Franklin looked the balance, would he act immediately to help those who ahead, leaving a huge sum of money to accrue over time needed it? Yes, and in fact, he did. so that it would leave substantial assets to The greatest question lying before Buyer now benefit his homeland in future decades. is how he exits from a mess And there is a certain “let no good deed go that has drawn national atten- unpunished” facet of this story that makes it tion all the way to MSNBC. His sound as if Buyer simply was called on the best course of action now may carpet before he reached his goal. be to forget about connecting But the fallout from this story is any golf courses to the foun- that there are more questions than answers dation and dispersing founda- about the foundation and where it is head- tion money raised to com- ed. One of the primary questions is how the munity foundations in each fallout will affect Buyer politically. If he had of the counties he has served hopes of succeeding Sen. Richard Lugar in – and walk away. It would the future, the scholarship foundation con- preserve the original intent of troversy could impede him from ever being his foundation, help the people seriously considered. It’s hard to imagine who elected him and kept him Lugar handling something like Buyer’s foun- in office and remove a stigma dation in the same fashion. from a foundation that will be Perhaps the other questions that challenged to create any posi- concern people inside the Washington beltway more than tives for him in the near future. in Indiana are “Isn’t this just a front for donations from Sometimes the way money is raised for scholar- v companies that receive favorable treatment from Buyer?” If ships says more about stewardship than scholarship. so, point made, but that’s the way business and legislation is transacted in this country, legal or not, like it or not. Kitchell is an award winning columnist based in Perhaps the greater questions back home in Indi- Logansport. ana involve priority. When Buyer defeated the late Rep. Jim HOWEY Politics Indiana

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business,” Kernan jokes of what he and the pilot were do- Joe Kernan heads ing in the Navy reconnaissance plane that flew from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk in the Gulf of Tonkin to assess damage to an important bridge targeted in a bombing raid. back to Hanoi When the plane was hit, Kernan and the pilot By JACK COLWELL ejected and both survived, though injured. SOUTH BEND - Joe Kernan will fly into Hanoi in Kernan regained consciousness on the ground, February. surrounded by angry Vietnamese who treated him harshly. Hasn’t Joe flown into Hanoi before? “I have,” the But Kernan says he has no hatred toward North former governor says. “I flew into the neighborhood.” Vietnamese for what happened at a time of war. He ex- Actually, Kernan floated by parachute, unconscious, into a plains: city south of Hanoi after his Navy “If somebody from somewhere else parachuted reconnaissance plane was shot down in this country after 33 planes were dropping bombs down during the war in Vietnam. He on their neighborhood, what kind of reception would they was captured, beaten and taken for get?” an extended stay in the infamous Sure, he adds, “I didn’t like some of them I met Hanoi Hilton. along the way.” Kernan anticipates a For Maggie Kernan, too, the trip will bring back smoother landing and a friendlier memories of when that Navy plane went down. They greeting when he returns to Hanoi weren’t married yet or even formally engaged, but friends in February for his first visit there figured they would wed when Joe returned from military since he was held for nearly 11 service. months as a prisoner of war. Joe’s family received notification that his plane was While Kernan long has down, but no word initially on whether he survived. wanted to return to Vietnam _ and When later it was confirmed that he was a prisoner was ready as lieutenant governor and some letters could be exchanged, Kernan wrote home: to lead a trade delegation there, until state legislative “Tell Riley and Magee to not wait for me to have their wed- business forced cancellation _ he just didn’t find the right ding.” opportunity, until now. Kernan and his wife, Maggie, will be “Magee,” pronounced as “McGee,” was a nickname hosts for an “Innovative Immersions” travel tour organized for Maggie, and the coded message was that she shouldn’t by Mike Cloonan of Granger, who has been involved in wait for him. trips to Vietnam in connection with the University of Notre He didn’t dare reveal he had a girlfriend back home Dame. named Maggie because such personal information was Tour stops will include the site where Kernan’s used in the rough interrogation. plane was shot down and the preserved portion of the The tour won’t involve just reminders of war and prison referred to by Americans held there, including Sen. POW life. John McCain, as the Hanoi Hilton. A Halong Bay cruise, a tour of sites in Ho Chi Minh What does Kernan expect his reaction to be as City (Saigon) and side trip to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat he walks into the portion of the prison now turned into a will be included. museum? And Kernan says he will be involved in efforts to “Well, I don’t know,” he says. “It’s been a long promote trade with Northern Indiana. time.” There will be meals scheduled in restaurants in His plane was shot down on May 7, 1972, and he Vietnam, and Kernan has one strict requirement for the was held prisoner until March 27, 1973. cuisine. Kernan isn’t sure what he will recognize at the “There will be no pumpkin served on this tour,” he prison. “I understand some walls have been preserved. The declares. He has no lingering hatred for any Vietnamese, site is preserved.” but he hates pumpkin. Won’t eat it. Not after two meals a v Most of the old Hoa Lo prison was torn down to day of pumpkin soup at the Hanoi Hilton. make way for an upscale office and apartment complex. A museum has been established, with displays giving a por- Colwell has covered Indiana politics over five de - trayal of POW treatment that leaves out mention of harsh cades for the South Bend Tribune. interrogation, torture and lousy living conditions. “We were just taking pictures, minding our own HOWEY Politics Indiana

Page 14 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

Mary Matalin, CNN: Though there is much, much I think now, more than ever, is a good time to be informed. more in Palin’s book that fleshes out her inner core, her Lots of decisions you make will be influenced and affected grounding in faith and family, as well as her policy achieve- by the stewards of your tax dollars. The decisions about ments and forward-thinking philosophical framework of whether to build more schools or hire more policemen or common sense conservatism, so far the coverage of it has buy more fire trucks all have a direct and measurable effect constrained her in a defensive backward-focused box, re- on the amount of taxes you pay. During these troubled litigating the darkest days of the campaign and reliving dif- economic times, knowledge is power. And there simply is ficult family moments. Though all the breath - no better way to inform yourself of your local less chatter about 2012 is premature, the way government’s activities than through the eyes Palin lays out her world view throughout the and ears of our reporters. But let’s get back to book and especially in the eloquent closing Mark Twain for a moment. Everyone has heard pages is sure to attract conservatives yearning about all the newspapers that have been filing for an unapologetic articulation of first prin - for bankruptcy or closing down or cutting their ciples. But because of the inordinate main- days of publication. But if you look closely, it is stream media focus on the political insiders’ mainly large newspapers in large markets that tiff, the Political Palin is getting sucked down are having trouble. I believe that is mainly for and mucked up by the Published Palin. Listen- two reasons - neither of which generally apply ing to her on Rush Limbaugh as I write, she is digging out to small-market newspapers. First, most of them are highly of the box her detractors would like to bury her in for once leveraged - meaning they have a mountain of debt to and all and needs to keep on it: Get off their message and service. Servicing that debt with a 16 or 18 percent profit onto her own. Now, for a point of personal privilege. I have margin was no problem. But when profit margins slipped to been and will continue to be an advocate of Sarah Palin 8 or 9 percent, there were problems. Second, large market and her principles. Had I been asked about how to use dailies have to cater to readers in a completely different her publishing opportunity to maximum political benefit, I way than small dailies do. Large dailies have to provided would have proffered to Palin the received wisdom of the comprehensive coverage of local, national and world v unlikely duet of my mother and Lee Atwater: Never burn events. Small dailies don’t. bridges. As campaign memoirs go, “Going Rogue” napalms bridges, incinerates detractors, hoses gas on what were Doug Ross, Times of Northwest Indiana: When smoldering embers. It is without refutation anywhere, I drove across the state line Thursday, no border guards even among rabid Palin haters, that she received politi- greeted me. The road didn’t change colors, the landscape cal hazing of a magnitude previously unimaginable. More was unchanged, and the people spoke the same languag- mother wisdom: Two wrongs don’t make a right (to which es. The state line was physically invisible. Neither Lynwood my Obama-loving daughter always replies, “Yes, but three nor Lansing nor Munster is the Emerald City. I don’t think rights make a left”). There was a way to defend her honor, we’re in Oz, Toto. That’s a very welcome development. make her case, pivot to the future while showcasing her Also welcome are the increasing efforts to reach across the moral foundation by doing unto others as she wished they state line in cooperative efforts. Governors State University had done unto her, so to speak. v is among these groups. The university’s Board of Trustees is eliminating the out-of-state tuition multiplier for Indiana Gary Gerard, Warsaw Times-Union: You may students. “Students should have choices,” GSU President have noticed some advertisements in your Times-Union Elaine Maimon told The Times editorial board this week. dealing with newspapers. The thrust of the advertis- “They have good choices in Northwest Indiana, but now ing campaign is kind of a takeoff on that sage old Mark they can look across this thin border and particularly at Twain quote: “The reports of my death have been greatly Governors State.” GSU has been working with Ivy Tech, in exaggerated.” The campaign was developed by the Hoo- particular, to help students in career and technical pro- sier State Press Association to drive home the point that grams further their education at GSU and receive bachelor’s “Newspapers Still Deliver.” Newspapers make most of their degrees. Maimon and the GSU board deserve credit for money by selling advertising. Our advertising representa- their efforts to erase that artificial boundary between the tives are always telling their clients that advertising is key two states. Likewise, the South Suburban Mayors and to success. Ironically, newspapers traditionally have done a Managers Association is carefully watching what goes on in poor job of advertising themselves. It’s as if we are scared Northwest Indiana. Economic development on either side or embarrassed to blow our own horns. Well, it might be of the state line helps communities and residents through- time for a bit of a change in that regard and as self-serving out the area. Nearly one-third of Porter County’s labor force v as it sounds, “Newspapers Still Deliver” certainly rings true. commutes to jobs outside the county. HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 15 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 Bayh will vote to allow of any health bill to date, Reid’s office she has no interest in helping remedy noted - would knock down one of the her complaints (Bradner, Evansville health bill floor debate last remaining obstacles to winning Courier & Press). Riecken said Indi- WASHINGTON - Senate Major- the votes of key centrists, at least to ana’s Family and Social Services Ad- ity Leader Harry Reid unveiled his go ahead with debate on the bill as ministration should have to prove, in $848 billion health reform bill Wednes- early as this weekend. Reid’s office legislative hearings that will take place day to broad said the bill could reduce the deficit by in December, that private companies support $650 billion in its second 10 years. can do a better job than the state from fellow And, in fact, the strategy can. “What I’ve seen is that it doesn’t Democrats seemed to be working. Nebraska Sen. meet the smell test,” Riecken said. “It - and the Ben Nelson and Louisiana Sen. Mary hasn’t been efficient, and the quality move quickly Landrieu both sounded more posi- of service has gone down the tubes. turned up tive about voting to allow debate to My feeling is that they need to justify the pressure proceed. Nelson told reporters he still what they’re doing, and they need to on the last had problems with the public option tell me why it cannot be done within few wavering plan - he prefers a plan that would their own administration.” But the moderates to support the plan, which allow states to opt in instead - but sig- agency said Wednesday that her bill includes a sizable chunk of deficit cut - naled he’d wage that fight on the floor. would have devastating effects that ting (Politico). He also made clear the vote to allow reach far beyond her intended target, “If the bottom line is what it debate wouldn’t be the final fight on an effort to update the way Indiana appears to be, that’s an encouraging the bill. “There will be opportunities determines who is eligible for food thing. But you’ve got to trust but veri- to amend the legislation, and if it is stamps and Medicaid. “She doesn’t fy,” said Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), who amended to the satisfaction of several actually want to sit at the table to said he would vote to allow debate. people, then it will have enough votes help solve the problems,” said FSSA Reid’s plan would expand to pass on the back end,” Nelson said. spokesman Marcus Barlow. “She’s coverage to 94 percent of Americans “If not, it won’t. That is the risk.” One making an ideological stand, and that’s through a government-run health holdout appeared to be Sen. Blanche unfortunate.” Other Southwest Indi- insurance option - allowing states Lincoln of Arkansas, who faces a ana lawmakers didn’t see Riecken’s to opt out — and other features, all tough reelection fight next fall. On move coming. “I guess I’m just really while reducing future federal deficits her way in to the briefing with Reid, surprised, and I think the timing is by $130 billion over the next 10 years, Lincoln was asked how she will vote somewhat suspicious,” said Rep. Su- according to a Congressional Budget on the motion to proceed: “We’ll wait zanne Crouch, R-Evansville. “We don’t Office report released late Wednesday. and see,” she said. want to politicize the issue, And I think “Tonight begins the last leg of Rahm Emanuel, the White as legislators, we have to try and not this journey” to bring health reform House chief of staff said Mr. Reid’s bill micromanage other branches of gov- to the nation, Reid said in announc- was impressive (New York Times). ernment.” Riecken faces what could be ing the bill. But Reid’s plan contains It “meets the president’s objectives, a tough 2010 re-election battle against considerable differences from House provides protection from insurance Cheryl Musgrave, who previously legislation passed earlier this month companies, contains true cost con- headed the state Department of Local - with a more limited public option and trols and extends coverage to working Government Finance under Daniels. different ways to pay for the bill. Reid families,” Mr. Emanuel said. “It’s going Barlow said it is obvious Riecken’s bill included an excise tax on insurers who to be a holy war,” said Senator Orrin is about politics. offer “Cadillac” health plans, not the G. Hatch, Republican of Utah. “millionaire’s tax” that’s in the House Palin cites ‘lamestream bill. And one of the biggest differ- ences between the bills - on language FSSA, Crouch critical media’ on book tour restricting federal funding for abortion GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - For- - could prove problematic for Reid. of Riecken bill mer Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin smacked His bill doesn’t include as EVANSVILLE - A day after the “lamestream media” on Wednes- many limits as the House bill and Democratic Rep. Gail Riecken of day for allegedly distorting what already is drawing fire from anti-abor - Evansville filed a bill to stop privati - she writes in her book (Politico). tion activists. Democrats on Wednes- zation in Indiana’s human services Speaking on Sean Hannity’s radio day were clearly hoping that the deficit agency, critics said the move was ill- show, Palin said that “some on the figures - the biggest deficit reduction considered political ploy that indicates left, that lamestream media, they’re HOWEY Politics Indiana

Page 16 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

contradicting what I wrote in the Noblesville police will be at the mall to Commerce members at a luncheon book.” Hannity jumped in to ask, “did help direct traffic, and Borders enlisted Wednesday he would be willing you say lamestream media?” “Yeah, extra security for today’s event. to turn the keys and deed to the lamestream,” Palin responded. “They house over if that meant its history are contradicting those facts that I laid would be preserved. “It belongs to out regarding what Reagan had to say. Lake Council, sheriff history. It doesn’t belong to me,” Anyways, it’s been nonsense to hear in budget showdown said Clements, who is a profes- some of the criticism of that principle CROWN POINT - A special sional historical preservationist. there, and that is what history shows meeting of the Lake County Council us is what Ronald Reagan did was put next week could turn into a showdown American back on the right path,” she between the seven-member board and Indiana gets $4M continued. “We need to emulate that. Sheriff Rogelio “Roy” Dominguez over to aid auto workers We need to repeat that instead of go- $1.6 million in 2010 spending cuts the WASHINGTON - Indiana ing back to the 1930s and think that board is demanding he make (Dolan, has won a $4 million federal grant some growth of government, New Deal Times of Northwest Indiana). The to lead an effort with Michigan and spending is going to get us out of a sheriff said he already has proposed Ohio to help laid-off autoworkers recession,” she said. “It is, of course, nearly $8 million in budget reduc- find jobs in the renewable-energy going to cause greater problems.” Palin tions. However, the County Council has industry and related occupations did not specify who she was accusing rejected the majority of the sheriff’s (Indianapolis Star). The U.S. of distorting her view of Reagan’s poli- plan, which includes breaking a labor Department of Labor awarded the cies during her interview with Hannity. contract with county police and correc- grant Wednesday to the Indiana Arriving at a bookstore in Grand Rap- tions officers to freeze scheduled salary Department of Workforce Develop- ids, Mich. on Wednesday to kick off her increases and reduce overtime pay. ment as part of $55 million in green book tour, Palin encouraged the crowd The council said other measures in the jobs grants announced nationwide. to “read truth” in her book. sheriff’s plan involve cuts and revenue The Indiana agency will work on increases the council already assumed the joint effort with the Michigan while creating next year’s budget. Department of Energy, Labor and Thousands line up Economic Growth and the Ohio to see Palin today Department of Jobs and Family FORT WAYNE - Hundreds of Mary Kay Orr dies Services. INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Robert people lined up before dawn for a D. Orr’s widow, Mary Kay Davis Orr, chance to meet former vice presidential passed away Sunday - the governor’s candidate Sarah Palin and have her Charlene Lugar birthday - after a battle with cancer. autograph her new book in Fort Wayne Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. arrested on DUI and Noblesville this morning. Palin is Sunday at Crown Hill Funeral Home. WASHINGTON - Indiana not scheduled to be at a Noblesville Funderal services will be 2 p.m. Mon- Sen. Richard Lugar’s wife was ar- bookstore before 7 p.m., but her excit- day at Crown Hill Funeral Home and rested Wednesday evening on a ed fans ventured into the morning cold Cemetery. drunken-driving charge, Lugar’s to show their support. “She is a rising office said today (Indianapolis star in the Republican, conservative Star). Charlene Lugar’s vehicle party, and she’s new, she’s refreshing, Obama family home collided with an unattended car in she talks about common things, and the suburban Virginia neighborhood things I’m interested in,” Joy Tindall, up for preservation where the Lugars live, according told WTHR (Channel 13). The Borders KEMPTON - The owner of the to a statement released by Lugar’s bookstore at Noblesville’s Hamilton rural Tipton County house that is ac- office. No one was injured. “We Town Center is bracing for a barrage of credited as once belonging to Presi- are deeply sorry and embarrassed Sarah Palin fans today. The former vice dent Barack Obama’s ancestors wants that this accident has occurred,” presidential candidate will sign copies to turn the property into a nonprofit Sen. Lugar said. Charlene Lugar of her new book, “Going Rogue,” from organization, even if that means mov- is scheduled to appear in court in 6 to 9 p.m. at the bookstore, 13145 ing out of his home (Kokomo Tribune). January. Levinson Lane, off I-69 Exit 10. General Shawn Clements, who owns the Manager Marty Beck expects 2,000 to Dunham House in Kempton, told about v 3,000 people to show up to see Palin. a dozen Tipton County Chamber of