as hoosier blood flows - in.govand missing in all of this is the bush diplomacy. “we ought to be...

As Hoosier blood flows ....Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007V14 N5

By MORTON J. MARCUS INDIANAPOLIS-ThebiggestchangetheKernan-Shepardcommissioncouldrecommendforimprovinglocalgovernmentwouldbetofocusresponsibility.Somefolks

wanttoconsolidategovernmenthorizontally;thatmeanscombin-ingunitsofthesametype.Itmighttaketheformofconsolidat-ingschoolcorporationsoritcouldbebringingthenumberoflibrarydistrictsdownfrom238tosomesmallernumber.(Itcouldmeanreducingthenumberofcountiesfrom92toamorerealisticnum-

“The pace and intensity of Ameri-can regional diplomacy related to Iraq has failed to match the urgen-cy and magnitude of the problem.” - U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar’s opening Foreign Relations Committee statement, Sept. 11

See Page 3

Politicians in Washingtonponder the contradictionswith the Iraq War surgeBy BRIAN A. HOWEY LONDON–AsSen.RichardLugarwoundupaweek-longtriptoEurope,thetop-icturnedtoIraqasweheadedfromHeathrowAirportintotheBritishcapital.“TheamountofinformationaboutIraqissovoluminouseveryday,”Lugarsaid.“Itissoladenwith

emotion.Thisisthepe-riod before the flood. The thoughtthatGen.Petrae-usorAmbassadorCrockerwouldoffertestimonyorawrittenreportthatthepresidentstudiouslylooksatandsays,‘Aha!’isn’tgoingtohappen.Infactthe information flows in like a brook andmostofitiscontradictory.” AndsodoesHoosierblood. AfterthePetraeus/Crockertesti-

Focus on accountability

monythispastweek,that’swhatwehave-contradiction.Wherethesurgehasbeenapplied,theviolencehasgonedown,evenwhileclaimingthelivesofAmericantroops,

SPC. PATTERSON

General Fil, Commander MND-N, briefs U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth (left) on the status of the Baghdad security plan last weekend. (House Armed Services Committee Photo)

Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007

TheHoweyPoliticalReportispublishedbyNewsLinkInc.Itwasfoundedin1994.

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ber,butIshouldnottrytomakeyoulaugh.) Manypeoplethinkthatputtingallthetownshipassessorsunderthecountyassessorwouldbeagoodidea.Others want to combine fire depart-ments.Mergingthepolicedepartmentwith the sheriff’s office is often cited asanattractivechange. Behindeachoftheserecom-mendations is our belief in two specific conditions: First, most ofusbelievethereareeconomiesofscaleintheproductionofgovernmentservices.Thismeanswethinkwecanreducecostsasweexpandtheuniverseofservices.Forexample,onegarbagedepartmentwouldcutsome“unneces-sary”overheadifitservedthelargenumberofhomescurrentlycoveredbytwodepartments.“Trimtheadministrativefat”isanotherpopularcryfromthosewhoseenoreasonforelevencitesandtownsinLakeCountyorforSouthBendandMishawakatohaveseparatelocalgovernments. Second,webelievethatmanyfunc-tionsarebesthandledby“trainedprofes-sionals”ratherthanbypoliticalappointees.Wouldwegetbettersnowremovalservicefromadepartmentheadedbyanexpertintheallocationofresourc-esorfromsomeonewhoseekstopleasethevoters? While efficiency isalwaysdesirable,satisfyingpopulardemandhasitsclaimongoodgovern-mentaswell. Vertical reorganizationisadifferentstoryfromhorizontalconsoli-dation.Rightnowwehaveoverlap-pingunitsofgovernment.YouandImayliveinthesamecityofthesamecounty,butwecouldliveisdifferentschooldistricts.Wemayliveinthe

sameschooldistrict,butindifferentcounties. Verticalrealignmentwouldresultinasingleexecutiveandasinglelegislativeunitresponsiblefor

allgovernmentservicesapplicabletoadefined geographic area. The mayor becomesresponsibleforallgovern-mentactivitiesinhis/hercity.Onecountycommissionerbecomesthepersonwhotakestheheatforgovern-mentsafetyandschoolsaswellaslibrariesinunincorporatedportionsofthecounty. Thismeansreconstructingthe

basicformsofourlocalgovernments.Itmeansthatwhenthecouncilmeetstoconsiderthebudget,itmustweighdollarsforeducationversusdollarsforfire fighting or recreation. Todayimportantbudgetarydecisionsaremadeinisolation.Theschoolboarddoesn’tbothertoaskwhatishappeningwiththesewers.Thecountyorthecityhasnoinputtotheschools’decisionmaking. Itmeansthatwestopelect-ingcountyclerks,auditors,record-ers,treasurersandsheriffs.Theywouldbeappointedbytheelectedchiefcountyadministrator.Nomorethreecountycommissioners;justone.Schooldistrictswouldreporteithertomayorsortothecountyadministrator.Theyneednotbeconsolidated,butthatisatangledissueforsomeothertime. Of course machinepoliticscontrollingacityorcountyisastrongpossibility.Yet,thismodelisalsothebesthopeforcleancompetitivegov-ernmentwithavigorouselectorate. Today,votershavenoideawhoisresponsiblefortheirservices.Whoisatthetopwheneachgovern-ment official can hide behind the many masksofgovernmentlayering?Itistimetostripoffthosedisguisesandletusfocusonwhereresponsibilitylies.vMr. Marcus is an economist, author, and speaker, formerly with the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

Former Gov. Joe Kernan and Chief Justice Randall Shepard during a press briefing on their commission in August. (HPR Photo by Brian A. Howey)


Hoosier Blood in Iraq: From page 1

includingtwoHoosiersthisweek.Theproblemcomeswithsustainabilityandwhether,Lugarponders,“IraqiswanttobeIraqis.” WithU.S.Rep.MarkSouder,whoisasaboutasconservativeandRepublicanastheycome,theobserva-tionwasthis:“Idon’tthinkwecansustaintherotations”thoughherefusedtosupporta“cutandrun.”AndtherewasU.S.Sen.BarackObama,theDemocraticpresidentialcandidate,whosaid,“Ourmilitarycannotsustainitscur-rentdeploymentswithoutcripplingourabilitytorespondtocontingenciesaroundtheworld.It’stimeforachangeofdirectionthatbringsourtroopshome,appliesrealpressureontheIraqistoact,surgesourdiplomacy,andaddressesIraq’surgenthumanitariancrisis.” Sen.EvanBayhexplained,“Weneedtogetbeyondthosepre-existingviews,lookatthefacts,and,ultimately,it’swhatcanwedotomaketheIraqisdotheirpartbecauseultimatelywecan’tdothisforthem.Wecan’tbuildacountryforthem.Onlytheycandothatforthemselvesandthere’sgeneralagreementnow:they’rejustnotgettingthejobdone.” OrthisopinionfromU.S.Rep.BradEllsworth,whospentlastweekendinIraq:“Thiscoun-tryhastomakeadecisionandbehonestwithitself,”Ellsworthsaid.“Wecannotsustainthesetrooplevelsorthisintensity.Thisis(Bush’s)call.Ourcommander-in-chiefhastobewillingtolistenandchangethestrategiccourse.Atsomepoint(Iraqis)havetostandupontheirowntwofeet.“ WithGen.DavidPetraeusandAmbassadorRyanCrockerseatedbeforehim,Lugarexplained,“Onecande-bate,asmanywilldothisweek,whetherprogressinIraqhas been sufficient to justify continuing American sacrifices. ButthegreatestriskforU.S.policyisnotthatwearein-capableofmakingprogress,butthatthisprogressmaybelargely beside the point given the divisions that now afflict Iraqisociety.Theriskisthatoureffortsarecomparabletoafarmerexpendinghisresourcesandeffortstoplanta crop on a flood plain without factoring in the probability thatthewatersmayrise.Inmyjudgment,sometypeofsuccessinIraqispossible,butaspolicymakers,weshouldacknowledgethatwearefacingextraordinarilynarrowmarginsforachievingourgoals.” Andthere’sthisimportantpoint:southofKurd-istan,Iraqisabasketcase.IthasmissedvirtuallyeverypoliticalgoaltheBushadministrationset.Thepoliceforceis filled with insurgents and corruption. There are no civic

organizations.Themiddleandprofessionalclasseshavefled. When President Bush announced the surge last Janu-ary,hecalledBaghdadthe“linchpin.” In his Jan. 10 speech, Bush said, “The most urgent priorityforsuccessinIraqissecurity,especiallyinBagh-dad.EightypercentofIraq’ssectarianviolenceoccurswithin30milesofthecapital.I’vemadeitcleartotheprimeministerandIraq’sotherleadersthatAmerica’scom-mitmentisnotopen-ended.IftheIraqigovernmentdoesnotfollowthroughonitspromises,itwilllosethesupportoftheAmericanpeople--anditwilllosethesupportoftheIraqipeople.” ButwhenhepaidhisLaborDayvisit,itwasinAn-barprovince,with5percentofthepopulation,citinggainsthere.Oneofthesheikhshemet-AbdulSattar-waskilledbyaroadsidebombtoday.ItisstilltoodangeroustodrivefromtheairportintoBaghdad.

ACNN/PublicOpinionResearchpollreleasedthismorningshowedBush’sapprovalat36percent,thesameasitwasinAugustandlastJanuary. The poll showed that 61 percentbelievethecountryisonthewrongtrack.ThesearetheseedsforapoliticaldisasterforRepublicansin2008elections.DemocraticReps.Baron Hill and Joe Donnelly have no knownopponentsandEllsworthisaheavyfavoriteforasecondterm. Lugarsaidthe“mostuncertainstep in the path to a unified, func-tioningIraqisocietyislikelytobewhenbenchmarksuccesseshavetobepreservedandtranslatedinto

asustainablenationalreconciliationamongtheIraqipopulace.”Lugarsaidthatreconciliationwouldhavetoberesilientenoughto“withstandbloodfeuds,governmentcorruption,braindrain,calculatedterroristacts,andexter-nalinterferencethatwillchallengesocialorder.” AndmissinginallofthisistheBushdiplomacy.“Weoughttobedoingthateverydayandforthenexttwoyears,”LugarsaidofadialoguewithSyria,SaudiArabia,Turkey, Jordan and Iran. Is the Bush administration en-gaged?“Notexactly,”LugartoldHPRinLondon,notingthatSecretaryofStateCondoleezzaRicehas“twosubcommit-tees”ontheissueandthat“onehasmetonceandnevermetagain.” Evenadrawdown,Lugarsaid,isnotanoption.“Wecan’tsay,‘Sorry,butthisisover.’Evenifyouwerethinkingaboutapartialwithdrawal,planninghowyoudothatsafely”isahugelogisticalproblem. “Weareinverydeepand(with)alotofpeoplewe’veledthatway,”Lugarsaid.“Planningandhowyoudothatsafelyisaproblem.There’snoseaporthere.Thereisevidencethatadversariesinsurroundingcountrieswhowe

President Bush met with Sheikh Abdul Sattar on Sept. 3. Sattar was killed by a IED today. The New York Time also reported today the long-awaited oil revenue deal has unraveled. (White House Photo)


arenottalkingtoaregoingtomakeliferoughforusifwetry to do that. So we’d find ourselves battling out of the place.” Andhere’ssomevitalperspective:Cpl.RyanA.WoodwardofFortWayneandArmySpecialistNicholasPat-terson of Rochester made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq this pastweekforournation.ThiscomeswhilethepoliticiansinWashingtonpondertheexcruciatingcontradictions.

Statements by Hoosier Members: U.S. Rep. Mark Souder: “Idonot,andwillnot,supportacut-and-runretreatfromIraq.(Gannett News Service).“ButtheUnitedStatescannotbethemainpoliceforcetorefereeinternalfighting. We can’t keep the country from being overrunbyIranorSyria,aswellaskeeptabsonterroristswhomayuseIraqasabasetodestabi-lizeSaudiArabia,U.A.E.,Qatar,andothernations.” U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer:“GeneralPetraeuspresentedCongressandtheAmericanpeopleacandidandforthrightassessmentofthesurgestrategy.ThisCongressentrustedGeneralPetraeuswithalteringthecourseinIraqwiththe‘surge’strategytosecurepeaceandstability,anditisworking.EthnicandreligiousgroupsareworkingalongsideIraqimilitaryandmultinationalforcesinanunprecedentedmannertotaketheircountrybackfromtheterroristsandinvestintheirfuture as a sovereign unified nation. As momen-tumgainstowardastabilizedmilitaryenvironmentontheground,theStateDepartmentmustworktocomplementthatprogressbyaddressingthechallengesthatarestillevidentonthepoliticalfront.FormonthssomeinCongresshavearguedthatsecurityfail-uresarethereasontopulloutofIraq.Nowthat‘securityprogress’isbeingmade,thesecriticshavepivotedandareclaiming that the ‘political progress’ is not sufficient enough towarrantcontinuedoperations.” U.S. Rep. Mike Pence: “EveryAmericanshouldwelcomethereportpresentedtoCongressbyGen-eralDavidH.PetraeusandAmbassadorRyanC.Crocker.Whiletheprogressofpoliticalreformremainsslow,Iamheartenedtolearnthatthemilitarysurgeisworkingandourtroopscanbegintocomehome.Wordthatwecanreduceourforcestopre-surgelevelsbynextsummerwithoutjeopardizingthegainsoursoldiershaveachievedwillbeanencouragementtothousandsofmilitaryfamiliesandmillionsofAmericans.ByrejectingcallsforarapidwithdrawalofU.S.forcesinIraq,GeneralPetraeusandAm-bassadorCrockerhavedoneagreatservicetothepeopleoftheUnitedStates.TheseAmericanleadershaveofferedCongressaresponsibleplanforgoingforward,whichI

hopewillbethebasisfortheconsensuswhichhassofareludedournationaldebate.Iamespeciallypleasedthatthe hope I witnessed first-hand this spring has expanded intoasummerofprogressonthegroundinIraq.ThejointsecuritySsationsItouredinBaghdadhavenowexpandedacrossIraqandtheSunnitribalcooperationthatdrovealQaedafromalAnbarhasexpandedtootherregionsofthecountry.IlookforwardtoworkingwiththeseleadersandourCommanderinChieftosupportthisplanandachieveAmericansuccessinIraq.” U.S. Rep. Dan Burton:“Iwanttoapplaudthethorough,non-partisanandinformativetestimonythatGeneralPetraeusandAmbassadorCrockerpresented

toCongress.Therehavebeennumerousreportspresentedtothemediarecentlyfromgovernmentbureaucratsandso-calledmilitaryexpertsaboutthesituationinIraq.However,thetestimonyofferedbyGeneralPetraeusandAmbassadorCrockeroffers,inmyopinion,themostaccurate,credibleandup-to-dateassessmentofthesecurityandpoliticalrealitiesonthegroundinIraq.ThesetwomenhavebeenonthefrontlinesinIraqforalongtimeandtheyareinthebestpositiontojudgetheresultsofthemilitary‘surge’andtomakethecorrectrecommen-dationstoCongressandtheWhiteHouseregardingthewayforward.IamdeeplyconcernedabouttheslanderouspersonalattacksonGeneralPetraeusandAmbas-sadorCrockerthatprecededthishearing.Tosaythatthesetwohonorablemen,withexemplaryrecordsofservicetoourcountry,

wouldbeanythingbuthonestandforthrightisridiculous.IhopemycolleaguesonbothsidesoftheaislewillkeepthatinmindaswedigestGeneralPetraeus’reportanddebatethenextstepstotakeontheIraqifrontintheglobalwaronterror;awarwecannotaffordtolose.WithdrawalanddefeatwouldbeadisasternotonlyfortheU.S.,butfortheentirefreeworld.Weoweoursoldiers,thefamiliesofthefallen,ourposterity,andournationalhonornoless.” U.S. Rep. Baron Hill: HilldismissedPetraeus’calltoremoveupto30,000U.S.troopsbynextsummer,puttingtheoveralllevelatroughlypre-surgenumbers.“Thisisthesamestay-the-coursestrategythatIhavecon-sistentlyrejected,”Hillsaidinastatement.“IbelieveitistimetobegintheprocessofsafelyredeployingourtroopsoutofIraq.Wehavelostfocusastoourgoal,ourenemyandourpurpose.Wemustrefocusourtroops’effortstoconfrontterrorismonitsfrontlinesandbringourNationalGuardsmenandReservistshome.” U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar: ThisisSen.Lugar’sexcerptedopeningstatementbeforetheSenateForeignRelationsCommitteeonSept.11:Ournational

Cpl. Ryan A. Woodward, 22, of Fort Wayne, who was killed in Iraq the week of Gen. Petraeus’s report to Congress.


debatehasframedtwointerdependentstepsofthecurrentsurge strategy. We are attempting first to reduce the vio-lenceinIraqthroughtheapplicationofadditionalAmericantroops,bettertrainingofIraqiforces,andtacticsaimedatsustainingstabilityinkeyneighborhoods.Second,wearehopingtousethe“breathingspace”createdbyimprovedsecuritytoinduceIraqipoliticalleaderstoconcludemean-ingfulcompromisesongovernanceandpowersharing. AtourlasthearingonIraq,featuringtheGAOreportonbenchmarks,IexpressedskepticismthatthesuccessorfailureofthebenchmarkswillbedeterminativeinIraq.Benchmarksareanimportantstartingpointforde-bate,buttheydonotanswermanyquestions,includingthemostfundamentalquestionpertainingtoIraq:namelydoIraqiswanttobeIraqis?BythisImeanaretheIraqipeople,mostofwhomarenoworganizedaccordingtosectarianandtriballoyalties,willingto sacrifice their own pursuit of national orregionalhegemonybygrantingtheirsectarianrivalspoliticalandeconomicpower? Can a unified society be achieved despitetheextremesectarianfearsandresentmentsincubatedduringtherepres-sivereignofSaddamHusseinandintensi-fied during the recent period of sectarian bloodletting? Is there sufficient room for national reconciliation whenmanySunniscontinuetoseetheirpoliticalpre-emi-nenceasabirthrightandmostShi’itesbelievethattheirnumericalsuperiorityandtheoppressiontheysufferedunderSaddamHusseingivethemtherighttodominatethenewIraq?AndevenifpollingindicatesthatmanyIraqisdowant to live in a unified Iraq, how does this theoretical bloc acquirethepoliticalpowerandcourageneededtostaredownmilitialeaders,sectarianstrongmen,andcriminalgangswhoroutinelyemployviolencefortheirowntribalandpersonalends.Iframethequestioninthesestarkterms,becauseitunderscoresthatachievingbenchmarks,which has been a very difficult process up to this point, maybetheleastofthechallengesaheadofus.Bench-marks measure only the official actions of Iraqi leaders and thecurrentstatusofIraq’spoliticalandeconomicrebuild-ingeffort.TheydonotmeasurethedegreetowhichIraqisintendtopursuetribalorsectarianagendasoverthelongterm,irrespectiveofdecisionsinBaghdad.Theydonotmeasuretheimpactofregionalplayers,whomaychoosetosupportorsubvertstabilityinIraq.Theyalsodonotmea-surethedegreetowhichprogressisdependentoncurrentAmericanmilitaryoperations,whichcannotbesustainedindefinitely. At this stage of the conflict, with our military strainedbyIraqdeploymentsandourglobaladvantagesbeingdiminishedbytheweightofourburdeninIraq,itisnotenoughfortheadministrationtocounselpatienceuntilthenextmilestoneorreport.Weneedtoseeastrategy

forhowourtroopsandotherresourcesinIraqmightbeemployedtofundamentallychangetheequation.ThepaceandintensityofAmericanregionaldiplomacyrelatedtoIraqhasfailedtomatchtheurgencyandmagnitudeoftheproblem.AlthoughSecretaryRiceandherteamhavemadesomeinroadswithGulfnationsandotherplayers,westilllackaforumwithwhichtoengageIraq’sneighborsonaconstantbasis.Weareallowingconditionsinwhichmiscalculationcanthrive.EverynationsurroundingIraqhasintenseinterestsinwhatishappeningthere.YetthethreeIraqRegionalWorkingGroupsestablishedatSharmelSheikhinearlyMayhavemetonlyoncesincethen.Broaderregionalconferences,suchastheonethattookplaceinBaghdadthispastweekend,alsohaveconvenedsoinfrequentlythattheyhavehadlittlepositiveimpactonIraq’sstatus. 6th CD Challenger Barry Welsh: Demo-cratBarryWelshhadthistosayinresponsetoPence’spublicremarksduringthehearing.“CongressmanPenceisandhasbeeninlockstepwithPresidentBushonIraq.I find it comforting to know that Indiana Senator Richard Lugarhasembracedtherealityonthegroundandhasbeguntoespouseviewswhichareclosertomyown.Ifind Pence’s remarks offensive coming just one day before theanniversaryofthe9/11attacks.HadthecongressmanbeenalivetowitnessPearlHarbor,wouldhehaveadvocat-ed attacking Brazil because Japan attacked our base in the Pacific? By supporting the war in Iraq Mike Pence has done essentiallythesamething.”v

Bayh quizzes Petraeus,Crocker in committee WASHINGTON-HereisatranscriptofSenateArmedServicesCommitteehearingwithquestionsfromIndianaU.S.Sen.EvanBayhtoGen.DavidPetraeusandAmbassadorRyanCrockeronSept.11. BAYH: Thisisourfourthhearinginthelastseveraldays. We’ve heard from the GSA; from General Jones; we’vehadtheNationalIntelligenceEstimateandnowwehaveyourthinking.LetmekindofgiveyouwhatIhaveconcludedisthebottomlineonallofthisandgetyourre-sponse.ThebottomlineonallofthisisthattheAmericanpeople,particularlyourservicemenandwomen,butalsoour taxpayers, would be required to continue to sacrifice in Iraq for an indefinite period of time to allow Iraqi politicians togettheiracttogether,tomakethetoughdecisionsthatonlytheycanmaketofullybegintheprocessofpoliticalreconciliation.What’syourreactiontothat? CROCKER: Thereisaprocessunderwaythatwe’vetalkedaboutoverthecourseoftheafternoon.It’sbottom-uptosomedegree,it’ssometop-downtosomedegree,andit’slinkagesbetween.It’sthebeginnings,ifyou

SEN. LUGAR


will,ofapoliticalreconciliationprocessthatobviouslyneedstogomuchfartherifitistocarryIraqtoapositionofsecu-rityandstabilityoverthelongrun. BAYH:Ambassador,thereisaquestionbehindmyobservation.Letmegettoit.Forseveralyearsnowtheprogresshasnotbeenadequate;Ithinkwe’dallagreeonthat.Thetheoryhasbeen,insecurepeopledonotmakeharddecisions.Mydirectquestiontoyouis:Whataboutaccountabilityfortakingthesehardsteps?Whataboutcon-sequencesiftheydon’t?Sixtytoseventytroopsarekilledeverymonth;9to12billiondollarsspenteverymonth.They’renotdoingwhattheyneedtodo.Whendowesay:Enoughalready,andhavesomeconsequenceswhentheydon’t? CROCKER: Again,it’simportanttobearinmindtherecentpast:2006upthroughearly2007wasanex-tremelybadperiodinIraq.Notonlywerethingsnotmov-ingforward,buttheywereslidingback,inpoliticalterms,economictermsand,aboveall,securityterms.Iraqcameprettyclose,Ithink,tojustunravelingthatyearwhichbeganwiththeFebru-arybombingofthegoldenmosques. BAYH:Therewassomemys-teryinIraqbeforethattimeperiodyoujustmentioned,andtheyweren’tmakingprogresstheneither. CROCKER:Senator,thechallengesareimmense.Thefailuresarethere,too,ontheIraqiside.Itisfrustratingtome.I’moutthere.Wearepushingthemconstantlyinallsortsofways.ButI’vegottobehon-est:Thisisgoingtotakemoretime. BAYH: AndIthinkweallneedtobehonestwithourselves,Ambassador.Isn’titpossiblethat,attheendoftheday,inspiteofallofoureffortsandsupportandencouragement,thisjustmaybebeyondthem? CROCKER:Ithinkclearlythat’sthecase.We’reherebeforeyoutodaytogiveourbestassessmentinfourlinesofoperationwhereweseethingsstandingnow. BAYH:Whatyou’rehearingfromalotofusis,sooftenintheselastseveralyears,we’vetriedtogivetheIraqi leadership the benefit of the doubt. But now only doubtremains.General,I’dliketoturntoyou.Ithoughtyouhadanexcellent,verycandidresponsetoSenatorWarner’squestion.Heaskedyougoingforward,withtherecommendationsthatyou’remaking,willthatmakeAmericasafer?Andyousaidthatyoucouldnotanswerthatquestionbecausethatwasbeyondthescopeofyourresponsibilities. PETRAEUS: Candidly,IhavebeensofocusedonIraqthatdrawingallthewayoutwassomethingthat,foramomentthere,wasabitofasurprise.ButIthinkthatwehavevery,veryclearandveryseriousnationalinterestsin

Iraq.Tryingtoachievethoseinterests...hasveryseri-ousimplicationsforoursafetyandoursecurity.SoIthinktheanswerreally,tocomebacktoit,is“yes.”Butagain,frankly,havingfocuseddownanddownanddown,thatwassomething that really, at first glance…. BAYH: Ijudgethatbyyourresponse,you’vegiventhatalittleadditional. PETRAEUS: Immediatelyafter,actually. BAYH:Isn’titatleastpossible,inlookingatthisfromaglobalperspective,thatthestrategywhichwepursueinIraq,indeedourpresencethere,isinfactcoun-terproductiveintermsoftheglobalwaragainstterrorandmakingAmericasafer? PETRAEUS: Senator,IthinkagainifalQaedawastobeabletoretainasubstantialpresenceinIraq,particu-larlythesanctuaryintheorderofwhattheyhadincertainareaspriortothesurge,thatwouldbeveryserious.Idon’tknowwheretheywouldgonext.Somehavespeculatedthattheywould,infact,focusmoreonAfghanistan.Oth-

ers,moreintheparticularregiontheretogoafterothercountriesinthatparticularregion.Itishardtotellwhethertheywillcontinuetoregarditthatwaybecauseofthelossofsomemomentumthere.AndIamnotsurethatitistruethattheyarestillgeneratingmoreradicalsinIraq.Ithink,again,oneofthebigchangesthatI’vereportedinthepastsixoreightortwelvemonths,ifyouwill,datingbacktocertainlyOctoberoflastyear when the first of these tribal composi-tionstoAlQaedaemerged,isthattheSunniArabsinalQaeda,andthatistheareawherethey had been able to find sanctuary and so forth,haveinlargenumbersturnedagainstAlQaeda.They’vegottenoverthefactthat

they’renotgoingtorunIraqagain.They’vegottenoverthefactthatthey’redisrespected--intheirview,dispossessed,whateveritmaybe--andnowwanttomaketheEuphratesRiverValleyadecentplacetolive,work,andraiseafamilyandmaybeevenopenuptheborder.Nowthey’vegotapo-liceacademyagainandtherestofthatandrebuildRamadiandsomeoftheseotherplacesandothershaveseenthesame.AndwhattheyreallywantnowisaseatatthetableinBaghdad.Theywantadequaterepresentation.Theywanttheirshareofthisethno-sectariancompetitionforpowerresources.Theywanttheirshareoftheresources,and that’s why it is significant, as the ambassador reported ontheAnbarSummitthatwasheldoutheretheotherday,thesecondofthese,wherethenationalgovernmenthasreachedouttotheminsuchasubstantialway.Sohow,Ithink,alQaedaplaysoutisofenormousimportancetocountryandtotheoverallinternationaljihadistmovement.Andfailingtoachieveourobjectivestherewouldjustbeanenormousshotofadrenalinetothem.v

U.S. SEN. EVAN BAYH


2008 Indiana Governor Governor 2008:Republican:Gov.MitchDaniels.Democrat: Senate Minority Leader Richard Young, Jim Schellinger, Jill Long Thompson. 1996 Results: O’Bannon(D)1,075,342,Goldsmith(R)997,505,Dillon(L)35,261.2000 Results:O’Bannon(D)1,230,345,McIntosh(R)906,492,Horning(L)38,686.2004 Re-sults: Daniels(R)1,302,912,Kernan(D)1,113,900,Gividen(L)31,644.2008 Forecast:Danielssaysaspeciallegislativesessionis“veryunlikely.”HesaidthatHouseSpeakerB.PatrickBauer“authoredtherebate,likestherebate,insistsonkeepingtherebate,soarebateitis.”Therebatewillincludeanotesayingthemoneycomesastheresultofstatelegislativeaction.Sothissetsthestageforthe2008IndianaGeneralAssemblyand,subsequently,theelections.SomebelieveDanielsignoredthepropertytaxproblemin2007andnowisfacedwiththedilemmathatitcouldspiraloutofhiscontrol.Theproblemwiththatscenarioisthatlegislatorswillbefacingthesameangstandanger.Itwillbeineveryone’sinteresttodosomethingaboutpropertytaxes. Danielsisfacingapotentiallymonstrousanti-Republicanwavein2008duetotheIraqWardebacle.ManyHoosierRepublicanlawmakersarestilldrinkingtheBush-CheneyKool-Aid.Thisposesthegreatestthreattoasecondterm.ThegovernorandhiscampaignbelievethatHoosiershavetheinnateability(andhistory)ofseparatingstateissuesfromthenationaldynamic.FrankMcCloskey, Jill Long Thompson, Chris Chocola, Mike Sodrel and John Hostettler (victims of the last two national waves) mightbegtodiffer. SohowdoesDanielsbuildaleveetocontainawave?Bymakingthe2008electionareferendumonnotonlyhisstewardshipoverthepastthreeyears,butonthefuture.ThiswouldincludethepropertytaxreformandreorganizationofstateandlocalgovernmentthattheKernan-ShepardCommissionwillofferupattheendoftheyear.Itisshrewdandrisky,butthosearethehallmarksofthisuniquegovernorship. Sen. Young denied a Jim Shella-inspired rumor that hiscampaignwasabouttopackitin. The Jim Schellinger for Indianacampaignan-nouncedtheexpansionofitsteam,includingeightfull-timestaffers,RichDavisandDavidDixonasmediaconsultants(theyhelpedKansasGov.KathleenSebeilusupsetGov.Tim

Shallenburger in 2002); Jim Crounce of the Mack-Crounce Groupasdirectmailconsultant;ErikGreathouse,campaigndirector(hewasafundraiserforSen.ClaireMcCaskillofMissouri); and Joel Miller, field director (former executive directoroftheMarionCountyDemocrats). Schellingerliststhefollowingendorsementsonhiswebsite:UnitedAutoWorkers;IronworkersLocal22;AmericanFederationofState,County,&MunicipalEmploy-ees;IndianaStateDistrictCouncilofRoofers;IndianapolisMayor Bart Peterson; Congresswoman Julia Carson; Former Speaker John Gregg; State Rep. Bill Crawford; State Rep. TerriAustin;HammondMayorTomMcDermott;LakeCoun-tySheriffRoyDominguez;ButchMorgan,2ndDemocraticDistrict Chair; Sen. John Broden; Dr. Vidya Kora, LaPorte CountyDemocraticChair;ShawFriedman,formerlegalcounseltotheIndianaDemocraticParty;RobinWinston,FormerIndianaDemocraticPartyChair;KipTew,FormerIndianaDemocraticPartyChair;MichaelO’Connor,MarionCountyDemocraticChair;EdTreacy,FormerMarionCounty

DemocraticChair;RodPate,ClarkCountyDemocraticChair;andColumbusMayorFredArmstrong. Long Thompson calledontheDanielsadministrationtodropanyplansitmayhavetoprivatizeLogansportStateHos-pital.LongThompsonmadehercommentsinresponsetoanarticleSundayintheLouisvilleCourierJournal in which Family and Social ServicesSecretaryMitchRoobindi-catedthatprivatizationoftheCassCountyfacilitywasunderconsider-ation. “There is no benefit to either

thepublicorthepatientsfromturningLogansportStateHospitalovertoprivatemanagement,”saidLongThomp-son,whohasvisitedthefacility.“Ibelievethestaffiswork-inghardtoprovidequalitycaretoLogansportpatients.” In the Courier-Journal article, Roob said a recent federalaudithadpromptednewconsiderationtoprivatiz-ingLogansportStateHospital.TheauditconductedbytheCentersforMedicareandMedicaidServiceshasnotbeenpubliclyreleased.ButLongThompsonsaidherdiscussionswithemployeesatthehospitalhaveconvincedherthatany deficiencies at the facility were the result of insufficient staffing. Long Thompson noted that a representative of the IndianachapteroftheNationalAllianceonMentalIllnesshasexpressed“seriousmisgivings”aboutprivatizingLo-gansport.“RatherthanpassoffresponsibilityformanagingLogansportStateHospitaltotheprivatesector,theDanielsadministrationshouldbeworkingtocreateanenvironmentinwhichconstructivechangecanoccur,”saidLongThomp-son.Democratic Primary Status: Tossup.General Status:LeansDaniels.

Gov. Daniels in Japan talking speed with a Honda executive. (Photo courtesy of Gov. Daniels)


2007 Mayoral Fort Wayne:Republican:MatthewKelty.Democrat:TomHenry.2003 Results:Richard(D)27,251,Buskirk(R)19,701.2007 Forecast: DemocraticsourcestellHPRthatHenry’spollingshowsthisracetobeadeadheat.That’sincredible!TheDemocrat’srefusaltosayany-thing on the Kelty indictment is backfiring and is prompting stateDemocratstobeginrushinginnewresources.Kelty’s“ad”postedonwww.mattkelty.comisjustthelatestweirdtwisttothestrangestcampaignwe’veeverseen.Keltysays,“IamwronglyaccusedandIaminnocent.Mycampaign finance reports were filed according to the law, and I spokethetruthtothegrandjury.”WithpartofFortWayne’sskylinevisibleinthebackground,KeltysayssimilarthingsonavideopostedonthepopularWebsitewww.youtube.com,predictinghe’llbeclearedofallchargeswhenhegetshischancetotellhissideofthestoryincourt.Healsosaysthatalthoughthejudicialsys-temhasweaknesses,it’sstill“thebesttheworldhaseverseen.”Keltysaid,“Theindictmentswereatraumaticblowtomeandmyfamily,soittooksometimeforustounder-standallofwhatwasgoingon,”explainingwhytheadandvideoareappearingweeksaftertheindictments.“Ifeltitmost prudent to reassure my family first, my professional colleaguesafterthat,anditseemsalsoappropriatenowtocome forward with strength and confidence.” Being low-keyandquietisn’tnecessarilyabadpersonalitytrait,butpoliticalcandidateslikelywouldn’twantthosetermsassoci-atedwiththeircampaigns(Lanka, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette).Henryhasbeenunabletograbthespotlight,partlybecauseherefusestomakeKelty’slegalproblemsanissue. Just last week Henry announced an initiative to use collectivepurchasingforregionalgovernments,butme-diacoverageoftheannouncementcompetedwithastoryaboutaKeltyradiocommercialinwhichheproclaimshisinnocence.CityCouncilmanTimPape,D-5th,saidthecur-rent atmosphere presents a difficult environment for Henry togetattention.Keltywasindictedlastmonthonninecriminalcharges,includingsevenfelonies,relatedtocam-paign finance violations and perjury. “Matt’s challenges with theseissueshavesuckedalotofattentionwiththemediafor the mayor’s race,” Pape said. Joe Fox, Henry’s campaign manager,saidHenryhasmadesixannouncementsinthepasttwomonths,whileKeltyhasmadetwo,bothinvolvingpropertytaxes.Atbothevents,Keltyadvocatedpermanent-lycappingpropertytaxes.“YetpeoplebelieveHenryhasn’tbeensayinganything,”Foxsaid.Status: LEANS HENRY. Indianapolis:Democrat:MayorBartPeter-son.Republican:GregBallard.2003 Results:Peterson(D) 92,763, Jordan (R) 55,354. 2007 Forecast:Bal-lardcallstheeliminationoftownshipgovernmentinhis

reformproposalsonWednesday.Ballard’sproposalswouldincludetownshipboards,trustees,assessors,constables,courts, and fire departments. Ballard also proposed the saleoftownshippropertiesandotherduplicativeentities.“Eachandeverypropertytaxbillshowsthatgovernmentisbloated,”Ballardsaid.“Eliminatingduplicativegovern-ment such as these township offices will reduce spending, reducepropertytaxburden,andbetterservethepeople.”Petersonisrunningalook-the-camera-in-the-eyeTVadsaying“Iunderstandpeople’sanger”and“thissummer’spropertytaxbillsweredevastating.”Theadisvastlybetterthanhisaddearlierthissummeroncrime.TheStar’sMattTullysaiditbest:“Whenhelooksintothecamerawithhissadeyesandhisconcernedfrown,it’shardnottobelieveeverywordhesays.Thislatestcommercial,theoneaboutpropertytaxes,shouldberequiredviewinginPoliticalAd-vertising101.Therearenosplashygimmicks,nomenac-ingvoiceoversandnoimagesofthemayorwithsmilingchildrenordust-coveredfactoryworkers.It’sjustPetersonandthecameraforafull60seconds.”Status: LIKELY PETERSON. South Bend: Republican: Juan Manigault. Democrat:MayorStephenLuecke.2003 General Re-

sults:Luecke(D)10,598,Schmidt(R)4,188. 2007 Forecast: LueckeannouncedthatMaryDowneswillmanagehisre-electioncampaignforthefinal two months of the mayoral race.“Maryissomeonewhoalwayshasthebestinterestsofourcommunityatheart,andshesharesmybeliefthatwecanbuildabetterSouthBend,”saidMayorLuecke.“We’refortunatetohavehercomeonboardbecauseofthedepthandexperienceshebringstothetable.She’sbeenaneducator,apublicservant,andacommunityleader,andI’mgratefulthatsheisjoiningusinourdrivetowardElectionDay.”

DownesmostrecentlyservedasinterimdirectoroftheTakeTenanti-violenceinschoolsprogramattheRobinsonNeighborhoodCenter,whereshealsovolunteers.Priortothat, Downes served as chief of staff to Gov. Joe Kernan, a positionshealsoheldduringhistenureaslieutenantgov-ernor.In1995,sheservedasKernan’scampaignmanagerforhisre-electiontoathirdterm.TheLueckecampaignsaysthatDownescomingonboardisnota“shakeup,”butDemocraticPartysourcestellHPRthatthechallengefromManigaulthaspromptedthestatepartytoallocateaddi-tionalresourcestoSouthBend.Status:LEANSLUECKEv

MAYOR LUECKE


Hillenbrand, St. Angeloon Mitch’s steering groupBy BRIAN A. HOWEY and BEVERLY PHILLIPS Just prior to his re-election kickoff last June, Gov. Mitch DanielspromisedsomeconspicuousDemocraticsupport.ThatoccurredthismorningwhenformerIndi-anaDemocraticChairmanGordon St. Angelo and1980Democraticguberna-torialnomineeJohn Hillenbrand IIIwereannouncedasmembersofGov.Daniels’re-elec-tionsteeringcommittee. Itmaybethefirst time in modern his-torywhenapartynomi-neeandchairdeclaredsupportforagovernorintheoppositeparty. ThecommitteewillbechairedbyJames Morris,theformerCEOofIndianapolisWaterCo.,whoheadedtheUnitedNationsFoodProgram. ViceChairsin-cludeIndianapolisMotorSpeedwayCEOTony George,David SimonofSimonPropertyGroup,Patricia MillerofVeraBradleyandBob JonesofEvansville.TheseniorexecutivecommitteeincludesformerGovs.Otis Bowen,Edgar Whitcomb,U.S.Sen.Richard Lugar,for-mervicepresidentDan QuayleandformerSen.Dan Coats.OthernamesonthecommitteeincludeDamonBailey,GeraldBepko,NCAAPresidentMylesBrand,TimothyDurham,DanEvans,

DickFreeland,LarryGlasscock,HarryGonso,AugustHil-lenbrand, Scott Jones, Al Kite, Jim Kittle Jr., Fred Klipsch, DeanKruse,CathyLangham,ForestLucas,P.E.McAllister,Don Mattingly, Mickey Mauer, James McCormick III, George McGinnis, Dane Miller, James Moseley, John Mutz, Bobby Plump, Jay Potesta, Mamon Powers, Ian Rolland, Jerry Semler, Beurt SerVaas, Lynn St. James, Tony Stewart and DeanWhite.

Carson fundraising flat ThefactthatU.S.Rep.Julia Carsonhadraisedonly $6,000 during the first half of 2007 after a relatively narrow7.5percentvictoryoverunderfundedEric Dicker-sonin2006hascaughttheattentionofCongressional Quarterly.Watchforanarticlethere.

Senate women call for cig ad ban IndianaSenatewomenarespeakingoutabout

predatorymarketingbycigarettecompaniesaimedatwomenandsomesayteenagegirls.CriticssayslickadvertisinginfashionmagazineslikeVogueandCosmopolitanaregroomingyoungwomentoreplacethosewhoquitordiefromsmoking-relateddiseases.Inareleasedstatementthisweek,HoosierSenatewom-ensaycigarettemarketersarespendinganestimated$239millioneachyearinIndianaalone.Accordingtotherelease,“25percentofHoosierwomensmoke;ofthose4,125dieeachyear;--30percentofHoosierhighschoolgirlssmokeandnineoftenbeginbeforeage19;and--Indianaspends$778.6millionannuallyforwomenwithsmokingrelatedillness.”Thesena-torsarecallingonIndianamagazinestovoluntarilyrejectcigaretteadvertising.SenatesupportersincludeBeverly Gard,herselfabreastcancersurvivor;Patricia Miller;Connie Lawson;Vaneta Becker;

Teresa Lubbers;Sue Landske;Sue Errington; Jean Breaux; Connie Sipes;andVi Simpson.v

Hillenbrand (center, top photo) at a 9th CD Democrat-ic retreat in Jacawba Farms in Batesville has joined Gov. Mitch Daniels campaign steering committee along with Yankee Don Mattingly and NASCAR’s Tony Stewart.


Now or never for challengers?By MARK CURRY WASHINGTON-Challengersaregainingontheleadingpresiden-tialcandidatesfrombothparties,ac-cordingtothelatestpollinginforma-tion. “We’reseeingasplit-levelcampaign,”explainsCNN’sSeniorPoliticalAnalyst,BillSchneider.“Thenationalcampaignismostlyaboutce-lebrity....Butwherethere’sacampaign,likeintheearlyvotingstates,thingslookdifferent.” IntheRepublicancontest,aCNNpollreleasedSept.11revealsFredThompsonhas“closedwithinastatisti-cally insignificant one percentage point” ofRudyGiuliani.ACBS/NewYorkTimespoll has the former senator within five percentagepointsofGiuliani,althoughaUSAToday/GallupsurveyhasNewYorkCity’sformermayorwitha12pointlead. “ButtheGOPfrontrunnerinIowaandNewHampshire,formerMassachu-settsGov.MittRomney,isthecandidatewho’srunningfourthinthenationalpolls,”Schneiderreports. OveratTheAmericanSpectator,

2008 State Presidential PollsIowa (R) Date Romney Giuliani Thompson McCain HuckabeeLAT/Bloomberg Sept.6-10 28 16 16 7 8ARG Aug.26-29 27 17 13 5 14

New Hampshire (R)LAT/Bloomberg Sept.9-10 28 23 11 12 --

South Carolina (R) LAT/Bloomberg July 26-30 9 23 26 15 6

Iowa (D) Date Clinton Edwards Obama RichardsonLAT/Bloomberg Sept.6-10 28 23 19 10ARG Aug.26-29 28 20 23 13

N. Hampshire (D)LAT/Bloomberg Sept.6-9 35 14 16 8

South Carolina (D) LAT/Bloomberg Sept.9-10 45 7 27 1

Jennifer Rubin writes that “So far from being a foregone conclusionandanallbutcertainwinforRomney,theNewHampshirecontest,liketherestoftherace,isupin

theair.”Rubinstatesitallcomesdownto“solidorganizationsandfrequentretailpoliticking”intheGraniteState.“Soregardlessofachaoticprimarycalendar,NewHampshirewillbeprovingitsinfluence and drawing presidential hopefulsonceagain,”shewrites.

TheDemocraticraceissimilar,CNN’sSchneiderwrites,citingaLosAngelesTimes-BloombergpollinIowa that finds Hillary Clinton only five points ahead of John Edwards, wholeadsBarackObamabyamerefourpoints. “IfClinton’srivalsaregoingtostopher,they’regoingtohavetodoitintheearlystates,”accordingtoSchneider.“Then,thenationalpollscouldsuddenlychange,astheydidin 2004 after John Kerry beat Howard DeaninIowaandNewHampshire.”

Obama calls for withdrawal Sen.BarackObamaiscallingfortheimmediatewithdrawalofallU.S.combatbrigadesfromIraq,withtheRUDY GIULIANI


pulloutbeingcompletedbytheendofnextyear.“Letmebeclear:ThereisnomilitarysolutioninIraqandthereneverwas,”ObamasaidatAshfordUniversityinClinton,IowaonWednesday.“ThebestwaytoprotectoursecurityandtopressureIraq’sleaderstoresolvetheircivilwaristoimmediatelybegintoremoveourcombattroops.Notinsixmonthsoroneyear--now.”Obamasaid,“What’satstakeisbiggerthanthiswar:It’sourgloballeadership.Nowisthetimetobebold.Wemustnotstaythecourseortaketheconventionalpathbecausetheothercourseisunknown.”Hecalledforremovingoneortwocombatbrigadesamonth.

Hil Campaigns In Florida ANewHampshirestatesenator who has endorsed John EdwardstellstheBostonGlobethatisheunhappywithHill-aryClinton’srecentactivitiesinFloridajustaweekaftersheagreednottocampaignthere. TheDemocraticNationalCommitteeRulesandBylawsCommitteeisthreateningtoinvalidateFlorida’spresidentialprimaryafterthestateviolatedpartyrulesbyschedulingtheirprimarybeforeFeb.5,2008.MichiganDemocraticvotersfacethe same penalty after the state party established a Jan. 15thprimarydate. According to Globe correspondent James Pindell, N.H.StateSen.PeterBurlingsaidheis“veryconcerned”thatClintonspokeattheevent“aboutaweekaftersheandallotherDemocraticpresidentialcandidatesagreednottocampaignineitherFloridaorMichigan.” PindellcitesNewHampshireDemocraticChairRayBuckleyassayingClintonwasnot,infact,violatingthepledgesheandDemocraticleaderssignedinSouthCaro-lina,Nevada,andIowabecausethestateshave30daystocomplybeforetheyareinviolation. ClintonspokesmanMoElleitheesaidthecampaignwillhonorthetraditionalroleofIowaandNewHampshireaswellasthepledge,Pindellconcludes.

Ask Al DemocratAlGoresayshewillprobablyendorseoneofhisparty’s2008presidentialcandidates,reportsBethFouhyofAssociatedPress. GoretoldFouhythatseveralcandidateshadcalledandvisitedhimtoseekadvice.Intheinterview,Goreagaindeclinedtocompletelyruleoutapresidentialrunnextyearbutsaid“itdoesn’tfeelrightatthispoint.”Healsosaidhedoubtedhewouldevercompletelyruleoutareturntopoliticsinthefuture.

ChrisCillizzaofTheWashingtonPost’spoliticalblog,TheFix,reportsthatGorehasmetwithObama,Ed-wardsandSen.ChrisDodd. Cillizzawillkeynotethisyear’sHPRforumsetforOct.23rd.HewillofferhisinsightsontheIndianagovernorandcongressionalracesandwillspendconsiderabletimeonthe2008presidentialcontest.HewillalsotalkabouttheimpactoftheInternetandblogson21stCenturypolitics.

Petraeus buys time ABCNewspoliticalblog,TheNote,reportsthatGeorgeStephanopoulossaidtheCongressionaltestimonyofthecommanderofmulti-nationalforcesinIraq,U.S.Gen.DavidPetraeus,makesitlikelythatthenextpresident

willinheritasituationwheremorethan100,000UStroopswillremainin Iraq in January 2009. “Hedidwhatthepresidentneededhimtodo,”Stephanopoulossaid.“Heboughttime.” But,theblog’sauthorsobserve,“....thesubstanceofPetraeus’rec-ommendationsmeanwe’llprobablybebackhereagaininMarch-sixmonthsclosertotheelection-withtheRepublicansperhapsevenmoreconflicted over whether to continue tosupportthewar.”

McCain wants Bush on weekly TV Redstate.com reports that John McCain says he wouldliketoseePresidentBushontelevisiononceaweektalkingaboutthesituationonthegroundinIraq. “McCain would make it a detailed briefing (pre-sumablywithmapsandcharts)thatwouldgiveAmericansanunderstandingofwhatwashappening,”theblogentryreads.“BeforepeopleacceptthefactthatU.S.forcesaremaking progress, McCain said they must first hear from Bushthaterrorsweremadeinthepast.”

Edwards coming to Michigan City Democrat John Edwards willbefeaturedatarecep-tioninthehomeofLaPorteCountyDemocraticChair-manVidyaKoraandhiswifeSudhafrom7:30to9p.m.Tuesday,Sept.25.ThehostcommitteeincludesRobinandCharlittaWinston,ShawandGretaFriedman,AnthonyBertigandMarkHoltan.v

Edwards at an Indianapolis fundraiser last spring with Robin Winston and Jim Schellinger.


Gary Gerard, Warsaw Times-Unon-YoumayhaveheardthatSen.LarryCraig,aRepublicanfromIdaho, got busted in June in an airport in St. Paul, Minn., for“interferencewithprivacy”and“disorderlyconduct.”Accordingtothecopreport,therewereseveralcomplaintsaboutlewdconductinairportbath-rooms,andairportcopsbustedafewpeopleandwererunningabitofastingoperation.Wrongplace,wrongtimeforSen.Craig.SotheairportcopsitsinastallinthebathroomandCraigshowsup.Craiglurksoutsidethestallforacoupleminutes,lookinginatthecopafewtimes.EnoughtimesforthecoptonotethatCraighasblueseyes.ThenCraiggetsinthestallnextdoortothecopandstartsplayingfootsyandrunninghishandalongthebottomofthestallwherethecopcanseeit.Hetouchesthecop’sfootwithhis.Thecop,havingbeeninthissituationbefore,recog-nizesthisasthebehaviorofamanwhowantstohookupin the restroom. The officer showshisIDunderthestallandasksCraigtoexitwherethearrestismade.CraigshowedthecophisU.S.Sen-atorIDandasked,“Whatdoyouthinkofthat?”ThecopmustnothavethoughtmuchofitbecauseCraigpleadedguiltytothemisdemeanor“disorderlyconduct”chargeonAug. 8. When the guilty plea became public, a firestorm ofcontroversyeruptedintheU.S.Senate.Craig’sbeenstrippedofallhisleadershippositionsandlegionsofhisfel-lowRepublicanSenatorsarecallingforhimtoresign.He’ssupposedtoannouncetodaywhetherhe’lllistentothem.Amazinglyandconversely,Democratsaren’tcallingforhimtoresign.They’resaying,“Hey,it’sjustamisdemeanor.Letthevotersdecide.”Myguessisthebizarrepoliticsinvolvedinthisisdrivenbythefactthatthecopwasamale.Ithasthewholegayvibe,eventhoughCraig-abigproponentoffamilyvaluesandabigopponentofgaymarriage-emphat-icallydeniesbeinggay.(He’snotagayman,hejustplaysoneinairportrestrooms.)ThewholeincidentmakesCraig-andtheGOP-lookmorethanjustalittlehypocritical,sooffwithhishead.v

Jerry Davich, Post-Tribune-I’vefelttruly“patriotic,”whateverexactlythatmeans,onlyonceinmylife. It took place while standing outside the Jacob Javits ConventionCenterinNewYorkCity,justfourdaysaftertheSept.11,2001,attacks.IwassenttotheGroundZerositeto find any Northwest Indiana residents who arrived there

to volunteer -- for construction work, first-aid help, food-supplylines,whatever.There,Ispokewitha50-year-oldScherervillemanwhoboltedtotheBigAppleafterhearingnewsoftheattacks.There,standingalongsidethousands

ofeagervolunteers,aparadeofyoungstersbegansinging“GodBlessAmerica,”holdingsignsstating“America,YOURBeautiful”whilepassingoutKool-Aidandcookies.There,Ireal-izedIwaswitnessingsomethingveryspecial,somethingvery,well,patriotic.Itevengavethisall-Americancynicgoosebumps.Ihaven’thadthatsamefeelingeversince,althoughI’vecomeclosewhilecoveringthefuneralsofseverallo-

calsoldierskilledinthewarinIraq.Sotoday,onPatriotDay 2007, I’m trying to figure outwhatitistobeapatriot,orpatriotic.PatriotDayisarelativelynewnationaldayofremembrance,signedintolawbyPresidentBushinDecem-ber2001.Butwhatexactlyarewesupposedtodoonthisday,besidesrememberthe2,749victimskilledon9/11?Dowealsocelebrateour patriotism? Define our patriotism?Defendordebateourpatriotism?Mydictionarydefines a patriot as some-onewho“loves”hiscountry.Simpleenough,huh?Butit’showweshowourloveof

countrythatmatters,Isay,justlikehowweshouldshow,nottell,ourloveforlovedones.v

Stephanie Salter,Terre Haute Tri-bune-Star-Thisistheeraof“You’rewithusoragainstus”—thepost-millennialversionof“America,loveitorleave it” — and a patriot is narrowly defined. A patriot is someonewhogetswiththeprogramandstaysthecourse.Apatriotsupportstheexecutivebranchofthegovernmentinallitsendeavors,betheydomesticwiretaps,non-com-petitivedefensecontractsortroopsurgesinanover-taxedmilitarythatisbeingaskedtodotheimpossible.Apatriotignoresbenchmarksthatarenotmet,weaponsofmassdestructionthatarenotfound,tiestoalQaidathatneverexistedandanIraqoccupationplanthatlookednofartherdowntheroadthanafewpost-invasionweeks.Apatriotcannotopposethewarandsupportthetroops.ApatriotcannotaskwhyasmallpercentageofyoungAmericansmust do the fighting and dying while the rest of us are expectedtojustkeepshopping.Apatriotacceptsthatthestakesinthiswararesoprecious—freedom,globalstabil-ity,ourverywayoflife—butneverwondersaloudwhythosestakesdonotthenwarrantamilitarydraft.v


(Times of Northwest Indiana).ShewasmarriedtoformerCityCouncilPresident Frank Kollintzas, who fled thecountryin2005afterhewascon-victedofhelpingdraincitycofferstobuyvotesina1999election.Hewassentencedinabsentiatopaypartofa $25 million restitution order. Joanna Kollintzashadattemptedtoshieldjoint assets from seizure by filing for divorce,buttheSeventhCircuitCourtofAppealsruledearlierthismonththatthegovernmenthadasuperiorin-terest in the assets. She did not file for divorceuntilafterprosecutorsservedherwithnoticethattheyintendedtoseizemorethan$500,000.

Donnelly comments onMoveOn Petraeus ad WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Joe Donnellyreleasedthisstatementcriti-calofaMoveOnadearlierthisweek:“When I visited Baghdad in July, I met withGeneralPetraeus.Thatmeet-ing confirmed the impressions I’d had of him since he first rose to lead our forcesinIraq:heiswhip-smartandamanofintegrity.Aboveallelse,heisapatriot.Callingintoquestionhiscommitmenttoourcountryisincorrectandunhelpful.PresidentBushisourcommander-in-chiefandassuch,thebuckstopswithhimwhenitcomestoourIraqpolicy.Thegeneralisdoinghisjobservingthecountryandhecontinues to have my confidence as he andourbraveservicemembersworktomakethebestoutofanextremelydifficult situation in Iraq.”

DLGF releasesnine county assessments INDIANAPOLIS-TheDepart-mentofLocalGovernmentFinance(DLGF)todayannounceditisnearingtheendofitscounty-by-countyre-view.CommissionerCherylMusgravesaidtheDLGFhasreleasedninecoun-ties,whoseassessmentshavepassedtheinitialreviewprocess,whiletheywillholdpublichearingsinanotherfourcountiestodetermineifreassess-

mentswillbeorderedthere.TheDLGFreleasedthefollowingcounties:Allen,DeKalb, Greene, Johnson, Kosciusko, Lake, Noble, Owen and St. Joseph. “Assessmentsinthesecountiesweredoneinaccordancewithstateguide-lines,”CommissionerCherylMusgravesaid.

Legislators will takeaim at dog fighting INDIANAPOLIS-Thedog-fighting scandal surrounding National FootballLeaguequarterbackMichaelVickhaspromptedtwoIndianalaw-makerstotrytostrengthenstatelawsonthecontests(Associated Press).“Let’smakeIndiana’sthestrictestlawin the nation,” state Sen. Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte,saidyesterday.Rep.LindaLawson,D-Hammond,wholedaneffortlastyeartoreformIndiana’sani-malcrueltylaws,saidshewouldpushfor stronger dogfighting legislation in theHousenextyear.

Councilman entersdiversion program SOUTHBEND-IfCountyCouncilmemberHeathWeaverbe-haveshimselfforthenextyear,hecouldhaveahighlypublicizedpublicintoxicationarrestwipedfromhisre-cord(South Bend Tribune).Thatistheresultofapretrialdiversionagree-ment approved recently in St. Joseph SuperiorCourt.Weaver,D-DistrictH,said he is satisfied with the outcome. “Itwasfair,”hesaidthisweek,“anditwasright,becauseIwasn’ttreatedanydifferentthananyoneelse.”

Councilman’s trial scheduled before election INDIANAPOLIS-IndianapolisCouncilmanRonGibson,willlikelyhaveatrialonathreemisdemeanorchargesbeforetheelection(Indianapolis Star).HisattorneyaskedaspecialjudgeWednesdaytoscheduleatrialbyjuryonthreemisdemeanorchargesassoonaspossible.v

Connor seen as nextlikely ag chief WASHINGTON-WhiteHousewatcherssayaHoosierwouldbethemostlikelycandidatetobecomesec-retaryoftheAgricultureDepartmentifaseriesofpoliticaldominoesfallsastheyexpect(Smith,FortWayne Jour-nalGazette).AgricultureSecretaryMike Johanns is expected to resign toreturntoNebraskatocampaignfortheRepublicanSenatenomina-tion.Sen.ChuckHagel,R-Neb.,announcedthisweekthathewouldnotseekanotherterm.Ifthathap-pens,saidagriculturalanalystDaveJuday, Charles Conner would no doubtbehighonPresidentBush’slistofcandidatestoheadtheAgricultureDepartmentfortheremainingmonthsof his administration. Juday, a Hoosier whofollowsagriculturalissuesforWorldPerspectivesInc.,aWashing-ton-based consulting firm, said Bush hasn’talwaysmadethelogicalchoicewithhisnominationsforCabinetposi-tions.ButhesaidBushknowsandhasworkedwithConner,andamajortaskoftheagriculturesecretaryoverthenextyearisto“pushthefarmbillacrosstheline.”Congressisworkingonarevisionofagriculturepolicy.TheWhiteHousehasthreatenedtovetotheHouseversion,andtheSenatehasnotyetdevelopeditsapproach.“ThereareprobablyfewpeopleinthecountrywhoknowfarmprogramsandhowtheHillworksbetterthanChuckConner,” Juday said.

Fugitive councilman’s wife loses assets EASTCHICAGO-Afederalappeals court has ruled that Joanna Kollintzaswillnotgettokeepherfugitivehusband’spensions,lifeinsur-ancepoliciesorcheckingaccounts

as hoosier blood flows - in.govand missing in all of this is the bush diplomacy. “we ought to be...

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