V24, N6 Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 Donnelly’s Supreme ‘September surprise’ Allegations set in motion political minefield for incumbent, both parties By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS – An obscure col- lege professor, one Christine Blasey Ford, has provided the 2018 version of the political lightning bolt. In 2016 the “October surprise” by FBI Director James Comey led to the presidential upset of the century. Last Friday, Ford provid- ed the “September surprise” when she accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault at a drunken high school bash 35 years ago. Watching all of this on the fulcrum is U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, who a week ago Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski in the fold, and his was a plausible yes vote for what appeared to be a fait ac- resume and life story seemed a movie screenplay for his compli nominee. Kavanaugh had asserted enough respect ultimate job on the high court. for case precedent on Roe v. Wade to keep Republican Continued on page 3 Walorski’s bellwether By JACK COLWELL SOUTH BEND – Congresswoman Jackie Walorski predicts that national TV will focus first on Indiana’s 2nd District on election night. “We’re a bellwether for the country,” Walorski told “I think we’re gonna do much supporters at the grand opening of her campaign head- quarters in Mishawaka last week. better than anyone thinks The Republican incum- bent, seeking a fourth term, said because the economy is so good, that results in her race with Dem- and people do like the job I’m ocratic challenger Mel Hall “will dictate what happens the rest of doing.” the night. And they’ll dictate that - President Trump, telling Republicans have swept. There was no Democratic wave.” Hill.TV there will be a Her enthusiastic support- ers cheered those predictions. ‘red wave’ in November One of the predictions Page 2 wouldn’t be disputed by Hall. He also are the United States of America.” sees the district as a bellwether. Citing key campaign themes, With Indiana results in early Walorski stressed her legislative sup- – we are often the first state declared port of measures for veterans and by the networks in presidential elec- her joining in bipartisan introduction tions – it’s likely that the 2nd District of legislation, now approved in the will be in national focus soon after the House, to help seniors to continue to polls close. live at home. Howey Politics Indiana Democrats, however, are While not mentioning Hall, predicting and counting on a wave to she warned of what Democratic gains WWHowey Media, LLC 405 color the network maps with a lot of in Congress could mean, saying there Massachusetts Ave., Suite blue and to designate enough Demo- is a “progressive Left in this country 300 Indianapolis, IN 46204 cratic victories to capture control of that is operating and growing expedi- www.howeypolitics.com the House. tiously, taking a message of pure, 100 If one of the first projec- percent socialism in this country.” tions is that Walorski has won handily, That message should be ham- Brian A. Howey, Publisher as she did in her two prior reelection mered home, she told her supporters, Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington races, it could indeed signal that the Cameron Carter, Editor blue wave was just a trickle. Joel Weyrauch, Editor If the projection is that Wal- Mary Lou Howey, Editor orski has lost in a Republican-flavored district where President Trump won Mark Curry, Daily Wire, photo big, it could signal instead that the Jack E. Howey, Editor wave was a tsunami. Also possible, Emeritus perhaps likely, is that the race will be too close to call quickly. Because of that possibility, Walorski and Hall both Subscriptions are concentrating on trying to get out HPI, HPI Daily Wire $599 the vote, or at least their votes. HPI Weekly, $350 Walorski urged her supporters HPI Mobile, $5.95 monthly at the headquarters, many of whom Ray Volpe, Account Manager have been involved in making phone when they encounter anyone thinking, calls or knocking on doors, to work “How can this possibly matter?” 317.602.3620 even harder because of the stakes in She praised campaign email: [email protected] the election. volunteers, saying they have made “a “We’re talking about monu- record number of phone calls already, mental, mountainous issues,” she said. and [they] just got through Labor Contact HPI “We’re talking about Hoosier values, Day.” [email protected] right? We’re talking about patriotism. And it’s a GOP team effort, Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 We’re talking about moving our coun- Walorski said, “making sure that Mike Washington: 202.256.5822 try forward economically.” Braun is our next senator,” defeating Business Office: 317.602.3620 During her speech, Walorski Sen. Joe Donnelly, the Democratic mentioned neither Hall, her opponent, incumbent. On the other side, too, it’s nor President Trump by name. a team effort, with the Donnelly and © 2018, Howey Politics But she hailed the Trump Hall campaigns working together. Indiana. All rights reserved. agenda, particularly on the Republican Election night? “It’s going to Photocopying, Internet forward- tax bill, saying, “You got a president start here and roll through the rest of ing, faxing or reproducing in who led the way and signed it.” the country,” Walorski predicted. She checked off a “we did it” Maybe it will. And the TV any form, whole or part, is a list: “Roll back regulations. Check. Tax networks will focus early on the 2nd violation of federal law without reform. Check. Take care of veterans. Congressional District of Indiana as permission from the publisher. Check.” they seek to project which way it’s Also, Walorski said, “We have rolling. v a commander-in-chief who is seri- ous about our nation leading globally Colwell has covered Indiana again and to minimize the threats. To politics over five decades for the stand up and not be ashamed that we South Bend Tribune. Page 3 thoroughly reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, Kavanaugh, from page 1 and weighed against Judge Kavanaugh’s decades of public Kavanaugh’s nomination came in early summer, service, sterling record on the bench, outstanding personal and yet here Donnelly and fellow vulnerable Democrats reputation, and his unequivocal denial of the allegations.” Heidi Heitkamp, and Joe Manchin seemed poised to go This morning on WIBC’s Tony Katz Show, Braun called for with the flow, confirm Kavanaugh as they had with Justice a confirmation vote next week, but he did not reaffirm his Neil Gorsuch. There was a minor risk of alienating the left- support for the nominee. ward wing of their bases, but even the most progressive Over the next week or so, danger lurks every- liberal knows that Donnelly retiring back to Granger and where for Donnelly, Democrats and Republicans and Sen. Mike Braun in Washington would do nothing to help President Trump, who seemed remarkably cool on Monday future causes. when he suggested a “full process” to air Ford’s allegation At this writing, Capitol Hill was in order, though the president and the nation watch in suspense at a called his nominee “as high a quality potential Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill individual as you’ll ever see.” Miss- redux next Monday. This past Mon- ing were incendiary Trump tweets day, Ford’s attorney told the “Today when he feels aggrieved, suggesting Show” she would testify. Some 24 to some that Kavanaugh might be as hours later, that had morphed into disposable as Bush43’s bizarre ap- her call for an FBI investigation as pointment of Harriet Miers 13 years opposed to what would be a classic ago. Miers gave way to reliably con- “he said/she said” with not a whiff of servative Justice Samuel Alito (with validation. Chairman Chuck Grassley Dan Coats as his sherpa), and the gave Ford a Friday deadline today. talk was that Kavanaugh’s demise President Trump urged her to testify could give way to another conserva- on Wednesday. Ford has not said she tive darling, 7th Circuit Judge Amy won’t testify. CNN reported today an Comey Barrett, like Donnelly a Notre FBI probe of Anita Hill 23 years ago Dame graduate. took three days. So an FBI probe isn’t likely to push the Kavanaugh stands on a trap door Kavanaugh confirmation vote into the lame duck session with time ticking away. Within minutes or hours of this of Congress, which would collide with a potential majority writing, he could easily be toast without the jam. change in January, depending on the verdict of voters in a But if Trump and the wily Senate Majority Leader referendum on President Trump on Nov. 6. Mitch McConnell don’t fold, then ol’ “Sleepin’ Joe” could be In the wake of Ford’s allegations that failed to sur- facing Ambien nights. face after several FBI background checks as Kavanaugh’s Jim Manley, a former Democratic Senate leadersh- career coursed through the Bush43 White House and then hip aide, told Reuters that Ford allegations could give Don- the D.C. District court, Donnelly’s conundrum was how nelly & Company a reprieve: “For those Democrats up for seriously to take an 11th hour breech. re-election from states that Trump carried, they now have On Tuesday, Donnelly sought time, saying, “The absolutely no reason to vote for Kavanaugh. Period. End of allegations made against Judge Kavanaugh are serious and story. They have all the cover they need.” merit further review. Given the nature of these allegations, Michael Tomasky of the Daily Beast thinks other- and the number of outstanding questions, I believe the wise: “I’m not sure it’s that simple.