Loading ...Do Endorsements Matter?
The usual answer to that question is “no.” Until today. The Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police is doing endorsements this week. On Monday officers gave thumbs up to Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, Republican Sheriff Candidate Steve Davis and Angela Cypress, the candidate for Recorder. Like I said, if this were any other year the response would be “big deal.” But this year is no big deal.
This year we’ve seen nearly 120 homicides. (There’s a report someone was recently shot died in the hospital.) This is the worst homicide rate since 1998. Add to that the perception that government is out of touch (i.e., the Controversy in the Coroner’s Office, City-County Councilmember Ron Gibson’s run-in with the law, public safety being used as a political football, etc. etc.) And can you see why law and order might be on a lot of people’s minds. People worried about crime tend to support law enforcement. So having law enforcement’s support is probably a good thing to have.
Now taken in context, not all the FOP’s membership voted and a number of them have an axe to grind with Mayor Bart Peterson and Sheriff Frank Anderson. However, at the end of the day, if I were a candidate running at a time when crime was nearing an all-time high I’d rather have the FOP’s endorsement, than not.
October 3rd, 2006 at 2:32 pm
But Abdul, you’d rather have the GOP endorsement as well. The FOP and the GOP have the same slate coincidence? I think not.
You say FOP doesn’t like Mayor Peterson. Too bad, he’s kicked their ENDORSED candidate’s asses twice.
Until the G, I mean FOP gets rid of Vince “I don’t like Bart” Huber, they’ll have about the political clout they do now — none.
October 3rd, 2006 at 3:19 pm
Abdul, you’re drinking the Kool-Aid.
One undred ten members showed up to vote, out of 1400-1500 paid members. That’s less than 8%.
The FOP has never endorsed a Demo for mayor. They rarely endorse Dems for anything. They endorsed the Republican candidate for Clerk, for cryin out loud, and I donl’t think even SHE thinks she’s going to win!
They’re a broken record. I heard Vince this morning on your show. He shoulda stayed in bed.
The link to increased crime is an interesting and otherwise important link. But this organization has zero credibility.
Doubt me? See how they deliver in five weeks.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:00 pm
The city is in a crisis and the FOP endorsement for Steve is as good as a “no confidence” vote against Anderson. The officers are the ones who put themselves out on the street day after day, night after night.
As far as not all the FOP membership voting it is no differnt than the general election. There will be a lot of people not voting there either.
October 3rd, 2006 at 8:16 pm
3:19, a dem, F-Anderson, was endorsed by the FOP in 2002. Think what you want to, but that’s the fact for you.
October 9th, 2006 at 1:30 pm
8:16:
Endorsing Anderson in 2002 was a break for the FOP that I’m sure was painful for them. But they had no choice because Anderson’s opponent back then was a crook and everyone knew it.