Now that the Indianapolis Colts have lost the Super Bowl (31-17),  I can let you know what else is on tap for this week…

In the race to challenge Evan Bayh, you would think that former U.S. Senator Dan Coats was already in the race the way the ads have been popping up all over the place.  The most damning one in my opinion is the You Tube clip where he says he had no intention of ever returning to Indiana.  Yikes!

Also expect U.S. Senate candidate Don Bates, Jr. to file on Thursday.  His campaign tells me they have the signatures to get on the ballot.  No word yet from the other candidates.

Things are getting interesting in two of Indiana’s Congressional races.   State Rep. Mike Murphy put out a poll last week saying only 28% of GOP voters think 5th District incumbent Dan Burton should be re-elected.  The other challengers all had support in the teens and more than 40% of the voters were undecided.  That does not bode well for the incumbent.  But 28% support is still better than 16% support.

In the 4th District I’m hearing State Senator Mike Young may get in the race.  Already Secretary of State Todd Rokita and State Senator Brandt Hershman are gunning for the job.  If Young gets in, how can I say this politely, he will corner the market with the intellectually challenged.

I’ll be checking to see how things play out in the Indiana House of Representatives now that Democrat Chet Dobis has been stripped of his leadership position and just how far will he go to vote his conscience on matters.   As accurately pointed out on Frugal Hoosiers, if Dobis decides to play hardball he can block any party-line measure from happening because the Democrats would only have 50 votes, which is not enough to pass anything.  Democrats only had a 52-48 majority and State Rep. Dennie Oxley, Sr. is out with health issues.  Do the math.

The candidates keep piling on the race to fill the spot on the Indianapolis City-County Council being vacated by Republican Kent Smith.  So far the list of possible candidates includes Aaron Williams, son of Deputy Mayor Olgen Williams,  Jackie Cissel, Daniels administration aide at FSSA, local businessmen Angel Rivera and Chris Douglas and former CIB board member Dorothy Henry.   All bring unique qualifications to the job, but what I think is more interesting is that you have three African-Americans, two of which are women, a Hispanic and an openly gay man.  This is definitely not your father’s Republican Party.

Speaking of City-County Councilors, I would be surprised if there is a formal statement this week from Jim Voyles regarding Councilor Lincoln Plowman, who is under investigation but no one is quite sure exactly for what.   Plowman has not spoken publicly but on his Facebook page he offered thanks to everyone who has offered their support and told them “Please do not believe everything that you hear or read from the news media sources.”  Plowman does not plan to step down from the Council.

Expect Mitch Daniels legal counsel Mark Massa to formally enter the race for Marion County Prosecutor today.  Slating for both the Democrats and Republicans is this weekend.  I’m debating which one to hit.  The Republicans actually have a contest for Sheriff.   The Democratic slating contest was over before it began.  I’ll be checking the energy and enthusiasm of both crowds.

Also expect a report to come out this week on mass transit in Central Indiana.  Whereas previous reports have ended up mothballed on the shelf, this one, I’m told, might actually have some teeth behind it.

That’s what I’m watching this week.  There’s a lot more I could add to the list but 635 words is more than enough for Monday morning.

Since most of you are probably more interested the Super Bowl than local issues, I’m taking a weekend hiatus from blogging.

I’m also behind on my college teaching responsibilities so I’ll need the weekend to catch up.

I’ll probably throw something back up late Sunday or Monday morning.  Stay dry this weekend.

And may the best team win the Super Bowl.

Today has been an odd day to say the least.  I’ve been tracking down the story regarding City-County Councilman Lincoln Plowman and his administrative leave (with pay) from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Here’s what I know so far and you can take the information for what it’s worth.

Apparently the Justice Department’s Public Integrity unit has been stepping up its enforcement lately of local and state officials across the country who might be up to wrongdoing.

One of the targets of that investigation is Plowman.  While I’ve left messages for his attorney and the FBI, what I’ve discovered from conversations with individuals involved in the investigation is that the FBI suspects Plowman may have taken money in order to influence zoning matters for a developer.

However, the individuals I’ve spoke with who have been interviewed by the FBI say they never had any knowledge of such alleged activity.

In addition, the FBI has also asked those individuals if they had any knowledge of corruption by any other elected officials, to which they have responded “no”.

I have been checking other local media and from I’ve been able to gather from my sources, Plowman never received a visit from the FBI nor did they raid his home.

This is not to say that Plowman is in the free and clear by any means, however the impression I have from following this all day is that the FBI may be on a fishing expedition looking for any information that they can use against embattled financier Tim Durham.

Now some of you may want to call me out for this due to my relationship with Plowman, that’s fine.  I’m a big boy and I can deal with it.   However,  any of you who truly know me know I have no tolerance for elected officials who breech the public trust and break the law.   And if you have evidence that would lead to the guilt of any elected official in Marion County, don’t post here, take it to the authorities.

Right now, from what I’ve gathered, the local FBI is looking for whatever information it can find to help make a case against Durham and the agency is going down whatever path it thinks will lead it to him.

Is it my imagination or has this week just been non-stop politically?!  Here’s the latest…

City-County Council Member Lincoln Plowman is on administrative leave from IMPD pending an internal investigation.  It’s unclear exactly what Plowman is under investigation for, but it appear its is related to his duties as a Council Member.   According published reports Plowman has hired attorney James Voyles, a clear indication of whatever this is, it’s serious.

Speaking of Council,  At-large Council member Kent Smith is stepping down.  Smith is taking a new active-duty position with the National Guard and according to new Department of  Defense rules, it would be difficult for Smith to serve in that position. According to county party rules a caucus must be called within 30 days to fill the vacancy.  So far the names mentioned include Aaron Williams, son of deputy Mayor Olgen Williams,  former Capitol Improvement Board member Dorothy Henry, local businessmen Chris Douglas and Angel Rivera.

Indianapolis Public School students will only get an hour off the Monday after the  the Super Bowl.   IPS officials tried to start school with a two-hour delay, but the Department of Education said two-hour delays are only good for emergencies and the Super Bowl is not an emergency and students would have to make up the day.  You would have thought someone would have checked first.

Expect an announcement soon about the Republicans’ choice for the Marion County Prosecutor.

5th District Congressional candidate Mike Murphy has put out a new poll showing only 28% of the Republican voters in the  district think incumbent Dan Burton should be re-elected.  When asked which candidate had the best chance at beating Burton, Murphy and John McGoff were tied at 16%.   Luke Messer comes in with 15% and Brose McVey with 11%.   The poll also shows 43% of the voters are undecided on who they want to replace Burton.

And there appears to be a backlash against a Dan Coats run for the U.S. Senate.  On his Facebook page, Conservative State Senator Mike Delph says while he respects Dan Coats, he says Coats’ opportunity to run against Evan Bayh was back in 1998 and he chose to walk away.  Delph also says the other candidates are working hard and the GOP nomination must be earned.

Here’s Dan Coats statement on challenging Evan Bayh.

After much thoughtful consideration, I have authorized my supporters to begin gathering signatures as I test the waters for a potential challenge to Evan Bayh in 2010. Over the next few weeks, I will be talking to Hoosiers from all walks of life, and I will make a formal announcement regarding my intentions in the near future.

So is he running or not running?

Indianapolis Public School students might not get most of the morning off the day after the Super Bowl.

IPS is planing to delay school by two hours on Monday because of the big game, but the Indiana Department of Education tells Indiana Barrister News that state rules  mandate students must be in school the entire time and delays can only be used for emergency situations like the weather.

The State says IPS would have to make up the day later in the school year, or let school out two hours later on Monday.   A Department  spokesman says IPS could ask for a waiver to allow the 2-hour delay, but it’s unlikely it would get it for the Super Bowl.

Although Uncle Sam wants you to be a census taker, but not a lot of people want to take Uncle Sam up on his offer.  The census needs about 45,000 people to be census takers in Indiana, but they are having the hardest time finding anyone.

For example, a good friend was in one of the area malls recently and saw two people taking applications for census work, but no one was taking them up on their offer.  Another friend told me the story of a woman who had not one, but two interviews with the census and canceled both of them.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think becoming a census worker is all that difficult. You take a test, bring your paperwork and call it a day.  There’s even a practice test on the Internet so you can sharpen your skills before you go in and take the exam.  The pay is $12-$15 an hour.   You won’t get rich, but you won’t starve either.

With unemployment around 10%, you would think people would be clamoring to get a decent job, albeit only temporary.   This has me reaching one of two conclusions.  First, the economy is not as bad as everyone thinks it is.  Second, maybe a good number of the people who are out of work shouldn’t have been in the workforce in the first place.

By the way, if you know somebody who could use a census job, they should call  the U.S. Census at 1-866-861-2010 or log on to the website for the U.S. Census .

Libertarian City-County Council member Ed Coleman has introduced an ordinance that would allow guns to be brought into city parks and playgrounds.  Proposal 39 would allow anyone who is licensed to carry a gun to bring the weapon into any of the city’s more than 200 parks as well as the Monon Trail.   Coleman and his fellow Libertarians say citizens have a right to protect themselves.   Critics say more guns will lead to increased risks to the public.

While I believe you have the right to own a gun to hunt, for sport or to protect your family, like everything else in this world no rights are absolute and we put reasonable restrictions on lots of things.  I have free speech, but I can’t libel or slander someone.  I have freedom of religion, but I can’t engage in human sacrifice.   I can’t bring a gun into a school, a courthouse or a federal building and I don’t see how someone’s second amendment rights are being infringed for the few minutes they can’t bring a gun to a city parks and playgrounds.

And if you’re going to tell me that you need your gun for protection while jogging at 2 a.m. on the Monon Trail, then answer me this?  What are you going to do when mugger hits you from behind?

I believe most gun owners are responsible people and I believe you have the right to own a gun, but you don’t have the right to take it everywhere you go.

Let the shootout begin!

I did a little comedy this past weekend in downtown Indy.   Here’s an audio clip.  Hope you find it somewhat humorous.

comedy

More political analysis tomorrow.

Here are a few political items to start you day off right…

4th and Rokita?

I’m hearing from reliable sources, again, that Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita is very likely to run for the Republican nomination for the 4th Congressional District.   Steve Buyer announced Friday he was not seeking another term because of his wife’s health.  Rokita has about $300,000 in cash on hand and very good relations with a lot of the county clerks in the area which will be crucial to any campaign.  I’m also hearing State Senator Brandt Hershman is also likely to give it a try as well.

5th District Finances

The money reports are starting to come in for the 5th Congressional District.  Incumbent Dan Burton raised more than $145,000 in the last quarter and has about $460,000 in cash on hand.   Challenger Mike Murphy reportedly raised about $30,000 this quarter and had about $173,000 on hand.  I’m told Brose McVey raised about $31,000 and had $62,000 in cash on hand.   John McGoff raised about $30,000 and has about $77,000 on hand.  Luke Messer raised about $106,000 this quarter and has about $285,000 in the bank.  And if you’re keeping count, the challengers raised about $197,000 to Burton’s $145,000.

In Case You Wondering

Anyone looking to challenge Evan Bayh better start raising some mad cash real quick.  His latest campaign filings show he raised more than $300,000 in the last quarter and has about $13 million in cash on hand.

There are some more items I’m working on today so check back this afternoon for an update.