V15 N1 Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 town halls take civil turn Donnelly, Hill find crowds willing to listen about reforms

By BRIAN A. HOWEY and MARK SCHOEFF JR. KOKOMO - A year af- ter became a historical battleground on Barack Obama’s march to the American presidency, the state has found itself in one of the most intense civic debates in a generation: health care reform. And while cable news net- works like MSNBC are character- izing the congressional town halls taking place across the nation as “brawls” and today’s Indianapolis Star features page 1 coverage of “raucous protests” in Pennsylva- U.S. Rep. listens to a citizen on a south side Kokomo street Wednesday night in a nia, these media outlets missed town hall moved outside because so many people showed up. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey) the two Central Indiana town halls. On a warm Wednesday eve- be a civil discourse with undecided U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly. ning here in the embattled City of Firsts, several hundred people crowded a south side Kokomo street for what would Continued on Page 3 Doc’s health reforms

By JACK COLWELL SOUTH BEND - Ronald Reagan pushed a health care reform bill to passage, providing Medicare protection from runaway hospital and pre- scription-drug costs in catastrophic illness, overcoming opposition from “Well, that’s a good question. My powerful health insurance interests. contribution is upcoming.” President Reagan? Yes, Reagan. - U.S. Sen. , when He was successful because it was just laughable to portray him asked about his stance on health care re- and Indiana’s Otis R. “Doc” Bowen, form by the Evansville Courier & Press then secretary of Health and Hu- man Services, as scheming to bring on some terrible socialized medi- HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 2 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

cine. Howey Politics gible, with an increase of $4 a month But never underestimate the in 1989, climbing to $10.20 in 1993, Indiana well-funded insurance lobby. Soon in premiums deducted from Social after Reagan left the White House Security checks. The 40 percent of the is a nonpartisan news- and Bowen was back in Indiana, the Medicare eligible subject to federal legislation was repealed by Congress. letter based in Indianapolis income tax would pay additional slid- Why? Opponents, using distorted cost ing-scale premiums based on wealth. and published by NewsLink statistics, staged demonstrations and Medicare recipients were news media manipulation, had even to have full hospital coverage, with no Inc. It was founded in convinced many of those who would limit on days covered, and protection 1994 in Fort Wayne. have benefited the most that it was a against skyrocketing doctor bills and bad deal. drug costs during a lengthy illness. “We were years ahead of our It passed with large bipartisan Brian A. Howey, publisher time,” says Bowen. majorities after Bowen “If it hadn’t been Mark Schoeff Jr.,Washington fought off efforts by repealed, it would some liberal Demo- Jack E. Howey, editor have taken care of crats to add all kinds Beverly Phillips, associate a lot of problems of expensive bells and we are facing now.” editor whistles and efforts On July by some conservative 1, 1988, Reagan Republicans to kill any Subscriptions: signed the legisla- Medicare expansion. tion into law. After passage, spe- $350 annually HPI via e-mail; The plan cial interests, left and $550 annually HPI & HPI Daily was devised by right, sought to scuttle Wire. Bowen, who was the plan. The insur- well aware of ance lobby cited the Call 317-627-6746. catastrophic illness Former Gov. and HHS Secretary highest likely premium Howey Politics Indiana tragedies as a family Otis R. “Doc” Bowen, seen here for the wealthy to stir physician in Bre- 6255 N. Evanston Ave. at the Statehouse after Gov. Frank up opposition. Scare men, where he still O’Bannon’s September 2003 funer- tactics made it sound Indianapolis, IN 46220 resides, as a family al. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey) as though every senior medicine admin- citizen would pay that Contact Us istrator at Indiana much. University Medical School and through It wasn’t just the insurance www.howeypolitics.com a Health and Human Services study. lobby. [email protected] In announcing support, “James Roosevelt got the Reagan asked Congress “to help give Main Office: 317-202-0210. senior citizens all riled up,” Bowen re- Americans that last full measure of calls. The son of Franklin D. Roosevelt Howey’s Mobile: 317-506-0883. security, to provide a health insurance headed the National Committee to Indianapolis Fax: 317-254-0535. plan that fights the fear of catastroph - Preserve Social Security and Medi- Washington: 202-256-5822. ic illness.” care. He was contesting with other “For too long,” Reagan said, organizations for influence with senior Business Office: 317-627-6746. “many of our senior citizens have citizens and claimed that the plan ©2009, Howey Politics been faced with making an intolerable didn’t do enough and shouldn’t cost Indiana . All rights reserved. choice, a choice between bankruptcy recipients so much. and death.” Roosevelt warned that “less Photocopying, Internet forwarding, Bowen notes that the plan than one in five seniors will be helped faxing or reproducing in any form, was to pay for itself, adding nothing to in any given year.” Well, if it had in whole or part, is a violation of the national debt. helped 20 percent of seniors every That’s what Reagan wanted, year, from then until now, think of federal law without permission from Bowen says, “and I did, too.” the millions upon millions who would the publisher. The additional benefits were have been helped economically and to be paid for by the Medicare eli- emotionally at times of major hospital, HOWEY Politics Indiana

Page 3 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

doctor and drug expenses. the bill.” A fatal blow came when special interests round- President George H.W. Bush pushed no adjust- ed up some senior citizens, give them signs and encour- ments, letting scared members of Congress repeal the plan aged them to ambush Dan Rostenkowski, House Ways and in the fall of 1989. Means Committee chairman, after a meeting in his Chicago “If it had not been repealed,” Bowen says, district. They prevented his departure, with one elderly “progress could have been very fruitful.” Instead, insurance woman spread-eagled on the hood of his car. The news profits remained very fruitful and problems Ronald Reagan media had been alerted, and Rostenkowski was seen in film sought to remedy then are still faced by Congress and the and photos fleeing angry constituents. News media ac - nation today. v counts portrayed vast senior citizen outrage at Congress for passing the plan. Colwell has covered Indiana politics over five de - “One of the things that irked me,” says Bowen, cades for the South Bend Tribune. “was the new president came in and did nothing to save

NBC interview Wednesday afternoon, put the number much Town halls, from page 1 higher: “I said I oppose a government takeover of health care paid for $800 billion in new taxes.” Another 250 people crowded into the New Castle-Henry He said at town halls in the 6th CD, many people County Library auditorium to listen to U.S. Rep. . have told him: “The president is demanding we run a gov- These events came a day after U.S. Rep. ernment run option. When the government starts running experienced a similar reception at the downtown India- an insurance program, hundreds of employers will shut napolis Rotary Club. No doubt, there were pointed ques- their programs.” tions. There were declarations, some shouting, eye rolling Appearing on Fox News on Aug. 6, Pence talked and hooting. But at both the Hill and Donnelly events about the “tradition of free speech” at town halls and add- HPI witnessed, the decorum was not breached. The spirit ed, “I am telling you, at these record crowds, people are of debate persisted. The palpable fear by some Hoosier Members of Congress of the people they are supposed to represent is unwarranted. “This is our chance to hear what others have to say,” Donnelly told the crowd in Kokomo which appeared to be an even mix of Obama supporters and skeptics whose concerns ranged from budget deficits to “death panels” and abortion, and even constitutional concerns. Nearly half the license plants in the nearby parking lot were from outside Howard County. Many times, Donnelly simply responded by saying he would ponder concerns and take them back to Washing- ton. Asked if he had read the bill, Donnelly said that he has reviewed “chunks” but expects to have digested most of the legislation by Labor Day. He repeatedly vowed to vote for legislation that would be revenue neutral and address people with pre-existing condition dilemmas. He told the crowd that there were actually five different bills and all of U.S. Rep. Baron Hill (left) took a them had a long way to go before President Obama could number of questions Tuesday at sign one into law. He expressed skepticism that it would the Indianapolis Rotary Club. Hill even happen in 2009. described himself as “fully com- And there was an intense debate over the pro- mitted to health care reform.” (HPI jected federal deficit numbers in HB 3200, the bill that has Photo by Brian A. Howey) gained the most momentum in the House. Donnelly said the Congressional Budget Office estimate stood at a still unacceptable $239 billion. Pence, appearing briefly on a confrontational MS - HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 4 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

not uninformed, they are informed. They understand that it down,” he told Donnelly. “We did,” Donnelly said of the this administration is running record deficits and is about to 51 other Blue Dog Democrats who prevented a vote before launch a $1.6 trillion government takeover of health care the August recess. “That’s why we’re here.” Later, he would paid for by $800 billion in higher taxes and a whole lot of tell reporters that “My focus is to get it right.” I’m talking to back home aren’t having any of it.” Afterwards, a sweating Donnelly who talked for He added that the issue drew 100 people in Greensburg nearly 90 minutes in bright sunlight, beamed at how the and 250 in Muncie last week. event that was originally supposed to take place in a Prior to his Kokomo town hall meeting, Donnelly 100-person auditorium ultimately turned out. “What you saw the impact of the issue in terms of the sheer number saw here was a real Hoosier crowd,” Donnelly said. “They of constituents showing wanted to hear what up for what is normally I had to say and I a low-key event. He wanted to hear what hosted a “Congress on they had to say. I’m the Corner” meeting at glad it went that way. Martin’s Super Mar- I expected it to go ket in Mishawaka last that way.” week. His 2nd Congres- These type of sional District has sessions normally draw become the front five to 10 constituents lines of the crisis that who talk to Donnelly began unfolding in about problems they’re 2008 and ultimately experiencing with propelled Obama and Medicare or Social Se- his dramatic change curity. But more than agenda to the White 200 people attended House. The skyrock- the Mishawaka event eting gasoline prices and they all had health in the late spring of care on their minds. 2008 sent the Elkhart Like the town County-based recre- hall in Kokomo, the A sweating U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly found an intense but civil health care reform ational vehicle indus- meeting was calm, ac- debate on a Kokomo street Wednesday evening. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey) try into a profound cording to Donnelly. He tailspin. Then came stood in the deli sec- the Wall Street tion of the store as citizens listened from the aisles. “The meltdown that dramatically crimped credit, setting off tone actually was very respectful,” Donnelly said. “Every- waves of job losses across Northern Indiana. Those in turn body was engaged.” mauled the already crippled American auto industry. “The As for the cascading images of angry Americans backwash came to our state,” Donnelly explained. “That screaming at lawmakers across the nation, White House crowd has been through a lot ... together. It’s who we are.” Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said at Wednesday’s briefing, “I doubt we’re seeing the real situation, despite the food Other members duck town halls fight we’re seeing on cable every day.” Donnelly forged ahead with town halls despite The atmosphere that Donnelly experienced in Blue Dog colleagues who seemed to balk at what have Kokomo and Mishawaka is one he will demand at other sometimes been profanity-laden, crude and even violent events during the August recess, with the next scheduled town halls across the nation, with extensive coverage on for Delphi. “What I won’t have is people screaming and cable news. At some events, placards compared Obama shouting at each other,” he said. “At that point, we have a with Adolph Hitler as people expressed fears of a “socialist” safety risk.” takeover. U.S. Rep. Baron Hill compared those disrupting events as “political terrorists” and U.S. Rep. Getting it right announced he would not participate in traditional town hall Back at Kokomo, a city with one of the highest formats. A man in the crowd at Kokomo wondered why unemployment rates in the state, at one point a man com- U.S. Sens. Dick Lugar and Evan Bayh weren’t hosting town plained about the pace of the debate on Capitol Hill. “Slow halls, given that the Senate will play a crucial role this fall. HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 5 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

His remark was met by some shouts and wide applause. tried to add context to those fearful of change. At one Hill defended his use of the term “political terrorist” point, Donnelly was pressed on whether “illegal aliens” in a Washington Post article on Monday as he spoke to the would be covered. He silenced the crowd when he asked Indianapolis Rotary Club at the Scottish Rite Cathedral on what a hospital should do if a critically ill illegal immigrant Tuesday. “That’s a strong word to use, but if you’re there to turned up in an emergency room. blow up a meeting, that’s terrorism,” Hill told HPI prior to “Any time you have to deal with change comes his speech. During his speech, Hill acknowledged he used discomfort, and there are a lot of people who are nervous “pretty strong language” but described people disrupting and anxious,” Hill told the Rotary. “But once we see the town hall meetings around the U.S. as those “who have benefits of the changes the president is trying to make, no intention in engaging in debate.” On Monday, Indiana those fears will subside. I have watched with great interest Republican Chairman J. Murray Clark called for an apology. those who have tried to destroy what Congress is trying to “This is the worst sort of slap in the face an elected official do with health care. I have observed with great interest the can give to his constituents,” Clark said. “He definitely owes ability of people to say things that are not true. They have an apology to the people of the no intention of engaging in a 9th congressional district.” meaningful debate. They have only one purpose in mind, and that’s to blow up the Hill wants meetings that are being held.” system reform After Hill spoke and But for nearly 45 min- answered about ten ques- utes on Tuesday - as President tions, Rotary President Julian Obama conducted a town hall Peeples praised Rotarians meeting in New Hampshire - Hill for the respectful discourse. told a respectful Rotary audi- “This is the way things are ence that he would not support supposed to work,” Peeples a health reform bill that “doesn’t said, adding that those who reform the system.” shout at public officials is “not “The inflationary rise the kind of democracy I want and costs are not sustainable,” for my kids.” Hill explained. “We have to get a hold of the problem. What I Young questions don’t want to do as a member of Congress is perhaps raise lack of town halls revenues and perhaps throw it While Donnelly is ventur- at a system that’s broken, be- ing into large constituent cause that only exacerbates the meetings, Hill is limiting his problem. We have to reform the outreach to more controlled system.” settings. That tack is drawing He said that he wanted criticism from his Republican a “pay as you go” approach. He opponent, . also defended Blue Dog Demo- Young, a Paoli lawyer, ac- crats who blocked a vote in late cused Hill of avoiding legiti- July before the August recess, mate criticism of the so-called saying he wanted to make sure public option government-run there was not a “rush to judg- insurance plan that is part of ment to pass a bill.” He also each of the three bills working said that a “team approach” their way through the House. as practiced at the Mayo Clinic Hill backed a modified (where doctors communicate in version of the public option in teams and are paid salaries and U.S. Rep. Mike Pence talked to an estimated 250 people at the measure approved before not “fee to services”) as the way a town hall in New Castle on Wednesday night. He drew a recess by the House Energy to keep costs from escalating. similar crowd in Muncie last week and 100 at Greensburg. and Commerce Committee. Both Donnelly and Hill (New Castle Courier & Times Photo) Hill is a member of the panel. Young agrees with HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 6 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

critics who say the public option is the first step toward a single-payer health care system. “We’ve been told (by Hill) that that’s not going to happen,” Young said in an HPI interview. “But we’re not given an opportunity to ask follow-up questions.” Hill would have to field those que - ries in a public event. “I have a tough time understanding why debate and inquiry is not even being accepted,” Young said. “People are prepared to show up at these forums and act as responsible citizens.” Young is hosting a town hall meet- ing in Jasper today. “I am effectively serv- ing the role as a congress- man,” he said. “It is unfortunate that our con- U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly talks to the press after Wednesday’s town hall meeting in gressman is not offering a similar forum.” Kokomo. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey)

Bayh contribution ‘upcom- He won his 2008 race with 58 percent of the vote, a land- ing’ slide in a district decided by razor-thin margins in previous races. As for U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, the Evansville Courier Hill has a huge financial advantage over Young, & Press reported that he laid out “broad goals for health with $401,501 on hand as of June 30 compared to Young’s care reform but was light on specifics” Monday when he $88,992. But if health care remains controversial, it could spoke with Evansville media during a one-day visit that give Young some traction. included stops at a job fair he hosted and a high-dollar “I have noticed an uptick in fundraising as a result fundraiser. of the health care (debate),” said Young, a former Marine Asked what his contribution has been to the who earned an MBA from the University of Chicago. “We’ll debate, Bayh answered, “Well, that’s a good question. My keep plugging away.” contribution is upcoming.” If Young wins the GOP nomination, the National Potential Republican challenger Dan Dumezich Republican Congressional Committee has vowed to help recalled U.S. Sen. “drifting away from Hooiser him. Washington Republicans believe their candidates will values” prior to his 1980 upset by . “I think benefit from protests at health care town hall meetings. similar circumstances exist today,” Dumezich said. “For ex- “This is democracy at its purest form,” said Joe Sci- ample, health care is a critical topic. Why hasn’t Evan had arrino, an NRCC spokesman. “People are upset and speak- any town hall meetings? Why will he not give the public his ing out.” core position?” Politically, Donnelly is in even better shape than U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar hasn’t scheduled any town Hill. He won in 2008 with 67 percent of the vote, has halls on the matter, either, and protesters gathered outside $533,927 cash on hand and lacks a noticeable opponent. an Evansville appearance he made earlier this week. But Donnelly said that he is not relaxing, even In one parallel dynamic, the precursor to the elder though there is no Republican challenger making noise. Bayh’s defeat was an unrelenting series of TV attack ads by “That has not figured into the calculations at all,” Donnelly a conservative political action committee that the senator said. “We’re working non-stop.” did not adequately respond to. The current Sen. Bayh is When someone at Kokomo asked Donnelly if his talking similar hits from the left by groups like Moveon.org ultimate vote would include a political calculation, Donnelly and the Economic Freedom Alliance on issues ranging from answered, “I had a job before this job. The way I vote health care to cap-and-trade, and union card check. won’t be based on politics.” And there was a brief moment of candor: “I’d Blue Dog political danger? rather be home watching ‘Bonanza’ right now.” v Even if he takes heat on health care now, it’s not clear that it will ultimately put Hill in any political danger. HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 7 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

tory appointed Sen. Modern Indiana Once competitive, won over State Rep. Baron Hill in 1990 by a 53-46 percent U.S. Senate races margin. By 1992, Coats was 1958 races able to secure a 57-40 percent 56.5 win over Secretary of State Joe Harold Handley 42.4 have been blowouts Hogsett for the full term. But the Senate landslides really kicked 1962 By BRIAN A. HOWEY in when Quayle annihilated Jill Birch Bayh 50.3 INDIANAPOLIS - In one of the opening Long 61-38 percent in 1986 in Homer Capehart (i) 49.7 scenes in the movie “13 Days,” actor Kevin Costner a victory that positioned him for played Kenny O’Donnell, chief of staff to President his ascension to the vice presi- 1964 John F. Kennedy. dency. Two years later, Lugar Vance Hartke 54.7 “Morning, Kenny. You see this goddamn whip-sawed Democrat Jack Russel Bontrager 45.3 Capehart stuff?” the unshaven JFK asks in the White Wickes 67-32 percent. By 1998, House family quarters, rattling a newspaper report when former Gov. Evan Bayh re- 1968 about Indiana Sen. Homer Capehart, who was trying claimed his father’s Senate seat, Birch Bayh 51.7 to ward off a 1962 challenge from Indiana House he did so with a 64-35 percent Bill Ruckleshaus 48.2 Speaker Birch Bayh. win over Fort Wayne Mayor Paul O’Donnell collapses in a chair opposite the Helmke. The three races since 1970 President, sprawls comfortably and responds, “Bayh’s then have all been blowouts. Vance Hartke 50.1 going to lose, but it’s good We’ve watched par- Richard Roudebush 49.9 groundwork for us in ties put up sacrificial lambs ‘64.” like David Johnson and 1974 The O’Donnell Marvin Scott as top-tier Birch Bayh 50.7 character was wrong. Democrats and Republicans Dick Lugar 46.4 Several weeks have ducked races for the later, after the U.S. world’s most privileged 1976 had survived a nuclear club. Dick Lugar 58.8 staredown with the It culminated in 2006 Vance Hartke (i) 40.5 Soviet Union in what we when Indiana Democrats all know as the Cuban Sen. Birch Bayh (second from left) didn’t even challenge Lugar 1980 Missile Crisis, Bayh would with the Kennedys and J. Edgar - an almost unprecedented Dan Quayle 53.8 upset Sen. Capehart 50.3 Hoover. situation north of the Birch Bayh (i) 46.2 to 49.7 percent. Mason-Dixon line when a It kicked off an major party took a pass on 1982 era in Indiana politics when U.S. Senate races were a Senate race. Lugar would roll Dick Lugar 53.8 mostly close and never boring. Bayh would win an up a record 87 percent against 45.6 intense re-election race in the sensational war- and an unknown and unqualified race-torn year of 1968 over Bill Ruckleshaus, 51.7 to Libertarian. 48.2 percent. Two years later, U.S. Sen. Vance Hartke This is the kind of un- would survive a challenge from U.S. Rep. Richard settling data that former state Roudebush 50.1 to 49.9 percent, winning by less than representative Dan Dumezich 1 vote per precinct. must be looking at as he weighs And in the following decade, both Bayh a decision on whether to chal- and Hartke would lose their seats, with Birch Bayh lenge Sen. Evan Bayh in 2010. warding off an intense challenge from Indianapolis State Sen. and Mayor Dick Lugar in the Watergate year 1974. Two Don Bates Jr. of Winchester years later, Lugar defeated Hartke by 18 percent and have already entered the race. U.S. Rep. Dan Quayle sidelined Birch Bayh in the Recent history shows 1980 Reagan revolution 53-46 percent. that Lugar and Bayh have been It was a vastly different environment than overwhelmingly dominant when what we’ve witnessed over the last 15 years. Senate it comes to Senate races. Of races in Indiana aren’t close anymore, save the vic- the last 18 Senate showdowns, U.S. Sen. Homer Capehart HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 8 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

13 have featured a Lugar or a Bayh. Their that’s a good question. My contribution is 1986 records are 11-2. Since 1958, only three upcoming.” When the health reforms come Dan Quayle 61.1 incumbents - Capehart in 1962, Hartke to to the Senate floor, Bayh’s bloc of 14 mod - Jill Long 38.9 Lugar in 1976 and Birch Bayh in 1980 - have erate Democratic senators could control lost. the fate of the reforms. 1988 Then again, 2010 could be an elec- Meanwhile, some 116 billboards Dick Lugar 67.7 tion cycle that reflects the environment of the paid for by the pro-labor Economic Free- Jack Wickes 32.3 last two close races waged by a Lugar and dom Alliance urging Bayh to vote for labor Bayh. Quayle was able to upset Sen. Birch choice have sprung up across the state. 1990 Bayh during the “malaise” years of Presi- So Bayh is taking arrows from across the Dan Coats 53.7 dent Jimmy Carter. The elder Bayh’s defeat spectrum and his silence is becoming deaf- Baron Hill 46.3 wasn’t sure until the final weekend when the ening. During his gubernatorial and Senate undecideds flocked to Ronald Reagan, leav - careers, he’s dominated Democratic voters 1992 ing a string of defeated and done well with inde- Dan Coats 57.3 Democratic Senate pendents and Republicans. Joe Hogsett 40.7 titans (i.e. Bayh, Frank Some of those groups will be Steve Dillon 1.6 Church, George McGov- alienated by the decisions he ern, Gaylord Nelson, makes this fall. 1994 Herman Talmadge, Mike Dumezich told HPI that Dick Lugar 67.4 Gravel, Warren Magnu- the recent string of Sen- 30.5 son) with a combined ate blowouts will not be the 25 terms among them. catalytic factor in whether 1998 In 1982, as the he decides to run. “It is not Evan Bayh 63.7 recession descended daunting to me,” he said Paul Helmke 34.8 into the depths that Wednesday as he headed Sink-Burris 1.5 wouldn’t be reached This ad has been running on The to a luncheon featuring U.S. until 1983, Lugar was Drudge Report this week. Rep. Mike Pence. “In fact, 2000 able to fend off U.S. Rep. it makes the potential race Dick Lugar 66.5 Floyd Fithian (who lost his House seat due to much more interesting. The past under- David Johnson 31.9 redistricting) by a mere 53.8 to 45.6 percent. scores the fact that when the public is Paul Hager 1.6 The interesting historical footnotes in unhappy, everyone is vulnerable. Ask Tom the 1980 and 1982 races are that two future Daschel and, probably, Harry Reid.” 2004 Indiana governors - Evan Bayh and Mitch Dumezich explained, “Many people Evan Bayh 62.0 Daniels - served as campaign managers for involved in Indiana politics remember the Marvin Scott 37.0 Birch Bayh and Dick Lugar. circumstances around ‘upsets’ like Quayle’s Barger 1.0 Sen. Evan Bayh’s forces have tried to (Birch’s drifting away from Hoosier values). continue brand dominance. Several reliable I think similar circumstances exist today. 2006 sources tell Howey Politics that Bayh allies For example, health care is a critical topic. Dick Lugar 87.4 tried to impress on the GOP establishment Why hasn’t Evan had any town hall meet- Osborn 12.6 that Lugar was given a pass in 2006 and that ings? Why will he not give the public his Bayh deserves one in 2010. core position? On the jobs front, why are Evan Bayh faces a dynamic similar to people asking Evan not to kill their Jobs?” Lugar’s first re-elect. The economy could still The Schererville Republican be in the doldrums and it will come as Presi- added that “people understand that he is dent Barack Obama faces his first congres - playing the inside Washington game rather sional mid-term. Given Obama’s exhaustive than representing Hoosiers. He still thinks agenda and the policy vs. politics dilemmas he can be the President. It is his number Bayh faces over votes on health reform, cap one priority. He is not thinking about us or and trade, and labor choice, anything is pos- representing our best interests.” sible. Whether Bayh’s traipse through On health care, Bayh has been cir- the political and policy minefields of 2009 cumspect. Asked by the Evansville Courier & creates a competitive political environment Press’s Eric Bradner what his contributions to in 2010 is a compelling dynamic to watch the debate have been, Bayh answered, “Well, unfold over the next year. v Sen. Dan Quayle HOWEY Politics Indiana

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And the polling decline was not limited to Rasmus- Obama’s poll slippage sen. The Real Clear Politics poll composite had Obama’s approval rating at 53.5 to 41 percent on Tuesday. But the approve/disapprove numbers were all over the charts. is to be expected Gallup (Aug. 7-9) had it at 55-38 percent; CNN/Opinion Re- By BRIAN A. HOWEY search (July 31-Aug. 3) put the numbers at 56-40 percent FREMONT, Ind. - As Barack Obama prepared to and Quinnipiac (July 27-Aug. 3) had it at 50/42 percent. assume the presidency at the first of this year, I made this These numbers had fallen from June 29-July 1 prediction: his approval rating would be somewhere in the when Gallup had Obama at 61-30 percent or April 22-24 40th percentile by November. when it was 66/27 percent. On Feb. 18-19, just days after The reason was the array and magnitude of the the stimulus package passed Congress, CNN/Opinion Re- problems he faced: two foreign wars, the potential collapse search had the numbers at 67/29 percent. of the American auto industry, the Wall Street meltdown, Or as President Obama put in at Portsmouth on a severe recession Tuesday when talking about and massive job loss, health reforms, “But here’s one and his vow to take thing I’ve got to say: I never head-on health care, said this was going to be easy. energy and immigration I never said change would be reforms. easy. If it were easy, it would If he followed have already been done. the vision he articu- Change is hard. And it doesn’t lated during the 2008 start in Washington. It begins in campaign, it would places like Portsmouth.” be impossible not to Obama continued, “Be- gore special interest cause the way politics works oxen, touch third rails, sometimes is that people who become an apostate to want to keep things the way sacred cows, unnerve they are will try to scare the shallow supporters (like heck out of folks and they’ll many Hoosier Demo- create boogeymen out there crats who were late to that just aren’t real. So this is an join his bandwagon) important and complicated issue and stasists who feast off the status quo. And there are that deserves serious debate. the fear-mongers - remnants of the bewildered Republican And we have months to go before we’re done, and years Party - who have opposed everything Obama has done and after that to phase in all these reforms and get them right. have ratcheted up the attacks. And I know this: Despite all the hand-wringing pundits and This week, the Rasmussen Reports daily Presi- the best efforts of those who are profiting from the status dential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 30 percent quo, we are closer to achieving health insurance reform of the nation’s voters strongly approve of the way Obama than we have ever been. Let’s face it, now is the hard part is performing his role as President. Thirty-seven percent because the history is clear: every time we come close to strongly disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval passing health insurance reform, the special interests fight Index rating of -7. Forty-five percent give the President back with everything they’ve got. They use their influence. good or excellent marks for leadership. They use their political allies to scare and mislead the New Rasmussen Reports polling shows public sup- American people. They start running ads. This is what they port for the health care reform plan proposed by President always do. Obama and congressional Democrats had fallen to a new “We can’t let them do it again. Not this time. Not low. Data released Monday showed that 51 percent fear now.” the federal government more than private insurance com- To put this in perspective, a Sept. 20, 2007, Re- panies. Thirty-two percent favor a single-payer health care search 2000 poll showed Gov. Mitch Daniels’ re-elect at system for the U.S. while 57 percent are opposed. a paltry 39 percent, with 37 percent saying they would Overall, 49 percent of voters say they at least replace him and 21 percent said they would be willing to somewhat approve of the President’s performance. Fifty back another candidate. In the head-to-head, Daniels led percent disapprove. Democrat 46-38 percent. HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 10 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 Mutz endorses Murphy in 5th CD By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - Former Lt. Gov. John Mutz endorsed State Rep. Mike Murphy in his challenge to U.S. Rep. . “I have known Mike Murphy for 22 years and during that time I have observed someone willing to go the distance for any cause or constituent he gets behind. Not only have I been impressed with his work ethic and energy over the years, Mike’s record of accomplishment is unmatched in this race,” Mutz said. “The future of our President Obama speaking at Navistar in Wakarusa last week. party demands we return to the (MSNBC Photo) common sense principles of de- regulation and fiscal discipline in In a December 2007 Bellwether Research Poll, government. State Representa- Daniels’ approval/disapproval stood at 51/41 percent. tive Mike Murphy not only cham- Daniels ended up defeating Thompson 58-40 per- pions these ideas, he has spent cent in November 2008. 15 years working for Hoosiers to A better comparison would be President Reagan, put them into action. I have full who dipped to a 35 percent Gallup Poll approval rating on confidence he will continue to leverage his experience and Jan. 8, 1983, only to see it rebound to 61 percent on Oct. leadership when in Washington in order to help create jobs 27, 1984, a little over a week before his landslide re-elec- and investment in the state of Indiana.” tion. “Mike demonstrated early on how to promote Indi- The Obama strategy appears to be this: do the ana’s own energy resources to help create jobs and invest- heavy lifting in the first months of his term. The approval ment in the state. He’s the only one in the race who can numbers will fall, almost certainly to uncomfortable levels. make such a claim. The pundits will proclaim the president a dead man walk- One example of his ing. And then, as Gov. Daniels and President Reagan did, leadership on this the notion that good public policy is the best politics kicks issue was when in, given that his vast array of reforms and controversial Mike and I col- decisions bring results. laborated to help Republicans will be quick to counter that while create the Center Major Moves, Daylight Saving Time, telecom reform and for Coal Technology Hoosier Healthwise programs began paying both policy Research at Purdue and political dividends just as the re-elect was stoking up, University,” said Obama faces a more arduous course. Mutz, former presi- The economy is still in bad shape (though it was dent of PSI Energy, in a similar anemic state for President Reagan as late as Indiana’s largest 1983). We all know how that turned out: a 49-state land- electric utility. slide for the The Gipper. “I plan to Cap and trade energy reforms and the health care do everything I can reforms have proven to be incredibly controversial and no to help Mike get one knows how such policy changes will impact politically elected and get by the time Obama is stoking up his re-elect effort in 2011. his message out to As for Republican glee over Obama’s declining Hoosiers all across numbers, or Democratic hand-wringing, the essence of the district,” Mutz today’s polls is that this was something to be expected. v said. Burton, meanwhile, has Former Lt. Gov. John Mutz HOWEY Politics Indiana

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scheduled an Aug. 25 health care reform town hall with conservative record on the Whitley County Council and look U.S. Rep. . “Dan is busy peppering the district forward to taking the same fresh and aggressive conserva- with health care meetings and events, some public, some tive values to the Statehouse.” private,” said Burton press aide John Donnelly. “We’re also Banks is the director of business development at looking into venues for other town hall formats … some- The Hagerman Group, a 101-year-old general contractor thing that will foster a productive conversation, although I and construction management company headquartered think Rep. Burton’s votes and issue positions will insulate in Fort Wayne. Before that, he worked in the public policy him from most of the shouting you’ve seen on TV. He department at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, voted against TARP, the GM/Chrysler bailout, the stimulus, where he helped advance pro-family values across the na- cap/trade, and he’s ardently opposed to the House Demo- tion. crats’ health care plan. Not much to protest there.” Fort Wayne Observed, a blog run by Fort Wayne Donnelly added, “Dan does support reform, just Councilman Mitch Harper, reported that State Reps. Bill not the Democrats’ version. HR 3400 is a great bill cre- Ruppel and Mike Leonard are also weighing runs for the ated by the Republican Study Committee, and that’s what Senate. FWO reported that if Leonard were to run, Banks we’re rallying behind.” He provided a three page summary would likely opt to run for that vacated House seat. v of the bill, noting, “I included this just so you know what we stand for, not just what we’re opposed to. The future of any health care bill will be determined only by whether or not Democrats can agree with each other. If the Blue Dogs get on board, then it is game- over.”

SD17: Banks to run Whitley County Republican Chairman formal- ly announced his candidacy for Indiana State Senate District 17 in a seat that will be vacated due to the retirement of State Sen. Gary Dillon. Banks, 30, is the first to file to succeed re- JIM BANKS tiring Indiana State Senator Gary “Doc” Dillon. A county councilman elected at-large in Whitley County, Banks also serves as 3rd CD Republican vice- chairman. “I am excited about this op- portunity to take my public service to the Legislature where I can advance many fiscal and social conservative issues that matter to our district,” said Banks. “I am proud of my fiscal HOWEY Politics Indiana

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we believe strongly should be used by everyone (such as Changing roles education and vaccinations)? “Are we content to provide veterans with high- causing conflicts quality health care at low prices while denying their broth- ers and sisters the same? Is it right that a person disquali- By MORTON J. MARCUS fied from military service because of a birth defect should INDIANAPOLIS - “Don’t write that,” a voice said be denied access to excellent VA hospitals when s/he from somewhere in my study. “Don’t write what?” I asked wanted to serve the nation? looking about. “If we are going to argue that health care should “Don’t write that the relationship between the pub- be provided through the private sector, it still could be lic and private sectors changes over financed by the public sector. That’s what people who push time,” said the voice from under for public financing of private education seek. They want the rocking chair. to pick the schools their children attend using vouchers “But it is true,” I said. from the public treasury. Which is just what Medicare does: “Once the U.S. Postal Service finances private sector consumer choices.” carried almost all messages, love “Don’t, don’t,” the voice implored. “You are intro- notes, birthday greetings as well as ducing raw, naked reality where so many crave fantasy. bills. Today, the Internet increas- We have many examples of mixing the public and private ingly does that work as does United sectors successfully, but that’s not what people want to Parcel, FedEx and other private car- believe. The left and the right want to hear how govern- riers. That doesn’t mean the Postal ment is always bad, always inadequate, always inefficient Service should be abandoned, but or corrupt, always….” it does mean we have to reexamine what it does, how it “Hold it,” I interrupted. “Most people accept things does it, and how we pay for it.” as they are. It’s the idea of change that they resist. Sug- “Exactly,” the voice declared from behind the gest that government take a larger role in financing health recliner. “It’s just like we are reexamining the relationships care and you loosen the nuts from the trees. Suggest that between the public and private sectors in both health care government take a smaller role in education or postal and education.” services and the tears will flow from those who anticipate “Many of the issues are the same,” I agreed. “They abandonment. apply as well to financial markets, the arts, and ‘public’ “We don’t trust the private sector any more than radio and TV.” we trust government. We distrust anyone or any institu- “Don’t write it,” the voice repeated, this time from tion with power. Big business and big government are both under a table. presumed to be bad for the welfare of the ordinary citizen. “Why not?” I asked. We like small, powerless businesses and governments. “Because,” said the voice now under my desk, “We don’t care how inefficient they are. We don’t “folks on the left and the right have made up their minds care how unjust they are. If they are small, they’re OK and a reasonable discussion of any sensitive issue will because whatever they do individually has little bearing on alienate some people.” most of us. We believe that there is always some place we “First,” I laughed, “the numbers of people on can go to escape them, some competitor who will be differ- the left and the right really are very small. Second, both ent. It is that unfounded faith in the existence in diversity the left and the right are paranoid about government and of providers that makes us feel safe.” distrustful of people in general. Third, the majority of folks “I’m leaving,” the voice said from the doorway. have not thought seriously about anything since the Cubs “Now you’re talking about diversity and that’s dangerous.” last won the World Series. Fourth, only those with a predis- v position to alienation read my column.” “Don’t be flippant,” the voice warned. Mr. Marcus is an independent economist, speaker, “The current discussions of all these topics include and writer formerly with IU’s Kelley School of Busi- the same questions,” I said. “Which aspects of our lives ness. can we trust to the private sector without government regulation? Who should pay for services that we believe should be available to all but which are expensive to pro- vide universally (such as rural electricity or major medical services)? How do we manage and finance services that HOWEY Politics Indiana

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Doug Ross, Times of Northwest Indiana : It’s the serious, expensive stuff. Then, everybody working gets a no-brainer that unemployed people are more likely to a health savings account. The money comes out of your need health care coverage than people who are employed. paycheck pre-tax. Here’s where the government could help. That’s the way the American system works. Some employ- They could add an incentive for HSA accounts, say match- ers began offering health care benefits to employees years ing at 20 percent. So, for every 10 dollars you withhold, ago, and the insurance industry evolved around that busi- you save $3 bucks in taxable income and get an extra $2 ness model. It’s part of the cost of doing business for those dumped into your HSA. So withholding $2,000 per year companies. Some Americans get their health care cover- would amount to $2,400 in your HSA. Throughout the year, age from the government through a series of you pay for your doctor visits and prescriptions out programs that cover veterans, active troops, the of the HSA. If you spend all of your HSA and need elderly, disabled, the poor, children and expect- more, hey, put it on your credit card. But once ant mothers. Everyone else either gets private you hit $5,000, insurance takes over. If you don’t insurance, which can be far more costly than spend it all, you can buy Christmas presents with it group insurance, or risks bankruptcy if socked by or roll it over into the next year, depending on how bills associated with a major illness. These are the healthy you are. Look what happens here. First of people who are more likely to put off preventive measures all, you are now a consumer of health care. You will shop and early diagnoses and instead treat the emergency room around. If your doctor charges $75 for an office visit and as a family doctor. They get their care at the most costly the doctor down the street charges $50, change. If pre- venue and from providers trained in a different specialty scriptions are cheaper here than there, you’ll go here. And than family practitioners. The unemployed who either lost if that knee isn’t really hurting all that bad, you might forgo their health care benefits along with the jobs or never had the x-ray. And if you don’t have a fever with that scratchy it in the first place are at risk of not getting the medical throat, you might just let it run its course instead of rush- care they need. They simply can’t afford it. And with the ing off to get a prescription. And since you’re now paying unemployment rate so high -- with more than one in 10 for your own health care, you might be inclined try a little Hoosiers in the labor pool out of work -- it’s a big problem. more preventive maintenance. Maybe eat a little better, On the other hand, creating a new entitlement program lose a little weight, stop smoking or cut back on the booze. could drive up corporate taxes and other costs as well as All of these things would work to lower costs of health v individual income taxes, which could then create more care. Simple rules of supply and demand start to apply. pressure to cut labor costs. It’s a difficult decision that must not be rushed. Normally, I’m unhappy when lawmak- Dale Moss, Louisville Courier-Journal : Larry ers fail to meet a deadline. But the deadline for Congress Wilder sat near the coffee shop window, alongside a busy to pass this reform before its August recess just wasn’t Jeffersonville sidewalk. He wore a seersucker suit, shot the realistic. The United States needs health care reform, but breeze like he owns the place. You figured he’d be lying take the time to do it right. Make certain the model that low? Figure again. No matter that the already high-pro- emerges is right not just for now but also for the future. file lawyer ended up one June night passed out drunk in This is a major change that must not be hastily cobbled a neighbor’s garbage can — with photos of the spectacle together. I guess that puts me somewhere between the soon surfacing across the world, thanks to the Internet. He militant Republicans and Libertarians who don’t want laughs: “I heard I was the third (most popular) hit on You- government in the health care business and Democrats and Tube in Sweden.” Wilder, 48 and divorced, worries about other progressives who want the government to make sure the impact on his three children, high school and college- all Americans are quickly given health care coverage. Let’s age, and wonders how the episode will play in his obitu- work on health care reform, but let’s keep an eye on that ary — what its ultimate price might be. But he does not unemployment rate, too. v wonder if he can live down the embarrassment, get past the snickers. If anyone can be ready for a personal gaffe Gary Gerard, Warsaw Times-Union : here’s my this publicly gigantic, Wilder apparently is. “I’ve always idea for health care reform. Let’s make health insurance been self-deprecating,” he said. “It’s not something I’ve more like car insurance. When you need a tuneup or a bat- had to learn.” People who keep their wits also tend to keep tery or even a transmission or an air conditioner compres- out of the trash, of course. Wilder says he is not really that sor, you don’t call your auto insurance company. You shop wild a guy. “It’s way off the charts for what’s normal for around for an auto mechanic and you get it fixed. Maybe me,” he said. Yet, he accepts responsibility, acknowledging you have to put it on your credit card, but you pay for it. that he chose to join acquaintances for dinner and drinks Let’s do health care like that. Everybody gets a $5,000 in Louisville. “The facts are what they are,” Wilder said. “I v deductible major medical insurance plan to take care of ended up where I ended up.” HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 14 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

establishing their identity and lawful bers from the Lafayette-based Citizens Pro health reform status, Social Security number and in Action group traveled to Indianapo- ad campaign begins residency. Daniels said Wednesday lis Wednesday to take part in a protest WASHINGTON - A new coali- that after some internal discussion and against health care reform legislation tion on Thursday is launching $12 mil- customer feedback, the state will allow moving through Congress (Lafayette lion in television ads to support Presi- those renewing driver’s licenses or IDs Journal & Courier). Standing outside dent Barack to obtain a non-compliant card without the offices of Indiana’s U.S. sena - Obama’s providing the additional documenta- tors, they waved their signs saying health-re- tion. A non-compliant card will contain “honk for less government spending” form plan, in a statement that it is not for federal and “the government is coming, the the opening identification, but it will allow Hoosiers government is coming.” The Lafayette wave of a to drive legally and to vote. group, which earlier organized “tea planned tens parties” to protest government spend- of millions of ing, stood alongside other protesters dollars this IBM officials hear from across Central Indiana, for a total fall (Politico). from lawmakers of about 75 protesters. Donn Brown, The new group, funded largely by INDIANAPOLIS - Southwest- director of operations for the group, the pharmaceutical industry, is called ern Indiana lawmakers, hospitals and said the protest was organized be- Americans for Stable Quality Care. It social services agencies ramped up cause Sens. , a Republi- includes some odd bedfellows: the the pressure on the companies hired can, and Evan Bayh, a Democrat, will American Medical Association, Fami- to modernize Indiana’s welfare agency not hold community forums to discuss liesUSA, the Federation of American during a closed-door meeting earlier the legislation. “We don’t feel like they Hospitals, PhRMA and SEIU, the ser- this week (Bradner, Evansville Courier are working hard enough against this vice employees’ union. The ads start & Press). Family and Social Services health care bill,” Brown said. airing at about 11 a.m. ET Thursday. Administration Secretary Anne Mur- The group is likely to be the biggest phy brought officials from IBM Corp. spender in support of health reform. and Affiliated Computer Services Inc., Carbon Motors seeks The campaign will serve as a counter- the companies working on a 10-year $310M loan from feds weight to the critics at town meetings, contract that now tops $1.3 billion, to CONNERSVILLE - The compa- which are getting saturation news cov- Tuesday’s meeting so they could hear ny that is planning to build a police-car erage while Congress is out of town. from those who are affected by the manufacturing plant in Connersville is In a reversal from former President Bill problems plaguing the new system. applying for a $310 million loan (India- Clinton’s 1993-94 health-care debacle, “We wanted them to see the impor- napolis Star). Carbon Motors filed the the group’s campaign is likely to mean tance of turning this ship around, face application, filed with U.S. Department that White House supporters keep the to face,” said FSSA spokesman Marcus of Energy, so it can produce the high- upper hand on the airwaves. Barlow. “We wanted them to talk to tech Carbon E7 police cruisers inside the people who are dealing with these a mothballed facility in struggling issues every day.” After the meet- Fayette County, where unemployment Daniels announces ing, state lawmakers said they sent levels have been hovering above 16 BMV license changes the message they want more go-to percent. Thousands of Connersville INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Mitch specialists and fewer hands touch- residents gathered for the announce- Daniels on Wednesday rolled back a ing problematic or confusing cases. ment in the former Visteon plant July key portion of an initiative to tighten “They need to reintroduce that human 29 to cheer on plans that would bring the process of obtaining Indiana driv- element, try to take what is working 1,300 jobs to town. Carbon Motors er’s licenses and ID cards (Fort Wayne in counties that haven’t been mod- needs the money to revamp the 1.8 Journal Gazette). Last month, the ernized and blend that into counties million square-foot-facility. Their ap- Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced that have,” said Rep. , plication was expected. that beginning in January, all Hoo- R-Evansville. siers who renew, amend or apply for Obama challenges a driver’s license or identification card Anti reform group would receive a card that complies Hill in hoops with new federal identification rules. protests Bayh, Lugar COLUMBUS - U.S. Rep. Baron But to get that card, they would have LAFAYETTE - About 10 mem- Hill, D-Ind., made a name for himself to provide a number of documents HOWEY Politics Indiana

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in high school as a standout guard for Hayes, his authorized biographer. “Now response to the potential exposure Seymour’s basketball team (Colum- we’re talking about after we’ve left of- of Indiana National Guardsmen to bus Republic). Now President Barack fice. I have strong feelings about what a deadly chemical in Iraq (Gannett Obama wants to see the Indiana happened. ... And I don’t have any News Service). The senators said Basketball Hall of Fame member in reason not to forthrightly express those they believe the conduct of the action. Obama invited Hill to play in a views.” Army and military contractor KBR pickup game sometime after members may have caused hundreds of U.S. of Congress return from their August troops to be exposed to dangerous break. “The president called me the Gingrich, Goldsmith levels of cancer-causing sodium other day (at my house), and I talked position for 2012 dichromate. to him ... and he invited me to play WASHINGTON - Former House basketball with him,” Hill said in Co- Speaker Newt Gingrich who is openly lumbus recently, adding that his heart considering a run for president in 2012, CIB still faces beat hard for three minutes. “I want will participate in a “four-part course huge challenges to prove to him that short people can on the principles necessary to funda- INDIANAPOLIS - After a se- play basketball, too.” mentally change how to think about ries of painful budget cuts, months and implement government policies of political wrangling by state Bush stopped taking and budgets,” today at the American lawmakers and a precariously close Enterprise Institute (Cillizza, Washington vote by the City-County Council, Cheney’s advice Post). Gingrich, who will be joined today now comes the hard part for the WASHINGTON - Former Vice by former Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Capital Improvement Board (India- President Dick Cheney believes his Goldsmith, is positioning himself as napolis Star). The fact is, the CIB, old boss, President George W. Bush, the ideas guy/policy wonk of the 2012 which oversees the city’s stadiums gradually turned away from his advice Republican field. and the Indiana Convention Center, during their second term in the White still faces enormous challenges. House, showing a surprising inde- Among the most difficult will be pendence as he started taking more Bayh says HUD will hammering out a new financial flexible positions on a range of is - use Gary as template agreement with the Indiana Pacers, sues, The Washington Post reported GARY - Sen. Evan Bayh says the who, after years of losses, say they Wednesday. Cheney, often described U.S. Department of Housing and Urban can no longer bear the entire $15 as the most influential vice president Development has established a “Gary million cost of operating Conseco in U.S. history, has been discussing his Project” that will try to turn the gritty Fieldhouse. But that’s not all. The years in office in informal talks with lakefront city into a national model CIB also is facing mounting pres- authors, diplomats, policy experts and for urban revitalization. Bayh told The sure from the Indianapolis Con- past colleagues, the Post said, as he Times of Merrillville that he was notified vention & Visitors Association for works on a memoir due out in 2011 Wednesday by HUD Deputy Secretary funding to promote the expanded from Simon & Schuster’s Threshold Ron Sims that the agency plans to as- convention center. Editions. Robert Barnett, who negoti- semble a team of national experts by ated Cheney’s book contract, passed mid-September that will look at Gary’s word to potential publishers that the urban decay and bringing economic Gary monitor to memoir would be packed with news, development to the city. He said HUD cost $320k said the article published on the Post officials would like to make the project a GARY - The city is negotiat- Web site, and Cheney himself has national example. They feel if they can ing a contract with a Philadelphia said, without explanation, that “the get Gary on the right track, they can firm offering to serve as the new statute of limitations has expired” on apply they lessons they learn elsewhere. fiscal monitor Gary is required to many of his secrets. The book will hire by a state tax appeals board cover Cheney’s long career from chief (Post-Tribune). Public Financial of staff under President Gerald Ford Pro health reform Management Inc. was one of seven to vice president under Bush. “When companies to bid for the job in the president made decisions that I ad campaign begins WASHINGTON - Indiana Sen. July. It said a 90-day review of the didn’t agree with, I still supported him Evan Bayh and four other Democratic status of Gary’s finances could cost and didn’t go out and undercut him,” senators have asked the Pentagon’s $320,000. v Cheney said, according to Stephen inspector general to review the Army’s