Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003 Volume 10, Number 10 Page 1 of 9 he Rabbit Hunt: The T Joe and Bren Saga Howey Indiana Democrats in thorough turmoil By BRIAN A. HOWEY in Indianapolis In Alan Schom’s book Napoleon Bonaparte, he writes of the mighty victor of Austerlitz, who ran roughshod over Political 85,000 Russians and Austrians and was rewarded with a royal hunt of a Corsican favorite: Rabbit. Master of the Hunt Berthier went to the considerable trouble of purchasing a Report thousand hares. As Napoleon, decked out in full hunting regalia, walked across the killing fields, the rabbits were The Howey Political Report is published by NewsLink released from cages on the two tree lines. Inc. Founded in 1994, The Howey Political Report is But instead of fleeing the intrepid Emperor, the freed an independent, non-partisan newsletter analyzing the political process in Indiana. rabbits “perversely turned straight for the hunters, coming at them in magnificent bounds.” At first, Napoleon and his Brian A. Howey, publisher party, not believing their eyes, “laughed at the comic absur- Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington writer dity of the whole thing. But laughter soon gave way to per- Jack E. Howey, editor plexity, and perplexity to concern” as the rabbits swarmed Napoleon, entwining themselves between his legs and jump- The Howey Political Report Office: 317-254-1533 PO Box 40265 Fax: 317-968-0487 ing into his arms. The victor of Austerlitz “now ignomin- Indianapolis, IN 46240-0265 Mobile: 317-506-0883 iously scurried off another battlefield, pursued by dozens of [email protected] unarmed rabbits.” www.howeypolitics.com A humiliated Berthier would later learn that the rab- bits had been raised for pate, and believed Napoleon was Washington office: 202-775-3242; Business Office: 317-254-0535. there to give them their daily feed. Such a scene might be ascribed to the Joe Andrew, Subscriptions: $250 annually via e-mail or the victor of French Lick, and his Democratic gubernatorial fax; $450 annually including the HPR Daily campaign. Not only did he lose his rich runningmate, Bren Wire. Call 317-254-1533 or 254-0535. Simon, but he did so in the fashion of a woman scorned. It © 2003, The Howey Political Report. All rights was the latest development in an autumnal 2003 political reserved. Photocopying, Internet forwarding, faxing or sequence that could be described as something akin to a reproducing in any form, in whole or in part, is a viola- Federico Fellini film, with one unrelenting and bizarre scene tion of federal law and is strictly prohibited without following another. consent of the publisher. Andrew found out about the defection through the “This is just the idle political hot spot of the Ticker: Moses presses Kernan p. 2 day ...” Horse Race ‘04: Labor’s quandary p. 3 - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Horse Race ‘03: Elkhart barbfest p. 6 Columnists: Cook, Schneider p. 8 Andrew, after Bren Simon left his ticket, to the Monday Reserved for Kathy Davis p. 9 Fort Wayne Journal Gazette Covering 10 years of Indiana politics Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003 Page 2 of 9 news media. Indianapolis Star reporter an argument in progress. “No, there’s no Mary Beth Schneider (perhaps picking up truth to that,” said Lee. “Republicans are on Monday’s Indianapolis Eye story about doing anything they can to stir that up.” a wavering Simon), richly set the scene of But Lee acknowledged that Simon Simon sitting on her couch at her Carmel had been “ill this past week” and had can- estate of Asherwood with four white celed several campaign-related events. GALLUP HAS BUSH AT 56 Maltese dogs, spurning Andrew, claiming Other sources close to Andrew and Simon PERCENT: A USA an “allegiance” to Gov. Joe Kernan, the said that Simon had postponed a major Today/Gallup/CNN poll of reluctant, undeclared candidate. fundraiser she was planning to host for 1,004 adults, conducted As for Joe Andrew, the man who over October 10-12 (+/- 3%), Andrew, in part because of Gov. Joe shows: 56% approve "of the with “boldness” selected Simon for her Kernan’s intentions for 2004 remaining way George W. Bush is han- checkbook, and then without a wink or a undeclared. The sources said that Simon dling his job as president"; nod proclaimed her ready to be lieutenant had planned to support a Kernan candida- 40% disapprove; 4% have governor or even governor, Simon would cy until he dropped out of the race last no opinion. 58% "approve of say that he was a “great guy, a terrific per- December. the way Donald Rumsfeld is son. I don't want to betray anybody. I That story, detailing Simon’s handling his job as don't want to hurt anyone.” refusal to meet with reporters to talk about Secretary of Defense"; 36% But “hurt” wouldn’t be the word for basic issues, the strange Sept. 23 “samarai disapprove; 6% have no the damage Bren Simon has inflicted on warrior” press conference where Andrew opinion. 52% think the Joe Andrew campaign, though some President Bush "deserves jumped in to answer some questions to be reelected"; 45% think would argue this week’s bizarre events are directed at Simon, the body guards, and he does not; 3% have no mutual flagellation. Thought to be the the inevitable comparisons between opinion. frontrunning campaign prior to Gov. Simon and lieutenant governor designate Frank O’Bannon’s death, the Andrew Kathy Davis, appeared in the Eye Monday MOSES PRESSES KERNAN: campaign stands on the brink of destruc- evening, and were excerpted in Tuesday’s "We are presently in a terri- tion and a lack of credibility, and the HPR Daily Wire. ble position," said Rep. Win Indiana Democratic Party has been over- Schneider and the Star picked the Moses Jr., D-Fort Wayne, of run by pate rabbits, it’s partisans search- story up Tuesday afternoon, with Simon the vaccuum in the ing through a forest of furry, floppy ears Democratic gubernatorial granting the rare interview that has crip- for the Governor Savior. race (Fort Wayne Journal pled the Andrew campaign. Gazette). "The delay is detri- There were other stories from reli- mental. We have to have Shouting on the line able Democratic sources who said that some decisions made by The “rumors” had been circulating comments Andrew had made about Kernan. Until he does, it lets intensely for a week or so in the Hoosier Simon’s credibility as an LG had made the Republicans focus on capital. There were reports that their way back to her. The same sources themselves and raise Republican operatives had tried to seed a said Simon raised the idea of leaving the money while we are still try- story about a Simon family matter to the ticket last Friday with Andrew, which ing to figure out who our nominee is." But again Indianapolis Star. Andrew, the sources were confirmed by the Star. Simon told Wednesday, Kernan said, was able to get the story spiked. The other reporters that she began having sec- spokeswoman Tina Noel Democratic source, an ally of Andrew, ond thoughts about her time away from said the governor had no said Republicans were trying to scare her family and two businesses three weeks comment on his future polit- Simon out of the race, fearing her check- ago, a week after Gov. O’Bannon’s funer- ical plans. book. al and as the speculation about Gov. Writing for Monday’s edition of the Kernan’s undetermined future intensified. KERNAN KEEPING 2004 Indianapolis Eye, the author (Howey, not The Associated Press reported OPTIONS OPEN: Gov. Joe Schom) contacted Andrew campaign Andrew saying on Tuesday, “My last con- Kernan has some advice for chairman Dennis Lee to talk about the versation with her was at a fundraiser I all the politicians trying to mine hints about his plans rumors pointing to a Simon withdrawal. attended with her last night. I was sur- As Lee began to talk, shouts could be prised that she got out period, but I was Continued on page 3 heard in the background, as if there was surprised that she got out at this point. Page 3 of 9 Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003 2004 Racing Form Indiana 2004Gubernatorial Governor 2004: Republican: Mitch Daniels, Eric Miller, Petersburg Mayor Randy Harris, Bob Parker. Democrat: Joe Andrew, State Sen. Vi Simpson, Roy Graham. 1996 Results: from his choice for lieu- O’Bannon (D) 1,075,342, Goldsmith (R) 997,505, Dillon (L) 35,261. 2000 Results: O’Bannon tenant governor. "I can tell (D) 1,230,345, McIntosh (R) 906,492, Horning (L) 38,686. 2004 Forecast: Daniels visits the them not to waste their historic Homer Capehart farm at Montgomery, home of the famed 1938 “Cornfield Conference” time," he said (Mike Smith, that revitalized the Indiana GOP. Anxious Democrats should expect to wait until after the munic- Associated Press). When it ipal elections before they hear whether Gov. comes to 2004, Kernan still Kernan will run for 2004. While it is almost uni- has all his options open. versal thinking that Democrats are hoping the Kathy Davis' nomination governor changes his mind, many who are say- was more widely viewed as ing so publicly are privately imploring Kernan to a sign Kernan is serious run and save the party from chaos. Party operatives are also stressing the time sensitivity. about taking on the state's Several of the operatives told Horse Race, “The governor is a smart guy; he gets it.” Perhaps the budget problems and trou- most intriguing group of people to watch in the aftermath of the Andrew-Simon fiasco is bled economy head-on.