V17, N26 Thursday, March 8, 2012 Mourdock’s trident drawn at Lugar NRA, Club for Growth, FreedomWorks join cloaked alliance against incumbent By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - The trident aimed at U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar is now drawn. The National Rifle Association en- joined the Republican Senate race on behalf of Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock, joining a triumvirate alliance that includes Dick Armey’s FreedomWorks and Chris Chocola’s Club for Growth. Sources tell HPI that taking advantage of the Super PACs brought about the the Citi- zens United Supreme Court decision, Freedom- Works has been organizing grassroots opera- tions, Club for Growth will bundle perhaps as much as $2 million, and the NRA will commu- nicate “every way possible” Lugar’s record on guns. All of this outside money pouring into the state will be cloaked in anonymity. “Unlike his opponent, Senator Lugar, who has a clear record of hostility toward our right to keep and bear arms, all gun owners in the May 8 Republican primary. This is certainly the only and sportsmen in Indiana can trust that Richard Mourdock Republican race where we’re endorsing against the incum- will defend their Second Amendment rights,” said Chris W. Cox, Chairman of NRA-PVF “We urge all NRA members and Continued on page 3 gun owners in Indiana to vote Richard Mourdock for U.S. The Manning era passes By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - “Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart,” a tearful Peyton Manning said Wednesday. “I’ve truly enjoyed being your quarterback.” ‘‘Angel has been reunited with Whew. Give me a minute … her parents. We want to thank OK … When Peyton Manning came to God for all of you and for your Indiana, it was a basketball state. The Pacers were about to lose one of the thoughts and prayers. All should greatest seven-game playoff series ever look to God.” to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls with Larry Bird at the helm in the pre- - Jack Brough, grandfather of brawl era. Bob Knight was still coaching tornado victim Angel Babcock HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 2 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 8, 2012 the Indiana Hoosiers. Gene Keady was “I guess in life and sports we prowling Mackey Arena. Reggie Miller all know nothing lasts forever,” Man- was in his prime. We had only just be- ning said. gun crowning four high school cham- We know the history. Unitas pions with the new class basketball. ended up as a Charger. Montana a www.HoweyPolitics.com Over the next 14 years, the Chief. Even Babe Ruth ended up with culture of this state has changed. the Boston Braves and Hank Aaron “There are more Division One football with the Brewers. Howey Politics players in Indiana,” said former NFL Why did this happen? Indiana receiver Cris Carter on ESPN. “He The only blame was aimed is a non-partisan newsletter changed the culture.” at “circumstances,” none of which any- based in Indianapolis. It was Carter and ESPN analyst Trent one could have predicted just months founded in 1994 in Fort Wayne. Dilfer remembered ago. It was only last July Indianapolis as the that Manning signed a “Nap Town” of the NFL five-year, $90 million Brian A. Howey, Publisher with a lackadaisical contract. Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington fan base, less than “I can’t tell you what Jack E. Howey, editor full houses on Sunday, an honor it is to go Beverly K. Phillips, associate and a tepid tailgating start-to-finish with the scene. That quickly same organization here editor changed as Manning’s in Indianapolis,” Manning 3-13 Colts in 1998 said then, drawing paral- Subscriptions turned into a 13-3 lels with premier athletes $350 annually HPI Weekly powerhouse in 1999. like Larry Bird, Ernie Dilfer said that once Banks, John Elway, Dan $550 annually HPI Weekly and Manning became a Marino and Derek Jeter HPI Daily Wire. Colt and became accli- who played for only one 'Call 317.627.6746 mated, when the team team. “That is something played on the road it I always wanted to do as was like “the circus coming to town.” a rookie coming out. Of course, you Contact HPI The change in culture in- never know if that is possible, but Howey Politics Indiana cluded the mounting wins and fewer after yesterday it is official that I will 6255 Evanston Ave. losses, the NFL record string of win- be an Indianapolis Colt for my en- Indianapolis, IN 46220 ning seasons and playoff appearances, tire career. I will not play for another www.howeypolitics.com the four NFL MVPs, the Super Bowl team. My last down of football will be championship after the 1996 season, with the Colts, which means a great [email protected] the first professional title for the state deal to me.” 'Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 in a generation. It included laying Then came the parade of 'Washington: 703.248.0909 Astroturf on prep football fields and neck surgeries and the deeply flawed 'Business Office: 317.627.6746 the addition of Jumbotrons. It meant play of Curtis Painter, Kerry Collins and the construction of Lucas Oil Stadium, Dan Orlovsky, along with 13 straight the House That Peyton Built. It meant losses. Colts fans waited patiently for © 2012, Howey Politics Indiana. that the team would stay in Indianap- nerves to regenerate while the team All rights reserved. Photocopy- olis, and not become the Los Angeles fell apart. It emerged the winner of ing, Internet forwarding, fax- Colts. It meant the Colts throwing the “Suck for Luck” derby and at sea- ing or reproducing in any form, open the door of Lucas Oil Stadium to son’s end, with Manning pining to get whole or part, is a violation of the IHSAA. It brought the Super Bowl on the field, the Colts ended up with to town last month, perhaps the big- the No. 1 draft choice, almost certainly federal law without permission gest party and celebration of the city’s to be Stanford’s Andrew Luck. from the publisher. v sports culture in modern times. Folks The team fired Bill Polian, in Indy began to reason, if we can do most of the coaches. Aging players Pan Am Games, the 500 and now the will be cut. A rebuilding effort en- Super Bowl, why not the Olympics? sues. “Circumstances” for Jim Irsay HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 3 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 8, 2012 and Manning meant surrounding the legend with young, many things that he insists no one know about. There have unproven talent. It meant the closing window for a second been countless times that he has called me when we’ve Super Bowl title for No. 18. had some kind of need and said, ‘Governor, I want to help,’ So Hoosiers must now come to grips with watching and he’ll do everything but associate his name with it. We Manning throw and win for teams with either fish or feath- are going to miss seeing number 18 under center for the ers on helmets (and hopefully, not Jags, Texans or Titans). Colts, but I am happy to hear he will continue to call India- Irsay cited the salary cap, rebuilding and “circumstances napolis his home. It’s not a happy day.” too difficult to overcome,” and said, “We’re a few years Irsay acknowledged the “unparalleled” situation for away. Money was never a factor.” Colts fans. The hero is gone, with no compensation, and For Manning, there was professed love for the only a much heralded rookie yet to demonstrate his staying city and state that he changed. “This town has meant so power and health despite his obvious talents. “The 18 jer- much to me,” Manning said. “I do love it here. I’m not leav- sey will never be worn again by a Colts on the field,” Irsay ing Indianapolis. It’s still a huge part of my life.” said. “It’s tearing at our hearts.” Gov. Daniels observed, “Peyton is as great a citizen Indeed. as he is a quarterback. He’s contributed in ways people can The laser rocket arm is gone. And now we await see, like his children’s hospital, but he has also done so the Architect. v ment’s position on a temporary assault weapons ban, so Mourdock’s Trident, from page 1 that officers and deputies were not out-gunned by gang bent in the primary,” he said. “It’s rare and not often where members and drug dealers. Senator Lugar continues to we are forced to be in a position of opposing an incumbent focus on issues that matter most to Hoosiers – private-sec- Republican.” tor jobs, federal spending and debt, national security and Lugar’s lifetime “D+” NRA rating was recently energy costs.” lowered to an “F.” Mourdock has previously received an The NRA move becomes part of a right wing move- “A” rating from the NRA for his support of the rights of gun ment against Congressional centrists at a time when the owners. “Senator Lugar has never been held accountable national GOP is losing support in the center and from the for his 36 year record of support for gun control,” Mourdock fastest growing minorities. A Fox News Poll revealed that said in a conference call Wednesday. “At every turn when President Obama is supported by 73% of Latinos, in part Hoosier gun owners’ rights were at stake, Dick Lugar voted due to immigration laws in states like Arizona, Alabama with the liberal Democrats to restrict their Constitutional and Indiana.