The waiting is the hardest part: Gubernatorial votes continue to trickle in

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.

Comments

How many names can Jen blog under?

Jim lost. Jill won. Now let's beat mitch and stop whining.

[know it all]

I find it interesting that some on this blog blame the Schellinger loss on Mike Edmondson...really? You are blaming a loss on a guy who left the campaign six months ago? If you didn't notice, after Edmondson left, Schellinger's money dried up, Parker took the lead role unabated, Wagner staged press events in the shadow of government funded CSO projects on earth day (duh), Schellinger's campaign waited six days to respond to an attack ad, the campaign had no presence anywhere leading up to election day, and they got completely out hustled and out maneuvered by JLT. Kudos to Jill, she did exactly what she needed to do and Dan's dream team of Jeffers, Wagner, Linda Harris, didn't turn anything around. That's because at the end of the day, it was parker calling the shots the whole time. Screwing up and blaming the staff....no matter who the staff was.

[Petty Cash]

Safely Sane Rule of Life No.14--and now a BLog-Reading Rule, too:

Whenever a person rambles on, and Hitler comes into the mix, stop reading, listening, caring about the person's views.

Because you cannot help them. They are gone.

[GOMITCHGO]

Dear Democrats-

Thank you so much for the wonderful present, complete with a big bow. JLT is toast. This couldn't have worked out any better.

Love,

Your Republican Neighbors

[Bannister]

Let me say that I didn't like Jim Schellinger as a candidate at all, but I voted for him because I knew that he was the only one that stood a chance to beat Mitch Daniels in November.

The party should not waste the time, effort or money to prop up the candidacy of a consistent failure like Jill Long Thompson. There is something special going on in the Indiana Democratic party, and she has nothing to do with it.

[Mishawaka]

As Pete Rozell said, "On any given Sunday, any team can win or lose". My choice was Jim Schellinger. I worked hard for him and hated to see him concede today. I have been tough on JLT on this blog and I make no apologies for anything I have written. That being said, I congratulate her and her supporters.

We need to unite this fall. Let's Ditch Mitch.

Yeah, they really should have learned that lesson last November.

[Lesson Learned]

I hope the State Dem Party learned a valuable lesson...you're not as powerful as you think you are and you don't, nor should you, have the power to decide who should run for office and who should not. That is to be left to the voters and JLT's campaign proved that.

If you're against Jill because she beat your candidate, by all means, register as a Republican. We need unity and solidarity, not cry babies. That's why dems lose, their selfishness outweighs their loyalty.

Wanna beat Mitch? Come together. Want to be the only State not to feel the wave of change, stay at home and lick your wounds.

I'm ready to vote for our candidate for Governor, whether it's JLT, Schellinger, or Donald Duck. Any one of them is better than Mitch.

Enough sulking, let's get to work.

Fair response New Albany. I just hate to spar internally. Thank you.

To paraphrase a recent movie:

The Democratic presidential candidates are fighting it out on the national stage and airing their differences, their views, the conflicts and the issues that will be paramount in the upcoming national race.

An overzealous, narcotic loving radio host derives glee from it, promotes others to do the same and says, "How Wonderful."

The Zen master says, "We'll see."

[New Albany]

Just to clarify - Jim wasn't "my candidate". I am anti-jill, not pro-jim. I'm all for uniting around 99% of candidates, but not her. never.

[Brian]

OPERATION CHAOS!!!

[c]

Don't worry 5:21, Jen won't bring her talent to JLT's campaign. JLT is a train wreck and nothing can save her.

Just remember 86, 88,94 and 02.

[True Dem]

7:30-Nicely put. I am a JLT supporter but had Schellinger won I still would have supported him, even if I personally don't really like him but I won't get started on that b/c our ultimate shared DEMOCRATIC goal is to defeat Mitch. For instance, I am not happy that Andre won but will still vote for him and help to make sure we keep that seat.

I can't help but wonder like many others how this will shake up the State Party, which is needed!

Here's to hoping we can all unite back together!

[JLT's Sister]

It'll be another 4 years for MMM. Vote for JLT if you want to see employees dismissed for cause then return with back pay time and time again. Oh yeah those unions were a great motivator to try real hard....real hard at nothing. Good luck JLT, you'll need it.

6:50 wrote "Turn your backs on Jill. Don't waste your money or vote, I know I won't."

Folks this isn't American Idol. Maybe your particular favorite was voted off the stage, but things in the state aren't going to get better by turning your back on the democratic candidate and encouraging others to do the same. What on earth are you thinking? Your sense of civic responsibility goes out the door when your favorite candidate doesn't win? That's pathetic. Go ahead and turn your back on the only chance we have to get rid of Mitch; go sit in a coffee shop (or surf the blogs) and bitch...the rest of us grown-ups will take up the fight for you.

New Albany -- Let's please stop here and forever fighting inside the party about handling campaigns.

You don't know what happened inside the camp more than secondhand what I do, and I do. Even if I were to disagree with you about the comment you made (and I do), it doesn't help any of us in the ultimate goal of regaining the state house. The other side loves it when we fight amongst ourselves and we have nothing to gain by it.

Please don't give them that satisfaction, and please don't respond with some justification or something you heard, it doesn't help. Let's just stop it, please, and let's all start to focus on the race to come -- regardless of the candidate we originally supported.

"They had the right by executive order for 16 years. We didn't go to hell in a handbasket."

The state union was JOKE. A pure joke. There is a reason public employees are represented by gelded unions, those in power don't want a strong union to represent the workers that make the state run. For 16 years, a union bank account got fat, while the people I knew in state government got jack squat. The only redeeming benefit I saw with the union was that they might help right a wrong in terms of a disciplinary action. No, we won't ever see a strong union like the Teamsters or UAW represent the government workers, heaven forbid they actually get the right to strike. I mean what would people think of the Democrats if state government shut down?

"Government employee unions? How about this private-sector answer: any private company, when 50% plus one of the employees request a union vote--a union vote is held. And then the winner represents those employees."

OK. How about this, the union can represent the workers all they want, but if the company doesn't want to deal with the union, why should they have to? If the workers don't like stuff, walk off the job, strike, or quit. Why piss away your money on union wages if things are really that bad? Unions are only going to get what the company is going to allow anyway. There is no need for an organized, money hungry union to represent say 100 workers. Just vote for about five or so leaders, and go and speak with the bosses. As long as everyone has everyone's back, then things should be OK.

Oh, can anyone point out to me a time when the teachers union backed a picket line to picket school spending projects? Anyone? However about projects that were sports focused? Anyone?

"I want you to think about something. You voted with the intent to cause mischief, correct? How does it feel to know that you are blatantly disregarding everyone who has ever fought and died for their right to vote. You have chosen to cheapen the system.

I hope you can sleep well tonight, you miserable excuse for an American."

The system is already cheap. It is also corrupt to the core. Hillary is being told by many people that it is game over, yet her elitist "I deserve the nomination!" attitude is destroying any sort of common sense the woman once had. What is more scary is that she actually has a hand in running this country. The Hillarys, Burtons, etc. of the country are what cheapen the system. A little chaos might go a long way in fixing it. I don't know of one war that actually had America in true peril. Maybe the Japaneses and WW2, maybe. No one ever knows if Hitler would have tried a full scale attack on the US. I don't see Iraq as a threat, nor Korea. Hell, even the Civil War wasn't to protect voting, as I am sure voting would have still been done in the two countries that existed. If I am a miserable excuse for an American, what does that make Hillary, an elite white woman who is cheapening the system by not following the rules she agreed to?

[Petty Cash]

"...Well, the teachers obviously don't care. The _only_ time I ever see teachers using their voice is when they are on the picket lines, usually wanting something for themselves (wages, insurance, etc.), not the students..."

How sad, 5:48, to be that far out of touch with reality, and have to wander listlessly about the landscape of our state.

And angry, too. Deep breaths, relax...take a nap. Everything's better after a nap.

[new albany]

i have to agree with young dem- we blew it last night. Jen tried to turn it around, but the damage done by edmondson was irreversible. Turn your backs on Jill. Don't waste your money or vote, I know I won't.

Ok all, let's take a deep breath. The primary here is over. If you are a committed Democrat then you know that Mitch is bad for our state. You know that McCain and his 100 years war is bad for our country.

If you are a Republican or an undecided/independent voter (or even a staunch Democrat for that matter), you may not agree with the above assessment but even so take the next few months to evaluate the candidates and make an informed, intelligent decision.

It's likely that Obama will emerge as the Democratic candidate, and probably the stronger for all of the experience he has gained on the campaign trail. I have to differ with the Operation Chaos folks who think that the continued battle has been bad for Obama (or even Hillary for that matter). I think that the protracted news coverage and the incessant microanalysis have probably vetted most of the issues that are likely to be an issue in November. Not the same for McCain, who is most generally living under a sheltered rock while the storm continues.

What generally matters in an election is what occurs in the weeks before the vote, not the old news that has already played out and addressed by the candidates.

So, I think the protracted primary can actually work to the advantage of the Democratic nominee. Even though the continued primary will be expensive, I think it will backfire against the operation chaos folks in the end.

Regardless, we have (or will soon have) our candidates. Then, let the real process begin.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Forrest

[Petty Cash]

Operation Choas: if you pull real hard, I think you can get your head out of your a--.

Government employee unions? How about this private-sector answer: any private company, when 50% plus one of the employees request a union vote--a union vote is held. And then the winner represents those employees.

You far-right folks oughta be all over that concept.

Cover the union dues in inreased salary? Are you nuts?

Re-read the first portion of this post. Government employees should have the right to unionize.

They had the right by executive order for 16 years. We didn't go to hell in a handbasket.

Get over yourself already. Then get a clue.

Schellinger conceeded. How embarassing for Jen!

5:48 you obviously have some old axes to grind with teachers, and you aren't inclined to get over it, either. You were probably a perfect student, too.
The assessments will go up and so will your taxes. Remember I told you so.
5:41 and 5:51, I can only echo your comments!

To Operation Chaos -

I want you to think about something. You voted with the intent to cause mischief, correct? How does it feel to know that you are blatantly disregarding everyone who has ever fought and died for their right to vote. You have chosen to cheapen the system.

I hope you can sleep well tonight, you miserable excuse for an American.

"Don't lump all educators in one bunch. A lot of hard working teachers don't have a darned thing to do with those fancy amenities, but the locals you elect to your school board and the top administrators sure do, not to mention parents."

Well, the teachers obviously don't care. The _only_ time I ever see teachers using their voice is when they are on the picket lines, usually wanting something for themselves (wages, insurance, etc.), not the students. Sorry, but had I see _any_ teachers group/union protest these bloated school projects, I might give them a pass. they are just as guilty in my eyes. Who doesn't want a fancy work building?

"The property tax cap is a farce. Wait until your assessment goes through the roof. You can cap all you want, but based on assessments, we could all be paying a lot more in taxes."

Give me a break. There is only so much they can go up before the lawsuits start getting filed. I guess you would rather have sky high assessments without any tax caps?

Young Dem, this isn't a game that you quit when it isn't going your way. There is far far to much at stake to just roll over and allow Mitch to take it in an uncontested walk. JLT isn't my idea of the strongest candidate either, but she isn't going to get any stronger by people turning their backs and walking away in a pout. Grow up.

Operation Chaos, your gross ignorance is showing about the sorry state of education in this state. Don't lump all educators in one bunch. A lot of hard working teachers don't have a darned thing to do with those fancy amenities, but the locals you elect to your school board and the top administrators sure do, not to mention parents.
The property tax cap is a farce. Wait until your assessment goes through the roof. You can cap all you want, but based on assessments, we could all be paying a lot more in taxes.
And for all the fools calling for Hillary or anyone else to QUIT, that is ridiculous. She may not ahead, but you need to look at all the delegates and votes she has gotten. Not all of them are lemmings after Rush Limbaugh's dumb logic, some of them might actually believe she represents them best. Why should she or anyone quit? The game is not over! That kind of talk is stupid, and it comes directly from the morons in the MSM--who would do well to REPORT the facts and quit undermining our democracy by slanting their definition of news!
Too many posts confirm my belief that people just have not gotten past their own stupidity. McCain will win because there are too many who won't vote for some danged woman OR a black man or half the D's who supported the losing candidate will vote against the eventual candidate because they are sore losers. It will be bad enough to lose the White House, keep it up and you'll have to tolerate four more years of Mitch Daniels' brand of "leadership." And you know he's counting on all you sore losers and people like OC to get him re elected.
You Democrats need to get your crap together for a change.

[Young Dem]

How sad that we had a chance against Mitch but we nominated JLT. Won't volunteer for her, won't vote for her, and will encourage anyone who will listen to stay home. We made our bed.

Keep TDW/Jen away from Jill - she'll jinx Jill's chances.

Jen,
Please, please, please do us a favor and go support Mitch!

Channel 6 website reports Schellinger has conceded

[Operation Chaos]

I am one who voted in Operation Chaos. I did so for two reasons:

#1: I just do not like Hillary. She seems to be very elitist to me. That being said, this primary is the best thing to ever happen in my eyes. I want it to keep going. Obama has won. I do think he can still beat McCain. That being said, there would be nothing better than to watch an elitist, baby boomer, white woman try to break the rules in an effort to steal the nomination from a black man. Don't blame us for keeping this going. If your going to blame anyone, blame your super delegates and your party. Your party had rules. Two states broke the rules and all candidates signed on that these states would not count. Anyone that can do that math knows that Hillary cannot catch Obama. As such, the super delegates should have already lined up behind Obama and put a stop to it. Your party is filled with too many elitist, worried only about their own political future. The super delegates should have taken the Ellsworth approach, which is a smart one: Back whoever wins my district. Instead, they are waiting till the last moment, making sure not to jump the gun, hoping all the dirt on both candidates is out in the open before making their decision.

#2: I believe property taxes are a huge deal. While my taxes likely will go up a little (depending on my spending habits), I was thrilled that we will finally have property tax caps in this state. Far too long, the public education lobby has milked the public, not for education, but for image and popularity. Fancy swimming pools, fancy football stadiums, fancy gyms, focusing more on sports because winning a state championship is more important than anything. Well, it is time these "educators" start focusing on educating instead of the extras that might make their school popular. I firmly believe that Schellinger was handpicked by the public school lobby (Teachers union, school administrators, IHSAA, etc.) to get elected with the sole purpose to protect the gravy train that is property tax levies. This is why I voted for Jill Long-Thompson. While I do think Mitch has done OK, I do agree he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. So is Schellinger. Mitch protects his Wall Street pals, Schellinger would have protected his public education pals. The time has come for a governor that cares about people, not one who thinks it is OK that someone in a $400K home pay almost $12K/year in property taxes just because 50% or more goes to "education." As a conservative, anti Wall Street Republican, I might actually vote for JLT in the general election. JLT is going to have to win me over. Here is what I want for her:
#1: Leave the time issue alone.
#2: Do not focus on high paying manufacturing _union_ jobs. The unions are on life support. Don't get all hell bent on union this, union that.
#3: Do not force the state employees to join a union unless you give them a raise to cover the costs of those dues.
#4: Privatization is OK, but term limits like that with the toll road are a bit much in my opinion.
#5: Do not be a big government supporter. This would be no different than Mitch growing government by privatization.
#6: Support reforms which will cut and streamline government.
#7: Support the property tax caps.

When it's this close the Schellinger campaign has the right, and really the responsibility, to make sure the count is correct. The vote isn't going to be certified for another 14 days anyway, so there is no reason for him to rush a concession when it's this close.

Jim! Please exit this race with class and dignity. Please do not drag this out and further hurt our chances against Mitch.

The point is to DITCH MITCH in November! Let's get on the band wagon.

[Dem]

I am a huge Schellinger supporter and am now a JLT supporter--because she is our candidate. I believe the party lost its best chance, but that was their choice and we move on.
I believe the outcome was based more on the several months Schellinger lost trying to put together a decent campaign and staff. He lost too much ground and burned too many fences while that was happening. Too bad. He would have given Mitch more of a run for his money. We do need to support our candidate, but now more of my money and time will go to other candidates who I believe are more viable.

That sounds wonderfully juvenile. Thanks for helping the rest of us move Indiana out of the muck. I'm disappointed about Schellinger too, but at least I remember what the point of it all is.

[c]

I voted for Jim and will not be supporting Jill. She is a horrible candidate and I'm not wasting my time.

[Hillary Long Carson]

Seriously, if you people manage not to win the White House and/or the governor's mansion, your party should go the way of the Whigs.

And in the meantime, Mitch is continuing with his ads on television.

He is going to take every advantage of every minute of hand-wringing and finger-pointing within the democratic party, while the people of this state who don't spend all of their time bitching, moaning and complaining about who is responsible for their favorite horse coming in 2nd (please note: I voted Schellinger) but who are wondering who should be the Governor of this state, are going to be seeing and hearing his ads and, in the abscence of any substantive information to the contrary, they are going to believe that Mitch should may as well stay on as Governor.

Let's keep focused.

[Petty Cash]

12:38: childish post. And, for the record, the fall election isn't over yet. Mitch has the insane ability to defeat himself.

His record sucks, but as we've seen before in Dem and Repub contests--the record doesn't always trump raw politics.

Nonetheless, if the economy remains Message One, Mitch has a miserable record.

Jill can attack that as well as Jim.

Oh yeah--they're calling your name over at Operation Chaos.

Rush needs someone to make a drugstore run for him. Cigs and oxycontin. It'll only take a few minutes.

[Boo Hoo]

O.k. Blog Mistress, back to TDW. But good job with a candidate who was an underdog anyway.

Jen, what's it like to back a loser?
I guess you won't have that job at the state capital after all, so sad.

I want to believe the people who create posts here at Taking Down Words actually mean what they write. There's no need to search through 10 months of postings; the words are remembered by everyone who visits this site: support the nominee, unite against the worst Governor we've had in decades, return Democratic leadership to the Statehouse.

The curtain is doing down on this election. So how do the players respond to the curtain call? With dignity, class, grace, and respect--even in defeat? We'll see within hours. And it DOES matter for the sake of the Democratic party, so I know what I am hoping--expecting--to see. UNITE NOW!

[Republican operative]

I think that Schellinger should demand a recount of all precincts and county absentees which he didn't win. I think he should force JLT to spend hundreds of thousands on lawsuits and whatever else it takes. I think he should rip the party to shreds.

[flipper]

Its gonna be fun this fall election.

I voted for Jim, too, but if Jill is the winner, then I'll vote for her in November. ANYBODY is better than Mitch Daniels.
NEVER forget that is the objective, to rid the statehouse of that nasty little twit.

It cracks me up to read on this and other threads how All of this is sooooo bad for the party, or how bad He or She is, and that They need to Quit or Get Out before they drag us all down....but it is the very people posting that crap that is doing the worst stirring of the pot!

I think some of you people would eat your own young.

I voted Schellinger. And I agree with that campaign that it ain't over til it's over...count them all and then say it's over, not before. But when it is over, then my support will be 110% behind JLT. I see no reason to point fingers, whine, bitch, or complain about who is responsible for how this party is in such a bad state of affairs. THAT is the type of thing that would put this or any party into a bad state of affairs!

Pull it together people.

Buh bye Chairman Dan!

[Riley]

It's revealing that every other headline in the state says JLT won, but this blog says JLT "declared victory." Jill Long Thompson deserves every every bit of praise for taking on this race and for forcing Jim Schellinger to figure out how to be a candidate. Lucky for her that his learning curve was a bit too long. I say this as a voter who remained undecided until the end and then voted for Jim.

Now we're all for Jill.