Okay, so I put up an open thread thinking I would be too busy to post anything today. However, I just ran across a hilarious site that I have to share.
The blog is called "Things younger than Republican Presidential Candidate (oh, and did I forget to mention "War Hero"?) John McCain."
Enjoy a good laugh.
Posted by tdwblog@gmail.com
Many apologies for the lack of posts lately, it's been a busy week, and will continue to be a busy weekend.
On the bright side, the weather is supposed to be beautiful today and most of the weekend and we'll finally get some May temperatures next week! Get out and enjoy the weather!
What's on your mind today? This thread is officially open for business.
posted by tdwblog@gmail.com
Another study in 'then and now'
From September 2005:
Gov. Mitch Daniels pulled into Reynolds, Ind., Sept. 13 in his biodiesel-powered RV 1 to unveil BioTown, USA — a city that uses biorenewable energy sources to meet all of its energy needs.
"BioTown, USA is an aggressive plan that I believe will become a model for rural communities throughout our state and country," Daniels said. "We are taking challenges and turning them into opportunities by developing homegrown, local energy production to become independent from foreign sources; creating a cleaner environment; finding new solutions to animal waste management issues; and developing new markets for Indiana agricultural products and by-products."
Fast forward to April of this year:
'BioTown' loses steam on energy independence - This one-stoplight farming hamlet had big dreams in 2005 when it was christened BioTown USA.
Its goal: to become the first U.S. community to meet all electricity and gas needs through renewable energy by using everything from farm waste to sewage.
...
But the visitors are long gone, and many say the excitement is too. Money problems, leadership changes and other obstacles have sparked skepticism that Reynolds will ever succeed at moving the state, much less the nation, toward homegrown energy and away from foreign oil.
From today's Indystar:
Gas passes $4 mark in Reynolds - The Lafayette Journal and Courier, meanwhile, reports today that gasoline passed $4 per gallon on Tuesday at the Green Gables gas station in Reynolds, Ind., 86 miles northwest of Indianapolis.
Thanks Mitch, you are doing an outstanding job!
Posted by tdwblog@gmail.com
A study in 'then and now'
March 2006: From Inside Indiana Business
Indiana’s rapid growth in the life sciences-related industries reached new heights today as Governor Mitch Daniels joined Pfizer Inc executives to announce the company’s intent to hire more than 450 new employees to manufacture the complete Exubera line at its Terre Haute facility. Exubera is the first inhalable form of insulin for controlling Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in adults. Pfizer received FDA approval for the drug in late January.
Today: From the Indystar
Drug maker Pfizer Inc. will close its sterile manufacturing plant in Terre Haute by the middle of next year.
The company says the closure will eliminate the remaining 140 jobs at the plant.
The announcement is not surprising as the New York-based company said in January that it would lay off 660 workers at the Vigo County plant. It warned then that the remaining jobs could be cut later.
I can't help but notice that the Governor had everything to do with the new jobs announcement at Pfizer, but is nowhere to be found when those exact same jobs disappear. Where's the press event, Mitch? 660 jobs that you were so proud to have created have disappeared, where did you go?
Posted by tdwblog@gmail.com
Hiya.
TDW here, just popping by to see what's happening and check up on the blog.
First off, thanks for the congratulations on the bar exam. Talk about lists you check more than twice to make sure you're not imagining things.
For those of you who were wondering, your friendly former blogmistress hasn't made a decision yet on whether to return to authoring this site -- or what to do with her life, really. So many options, so much time to play with Baby TDW.
Those decisions will be forthcoming in the next week or so.
For the time being, a motherly word of warning on this Mother's Day: Knock off the political infighting, kids.
We all picked horses last Tuesday. Some won. Some lost. That's politics.
So, what do we do now?
That's up to each of you, but here's a recommendation: Focus on the candidates who interest you, and work like heck to get them elected in November. There has to be someone -- or some race -- out there that motivates you. Carpe enthusiasm.
We're all Democrats, and in case it's escaped your notice, there's no shortage of Democrats running for office this year. Just because, for example, your presidential candidate didn't get the nod doesn't mean you can't harness that energy for some other political purpose.
Oh, and remember, they call them election cycles for a reason: There's always another one just around the bend.
Now get out there and get crackin'. We've got lots of work to do over the next six months.
Peace.
Smiling big:
Incumbents – only one incumbent got tossed by his constituents, Rep. John Ulmer (R-Goshen). He managed to capture only 25 percent of the vote in District 49. No other incumbents were as unlucky, and indeed many of them handily crushed their opposition while others managed to eke out a victory despite strong candidates running against them (Danny Boy, I'm looking at you). Even Brent Waltz, who doesn't even live in his district according to a judge last Friday, managed to live to fight another day.
Democrats – It's a rare day in Indiana that being a Democrat is quite this exciting. In fact, if the general election had been held Tuesday, Democrats would have swept the House and even the Senate, which hasn't been in Democratic control for decades thanks to the gerrymandered districts Bob Garton so graciously drew. For example, in the District 12 seat recently vacated by Republican Sen. Marvin Riegsecker, the three Democrats together garnered 13,245 votes while the three Republicans only garnered 11,731. If this momentum carries through to the fall, Democrats will have a mandate for change unseen in recent years and the majority it takes to make it happen.
Steelworkers – They bet the farm on JLT and it paid off. Manufacturing may be waning in Indiana, but there just might be a future for unions.
The bruised but triumphant:
Jill Long-Thompson – It was ladies' night Tuesday and JLT benefitted immensely. Although her win was predicted to be much more decisive on last week's Indiana Week in Review, she still managed to pull through. She does have a lot of work to do and she will need to support of Hoosier Democrats to privatize Mitch Daniels in November.
Hillary Clinton – A loss in Indiana would have given Obama more authority to call for her to step down. But her narrow win ensures that she'll make it to Kentucky and West Virginia where victories appear imminent. What this means for the party is tough to say, but the sooner we bring this chapter to a close and start bringing home how bad for the country four years of John McCain will be, the better off we'll all be.
Posted by tdwblog@gmail.com (with the help of his lovely assistant)
The results are final and Jim Schellinger has officially conceded to Jill Long Thompson.
Jim received 567,553 votes to Jill's 574,655.
Congrats to everyone on a historic election cycle, and for surviving the initial punch. Now it's on to November and sweeping the Republicans out of office!
As I am still recovering from a very long weekend of campaigning, I am not going to recap the races tonight. Hopefully I'll get back in the swing of things tomorrow and put up a post with the surprises and events from Election Day. Until then, let's all rest up and get ready for the next battle.
Posted by tdwblog@gmail.com
Jill Long Thompson has declared victory, but with some precincts still out and thousands of provisional ballots still waiting to be counted, this race will likely not be over until it is over, as they say. Jim Schellinger's campaign is promising to let the process work, and that every vote will be counted in a contest they still see as too close to call.
Regardless, there were 1.1 million ballots between the two candidates -- a number that should put this all in perspective in terms of the main objective of this whole democratic exercise.
This update on the Indianapolis Star's site tells me all I need to know about who can and can't win in November...
7:57 AM -- Voters reveal their choices
Voters in metro area polling places revealed their ballot strategies this morning.
Banker Ike Coney, 59, said he voted for Sen. Barack Obama and Democractic governor candidate Jim Schellinger“This is the first year that we have a choice, I think,” Coney said after voting in a Johnson County polling place at Center Grove Middle School.
Sales represtantive Bob Rose selected a Democrat ballot with the general election in mind.
Rose said he voted for Hillary Clinton and Jill Long Thompson, the other Democrat running for governor. Rose said he supports Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and things Long Thompson will be a weaker opponent.
It was clear that voters in this staunch Republican area were crossing over in the primary.
Precinct inspector Rose Hinesley implored Republicans at the middle school to pick a GOP ballot.
Posted by: Charlotte
Hillary knows one thing that works in the last twenty-four hours: on-point advertising that crtitcally hits your opponent between the eyes. According to the latest ad, Hillary wants Obama to give us a better reason to oppose the gas tax holiday than "it'll only save you $30." At the same time, we need to remember there's more to this race than the gas tax.
It's about change. It's about reclaiming the executive branch in Washington.
Posted by: divanongrata
It was just announced that Stevie Wonder will be joining Barack Obama for a concert/rally at American Legion Park this evening @ 7:30pm. Know of any visits/events going on?
Barack is campaigning in Raleigh right know and Hillary just sent out an all-call for volunteers tonight and tomorrow.
Where will the two watch results?
Post your info here.
Posted by: divanongrata
Since I and my political counterparts will be swamped for the next couple of days, let's get an open thread going to get us to Wednesday. So, Step right up and give us your predictions!
In almost every election cycle there is something that happens on election day that completely shocks Indiana. What will it be this year? Two years ago it was the defeat of Bob Garton, 4 years ago it was the defeat of Larry Borst. Who in Indiana will have a come from behind victory? What's the big story (outside the presidential race) that will dominate the Indiana news on May 7th?
This thread is officially open. Good luck to all involved in the races, see you on Wednesday!
posted by tdwblog@gmail.com
At the risk of also being sued, and being added to the list of people including Bil Browning (Bilerico), Sheila Kennedy (American Values ALliance), The Orentlicher campaign, and Tyrion Lannister, Woody Myers is using his substantial warchest to send his lawyers after the political world.
Yes, that's not a joke, Woody Myers is threatening to sue a bunch of people over the Orentlicher ad calling Dr. Myers an HMO Front man. His lawyer says "Dr. Myers has an impeccable, exemplary reputation which we will not allow to be tarnished by defamatory statements." Though I can't tell you the difference between libel and defamatory comments and their criteria, I think that anyone involved in politics or who has ever voted can tell you that you really can't sue your opponent for a negative ad, especially when your reasoning is because you have "an exemplary reputation." Regardless, the war has started.
In case you missed the ads to start with, you will have no choice but to notice them now.
Seventh Congressional District candidate David Orentlicher today refused a call from opponent Woody Myers to take down a campaign commercial that Myers says contains false information.
Orentlicher said he stands by the ad and that Myers in 1999 testified before Congress on behalf of HMOs and insurance companies against a Democratic version of the Patient's Bill of Rights, which was defeated that year. Orentlicher said he is the only candidate who has refused to take special interest donations.
Myers said earlier that Orentlicher's ad accusing him of working with Republicans to defeat the bill is false and threatened legal action if it isn't removed. He held a press conference this morning at his Downtown campaign office to discuss the issue.
“I’ve taken care of patients my entire career and fought for them in every job I’ve had," Myers said in a press release.
Here is why this is so bad:
1) Woody Myers has already put $1.6 Million of his own money into his campaign and runs the risk of looking like he is trying to buy his way into Congress. Now that someone upset him, he is sending his lawyers out after them, making it appear even more like he is using his money to intimidate his opponents.
2) This story has now made it to multiple blogs and news outlets. A lot of people have not seen the ad yet, and chances are that the majority of people would not have seen it before Election Day since it's only 3 days away. Throwing a fit over these ads and threatening to sue makes it one of the top stories on every local news channel, and when they report it, they will show the ad that went with it, making it so that everyone then sees the ad. So, instead of half of the people seeing the ad and thinking that you are an HMO front man, now everyone will see the ad and think you are an HMO frontman. Plus, this is all very free advertising for the Orentlicher campaign.
Andre Carson was also mentioned in this ad, but so far he has been smart about it and not said a thing. He knows that to lay low was the best thing to do so as not to draw even more attention to it.
Now, I will sit here and wait for my letter from Woody's lawyers...
Posted by tdwblog@gmail.com
The story of the DC Madam, Deborah Jeane Palfrey, took a tragic turn yesterday was she was found hanging in a shed on her mother's property in Florida. Deborah said several times that she was not suicidal and that if she ended up dead, there needed to be an investigation. While I never expect there to be an investigation, (other than the apparent suicide notes found by her side) at least anything that makes any findings that aren't suicide, it's important to note the relation this story has to Indiana.
In 2007, well-known Indiana Republican Randall Tobias resigned from his position as Deputy Secretary of State when it came out that he had been involved with Palfrey's prostitution ring. To remind everyone of Tobias' influence here in Indiana, here is a rundown of his campaign contributions:
Mitch Daniels: $171,000
Indiana Republican Party: $216,000
Frugal Hoosiers: $5,000
House Republican Committee: $7,100 (Not including donations to individual members,including Brian Bosma)
Atty General Steve Carter: $16,000 (Since most of these donations came AFTER the accusations against Tobias came out, I can't help but wonder if this was "please do not investigate me" money.)
Marion County Republican Party: $11,500
Now, it's one thing to receive money from someone when you don't know that they are getting their kicks from high priced call girls in DC. However, once the accusation comes out and they resign from their highly public position because of it, you would think the Republicans would recognize the PR nightmare it would cause. One would think. Since resigning in shame, Tobias has continued his massive donations, and the Republicans have continued to accept them. In the year since his departure from DC, Tobias has donated $97,500 to Republicans in Indiana, $76,000 of which was to Governor Mitch Daniels.
So, to recap: DC Republican bigwig gets caught with his pants down (almost literally), in the ensuing investigation a couple people end up dead, and the Indiana Republicans continue cashing his checks like kids in a candy store. Anyone else see a problem with this?
Posted by tdwblog@gmail.com
Update: A wise friend reminded me that earlier this year Mayor Greg Ballard appointed Tobias to run the Indianapolis Airport Authority Board. I guess this now means Tobias can have the girls flown to him...
Political stalker hack checking in...
Wanna know where Obama is? Check my favorite website, FlightAware, to see where the candidate's Boeing 757 is at any particular moment. Of course there's no guarantee Obama is actually on the plane, as some venues are close enough to do a drive around. But do not fear! He's scheduled to arrive into Indianapolis Metro at 10:18p this evening.
Sometimes the pilots don't file a flight plan, especially if their destination is somewhat close to the departing airport. This is apparent in the plane's history as it appears that the plane simply showed up at the South Bend airport from Fort Wayne without having flown there. In any case, it's fun to live vicariously, no?
Have fun!
Posted by: divanongrata
Did Eric Miller take a vaycay? It certainly seems like this would have prompted him to crawl out of the woodwork. For those of you living under a rock, mom-to-be Katherin Shuffield was shot in the stomach while she was simply doing her job as a bank teller on April 22. Days later, her twins died at five months gestation, two months shy of the point required by Indiana law to bring forth a murder charge.
Today State Rep. Mike Murphy (R-Indy), Senator Jim Merritt (R-Indy) and Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi held a press conference announcing their plans to pursue legislation criminalizing fetal homicide at any point during the pregnancy. The announcement piques the interest of pro-choice advocates and media guardians the state over.
So, how many legislators do you think will file similar bills criminalizing the murder of an unborn fetus in any circumstance? Wingnut roll call! Jackie Walorski? Jeff Drozda? Marlin Stutzman? Jeff Thompson?
Worse: how many legislators would actually vote for such a bill? I don't think we want to go there. Will this be the next SJR 7 or SB 345? How will Speaker Bauer handle the issue? Let us not forget there will be a new chair of the Courts and Criminal Code Committee this year as State Rep. Phil Hoy (D-Evansville) isn't seeking reelection. Might there be a chance, assuming the Democrats retain their majority, that State Rep. Nancy Dembowski (D-Knox) will be handed the committee? I imagine she would skillfully guide the issue through committee.
For those of you who think "pro-choicers" are baby killers, think again. This unfortunate instance serves to illustrate the point that the real baby killers are the criminals who sauntered into a Huntingdon Bank on a breezy Tuesday morning. And according to tonight's WISH-TV poll, 90% of us want the Brizzi/Merritt/Murphy proposal enacted. Perhaps what WISH-TV should've asked was, "Should the proposal become law even though it could compromise your right to choose?" I fear the hypothetical numbers would be much higher than we might think. Whether or not that will be the deciding factor for the Speaker's veto (essentially), we will have to wait and see.
Posted by: divanongrata
Barack Obama just an hour ago took a bit of time before his appearance at Assembly Hall to talk with key volunteers and precinct committee captains on a half hour conference call.
Unlike an earlier April conference call with President Clinton, technical and logistical problems did not keep us waiting for 30-plus minutes.
Barack seemed calm, almost resigned and dareisay tired. He spoke of his "former pastor" and the heaps of "static received in the past three days." Barack said Rev. Wright doesn't follow the ideals of the campaign and offered, "It's not about me...it's not about Hillary Clinton or John McCain. It's about you...your kids, your grandkids.
"It's about pushing back against the Washington special interests."
'08ama then offered some Mitch Daniels-esque rhetoric when speaking to the gas tax suspension Hillary has been calling for. He says, "a break won't solve the long term problem." Adding, "McCain and Hillary are using this gas crisis for political gain."
You may remember the bill State Rep Dennie Oxley authored in 2007 that called for the sales tax on gasoline to be suspended when prices reach $2.24. The bill died and later that summer, Pat Bauer wanted to look into it after prices reached the $3.00 mark. Mitch, of course, cockblocked any idea of it.
So, as I listen to U2's "City of Blinding Lights" streaming into Assembly Hall, I think to myself that perhaps it is Obama that's right for America. One thing is for sure: there's a tangible difference (from the Clinton events) in the makeup of the Obama stumpstops: there is no seated dignitary pool. There's a mosh pit of sorts that bespeaks the grassroots feel of a trip to Bonaroo. This is a different campaign, my friends and Indiana is better for it. Baron Hill thinks so. Will that help sway you?
I'll leave you to your thoughts with one of Barack's last comments, "Let's go out there and get Indiana. With this state, we'll be onboard to wrap up this nomination."
Posted by: divanongrata
Sensing that we all need a good laugh today, I give you a Dan Burton commercial that makes me want to vomit. Seriously, who keeps electing this guy?
posted by tdwblog@gmail.com
Hoping to pull a Borst or Garton upset, several big name Republican lawmakers face primary opposition this year. From today's Indystar:
Anger over Indiana's property tax crisis and a general distaste for incumbents have led to an unusual number of primary challenges in Statehouse races this spring, particularly among key Senate leaders.
Four of the most experienced and powerful Republican leaders in the Indiana Senate are facing challengers in Tuesday's primary, three of them for the first time in their long tenures.
Sens. Beverly J. Gard, Luke Kenley, Connie Lawson and Teresa S. Lubbers represent Central Indiana districts, chair key committees and have a combined 64 years of legislative experience.
This time of year, they usually can rest easy, knowing their stature within the Republican Party and influence at the Statehouse make the odds of a challenge long and the chances of an upset slim.
This year, however, has been different.
They're dusting off campaign signs, knocking on doors again, printing fresh campaign fliers and taking nothing for granted.
"These are not entitlement seats," said Lubbers, R-Indianapolis. "We have to earn them."
It's funny to hear Lubbers say that they aren't entitled to their seats because if you've ever heard Kenley or Lubbers on the Senate floor or in committee you would see that they certainly feel like they are. One wonders how a person who bills herself as a teacher even though she only taught school for two years, and who sends her kids to private school, can be in charge of the Senate's education policy. I think it's a good example of a majority held for too long. Democrat Governors have come and gone, and Democratic controlled House has switched many times over the last three decades, but the Senate has been run by the Republicans for nearly 30 years. With that one constant I can't help but wonder what might be holding this state back so much.
I'll definitely be interested in seeing if any upsets take place during this primary.
posted by tdwblog@gmail.com
Here's an idea that I thought was worth noting.
Take Your Kids 2 Vote, a non-partisan, 501C 3 organization was created to encourage parents to take their children to vote in 2008. To instill patriotism in our young Americans as well as an understanding of the voting process, parents are encouraged to take children the polls with them when they vote in primary, local and general elections. By taking their kids 2 vote, parents will....
Help their children learn how our democracy works.
Help them understand why voting matters.
Make their children proud to be Americans.
Build lasting family memories.
Make America stronger.
Throughout 2008, the TYK2Vote Campaign will launch a variety of national efforts to popularize the notion of parents and kids sharing the excitement and importance of Election Day. Make a difference. Be a part of the campaign.
Become a fan on Facebook or Add Peabody Pollcat as a friend – check out www.takeyourkid2vote.com for more ideas about how to get involved.
Web Site: http://www.takeyourkids2vote.org
As someone who always went to the polls with his mother, I can attest to it's positive effects on an impressionable child and it made me more interested in the political process. I encourage anyone with children to consider this great idea.
Posted by tdwblog@gmail.com
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