V19, N38 Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Inside Mitchell’s dark horse victory Virtual 3-way first ballot tie set up GOP’s first female ticket By BRIAN A. HOWEY FORT WAYNE – The Republican keynote headlin- ers on Friday night, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and Mike Huckabee, lived up to all expectations from Treasurer nominee Kelly delegates. But the three Mitchell (above) forged minutes Kelly Mitchell took the Indiana Republican to introduce herself to Party’s first all-female delegates ultimately had a ticket in history with dramatic impact on what Secretary of State Law- was to take place about 18 son and Auditor Crouch, hours later, when she was coming just two years nominated for state trea- after women voters fled surer. Mike Pence and Richard With Secretary of Mourdock in late 2012. State Connie Lawson and Continued on page 3 Auditor Suzanne Crouch’s uncontested nominations, Mitch- Convention takeways By MATTHEW BUTLER FORT WAYNE – On Monday I wrote the key take- aways for the average Hoosier political observer from the 2014 Indiana Republican State Convention could be boiled down to three elements. I suggested that how one might rank them in importance and interpret their implications “I know there’s a lot of long probably reflects one’s own political slant and priorities. Offering them in no par- faces here tonight. It’s disap- ticular order, I listed them roughly pointing, sure, but I believe in as follows: 1.) Despite Democratic Party and national media claims this country. I believe there’s that the GOP is “waging a war on women,” the Indiana Republican opportunity around the next statewide slate of candidates for corner for all of us.” 2014 comprises only women, all of whom are more than qualified for - Majority Leader Eric Cantor the respective offices they seek, after his stunning upset and, if they win, would join the Page 2

second consecutive Republican female be (and hopefully is) the new normal. lieutenant governor already in office; But that is it; it’s normalizing and 2.) The Indiana Republican base has that’s a good thing. spoken on the issue of marriage by This leaves me with what successfully primarying two repre- I think is the key takeaway from sentatives (Kathy Heuer and Rebecca Saturday and what will most likely be Kubacki) over their opposition to the a pervasive issue for the next several constitutional marriage amendment election cycles and general assem- HJR-3 and, in Fort Wayne, roundly bly sessions: The Indiana Republi- rejecting an attempt to remove the can Party’s stance on how to define is a non-partisan newslet- traditional marriage plank from the marriage. Like this year, in 2012 the ter based in Indianapolis and 2014 party platform; and, 3.) Once Republican Party held statewide listen- Nashville, Ind. It was founded again Richard Mourdock stepped into ing sessions and transparent platform in 1994 in Fort Wayne. national controversy with remarks that committee hearings when it removed argued the U.S. was on a path similar by unanimous consensus language It is published by to that of the Weimar Republic, the clearly defining traditional marriage WWWHowey Media, LLC precursor government to Nazi Germa- and instead replaced it with a state- 405 Massachusetts Ave., ny, unless drastic fiscal reforms were ment on ‘strong family structures’: Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN enacted. “We believe that strong families are 46204 In retrospect, I think only the foundation of virtue and that such one of these three elements is impor- families bring forth citizens capable of tant. Undoubtedly, almost everyone self-government as well as properly Brian A. Howey, Publisher will have other narratives they think motivated public servants so essential Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington are more compelling. First, the Mour- for a successful republic.” Jack E. Howey, Editor dock flap can be waved off. So much Just as conservative activ- Mary Lou Howey, Editor of our political discourse is in reaction ists within the party’s base mobilized to the outrage of the day (or week). behind HJR-3 this past winter and Maureen Hayden, Statehouse Mourdock’s remarks didn’t take me against opponents of HJR-3 during Matthew Butler, Daily Wire aback too much probably because I’ve May’s primaries, Reps. Heuer and been hearing that same fiscal doom Kubacki were successfully challenged, Subscriptions history stump speech since he was they were also able to reinsert a plank HPI, HPI Daily Wire $599 running for Senate starting in 2011. defining marriage into the 2014 party Already blown over, the “Nazi Ger- platform. Again, under the heading HPI Weekly, $350 many” remarks will not likely give any ‘strong family structures,’ this plank Ray Volpe, Account Manager boost to Illinois transplant and Demo- instead reads: “We believe that strong 317.602.3620 cratic treasurer candidate Michael families, based on marriage between email: [email protected] Boland come November. a man and a woman, are the foun- Though I think the next dation of society. We also recognize element is very noteworthy, it is not that some families are much more Contact HPI the most important story line from diverse and we support the blended www.howeypolitics.com the 2014 GOP State Convention and families, grandparents, guardians and [email protected] that is the all-female statewide ticket. loving adults who successfully raise Howey’s Cabin: 812.988.6520 Suzanne Crouch, Connie Lawson, and and nurture children to reach their full Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 Kelly Mitchell are more than qualified potential every day.” for the respective statewide offices It was the only plank not Washington: 202.256.5822 they seek and will have the power- adopted by consensus; the Rules Business Office: 317.602.3620 ful campaign machinery and party Committee was deadlocked 4-4 on the apparatus of the Indiana GOP behind change, which resulted in a conven- © 2014, Howey Politics Indiana. them. Five months out, it is easily safe tion floor vote. However, that wasn’t All rights reserved. Photocopy- to say all three are favorites. More- even close; only a fifth to a fourth over, none of us should be surprised supported a return to the 2012 lan- ing, Internet forwarding, fax- the ticket is female or that Indiana is guage. ing or reproducing in any form, close to having all statewide offices It stood in stark contrast to whole or part, is a violation of being held by women in 2015 except the Democrat’s convention and plat- federal law without permission for attorney general and governor. form the weekend before in Indianap- from the publisher. This inclusion and leadership needs to olis. The Democrats were fueled by Page 3

HJR-3 when it was before the Statehouse and are making will likely continue to make the case in coming years. No political hay of the marriage issue this election cycle, and one I spoke with on and off the record Saturday could will undoubtedly beyond. “We support full marriage equal- really explain (or wanted to explain) how the 2012 plat- ity,” declares their 2014 platform, “oppose amending the form dropped the strictly defined marriage language and Indiana Constitution to define marriage and support repeal replaced it with broadly defined terms for ‘strong family of statutes like the Defense of Marriage Act that define structures.’ marriage by gender.” However, before HJR-3 enlivened passions in Democrats are emphatic on the issue and feel both directions and deepened this fractious social policy comfortable taking the exact opposite stance of Republi- rift within the Indiana Republican Party, one of the 2012 cans before Hoosier voters. As the convention floor vote Platform Committee members appreciated the symbol- failed in Fort Wayne, Democratic State Chairman John ism in the revision. Kathy Saris referred to the change as Zody quickly got out in front of the story, releasing a state- “a big step” forward, especially since the previous three ment that read, “Gov. Mike Pence’s party just spent the platforms had each called for a constitutional amendment morning fighting over the same old divisive and out-of- strictly defining marriage. Telling the Indianapolis Star touch social issues that stalled the 2014 legislative session. at the time, Saris felt it would appeal to younger voters: The party just passed a platform that sends the debate “They view marriage as something that should be open to over marriage equality in reverse. Despite the efforts of everybody.” some delegates to grow their party, they just couldn’t In 2014’s case of the grassroots base striking surpass the divisive and ugly tones of Gov. Pence, Speaker back on marriage at the primaries and convention, it will Bosma and Senate Pro Tem David Long.” have extremely important implications and repercussions A bit over the top, but Democrats see this issue as for the Indiana Republican Party for years to come. They a winner, at least eventually. They recognize the growth of are confident younger voters will not flee to Democrats on the GOP brand, or put another way, its longevity, depends the issue and will, as the saying goes, grow more conser- upon appealing to young voters and activists. Like it or vative with age. Perhaps they will. If not, the Fort Wayne not, that will increasingly hinge on marriage equality. platform fight might be remembered as a key moment of Megan Robertson et al made this case in Fort Wayne; she contingency in Hoosier political history. v

chose a state treasurer candidate right out Mitchell, from page 1 of Illinois,” she said. “Perhaps he hasn’t ell’s ascension created the Indiana unpacked his bags. Perhaps they don’t GOP’s first all-female ticket in history understand what we think of Illinois poli- just two years after the party had to tics. I can’t wait to take the fight to them in fight back the “war on women” attack November.” from Democrats. Mitchell said her name “Kelly” Mitchell was the dark horse means “warrior,” as she pitched her Save in the race where the signature was Indiana Plan to “empower students, adults the showdown between Marion Mayor and educators. The least we can do is fight Wayne Seybold and perennial candi- for them,” she said. “Vote for the candidate date Don Bates Jr. In their three min- who can do the job.” utes, the pair underscored the themes The Seybold campaign believed they had spent the last six months going into Friday they had commitments presenting to the party. For Bates, it of upward of 700 delegates. But multiple was his Tea Party pedigree and in a sources were telling HPI that the Friday seismic overreach, vowed to take on night speeches were important. The Sey- President Obama by “walking through bold and Bates support was soft. There fire.” For Seybold, it was his mayoral were, perhaps, a good 30 percent of the and Olympic skating careers inter- delegates undecided prior to the speech. So twined, with his fate held in the hands the “warrior” made a distinct impression. of skating judges and now Republican Mitchell’s floor team had a Mitch delegates. Mayor Seybold reached out for sup- Daniels pedigree. It was run by Whitney But Mitchell poked fun at the port after the first ballot yielded a mere Foughty and Megan Umlauf, who both start- Democratic nominee, Mike Boland, 7-vote lead over Mitchell and a virtual ed at State GOP to help Gov. Mitch Daniels’ who moved to Indiana from Illinois 3-way tie. (HPI Photo by Margaret 2008 reelection campaign. Both ran field just two years ago. “The Democrats Wilson) operations in 2010 for State Party (Foughty Page 4 in charge of state legisla- Bates had a history of late tive races, Umlauf in taxes and a lawsuit coming charge of the operation to trial; Seybold had to bat that supported Con- back a TIF story. gressional candidates). But with so many Foughty would go on to undecideds, and the soft run the ground game for support for Seybold and U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks Bates, the first ballot had in 2010 primary race Seybold emerging with when she eked out a win just a seven-vote lead against David McIntosh, over Mitchell, 519 to 512, former congressman and and Bates a close third 2000 gubernatorial nomi- with 467, obliterating all of nee. Umlauf ran a similar the conventional wisdom operation for Indianapolis scenarios (Indiana Week in Mayor Greg Ballard dur- Review largely dismissed ing his 2011 reelect. Mitchell’s chances Friday When it came to night); Abdul’s Cheat Sheet the dark horse “warrior,” had her a distant third). the Mitchell campaign The CW had it that either ran a strong campaign in Seybold or Bates would the mold of Mitch Dan- emerge as a clear front iels. It didn’t go negative runner, and then a deal against the opposition, would be cut with Mitchell but focused on a strong to secure a nomination ground game and a posi- on the second ballot. The tive candidate’s message. Seybold camp had dangled The Mitchell team had 13 the notion of making people on the floor and a Mitchell chief of staff. HPI, communications opera- lacking any credible data tion that connected them to base a fore- all. cast, called it a Going into this con- “pure tossup.” vention, Seybold was sup- Instead, posed to have the vaunted the three-way ground game. The team tie “blew up all that pulled Todd Rokita contingencies,” to victory after finishing as Marion County fourth on the first ballot in Republican the 2002 secretary of state Chairman Kyle race included uber power Walker told HPI attorneys and financiers out in the lobby, Bob Grand, Brian Burdick as he guarded and Dan Dumezich. Grand While Dunn huddled with a shocked Bates the main en- had expressed confidence in the back of the hall (top) and Seybold trance to keep of a first-ballot victory strategized with Grand and Dumezich, the delegates from heading into this three-way two teams finally came together to explore leaving. Seybold showdown. The Seybold a deal, while Mitchell worked the polling and his team team was innovative, with line. (HPI Photos by Matthew Butler and quickly realized the candidate featured on Brian A. Howey) how soft their the Embassy Theater marquee, the hotel room keys had support really was. They had lost about 200 committed his logos, there was a texting operation that kept the dele- delegates. gates in the loop, and the candidate had a phone charging The Bates and Seybold captains quickly converged station in the convention hall lobby that brought dozens of in the back of the east side of the Grand Wayne Center delegates into contact with the campaign as they juiced up hall. “He’s in shock right now,” Howard County Republican their phones. It sat on the largest war chest of the trio. Chairman Craig Dunn, who directed Bates floor team, said Both Bates and Seybold had exposed liabilities: to Dumezich. As the Bates and Seybold brain trusts hud- Page 5 dled, Kelly Mitchell worked matic headline. The the lines that reformed for a Star’s headline was second ballot that was con- posted this way: ducted much quicker than “Richard Mourdock the first. says nation going Dunn asked Du- way of Hitler’s Nazi mezich, “What’s your pitch?” Germany.” Dumezich responded by So as the saying “What’s good for the second ballot was party.” Seybold, a three-term getting under- mayor would, he said, be way, the Seybold able to raise money and that and Bates teams “he’s an easy sell” to voters. realized that the The Bates and Mourdock Nazi Seybold teams had antago- quotes were go- nized each other for months, ing viral on social and ultimately there was no media, not unlike common ground that could that fateful night be found between them. in New Albany in And tellingly, there was no October 2012 when pitch to the Mitchell camp. his remarks on rape Emissaries from Bates and and abortion would Seybold didn’t even try. It destroy his Sen- was clear that Mitchell had ate campaign. The emerged with critical mo- Bates and Seybold mentum. They knew she brain trusts only would brush off any notion briefly wondered of a deal. if Mourdock might The other bizarre taint his lieutenant element to this moment was and risk the loss of Treasurer Richard Mour- a treasurer’s seat dock’s farewell address, one that had been in where he would compare the GOP column for more than four the rise of Adolph Hitler and decades. Nazi Germany to the decline Mitchell, working the del- of America and its descen- egates waiting to vote, was oblivious, sion into “bankruptcy.” The as were most of the delegates. “I delegates loved it to the don’t think she even knows about it,” point that Mourdock, Kelly said her communications director, Jay Mitchell’s boss, received a Kenworthy, when pressed by report- standing ovation. The affec- ers. tion for Mourdock, despite So quick was the second his blundering loss of a U.S. vote that it deprived any oxygen to Senate seat that had been cut a deal between two candidates in the Republican column for and two campaigns that had come to 36 years, was obvious. In a loath each other. twist few could have predict- Alas, no deal. ed, this late love for Richard And about a half hour later, probably helped Mitchell. everyone would learn that it didn’t But Indianapolis matter. Mitchell had jetted out to a Star reporter Tony Cook, on 564-488 lead over Seybold. Bates, at the political beat less than just 390 votes, was vanquished and two years and unfamiliar with Mayor Seybold and his wife wait in the background eliminated from the third ballot. It be- Mourdock’s penchant for his- to congratulate treasurer nominee Mitchell, and then came obvious that Mitchell’s nomina- tory lessons to anyone who meet following the press scrum. (HPI Photos by tion was essentially a fait accompli. would listen, found fresh ears Brian A. Howey and Margaret Wilson) Bates gathered up his large and editors looking for a dra- family and quickly left the hall. “I’ve Page 6 released them,” he said of his delegates. As the two GOP grapples with a voting lines snaked across the hall in opposite direc- tions, many former Bates marriage compromise supporters held Bates and By MATTHEW BUTLER Mitchell signs together. FORT WAYNE – An attempt to remove language There was no such display defining marriage as between one man and one woman for Seybold. in the 2014 Indiana Republican Party platform was unsuc- Seybold and Bates cessful on the state convention floor Saturday morning. had squared off at the The plank reads in part that the party believes line of scrimmage, and “strong families, based on marriage between a man and Mitchell streaked through a woman, are the foundation of society.” An amendment the resulting hole and into filed to remove and replace it with language adopted in victory. By around 5 p.m., 2012 failed by a wide margin between delegates standing she emerged with the separately for and against. nomination with an 860- Before the convention convened there was a to-497 victory. Mitchell definite air of uncertainty as delegates girded for a floor told delegates, “It’s over- showdown over marriage and a three-way treasurer race. whelming. I thank you for The only real floor battle that materialized, however, was the trust you put in me. I for the contested statewide office nod. promise you every single Early Saturday, Hendricks County Chairman Mike day I will do my best. I am O’Brien said, “Do you think there are many people who deeply honored. I am so want to stand up on this issue? I don’t even know where proud to represent you as my delegation stands on it. People are passionate on both your Republican nominee Don Bates Jr. is consoled by a sides and there are a lot of people in the middle who don’t for state treasurer.” supporter after losing a third want to deal with it.” It was the cap- political race in three cycles. He Outside the convention center supporters of stone of a historic day for released his delegates after the traditional marriage stood holding signs and a long banner Indiana Republicans. Less second ballot, and most went over that read “1 Man + 1 Women = Marriage.” Among them than two years earlier, the to Mitchell, as his delegates car- was Rhonda Richards, of Citizens for Community Values of party had been labeled ried both signs on the final ballot. Indiana based in South Bend. She said the state’s Republi- as one waging a “war on (HPI Photos by Brian A. Howey) can Party should have staunch support for strictly defined women.” Female voters marriage in their platform, citing numbers indicating 82% were fleeing Gov. Mike of Republicans support traditionally defined marriage. Pence and Mourdock in the final days of the 2012 cam- Monica Boyer and other activists of the more conserva- paign, to the point that Pence was barely able to eke out a win over Democrat John Gregg while becoming the first governor in 50 years to win with less than 50 percent. Now the GOP had its first all-female ticket, poten- tially joining Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann in a gender take- over of statewide offices. It was as subtly dramatic as we witnessed in 2006 when, in the wake of Senate President Robert Garton’s primary defeat, female Republican sena- tors coalesced around David Long as Garton’s successor, and turned Senate leadership from a good old boys net- work to an obliterated glass ceiling in the upper chamber. Here was Mitchell, a Mourdock lieutenant and a Lugar Series graduate, beaming from the convention po- dium as Lawson and Crouch smiled broadly in the wings. Mayor Seybold and his wife waited at the edge of the press scrum and he would offer his congratulations and support. And finally, there came that dramatic shot of the Jim Bopp Jr. confers (left) with Bill Smith, the former chief of staff all-female Republican ticket, broad smiles creasing faces, to Gov. Mike Pence, on the Republican Convention floor Saturday wings spread wide to the muted applause of an emptying morning shortly before a showdown over marriage in the GOP convention hall. v platform. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey) Page 7 tive wings of the party were seen wearing buttons saying, “Pro-Pence, Pro-Marriage.” Before and after the vote, HPI spoke with Terre Haute attorney Jim Bopp, Jr., who was one of the leading voices behind HJR-3 before the General Assembly earlier this year and who spearheaded reinserting the 2014 mar- riage plank during platform committee meetings. Bopp was optimistic a floor vote would pass the platform as pro- posed. Those against the marriage plank passed out stickers, placards, and noisemakers which read “Grow Our Party.” Megan Robertson, of Freedom Indiana, was lead- ing this group, joined by Marion County GOP leaders Kyle Walker and Tom John. Republican National Committeeman John Hammond III was also seen wearing such a sticker and conferring with platform opponents, as were State Reps. Ed Clere and Jerry Torr. Clere told HPI he felt the plank was “needlessly divisive” and a distraction. Walker told HPI, “For every person you see with a sticker on the issue, there’s another against it.” The overwhelming majority of delegates, however, were not wearing any stickers or buttons on the issue, one way or the other. The amendment stripping the marriage plank was filed by John. It read, “We believe that strong families are the strong foundation of virtue and that such families bring forth citizens capable of self government as well as prop- erly motivated public servants so essential to a successful republic.” Convention Chairman Ed Simcox explained the rules and procedures thoroughly. They allowed little time for floor debate. The amendment was introduced, dis- cussed, and debated in a quick and orderly manner. The plank showdown was not drawn out and likely had little or no impact on the subsequent balloting for state treasurer. Introducing his amendment, John told the conven- tion floor, “This is about growing our party, not dividing our party. This amendment is not about whether we support gay marriage or don’t support gay marriage. What this is The about is party unity. This is one thing that divides us. Can flyer, which we all step away from those things that divide us?” He said it was paid added, “This language that’s proposed passed unanimous- for by Indiana ly out of this convention in 2012.” Republicans After John, the only delegate to speak was Rush for Freedom, County Chairman Michael Dora in opposition. “Vote yes on quoted Prie- the platform,” he said, “no on the amendment.” There was bus when he little hesitation from delegates when it came time to stand commented on for either position. A rough estimate of the convention marriage dur- floor suggests a fifth to a fourth supported the amend- ing the party’s ment. Perhaps support for the amendment would have 2013 Growth been slightly stronger had it been a secret ballot. and Opportu- Both Bopp and Dora criticized the campaign tactics nity Project. Lt. Gov. Ellspermann and Councilman behind John’s amendment. “There is a faction out there “For the GOP McQuillen present the platform (top), Tom that very much wants to confuse this delegation,” Dora to appeal to John offers an amendment from the floor and told the convention floor. Their main objection was over younger vot- Michael Dora counters, while an unamused a flyer circulated Friday night after RNC Chairman Reince ers, we do not Speaker Bosma and President Long look on Priebus spoke. have to agree on (HPI Photos by Brian A. Howey) Page 8 every issue, but we do need to ment of the platform not adopted by make sure young people do not consensus. “Compromise language,” see the party as totally intolerant as Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann put it, was of alternative points of view,” the added. That moderating clause read, flyer quoted Priebus. “Already, “We also recognize that some families there is a generational difference are much more diverse and we support within the conservative move- the blended families, grandparents, ment about issues involving the guardians and loving adults who suc- treatment and the rights of gays, cessfully raise and nurture children to and for many younger voters, reach their full potential every day.” these issues are a gateway into Conservatives were convinced this whether the party is a place they should assuage any concerns over the want to be. If our party is not one man, one woman language as be- welcoming and inclusive, young ing too strict. people and increasingly other Asked by HPI how the earlier voters will continue to tune us and stronger language on marriage was out. The party should be proud removed from the platform in 2012, of its conservative principles, but Bopp was not absolutely sure. “You’ll just because someone disagrees have to find somebody who can an- with us on 20 percent of the is- Tea Party activist Monica Boyer lobbied for the swer that,” said Bopp, who worked on sues, that does not mean we can- amendment in the Grand Wayne Center lobby. that platform. “It disappeared after my not come together on the rest of Earlier in the week, she warned that a rejection involvement.” Others on the conven- the issues where we do agree.” of the GOP marriage plank could prompt social tion floor said they didn’t know or that On its other side, the flyer conservatives to leave the party. (HPI Photo by marriage simply was not on the radar urged delegates to “Wear a ‘Grow Brian A. Howey) during the platform hearings and com- Our Party’ sticker everywhere you mittee sessions that year. go,” lobby their fellow Republicans, Both Bopp and Boyer were em- and vote for the 2012 marriage amendment. It matched phatic that the wider marriage issue was behind the suc- the logos and color schemes of materials passed out by cessful primary challenges to State Reps. Kathy Heuer and Robertson and amendment proponents Saturday. Rebecca Kubacki. Richards also touched on this theme, “Everyone I talked to thought it came from him saying she and her fellow activists wanted the legislators (Priebus),” said Bopp. Knowing it did not, he contacted the who voted to amend and thus remove HJR-3 from this national chairman earlier that morning. Bopp shared his November’s ballot to know that outcome was not what exchange of emails with HPI: “Well the pro-gay marriage the Republican base wanted. She also wanted to send a folks passed out a flyer after your speech quoting you as clear message to General Assembly hopefuls this fall and opposing our compromise (marriage plank) language,” upcoming cycles. “If the platform stays the same,” she said Bopp wrote Priebus. “The way it was prepared, a lot of before the floor vote on Saturday, “and our legislators see people thought it was actually directly from you. It would that and stand on that, then they will get it (HJR-3) back be great if I could get a statement from you addressing to us so it can be our vote and then it can be settled in this to end the confusion.” this state.” During his floor remarks Dora cited the flyer “It was especially exciting for me to get to vote,” and quoted Priebus’s reply email disavowing any involve- Boyer said after the platform was ratified, “because we ment and declaring his support for the platform as pro- were robbed of that in the General Assembly.” posed. “That is not a flyer from me or the RNC,” Priebus Those advocating the amendment voiced concerns replied to Bopp. “And I find it frustrating that someone the platform will increasingly drive away potential vot- would put together a flyer in an attempt to confuse people ers and party members. Robertson told The Statehouse on this issue. I support the compromise language along File that marriage rights were becoming a “litmus test” with Gov. Pence. As we know, we should always treat for young voters. “If we’re trying to appeal to the people people’s grace, love and dignity, but that doesn’t mean in this room, OK, that might have worked out all right,” abandoning our principles.” Robertson said. “But we’re a political organization. Our job The entire flap partially stems from the 2012 plat- is to win elections and I don’t think this helps us do that.” form removing any reference or support for traditionally O’Brien also echoed these political motivations defined marriage. The fact that it was in neither the Re- to The Statehouse File, stating the party should be “about publican nor Democratic platform was constantly brought addition, not subtraction. We know that the next genera- up when the Indiana General Assembly debated HJR-3 this tion of voters are supportive of marriage equality and we past winter. shouldn’t be pushing them out of the party because of it.” The marriage plank was, however, the only ele- Shortly after the failed floor vote, John said, “Obvi- Page 9 Priebus describes GOP recovery heading into 2016 cycle By BRIAN A. HOWEY FORT WAYNE – Republican National Chairman Not lost on the delegates was shortly before the marriage plank Reince Priebus vowed to remake his party “more like the showdown, Chairman Berry presented Gov. Pence with a cake for Indiana GOP” in a fashion he described as “big and bold,” his 55th birthday. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey) speaking to delegates at the state Republican convention. That means remaking the party mechanics and ously we would have liked to have won and we feel that infrastructure, and scaling back an “insane” presidential would have been the right thing for the party. We feel primary and debate system while moving up the national heartened we got to have the discussion today and from convention to prevent what happened to nominee Mitt reports that I’ve heard, a third of the room were in favor Romney in 2012, whom Priebus described as a “duck on of our amendment. It shows there is a significant divide the pond.” on this issue and the party welcomes people with diverse He paid homage to Indiana Republicans for the viewpoints on it.” He stressed, like Robertson, that the party’s “continuity” un- party’s platform was out of step with young voters. der past and present Unlike John, Bopp felt the vote was far more chairs Murray Clark, lopsided: “The estimates I’ve heard from people up on the Eric Holcomb and Tim stage were that it was 75 or 80 percent against. Only in Berry for helping to Marion County was there substantial support and just a establish 12 years of smattering of support anywhere else.” Boyer wasn’t sur- gubernatorial power, prised by the floor vote either. “When you judged the clap- as well as super ma- ping and sound in the room, it just matched the polling jorities in the General that we had done in House District 22.” Boyer was refer- Assembly and a wide ring to the primary race in which she was instrumental in lead in the Congressio- ousting Rep. Kubacki over her votes against HJR-3. nal delegation. “This What is evident from this off-year convention continuity that you was that some key conservative operatives of the Indiana have here, don’t take Republican Party saw returning the marriage plank to their it for granted. State platform as a crucial step toward revisiting HJR-3 and get- parties can come and ting it before voters as soon as possible. Ideally, for them, grow and wither on that would be in November 2016. the vine.” “I think our grassroots has spoken as loud as it He then turned to the GOP’s national can on this by putting this back in the platform,” Bopp RNC Chairman Reince Priebus speaks told HPI. As for his Republican opponents on this issue, dilemma. “We have to to Indiana delegates about refash- have a national party he said, “Their goal is recognition of gay marriage.” If the ioning the national GOP into one plank had been stripped out, he believes, “It would be that understands you functioning like the Hoosier party. can’t be successful interpreted as an endorsement of gay marriage and that’s (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey) what they want.” Commenting in the other direction, John being a national party remarked, “There were some people this year who were that shows up once pushing very hard to get it in for their own personal pur- every four years, five hours before an election,” Priebus poses. They won this particular battle.” He stressed none told Indiana Republican Convention delegates on Friday of this was over yet. night. Priebus described his party as one that performs What should also be clearly evident from 2014 is well in mid-term elections, pointing to 2010 and what he that a growing minority of determined Republican lead- believes will be a November election this year where the ers are not afraid to vocally challenge the party line on GOP has a shot at retaking the U.S. Senate, but under per- the marriage issue, whether speaking on the floor and in forms in presidential years. President Obama’s data driven hallways of the Statehouse or state conventions. campaigns are widely seen has out-flanking the Republi- It should not escape anyone, however, that a fed- cans in his breakthrough 2008 campaign where he carried eral court decision could make all of this state-level activity Indiana, and his reelection in 2012 despite a high jobless a moot point. v rate. Page 10

road map – the report noted: “De- spite reaching more voters than ever before through traditional forms of voter contact, we lost. Our conver- sion rates from contact to votes are a serious challenge for future cam- paigns and the 2016 presidential race. Democrats had the clear edge on new media and ground game, in terms of both reach and effectiveness. Obama’s campaign knocked on twice as many doors as the Romney cam- paign, and Obama’s campaign had a ballot edge among those contacted by both campaigns. In addition, the president’s campaign significantly changed the makeup of the national electorate and identified, persuaded, and turned out low-propensity voters by unleashing a barrage of human and technological resources previ- ously unseen in a presidential contest. Marrying grassroots politics with tech- nology and analytics, they success- fully contacted, persuaded and turned out their margin of victory. There are many lessons to be learned from their Chairman Priebus makes a point before delegates, while Murray Clark, Eric Holcomb, Misty efforts, particularly with respect to Hollis, John Hammond III and Chairman Tim Berry look on. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey) voter contact.” Priebus vowed to make a $35 “You know what the other side does?” Priebus million data upgrade. “You have to have a national party asked. “They walk into a room like this and say, ‘Here’s that’s competent in digital and data, because we are only what we’re going to do. We’re going to identify and reg- ones who can hand it off to the federal candidate,” he ister 25,000 Democrats a month between now and 2016. said. “You can’t take soft money and improve voter data You get that? 25,000 Democrats a month between now and hand the product off to Sen. Coats. He can’t take it. and 2016. ‘It’s going to cost us about $5 million. I’m going He would be committing a crime. So you have to have a to hire these 50 people to do it. I need you to write me a national party that understands that you have to get your check.’” act together slicing and dicing the electorate and know Priebus went further in the facsimile Democratic what the data is and having the messages catered to the conversation: “Well, who’s the candidate?” “I don’t care.” right people, depending on who you’re communicating “What’s the message?” “It doesn’t matter, be- to. Consumer data sets. What does the census data say? cause if we raise 25,000 Democrats a month between now Who’s turning in an absentee ballot in every day? Who’s and 2016 we’re going to have these guys by the throat,” requested a ballot but didn’t turn it in so I can knock on the chairman from Wisconsin continued. “And while we’re their door? These are the things a competent party does.” busy showing up five months before an election, they The report urged the creation of a “data analytics insti- showed up in Cleveland three and a half years ago, 10 tute.” people on every block paid. And they say, ‘Here’s your 800 Priebus described the U.S. and Republican presi- names. Here’s the people who vote. Here are the people dential nomination process as a “total disaster.” who don’t vote. Here are the people who would vote if In the Growth and Opportunity Project, it you get to them, but you’re going to get to know these was reported: ”It has reached the point where in the past people. They don’t have just an election day. They have an six presidential elections, four have gone to the Demo- election month. So every one of those 10 people every 10 cratic nominee, at an average yield of 327 electoral votes blocks gets 800 names and they’re getting like this all over to 211 for the Republican. During the preceding two the country. The mechanics of this party is the difference decades, from 1968 to 1988, Republicans won five out between winning and losing.” of six elections, averaging 417 electoral votes to Demo- In the March 2013 “Growth and Opportunity crats’ 113. Public perception of the party is at record lows. Project” – his autopsy of the 2012 election and the party’s Young voters are increasingly rolling their eyes at what the Page 11

debate process.” The delegates responded with robust applause. Left unsaid in Fort Wayne was the party showdown over the marriage plank on Saturday morning, with the convention by a wide “stand- ing” vote margin opting to include a marriage plank that stated that marriage is “between one man and one woman” while including “compromise” language citing the need to recognize diverse family structures. It is a prelude to General Assembly showdowns in 2015 and 2016 over the constitutional mar- riage amendment. The Growth and Oppor- tunity Project observed, “Younger voters are increasingly put off by the GOP. A post-election survey of voters ages 18-29 in the battle- Listening to Chairman Priebus’s speech were former chairs Rex Early, Mike McDaniel, U.S. ground states of Virginia, Ohio, Reps. Todd Young, Larry Bucshon and Susan Brooks and Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann. (HPI Florida, and Colorado found that Re- Photo by Brian A. Howey) publicans have an almost 1:2 favor- able/unfavorable rating. Democrats party represents, and many minorities wrongly think that have an almost 2:1 favorable rating. For the GOP to appeal Republicans do not like them or want them in the country. to younger voters, we do not have to agree on every is- When someone rolls their eyes at us, they are not likely to sue, but we do need to make sure young people do not open their ears to us.” see the party as totally intolerant of alternative points of “This idea of us slicing and dicing each other apart view. Already, there is a generational difference within the for six months for an Iowa caucus that doesn’t award a conservative movement about issues involving the treat- single delegate is insane,” he said. “So here’s what we’re ment and the rights of gays, and for many younger voters, doing. We’re going to have about a 60- to 70-day primary these issues are a gateway into whether the party is a system. We’re going to take our convention which was at place they want to be. If our party is not welcoming and the end of August and we’re going to move it to the end of inclusive, young people and increasingly other voters will June or mid-July.” continue to tune us out. The party should be proud of its Romney became the “duck on the pond” because conservative principles, but just because someone dis- he couldn’t access funds from the “general bucket” (as agrees with us on 20 percent of the issues, that does not opposed to the “primary bucket”) until after the Republi- mean we cannot come together on the rest of the issues can National Convention until September of 2012. “Under where we do agree.” the law Mitt Romney was broke at the end of the primary,” Priebus invoked the legendary Green Bay Priebus said. “If there’s nothing in the primary bucket, you Packer Coach Vince Lombardi, “who used to say the only get $200 million in that presidential budget and you’re place where success comes before work is in the diction- broke in May, you can’t spend a nickel of that money until ary.” you get nominated at the convention at the end of August. “If you don’t get the mechanics straight in this So you are a duck on the pond. This is not an establish- party, the infrastructure straight in this party, we can’t ment takeover. This is using your brain.” win,” he said. He recounted a conversation with a GOP Priebus then turned to the debate system that donor, who said he would hire the chairman “tomorrow” many observers blamed for damaging the Romney brand but when it came to the party, “if you’re not going to be from other Republican hopefuls. “How many people here big and bold, then don’t waste my time.” think we need to have 23 debates?” There was ample stir- “I’ve never stopped thinking about that conversa- ring from the delegates at this question. He scribed it as a tion,” the chairman said, adding that the GOP can’t simply “traveling circus in our party in front of George Stephano- be a “mid-term party. We have to be a presidential party. polous and Chris Matthews.” We have to grow. We have to get 60 million people to “We took control of that process here,” Priebus come to the polls in 2016 so we cannot just save our par- said. “Now we’re going to have a reasonable number of ty, we’re going to be big and bold to save this country.”v debates and we’re going to pick the moderators in the Page 12

in revolt they were derisively dismissed as Tea Partiers, a The Treasurer’s speech term still hurled as an insult by the press today. My problem with the press coverage of the In- By CRAIG DUNN dianapolis Star was that the reporter just didn’t listen to KOKOMO – The 2014 Indiana Republican State Richard Mourdock’s speech. Mourdock did not say that our Convention was a great event featuring a mix of busi- nation had gone the way of Nazi Germany, the Indianapo- ness, fun, fellowship, politics and inspiration. Of course, lis Star did. Mourdock is a student of history and I have you wouldn’t know it based on the limited press coverage. always found him to be precise in his use of analogies, Perhaps it is because recent conventions of both political metaphors and illustrative stories. If he had wanted to say parties have been deemed not to be newsworthy by as- that the nation had gone the way of Nazi Germany, he signment editors and news directors. would have said it. Instead, Mourdock was talking about Indiana Republicans passed a platform that is the risks of unbridled debt to a nation. meaningful and broadly addresses I’m pretty sure that Democrat State Chairman the critical issues facing Hoosiers John Zody was not present for Mourdock’s speech. I’m also today. That focus on Indiana Hoo- pretty sure that the other folks who the reporter gigged for siers has led to the tremendous their shocked and appalled comments were not present. success of the Indiana Legislature I, on the other hand, was present and I had a pretty darn and Govs. Mitch Daniels and Mike good seat on the podium to hear Mourdock’s speech. Pence in improving the lives, What I heard Richard Mourdock say was that health, education and financial World War II did not start on Dec. 7, 1941, or Sept. 1, status of our citizens. However, 1939. He said that World War II began with the demo- there was no press mention cratic election of Adolph Hitler as reich chancellor in 1933. about our platform planks reaf- He detailed how the Weimar Republic had amassed huge firming our passionate defense of governmental deficits and in the process debased its cur- the 1st and 2nd Amendments. There was no mention of rency to a point where citizens traded in their wallets for our championing individual liberty and freedom, personal suitcases and wheelbarrows to carry their money. This de- responsibility, fiscal responsibility and limited govern- struction of the German economy led the German people ment. The Republican platform emphasized international to willfully elect Adolph Hitler chancellor. Mourdock then business and free trade, the importance of agriculture, stated that Hitler moved to persecute the aristocracy, trade diversification of the Indiana economy, promotion of small unions and the Jews. business and immigration reform. All of what Mourdock said is history. They hide The Republican platform addressed an educated information like this in things called books! I interpreted workforce, school choice, affordable what Mourdock said as a cautionary and attainable post-secondary edu- message that if we don’t do something cation, supported career and techni- to control our national debt, then the cal education and the retention and disastrous economic problems caused by attracting of young talent. Balanced that debt could give rise to unconsciona- budgets, focus on the taxpayer, ble government. It is the exact message energy independence, clean coal that Lt. General Martin Dempsey gave technology and free market solutions recently when he referred to our national for health care were prominently promoted in the blueprint debt as the biggest threat to our national security. of the Indiana Republican Party. I thought prior to the convention that the press All of these incredibly significant platform would sit like vultures ready to pounce on each word planks were largely ignored, as were the nomination of ex- uttered by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who ceptionally talented secretary of state, auditor and treasur- addressed the delegates on Friday evening. When Hucka- er candidates because of a press fixation on the vilification bee told of visiting China and being amazed at how the and destruction of former Republican Senate candidate Chinese were becoming more like the United States at the Richard Mourdock. same time as the United States was becoming more like The newspapers started screaming about Mour- China, I thought that would be the message pounded on dock comparing the United States to Nazi Germany almost by the press. I envisaged headlines of, “Huckabee says before he finished speaking. I understand that many in U.S. becoming Communist China!” Of course, Saturday’s the press don’t like Richard Mourdock, his friends nor his headlines had already been reserved for abusing Republi- supporters. After all, he had the audacity to challenge a cans over the wording of our platform regarding marriage. Hoosier icon, Richard Lugar, and upset the senior senator. From my vantage point sitting on the platform He was backed in his campaign by common Hoosiers who during Mourdock’s speech, I saw an audience who widely are generally expected to shut up, sit down and vote the approved of his message and gave him a rousing stand- way we tell you. When these common Hoosiers rose up ing ovation at its conclusion. I spoke with one delegate, Page 13 a Jewish woman, who told me that Mourdock’s speech Mourdock gave an ill-advised response to a question in brought tears to her eyes. She was shocked at the contro- a televised Senate debate that autumn. History will not versy dredged up by the media over his comments. Her erase Mourdock’s cautionary call for fiscal responsibility, feelings reflect those of Allen County Republican Chairman regardless of how it is twisted by the press. Steve Shine, who also was not offended by the Mourdock Perhaps it’s time to stop shooting the messenger speech. and start listening to the message. v History cannot erase the fact that Richard Mourdock defeated Hoosier icon Sen. Richard Lugar in Dunn is chairman of the Howard County Republi- a Republican primary in 2012. History cannot erase that cans.

at scores of county-level Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinners Gregg sticks to and a slew of other Democratic fundraisers. He’s even walked in a couple of parades. It helps to remember that Gregg came within sight his mustache guns of victory in 2012. Though he’d started in the deep double By MAUREEN HAYDEN digits behind the six-term congressman Pence, he ended INDIANAPOLIS – John Gregg made his handle- up losing by less than 3 percentage points. Polling showed bar moustache an iconic image in his failed 2012 race for the gap narrowing quickly in the last days of the race. governor, turning it into a campaign logo and telling tales Along with the Libertarian candidate, “Survivor” of how he stuck to his Yosemite Sam guns when advisers reality TV star Rupert Boneham, Gregg robbed Pence of pressed him to shave it. a majority victory. Pence won only 49% of the vote, the Gregg’s humor was on first time in modern history that an Indiana governor didn’t display again at the Democratic take more than half the vote. Party’s recent state convention, With a few more days, Gregg is convinced he which warmly welcomed him dur- would have won. “Just four or five more days,” he said. ing his speech. “The momentum was going our way.” Poking fun at frequent Some veteran observers blamed Pence’s nar- out-of-state trips taken by Gov. row win on a disastrous stumble made by fellow Repub- Mike Pence, which have prompt- lican candidate Richard Mourdock late in his race for U.S. ed speculation that Pence wants Senate. Mourdock’s Democratic opponent, now U.S. Sen. a 2016 presidential bid, Gregg Joe Donnelly, surged when Mourdock commented during a waved around a prop suitcase debate that God intends pregnancies that occur after rape. with the Republican governor’s “I don’t think the Mourdock thing had anything to name on it. do with it,” Gregg said of his own surge. “We ran a great “It seems the governor has been everywhere of campaign.” late but Indiana,” said Gregg, setting off raucous cheers. How great was a matter for debate. Critics ques- Back in October 2013, the 59-year-old lawyer from tioned Gregg’s advertising emphasis on his downhome the small town of Sandborn seemed to signal that he was style – what Indiana political analyst Brian Howey called done with politics when he issued a statement he was no “folksy cornpone.” longer “actively campaigning” for another gubernatorial That “just folks” style is still on display, though a run. bit misleading. When I talked to Gregg, he was on his way The 2012 race was grueling and he’d already to see Eddie Izzard, a British stand-up comic with a wick- spent 16 years in the Indiana House, six of those years as edly irreverent, and not very Hoosier, sense of humor. speaker, before leaving in 2002 to resume a law practice But, then, humor is in Gregg’s DNA. So you can and become a university president. As he says, on the rare expect to see it on display as he gears up for another shot occasion when he likens himself to Pence, “Neither of us is at the governor’s office. “Most politicians are pretty stuffy wealthy enough not to have to work.” and I don’t think I am,” he said. “With me, what you see is But Gregg, with that famous ‘stache still in what you get.” v place, was also sending a counter-signal: Though it’s not official, he’s ready to run. Maureen Hayden covers the Statehouse for the “Just because I had dialed things back, doesn’t CNHI newspapers in Indiana. Reach her at mau- mean I stopped,” he said in a conversation I had with him [email protected]. Follow her this week. Since that 2012 defeat, he noted, he’s appeared on Twitter @MaureenHayden. Page 14

In 2010, he was set to embark on a campaign of Bye, Bayh his own, his re-election to the U.S. Senate seat he recap- tured on behalf of the Bayh name in 1998. It should have By PETE SEAT been a cake-walk for someone who never did anything INDIANAPOLIS – On the same weekend Indiana to upset anyone or, frankly, anything to make them cheer Democrats gathered in the Circle City for their biennial either. convention, Evan Bayh sat snugly behind a glass topped But then, at the 11th hour, just days after table on the set of Fox News Sunday in Washington, D.C. news broke that former U.S. Senator and ambassador to As he opined on topics such as Hillary Clinton’s forthcom- Germany Dan Coats planned a clash of the titans come- ing book and the Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl prisoner exchange, back, Bayh bowed out leaving Democrats in a lurch to John Gregg shook the hands of adoring crowds of the quickly regroup and anoint a candidate who could mount party faithful, many wearing a credible statewide campaign in a matter of weeks. stickers declaring their support They found Brad Ellsworth, the 8th district congressman for repeat Gregg gubernatorial and former Vanderburgh County sheriff, who was quickly run in 2016. crowned the nominee by 38 members of the Indiana It wasn’t supposed to Democratic Party State Central Committee. be this way. Democrats were Maybe Bayh felt slightly guilty that year as he supposed to be in a state of dipped into his then-$10-plus million campaign fund to permanent suspension await- donate $500,000 to the Indiana Democratic Party to help ing word from Washington, or soften the blow of Ellsworth’s impending 15-point defeat. Muncie, or wherever Bayh is Bayh was even less of a help in 2012. Sure, Demo- at any given moment, about crats had a few successes of their own with Joe Donnelly his own potential return to the and Glenda Ritz’s respective elections as U.S. Senator and Statehouse. superintendent of public instruction, but if he had chosen After 20 years of Republi- to be, Bayh could have been kingmaker. He could have can control of the governor’s office, Bayh’s election to the thrown a few million towards either – or both – of them post in 1988 was a sign of Democratic resurgence. But and been given credit for the victories. Indiana Democrats, with Bayh’s implicit endorsement, got Instead, he gave the state party $300,000 over caught up in a cult of personality. Everything was about two donations in the final month of the race, and pep- Evan ... that is until now, in what might be the world’s first pered smaller contributions around the country to former truly mutual breakup since a famous episode of Seinfeld colleagues who needed a little Bayh-boost of their own. pioneered the idea that two parties could amicably part This cycle, his only donation has gone to a place about as ways. far away from Indiana as you can get and still be in the According to reports, delegates were more inter- United States – Alaska’s Mark Begich. ested in glad-handing with Gregg and flirting with Ham- So rather than visit his home state to audition mond Mayor Tom McDermott, another aspiring candidate to be governor yet again, Bayh spent convention weekend for governor, than engaging in what had been one of the articulating the least incoherent case for why Hillary Clin- most intriguing political parlor games: Whether or not ton should be president. Bayh, the former governor and former U.S. Senator, would In effect, it was as if he was auditioning for the mount another campaign for his old job. role of Clinton’s surrogate-in-chief right there on national He certainly has the cash to give it another go. TV. Of course, it was the job that eluded him in 2008 when Campaign filings show a whopping $9.84 million resting Barack Obama overcame the foregone conclusion that was comfortably in the Bayh for Senate federal campaign ac- a Clinton nomination. count which, as law allows, could be transferred in a one- The question is, if Hillary Clinton does in fact run, time payment to a state-based campaign for governor. will $9.84 million be enough to get the job he covets this The Center for Public Integrity recently called time? Or will Hillary, like Indiana Democrats, break up with on Bayh to divest himself of that money and donate it to him too? v charity. He refused saying, “Because the future is difficult to predict, I don’t want to foreclose any possibilities at this Pete Seat is senior project manager at the India- time.” napolis-based Hathaway Strategies and author of Of course, $9.84 million can keep a lot of futures the recently published book The War on Millenni- open to Bayh, but the tea leaves show those futures have als. He was previously a spokesman for President little to do with Indiana. George W. Bush, U.S. Sen. Dan Coats and the Indi- For years, he would swoop into airports around ana Republican Party. the state to vocalize his support for candidates in person. Once the cameras turned off though, he was back on the plane and off to the next stop. Page 15

Congress in 2010 to Democrat Joe Donnelly, also a strong Veteran’s issues put advocate for veterans, Walorski softened her rhetoric, soft- ened her image (though not abandoning her conservative views) and won in 2012 over Democrat Brendan Mullen, Walorski into spotlight a veteran. She went to Washington preaching “working By JACK COLWELL together” and “bipartisanship.” SOUTH BEND – Jackie Walorski is now a national Walorski didn’t immediately get much attention, figure on a big national issue, the Veterans Administration. usually the case with a freshman representative. She voted The VA scandal has become the signature issue for House Republican efforts time after time in the impos- for the Republican congresswoman from Indiana’s 2nd Dis- sible political dream of repealing the Affordable Care Act, trict due to a key committee assignment, a passion beyond alias Obamacare. She joined in a demand for defunding politics on the issue and a return to pit-bull tenacity in the Affordable Care Act in continuing government fund- pursuit of answers. ing and voted against a bipartisan compromise to reopen She drew attention as one of the first members government and stave off U.S. financial default. She spoke of Congress to call for the resignation of VA Secretary softly but wielded a partisan conservative stick. Eric Shinseki and as a House Now, on the VA scandal, no more softer rheto- Veterans Affairs Committee ric. More pit-bull tenacity. And why not? Her outrage is member demanding answers. shared by most Americans, Democrats and Republicans, Walorski has appeared in ex- liberals and conservatives. tensive interviews on CNN and But Walorski refrained from flagrant politicization Fox News, has delivered her of the Shinseki resignation. On a live CNN interview right party’s weekly radio address after the resignation, Walorski was asked about “blasts” on VA problems and was the from Republican colleagues “celebrating what’s happened subject of a front-page article today.” They celebrated a slap at Obama, not a slap at VA in the Washington publication neglect by presidents of both parties and Congress. Roll Call. Her passion showed Celebration? “We don’t take this as a day of vic- during questioning of witness- tory,” Walorski responded. “This is a day of tragedy for es before the Veterans Affairs America.” She expressed sadness that Shinseki, a deco- Committee, going beyond po- rated veteran, had to walk the plank. litical talking points in emotionally citing the cancer death Walorski said in a phone call from Washington that of her father, an Air Force veteran. Republicans and Democrats now need to work together Roll Call reported how Walorski teared up while to fix the problems and “root out these bad actors” who questioning Barry Coates, an Army veteran victimized faked waiting times to collect bonuses. by a VA delay that will be fatal. His poten- She said tially life-saving colonoscopy was delayed she takes it person- for more than a year before doctors finally ally, and not just found terminal cancer. when seeing a Barry The Roll Call account: “If I could Coates and recalling change your circumstance, I would. I would what her father suf- do it in a heartbeat,” she said, sniffling. “My fered after a similar dad,” she hesitated, her voice trembling, diagnosis. She said “was a veteran.” The Indiana Republican it affects her per- paused again, sputtering, “that died of colon sonally every day cancer.” She collected herself, shaking her as she hears more head. stories from Hoo- Her heated questioning of three sier veterans about VA representatives was tenacious as she unacceptable delays demanded answers on responsibility for in VA service. scandals and delays. “May I finish?” one witness asked The VA problem has been around for a long time, after Walorski interrupted what she found to be an un- through Republican as well as Democratic administrations, satisfactory answer. “No,” Walorski said. She had only five with Congress sometimes failing to fund computer mod- minutes for questioning. ernization and additional staff to curtail delays. This was more the Walorski of her days in the What now? Walorski, a national figure on this Indiana General Assembly, when she tenaciously went national issue, will have a voice in deciding. v after Democrats in House leadership. But that was an old image, one contributing to Colwell has covered Indiana politics over five de- negative poll percentages. After losing a first race for cades for the South Bend Tribune. Page 16

Tony Bennett. How does Gregg That is simply where Gregg has to score, and score well to defeat Pence because so much of the state tax dollar is spent on education. There are a bevy of issues convince voters? out there on the table. Let’s take a stab at a few: By DAVE KITCHELL 1. Common Core revisited. Indiana’s new state- LOGANSPORT – John has to be more Gregg- wide standards will either put Indiana out ahead of the arious to win. In politics, there are two things that matter pack or on an island behind it. The 2016 race may be too to voters: How much they like you as a person and how soon to assess the impact, but it’s a step Pence has taken much they like what you stand for or want to do if you’re that will likely be open to debate. elected. 2. Gubernatorial authority over the educa- In 2012, former Indiana House tion process. State school superintendent is an elected Speaker John Gregg scored heav- position, yet there is concern that some of the responsi- ily with voters on likability. If you bility of the office in setting policy for the state has been didn’t know John Gregg before he usurped by Pence. The issue here is not just whether ran for governor, you either knew Pence can but should do this, since there is a statewide of- him as “the man with two first ficeholder elected to do what Pence has taken on himself. names” or the man associated with 3. The school funding formula. This has been mustaches on bumper stickers or an issue considered more in the 1980s and 1990s than folksy television commercials. In the 21st century, but as charter schools collect funds that short, there simply wasn’t any- could be in public school coffers, the debate will continue. thing not to like about John Gregg, Unfortunately, it is overshadowing the real debate on unless you were voting for Mike whether underperforming schools should receive more Pence. money or be punished and receive less. If the recent Indiana Democratic 4. Compensation. Indiana is not a strong union State Convention left any impression on delegates, it was state, but reviewing entry level pay for starting teachers that Gregg is ready for a second run, even if that appeared regardless of their credentials is an issue. If Indiana sets unlikely in the months following Pence’s narrow win. prevailing wages for construction projects, why can’t it set Gregg’s candidacy presumes first that there won’t a prevailing wage minimum for teacher salaries as well? be an Evan Bayh redux in the governor’s race, and that 5. Consolidation. Indiana went through this will throw things wide open. It presumes that polling will transformational process in the 1960s, but there are plenty indicate Gregg is still strong in a head-to-head with Pence, of examples of schools that could be consolidated to bet- who now has incumbency on his side. And it assumes ter serve students and taxpayers. Anderson and Kokomo that Democrats don’t have any other fish in the barrel have fewer schools now than 25 years ago, and there are who might prove to be Pence antidotes for the party. It’s examples such as Crawford County and White River Valley extremely doubtful that Pence will be a serious presiden- that could serve as an example to other communities. tial candidate in 2016, but if he isn’t serious about being 6. Course offerings. If Indiana is going to offer a candidate for governor, that could be an opening for the academic honors diploma and encourage students to Gregg, who is battle-tested in a statewide race. pursue it, offering summer school for students at small Assuming that all those questions add up to John high schools where there are limited math, science and Gregg as the best chance the Democrats have, then the foreign language offerings can only open the doors for big question is this: How does he convince voters to like more students who really want to excel at the highest him more than Pence? level. If Pence has an Achilles heel exposed, it’s in the 7. Gifted education. Educators may call these area of education. Problems behind the scenes with State students high ability learners, but regardless of the label, School Supt. Glenda Ritz have been so strong that specu- Indiana has strayed from the days when H. Dean Ev- lation has led to her name being mentioned as the party’s ans came up with the A+ education plan and a summer standard-bearer in 2016. That probably won’t happen, but institute where the state’s brightest young minds can if Ritz’s election in 2012 proved anything it was that money spend with their peers from across the state, a period of and incumbency didn’t matter in a key statewide race. enrichment they won’t likely get in their own communities. That’s a harbinger for an underdog Gregg, and his cam- Instead, parents invest in summer camps for cheerleading, paign staff ought to remember it every day. Even in a state music and athletics. where Republicans have had their way with Democrats 8. Year-round education. This would give the past three general election cycles, with the exception students, particularly those in the Indianapolis area, more of Barak Obama’s 2008 win, voters simply liked what Ritz chances to succeed if they’ve flunked a class, dropped out stood for and represented more than Tony Bennett. In because of illness or pregnancy, or simply can’t keep up fact, they may have liked her simply because she wasn’t with their peer group. Offering more opportunities would Page 17 likely raise the state’s graduation rate and keep more stu- ally mean lower achievement for students and schools and dents on a glidepath to finish their high school education set them and their teachers up to fail or fall behind other with a degree. schools. 9. Administrator training. This was one of the These issues may not be on Gregg’s radar right components of Evans’ plan, and it allowed principals in now, but if voters want to get a handle on Gregg or if particular to receive the best training the state can provide Gregg wants to put a handlebar on that mustache so that based on an application process. voters can get a handle on what he might be like as gover- 10. Student-teacher ratios. Since the imple- nor, it’s a way to start a serious discussion about improving mentation of PrimeTime, this hasn’t been much of an is- education in Indiana. v sue. But a reinvigoration of it could find some real disparity in the number of students that teachers in one corporation Kitchell is an award-winning columnist based in are leading compared with others. Higher ratios gener- Logansport.

of-state students, even foreign students? They can pay Ivy Tech’s crucial higher tuition fees to support the programs and occupy student housing. This works for our major campuses and already has been emulated at smaller locations. role in Indiana The lust for learning by students is not as great as By MORTON MARCUS the lust for living large by administrators. INDIANAPOLIS – Now that Ivy Tech’s physi- Some will defend this extension of education cal empire has been built, with a branch in almost every empires as necessary to the times. We will be told how county, it’s time to determine what role that institution will important education is to the future of our workforce and play in providing education for Hoosiers. the state’s competitive position in the world economy. This Once upon a time, Ivy Tech was a vocational undeniable truth will not necessarily mean that our educa- extension of high school and a second chance for those tional offerings will be up to the task. Again, construction who required remediation of reading, writing and arithme- may trump content. tic skills. But that has changed. Today, Ivy Tech also offers Ivy Tech, just like other schools, has to bal- more advanced technical training as well as a pathway to ance the market with an education-based curriculum. higher education. Schools once had ideas of what should be taught to pre- There is, however, a trend across the nation (as pare a student for work and life beyond work. The educa- reported in USA Today, June 5) for community colleges to tor set the course of study. Today, the school’s admissions become four-year, bachelor-degree- and development (fundraising) offices often drive the granting institutions. Does this mean, curriculum. The eternal issue is how to satisfy short-term over time, Ivy Tech’s many locations demand in schools built on long-term capital of teachers will augment their offerings to include and knowledge. sports and other studies comparable Will Ivy Tech be a market-driven school? If busi- with those now available at Ball State, nesses dictate what is taught, there would be less need for Indiana, Indiana State, IPFW, IUE, a permanent faculty and fixed facilities. Flexibility becomes IUK, IUN, IUPUI, IUPUI-C, IUSB, the mantra. But does that sort of education benefit our so- IUSE, Purdue, PUC, PUNC and South- ciety? Shouldn’t it be paid for by business? Does that work ern Indiana? in a state that is eliminating business taxes? v Academic offerings may start small, but as with children, they Mr. Marcus is an economist, writer, and speaker often grow in size and complexity without adding depth. who may be reached at mortonjmarcus@yahoo. Thus, programs move from certificates to degrees, and com. degrees to higher degrees, until we have doctorates in the legal and anthropological aspects of 16th century medical management of mites. It’s easy to see how this can happen. More areas of study (and who is to say that sports are not an entire universe of study?) mean more faculty, support staff, and facilities. Ah, facilities: Construction contracts for friends of legislators. Four year programs need students. Why not out- Page 18

Matt Tully, Indianapolis Star: Two years ago, even though it is a monument to authoritarianism,” Miller Richard Mourdock didn’t get the memo. You know, the tells the camera, the thin hum of a ceiling fan in the back- one that tells politicians talking about rape to stick to the ground. “It’s a just a big concrete building. A thing,” Miller basics: How heartbreakingly cruel, horrible, violent and says, getting worked up. “You have to go get marriage devastating the act is. Nope, he either didn’t get that licenses. You have to get a gun permit. Whatever it is, you memo or he ignored it. And, so, he waxed on during a have to go down to that big stone structure monument campaign debate about how “even when life begins in that to tyranny and submit, crawling, groveling on your hands horrible situation of rape, that it is something God intend- and knees. ‘Oh give me permission to do this, give me ed to happen.” In that moment and with that comment, permission to do that.’ “I don’t know. Sounds a little like he sacrificed a very good shot at a U.S. Senate seat. Two Nazi Germany to me. Or maybe communist Russia.” A little years have passed, and Mourdock has been pretty much like Nazi Germany. On Saturday, a day before the country out of the public eye since his disastrous Senate campaign. learned the names of Jerad and Amanda Miller, Richard He returned to his job as state treasurer, which he’s wrap- Mourdock stood before fellow Republicans at the state ping up this year. And although time has passed, Mourdock convention and told his own cautionary tale about this na- proved over the weekend that he still cannot be trusted tion and how close it is to Nazi Germany. v with a microphone. Once again, he didn’t get a memo: This one being the one that tells politicians to tread very Chris Cillizza, Washington Post: Eric Cantor just carefully when comparing anything to Nazis, or anyone lost. The defeat of the second-ranking Republican in the to Adolf Hitler. Why? Because nothing compares to a man House by an ill-funded, little-known tea party-backed can- and a government that systematically murdered millions of didate ranks as the biggest Congressional upset in modern innocent people. Nothing. No, Mr. Mourdock, memory and will immediately generate a series of not even a federal health law you don’t like. political and policy-related shockwaves in Wash- Singlehandedly, Mourdock, the man who cost ington and the Richmond-area 7th district. “People his party a prized Senate seat in 2012, stole don’t know how to respond because it’s never the messaging away from the GOP’s annual been contemplated,” said one Virginia Republican state convention this weekend. How? By sug- strategist, granted anonymity to speak candidly gesting that the United States in the Obama about Cantor’s loss. (Worth noting: Cantor didn’t era was headed toward the fate of Germany of the 1930s. just lose. He got walloped; David Brat, his challenger, won “The people of Germany in a free election selected the 56 percent to 44 percent.) In conversations with a hand- Nazi Party because they made great promises that ap- ful of GOP operatives in the aftermath of Cantor’s loss pealed to them because they were desperate and desti- -- a loss blamed largely on an inept campaign consult- tute,” he told the GOP delegates, according to a story in ing team that misread the level of vitriol directed at the The Star. “And why is that? Because Germany was bank- candidate due to his place in Republican leadership and rupt.” How could one man — a man who holds an office as the perception he supported so-called “amnesty” for illegal bland as state treasurer — do so much damage to a party? immigrants -- there were several common threads about v what it means for politics inside and outside the House. 1. Immigration reform is dead. I’m not sure it was ever Dave Bangert, Lafayette Journal & Courier: really alive in the House, but Cantor’s loss ensures that Before Jerad Miller went to Cliven Bundy’s Nevada ranch even chatter about making minor changes will disappear. to help stand up to federal agents in Nevada — he was so 2. House legislative activity will cease. 3. The “establish- radical that the Bundy family asked him to leave — and ment strike back” storyline will disappear.... In the space before he and wife, Amanda, went to a strip mall in north of the last week, the narrative that the establishment has Las Vegas with aims of committing the next Columbine, he finally figured out how to beat the tea party has exploded. was a guy in trouble in Lafayette. Quite a bit, apparently, First, state Sen. Chris McDaniel finished ahead of Missis- according to court records. And one of those times he was sippi Sen. Thad Cochran in the state’s GOP primary. Now, in trouble, he picked up a video camera and laid out his the Cantor loss. 4. Tea party challenges will surge. David problems with the system, with drug laws, with the way Brat -- and McDaniel if he wins -- will become the newest the house arrest bracelet cut into his foot, with govern- tea party heroes, taking their places alongside the likes of ment drones and with phone taps he suspected were Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Mike Lee (Utah). In the near already listening in. At one point in roughly five minutes term, that will embolden tea partiers who seemed dead in of video posted to YouTube, Miller opens a curtain to his the water in their own attempts to take out incumbents. 5. front window and to a world he wasn’t able to go out into, The race to replace John Boehner as Speaker is now wide thanks to an arrest for selling marijuana. From his house open. We’ve written before about how difficult it will be for on Weaver Street, the frame comes in and out of focus Boehner to hold on to his Speakership -- assuming Repub- against a gray horizon, eventually pulling the Tippecanoe licans keep the majority this fall. But now the heir appar- County Courthouse into view. “It is a beautiful building, ent has been dragged under by a conservative uprising. v Page 19

this fall in the heavily Republican poses the measure but voted in favor Stunning upset district. Republicans were so sure that of it two weeks ago, enabling him to Mr. Cantor would win that most party make the motion to reconsider. of Eric Cantor leaders had been watching for how broad his victory would be. His defeat WASHINGTON — In one of will reverberate in the capital and Former Pence aide to the most stunning prima- could have major implications ry election upsets in con- for any chance of an immigra- join Koch Industries gressional history, the tion overhaul. With significant WASHINGTON - Matt Lloyd House majority leader, help from conservative talk ra- will join Koch Industries at the end of Eric Cantor, was soundly dio hosts like Laura Ingraham, the month as communications director, defeated on Tuesday by Mr. Brat was able to galvanize based in D.C. (Politico). He’ll report to a Tea Party-backed eco- opposition to Mr. Cantor in Steve Lombardo, Koch’s chief commu- nomics professor who had hammered one of Virginia’s most conservative nications and marketing officer. Lloyd him for being insufficiently conserva- congressional districts. “He really just served previously as communications tive (New York Times). The result de- didn’t have very much money, but director for Mike Pence for 10 years livered a major jolt to the Republican what he did have was a lot of heart,” when he was in Congress. Party — Mr. Cantor had widely been she said of Mr. Brat. “I think there will considered the top candidate to suc- be a lot of people out there saying this ceed Speaker John A. Boehner — and could be the beginning of something Libertarians fill it has the potential to change both the really big for the Republican Party.” debate in Washington on immigration out ticket and, possibly, the midterm elections. With just over $200,000, David Brat, a Fort Wayne ends INDIANAPOLIS — The Indi- professor at Randolph-Macon College ana Libertarian Party has filled out its in Ashland, Va., toppled Mr. Cantor, collective bargaining statewide slate of candidates (Associ- repeatedly criticizing him for being ated Press). The party announced FORT WAYNE – Once again, Tuesday that Indianapolis accountant soft on immigration and contending City Council members voted along that he supported what critics call and financial adviser Mike Jasper will party lines to end collective bargaining seek the treasurer’s office. Chesterton amnesty for immigrants in the country for all city workers except police and illegally.Dur- management consultant John Schick is firefight- running as the party’s pick for auditor. ing a short ers and, concession once again, speech late Mayor Court rules schools Tuesday, Mr. Tom Henry Cantor did vowed must provide busing not try to to veto analyze his INDIANAPOLIS - Franklin the mea- Township Schools violated the Indiana defeat or sure (Fort cast blame, Constitution when it stopped bus- Wayne ing for students and then contracted saying only Journal Gazette). The council ap- that he knew he had disappointed with a private group to provide the proved the measure along party lines service for a fee, the Indiana Appeals his supporters. In victory, Mr. Brat two weeks ago, but a parliamentary said that his candidacy had resonated Court ruled Tuesday (Statehouse File). move brought it up again for recon- The Indiana General Assembly has with voters who believed that politics sideration Tuesday. The motion to had been dumbed down by partisan already passed legislation that bans reconsider – which would have had schools from charging fees to trans- infighting. “The American people the council vote a second time on want to pay attention to serious ideas port students to school. In its decision the proposal – failed 5-3. Democrats Tuesday, a three-judge panel relied on again,” Mr. Brat said, speaking on John Shoaff, Geoff Paddock and Glynn Fox News. “Our founding was built a previous Indiana Supreme Court rul- Hines voted in favor of reconsider- ing that says “absent specific statutory by people who were political philoso- ing. Republicans Mitch Harper, Marty phers, and we need to get back to authority, fees or charges for what are Bender, Tom Didier, Tom Smith and otherwise public education cost items that, away from this kind of cheap po- Russ Jehl voted no. John Crawford, litical rhetoric of right and left.” He will cannot be levied directly or indirectly R-at large, co-authored the ordinance against students or their parents.” face Jack Trammell, a Democrat who but was absent Tuesday. Shoaff op- is also a professor at Randolph-Macon,