Friday, July 30, 2004
Volume 10, Number 48 Page 1 of 9 he Combative Kerry T talks war & values Howey But expect dead heat for home stretch By JACK COLWELL in Boston and BRIAN A. HOWEY in Indianapolis Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry shoul- Political dered into the debate of strength and security, coming on to the primetime stage with a salute and saying, “I’m John Kerry and I’m reporting for duty.” Report Kerry sent a number of shots across the bow of the Bush-Cheney campaign, hawkishly stressing his willingness The Howey Political Report is published by NewsLink to serve and fight in Vietnam, and claiming he would best Inc. Founded in 1994, The Howey Political Report is preserve American “values” in “reclaiming our democracy” an independent, non-partisan newsletter analyzing the political process in Indiana. and questioning the president’s honesty, a Bush charge against Clinton-Gore in 2000. “Values are not just words,” Brian A. Howey, publisher Kerry said at one point. At another, Kerry suggested Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington writer President Bush misled the nation into war saying, “As presi- Jack E. Howey, editor dent, I will wage this war with the lessons I learned in war. Before you go to battle, you have to be able to look a parent The Howey Political Report Office: 317-254-1533 PO Box 40265 Fax: 317-254-0535 in the eye and truthfully say: ‘I tried everything possible to Indianapolis, IN 46240-0265 Mobile: 317-506-0883 avoid sending your son or daughter into harm's way. But we [email protected] had no choice.’ And on my first day in office, I will send a www.howeypolitics.com message to every man and woman in our armed forces: You will never be asked to fight a war without a plan to win the Washington office: 202-775-3242; Business office: 317-254-0535. peace.” “Now I know there are those who criticize me for Subscriptions: $350 annually via e-mail; seeing complexities -- and I do -- because some issues just $550 annually including the HPR Daily aren't all that simple,” he said. “Saying there are weapons of Wire. Call 317-254-1533 or 254-0535. mass destruction in Iraq doesn't make it so.” © 2004, The Howey Political Report. All rights Toward the end of his speech, Kerry took a swipe at reserved. Photocopying, Internet forwarding, faxing or President Bush, who is titular head of the American reproducing in any form, in whole or in part, is a viola- Christian movement. “I don't want to claim that God is on tion of federal law and is strictly prohibited without our side,” Kerry said. “As Abraham Lincoln told us, I want consent of the publisher.

Ticker: Zogby shows Bush decline p. 2 “That’s a very speculative question. I’d have to Q&A with Jack Colwell p. 3 think about it.” Columnists: James, Schram p. 4 - 9/11 Commissioner Lee Hamilton, on Horse Race: Lee asks Tincher to stop whether he would serve as head of a new intelli- running push phone calls p. 8 gence agency, to NBC’s Tim Russert Friday, July 30, 2004 Page 2 of 9

to pray humbly that we are on God's Last of the ‘old’ HPR side.” This is the last edition of HPR and He promised to increase the size the HPR Daily Wire as you’ve of the military by 40,000 troops, and dou- known them. On Aug. 12, watch for ble the size of Special Forces. the debut of the new redesigned On the domestic side, he drew HPR, efficient, easier to read, with ZOGBY POLL SHOWS another line with Bush over stem cell BUSH LOSING GROUND: research, asking, “What if we had a presi- photos and advertising panels While the Democratic dent who believed in science?” aimed at the most influential peo- National Convention was ple in Indiana politics. under way, the Republican Indiana delegates celebrated into ticket of George W. Bush the early morning hours at Sidney's Grille and Dick Cheneylost some at the delegation's hotel in Cambridge, reported that Bush “has enjoyed his great- ground to John Kerry and offering toasts to John Kerry as the next est political strengths: national security John Edwards, a poll president and hailing his Friday night and social values. Rather than shying showed Thursday. The poll acceptance speech as a home run. away from ground that has sometimes by Zogby America showed Most delegates didn't get back to been shaky for Democrats, Mr. Kerry that though the Democratic the hotel after the lengthy convention ses- planted his own flag in a forceful and at ticket didn't gain points dur- sion until midnight in Boston. But that ing the four-day convention, times combative speech.” didn't prevent a celebration of what they the Republicans lost three NBC’s Tim Russert said Kerry’s considered a successful convention at percentage points to the challenge was to humanize himself and which party unity prevailed. “I thought it undecided category. The offer voters specifics. “He gave of himself was a home run,” Indiana First Lady poll of 1,001 likely voters and quite successfully. He’s running to the conducted from Monday Maggie Kernan said of the Kerry speech. right of Bush on the military. He had the through Thursday found And she said resulting popularity for passion and toughness to be formidable Kerry-Edwards leading Kerry will help husband Joe Kernan in the this fall,” Russert said. Bush-Cheney 48 percent to governor race. “As Kerry's strength 43 percent, with 8 percent grows, sure it helps Joe,” she said. How this presidential race unfolds undecided. Mike Harmless, the delegation remains to be seen. Russert expects a “4 to 5 point” bump for Kerry prior to the KERRY DOES WELL WITH chairman, was pleased with Kerry's “extraordinary speech.” He added: “As a Olympics in mid-August. That compares LUNTZ FOCUS GROUP IN to a 16-point bump Bill Clinton got in OHIO: Democratic veteran, I was so proud of Kerry's com- 1992, 17 points for Michael Dukakis in Presidential nominee John ments on health care for veterans. When Kerry did pretty well, they put their lives on the line, we have to 1988 and 8 points for Al Gore in 2000. according to a focus group start treating our veterans better.” The difference this year is that of 20 swing voters in pivotal Many commentators agreed, Mark both parties are virtually united -- to the Ohio -- 14 of the 20 gave the Shields of PBS observed, “Kerry had to 90th percentile -- behind Bush and Kerry, speech favorable reviews give the speech of his life and he did.” leaving that 10 percent of undecided and just six turned thumbs- The Los Angeles Times reported, swing voters left to decide the election. As down, said pollster Frank in 1980, that could occur in the final days Luntz conducted the focus the speech “seemed the political equiva- of the campaign, when almost all undecid- group for MSNBC (New lent of a surprise attack on an enemy's York Post). Four of the strongest point,” signaling Kerry's “deter- eds broke for the challenger, Ronald swing voters switched to mination to fight the fall campaign on ter- Reagan, over the embattled President Kerry after the speech and rain that the White House has long Jimmy Carter. one switched to Bush, assumed would belong to President Bush: Events on the ground in Iraq, ter- added Luntz, who predicted strength, integrity, values and the prosecu- ror strikes Americans have been told are that Kerry “will get a tion of the war on terror.” virtually inevitable, and the condition of bounce (in polls) over the The Wall Street Journal observed the American economy present three wild- next few days, but not as cards that could determine the outcome of much as Al Gore in 2000." that “at one point, Mr. Kerry appeared to belittle Mr. Bush's record as commander this dramatic election which is now, in Continued on page 3 in chief.” The conservative newspaper HPR parlance, a true tossup.  Page 3 of 9 Friday, July 30, 2004

Democratic Convention over; questions remain By JACK COLWELL the polls will be an indication of that. The The Howey Political Report speech was well written, a skillful attempt BOSTON - The Democratic to inoculate Kerry against the very attacks National Convention is over. Questions Bush strategists are expected to launch remain. against him. Delivery was good. I'd say it Q. Did Democrats get the bounce was a home run, but maybe not a grand KERRY SPEECH LEAVES in popularity they needed, that rise in the slam. OPENINGS FOR GOP: The polls that traditionally follows a party's Q. Who gave the best speech? Kerry speech left openings convention? A. This was a convention of good Republicans will seek to A. Probably so. Polls you will speeches. The keynote address by Barack exploit in the weeks ahead hear about today and in the next few days Obama, previously a little known state (Ron Brownstein, Los will vary, but the convention was a suc- legislator from Illinois, was outstanding Angeles Times). It offered no new details on Kerry's cess in most respects. Pundits will argue and is being compared with the great plans for stabilizing Iraq. over what any bounce means and over keynote address of Mario Cuomo in 1984. Nor did Kerry clearly say whether Republicans will bounce right John Edwards did what he was expected whether he believed the war back at their convention later is New to do and appears to have been a good was a mistake. Moreover, York. choice by Kerry for a running mate. Bill "Kerry said little about his Q. Were there a bunch of argu- Clinton showed again that he is a master career in the Senate -- thus ments and disagreements like Democrats of convention speeches. And Kerry must providing little new defense usually have at their conventions or did be considered for top honors with his for a voting record the Bush they leave in unity? acceptance speech. Others were good as campaign has harshly criti- A. Unity. This was the 10th well, and most were “on message,” stick- cized. And by placing greater emphasis on new Democratic Convention I've covered. The ing to a theme of bringing America spending proposals than first was in 1968, when battles raged in together to face challenges at home and how he would pay for them, the streets of Chicago. Others, while lack- abroad. he could leave some voters ing violence, have usually featured splits Q. Is there any possibility of wondering whether he can and squabbling. At this one, Democrats Kerry winning in Indiana? fund his agenda solely by were together as never before. A. Sure. There always is a possi- rescinding Bush's tax cuts Q. What brought them together bility. But it's kind of like the possibility for the affluent." this time? of the pace car at the Indy 500 continuing A. Hostility toward the policies of to race and win. Indiana, while electing WASHINGTON POST EDI- President Bush, both domestic and for- many Democrats statewide, just doesn't TORIALIZED ON KERRY’S ‘MISSED OPPORTUNITY’: eign. They dislike and distrust Bush. It's go for Democratic presidential tickets. Under the headline "Missed not like some past Democratic conven- The last time was 1964. If Kerry takes Opportunity," the tions, when Democrats wanted to beat Indiana it will be amid a Democratic land- Washington Post editorial- Republicans such as Ronald Reagan but slide, something that seems highly unlike- izes, "Kerry therefore didn't really have loathing for him. They ly. sought above all to make loath Bush. Q. How about Sen. Evan Bayh, the case that he could be Q. How did Kerry do in his all- who gave the keynote address in 1996 and trusted to lead a nation at important moment in the national spot- has been called a rising star in the party? war, and rightly so; he and light with his nomination acceptance Is he still on the list in speculation for a Mr. Bush must be judged speech? future presidential ticket? first and foremost on those grounds. But on that basis, A. Democratic delegates were A. He's still on the list, but a little though Mr. Kerry spoke delighted with the speech, calling it a farther down. Although Indiana delegates confidently and eloquently, home run. How it played in homes around hailed the kenote performance of Obama, his speech was a disap- the country where it was watched on TV some did have one lament, that Obama pointment." Kerry "last is more important than the reaction in the perhaps burns as a brighter star than night eluded the charged convention hall. The size of the bounce in  Bayh. continued on page 4 Friday, July 30, 2004 Page 4 of 9 911 Commission momentum lags in CD races

By MARK SCHOEFF JR. dations into the race. “When Congress The Howey Political Report begins to implement these things in legis- WASHINGTON -- Although the lation, that's when I think you'll see it campaigns of President Bush and start to become an issue in some congres- question of whether, as president, he would have Democratic presidential nominee John sional campaigns,” said Tim Henderson, gone to war in Iraq. He Kerry have jumped out of the blocks in a Jennings' campaign manager. offered not a word to cele- race to embrace the report of the Sept. 11 Hostettler's organization would brate the freeing of Afghans commission, it may take a while for simi- not address the 9/11 report. “It's not from the Taliban, or Iraqis lar momentum to build in congressional something we're going to talk about in the from Saddam Hussein, and races. campaign,” said campaign manager David not a word about helping The bipartisan, 10-person panel Sherfick. He referred questions to either nation toward democ- last week released its plan to overhaul Hostettler's congressional office, which racy. ... Nor did Mr. Kerry's U.S. intelligence in a starburst of publici- did not respond to an HPR interview statements about future ty, inspiring vows from members of request. threats do justice to the complexity of today's chal- Congress to hold hearings as quickly as In CD 9, the 9/11 commission is lenge." Kerry "will be next week and to introduce legislation as “an important issue, and it's an extension judged in part on how he early as September. Members of the com- of the people's interest in the war in chose to present himself mission, which included former Hoosier Iraq,” said Kevin Boehnlein, campaign last night, and on that Democratic Reps. Lee Hamilton, the vice manager for Republican challenger Mike score, while he may have chairman, and Tim Roemer, will continue Sodrel. But discourse on the proposals been politically effective, he to promote the commission's recommen- may be limited. “(Sodrel) thinks it will be missed an opportunity to dations across the nation. nearly impossible to address the reforms demonstrate the kind of But an informal survey of Indiana in a substantive way at this point because leadership the nation congressional campaigns indicates that of the partisanship of the campaign,” said needs." several candidates have not had time to Boehnlein, who ranked jobs, moral-value KERRY-EDWARDS read the 567-page report and don't have debates like same-sex marriage, and the EMBARK ON 21-STATE immediate plans to push it to the forefront war in Iraq as the top issues in the district. TOUR: Looking to reprise of their agenda. Terrorism and homeland One candidate who did release a the post-convention bus security are significant issues, but not the statement on the 9/11 commission was ride success of the last top voter concerns. Democrat Melina Fox in CD 6. In her July Democratic president, Sens. 26 announcement, she called on Bush and John Kerry and John Economy Trumps Security Kerry to hold a summit on the 9/11 com- Edwards on Friday will mission recommendations and then act launch a whirlwind Boston- “In my district, the economy is quickly. She also criticized incumbent to-Seattle tour, traveling by still the most important thing,” said bus, boat and train through Republican Rep. Chris Chocola (CD 2), Republican Rep. Mike Pence for opposing some of the most competi- who represents most of Roemer's former the commission when Congress created it tive states in this election district and had a favorable reaction to the in 2002. Last week, Pence praised the (Kansas City Star). Kerry report. Homeland security strikes a 9/11 report and joined several colleagues and Edwards "will travel chord, but "it's not the driving issue.” in supporting prompt hearings. first by bus to Pennsyl- In CD 8, voters have not brought Fox intends to press Pence. “I will vania, then on to West up the 9/11 commission report with keep asking Mike why didn't you support Virginia, ending in Michigan Democratic candidate Jon Jennings. The the commission in the first place, if you on Sunday. They'll cam- firmly support homeland security,” she paign separately after that, top issues in the race between Jennings said in an interview. then rejoin Thursday in St. and incumbent Republican Rep. John Louis to start a train trip to Hostettler are the economy, health care, the Rockies. Altogether, the education, and terrorism and homeland Absorbing the Substance two plan to visit 21 closely security. It may take congressional action One challenge to promoting the divided states in 15 days to insert the 9/11 commission recommen- 9/11 commission report is that it addresses continued on page 5 Page 5 of 9 Friday, July 30, 2004 complex policies. A riveting narrative that to the result, and the result is a safer explains how the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks America.” occurred is a highlight of the 567-page report, which doles out blame for the Hamilton to Push Congress tragedy to both the Clinton and Bush Chocola's Democratic opponent, administrations. “The most important Joe Donelly, said the onus is on Congress that could determine the failure was one of imagination,” the report to move swiftly. "It is imperative that outcome of the November states. “We do not believe leaders under- Congress take action on the commission's election. According to stood the gravity of the threat.” The report recent polls of 18 battle- recommendations immediately," he said in examines intelligence, law enforcement, ground states, Kerry leads an e-mail interview. “The House aviation security, and diplomacy, among in nine, Bush in five and the Republican leadership has made vague other areas, and is based on thousands of two are even in four. commitments to deal with the commis- interviews and several hearings over 20 sion's findings sometime in the months BAYH PUSHING ‘THIRD months. ahead, but they just adjourned for a WAY’ AT CONVENTION: The commission recommends month-long recess. I fear that the delays TIME reports, The last place improving government coordination and you'd expect to hear a politi- we are now seeing in Washington could information-sharing to prevent future cian promoting a centrist attacks by appointing a national intelli- cost lives down the road.” initiative to seek bipartisan gence director, establishing a national Hamilton intends to hold solutions is at a political counterterrorism center, and concentrating Congress' feet to the fire by maintaining a party convention. But here congressional authority and funding of high public profile. “I've got about 100 was Indiana Democrat intelligence into one committee in the invitation to speak that I've got to sort Senator Evan Bayh telling TIME that he's trying to form House and Senate. Fulfilling each man- through,” he said. “We really think the time is right for major structural change just such a group of legisla- date will require demolishing numerous tors. These Democrats in the intelligence community. I don't bureaucratic walls and reallocating politi- would reach out to GOP cal turf in Washington. know that we have all the answers...if moderates in search of con- “There needs to be a substantive you put it all together, there's a conver- sensus -- and a voting block debate on the recommendations,” said gence of factors that would indicate in the Senate -- for middle- Chocola. “People involved in intelligence that the ferment is there to make major of -the-road compromises to deserve some input. We need to manage changes.”  break gridlock. Bayh, a leader of the New Democrat movement and the chairman Hamilton lauded for work on 9/11 Commission of the centrist Democratic By MARK SCHOEFF JR. Leadership Council (DLC), WASHINGTON - Congressional leaders lavished praise on the 9/11 commis- is calling his new group The sion last week when it released its study. “This is a straight-talking, tough, bold, non- Third Way. Bayh insists The partisan report,” said Democratic Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman in endorsing the Third Way group he wants 567- page document. “Tom and Lee and other members of the commission have done to form in the Senate won't extraordinary service to their nation in bringing it forward,” he said, referring to be a think tank like the DLC, but rather a “results-orient- Republican commission chairman Tom Kean, former governor of New Jersey, and for- ed voting bloc intended to mer Democratic Hoosier Rep. Lee Hamilton. achieve deadlock-breaking In typical understated fashion, Hamilton shared credit for achieving consen- compromise bills on such sus among the five Republicans and five Democrats on the 20-month commission. “We critical issues as health just spent hours and hours talking,” he said in an HPR interview after a Capitol Hill care, education and the news conference on July 22. “Every line of that report we have gone over not once, budget." but in some cases six or seven times. In every case, at least a couple of times. There's no magic here.” ANDREW NOT WORRIED He and Kean will now develop a plan to build support for the recommenda- ABOUT ‘LIBERAL’ tions, including raising money to hire a staff. But he is not ready to rank the commis- BOSTON: Joe Andrew, who was Democratic National sion's work among his other achievements in his four decades of public service. “I won't answer that until I know how well we do on the implementation.”  continued on page 6 Page 6 of 9 Friday, July 30, 2004 Remembering the 911 prophet ... Sen. Lugar

By BRIAN A. HOWEY “Topping our priorities must be to It’s always interesting when old make certain that all weapons and materi- political rivals come together. als of mass destruction are identified, con- At item by Sylvia Smith in the tinuously guarded, and systematically Chairman during the party's Fort Wayne Journal Gazette caught our destroyed, so to keep them out of the last convention, praised the attention this past week. Birch Bayh had hands of terrorists,” Lugar continued. unity this time. Factions not only donated $1,000 to the campaign “Expanding and globalizing the Nunn- that squabbled four years ago were together on the of U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, but had actu- Lugar program can help accomplish this.” cause of defeating ally hosted a fundraiser. The two were The report, coming in the midst of President Bush this time, opponents in the 1974 U.S. Senate race, the 2004 presidential campaign with the Andrew said. He also said with Sen. Bayh defeating the Republican. U.S. involved in a War on Terror, brought worries that holding the “He has been very courteous, and back memories of when Lugar ran for conven his staff has been very helpful on a variety president in 1996, as Bayh had in 1972. tion in Boston would help of matters in the last several years,” Bayh Remember 1996? That was the pin a “liberal” label on the told the Journal Gazette. year folks wondered why anyone dare proceedings were baseless. The story went on to say how waste their time talking foreign affairs. The convention site means Lugar’s campaign began the same day of nothing either way in terms other prominent donors, such as Bren of later vote results, Andrew Simon (who, incidentally, along with hus- the Oklahoma City terror attack. Before said. He noted that band Mel, joined the $1 million platinum he would quietly withdraw following an Republicans held their con- donors to the Democratic National anemic showing in the New Hampshire vention in Philadelphia last Convention), have also donated to Lugar, primary, Lugar brought voters in the time and then lost who won’t be on the ballot again until Granite State and in Iowa a frightening Pennsylvania. 2006. glimpse of the future. As Michael Why does Lugar transcend mere Crowley recounted in a 2002 New ANDREW PLAYING BALL politics and the divisions of political par- Republic article, in December 1995, Lugar WITH HIS KIDS: Joe Andrew ties? Because he may go down in history ran a four-part ad campaign telling the is certainly not as visible on as one of the greatest members of the U.S. story, docudrama-style, of terrorists who the national and state Democratic scene as he Senate, and people across the spectrum in steal three Russian nuclear warheads and used to be, and it seemed Indiana recognize that. threaten to detonate them in the United like he disappeared alto- After the 9/11 Commission States. In one spot, a little girl plaintively gether after he dropped his released its report last week, there was asks at bedtime, “Mommy, won't the bid for governor (Mike Lugar quick to remind the world commu- bomb wake everybody up?” Others Smith, Associated Press). nity that his Nunn-Lugar Act has been depicted panicky aides begging a befud- The former state and nation- responsible for the destruction of more dled president for guidance. And no, this al Democratic chairman than 6,000 old Soviet nuclear warheads. was not directed by Michael Moore. says he has practiced more “The 9/11 Commission report pro- As Crowley recounted: And so law lately and spent more time on "softball and base- vides a useful historical record,” Lugar the ads concluded with Lugar, looking ball with my kids than I explained. “More importantly, the solemn -- and, back then, vaguely ridicu- have done before." That President, the Congress, and all U.S. and lous -- issuing his grave warning: does not mean he has not international institutions engaged in the “Nobody wants to talk about nuclear ter- been active in the political war on terror, must focus on the future. rorism. But hiding from it won't make it realm. Andrew said he has The Commission makes many recommen- go away.” played host to some fund- dations -- including expansion of the The writer explained, “In those raisers for Gov. Joe Kernan Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat blissfully ignorant days, Lugar's dooms- and Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis, Reduction program -- that will need to be day ads felt like a desperate, even plans one soon for Indiana exploitative, ploy.” Crowley apologized. Democratic attorney general considered, along with steps already taken nominee Joe Hogsett, and since 9/11, and recommendations made by “Dick Lugar, bless him, saw this coming a others.” decade ago.”  Page 7 of 9 Friday, July 30, 2004

Rich James, Post-Tribune - I’ve been brought on by unemployment, I flashed thinking a lot about race lately and the back to Gary. The movie won’t turn any role it plays on both the local and nation- Republicans into Democrats, but it al political scenes. My frame of reference should energize the blacks in Flint. And will help in any other way the party wants. "If I've appeared starts in 1995 in Gary and continues Gary. If you don’t have hope, you don’t have much.  to drop out of the scene, it's through today. That is the year the people only a product of a busy of Gary first did what few thought was summer with my kids," possible: elect the great white hope as Martin Schram, Scripps Howard - Andrew said Wednesday in a mayor. I suspect it was a desperation vote At times, in the past two decades, I want- teleconference from the as much as anything that resulted in the ed him to run for president or vice presi- Democratic National election of Scott King as mayor. After 20 dent. Always, I wanted him to be secre- Convention in Boston. years of Richard Hatcher at the helm and Andrew said he did not know tary of state. But now, most urgently, much about the internal eight under Thomas Barnes’ leadership, President Bush should want former the city had hit an all-time low. Gary workings of the Kernan cam- Congressman Lee Hamilton, who just paign, but said it appeared Democratic Chairman Rudy Clay said finished serving as vice chair of the Sept. the governor was doing the before the 1995 Democratic primary that 11 commission, to be America's newly right things in his run for a he knew there was considerable support created, Cabinet-level national intelli- full term. "That is first and for King, because the people liked what gence director. In fact, the president foremost to be a strong and he was saying and because he was white. should announce Hamilton's nomination successful governor, “I think it is because a lot of people I -- right now! -- so the Indiana Democrat, because he is running as an incumbent governor," have talked to are saying we (blacks) who has long won plaudits for states- Andrew said. He said many have had mayors over the last 28 years manship and bipartisanship in a capital and they are not satisfied with what we people he had talked to at city that rarely experiences either, can the convention from other have here and they are saying we want a begin directing the urgent restructuring of states were impressed with 180-degree change,” Clay said. Clay was the intelligence agencies that collectively Kernan, and recognized the right. King won easily and now is in his failed us prior to the terrorist attacks on importance of the race in third term as mayor. State Rep. Vernon the U.S. mainland.  Indiana. "From a national Smith took on King in 1999, promptly perspective, (Kernan's run) played the race card, and got a pathetic couldn't be going any bet- Sylvia Smith, Fort Wayne Journal 29 percent of the vote. Four years later, ter," he said. Karen Freeman-Wilson played her own Gazette - But for Congress and bureau- version of the race card and pulled a pal- cracies intent on turf protection, this TITLE I SCHOOLS DO BET- try 27 percent of the vote. In 1995, King (9/11 Commission Report) is seismic. To TER: The number of under- make it happen, voters will have to ask performing Indiana schools offered the city what it hadn’t had for serving the state's poorest years: hope. So what’s the point, you their politicians if they support the pro- students dropped for a sec- ask? Although all of the above players posal, and, more important, what they’re ond consecutive year, but are Democrats, the point is that if a can- doing about it. Don’t get put off by officials warn that tougher didate wants the black vote, he or she excuses that change in institutions takes standards could push that better have something to offer, other than time. It took less than six weeks for number back up in the skin color. I thought a lot about Gary as I Congress to pass and Bush to sign the future. So-called Title I watched “Fahrenheit 9/11.” What I saw Patriot Act, which strips Americans of schools receive federal edu- made me sad. Made me sick. There were long-held, but obviously not universally cation grants based on the percentage of low-income several scenes shot in Flint, Mich., which cherished, freedoms. But the prospect of children enrolled. The num- relinquishing congressional power? Hah. happens to be producer Michael Moore’s ber of those schools cited hometown. As the cameras panned the “Taking power away from some people – for poor performance streets of Flint, showing the decay that’s tough in this town,” Kean said.  Friday, July 30, 2004 Page 8 of 9 2004 Racing Form Indiana 2004 Gubernatorial Republican: Mitch Daniels. Democrat: Gov. Joe Kernan. statewide dropped from 97 Governor 2004: to 77, state officials Libertarian: Kenn Gividen. 1996 Results: O’Bannon (D) 1,075,342, Goldsmith (R) 997,505, announced Thursday Dillon (L) 35,261. 2000 Results: O’Bannon (D) 1,230,345, McIntosh (R) 906,492, Horning (L) (Indianapolis Star). During 38,686. 2004 Forecast: Soooooo ... was Gov. Kernan’s 2 percent property tax circuit-breaker the 2001-02 school year, 208 proposal he made in Lake County ... political? Duh. Of course it was political. “That's good for schools receiving the feder- Indiana,” said House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer in Boston, noting that areas where homeowners al funds were cited for their will be helped the most are in “pretty solid poor performance. Democratic areas.” Kernan was heeding the pleas of taxpayers -- mostly Democrats -- in FORT WAYNE SCHOOLS Lake (The circuit-breaker plan would be avail- FLUNK NCLB: More schools able statewide, but of the 35,108 homes that the in the Fort Wayne administration estimates would qualify for the refunds or credits, 31,243 are in Lake County), St. Community Schools district Joseph and Marion counties, where he will need his base to turn out in order to win. But once failed to make adequate you get beyond the political implications, there are the ones of basic fairness. Like, is it fair to yearly progress in the 2003- ask homeowners who were paying $600 in property taxes one year to pay $3,000 the next? Put 04 school year under the yourself in those folks’ shoes. It wasn’t their fault their homes were under-assessed. I’ve yet to federal No Child Left Behind find a Hoosier taxpayer ... other than Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson ... who sought out the legislation than in the previ- county or township assessor and pleaded with them to raise their property taxes. The Property ous year, while schools in Tax Replacement Board “rubber stamped” the Kernan proposal on Wednesday, as AP’s Mike the East Allen County dis- Smith explained it. And since it is both public policy and “political,” the plan had plenty of crit- trict saw some improvement ics. State Sen. Tom Weatherwax, R-Logansport and a member of the Property Tax Replacement (Fort Wayne Journal Board, called it a “gimmick.” Said House Minority Leader Brian Bosma, “Our staff could find Gazette). Twenty-seven of no statutory authority that would allow the governor to make advances from the Property Tax the 50 schools in the FWCS Replacement Credit Fund or create a new circuit breaker for homeowners.” Said ranking Ways district failed to meet ade- & Means Republican Jeff Espich, “What we have is a desperate and politically motivated quate yearly progress maneuver to help a select few homeowners in politically critical areas of the state. The governor requirements – eight more has no legal authority to take this action and he is displaying a total lack of fiscal responsibility than last year. The district and fairness to taxpayers throughout the state.” Those not aligned with political parties, such as failed as a whole in the sub- Matt Brooks, executive director of the Association of Indiana Counties, were unimpressed. “It's set for black students not a big carrot,” said Brooks (South Bend Tribune). “I don't think many counties will take English, economically dis- advantage of it.” Kernan did use the opportunity when he met with Lake County officials prior advantaged English, limited to the Monday announcement to urge them to “address government spending” and look “at English proficiency and steps that could include consolidating services.” So while the Republicans were accusing the economically disadvantaged Kernan administration of playing favorites on the tax front, Daniels called for a tax amnesty pro- math. Superintendent gram that exists in more than 40 other states. “While Gov. Kernan is focused on providing tax Wendy Robinson said relief and assistance to Hoosiers and businesses that pay their taxes on time, it appears as if this FWCS has had a preliminary is a proposal to provide incentives for the people who don't pay them,” Kernan campaign version of data the state spokeswoman Tina Noel said. Interesting assessment, given the context. The governor had no released Thursday since choice but to seek some kind of resolution to the crisis. While his campaign took issue with last early this year and has been week’s Horse Race about a report that angry people had approached him at a Fourth of July working at problem areas parade, he did have people beseech him last spring in Gary to do something. Had he not, there ever since. School officials would have been a turnout problem on Election Day. And it was telling that Daniels’ criticism of gave building administra- the plan was somewhat muted. There was no press conference by the candidate. The Daniels tors access to the data and campaign was also relatively quiet on the scandal front where former FSSA manager Matthew they began formulating W. Raibley was indicted. While Democrats had charged that Marion County Prosecutor Carl improvement plans for 20 Brizzi was being “political” in his FSSA probe, the fact is had he wanted to be “political,” he days into the school year, could have dropped that indictment this coming fall, and didn’t wait. On the jobs front, Kernan 100 days into the school announced 678 jobs at AutoLiv ASP, Inc., in Columbia City. “It is the men and women who year, and the whole year, work here who drove this decision more than anyone else,” Kernan said (Fort Wayne Journal Robinson said. “We take Gazette). WISH-TV reported that Daniels was sending out one dollar bills to potential donors. this very seriously,” she Page 9 of 9 Friday, July 30, 2004

The letter asks you to return the dollar with an additional contribution, preferably with what the letter calls 'an emergency contribution of at least $2500.” Daniels' campaign manager Bill Oesterle said, “I think it is pretty widely recognized that direct mail tends to use a little more flowery language. The emergency is we're getting to the end of this and we can use whatever funds we get.” Last week, we ran an item about a potential Chicago Tribune expose on Daniels concerning his marijuana arrest at Princeton. The Daniels campaign says the Tribune is not plan- ning to run the story. WTHR-TV sent a crew to Princeton but has not run a story. Said Oesterle, said. “The reason is there’s nothing there. This is a man who had the highest security clearance you can get.” Daniels will appear with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman this morning in HOGSETT STUMPS IN CEN- Indianapolis. Status: Tossup. TRAL INDIANA: "The Indiana Attorney General needs expanded powers to protect Indiana 2004 Congressional Hoosiers from identity theft," Congressional District 8: Republican: U.S. Rep. John Hostettler. Democrat: Jon said Joe Hogsett, Democratic Jennings. Green Party: Clark Gabriel Field. Geography: Evansville, Terre Haute, Greencastle; candidate for attorney general, Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Gibson, Pike, Martin, Daviess, Knox, Sullivan, Greene, Owen, challenging Republican Clay, Vigo, Vermillion, Parke, Putnam, Warren and part of Fountain counties. Media Market: Attorney General Steve Carter Evansville, Terre Haute, Indianapolis. Lafayette. People: Urban/rural 58/42%; median (Muncie Star Press). Hogsett, income$36,732; poverty 10.7%; race white 93.7%, black 3.7%, Hispanic .9%; blue/white collar: 47, was stumping in central 32/52%. 2000 Presidential: Bush 56%, Gore 42%; Cook Partisan Voting Index: R+8. 2002 Indiana Thursday, making Results: Hostettler 98,952 (51%), Hartke 88,763 (46%), 2004 Forecast: Hostettler’s judicial stops in Lafayette, Kokomo, stripping bill passed the U.S. House last week, giving opponents against gay marriage a victory Muncie and New Castle. He after taking a drubbing in the U.S. Senate. Status: Tossup. recently announced a series of Congressional District 9: Republican: Mike Sodrel. Democrat: U.S. Rep. Baron programs to combat crime including identify theft. He is a Hill. Media Market: Evansville, Indianapolis, Louisville, Dayton, Cincinnati. People: former secretary of state and urban/rural 52/48%, median income $39,011; race white 94%, 2.3% black, 1.5% Hispanic; chairman of the Indiana blue/white collar: 34/50%; 2000 Presidential: Bush 56%, Gore 42%; Cook Partisan Voting Democratic Party. Besides giv- Index: R+8. 2002 Results: Hill 96,654 (51%), Sodrel 87,169 (46%). 2002 Money: Hill ing the attorney general the $1.144m, Sodrel $1.62m. 2004 Forecast: Re-election campaign or not, Hill was not going to authority to sue identity miss the Democratic National Convention. “I'm going because I enjoy the convention,” Hill said thieves, Hogsett said criminal in an interview last week (Louisville Courier-Journal). “It's a way to kick off the election sea- penalties should be increased, son. And as an old-time athlete, a has-been, if you will, it's a pep rally to get ready for the race. based on the amount of the That's what I enjoy about it.” Hill's opponent, Sodrel said he's “leaning against” a trip to the theft. "If the attorney general Republican convention in New York City in August. “God gave us 168 hours each week. So you has authority to sue a retailer have to determine where those 168 hours are best spent,” Sodrel said. “There are very few peo- who sells a consumer a bad ple at the national convention who can cast a ballot in this race in November.” Status: Leans refrigerator, the office should Hill have the authority to sue iden- tity thieves," Hogsett said. Carter did not think the attor- Indiana 2004 Legislative ney general should interfere House District 46: Republican: Jeff Lee. Democrat: Vern Tincher. 2002 Results: with criminal prosecution of LaPlante (R) 8,079, Tincher (D) 7,275. 2004 Forecast: Lee called on Tincher to run a “clean identity thieves. "It is prefer- campaign” and avoid push phone calls. “I am running an honest, issue-oriented campaign and able to get a criminal restitu- it's sad to know my opponent is trying to use a tragic event in my past against me,” Lee said. “In tion," he said. 1997 my wife and I lost a child due to an extended illness. This caused us some severe financial difficulties, due to having to pay for all of the medical and funeral expenses. As soon as we were able to, through years of discipline, we paid the money back. These phone calls, which are  being made without any accountability or a legally required disclaimer, are simply a secretive attempt to use our family's tragedy and our past financial hardships against me and my cam- paign. I call upon Mr. Tincher and his supporters to immediately stop these calls, end the per- sonal attacks, and join with me in a pledge to run an issue-oriented campaign free of personal attacks.” General Status: TOSSUP. - Brian A. Howey