Thursday, March 27, 2003
Volume 9, Number 29 Page 1 of 8 he Hints of volatility T in invasion’s wake Howey Casualties begin; where are WMD? By BRIAN A. HOWEY in Indianapolis Military officers have begun walking up to the front doors of Hoosier parents with bad news. Political It has become gut check time in Indiana and across the nation as the War in Iraq moves into its second week. President Bush warned in a speech Wednesday that Report the war “is far from over” and dropped the phrase “ahead of schedule,” but Americans appear to be resolute in their sup- The Howey Political Report is published by NewsLink port. A CNN poll released Wednesday showed 71 percent Inc. Founded in 1994, The Howey Political Report is support the war, while a Zogby Poll had it at 67 percent. an independent, non-partisan newsletter analyzing the political process in Indiana. CBS-New York Times and Pew Research polls pegged President Bush’s approval rating at 67 percent, still well Brian A. Howey, publisher below his father’s support in the 1991 Gulf War Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington writer At this writing, 25 Americans have been killed, Jack E. Howey, editor including U.S. Army Specialist Greg Sanders of Hobart and Marine Lance Cpl. David Fribley of Atwood, with nine The Howey Political Report Office: 317-254-1533 PO Box 40265 Fax: 317-968-0487 missing in action and seven captured. Another 31 have been Indianapolis, IN 46240-0265 Mobile: 317-506-0883 injured by friendly fire. [email protected] Americans have been greeted with a plethora of www.howeypolitics.com those awkward family interviews on the morning news shows. Leslie Sanders, the mother of Greg Sanders, was Washington office: 202-775-3242; Business Office: 317-254-0535. heroic in the face of her devastating news, reconciling her son’s call to arms with her own loss. Fribley was motivated Subscriptions: $250 annually via e-mail or to join the Marines after the Sept. 11 atrocities. But the fax; $450 annually including the HPR Daily father of a Baltimore soldier held up a photo of his son on Wire. Call 317-254-1533 or 254-0535. Sunday and told President Bush he had taken “my only son.” © 2003, The Howey Political Report. All rights Political analyst Charlie Cook said he believes that reserved. Photocopying, Internet forwarding, faxing or support could be shallow, as polls wavered 5 to 6 percent reproducing in any form, in whole or in part, is a viola- depending on the news of the day. Americans are expecting a tion of federal law and is strictly prohibited without short war and with some Pentagon officials expecting as consent of the publisher.

“Change is difficult and people are resistant to Ticker: Kenley’s education plan p. 2 change. Personally, I like Knox County the Bayh’s Estrada vote exploited p. 3 way it is. I don’t want to see 10,000 more peo- Hoosier Mayors plea for jobs p. 4 ple move to Knox County.” - State Rep. John New day for Lake County GOP p. 5 Frenz, to the Vincennes Sun-Commercial 2003 Horse Race: Gary update p. 6 Columnists: Smith, Colwell p. 8 Thursday, March 27, 2003 Page 2 of 8

BORST WILL FUND EDUCA- TION, FLAT-LINE EVERY- THING ELSE: In a budget proposal they plan to pre- sent today, Senate Republicans will keep spending on Medicaid and prisons at current levels and take money from a vari- ety of designated accounts to pay for increased educa- tion funding (Lesley Stedman, Louisville Courier- Journal). Senate Finance Committee Chairman Larry Borst said public school funding ''is by far the most many as 3,000 casualties in a war mea- line prices across Indiana fell about 30 important thing in this bill. sured in months -- not weeks -- those cents a gallon (from about $1.75 to Everything is geared to giv- numbers can be expected to fluctuate. $1.47). Wall Street saw an upsurge during ing them an increase. We Such volatility may be a reflection the first week, punctuated by a Monday flat-lined everything else. We are scraping all the bal- of the immediacy of this war. In Vietnam, falloff following the news of casualties ances we can find so we Americans got the war in five- or 10- last Sunday. don't have cut'' schools. minute doses on the morning and evening There has also been relief that the There will be no tax news programs. In 1991, the ground war American homeland has not been hit with increase. lasted only three days. In this invasion of terrorist attacks. U.S. Rep. Mike Pence Iraq, Americans are being bombarded called it a reason to “celebrate” each day KENLEY OFFERS NEW with scenes and reports anytime they want without such violence. But most PLAN FOR SCHOOLS: it on the news channels and Internet. Americans seem to think the dangers are Senate Republicans also plan to spend the money for The sickly yellow atmosphere in lurking. In Indiana, the attempted hijack- schools much differently, Baghdad due to sandstorms and oil fires, ing of a gasoline tanker at Clermont on proposing a funding formu- along with images of American soldiers Monday, fitting an FBI profile of a possi- la that provides less fund- fighting off the sand, POWs being inter- ble second wave of attack, was unsettling. ing for those districts that viewed, and this morning’s incident of There have been protests on both are losing enrollment and friendly fire that injured 31 offer a stress- sides. A pro-war event at the Kruse Auto more for those that are ful element to daily life even as legendary Auction at Auburn last Saturday drew an growing (Louisville Courier- Journal). The architect of CBS news mogul Don Hewitt called it estimated 15,000, according to WPTA-TV the proposed changes, Sen. “television’s shining moment.” in Fort Wayne, while anti-war rallies late Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, Military families are glued to the last week drew 300 people in South Bend said the plan means money set, looking for images of their sons, and Bloomington, 30 in Lafayette and will be focused on children, fathers and brothers, while facing the real- several dozen in Fort Wayne. Hoosiers regardless of where they go ity that they could bear witness to their from Northwest Indiana migrated to to school. He said the injury or death. It’s a recipe for volatility. Chicago, where hundreds were held at bay House plan simply ensures that every district receives Advent of the war has reflected by Chicago police on Lake Shore Drive, uncertainty. In the days immediately fol- lending eerie visuals of scenes ghosting Continued on page 3 lowing the beginning of hostilities, gaso- from 1968. A handful of protesters peace- Page 3 of 8 Thursday, March 27, 2003 fully occupied the Indianapolis offices of Turkey haven’t faced the chemically- U.S. Sens. Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar tipped Scuds. last week and were arrested. But President Bush’s pretext for On Wednesday, President Bush this war was WMD and not Saddam told the nation from Florida, "I can assure Hussein’s genocide, and it was a position you there will be a day of reckoning for embraced by most of the Hoosier congres- Iraq, and that day is drawing near. sional delegation. an increase in funding every "As they approach Baghdad, our Once the mop-up is completed, year, even if they are losing fighting units are facing the most desper- and if no such weapons are found, that population. Kenley's fund- ate elements of a doomed regime. We can- could be a politically explosive fallout ing formula also uses a not know the duration of this war, but we from this war, not only across the world, ''complexity index'' to mea- sure the difficulty of educat- are prepared for the battle ahead." but here in the heartland. The original ing students in each dis- But, perhaps the most unsettling pretext was supposed to be the Iraqi link trict. It considers the area's element of the invasion is the absence, to al Qaeda and Sept. 11. Then it was poverty, the number of stu- thus far, of any use or stockpile discovery WMD. dents in the federal free- of weapons of mass destruction. There is Perhaps Saddam’s most devastating lunch program, how many relief that American soldiers and cities in attack could be fired from his grave. of the students' parents Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and graduated from high school, and the number of students who speak English as a sec- Republicans try to exploit Bayh’s Estrada vote ond language. Dan Clark, a INDIANAPOLIS - Perhaps the most calculating politician in Indiana is U.S. lobbyist for the Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh. His political machine has mastered tactical and strategic action. So it State Teachers Association, was with great interest that he cast his vote in the Senate impeding the nomination of said Kenley's theories have Miguel Estrada to the U.S. Court of Appeals. some merit. ''Having the dollars following the stu- With Hispanics settling in Indiana in growing numbers (some Hispanic leaders dent intuitively makes tell HPR they believe 100,000 now live in Indianapolis), Bayh seemed to cast his first sense,'' Clark said. significant vote against this emerging constituency. Edward Peralta, president of But he said the Republican Hispanic Voices of Northwest Indiana, sent a letter to Bayh saying, “We cannot under- plan works only if the for- stand why the members of the Democratic Party ... have chosen to impede (Estrada’s) mula directs significant ascension to this court seat for what appears to be political reasons.” Peralta added, amounts to schools that “This is especially upsetting to us because Hispanic-Americans are under-represented have a high complexity in our judicial system at the higher levels.” index, which are generally Attorney Peter Rusthoven in his Indianapolis Eye column wrote, “Miguel those that are losing stu- Estrada, whose nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is being dents. ''The amount of dol- lars for the complexity filibustered by Senate Democrats, is the latest victim of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe index in the formula is so v. Wade decision transforming abortion into a “constitutional right” by judicial fiat. The inadequate it won't come ‘A-word’ is rarely uttered by the 44 senators blocking Estrada (including Evan Bayh, close to addressing the Indiana’s self-proclaimed ‘moderate’). But their stated pretexts are a smokescreen for needs of those students,'' the Scarlet Letter that (thanks to Roe) has made key appointments to the ‘nonpolitical’ Clark said. of the three federal branches the focus of fiercely partisan political warfare.” Rusthoven added, “Every Democratic senator who wants to be president knows BRINEGAR CALLS FOR this is litmus-test territory for groups with de facto veto power on the nomination. Evan ‘DRASTIC STEPS’ WITH Bayh learned in 2000 that straying from orthodox doctrine on partial birth abortion BUDGET: Business and made him an unacceptable Al Gore running mate. Evan Bayh is a very quick study.” education leaders painted a dreary picture Wednesday So Bayh has made a tactical decision: Vote to enhance his 2004 ticket poten- of Indiana's budget situa- tial, at the risk of alienating a growing constituency back home. tion, saying the $850 million Indiana Republicans tried to exploit the latter, with Republican Chairman Jim state deficit could produce Kittle Jr. assailing Bayh for the vote outside the senator’s office, with protest placards serious problems in funding behind him and the new Indianapolis Hispanic TV station in front.  continued on page 4 Thursday, March 27, 2003 Page 4 of 8 Hoosier mayors make a plea for new jobs By BRIAN A. HOWEY Finance Chairman Larry Borst, Senate INDIANAPOLIS - A week after President Pro Tempore Robert D. Garton, nearly a dozen Indiana counties passed and House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, the some type of income taxes to blunt hem- mayors were essentially rebuffed and told education (Steve Hinnefeld, orrhaging budgets, it was the cities’ turn to quit complaining. Bloomington Herald-Times). to plea for help in the legislature. Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson Kevin Brinegar, president of Mayors of Indiana’s largest cities was asked if no economic package was the Indiana Chamber of gathered at the Statehouse to push the pas- better than a two-year package. “Perhaps,” Commerce, said state tax sage of the House version of economic he said. revenues are likely to Like the counties, mayors and remain flat until next year, development. “It is imperative that the after declining the past two legislature do something very bold to cre- their cities are facing a brutal reality. years. "In order to live with- ate jobs and new kinds of businesses,” While legislators and governors brag of in that, you have to take said Democrat Fort Wayne Mayor Graham “holding the line on taxes,” municipalities some very drastic steps," Richard. “Nothing less than the economic are facing billions of dollars in what he said. The drastic cuts future of this state depends on it.” Kokomo Mayor James Trobaugh calls that Brinegar hinted at Republican Mayors Duane Dede- “unfunded mandates.” Trobaugh, presi- could mean laying off teach- low of Hammond and Russell Lloyd Jr of dent of IACT, says the price tag for solv- ers and eliminating popular Evansville made the pitch bipartisan. “We ing combined sewer overflows stands school programs, Monroe remain very grateful for the gains made between $3 and $5 billion. Peterson says County school superinten- dents told an audience of 65 last session with statewide tax restructur- Indianapolis faces $1 billion in costs; people at the Bloomington ing, and our first goal is to preserve those Richard said Fort Wayne has spent $140 Convention Center of gains,” said Dedelow. “But we must build million and faces up to $250 million Monroe County. For higher on that success and finish the job with an more. Trobaugh’s Kokomo is looking at a education, they could lead economic development package that takes $120 million price tag. The bind is that to steep tuition increases Indiana to the next level.” most of the big cities have already passed and caps on enrollment, Lloyd, like Richard and Dedelow some type of income tax. “We really can’t officials said. "If we don't facing tough challenges for re-election generate more revenue using the income fund K-12 and standards next November, added, “I fear that with- taxes,” Trobaugh said. “We need income and assessments, we have missed a tremendous out a very significant investment now in from jobs and payroll taxes.” opportunity," said Steve economic development, what today we’re In essence, cities and counties need Ferguson, an IU trustee and calling a budget crisis will soon come to an economic rebound to grow out of their a member of the Indiana be seen as Indiana’s normal state of tough bind. It’s a plan that has Reagan and Education Roundtable. affairs.” Bush written all over it, something What are the mayors asking for? Republican legislators such as Borst and MEEKS EXPLAINS FLIP: Basically the essence of HB 2008 that Garton might be expected to respect. Senate Republicans want to would distribute $353.5 million over the The problem is that legislators spend all the money Indiana next 10 years into the 21st Century have painted themselves into a corner. gets from tobacco compa- They have squandered a decade of Build nies over the next two years Research and Technology Fund, Indiana -- about $250 million -- on Venture Fund, Energize Indiana Growth Indiana Funds to buy American Legion health programs such as Scholars Fund, Indiana Technology Grant uniforms and fund museums and halls of the HoosierRx prescription Fund, Rural Development and fame; they have passed deficit budgets; drug subsidy for low- Administration Funds, and the Value they refused to restructure the tax system income seniors, Meeks said. Added Research Fund. Other Midwestern for half a decade, and finally did so kick- This would help free up $35 states have earmarked $1 billion a year. ing and screaming. Now Borst talks of a million to $40 million a year Asked by reporters if there was an state facing “total disrepair” while ignor- for an economic develop- intensive lobbying effort under way, ing tax increases or gaming money, seek- ment plan GOP lawmakers ing instead to raid various funds. will unveil next week, Meeks Richard replied, “Understatement.” said. The Senate has reject- But one of the big city mayors told Mayors want “bold ideas” but may HPR that in a meeting with Senate instead just get Borsted.  continued on page 5 Page 5 of 8 Thursday, March 27, 2003 A house cleaning in the Lake County GOP MERRILLVILLE - Reform of the against Stephen Stiglich. Indiana Republican Party has had several And, Thayer alleged, Chiabai mis- red letter dates over the past two years: appropriated “thousands of dollars.” Mike McDaniel’s stepping down; Jim For years, Thayer and Joe Hero of ed O'Bannon's request to Kittle Jr.’s election in January 2002; the the St. John GOP had complained and issue tobacco bonds for election of last year that saw pickups of were either called “nuts” by former State Energize Indiana, the gover- Indiana House and Congressional seats; Chairman Gordon Durnil, or their charges nor's 10-year, $1.25 billion and Fred Klipsch’s placement as national weren’t investigated during the McDaniel economic development plan committeeman. era. A Hammond Times article on Feb. 20, to help revive the state's But the final bit of housecleaning, 1986 quoted Durnil as expressing little economy (Indianapolis Star). Senate Republicans outside the governor’s office, occurred on concern about Democrats serving in GOP also won't touch $245 mil- March 20, when Lake County Republican precinct positions. “No question, it’s a lion in tobacco settlement Chairman Roger Chiabai was forced to local problem,” Durnil said. In April savings accumulated since resign. A GOP hearing found that Chiabai 1986, Durnil warned Kotso about appoint- 1998, as O'Bannon has pro- had compromised the Lake County party ing Democrats, but refused to take action. posed. And they're balking by committing voter fraud, financial mis- After the February hearing and a at the governor's request management, and had deep ties to Lake meeting on March 19, Chiabai was forced for more money for County Democrats, particularly East to resign, and was replaced by Winfield Medicaid and prisons. Last Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick. Township Trustee John Curley. month, though, they rebuked House Democrats In fact, earlier in the month, Luke Messer, executive director of for proposing to freeze such Chiabai as a member of the Lake County the state GOP, said Curley’s appointment spending, calling it unrealis- Election Board voted against allegations marks the beginning of a new era to tic and irresponsible. Now that Pastrick actually resided at Ogden strengthen the Lake County Republican that it's their turn to write a Dunes. Pastrick’s opponent, former judge Party. “This resignation ends an investiga- budget, Senate Republicans and state senator Lonnie Randolph, asked tion into questionable decisions and say curbing Medicaid Chiabai to recuse himself because of close appointments by Mr. Chiabai,” Messer growth and finding a way to ties to the mayor. said. “We can now move forward, with pay for additional prison Prior to that, Chiabai had been the Republicans all over Lake County, to inmates is O'Bannon's prob- lem. When questioned subject of a Republican investigation and rebuild this organization and turn it into about the Republicans' one of the premier Republican operations hearing that took place at Warsaw. about-face, Senate Budget Chiabai had been the target of Peter in the state. ... Today, we are here to build Chairman Meeks laughed Thayer, a long-time East Chicago a new Republican Party in Lake County.” and said: "The legislature is Republican who had alleged as far back as How clean of a start is still subject weak." 1986 that Chiabai, former Lake County to debate. Hero claims the state committee Chairman Joseph Kotso, and East Chicago violated its own rules by not following INDIANAPOLIS DROPS City Chairman Robert J. Cantrell had proper steps to appoint a new chairman. SEWER SUIT: Indianapolis actually been Democrats, working as He sees Curley as a “stalking horse” for officials have dropped their appeal of a strict federal Republicans on behalf of the Pastrick Chiabai and added, “We need a clean water discharge permit they start.” And Hammond Mayor Duane machine. Thayer said that Kotso, Cantrell said put them in a legal bind and Chiabai repeatedly appointed Dedelow Jr. has expressed concern that with terms that were impos- Democrats to fill GOP precinct, county Chiabai’s appointees still maintain their sible to meet (Indianapolis and election board positions, as well as positions. Star). In 2001, city officials state convention delegates. As for the statewide implications, agreed to the permit -- Thayer also alleged that Chiabai the Lake County GOP is the third-largest knowing they could not appointed Democrats to serve on precinct concentration of Republican voters in comply with a provision that election boards, “thus jeopardizing the Indiana. And Lake County is a place prohibits overflows from the sewer system that harm checks and balances” of maintaining fair where statewide Democrats forge huge elections. He pointed to the 1999 mayoral pluralities. A main cog of the Democratic continued on page 6 race surrounding Pastrick’s primary race strategy, inside the GOP, is now gone. Thursday, March 27, 2003 Page 6 of 8 2003, 2004 Racing Form Gary Mayoral: Republican: Open. Democrat: Mayor Scott King, Karen Freeman- Wilson, Dozier Allen, Roosevelt Allen, Douglas Grimes. 1995 Results: 1995 Results: King (D) 23,588, Williams (I) 5,482, Boswell (R) 1,108, McCraney (I) 96. 1999 Results: King (D) water quality -- because the 11,467. 2003 Forecast: King won the endorsement of the 4th Council District, which includes U.S. Environmental neighborhoods such as Midtown, Marshalltown and parts of Tolleston and has for years been a Protection Agency had King stronghold. King got 15 endorsement votes in the Friday night balloting, more than double issued a letter promising Karen Freeman-Wilson’s seven. Roosvelt Allen the city wouldn't be fined as got two votes and Douglas Grimes one in the long as it made progress on mayor’s race. Freeman-Wilson was endorsed by improvements the 3rd District. General Status: Solid King. Hammond Mayoral: Republican: HENRY COUNTY SEEKS $4 Mayor Duane Dedelow. Democrat: Tom McDermott Jr.. 1995 Results: Dedelow (R) 11,099, MILLION LOAN: The Henry Philpot (D) 10,578. 1999 Results: Dedelow (R) 10,192, Philpot (D) 8,527, Robinson (L) 278. County Council took steps 2003 Outlook: New Lake County Republican Chairman John Curley wants to recruit a Wednesday to deal with Hispanics into the Republican Party in the city. Mayor Dedelow met with Curley on Friday to anticipated budget short- discuss the new chairman’s plan for the county (Michael Puente, Post-Tribune). As a Republican ages caused by delays in in a very Democratic city, Dedelow also wants attention paid to North Lake County in the property reassessment recruitment of Republicans. “John and I discussed what he wanted to do countywide. It seems (Muncie Star Press). like he’s got a reasonable plan,” Dedelow said. “If he work’s with me, I’ll work with him. ... I The council authorized think things can change with the right leadership.” However, Dedelow and Curley disagree on advertising for loans total- the issue of Michael McPhillips continuing to serve as assistant director of the Lake County ing $3.893 million, with Board of Elections and Registration Office in Crown Point. Dedelow wants McPhillips out, con- $3.013 million going to the tending he gave a contribution to the McDermott campaign. “John wants to give (McPhillips) general fund, $257,000 to the benefit of the doubt. It’s his call as chairman,” Dedelow said. Dedelow said he was "very the park fund, $254,000 to concerned" that he never was asked by the state party for input on who should be county chair- the health department and man after the party decided Chiabai had to be replaced (Lazarus, Times of Northwest Indiana). $365,000 for the debt ser- General Status: Tossup. vice fund. Indianapolis Mayoral: Republican: Treasurer Greg Jordan. Democrat: Mayor Bart Peterson. Libertarian: Open. 1995 Results: Goldsmith (R) 64,209, Jimison (D) 39,539, Dillon SBC BILL DEAD: A contro- (L) 7,175. 1999 Results: Peterson (D) 102,870, Gilroy (R) 83,044, Horning (L) 7,772, Gibson versial bill that would bene- (OP) 2,145. 2003 Forecast: Indianapolis Star writes about Peterson’s “perfect storm” involving fit SBC Communications, key negotiations with the Colts, IPD and United Airlines. Any or all three could damage the state's largest phone Peterson politically, the story contended. To some extent that is true. Think about it, Peterson is company, will not receive a grappling with an eccentric pro football owner, a bankrupt airline in a flagging industry and the vote in the Senate and police. Of the three, Peterson should think about getting a deal done with the cops. IPD under could be dead for the ses- Peterson has been a positive attribute of the administration, with crime in the district down, and sion (Louisville Courier- no wild scandals that seemed to repeatedly rock the department during the Goldsmith era. Even Journal). Sen. James when IPD did get controversial (Black Expo towing binge), council Republicans comically Merritt, chairman of the (“thugs and gorillas”) shifted the total emphasis to a GOP liability. With council maps drawn by Utility and Regulatory the Supreme Court nearing completion, the last critical pre-primary exercises will be in place. Affairs Committee, said yes- We believe Peterson is on sound footing for re-election. General Status: Likely Peterson. terday that the types of detailed issues contained in House Bill 1627 should be Indiana 2004Gubernatorial addressed by the Indiana Republican: David McIntosh, Sen. Murray Clark, Sen. Luke Kenley, Utility Regulatory Governor 2004: Commission, not a part-time Mitch Daniels, Eric Miller, Petersburg Mayor Randy Harris. Democrat: Joe Andrew, State Sen. legislature. The bill's oppo- Vi Simpson. 1996 Results: O’Bannon (D) 1,075,342, Goldsmith (R) 997,505, Dillon (L) nents hailed the decision as 35,261. 2000 Results: O’Bannon (D) 1,230,345, McIntosh (R) 906,492, Horning (L) 38,686. a victory for telephone cus- 2004 Forecast: Simpson got 4th CD endorsement; Andrew the 3rd CD. It’s Showtime! for tomers who could see Clark, Kenley and Simpson here in the Senate homestretch. Can any one of them distinguish themselves as statespersons and translate it into an attribute for 2004? Status: Leans D.  Page 7 of 8 Thursday, March 27, 2003

Bad timing for Star series, the state, which it equated with people of caution, paranoia of outsiders, isolation, and a missed conclusion and a series of lost opportunities because increased choices for local The Indianapolis Star should be the political apparatus wasn’t mature phone service. congratulated for spending last week enough to recognize priorities. GREGG SAYS ECONOMIC thoroughly examining Indiana and the The bankruptcy from its canal con- DEVELOPMENT MUST COME sorry state of its economy. Its team of struction that resulted in the 1851 FROM WITHIN: A Knox reporters and columnists did a good job Constitution interfaced with the state’s County Development of articulating the loss of jobs, personal other miscues, such as the spurning of Corporation meeting heard income, decades of political timidity, the Henry Ford’s auto production for the the words of Vincennes conservative nature of the state and its masses a century ago and failure to enact attorney John Gregg, former people, and the huge opportunity that banking reforms two decades ago, has Speaker of the Indiana may soon disappear from our midst. We prompted the flight of capital and jobs. House of Representatives on had heard much of it before in bits and What the Star glided past with one Wednesday (Vincennes Sun- Commercial). Gregg said the pieces, and the series pulled much of it passing reference by ex-Democratic past successes of Vincennes together in a comprehensive read. Chairman Peter Manous, is the inherent came from within, and the Here are several observations. The weakness of its political infrastructure. future economic success of first is that the state’s largest newspaper Manous mentioned the weak Indiana the city must come from the should have been sounding these alarms governorship, with a simple majority same source. "The success years ago. It did in the months leading up overriding gubernatorial vetoes. we can have here, we've to tax restructuring in 2002, but the thrust And then the Star passed on the already had," he said. "But it of its political coverage in the past has obvious conclusion I’ve reached: That won't come from Indianapolis or Washington been much more narrow. It has reported Indiana needs to rewrite its constitution D.C., it will come from you and editorialized on special interests and in order to update its governmental struc- and me. We have to do it their influence over the legislature, the tures and their ability to fund their activi- ourselves. We've got family out-of-control slush for lawmakers most ties. businesses here that are 100 of us know as the Build Indiana Fund, The Star also failed to challenge years old, and they did it and the perceived evils of the gaming leading conservative thinkers in the state without the government." industry. to redefine conservatism. It doesn’t have Another observation is that the to be equated with caution, weakness, KELTY VOWS REMATCH WITH MOSES: Political prat- timing of this series was unfortunate. isolation and fear. falls often show up in the When Hoosiers really needed to concen- Conservatism should be defined by strangest places, such as a trate on its economic mess, the reality Hoosier opinion makers as progressive Web site advertising a bipar- was that people were almost wholly government always looking for efficien- tisan war rally meant to unite absorbed in two other areas — war and cies; to offer a compassionate safety net Indiana behind America's basketball. The series should have created for the most vulnerable; and taxation with troops. But the Internet site a buzz, but in sifting through my various proper representation. for Saturday's Rally for friendships this past week, no one How can the Star, which corpo- America -- rallyamerica.org -- briefly contained a direct link brought it up. rately has reinvented itself in the most to Matt Kelty's campaign The Star’s conclusions were pre- comprehensive nature since Gannett Web site (Fort Wayne dictable. Editorially, it urged the state to Corporation took control, ignore the fact Journal Gazette). Kelty - a invest in research and development, that Indiana now relies on antiquated, co-organizer of the event - recruit high-tech industries, and make wasteful and poorly performing govern- said his campaign Web site greater investments in education. It mental structure? If you don’t believe it, provided Web space for the emphasized the historic conservatism of just read this entire newsletter.  continued on page 8 Thursday, March 27, 2003 Page 8 of 8

Sylvia Smith, Fort Wayne Journal office, he lacks the administrative skill rally site. But he was not Gazette - First they tried to make it a and experience so vital for mayor. But aware initially that there crime to place bets on line or to wage Waite should be on the ballot, a candidate was a direct link to money on virtual slot machines. challenging Luecke for the Democratic "Hoosiers for Kelty." That In 1998, lawmakers proposed a $500 fine nomination. Waite wants to be on the bal- page focuses on his race and three months in jail for cyber wager- lot. He filed as a candidate. Thou shalt not against Democrat Rep. Win ers and stiffer penalties for the operators run, decreed Owen D. "Butch" Morgan, Moses Jr. last fall. Moses the St. Joseph County Democratic chair- squeaked out a win, but of online gambling sites. It eventually man. And darned if the County Election Republican Kelty has made occurred to Congress that to enforce a law it clear he looks forward to like this would mean sending SWAT Board didn't agree with Morgan and throw a rematch in two years. teams into private homes to catch online Waite off the ballot. The reason? Waite bettors in the act. It also dawned on them voted in 1995 in the Republican primary WAYNE NEWTON TO PER- that because many (if not most) gambling election. What? That's eight years ago. FORM FOR GOP: The Web sites are not physically located in the Couldn't somebody decide to switch par- Indiana Republican Party is United States, the prohibition against them ties after eight years? Not according to an bringing the biggest name would be toothless. So that rocky legisla- Indiana law that says a person is stuck in Las Vegas to Indiana- tive path was abandoned. The next with a party label from the last primary polis. Wayne Newton will election vote when it comes to determin- perform his full Las Vegas approach was to try to make it illegal for ing qualification as a candidate for a party Show at the Indiana gambling institutions (on land or on line) Republican Party Spring to accept credit card payment for gam- nomination. Waite could have sought an Dinner on April 11 at the bling. Casinos and other perfectly legal audience with Butch Morgan and pleaded: Indiana Convention Center. onsite gambling operations were rightfully "Oh Great Butcheroo, I have come to "Wayne Newton is a leg- indignant that Congress would even flirt understand the righteousness of your endary entertainer," said with the idea of banning credit card use cause, the nobility of your leadership and Indiana Republican Party for a legitimate business. As for applying pray that I may be forgiven my transgres- Chairman, Jim Kittle Jr. "He the no-credit-card rule just to online bet- sions in the forces of Republican dark- was performing in Las ting: Geography foiled it. That pesky mat- ness. Lo, let me stand in the sunlight as a Vegas while Elvis Presley candidate for a nomination of the party of was still driving a truck and ter of U.S. laws applying only to U.S. the Beatles were scrambling people or businesses got in the way again. Jefferson, Jackson, Roosevelt, Kennedy for gigs in Liverpool. We Another half-baked legislative proposal in and Wesolowski." Waite didn't ask for are thrilled to be able to the trash can. Now the focus is on banning Morgan's blessing.  bring a performer of his credit card companies from letting their acclaim to Indianapolis to cards to be used for gambling. Stand back Mike Leonard, Bloomington Herald- sing, not only for the and watch it flop, too. The flaws are Times - One of the stupider moves I've Republican Party faithful, almost endless.  made recently was adding digital cable to but anyone who wants to see his show without taking my home, thinking that the channel listing a trip out west." Jack Colwell, South Bend Tribune - for BBC meant that I'd be getting the  Mike Waite ought to be a candidate for international perspective of the British the Democratic nomination for mayor of Broadcasting Corp.'s heralded news pro- South Bend. This is not an endorsement. gramming. That perspective would be so Waite, though I have found him to be sin- valuable now that we're at war with Iraq cere and well-meaning in his past political and every news broadcast on television, quests, should not be mayor. Nor should with the possible exception of PBS, is he be the Democratic nominee. Mayor heavily weighted toward a U.S. point of Stephen J. Luecke deserves the nomina- view.  tion and a chance at re-election. Although Waite might serve ably in some elective