V17, N10 Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 Behind scenes as Butch resigns a Mishawaka location where Morgan’s quick Vice Chair Debbie Ladyga-Block and others were urging Morgan resignation, fed probe to take the leave of absence. decline fuels anger Shaw Friedman, who is former Legal Counsel for the from supporters Indiana Democratic Party and who serves as one of Mor- By BRIAN A. HOWEY gan’s attorneys, declined to INDIANAPOLIS — Butch be interviewed for this story. Morgan had decided to step down as However, he was described as chairman of the St. Joseph County “furious” at Parker’s continuing Democratic Party, fearing he would insistence on a resignation by be a “distraction” to mayoral nomi- one insider with knowledge of nees and city council candidates in the day’s events, concerned South Bend and Mishawaka after that the resignation would the South Bend Tribune and Howey cast Morgan in a “bad light” Politics Indiana broke the story on considering that the chairman Oct. 9 that a number of Clinton and repeatedly insisted to his attor- Obama 2008 presidential ballot petitions had allegedly ney he personally had no role in the forgeries. That insider been forged. That was the story that Indiana Democratic said that Friedman made comments to individuals during Chairman Dan Parker said played out on Monday. the day that the only currency in politics worth anything is However, the four-hour delay between the state- “loyalty and competence” and that Parker was “lacking in ment released to the South Bend Tribune by Parker and both.” Morgan’s resignation letter occurred when those around With federal District Attorney David Capp declining Morgan urged him to simply take a “leave of absence.” to investigate at the request of Indiana Republican Chair- Informed and reliable sources tell HPI that while man Eric Holcomb, those passions on behalf of Morgan are the Indiana Democratic Party released late Monday after- being fanned further this morning. noon a draft resignation letter that had been drawn up by Morgan loyalists Monday, the embattled party chair was at Continued on page 3 The art of the negative By MARK SOUDER FORT WAYNE - Alice Roosevelt Longworth once said: “If you haven’t got anything good to say about any- body, come sit next to me.” That pretty much describes today’s voters. “Yeah, it was a lot of money for In the Fort Wayne mayoral race, myself, but I’m not afraid to say we have two pretty pleasant people running against each other. Tom Henry I stand up for my values, not just seems like the perfect bartender for his wife’s Green Frog Tavern, nodding his with my rhetoric, but with my head and smiling in agreement no mat- wallet as well.” ter what you say. Paula Hughes always seemed like a person who would found - Treasurer Richard Mourdock, an Optimist Club or help the Jaycees on loaning his campaign $100k HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 2 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 promote a new slogan for Fort Wayne taxes 10 times while on the county (“the city of excitement”). Now they council, or advocated passing some are growling pit bulls. What hap- while head promoter of downtown, pened? or maybe just paid some taxes, but I know this hasn’t happened anyway, Hughes has seldom met a www.HoweyPolitics.com in Indianapolis or other cities. Actu- tax she didn’t like. Hughes then fired ally, the only places that don’t have away, calling Henry a liar and the big- negative campaigning will be easy to gest spender and tax hiker Fort Wayne Howey Politics find: 1) one candidate is significantly has ever seen. Henry’s new ad calls Indiana ahead 2) the candidate who is behind Paula the tax-hiker a liar, shows her is a non-partisan newsletter doesn’t realize it or 3) the loser real- flipping back and forth as she smears based in Indianapolis. It was izes it is hopeless so why not go out the mayor who is working hard for founded in 1994 in Fort Wayne. smiling. us. No wonder so many people are Negative campaigning is inspired. hardly new. John Adams wanted to be But are they bad strategies? Brian A. Howey, Publisher King, taking away all the rights Ameri- Look at the situation of poor Tom. Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington cans had just died for because he was The city could be in worse shape, he’s Jack E. Howey, editor an egomaniac, according to Jefferson’s done little wrong, they may actually Beverly K. Phillips, associate supporters. Of course Jefferson was build some apartments at controversial an atheist, Francophile who slept with Harrison Square, GM has grown from editor his slaves. Actually that part about 2,300 to 4000 jobs at the Silverado/Si- Jefferson has more than some truth erra pick-up plant at a time when most Subscriptions to it, which is one reason negative cities are crying for jobs, the crime $350 annually HPI Weekly ads work. Negative ads bring out the rate is down and the school scores things the candidates themselves have improved. $550 annually HPI Weekly and would rather stay buried. He has two problems: 1) He’s HPI Daily Wire. To expect the candidates to an incumbent and 2) He’s a Democrat 'Call 317.627.6746 discuss their weak points is like an in 2011. So he could smile and fold employer asking a potential new hire his hand, or trash his opponent. He to describe his weaknesses: “Some enjoys his job, so he went negative. Contact HPI people say I work too hard, others Female candidates, and Howey Politics Indiana claim that I fail to take credit for my Hughes would be the first female 6255 N. Evanston Ave. successes, and, honestly, sometimes I mayor of Fort Wayne if elected, still Indianapolis, IN 46220 use too many paper clips.” What are have to overcome some challenges www.howeypolitics.com you supposed to say: “Other than a when running for executive positions. few failed drug tests and some inter- We have two talented female mayors [email protected] nal theft problems, I’ve always been in our region, Suzanne Handshoe of 'Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 an exemplary employee.” Kendallville and Patty Fisel of Ligonier. 'Washington: 703.248.0909 A foreign visitor not familiar But the road was not easy for either 'Business Office: 317.627.6746 with American politics, after watch- one. In Allen County we’ve had tough ing television in Fort Wayne for a few female leaders in the Republican Party hours would likely comment: “They since early on in my involvement. Glo- © 2011, Howey Politics Indiana. really don’t like taxes here, do they?” ria Goeglein drove fellow Republicans All rights reserved. Photocopy- An experienced political expert, watch- crazy as auditor. Sandy Houlihan was ing, Internet forwarding, fax- ing the same television might com- pictured by the media as the Grinch in ing or reproducing in any form, ment: “Polling must have shown that a dress. City Councilwoman Liz Brown whole or part, is a violation of taxes are quite unpopular here.” goes after anything that has at least Here is a synopsis of the three letters of the word “waste” in it federal law without permission current campaign. Hughes won the and the media calls her mean. Tough from the publisher. v primary bashing incumbent mayor leadership by women is not as toler- Henry for raising taxes and spending ated by some as when it comes from too much. In August Henry started men. Neither are negative ads. running ads claiming Hughes raised That is why Paula Hughes HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 3 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 strategy is so unique, and why I tend to think that on top Let’s bring in a neutral ref, Tim Berry the numbers man. of having the “R” line, she may in fact be pulling away in Tim is in the Hughes ad not just saying that Tom Henry is this race in spite of Fort Wayne being in relatively decent wrong (well, lying) but showing a very impressive chart! shape and Tom Henry not really making anyone mad. Unless something else happens, the Tim Berry ad – In the primary, Hughes used popular Sher- with chart – wins the lying debate for Hughes side. Worse iff Fries to add credibility to her campaign. Not exactly yet for the Democrats, the more times you see the Hughes/ “touchy, feely.” Paula’s wonderful smile was backed up by Berry ad, the more convincing it is. And, just for the record, the Sheriff. I don’t know whether he actually wore a gun Tim and Paula are correct. in the ads but most would swear he did. And he looks like People always say that they don’t like negative ads a young Clint Eastwood of early days (“Man, I’m trying to but I bet they don’t even remember the excellent ad that eat here but if I have to blow you away, I will”). Tom Henry did with the famous extended Henry family and This fall campaign she is using state auditor Tim his successes. Successes? Who cares? Give me some gos- Berry. He won’t be mistaken for Clint Eastwood. But the sip! v man can fight with his pen. He’s been county treasurer, state treasurer, and state auditor. Tom Henry says Fort Souder is a former Republican member of Congress. Wayne is fine. Paula Hughes says our debt load is terrible.