Time will tell if the public will accept it. This may not be over yet, but, again: if the Dems can accomplish the task of nominating someone, without splitting their party open, they'll win. It's pretty simple math. If the GOP were completely united and enthusiastic, their base only gets to 43-46%.

If Ballard had been even mediocre up until now, this might be more difficult for the Democrats. Alas, he's been pretty damned miserable.

I do';t think Ballard had any intention of being this inept. He had a lot going for him in Jan. 2008. But he's learned this fine art too soon and too well: listening to the wrong people. Peterson had the same disease late in his second term, and it cost him dearly.

With most government CEOs (mayor, governor, even president), it's only a matter of time until the handlers circle the wagons to protect their interests. The true test of a good govt. CEO, is how often (s)he opens that palace door, and how wide, and for how long.

THe folks who are controlling Ballard's palace door are an ugly mix of the typical (B&T, et al), and the unlikely (Olgen Williams, Nick Webber). It's the unlikely ones who scare me more. I know where the B&Ts of the world are going: slanted advice that lines their pockets.

Inept folks like Olgen only cloud the mayor's vision and goals. When you empower that kind of nonsense, Lord only knows what can happen.

Time will tell if the public will accept it. This may not be over yet, but, again: if the Dems can accomplish the task of nominating someone, without splitting their party open, they'll win. It's pretty simple math. If the GOP were completely united and enthusiastic, their base only gets to 43-46%.

If Ballard had been even mediocre up until now, this might be more difficult for the Democrats. Alas, he's been pretty damned miserable.

I do';t think Ballard had any intention of being this inept. He had a lot going for him in Jan. 2008. But he's learned this fine art too soon and too well: listening to the wrong people. Peterson had the same disease late in his second term, and it cost him dearly.

With most government CEOs (mayor, governor, even president), it's only a matter of time until the handlers circle the wagons to protect their interests. The true test of a good govt. CEO, is how often (s)he opens that palace door, and how wide, and for how long.

THe folks who are controlling Ballard's palace door are an ugly mix of the typical (B&T, et al), and the unlikely (Olgen Williams, Nick Webber). It's the unlikely ones who scare me more. I know where the B&Ts of the world are going: slanted advice that lines their pockets.

Inept folks like Olgen only cloud the mayor's vision and goals. When you empower that kind of nonsense, Lord only knows what can happen.

Ballard's been a joke. He has nothing to tout. No record of any sort. His lack of knowledge of the simplest little facts is embarassing and is on display at any one of the farces called “Mayor's Night Outs”. If the Democrats can't make a case as to why Melina Kennedy should be Mayor over Ballard, then there are serious issues.

I will say that Ballard has money now, and he still has time to spray air freshener over his odorous dung heap he likes to call balanced budgets and leadership.

And let's not forget the Mayor made permanent the .65% COIT property tax increase.

The Mayor is in support of giving the Pacers $15 million more per year, he is in support of that political insider development deal at east market, he is in support of the Wishard referendum which will mean more property taxes for Marion County residents. Mayor Ballard was in support of raising several taxes to bail out the CIB and never once asked the CIB to do any sort of reform for the money.

At every opportunity, Mayor Ballard has abandoned an ethics agenda and appointed self-interested people to run things. I think he has broken every campaign promise he has ever made. To say Mayor Ballard has been a disaster would be a charitable description. He sold out every Republican reformer who has supporte dhim.