Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003
Volume 10, Number 6 Page 1 of 8 he The week that T rocked Democrats Howey O’Bannon ill, corruption crisis at hand By BRIAN A. HOWEY in Indianapolis As Sept. 11, 2001 was the crash and closure to our collective security and the high-tech ‘90s, the events of Sept. Political 4 through 10 this year are nothing less than a disaster for the Indiana Democratic Party. As hysterical legislative party members lashed out at Report the governor last week and Republicans continued to close The Howey Political Report is published by NewsLink ranks behind Mitch Daniels, the Special Inc. Founded in 1994, The Howey Political Report is next six days exposed the nerves an independent, non-partisan newsletter analyzing the political process in Indiana. and hemorrhaging of the party: Rampant corruption in its bulwark Report Brian A. Howey, publisher base of Lake County and the Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington writer indictment of its former state chairman; then the stroke and Jack E. Howey, editor near death of Gov. Frank O’Bannon; followed by the wistful thinking of many in the party hoping that Lt. Gov. Joe The Howey Political Report Office: 317-254-1533 PO Box 40265 Fax: 317-968-0487 Kernan might reconsider his decision not to seek the 2004 Indianapolis, IN 46240-0265 Mobile: 317-506-0883 nomination as his “heartbeat away” scenario grew louder [email protected] and more dramatic. www.howeypolitics.com Closing in on 16 years of consecutive rule, Indiana Democrats are now in a state of recoiled shock with a poten- Washington office: 202-775-3242; Business Office: 317-254-0535. tial recovery every bit as daunting as that faced by Gov. O’Bannon. Subscriptions: $250 annually via e-mail or fax; $450 annually including the HPR Daily Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003 Wire. Call 317-254-1533 or 254-0535. When David McIntosh intoned at Indiana Republican © 2003, The Howey Political Report. All rights headquarters that, “The team is coalescing around Mitch reserved. Photocopying, Internet forwarding, faxing or Daniels, and I'm a team player, always have been a team reproducing in any form, in whole or in part, is a viola- tion of federal law and is strictly prohibited without player, and I'm going to be part of that team,” Indiana consent of the publisher. Democrats had to be swallowing hard. McIntosh represented the last real obstacle to Mitch Daniels sewing up the 2004 Republican gubernatorial nomi- nation. With Vi Simpson and Joe Andrew locked in an acri- monious battle for the Democratic nod, and Bren Simon’s entry as Andrew’s running mate sealing away any notion of “Today we are again filled with the comfort a Bayh-O’Bannon style unity ticket, Hoosier Democrats are and awe of being a part of God’s wonderful, now facing a suave, financial juggernaut who will not be bloodied by his own brothers prior to the May primary. diverse family. We thank you for embracing us Democrats had hoped for GOP fratricide and erosion with your prayers, skills, services and friend- of resources. Now they find Daniels facing three “ego candi- dates” (Eric Miller, Bob Parker and Randy Harris) who, if ship.” - First Lady Judy O’Bannon nothing else, can help position Daniels toward the center while he stockpiles funds. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003 Page 2 of 8

After the press conference, nomic figures released in Washington Republican Chairman Jim Kittle Jr., who revealed disappointing news -- more job worked like a true party boss to dry up losses -- making the Bush presidency the McIntosh’s resources, made this eerie most in that category since President observation to HPR: “Fifteen months ago Hoover. people were telling me I would have trou- And there was word that President LUGAR ISSUES SEPT. 11 ble recruiting anybody to run against Joe Bush would be making a nationally tele- STATEMENT: Senate Kernan,” Kittle said. “Now Joe Kernan is vised address to the nation on Sunday to Foreign Relations gone, we have Mitch Daniels and a clear- talk about the eroding situation in Iraq. Committee Chairman Dick ing field. Lugar released this state- While O’Bannon and Bush talked, ment on the anniversary of “Anything can happen.” another drama was playing out 120 miles the September 11, 2001, There was something else that to the north ... in Lake County. attacks: "After the attacks “happened” that day. Mike Smith of the As East Chicago Mayor Robert of September 11, 2001, the Associated Press reported on a letter State Patrick listened to Northern District United States was forced to Rep. Scott Pelath had written to Gov. Attorney Joseph Van Bokkelen give a act to protect our citizens O’Bannon, because he felt the governor seminar speech on “zero tolerance” for from a new type of interna- wasn’t addressing the skyrocketing prop- government corruption, federal agents tional terrorist. Two erty tax bills hitting parts of the state. were fanning out and arresting Pastrick’s oceans no longer serve as Pelath told Smith, “I feel like the state city controller, engineer, park superinten- adequate protection. These has been led into battle, and the comman- terrorists did not seek a dent, and three staunch allies on the East new political agenda, or der has left the field. He needs to get back Chicago City Council. They were indicted redress of their concerns. in the fight, and he needs to be the type of on 11 counts of fraud from the 1999 con- They sought to inflict death leader that was twice elected.” crete replacement program that was the and destruction on the “As ducks go, he is not only lame crux of Chris Sautter’s documentary film, United States and other but apparently has slipped into a coma," “The King of Steeltown.” peaceful nations. The Pelath told Smith. The Post-Tribune’s Michael Puente actions of the United States described it this way: “It was a scenario in both Afghanistan and Friday, Sept. 5, 2003 that drew parallels to the baptism scene in Iraq have reduced, I believe, the probability of another What could be one of the final the ‘Godfather II’ movie. While East large-scale terrorist attack. images of Gov. O’Bannon in full breadth Chicago Mayor Robert A. Pastrick lis- However, terrorists still of power came on the tarmac of tened intently Friday as U.S. Attorney seek to harm Americans, Indianapolis International Airport. There Joseph Van Bokkelen called for zero toler- and we must be ever vigi- was O’Bannon, the lone Democrat greet- ance on public corruption, some of his lant to the threats that they ing President George W. Bush, who closest political allies were being rounded pose, particularly if they are swooped into the city on a political visit up, handcuffed, shackled, thrown in jail, ever successful in acquiring to raise $1.5 million. The two conferred in and paraded in front of a federal magis- weapons or materials of friendly animation for about five minutes. trate — all on public corruption charges mass destruction. This is the work we do everyday in Bush had good news for O’Bannon: He — in an operation orchestrated by Van focusing on homeland secu- had approved the disaster aid for the state Bokkelen.” rity, the war on terror and following the Labor Day weekend floods. Simultaneously, a 16-count federal the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Gov. and Mrs. O’Bannon had cut indictment was unsealed against former Threat Reduction program, short a vacation to tour the second round Indiana Democratic Chairman Peter which is securing and elimi- of flooding that rose out of Hoosier rivers Manous, and Pastrick’s son, Kevin, nating the nuclear, chemical and creeks this summer after as much as charged with funneling kickbacks in a and biological threat from eight inches of rain. 1999 land deal at Coffee Creek Center the stockpile of the former State Democrats had reason to be (Steve Walsh, Post-Tribune). Manous, Soviet Union." smug. While Bush spoke at Langham hand-picked by Gov. O’Bannon (and HOSTETTLER PLANNING Transport touting his economic plan in a without the imprimatur of a reportedly speech that echoed his May comments at distressed Kernan) to be state chairman, Continued on page 3 the Indiana State Fairgrounds, new eco- and Kevin Pastrick were charged, along Page 3 of 8 Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003 with former Indiana Regional Council of said “Things I'd worked for all my life -- Carpenters secretary and treasurer Gerry they're gone. I'm not with my family, my Nannenga, stemming from a $10 million friends ... all of that is gone.” And deal to sell 55 acres to the Carpenters Patterson noted that Freeland would soon Pension Trust Fund. According to a 35- have company: In coming months, for- page indictment and sources close to the mer Lake County Auditor Peter Benjamin, case, Pastrick received a $600,000 com- former Gary deputy clerk Junifer Hall and TO SEEK RE-ELECTION: mission from the deal and gave $200,000 ex-Lake County Councilman Troy U.S. Rep. John Hostettler is to Manous, who had a previous relation- Montgomery also will go behind bars. planning to seek a fifth ship with Nannenga, providing private “It's the worst place you can imag- term, according to Eric legal work for him and other Carpenter ine,” Freeland said, before looking away. Holcomb, political director for Mitch Daniels’ guberna- Union employees. “You just have no idea. No one would This exposed what was the dirty torial campaign (Howey, want to be in this environment. Just being HPR). Asked if his former open secret of the Indiana Democratic in here, it's the worst thing you could ever boss would run again, Party. Just two weeks earlier, Pastrick was imagine.” Holcomb said emphatically, seated at a table with Gov. and Mrs. Not all Democrats see the Pastrick “Yes! I attended a fundrais- O’Bannon and State Sen. Vi Simpson at a antics as amusing. East Chicago er for him last week.” tribute to ailing former Congressman Councilman George Pabey, who just lost a Hostettler’s press secretary, Frank McCloskey. primary and court battle to Pastrick, react- Michael Jahr, would not The corruption in East Chicago ed to Friday’s indictments by saying, return a phone call on a was, wink-wink, just the way things were similar question. There had “May the chips fall where they may. ... been speculation that done in Lake County, long deemed an It’s a shame to see anybody get in trouble. extension of the Daley Machine of Hostettler might not run They knew what they were doing. since he reported only Chicagoland. Indiana Democrats in the 91 (Pastrick) should be responsible. He is the $5,000 on his June FEC other counties and in state government mayor” (Puente, Post-Tribune). report and aides such as have for the vast majority played by the The political significance of Sept. 5 Holcomb and Jim Banks rules, but Lake County was a different is that Indiana Republicans, and Mitch have joined the Daniels and land that has long been tolerated. Show- Daniels in particular, are assuredly taking the Linda Buskirk mayoral ings of Sautter’s “King of Steeltown” film campaign in Fort Wayne. notes from the county that traditionally at French Lick the year before and at the Holcomb said that rolls up 75,000 to 100,000 pluralities for Indiana Historical Society several years Hostettler never raises the state ticket. The coming theme for ago had many Democrats shaking their much money in years prior Republicans is that corruption and scan- to his re-election cam- heads and chuckling, as if it were childish dals have come from a party that has been paigns. pranks. in power much too long. Indeed, the endorsement of Mayor MILLER SAYS HE’S IN THE Pastrick was a coveted commodity RACE TO STAY: Republican between Simpson and her opponent, Joe Sunday, Sept. 7, 2003 gubernatorial candidate Eric Andrew. The O’Bannons probably didn’t The fallout from the Lake County Miller said Thursday that think twice about being seen in the com- indictments continued. “We’re innocent the McIntosh move in no pany of Pastrick, the silver-haired black until proven guilty. It’s not guilty until way affects his campaign. sheep of the Hoosier Democratic family. proven innocent,” a relatively upbeat De "We're in the race to stay But the next Sunday, Sept. 30, the La Cruz said Saturday, still in shock at and we're in the race to win," he said (Martin Post-Tribune’s Steve Patterson had set up how FBI agents entered his home Friday DeAgostino, South Bend morning with guns drawn while he was the precursor to the indictments that Tribune). Miller also said he rocked the Region five days later. washing up and with his young grandchil- was not concerned about a Patterson had gone to the federal peniten- dren present (Post-Tribune). “I’m feeling trend toward Daniels by the tiary at Terre Haute and interviewed for- all right,” De La Cruz, a 32-year veteran party's well-heeled estab- mer Lake County recorder Bob Freeland of the city’s police force and city council- lishment, as his sights are about life in the big house. “My life has man for 24 years, said. “They treated me set elsewhere. "We're going been destroyed,” the 64-year-old Freeland like a common terrorist.” continued on page 4 Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003 Page 4 of 8 There was additional coverage in Bush’s eroding support in the latest Zogby the Region press that Sunday. Secretary of poll (45 percent) and rumors that U.S. State Todd Rokita was openly questioning Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Vice the veracity of Lake County Prosecutor President Al Gore were reassessing the Bernard Carter’s vote fraud investigation. 2004 election. Rokita said calls to Carter aren’t being Then, around 9:30 a.m., WIBC first to build the largest and returned and his staff members are being reported Gov. O’Bannon being rushed to most effective grassroots excluded from “pertinent meetings” about the hospital in Chicago. network ever in the history the investigation. Rokita says he’s afraid The story now takes on the trap- of the race for governor," he the issue could be “swept under the rug.” pings of a disaster loop being replayed said. And Patterson was reporting in over and over on the TV news: HARDY READS BUYER Sunday’s Post-Tribune that several figures Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan said aides began try- LETTER TO SPEAKER tied to the vote fraud case -- Bosko ing to rouse Gov. O’Bannon from his HASTERT: The Army Grkinich, Robert Cantrell, and Joel Palmer House Hilton Hotel room around 8 Reserve officer who wants Markovich -- had contributed a combined a.m., and a decision was made to have to unseat U.S. Rep. Steve $2,725 to Carter’s campaigns since 1999. security break into the room around 8:30. Buyer returned to Lafayette Little did anyone imagine that with- Unconscious and non-responsive, on Thursday with evidence in the next 72 hours, there would be O’Bannon was rushed to Northwestern allegedly showing that the colossal changes in store for the state and Memorial Hospital where he underwent Monticello Republican is not party. more than four hours of surgery. He was being truthful about his mili- tary status in March. At a described as near death and in critical press conference in front of Monday, Sept. 8, 2003 condition after suffering a massive stroke the Halleck Federal Hoosiers awoke to the coverage of and blunt force trauma, possibly when he Building, Republican chal- President Bush’s address to the nation on fell after the stroke. “We are talking lenger Dennis Hardy read a Iraq and the need for $87 billion to shore weeks and months, not hours and days,” letter from Buyer to House up reconstruction. HPR reported that after said chief neurologist Dr. Patrick Conner. Speaker Dennis Hastert that huddling with President Bush and top “The next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial.” Hardy obtained from the political advisor Karl Rove on Air Force Dr. Wesley Yapor was asked if Gov. March 20 Congressional O'Bannon was near death. “Yes,” he said. Record (Jim Schenke, One while heading to Indianapolis on Hoosiers and their political estab- Lafayette Journal & Friday, Senate Foreign Relations Courier). "Dear Mr. Speaker: Chairman Richard Lugar found the lishment were facing new territory here. I have been called to active administration on a “new beginning” in Only three Indiana governors, the last duty in the United States Iraq. “The President gave a comprehen- Gov. Alvin Hovey in 1891, had died in Army," the letter states. sive presentation of the scope of our war office. Not since Gov. Warren McCray "Pending further orders, I against terrorism, its current focus, our was convicted of mail fraud in 1923 had a request immediate indefinite determination to succeed and the cost," governor prematurely left office. leave of the House of said Lugar. “It was a speech that I have Kernan was with O’Bannon when Representatives to accom- encouraged the President to give and I they rushed him to the hospital, then took modate my military duties." Judy O’Bannon’s helicopter back to Hardy, who announced strongly support his courageous leader- plans Tuesday to challenge ship.” Indianapolis, where the two staffs were Buyer in next spring's pri- But there was no response from scrambling to study a potential transition mary, said the letter offers Hoosier Democrats. The four of power with the second anniversary of proof that Buyer lied about Congressional offices of Evan Bayh, Sept. 11 only 72 hours in the offing. being called to active duty Baron Hill, Pete Visclosky and Julia Kernan downplayed the transfer of for the war in Iraq. "He did Carson were mute. The greatest angst power. "It is early. We are hopeful," he not say there would be a 90 came from Republican U.S. Rep. Mike said at a Statehouse news conference. percent chance he would be Pence, who expressed “astonishment” at "There is no need at this time to take any activated," Hardy said. "He the need for that much money atop the additional steps." stated, 'I have been called to active duty in the United $87 billion. While Senate President Pro States Army.'" Laura Indeed, breakfast conversations Tempore Robert D. Garton and House among Indiana Democrats centered on Speaker B. Patrick Bauer expressed their continued on page 5 Page 5 of 8 Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003 distress at the governor’s malady, they Democrats. There was an almost immedi- quickly sized up their constitutional role. ate and reflexive lunge by many party Sen. Garton said, “This morning’s stalwarts toward Kernan. If, God forbid, news of Gov. O’Bannon’s illness was the worst case scenario played out for tragic and a total shock. The governor has Gov. O’Bannon, would Kernan reconsid- been a friend and colleague for over 30 er? Zuckerman, an aide for years. I am praying for his recovery and The answer from Kernan was an Buyer, said Buyer has for the strength of the O’Bannon family at emphatic “no,” but from a comparative already responded to this very difficult time.” standpoint., the Andrew and Simpson Hardy's allegations. "As “This is very difficult,” Bauer said. campaigns had to be cringing. There were stated on March 31 when he returned to Congress, Hoosiers hoped for the best, and also several newspapers quoting Dr. Brian Congressman Buyer was expected the worst. Vargus, the IUPUI pollster, who once neither activated nor again was designating the pair as essen- deployed," she said Tuesday Sept. 9, 2003 tially not-ready-for-primetime players. Thursday. "It is regrettable Indiana citizens awoke to news that “It’s a recognition that many that his willingness to have Gov. O’Bannon had suffered brain dam- believe Joe Kernan would be the stronger served is now being criti- age. Dr. Wesley Yapor said the range candidate, despite any baggage he would cized in the political arena." could be anything from mild slurred have,” said Washington political consul- LAKE COUNTY ELECTED speech to greater physical debilitation. “It tant Chris Sautter. “Many Democrats don’t like the idea of a contested primary OFFICIALS GET RAISES; is still possible the governor may recover EMPLOYEES DON’T: Lake and the costs that will be brought to bear.” substantial neurological function; we just County's elected officials do not presently know,” the no-nonsense each are nabbing a $2,500 Yapor said. Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003 raise next year, but 1,133 Cutting through the medical prog- This was the truly historic day ... county employees who have nosis were two familiar voices. The first, the transfer of power, albeit temporarily. not seen a salary boost in though issued in a written statement from The Indiana Supreme Court granted four years will not get any Judy O’Bannon, certainly filled the minds a transfer of authority from incapacitated increase (Meggen Lindsay, Times of Northwest all who know her with her gentle but firm Gov. Frank O’Bannon to Acting Gov. Joe Indiana). The Lake County voice: Kernan, who will maintain his title of Council planned to give an “Today we are again filled with the lieutenant governor. across-the-board 3 percent comfort and awe of being a part of God's The Supreme Court acted on a raise to county employees wonderful, diverse family,” Mrs. one-sentence letter from Northwestern during the 2004 budget O’Bannon said. “We thank you all for Memorial Hospital’s Dr. Wesley Yapor to deliberations, especially embracing us with your prayers, skills, House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer: since nearly 700 other services and friendship. We have often “Gentleman, this letter certifies that Gov. employees received raises said there is no limit to where we can go Frank O’Bannon is currently unable to this year ranging from 2 when we go together. Words cannot discharge the power and duties of his percent to 15 percent. Instead, beginning in describe the comfort we feel from the office.” January, the county will pay people of Indiana and beyond and we Jonathan Swain, press secretary to for all employees' contribu- truly feel we are on this journey together.” First Lady Judy O’Bannon, said Mrs. tions to their Public The second was Lt. Gov. Kernan, O’Bannon has acknowledged the constitu- Employees Retirement still reluctant to assume power as acting tional requirements initiated by Bauer and Fund, which amounts to 3 governor, and sternly ending the rampant Senate President Pro Tempore Bob percent of their salaries. speculation on a possible political re- Garton. The council granted the entry. “I know there has been specula- Again, Mrs. O’Bannon’s voice raises Wednesday in a 4-3 tion," Kernan said. “Nothing that has hap- seemed to transcend the press releases and vote after a handful of pened in the last 36 hours has changed my pronouncements from her press aide. “We officeholders, including Lake County Auditor and mind about the decision I announced in all have an understanding of Frank's con- Democratic Party Chairman December.” dition today and have total confidence in Therein lies the political danger for this medical team. We are aware of the continued on page 6 Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003 Page 6 of 8

formal process that is occurring in State Sen. Murray Clark, who ran Indiana, and in it we are seeing what we against the O’Bannon ticket in 2000 as have always known: Our state government lieutenant governor, picked up on it. is a strong institution based on a constitu- “Hoosiers were very content with him as tion. We are so appreciative that the lead- governor because he represented true ership of both the legislative and judicial Hoosier character,” said Clark. “What Stephen Stiglich and incom- branches has included us in their delibera- really came through was his true love of ing Treasurer Tom Philpot, tions. We understand and fully support the this state. He really loves Indiana and that made impassioned pleas. actions being taken today.” is part of his success.” Those raises apply to all Sen. Garton said he had a lengthy Clark remember seeing a belea- elected officials except the phone call with the First Lady before he guered O’Bannon during on the recent prosecutor, whose salary is and Bauer took the appropriate paperwork spates of bad economic news. “He told capped by state mandate. to the Supreme Court. me, ‘Boy, I’m really getting tired of all The seven part-time council members, for example, will It took the Indiana Supreme Court this.’” see a 10 percent boost in an hour on consultation among the five Clark responded by telling their salaries, while other justices to officially transfer power. “We O’Bannon, “Just remember, you’re 4 and officials' raises will be clos- have made the determination the governor 0.” He was talking about O’Bannon’s er to 5 percent. "I'm very is unable to discharge the power and record on the state tickets. proud that we are ending duties of his office. Joseph E. Kernan will Rep. Pelath followed his sharply this session without one be acting governor,” the court confirmed. critical remarks with remorse, telling the single head of a family los- Bauer emphasized the word “cur- Michigan City News-Dispatch, “I am ing their job," said council rently” and added that if Gov. Frank overcome. I am in shock. I'm praying for President Will Smith Jr., D- O’Bannon resumes his ability, he will be him and for his family. We have had our Gary. "It was about time that we took care of our restored to power. differences, but he is a good man, a gen- elected officials. That need- At a press conference this morn- uinely good man.” ed to be done." ing in Chicago, Dr. Yapor said that Gov. Former Rep. Dick Bodiker, who O’Bannon is making some improvement. recovered from a 1993 stroke, told the ALLEN COUNTY TAX BILLS “The important improvements he has Richmond Palledium-Item, “The younger WON’T GO OUT UNTIL FEB- made are that his upper and lower extrem- you are, the easier it is to make a com- RUARY: Allen County tax- ities have reacted to pain,” Yapor said. plete recovery. Physical condition has a payers must wait until next “He has made small improvements and lot to do with it too. I don't know anyone year to find out how much certainly he is stable. Next one to two his age who is in better condition. Modern they owe in property taxes weeks will be important. He is much bet- medicine has come up with some amazing for this year. Tax bills that would normally have gone ter. He survived coming into emergency things to prolong our lives.” out in October won't hit the room in extremely critical condition. He is Bodiker said worried about mail until February at best, still critical. He is better, more stable, less O'Bannon before he ran for governor. “I County Auditor Lisa Blosser critical, but still critical.” was afraid he was too nice a guy to be said (Andy Gammill, Fort Yapor said that O’Bannon has governor,” Bodiker said. “He's not the Wayne Journal Gazette). It responded to pinching and yelling in his kind of man who can be mean to people.” will create a host of prob- ear by surgeons, though “not purposely.” For whatever doubts O’Bannon lems for local government Yapor said, “Certainly when we pinch might have had, he expressed vivid opti- and confusion for taxpay- him, he’s aware of that. Other than that, it mism in what was one of his final speech- ers. Earlier this year, Allen would be speculation on my part.” es prior to his medical crisis. County officials asked tax- payers to pay half of their Keynoting the Aug. 23 banquet at taxes based on last year's Atop the Dome the Indiana Democratic Editorial numbers and said they'd The crisis involving Gov. Association convention at French Lick, send out a bill to reconcile O’Bannon’s health has brought an out- O’Bannon recalled how New York Gov. the difference by 2004. But pouring of support from Hoosiers, many Franklin D. Roosevelt attended a National a letter that arrived from the who wished he was a stronger governor Governor’s Association meeting in West state of Indiana this week but who love him the same. Baden in 1931. He marveled at what Page 7 of 8 Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003

Roosevelt found when he looked at what this and I love the state, too.” was the largest free-spanning dome in the “Aw, don’t worry about it,” Gov. world at the West Baden Springs Hotel. O’Bannon responded. “I understand how “I wondered what they thought,” the game is played.” O’Bannon said before he talked about his Whether you were a political two proud achievements, the 2002 tax friend of O’Bannon or an enemy, there restructuring plan and this year’s was nobody who had harsh denunciations Energize Indiana legislation. of the man, whereas most other politi- warns that Allen County has “It’s working out like we cians will find at least a small minority of fallen dangerously behind in planned,” O’Bannon said. “It’s reduced people with smoldering denigration its reassessment of property homeowners taxes by 11 percent. There aimed at their public psyches. values. The County Council are 40,000 more Hoosiers working this The day after Gov. O’Bannon fell on Thursday ordered County Assessor Pat Love to appear June than last. ill, I wrote in the HPR Daily Wire how in two weeks to explain the “We’re not in decline, we’re in this malady has the potential of dramati- delays in reassessment. ascent. I’ve been to eight commerce cally altering the Hoosier political land- Love's office says township regions and there are four more sched- scape. At this writing, it still does. assessors and an outside uled. We need you to be our messengers Republicans will likely need to temper vendor caused the delays. to get to the naysayers who denigrate and their criticisms of his administration. want to tear the state down. We want to They may try to tie in his rela- DON CLARK ARRESTED ON build the state back up.” tionships and that of other Democrats to SEXUAL BATTERY CHARGE: O’Bannon urged the more than the Lake County corruption. Steuben County's Pleasant 500 Democrats present to “tell a friend But the possibility of Kernan Township deputy trustee was arrested Thursday on a about the good things happening. You’re coming back into play now seems sexual battery charge for helping a Democrat. There are 72 days remote. allegedly demanding sexual until the election and there are 72 good And there are a multitude of stray favors in connection with things about the state.” factors that could come into play. providing public assistance, And O’Bannon talked of West Political consultant Chris Sautter notes state police said. Police Baden Springs Hotel architect Harrison that an improved economy could help began investigating Donald Albright, “who stood on top of the dome President Bush ... and Indiana Democrats. R. Clark, 66 and former 4th as the supports were taken out.” Sautter doubts that the Lake County cor- CD Republican chairman, O’Bannon explained that many ruption cases will resonate to people in this week after a Pleasant thought the dome would collapse, instead downstate Indiana. I disagree with him Township woman filed a complaint against him (Fort of standing for the next century. on that one, figuring the Republicans will Wayne Journal Gazette). “I feel like I’m on that dome attempt to make the correlation as they Clark is married to and tonight,” O’Bannon said. seek to attract additional voters to what is works for elected Township already the state’s third largest concentra- Trustee Camille Clark, police Epilogue tion of Republican voters and take advan- said. The woman who filed Following the White River tage of the property tax crisis bomb that the complaint told police fishkill in 1999, the late NUVO columnist has yet to go off. Donald Clark demanded and received sexual favors in Harrison Ullmann wrote a sharply critical Simpson and Andrew could grow connection with public assis- article about Gov. O’Bannon. “Nobody into their roles, much like Tim Roemer went from being a green candidate to an tance to pay rent and utility ever wants anything bad to happen to bills, a state police news excellent congressman. Frank O’Bannon,” Ullmann wrote, before release said. State police calling him “Indiana’s third senator” as And Frank O’Bannon could investigators observed opposed to being an activist governor. rebound and come back. He was sup- Donald Clark touch the I, too, have written critical things posed to have been a political goner in woman in an inappropriate about Gov. O’Bannon, only to come face- 1996. manner Thursday while he to-face with him. I remember telling him That would be remarkable and visited her home with the one time, “Sorry to have roughed you up, bring an entirely new twist to the sad and pretense that she needed to sign paperwork to receive governor, but we have different views on historic events of this past week.  continued on page 8 Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003 Page 8 of 8

Frank Gray, Fort Wayne Journal is. There was no instant talk of political township assistance, police Gazette - Indiana doesn't elect flashy gov- maneuvering that could take place. There said. Clark was being held ernors. You'll never see a Jesse Ventura was no talk about how a driven political without bail Thursday night taking office in this state. Our collective powerhouse had stumbled. Instead, there in the Steuben County Jail personality is just too staid to manage a seemed real worry, a unique concern that and is to appear for an ini- the gentle man we've been calling the tial hearing today. chief executive that colorful and blunt. Arnold Schwarzenegger probably couldn't governor for the last six years or so was  get elected here. There's just too much really sick. Maybe it's because a lot more charisma there, too much brute force for people know him, many more have met an Indiana politician. Indiana, for the last him, than we realize. third of a century or so, has shown a fond- ness for the grandfatherly type, the quiet Leo Morris, Fort Wayne News- man with the friendly smile, not the big Sentinel - When Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan city mover and shaker but the kind whom stunned the Democratic Party nine months you would imagine living in a storybook ago by announcing it was "time to do house in the countryside. Frank O'Bannon other things" instead of running for gover- fits the mold perfectly. He's from a small nor, he let it be known that it was the town, Corydon, a little place with a claim campaigning rather than the actual gov- to fame that it was once the state capital erning that he was growing weary of. but is now just a quiet spot that no one on Now that he must take over for stroke- the other side of the state's borders has stricken Gov. Frank O'Bannon at least ever heard of. He's not the type of politi- temporarily, perhaps Kernan will redis- cian you hear bellowing out speeches, the cover a passion for management strong way presidential hopefuls have been in the enough to overcome his distaste for the last month or so. It just doesn't fit his per- grip-and-grin fundraising circuit. We can sonality, that grandfatherly image we tend only hope. When Kernan bowed out, it to gravitate to. Quiet just seems to work left the Democrats with dim hopes of here when it comes to races like governor. keeping the governor's office and voters Unless of course you're the bland son of a little chance of having a good gubernatori- former senator. It worked when O'Bannon al campaign with evenly matched con- ran against Steven Goldsmith, a young, tenders. The O'Bannon administration has energetic mayor of Indianapolis, and in been repeatedly and soundly thrashed for his run for re-election. O'Bannon, a its performance during bleak economic Democrat, campaigning with a down- times. And it appears the next Democratic home style instead of the boundless ego candidate will be either former national that seems to accompany most politicians, chairman Joe Andrews or current state managed to win. And when he was inau- legislator Vi Simpson, both of them large- gurated, he invited the state's fourth- ly unknown statewide and seemingly graders to the ceremony, just like a grand- unable to move rhetorically beyond tired, father would, because that's the year kids bash-the-rich cliches. Neither is likely to start to study Indiana history. Tuesday, be a serious match against Mitch Daniels, when people around the state learned the former White House budget director O'Bannon suffered a cerebral hemorrhage who got into the race after months of while attending a trade meeting in pleading from the Indiana Republican Chicago, it was almost like we had all Party. A Kernan-Daniels race would sure- been told that Grandpa had just gotten ly have been a tough, close contest, an sick, but we don't know yet how sick he exciting test of ideas.