UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE GET DANIELS
Indiana Democrats say despite the divisive gubernatorial primary, they are united in their quest to win in November. Nominee Jill Long Thompson stood with her fellow Democrats at the State Capitol saying they will work together to beat Mitch Daniels in November.
State Chairman Dan Parker said the 1.1 million voters who picked Democratic ballots (Republicans and Operation Chaos not withstanding) shows their party is sending a united message.
Gubernatorial nominee Jill Long Thompson reiterated her priorities to rebuild the state’s economy, reform the tax code, provide health insurance for all Hoosiers and stop the Governor’s “obsession with privatization.”
Despite the unified message, the UAW, a key Democratic constituent, put out a letter calling for the State Election Commission to follow up on a complaint regarding Thompson’s campaign and how she paid for television ads in the last days. Thompson staffers played down the complaint saying it had been addressed by the Commission and there was no wrongdoing.
However, the fact that the UAW would even file a complaint shows that there are still some deep divisions in the party that will have to be healed. And no, Jim Schellinger was not there. He was in Florida.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Odd, I didn’t think the UAW had any members in Indiana since the closing of nearly all the auto plants. They must have robbed the UAW pension fund to come up with the 1/2 million $ they shoveled to The Shell.
I’m surprised Parker is still around and even more surprised JLT can’t find a running mate.
What’s Bart doing now?
May 15th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Abdul: we Dems could use an honest anlysis by you about what is happening to the Indiana and Marion County Demo parties. Election after election we pick losers who are endorsed by our party. HELP!!!!!!!!!
May 15th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I don’t want health insurance from the government!! She is so against privatization, and thinks government can provide healthcare for all. No wonder I would never vote Democrat.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:10 am
2008 is starting to smell a lot like 1980 for Democrats.
In 1980 the Dems left their convention with a sitting President as their candidate who had no possible way of winning and didn’t.
In 1980 the UAW and the AFL both s**t on Hillenbrand when their man Townsend lost in the primary for Governor.
Oh, and Evan Bayh’s father Senator Birch went down with the ship too.
We Dems have a bad habit of eating our own and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
2008 will not be an exception.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Mrs. Practical: I think Jerry just provided your analysis. It’s difficult for many to get enthused if it sounds like bigger government. Privatization’s had some success with perception of efficiency and smaller government. I think health-care transition could happen if everybody pays something, improvement in admin overhead, cost-savings with a basic tier for the indigent, basic or emergency care for non-citizens, and people can still buy more care with more $. Otherwise, it’s a tough sell. Unless, you belive an Iraq withdrawl and tax reform will create enough magic buckets of money. I don’t think so.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I voted for Jill…it was a close call, but after reading their platforms, hers was shorter on platitudes and longer on detail. At the time I had no idea the 2 candidates’ classiness was even on trail–both looked to be well-mannered and polite. Boy, was i wrong.
JLT must answer these election charges. Quickly. Effectively. For me, at least.
If they couldn’t schedule a press conference during a timeframe Jim S. could attend, like last Thursday, then something’s definitely wrong.
You remember Schellinger–the one who couldn’t muster a “congratulations Jill” the day after the election. He needs to muzzle his brother and learn some manners.
The 1980 comparisons are not lost. In the gov’s race, anyway. Nationally, this is going to be such a Democratic year that Indiana could edge closer to being in play. Closer, not “in play,” but closer.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
*trial, not trail