daniels’ iraq calculus - in.gov · dition to campaign manager travis lowe, and harris, the...

Politics Indiana V14 N43

By SHAW R. FRIEDMAN LaPORTE-Howcouldhehavegottenitsowrong?HowcouldMitchDanielshavefailedtoproperlyadvisehisPresidentandhiscountryonthetruecostsofwar?Yes,

volumeshavebeenwrittenonhownearly“AllthePresident’sMen”gavehimbadadviceinthelead-uptowarandtrimmedandtailoredtheirviewstosuitthePresident’sinclinationtowageawarofchoice.Buthowcouldthemanwithultimateresponsibilityforourfederalbudget-MitchDan-iels-havegottenwarcostestimatessowrongwhenhewasWhiteHousebudgetdirector?Shouldn’tthat

“I don’t think it’s going to be that big a distraction. It’s not new; it’s old news by now.” - Glenna Jehl, on managing the Matt Kelty campaign that ended with a loss and 9 indictments

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Thompson-Oxley seeking unity Waterman-Jehl look for a‘miracle’ while Danielspicks up key RTL nodBy BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS-ForthefirsttimeinHoosierhistory,whenJillLongThomp-sonaddressestheIndianaDemocraticConventionaround3:30p.m.Saturday,shewillbecomethefirstfemalenominee,followingthefootstepsofothergenderpioneerslikeVirginiaDillMcCarty,AnnDeLaneyandViSimpson.Shewillgreetaconventionwiththetheme“RestoringIndiana’sPromises”alongwithhernewrunningmate,StateRep.DennieOxley. ThecampaignhopesitclosesacontroversialandunsettledperiodforIndianaDemocrats.ThestatepartyandmuchoftheestablishmentbackedJimSchellinger’sgubernatorialbid.Thesixweekssinceherprimaryvictoryhasofferedanarrayofmixedsignals.Thecampaignhadonlytwopress See Page 3

Daniels’ Iraq calculus

Jill Long Thompson with State Rep. Dennie Oxley and his wife, Jayme, at the State-house on Monday. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey)

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horrendouslapseofjudgmentraisecontinuingquestionsabouthisjudg-mentnowwhenitcomestoobjec-tivelyvaluingstateassetsorresistingimpulsestofurtherprivatizestateresourcesliketheIndianalottery? When it came timeforahard-nosedassessmentofwarcosts,MitchDanielsnotonlymissedthemark,hemisseditbyamile.Andourcountryisstillpayingforit.WenowhavetheburdenofanadditionalfouryearsofIraqWarcostssinceDaniels’electionin2004toknowhowtragi-callymistakenhewaswhenheservedinthehighestlevelsofourfederalgovernment. AsWhiteHouseBudgetDirec-tor,MitchDanielsbrashlypredictedthattheIraqWarwouldnotonlybe“anaffordableendeavor,”hehadtheaudacitytotelltheworldtheIraqis“wouldnotrequiresustainedaid.”SittinginthecomfortofhiskitchenathisGeistReservoirmansion,MitchDanielsinsistedbyphonetoareporterfortheNewYorkTimesonDecember31,2002,thattheIraqWarcosts“willbeintherangeof$50to$60billion.” Whatamazesmanytothisdayisthepurehubrisofamanwhohadneverknownthehorrorsofwar,whohadneverservedadayinuniform,notonlypredictingwithabsolutecertaintythecostsofthiswar,butparticipatinginthepublicfloggingofafellowadministra-tionmember,LawrenceLindsey,whosewarestimatewasalotclosertorealitythanhisown. Former BushPressSecre-taryScottMcClellansays,inhistell-allbookthatthePresidentbecameenragedinSeptember2002whenLindsey,atthattimethepresident’stopeconomicadviser,wascitedintheWallStreetJournalassayingthewarmightcost$100billionto$200billion.McClellanquotesBushassaying,“It’sunacceptable. WhiteHouseBudgetDirec-

torMitchDanielsgetsapointerfromPresidentGeorgeW.BushintheOvalOfficeasLawrenceLindseylookson.(WhiteHousePhoto)Heshouldn’tbetalkingaboutthat.”Clearlyarealis-ticviewofwarcostswasn’t“partofthescript”forsellingthewartotheAmericanpublic.Yet,MitchDanielsfelttheneedtoingratiatehimselfwiththePresident’sinnercirclebypubliclyclaimingthatLindsay’sassessmentwas“very,veryhigh”andthatweweresomehowpoisedforabargainbasementroutinthisconflict. Our governorseemstohavebeenanall-too-willingparticipantinthesellingofwhatScottMcClellannowadmitswasan“unnecessary”war.Atatimewhenourcountrydesper-atelyneededcandorandhonestyfromitspublicofficials,MitchDanielsaidedandabettedwhatthepresident’s

spokesmannowsayswasa“politi-calpropagandacampaign”whichwas“aimedatmanipulatingsourcesofpublicopinion.” As has beenhispatternasgovernor,MitchDanielssimplyignoredcontraryviewsandchosenottolisten.ItappearstheWhiteHousebudgetdirectorneverevenfactoredinthedisastrousimpactoftheIraqWaronoureconomy,suchasestimatingtheimpactofwaronthepriceofoil.Itwas$25perbarrelrightbeforethe

HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 19, 2008

OMB Director Mitch Daniels, Lawrence Lindsey and President Bush in the Oval Office. (White House Photo)


war,withgasatabout$1.50pergallon.Nowoilhashit$130perbarrelandgasisover$4aagallon. ThequadruplingofoilpriceswaspredictablehadMitchDanielsonlylooked.ABrookingsInstitutionstudyin2001projectedaworstcasescenariowithoilat$75abar-relandgasat$3agallonbasedonaninterruptionintheworld’soilsupplyintheeventofawarlasting18months. MonthsbeforeweinvadedIraq,YaleeconomicsprofessorWilliamNordhaus,aformermemberofthePresi-dent’scouncilofeconomicadvisers,wrotethataprotractedwarwouldresultinarecession,justaswesufferedashortrecessionfollowingtherelativelybrieffirstGulfWar. This war is now overfiveyearsoldandwillbethemostexpensiveinhistory,apartfromWorldWarII,ac-cordingtoJoesphStiglitz,NobelLaureateconomist.StiglitzhaspredictedthatourIraqWarundertakingwillcostfarmorethan$2trillionwhentakingintoaccountlifetimehealthcareanddisabilitybenefitsforreturningveteransandthespecialround-the-clockmedicalattentionneededformanyofthetensofthousandsofbraveAmericanmenandwomenreturningwithlong-termhealthproblems.We’respending$275millioneverydayonawarthatanotheroneofBush’syes-men,PaulWolfowitz,tolduswouldbefullypaidforbyIraqioil! AtatimewhenMitchDanielshadanextraordi-naryopportunitytoperhapsprovidesomecandorandyes,unwantednewstothisPresident,hefailedasOMBdirec-torandourcountryhassubsequentlypouredhundredsofbillionsinnationaltreasureintothesandypitthatisIraqasaresult.RobertHormats,vice-chairmanofGoldmanSachsputitintocontextinMarchwhenhetestifiedbeforetheJointEconomicCommitteeofCongress.AsHormatsmadeclear,themoneyspentonthewareachdayisenoughtoenrollanadditional58,000kidsinHeadStartforayear,or

makeayearofcollegeaffordablefor160,000lowincomestudentsthroughPellgrants,orpaytheannualsalariesofnearly14,000morepoliceofficers. Mitch Daniels wasn’t theonlyhopelessoptimistaroundthispresidentwhoinsistedonabsurdlylowesti-matesofthecostsofwar.Fiveyearsago,PresidentBush’sDefenseSecretaryDonaldRumsfeltalsomockedLawrenceLindseyforestimatingthewarmightcost$200billion.YetwindtheclockforwardandwefindCongresshavingalreadyappropriated$600billionfortheIraqWar,some10timesMitchDaniels’estimate.AnentiregenerationofAmericanswillpaythepriceasbillionsmoreareborrowedfromforeigndictatorstopayforthiswarwhilecountlessschools,roadsandbridgesinthiscountryarestarvedoftheirmuchneededpublicinvestments.Inthemeantime,weallpaydearlyatthegaspumpasthewarcontinuesfu-elingcommodityspeculatorsanduncertaintyinthefuturesmarket. Thereshouldbeareckoningforthesekindsofmis-takes.ManyAmericanshavepaidtheultimatesacrificeforthisconflictandthehorrendouscostscontinuetomount.HoosierswillhaveanopportunitytotellMitchDanielsinNovembertheywon’tabidethatkindofgrosslynegligentconductandtheyaren’twillingtotrustthatkindofjudg-mentatthehelmofourstategovernmentforthenextfouryears.v Friedman practices law in LaPorte, Ind., and is a regular Howey Politics Indiana column contribu-tor.

Publisher’s Note:CamSavageofGov.Daniels’re-electioncampaignmadethisstatement:“Daniels’estimatewasonlyforthecostofoneyear.Hedidn’ttrytoextrapolateanyfuturefigures.”

conferences.IttookmostofthattimetochooseOxley,afterseveralhigherprofilepossibilitiesaskednottobecon-sidered,whichtemporarilycreatedtheperceptionthatthecampaignwastreadingwater.TherewasnoendorsementfromJimSchellinger,thoughthecampaignsaysthatheandThompsonarecommunicating.“JillandMr.Schellingerhavespokenanumberoftimes,”saidcommunicationsdirectorJimSchellinger.“Thatiscomingtogether.Wewel-comehissupport.Weexpecthimtobeapartofthat.” Thompsonisexpectedtosoundthemesalongthelinesof“DreamingBigAgain,”saidHarris.TheconventioncapsacriticalweekforThompson,whoanumberofsourc-essaylagsinmoneyraisinginthesixweekssinceshedefeatedSchellinger.Sheneedstocreatetheperceptionofunityandstokethemoneymachine.Harriswouldnot

commentonthecampaign’sfinances,sayingthenumberswouldberevealedinearlyJuly.“Wefeelverygoodwhereweare,”hesaid.“Fundraisingisgoingexceptionallywell.Wewon’tcompetedollarfordollar.We’llhavemorethanenoughmoneytocompetewithGov.Daniels.Wehaveagameplan.Wewereoutspentinprimary3to1.Weknowhowtouseresourcesweknowhowtouseeffecitvely.” Thecampaignisbeginningtotakeshape.Inad-ditiontocampaignmanagerTravisLowe,andHarris,theThompsonteamincludesJoeRetoffasfinancedirector,CherylBergmanasdeputycampaignmanager(sheworkedonthecampaignofMichiganGov.JenniferGrandholm),schedulerChrisBecker(fromWinston-Terrell),deputycom-municationsdirectorKeithJohnson,KateSweeneyBellascentralIndianafielddirector(aformeraidetoGov.EvanBayh),andafinanceteamthatincludesShaunicaPridgen,SteveKolbertandLisaFlegel.Thecampaignisalsowork-ingcloselywithformerDemocraticchairmanRobinWinston

Democrats,from page 1

HOWEY Politics Indiana Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, June 19, 2008Page4

andformerBloomingtonmayorJohnFernandez.

Unknown money factor ThefactthattheThompsoncampaignhadpostedonlyonesup-plementalover$10,000-$25,000fromtheDemocraticGovernorAs-sociation-hasraisedeyebrowsinpoliticalcircles.ThatcouldchangeonJune26whenSen.EvanBayh,Gov.JoeKernanandSpeakerB.PatrickBauerhostaSkylineClubreceptionfortheThompson-Oxleyticket.Thecampaignisalsowork-ingtomusterunionresources,withsomeofwhatwouldnormallybeDemocraticsupportersinsteadgoingtoGov.Daniels.AttheJef-ferson-JacksonDayDinneronMay4,twosponsorbannersoneithersideofthedaisfeaturingTomO’DonnellandJayPotestagreetedatendees,thoughbothhaveofferedsupporttoDaniels,inlargepartduetotheMajorMovesinitiativethathasspawnedanumberoflaborjobs. HarrisnotedthatThompsonhasbeenendorsedbytheAFL-CIOandthatthecampaignisintalkswithunionsliketheUAW,IBEWandtheIndianaBuildingTrades.“It’scomingtogetherquitenicely,”Harrissaidoftheunions.“We’vereceivedalotofhelpfromthoseorganizations.” TheconventionwillbechairedbyLakeCountySheriffRoyDominguezandwillfeatureU.S.Reps.BaronHill,BradEllsworth,JoeDonnellyandPeteVisclosky.TherewillbeaChrisSauttervideothatwillfeatureBirchandEvanBayh,formerFirstLadyJudyO’Bannon(whowillbeattendingafamilyreunion),andLeeHamilton.“Itwillbeveryfun,veryenergetic,”Harrissaidoftheconvention. AnditwillshowcasetheThompson-Oxleyticket,whichapparentlycametogetherlastweekandwasintro-ducedonMonday.MultipleinformedandreliableDemocrat-icsourcestoldHPIlatelastweekthatwhileOxleywasthetopchoice,ittooktimetoworkoutdetailsincludingajobduringthenextfivemonths.HisfatherisexpectedtoruninthecaucusforHD73,whichOxleyguaranteedwouldstayDemocratic,likeithasformostofthelast50years.ThatwouldgiveOxleytheoptionofcomingbacktotheHouseiftheThompsonticketlosestoDaniels.

An energized moment OnMonday,theThompsoncampaignseemedenergizedforthefirsttimesincetheprimary.“JillisaprovenleaderwithexecutiveexperienceandI’mhonoredtopartnerwithhertofightforbetteropportunitiesforall

Hoosierfamilies,”Oxleysaid.“DennieOxleyisanoutstandingpublicservantandIamproudtowelcomehimtotheteam,”Thompsonsaid.“Hisexperienceinthestatelegislature,intheclassroomandinthebusinessworldwillbeputtogooduseasweworktogethertorebuildoureconomyandrestoreIndiana’spromise.Heisknownasatirelessanddedi-catedlegislatorwhocangetthejobdone.” WhilethemediaandblogsnotedthatOxleyvotedforthetaxreformsthatThomp-soncriticized,shespunitlikethis:“JustlikeIndianaisverydiverseandwehavemanyfamiliesfromdifferentbackgroundswhothinkdifferentlyonissues,Ithinkit’simportanttohaveateamthatknowshowtobringpeopletogethertomovethisstateforward.”Itwasagoodspin,butultimatelyitgivestheDanielscampaignsomecoveronthetaxissue.WhileblogsliketheDanielsfrontFrugalHoosiers

paintedOxleyasalegislatorwhopassedonlysixof51authoredbillsin10years,Oxleysaidthatasmajoritywhip,his“fingerprints”wereoneverymajorpieceoflegislation. TheDemocratsseemedintentongoingafterDanielsontheeconomy.“Asalaggingeconomycontinuestoslow,ashealth-carecostsincrease,asforeclosureratesrise,gaspricesgosky-high,ashighschooldropoutratesincreaseandashomesalesslow,Hoosiersarefacingrealuncertainty,”Oxleysaid.“Andtheyhavegoodreasontofeelthatway.FromJanuarytoAprilofthisyear,Indianalostnearly30,000good-payingjobs.Itistimethatwedemandmore.Weneedagovernorthatwilltackleourproblemshead-on.Notjustsellthemofftothehighestforeignbidderandhopethingsgetbetter.” Thosenumberstellonlyonesideofthestory,astheDanielscampaignwillpointoutthatthejoblessratestayedstationaryat4.7percentasitroseinneighbhoringstatesandtheU.S.

Potesta & O’Donnell CamSavage,communicationsdirectorfortheDanielscampaign,usedtheO’DonnellandPotestaendorse-mentsasproofthatthejobsprofileoftheadministrationtranscendstraditionalpolitics.“Tommyhasendorsedus,buttheunionhasn’tatthispoint,”Savagesaid..”Jayhasendorsedusandispartofoursteeringcommitteeaswell.TommyandJaycareaboutjobs.Theycareaboutgrow-ing.Theirguyshavetowork.Gov.Danielshascreatedjobshere.There’sareasonwe’redoingbetterthanoursur-roundingstates.”

Awaiting the Waterman-Jehl ‘miracle’ TheDanielscampaignhasalsokepttabsonthe

Indiana Democratic Chairman Dan Parker hugs gubernatorial nominee Jill Long Thompson on Monday when they announced the Dennie Oxley

Thursday, June 19, 2008Page5

anticsofpoliticalpuppeteerJohnPriceandthe“TaxpayerParty”ticketofStateSen.JohnWatermanandGlennaJehl.Therenegadetrioappeared-withWatermanincowboybootsandaclip-ontie-togetheratanearNorthsideIndianapolishometotalkaboutpropertytaxes,thenewparty,andwhethertheycouldgetthe33,000signaturestoqualifyfortheballot.Watermansaiditwouldbean“actofGod”iftheygotontheballotlessthanaweekafterhetoldtheSullivanDailyTimestheywouldhavethesignatureslastThursday.Pricesaiditwouldbe“amiracle.”SaidPrice,“Ifithappens,itwouldbequiteastatement.”AndWater-maninsistedhewouldtakemorevotesfromThompsonthanDaniels. KnoxCountyRepublicanChairmanT.J.BrinktoldtheEvansvilleCourier&Pressthathedidn’tthinkWater-mancouldgetthe33,000signatures,thatDanielswillcarryKnoxCounty,andthatWatermanwilllikelyfaceaprimarychallengerifherunsforre-electionin2010.”IthinkonJune30,it’soverwith,”Brinksaid.“Johnwillnotbeontheballot.OutsideofSul-livanCountyandtheareaherepresents,he’sano-name.Hehasnostateappealwhat-soever,andwhenhegoestotalktopeopleinotherareas,he’llhaveevenlessappeal.”AsimilarassessmentcamefromVanderburghCountyDemocraticchairmanMarkOwen.“Idon’tthinkhe’safactor,”Owensaid.“IthinktheraceisreallybetweenThompsonandDaniels.” AndthentherewasJehlandherroleascampaignmanagerfortheFortWaynemayoralcampaignofMattKeltythatendedwithaloss(inthefirstelectionafterscoresofGOPvotersfromAboiteTownshipwereannexedintothecity)andanine-countcampaignfinanceandperjuryindictmentofKelty.Jehlwhistledpastthepoliticalgraveyard,notingthat,“Idon’tthinkit’sgoingtobeabigdistraction.It’snotnew,it’soldnews.”WhilemuchofthestatewidepressglancedoverJehl’sFortWaynefiasco,thefactisthatitwon’tbe“oldnews”onceKeltygoesontrialinOctober,accordingtoWANE-TV.Atthatpoint,itislikelywe’dseeJehlonthewitnessstandexplainingherownil-legal$10,000loantotheKeltycampaignshemanaged.

Sharing the news cycle SharingthesamenewscyclewithPrice’sTaxpayerPartywasthefactthatAllenCountyhomeownerswillsee28percentpropertytaxreductionsandHowardCountyhomeownerswillseea50percentdecrease.Bothcountiesareexpectingevengreaterreliefon2008billspayablein2009.

ThereisalsotheabortionangletotheWaterman-Jehlticket.PricehasindicatedthatDanielsisnotsufficient-lypro-life,eventhoughheagreesthatDanielshasbeenthemostpro-lifegovernorinpost-Roevs.WadeIndiana.NotonlydidtheIndianaRighttoLifePACendorseDaniels,itdidsoemphatically.“WeareproudtoendorseGov.Dan-ielsinrecognitionofhissteadfastsupportforthesanctityoflife,”statedIRTL-PACchairmanMikeFichter.“MitchDan-ielspledgedtosupportpro-lifelegislationasacandidatein2004andhehasbeentruetohisword.Nowitistimeforpro-lifeHoosierstoshowtheirappreciationforGov.Danielsbyactivelyworkingtosecurehisre-election.Sinceabortionondemandbecamelegalin1973,notasingleIndianagov-ernorpriortoGov.Danielshadthecourageorconvictiontopubliclysupportthesanctityoflifeofunbornchildren.” FichternotedthatDanielssignedlegislationthatrequiresabortionproviderstoshowtheirpatientultra-

sounds,thestatelicensingofabortionclinics,andtheestablishmentofanumbilicalcordbloodbanktoadvance“life-affirmingstemcellresearchinsteadofkillinghumanembryos.” ThatendorsementseemedtoshowcasetheDanielscampaignpropensitytoproducesamenewscyclecounterstowhattheiroppo-nentsaredoing.“TheRighttoLifeendorsementdoes

undercutthingsthatsomepeoplearesaying,”Savagesaid.“Iwouldn’tcallitadeliberatestrategybutwehavealotoffriends.It’snotthesamecoalitonthatwe’veusedbefore.Wehavealotofpeoplespeaking.” TherewasalsoanendorsementofthegovernorfromtheFraternalOrderofPolice,whichdidnotendorseDanielsin2004.Thegovernorearnedtheirrespectandalwayshadanopendoor,”Savagesaid.FOPPresidentTimDownssaid,“MitchDanielshasworkedhardtodevelopstrongandeffectiverelationshipswithlawenforcementandhe’salwaysrespondedtoourneeds.TheFOPappreciatesGov.Daniels’leadershipandweenthusiasticallysupporthisre-election.” Danielswasalsotherecipientofextensiveme-diacoverageofthefloodsandtornadoesinCentralandSouthernIndiana.TVclipsshowedDanielsdirectingthestateresponse,andhuggingvictimsontheground.Thatcertainlywasn’taplannedpoliticalcalculation,thoughit,too,undercutsDemocraticcriticismthatheisoutoftouch,doesn’tlistenanddoesn’tcareabouttheaverageHoosier.Andiftheresponsehadbeenbotched,thepoliticalramifi-cationscouldhavebeenimmense. HPI Horse Race Status:LEANSDANIELSv

The Democratic ticket: Woods, Pence, Thompson and Oxley.


Elrod, Miller boost House GOP,but some unfilled holes, tooBy BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS-WithaJune30deadlineforfillingballotvacancies,IndianaHouseRepublicansaremak-ingsomeprogress,buoyedbythere-emergenceofStateRep.JonElrodindefendingHD97thatmanythoughtwasacertainpickupforDemocratsaswellasformerElkhartmayorDaveMiller’schallengetoStateRep.CraigFryinHD5.ItcomesatatimewhentherearerumblingswithintheHouseRepublicancaucusaboutseveralunfilledseatsindistrictscen-teredinKokomo,Madison/NorthVernonandVincennesandfearsthattheGOPmightnotcontroltheHouse,evenifGov.MitchDanielswinsre-election. ThoseseatsareheldbyfreshmenStateReps.KregBattles,DaveCheathamandRonHerrell,wholostin2004.Goingintothisyear,HPIandotherobserversexpectedthoseseatstobeinplaydespiteaproblematicnationalenvironmentforRepublicansthatispotentiallymitigatedbytheDanielsre-electioncampaign. “Noweprobablywon’thavecandidates,”saidHRCCDirectorMikeGentryofBattlesandHerrellseats.“Theywerenotonourrecruitmentfocuslist.”HesaidthatBattlesisthe62ndmostRepublicandistrictinthestatewithGov.Danielspolling48.5percentin2004andStateTreasurerTimBerrypolling46percent.HesaidthatHerrell’sHD30seatisthe69thmostRepublicanseat.“JohnSmithwasabletosneakuponHer-rellinastrongGOPyear(2004)whenmostoftheunionactivistsinKokomowereinOhioworkingforJohnKerrey,”Gentrysaid.HecalledtherecentwinsofSmithinHD30andTroyWoodruffinHD64as“lightningstrikes.” Several Republican membersbelievethatGen-tryandMinorityLeaderBrianBosma“tooktheireyeofftheball”incandidaterecruitmentwhileGentrycommencedaprivatepoliticalconsultingfirmthatworkedonthecongres-sionalcampaignsofElrodandU.S.Rep.DanBurton,and

theattorneygeneralcampaignofValparaisoJonCostas,wholostaconventionfloorfighttoGregZoellerbyalandslide.IftheGOPfailstoretaketheHouse,thereisnowsometalkthataleadershipfightcouldensuepriortoOrganizationDayaftertheelection. Gentry points to an American ViewpointPollthatshowsElrodleadingDemocratMaryAnnSullivan55-32percentinaDemocraticdistrictthatElrodwonbyonlyahandfulofvotesoverDemocratEdMahernin2006.ThatpollshowsBarackObamaleadingJohnMcCain45-38percentandGov.MitchDanielsleadingJillLongThompson49-42percentinthedistrict.Elrod’sfav/unfavsstandat61-16percentwhileSullivan’swere16-4percent.Thepollsternotes,“Theywillhavetospend$500,000togethernameIDtoequalElrod’s.” Inaddititon,retiredAndersonPoliceChiefFrankBurrowswillbenominatedtotakeonStateRep.TerriAus-tin.InHD68,BrookvilleattorneyJudMcMillinwillchallengeStateRep.BobBischoff.“WewastetoomuchtimeandmoneyinIndianapolis,”McMillinsaid.“IwillbeastrongleaderfightingforchangeattheStateHouse.” Caucuses“maybecalled”inHD6(HouseSpeakerB.PatrickBauer),HD7(StateRep.DavidNiezgodski),andHD77(againstDemocratGailRieckeninaseatbeingva-

catedbytheretiringStateRep.PhilHoy).RepublicanKevinMitschelenispreparingachallengeagainstBauer,sourcestellHPI.Two-termElkhartmayorMiller,whodidn’tseekathirdterm,willbenomi-natedinaHD5caucusbeforeJune30,Gentrysaidthisafternoon. GentrysaidthatHRCCpollingshowsthatRepublicanRandyTruittisaheadinHD26,theseatbeingvacatedbyStateRep.JoeMiconwithJohnPollesrun-ningfortheDemocrats.HesaidthatMarkMessmerinHD63,aseatvacatedbyStateRep.DaveCrookswhereDemocratJohnBurgerisrunning;andinHD46,wherefor-merIndianaStatebasketballstarBobHeatonischallengingStateRep.VernTincher,theRepublicans“arewithinstrikingdistance.”InHD62,whereStateRep.SandraBlantonisontheballotforthefirst

timeafterJerryDenboretired,RepublicanBrookTarr“isrunningastrongrace.”InHD17,“MarkMacKillopisput-tingpressureon(StateRep.Nancy)Dembowski,”Gentrysaid.“StarkeCountywasoneofObama’sworstperformingcounties.” Gentrysaid“Theonlyseatnotfilledonourfocus

State Rep. Jon Elrod’s decision to seek his Indiana House seat and drop his 7th CD congressional bid gives Republicans a chance to hold on to a seat they thought they had lost. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey)

listisHD69,”whichisheldbyRep.Cheatham.ThatwouldmeanthatfreshmenRep.BattlesandRep.Herrellarepos-siblygoingtogetapassindistrictsmanythoughtwouldbeinplay.HowardCountyRepublicanChairmanCraigDunnthoughthehadKokomoradiotalkshowhostPeterHecklinedup,butHeckrecentlyannouncedonhisshowhewouldnotrun.DunntoldHPIearlierthisweekhewasstillhopefultohaveachallengerthere. Dunn raised questions aboutHD38nomineeClintonCountyAuditorJacqueClements,whoedgedoutnewlyselectedStateRep.HeathVannatterforthenomina-tionafterhewonthecaucustoreplaceJimBuck,whohasmovedtotheSenate.DunnannouncedMondaythathehasseriousdoubtsabouttheviabilityofthecandidacyofClements,saying“Irecentlywase-mailedcopiesofthe2005and2006IndianaStateBoardofAccountsauditsoftheClintonCountyAuditor’sOf-ficeandfoundthemextremelytroubling.ThesetworeportsandafailedsupplementalauditseemtoindicateaseriouslackofmanagementandoversightbyJacqueClementsintheClintonCountyAuditor’sOfficeandcouldbeusedaspoliticalfodderbyDemocraticcandidateBobSnowinNovember.” ButGentrysaidthatHRCCpollingshowsthatClem-entshasan18percentleadoverSnowandthatGov.Dan-ielsisrunning41percentbetterthatJillLongThompsoninthatdistrict.DemocratsbelievethedivisionsbetweenHowardandClintoncountyRepublicanscouldpresentapickupopportunity. SaidGentry,“TheDemsinthisstateliketotalkalotofsmackbuttheyalwaysseemtounderperformtheirpredictions.Thisyearwillbenodifferent.Wehavethebestteamofcandidates,thebestcampaignteam,agreatfundraisingeffortandaverystrongGOVcandidate.Yester-daywasabigmomentumswitchintheracefortheIndianaHouse”withthere-emergenceofElrod.

Indiana Congressional 3RD CD:Democrat: MichaelMontagano.Re-publican: U.S.Rep,MarkSouder.2006 Results:Souder95,421,Hayhurst(D)80,357.2008 Outlook: TheDCCChasaddedtheMontaganocampaigntoits“RedtoBlue”program.Itisoneof14Democratstomakethatcut.Soud-erwantsfederalofficialstoinvestigatehisopponent’sefforttodrawattentiontothenation’srisinggasolineprices(FortWayneJournalGazette).MikeMontagano,theDemocratic


candidateinIndiana’s3rdDistrict,forahalf-hourhandedoutallotmentsof$1.13ThursdaytomotoristsfillingupattheShellstationat5805FairfieldAve.Montaganowastry-ingtodrawattentiontothefactgascost$1.13pergallonin1995,whenSouder,R-3rd,tookoffice.Souderdidn’tseeitinthatlight.ByThursdayafternoon,hisofficereleasedastatementattackinghisopponentforbreakingcampaignfinancelaws.“Givingcashtoinfluencevotesisillegal,andwewillasktheU.S.Attorneytoinvestigatehisconduct,”thestatementread.“WeinFortWayneknowthatelectionlawviolationsareaseriousmatter.”Beforedisbursingthecash,Montaganosaidhehadcheckedintoitslegality.“It’snotpoliticalpandering,”hesaid.“Thisisjustatoken,agesture.”Hesaidthemoneycamefromhiscampaignac-count.Later,Montaganosaidinastatement,“Gashasrisen350percentsince(Souder)tookofficeandhehasdonenothingtostopit:nosupportforalternativeenergy,nosupportforrenewablefuelsandnothingwhatsoevertore-duceAmerica’sdependencyonforeignoil.” Status:LEANSSOUDER. Congressional District 7:Republican:Open.Democrat:U.S.Rep.AndreCarson.2008 Forecast:StateRep.JonElrodhasexitedthe7thCDraceandisex-pectedtoseeknominationtoHD97whichhecurrentlyrep-resents.“Itakenopleasureinwalkingawayfromafight,”Elrodsaidthismorning.“Twoelectionshavepassed,andthevotershavechosenavictor.Noonesteppedforwardformyseat.”U.S.Rep.AndreCarsonreactedbysaying,“Overthepastfewmonths,aswecampaignedinboththespecialandprimaryelections,IenjoyedtheopportunitytogettoknowJonbetterandIrespecthisdecision.”MaryAnnSullivan,theDemocraticcandidateforHouseDistrict97,said,“It’sbecomingincreasinglyunclearwhatofficeJonElrodwantstorunfor,”Sullivansaid.“DoeshewanttobeinCongress?DoeshewanttorepresentHouseDistrict97?Whatwillherunfornext?”Sullivansaidconstituentsdeserverepresentationtheycancounton,notsomeonewholooksateachcampaignasasteppingstonetothenextelectedoffice.“IgotintothisracebecauseIwanttoservetheresidentsofHouseDistrict97whoarelookingforleadershipontheissuesthatmattertothem,”Sullivansaid.“Ifelected,IpledgetoserveafulltermattheStatehouse,andIhopeJonElrodwillofferhisconstituentsthesamepromisenowthathe’sreturnedtothiscampaign.”SullivansaidshewelcomesElrodbacktotheraceandhopestheycanrunacampaignthatfocusesonpressingstateissuessuchaseducation,taxreformandeconomicdevelopment.ElrodisexpectedtoseektheHD97seatinacaucusamongMarionCountyRepublicans.TheGOPwillalsonominateacandidatetofaceCarsonsometimeinthenext30days.SourcestellHPIthatformerJerusalemPostPublisherTomRose,whochallengedElrodinthespecialelectioncaucus,willnotlikelyrun.Status: SAFECARSONv

Freshman Democrat Kreg Battles looks like he’ll get a pass this fall.


There will be blood between Obama, McCain on energyBy CAM CARTER INDIANAPOLIS-“Todrillornottodrill?Thatisthequestion.” NotquiteShakespeareaninitseloquence,butcertainlyinitspotentialfortragedyifwefailtoanswerit

correctly.Tosustainourprosperityandsecurity,wemustanswerahostofquestionsregardingournation’senergyneedsincomingyears–yearsthatjusthappentocoincidewitheitheraMcCainorObamapresidency. Thetwomajor

partycandidatessquaredoffthisweekonenergymattersand,ifthisisthenew,post-partisanpoliticsObamapromis-es,thenthisisnotchangewecanbelievein.Theexchangebetweenthecandidateswasenoughtomakeonewanttoclubbothintheheadwithabowlingpin–repeatedly.Whileseeminglyserious,bothMcCainandObamaofferedupproposalsthataddressonlypartofourenergyconundrumandnothingbutscornandde-risionfortheother’spropos-als.Theyneedtogetserious,tonedownthereflexive“thatguy’sideassuck”mentality,andlookforstrategicsolu-tions. At the end ofanyanalysis,we(andhere,“we”canbedefinedastheentireindustrializedworld)areapetrol-andcarbon-basedso-ciety.Getridofoilorcoalandtheenergytheycreateandoureconomiesstop,literally,intheirtracks.Societalstrifefollows.Globaldemandforen-ergyisgrowingatarapaciousratewithbillionsofIndians,ChineseandothersinthedevelopingworldseekingtoattainastandardoflivingweintheWesthaveenjoyedforacenturyormore.Inotherwords,demandisgoingtogoupindefinitelyand,ifsupplydoesnotfollow,priceswillcontinuetospiral.YouandIwill

waxnostalgicfor$4.20gasolineintheyearsahead. McCainopenedthedebatethisweekinHoustonofallplaces(Who’sdoingthisguy’spressandadvancework?DotheynotunderstandthesymbolismofdeliveringthisspeechatgroundzeroforEnronandthenewestcorporategreedheads/punchingbags,theoilcompanies?).Hepro-posedthatweliftthe27year-oldmoratoriumonoffshoredrillingalongourcoasts. Good idea. America has nearly 21billionbarrelsofuntappedoilreserves($2.9trillionattoday’sprices),eachuntappedbarrelenrichesmostlyMideastregimesthatarehostiletousorareour“friends”innameonly,and67%ofAmericanssupportthemove.Onlyafringe18%opposesit(thosethatanswerSierraClubmailers,hangonEdBegley’severywordandspiketreesforGreenpeaceonoddnumberedweekends).And,iftherewasanysilverliningtoHurricaneKatrina,itprovedtheoilindustry’soff-shoreexplorationtechnologyandproceduresaresafe–theGulfofMexicowasnotturnedintoonegiantoilslick. Badidea,aswell.WhenMcCainranforpresidentin2000,heopposedsuchdrillingandstill,inexplicably(unlesshehasafondnessforcaribou),refusestoopenuptheArticNationalWildlifeRefuge(ANWR)inAlaskatosuchexplora-

tion.Hisintellectualinconsistencyopenshimuptocriticismofaflip-flopandirresolutenessfromTeamObama. McCainalsoproposedfederalsubsidiesfornuclearpower,whichheviewsasthebestwaytoreduceU.S.carbondioxideemissions.Thatisagoodideadespitethestigmaattachedtonuclearenergy.Intherealmof“alterna-tive”energy,nuclearmaybetheonlyonethatcanmeetdemandonanindustrializedscale. Worst idea:McCain’sproposaltosuspendthe18.4centpergallonfederalgaso-linetaxforthesummerdrivingseason.Horrible,gag-inducingpanderingwithnoeconomicorintellectualunderpinningswhatsoever.Itwouldprovideonlymild,temporaryreliefatthepumpandhavethe

perverseeffectofactuallyincreasingdemandatatimeofshortsupply(seeabove,ortalktoanyhighschooleco-nomicsteacher).Worseyet,hehastosharethisturdofanideawiththelate,not-so-greatWickedWitchoftheWestWing,HillaryClinton.(OneredeemingqualityofObama’s

Sen. John McCain spent about five minutes talking about energy policy at an Indianapolis town hall meeting at Emmis last winter. He will address the National Sheriff Association in Indianapolis on July 1 in Indianapolis as well as host a fund-raiser. (HPI Photo by A. Walker Shaw)

Thursday, June 19, 2008Page9

nominationvictoryisthatwewillnothavethatvainglori-ousshreworherhusbandpreeningaroundcenterstageofAmericanpoliticallifeanymore.) So, McCain offers somegoodideas(inaterriblesetting)andareallybadidea.Atleasthehashiseyeontheball.WhatwastheObamacamp’sreaction?Torejectboththegoodandthebadand–surprise!–offersomesoaringrhetoric. Obamawasrighttopanthegasolinetaxrollback,especiallyinlightofthehugedeficiencieswithourtrans-portationinfrastructurethatthetaxissupposedtofund.Butthefollow-ingdoesnotinstillmuchconfidenceinhisjudgmentorhispromiseofa“newpoli-tics”: “JohnMcCain’splantosimplydrillourwayoutofourenergycri-sisisthesamemisguidedap-proachbackedbyPresidentBushthathasfailedourfamiliesfortoolongandonlyservestobenefitthebigoilcompanies,”ObamaspokesmanHariSevugansaid. Really?Yousee,IthoughtMcCainwassuggest-ingweliftamoratoriumondrillingthathasbeeninplacesince1981.Thatwouldmakeitanewpolicy,notthesame,andcertainlynotanapproach“thathasfailedourfamiliesfortoolong.”Iwon’tevendignifytheObamaspokesman’sattemptstolinkMcCaintotheunpopularpresidentoroilcompanies. Obama himself hadthistosay,“Ourdependenceonforeignoilstrainsfamilybudgetsanditsapsourecono-my.OilmoneypaysforthebombsgoingofffromBaghdadtoBeirut,andthebombastofdictatorsfromCaracastoTehran,”Obamasaid.“Ournationwillnotbesecureunlesswetakethatleverageaway,andourplanetwillnotbesafeunlesswemovedecisivelytowardacleanenergyfuture.” Ididn’tseevideoofthesecomments,butpresum-ablyObamawascrownedinahalowithhisfeethoveringslightlyaboveIowafloodwaterswhileimpartingthiswis-domtothemeremortalsaroundhim(atleastontheCNNandMSNBCfeeds). So,Obamaseesastrategiceconomicandsecuritythreatfromtheworld’soil-richdictatorsifwedon’tbreakourdependenceonforeignoil,butherejectsaperfectly

reasonableproposalbyhisopponentformoreoffshoreexplorationthathasproventobeenvironmentallysafe?Sad.Perhapshewillhaveadifferent(shallwesay,moreworldly?)viewoncehehasachancetositdownandchatpersonallywiththosedictatorsduringhisfirstyearinof-fice. Obama’s preferred fix,bestonecantell,istousetaxesraisedthroughanauctionofgreenhouse-gasemissionscreditstofundnewalternativeenergyresearchanddevelopmentprojects,whilealsoimposingrenewableenergymandatesonpublicutilities.Now,thiscap-and-trade-and-tax-and-regulateapproachmayhavemeritifyoua)agreethatglobalclimatechange,notU.S.energysecu-rity,isthemainissue,andb)youwanttopaymore–alotmore–atthepumpandfurtherwanttoturnyourhomethermostatdowntoaJimmyCarter-esque67degreesinwinter(75insummer).Otherwise,Obama’sproposalseemsquiteDraconianandignoresmarketforcesthatlikelywillprovidetheproperincentivestotheprivatesectortodotheirownR&Donalternativeenergysourcesandmorefuel-efficientvehicles. ObamareflexivelyrejectsMcCain’spoliciesandfollowsliberaldoctrinetoaregulation-heavy,biggovern-mentsolution.Somuchforthegreatorator’spost-partisanpromisesandgraspofmarketeconomics. Bought an SUV lately?Didn’tthinkso.Marketforcesareatworkandthosegas-guzzlersaresittingondealers’lots.I’meyeballingaHondaCivicHybridasmynextvehicle–onashort-termlease,ofcourse,becauseIexpectthetechnologytoleapfroginafewyears.That,andIplantotrashthevehicleonasummerroadtriptoAlaska…cariboutastesgood.vCarter is a vice president of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. He is a regular HPI column contributor.

Republicans to the Arctic!By JACK COLWELL SOUTHBEND-TwoHoosierRepublicancongres-sionalcandidatesplantocampaignwayupnorthinAlaskainJuly.It’snotthatthey’retryingtoescapeIndiana’ssum-

merheat.They’regoingjustaboutasfarnorthinAlaskaaspossibletoputtheheatontheincumbentDemocratstheyhopetodefeat. Destination: theArcticNationalWildlifeRefuge. Purpose: TomakeANWRafa-miliaracronymintheirdistrictsandconvincevotersthatfailuretodrillforoilthereisafactorinhighgaspricesandthatit’sallthefaultofDemo-

Sen. Barack Obama at an Indianapolis Phil-lips66 station in April. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey)


crats. LukePuckett,RepublicannomineeforCongressinthe2ndDistrict,cameupwiththeplan.Heisrun-ningagainstRep.JoeDonnelly,theGrangerDemocratwhoseeksasecondterm.PuckettannouncedthatfourotherGOPcongressionalchallengers,includingformerIndianaCongress-manMikeSodrel,willaccompanyhim.SodrelisinanotherrematchwithRep.BaronHill,theDemocratwhore-claimedthe9thDistrictseatin2006. AlsoscheduledtotraveltoANWR,wayupinthenortheastcornerofAlaska,areRepublicanschallengingDemocraticincumbentsinthreeotherstates:CraigWilliams,inPennsylvania’s7thDistrict;ChrisLien,fortheat-largeHouseseatinSouthDakota;andPaulStark,inWisconsin’s3rdDistrict. PuckettsaystheJuly14-17tripisdesigned“tocallattentiontotheplentifulenergysourcesthatex-istrighthereathomeandtocallonCongresstoremoveprohibitionsondomesticexploration.”TheElkhartCountyRepublicancontendsthatgasolinepricewoes“canbesolvedsimplybyincreasingsupply”andthatitis“theDemocratic-ledCongress”thatstandsinthewayoftappingsuppliesinANWRandelsewhere. Thecandidateswillsendbackphotosandstate-mentstowebsitesforviewingbackhome.Theyhopefornewsmediaattentionintheirdistrictsandevenonthenationallevel.ButtheywillbejustvoicescryinginthewildernessunlessthereisamajorpolicychangeintheU.S.Senate,wherealargebipartisanmajorityhasvotedtoop-poseANWRdrilling. Columnist George F. Will,whosupportsANWRdrilling,lamentedinarecentcolumnthat72senators,39Democrats,includingBarackObama,and33Republicans,includingJohnMcCain,“havevotedtokeepANWR’sesti-mated10.4billionbarrelsofoiloffthemarket.” That’sright,McCainandObamasay“no”toANWRdrilling.So,whilePresidentBushsupportsit,thenextpresidentwillbeonrecordagainstit.McCain,thoughsofteningpastoppositiontooffshoredrilling,hasremainedsteadfastagainsttappingANWR,sayingthatdrillinginthepristinewildernessareawouldbeakintodrillingintheGrandCanyonortheEverglades. ManyconservativeRepublicansportrayANWRasapartisanissue,blamingPresidentBillClinton’s1995vetoof

legislationtopermitdrillingasdeprivingthenationofwhatnowcouldbetheflowofoilfromjustasmallsliveroftherefuge. Environmentalists opposedtodrillingcontend,however,thatfuelfromANWRwouldbejustadropinthe

tankintermsoftotalU.S.usage,wouldonlyplacemorerelianceonoilratherthanalternatives,andwouldleadtoenvironmentaldangersfromdrillingandpipelines.Puckettsaysthosecon-tentionsarefrom“theextremeenvi-ronmentallobby.” HeandtheotherGOPchallengershopetomeetwith“energyindustryexperts,stateandlocalofficials...andprivatelandownersandnativeresi-dentsoftheArcticCircle.”Alllikelywillapprovedrilling.HillhasvotedagainstANWRdrillingbutsayshehassup-portedmorerealisticeffortsforenergyindependence. Donnellysayshewould“supportresponsibleexplorationofoilreserves”inANWRandthat“nowisanappropri-atetimetoallowfocusedandrespon-siblenewoilandgasexploration”offtheshoresintheoutercontinentalshelf.InseekingtoneutralizePuckett’smaincampaignissue,Donnellyrisksireofenvironmentalistsinhisdistrict.

AstheycallforANWRdrillingandusetermssuchas“extremeenvironmentallobby”todescribeopponents,theRepublicancongressionalcandidatesareinagreementwiththeBushadministration.TheyhopetoappealtothoseintheconservativeGOPbasethathavebeensuspiciousofglobalwarmingclaimsandtoexpandtheappealtovotersofalltypesnowupsetovergasprices. This is not exactly McCain’s message.Hewantstoappealtovotersconcernedabouttheenviron-ment,especiallyyoungvoters,whoregardBushadminis-trationpoliciesasanti-environment.McCainpointstohisdisagreementwithBushoverANWRandnotesthathelongagobrokewiththeadministrationtowarnofglobalwarm-ing. Still,McCain’scalltoletthestatesdecideonoff-shoredrillingisrightinlinewithviewsoftheRepublicancandidatestravelingtoANWR.Maybe,foramoreunifiedpartyappeal,theyshouldhavegonetosomeoff-shoreoilrigsinsteadofwayupnorthtoAlaska.v

Colwell has covered Indiana politics for the South Bend Tribune for five decades. His weekly column runs Mondays at www.howeypolitics.com

2nd CD Republican nominee Luke Puckett will journey to ANWAR with former con-gressman Mike Sodrel in July. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey)


Candidates avoid the global skills challengeBy MARK SCHOEFF JR. WASHINGTON--DuringthepenultimateweekoftheIndianaprimarycampaign,Iwasaboutasfarremoved

fromtheactionaspossible.Iwasvisit-ingBangalore,India.AsIkepttabsonthecombatthroughCNNInternationalandBBC,itoccurredtomethatwhatIwasobservinginBangaloreandotherpartsofsouthernIndiawasactuallyrelevanttoU.S.presidentialelection.Infact,itwasconspicuousbyitsabsence. WhileBarackObama,HillaryRod-hamClintonandpresumptiveRepub-licannomineeJohnMcCaindebatedthefinerpointsofafrivolousgas-tax

holiday,Iwasgettingaglimpseofacountrywhoseascen-danceiscausingdeepanxietyamongAmericanvoters. Bangalore,ofcourse,istheinformationtechnol-ogyhavenofIndia.IBM,MicrosoftandDellareamongtheleadingAmericanITfirmsthathavesetupbigoperationsinthecountryandhiretensofthousandsofIndians,oftenforjobsthathavebeenoutsourcedfromtheUnitedStates. The primary reason thatthesecompanieshavecometoIndiaisthecountry’stalentedandrelativelyinex-pensiveworkforce.Manyoftheworld’sbestscientistsandengineerscanbefoundhere.AndtheIndiangovernmentisintentonproducingmore. Overthecourseofmyweekthere,IgotthestrongimpressionthatIndiavalueseducation.Collegesdotthelandscape.Billboardscalloutforpeopletoenrollincours-es.EachyoungprofessionalImetinBangalorehadsomekindofITjob.ButIalsoobservedthatmostfamiliesinthecity--andinruralareas--arebattlinggrindingpoverty.Theirchildrenmaynotfinishschool,letaloneworkforIBMoneday. ThegovernmentbelievesthateducationisthekeytogrowthandistryingtogetmorepeoplefrompoorcommunitiesinvolvedintheITrevolution.OnepartythatwasrunningintheKarnatakastateelectionspledgedtoestablishcybercafesineveryvillage.BangaloreislocatedinKarnataka. TherulingpartyhasimplementedtheNationalSkillsDevelopmentMission,whichisdesignedtohelpteachstudentsjobskillsthey’llneedbeyondwhattheylearninclassroominstruction.Inaddition,thegovernmentisopen-ingmorespacesinschoolsforpoorstudents. ApplysimplemathtothesemovesandyouseethetalentpotentialinIndia.Thereisnoone-childpolicyhere,asthereisinChina.Kidsareubiquitous.TheIndianpopu-

lationisestimatedtohit1.2billionby2011. Whenlow-incomeIndiansaregivenabetterchancetojointhemiddle-andupper-classesintakingadvantageofITandotheropportunities,thecountrywillbecomeanevenmorefertilegroundforU.S.investment.That’sgoodforAmericabecauseourcompaniescaninno-vateandgenerateprofitsfromtheirIndianoperations. ButthatalsoincreasespressureonU.S.workerstodeveloptheskillsthatwillkeepthemindemandintheglobaleconomy.Theyhavetoincreasetheiraptitudeforproblem-solving,collaborationandteamwork.Theyhavetostrengthentheirinterdisciplinaryandentrepreneurialabili-ties. Those conclusions arecontainedinareportbytheCouncilonCompetitiveness,agroupofleadersfromindustry,academiaandorganizedlabor.ItwasrolledoutinlateAprilataCapitolHilleventsponsoredbySen.MaxBaucus,chairmanoftheSenateFinanceCommittee,andSen.RichardLugar. “Skillsareourmostsustainablecompetitiveadvan-tage,”Baucussaid.“Theycanbeouranchorintheturbu-lentworldeconomywehave.” ButmanyU.S.workersareworriedthattheylacktheskillsrequiredtoremainemployedorfindanewjob.Reps.RahmEmanuel,D-Illinois,andJimRamstad,R-Min-nesota,haveintroducedabillthatwouldestablishpersonalaccountstofinancelifelongeducationandtrainingthatarepartiallyfundedbyemployers.Companiesarealsoempha-sizingtheneedtobolsterfederalprogramsforworkeredu-cationandtraining.AlarmedbytheincreasinglynegativeattitudetowardtradeliberalizationonCapitolHillandthecampaigntrail,agroupof26businessesandtradeassocia-tionsislobbyingtohelpforvictimsofglobalization. TheTradeandAmericanCompetitivenessCoalition,launchedonJune11,ispushingtoreformandreautho-rizeTradeAdjustmentAssistance,aprogramthatprovidesretraining,wageandhealthbenefitsforworkerswhohavelosttheirjobsduetoimportsortotheircompanymovingoperationstoaforeigncountry.NegotiationsbetweenCon-gressandtheBushadministrationoverTAAcoulddeter-minethefateoftheColombiaFreeTradeAgreement. It’s not enough, however,thatsenators,Housemembersandthecorporatecommunityareaddressingtheseissues.Soshouldthepresidentialcandidates.ObamavowstorewritetradeagreementsandkeepjobsintheUnitedStates.McCainisastrongproponentoftradeliberalization.Butneitherspendsmuchtimeaddressinghowtoprepareworkersfornewjobscreatedbyglobaliza-tion. ItwouldberefreshingtohearthepresidentialcandidatesengageinanintelligentdebateaboutimprovingtheU.S.educationandworkforcedevelopmentsystemstohelpallAmericansparticipate--andprosper--intheglobaleconomy.v


Rich James, Post-Tribune: PoliticsiswhereBobbyCantrellfoundhisniche.Hewasvery,verygoodatbeingvery,verybad.Ifyouwererunningforoffice,youdidn’tnecessarilyneedhimsupportingyou.Butyousureasheckdidn’twanthimworkingagainstyou.FormerEastChicagoMayorBobPastrickandformerSheriffBobSti-glichwerethetwobestpoliticiansI’veeverseeninLakeCounty.Andwhiletheywereinpower,youknewCantrellwassomewhereinthebackgrounddoingwhathecouldtohelporhurt.Itwasn’tthatCantrellhadsomuchpowerasitwasthathewasbright,verybright.Cantrellhadawayofconvincingapoliticianthatheneededhimtogetaheadorputoutafire.Hebobbedandweavedanddancedandusuallycameoutontop.Thatis,untillastweekwhenhewasconvictedinfederalcourton11countsoffraud--involvingsomeofthemoneyhereceivedforgettinganaddictionservicelockedintogovernmentoffices.MuchofthemoneyCantrellmade--let’sjustsaythathereceived--camefromNancyFromm’sAddic-tionandFamilyCarebusiness.JustlikeCantrell,Frommandherbusinesswereprettymuchshams,sellingservicesthatgovernmentofficesneitherneedednorcouldafford.Whilethere’snothingwrongwithreceivingafinder’sfeetosecureagovernmentcontractforabusiness,youdohaveaprob-lemwhenyoufailtoreportthemoney--oneofthethingsCantrellwasconvictedofdoing.WhenyouhaveshamelesspeoplelikeFrommanddisgracedformerScherervilleTownCourtJudgeDeborahRigatestifyingagainstyou,thereisalmostaguiltbyassociation.DefenseattorneyKevinMilnermadethatpointwhenheaskedthejuryduringclosingarguments,“Wouldn’tyouliketohearfromsomeonewhoisn’tfacingtimeinprison?”Yeah,butasaformerfederalprosecutoroncesaid,“Youdon’tswimwithswansinthesewer.”WhileCantrellisanotherfeatherinthefederalcap,youjustknowprosecutorsarelookingformore.IfCantrellhadbeenconvictedonacountortwoandbeengivenayearortwoinprison,chancesarehewouldhavequietlydonehistime.That’sprettymuchhowitalwayshasworkedinEastChicago.Buthewasconvictedonall11countsandnowfacestheveryrealpossibilityofdyingalonelymaninprison.HammondMayorTomMcDermottJr.saidhedoubtsCantrellwilltalk,evenifhehasthegoodsonsomeone.“He’soldschool,”McDermottsaid.Yeah,buthe’sgotkidsandgrandkids.That’splentyofreasontosing,evenifitisn’t“HailNobleWashington.”v

Leslie Stedman Weidenbener,Louisville Courier-Journal:StateRep.DennieOxleymaybeofmorehelpthanyouraveragerunningmate.First,heprobablywon’tbeafraidtoattackDaniels,andhe’lllikelydoitwell.Second,he’llbearelentlesscampaigner.Withhislargedistrict,Oxleyisusedtodoingalotofdrivingonthe

Jefferson-JacksonDaydinnercircuit,tosportingeventsinthearea,andtopoliticaleventsacrosshisdistrict.Third,hismoreconservativepositionswillbeacounterweighttowhatislikelytobeaGOPchargethatThompsonisliberal.He’llprobablymakeSouthernIndiana’sconservativesfeelmorecomfortablewithThompson.ButthiswillbearealtestforOxleyaswell.AstheHousemajoritywhip,Oxleyhasbeeninaleadershippositionthatisessentiallyallpoliticsallthetime.Hisroleisnottoformulatepolicy,sodetailsaboutpolicyhavenotbeenhisstrongestsuit.TohelpThompsonsucceed,thatwilllikelyhavetochange.He’sgoingtobe

questionedbyvotersandthemediarepeatedlyashetravels,andhe’llneedsomegoodanswers.v

Stephanie Salter,Terre Haute Tri-bune-Star:SometimesIhavethisfantasywhenIhearyetanothersmugknow-it-alltalkaboutthe“irrelevance”ofthemainstreamnewsmedia.

Ithink,OK.Howaboutwejustfoldupshoprightnow?Everybodywhohastrainedforyearstogather,verifyanddisseminatenews—especiallyallofussoon-to-beextinctprintdinosaurs—we’lljustgohome.Tomorrow,therewillbenomoredailypaperonanybody’sdoorstep.Andsome-oneelsecanpullthingstogethertoputonaWebsiteforpeopletoreadforfree.v

Sylvia Smith, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:Ithasbeenamplyestablished–evenbypoliticalcompatriotsofPresidentBush–thattheprepara-tionfortheIraqinvasionwasappallinglyinadequate.Wearelivingthrough(andmanyaredyingthrough)theeffectsoftheWhiteHouse’snaïveassumptionsthatthewarwouldbebrief,thecostwouldbebornebyIraq’soilproductionandthenewgovernmentwouldcometogetherseamlessly.HistorywilljudgeBushharshlybecauseofthosemisjudg-ments.Butismetaphoricallywaltzingintowaracauseforimpeachment?Absolutelynot.Rep.DennisKucinichthinksotherwise,andheforcedtheHousetovotelastweek.HiscontentionisthatBushcommittedhighcrimesandmisde-meanorswhenhesnookeredAmericaintoinvadingIraq.His35articlesofimpeachmentrangedfrom“creatingasecretpropagandacampaigntomanufactureafalsecaseforwaragainstIraq”to“endangeringthehealthof9/11firstresponders.”TheDemocraticleadership,whichcontrolstheactiononthefloor,doesnotsupportKucinich’smovebutcouldnotcompletelyblockitbecausetherulesoftheHouseallowanyofitsmemberstobringaprivilegedresolutiontothefloorandinsistonavotewithintwodays.TheHouseleadershipfunneledKucinich’sresolutiontotheJudiciaryCommittee,whichwon’tholdhearingsortakeanyaction.Sothematterisburied.TheHouseclearlyhasnoappetiteforimpeachingBush.Thecountrycertainlydoesn’t.v

thanadecade.“Heisagreateduca-torwithagreatbackground,”saidstateRep.SheilaKlinker,D-Lafayette,“WearedelightedtohaveDr.RichardWoodrunningforstatesuperintendentofpublicinstruction.”

Supt. Reed to joinbrokerage firm INDIANAPOLIS-StateschoolssuperintendentSuellenReedplanstojoinasecuritiesbrokeragefirmwhensheleavesofficeinJanu-ary(Indianapolis Star).ReedsaidThursdayshewouldbecomevicepresidentofbusinessdevelopmentforCincinnati-basedRoss,Sinclaire&Associates.Thecompanyhasofficesinseveralstatesandhasabackgroundinhelpingschooldistrictsandotherlocalgovernmentunitsdevelopfinancingplansforcapitalprojects.

Bush wants to lifedrilling ban WASHINGTON-Withgasolinetopping$4agallon,PresidentBushurgedCongressonWednesdaytoliftitslong-standingbanonoffshoreoilandgasdrilling,sayingtheUnitedStatesneedstoincreaseitsenergyproduction.Democratsquicklyrejectedtheidea(Associated Press).“Thereisnoexcusefordelay,”thepresidentsaidinastatementintheRoseGar-den.Withthepresidentialelectionjustmonthsaway,BushmadeapointedattackonDemocrats,accusingthemofobstructinghisenergyproposalsandblamingthemforhighgasolinecosts.HisproposalechoedacallbyRepublicanpresidentialcandidateJohnMcCaintoopentheContinentalShelfforexploration.“FamiliesacrossthecountryarelookingtoWashingtonforaresponse,”Bushsaid.CongressionalDemocratswerequicktorejectthepushforliftingthedrillingmoratorium,sayingoilcompaniesalreadyhave68millionacresoffshorewatersunderleasethatarenotbeingdeveloped.

HouseSpeakerNancyPelosicalledBush’sproposals“anotherpagefrom(an)...energypolicythatwasliter-allywrittenbytheoilindustry--(to)giveawaymorepublicresources.”Sen.BarackObama,theDemocrats’presumptivepresidentialnominee,rejectedliftingthedrillingmoratoriumthathasbeensupportedbyasuc-cessionofpresidentsfornearlytwodecades.

9% of Indiana corn,soy crops flooded WESTLAFAYETTE-AcropreportissuedthisweekbytheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureshowstherecentheavyrainsinIndianahaveflooded9percentofthestate’scornacreage,9percentofthesoybeanacreageand5percentofthewinterwheatcrop(Lafayette Journal & Courier).Thesouthwestdistrictofthestate,whichincludesEvansvilleandVincennes,receivedthemostcropdamagewith16percentofboththecornandsoybeanacreageflooded,alongwith6percentofthewheatacreage.

Rep. Pelath to headimmigration panel INDIANAPOLIS-StateRep.ScottPelath,D-MichiganCity,willco-chairalegislativepanelchargedwithstudyingthepoliticallychargedissueofillegalimmigration(Times of Northwest Indiana).“Onnootherissuearethegapsbetweenpoliticalrhetoric,strongemotionsandreliableinformationmoreapparent,”PelathsaidThursdayinastatement.“Whatisobvious,however,isthatweareanationofimmigrants,andmostAmeri-canssenseournationalimmigrationsystemisn’tservinganyoneverywell.”PelathleadstheHouseRulesCommit-tee,whichhasbeenresponsibleforburyingRepublican-ledeffortstowriteabanonsame-sexmarriageintotheIndianaConstitution.

Wood kicks offsuperintendent race INDIANAPOLIS-DemocratRichardWoodlaunchedhiscandidacyforstatesuperintendentofpublicinstructionWednesdaybytoutingeduca-tionasavitalinvest-menttool(Times of Northwest Indiana).“Ibelievethatitismorallyresponsibleandit’seconomicallysensibleforustobuildgoodchildren,ratherthantorepairadults,”hesaid.AndWood,whoisretiringthisafter19yearsassuper-intendentoftheTippecanoeCountySchoolCorp.,isn’thappyaboutanewstatelawtellinglocalschooldistrictshowmuchpropertytaxrevenuetheycaninvestineducation.“Wehaveelectedschoolboardsthroughoutmostofthestate,”hesaid.“Thosepeopleareelectedofficials.Theyshouldberesponsiblefortaxationanddecisionsthatarereflectiveoftheircommunity.”Wood,55,didn’tgoasfarastosayhewouldlobbyagainstwritingthestate’snewpropertytaxcapsintotheIndi-anaConstitution,amultistepprocesslegislatorsareexpectedtoresumenextyear.Thecaps,whicheventuallywilllimithomeownerbillsto1percentofassessedvalue,areexpectedtosap$8millionfromstateschoolsnextyearand$89millionin2010.WoodalsospokeofimprovingIndiana’s76.5per-centhighschoolgraduationrate,butwhenasked,hedidnotofferaspecifictargetforimprovement.ThecurrentratehasbeenroundlycriticizedbyfellowDemocratJillLongThompson,whoisrunningagainstRepublicanGov.MitchDaniels.Wood,whoholdsdoctoratedegreesineducationandlaw,willfaceRepublicanTonyBennett,theGreaterClarkCountySchoolssu-perintendent,thisfallinthefirstopenraceforstateschoolschiefinmore


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