taking down words

Women take the lead.

This year will certainly turn out to be historic for the nation and the State of Indiana.  Regardless of who wins the Democratic nomination for president, they will either be the first African-American nominee or the first female nominee.  Also, the same group that is being courted to lead Hillary to victory in our state could also substantially help Jill Long Thompson to become the first female nominee for governor, and the first female Governor of the State of Indiana if she defeats Mitch in the fall.  Is Indiana ready for this much change?  I sure hope so.  From today's Indystar.

If Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton wins Indiana's May 6 Democratic primary, the votes of white women may be a huge reason why.

An Indianapolis Star-WTHR (Channel 13) poll shows Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama essentially splitting the votes of all Hoosier women, with about 41 percent backing Obama and 40 percent backing Clinton.

But among white women, Clinton is way ahead, winning the support of 48 percent compared with 29 percent for Obama.

To a large extent, women are Clinton's most ardent supporters and have paved her way to victories in other states. That consistent pattern of support is why both campaigns are reaching out to Indiana's women.

...

Not Kate Sweeney Bell, a Democratic precinct committee worker in Indianapolis, who said she believes "very strongly the state is ready for a woman governor."

"We've had two women lieutenant governors. It's the next logical step."

As one who continues to strongly advocate for change, (and not Mitch's bad policy decisions disguised as good change) I think it is time for Indiana to cast aside some of its blighted past and show the nation that we aren't as backwards as we can be sometimes viewed.  Part of this was accomplished last month when the legislature skillfully managed to keep SJR 7 off our books for another couple of years.

We've got exactly one more week to see who comes out victorious.

posted by tdwblog@gmail.com

A little help from his friends: Obama, Mellencamp in Evansville tomorrow

It seems that Jim Shella was right on the money with his scoop this morning, and Sen. Barack Obama will be watching the Pennsylvania election returns in Evansville tomorrow night. Oh, and John Mellencamp will be there, too.

In addition, the Clinton campaign has released a tentative schedule for Sen. Clinton's appearances in the state. The Star has more:

Obama will hold post-primary election rally in Evansville at 7:30 p.m. with his wife, Michelle, and with Indiana rocker John Mellencamp. The inclusion of Mellencamp -- known for his song "Small Town" -- is somewhat of a coup for Obama, who has come under fire from Clinton as well as Republicans for comments he made recently about people in small towns being bitter as their economic straits declined. Clinton, in fact, has played that song at some of her events.

Clinton will be in Indianapolis on Wednesday for an event focusing on the economy. She'll also be campaigning on Friday and Saturday in East Chicago, South Bend and Fort Wayne. Details on Clinton's campaign stops, including times, locations and how to attend have not yet been made public.

Obama's event -- which is free and open to the public -- will be held at Roberts Stadium in Evansville, a 12,500-seat arena. Tickets are not required but the campaign recommends people RSVP at www.barackobama.com.

Posted by: Thomas

Debating the Debates: Will Indiana play host to the presidential contenders?

This is a rumor that I've been hearing about for a month now, but it finally looks like discussions have moved out of the shadows and on to the pages of the Star. With Pennsylvania looking like it won't likely end anything -- and North Carolina appearing positively uncompetitive -- media outlets and now at least one candidate are pressing for a televised debate in the Hoosier state.

"It's obviously very easy to give an eloquent speech, but it's harder to stand in front of questioners and take tough questions, and that's part of the process, too," said Howard Wolfson, communications director for Clinton.

"It's not something we're asking Senator Obama to do every day, but I think it's reasonable that he do that on at least one occasion before the primary in Indiana," he said.

Obama's campaign did not flatly reject the proposed debate but indicated it thinks voters would rather have more opportunities to meet the candidates in person than through a televised debate.

"There have been 21 Democratic debates now, including four one-on-one debates with Senator Clinton," said Kevin Griffis, communications director of Obama's campaign in Indiana. "Our priority is going to be traveling around the state so people can hear directly from (Sen. Obama) and spending as much time as we possibly can interacting with the people of Indiana."

No location has been set, so if I might make a suggestion: Bloomington is beautiful this time of year.

Where would you like to see the candidates go head-to-head?

Posted by: Thomas

Be still my beating heart....

Yours truly just returned from Bill Clinton's appearance at Perry Meridian Middle School.  It was a great event, and helps confirm why I am on Hillary's bandwagon.  I am not ancient, but I am old enough to remember how great our economy was under Bill.  When Hillary makes promises of a better America and a better economy, I believe her because they've (Bill & Hillary) done it before.   In all fairness, I will say that I have yet to hear Obama speak, so I can't compare and contrast the two, I just know that I have always been a Clinton fan and will continue to do so. 

Regardless of your political views, Bill made a joke that cracked me up and I wanted to share it with all of you.  I paraphrase, but I think I capture the essence of the joke:

"By any account this is a historic year.  If Hillary wins it will be historic because she will be the first woman President.  If Obama wins, it will be historic because he will be the first black President.  If McCain wins, it will be a historic year because McCain is...well....Historic."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Posted by tdwblog@gmail.com

Manic Monday: Bill Clinton in town, David O unveils ads, and Jim Schellinger on education

Talk about a busy day, at least in Indianapolis. Congressional candidate David Orentlicher is set to roll out his first television ads of the season this afternoon, as well as tout some yet-to-be-named endorsements. Gubernatorial hopeful Jim Schellinger has scheduled an afternoon presser to discuss the third portion of his Pick Up Indiana plan, this time dealing with education reform.

Oh, and former President Bill Clinton just happens to be here too:

Former President Bill Clinton will bring his "Solutions for America" tour in support of his wife's presidential campaign to Perry Meridian Middle School today.

The rally at 202 W. Meridian School Road is scheduled for 3:45 to 6:45 p.m.

The former president also will campaign for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton today in Corydon and Decatur, "to share with Hoosiers Hillary's plans to jump-start the economy, create jobs and rebuild the middle class," a news release said.

The first event is at noon at Corydon Central Junior High Gymnasium. After the Indianapolis appearance, Clinton is scheduled to speak at 7:30 p.m. at Belmont Middle School in Decatur.

I'll have more on all of these as the day goes on.

Posted by: Thomas

Dastardly Double-Dipping: Will Republican cross-over voting matter in May?

Matt Tully takes a look at the oft-maligned-but-rarely-felt issue of cross-over voting, and what effect it may have on the upcoming primary vote.

Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman Keith Clock said the question comes up often in his solidly Republican county. Many Democrats and independents typically vote in the Republican primary there, he said, because that's often the decisive election. With few competitive Democratic candidates, he said, the GOP primary winner usually wins the general election.

Clock tells nervous voters, "This is an open primary. You don't register (as a member of one party or the other)." He tells them to show up and vote.

Still, you've probably seen stories about Democratic leaders who fear devious Republicans will play games by infiltrating the Democratic primary. And you might have heard that voters could be challenged if a Democratic precinct official suspects shenanigans.

That's all true.

But Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker said his warnings to Republicans have been exaggerated. The only people who should be worried, he said, are Republicans "trying to mess with the rest of our ticket." Honest Hoosiers intending to support a Democrat for president this year should be fine.

My guess? More Republicans will cross-over to vote in the Democratic presidential race because they are genuinely interested in two compelling candidates than will because Rush Limbaugh told them it was a good idea.

Posted by: Thomas

Electoral Fight! When Republicans attack (...literally)

A tip o' the hat to a commenter over at my other digs for pointing out the latest in the ongoing saga of Republican wankery in Muncie. As if under-staffing their office and potentially disenfranchising new voters wasn't bad enough, it looks like the local GOP have taken to just trying to beat the hell out of everyone who disagrees with them, including a reporter and Barry Welsh, the Democratic congressional candidate in the 6th District.

A Republican voter registration deputy faces battery charges after he tackled a newspaper reporter and hit the Democratic 6th District congressional candidate after a contentious Delaware County Election Board meeting this afternoon.

The meeting had just ended when Will Statom, GOP registration deputy and secretary of the local Republican Party, attacked Star Press reporter Nick Werner while Werner was interviewing Ball State University student Johanna Perez about hundreds of last-minute voter registrations for Democrat Barack Obama's campaign.

"He did not seem very happy that we were stating our opinions," Perez said afterwards about Statom.

Werner said Statom seemed critical of his reporting, sarcastically saying to make sure he screwed up the story again.

Statom had just walked past Werner when Statom turned around and pushed Werner against the wall, grabbed him and they fell to the ground, according to witnesses.

Barry A. Welsh, Democratic 6th district congressional candidate, who attended the meeting, stepped in, and Statom turned around and hit Welsh in the eye.

"When Nick went to the floor, I tried to break it up," Welsh said.

Posted by: Thomas

Q&A: Sen. Hillary Clinton sits down with the Star

Maureen Groppe had a few minutes to pepper presidential candidate Hillary Clinton with some Hoosier-centric questions, and this morning's Star prints the far-ranging interview that touches on everything from Eli Lilly to the 75-year lease of the Indiana Toll Road.

Q: One way Indiana is tackling its infrastructure needs is by leasing its toll road to a foreign consortium for $3.85 billion. Would you encourage such public-private partnerships as president?

A: It’s up to the states. The state owns those roads, but I don’t think that’s the smartest policy for America. I believe that we should be investing in a new infrastructure program to rebuild America. I think we could use a number of sources of funding that would probably be beyond the means of any one state but through the federal government could provide resources for these federal-state partnerships ... because I do worry about taking these public properties out of the public’s hands.

Elsewhere, Chelsea Clinton continues her campus tour today with stops at three additional Indiana schools.

First Hillary Clinton ad hits Hoosier television sets

A tip o' the hat to John Good for pointing us all to the first Clinton television spot to be released in the state. I've only seen that it's playing down in the Louisville market, so be sure to let us know if you see it somewhere in your neck of the woods.

New Obama ad hits the airwaves in Indiana

The Obama camp is shopping around their newest television spot, which you can check out below. No word yet on if and/or when the Clinton camp may launch an ad campaign of their own, but Chelsea Clinton is making another swing through college campuses over the next few days.