Pence off the Fence
Terry Burns over at the Indianapolis Times is blogging this morning that Linda Pence is withdrawing her name from consideration for U.S. Attorney.
Pence tells the Times that the move came after very careful consideration, however there may be another side to this story.
I reported back in April that Pence’s bid for U.S. Attorney was in trouble because of an attempted coup to oust Dan Parker by Marion County Democratic Chairman Ed Treacy which failed miserably.
The story, which has apparently been circulating for weeks, is that Pence won’t be getting appointed to U.S. Attorney for the Southern District. The way the story goes, Pence has tied to Ed Tracey who reportedly backed Voorhies’efforts to oust Dan Parker as State Chairman. Voorhies backed out of the race when there was virtually no support for his candidacy.
And as you all know in politics, to the victor goes the spoils. Senator Evan Bayh apparently didn’t like the Parker challenge so any opportunity for Pence to be U.S. Attorney went out the window.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Your sources are quite correct. In fact, they're under-stated.
When the same party has the White House and a US Senator's seat, that senator's US Atty recommendation is usually solid gold. Obama is so actively courting Evan on multiple issues right now, that they've nearly become Tweeter buds. Obama will do nothing to risk Bayh's ire, particularly something like the US Atty's job. It's not worth it.
Also, Linda would have been forfetting a nice law partner's gig. In this town, at a major firm, that's still a silver-spoon lifestyle.
This is about Evan controlling the state party 100% through his re-election campaign next year.
The Vorheis challenge was really out of left field. Bob's a nice guy. He got used, big-time. But here's a thought: it's difficult to launch a state chairmanship bid via your spouse's down-ticket Marion County elected office. No coattails are that long, especially when you're bucking a two-tern senator and former two-term governor.
The highest-ranking statewide official of each party is the titular head of that party. The Parker challenge was a dierct slap at Bayh. He swatted it down.
Everyone lives to fight another day. And they will fight. Right through Evan's overwhelming re-election and the re-election of every Democratic Congressman in Indiana.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I think Linda Pence would have given up her law partner gig in a heartbeat to be U.S. Attorney. The other reasons are probably accurate though.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Abdul, you're way off on the Bayh angle. Pence was selected, was through the vetting process. Apparently the White House wants to get Hamilton confirmed to the 7th Circuit and announce the replacement District Court Judge, US Atty and US Marshall.
It's a shame, Pence is (still) the best choice for that office.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:36 am
So do you think Ed might reward Pence for her loyalty by pushing Terry Curry aside for Marion County Prosecutor? Pence has a lot more name recognition than Curry, and having a woman at the top of the ticket won't hurt.
I agree with Paul-a woman like Pence would have given up her partnership in an instant. The pay isn't too bad, the benefits even better, and it's a springboard to higher office, or an immediate partnership in another big firm the instant you leave. Plus, she is a born prosecutor. I can't imagine what she is doing now is particularly thrilling her.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:35 am
OK, James and Paul–name me one US attorney in Indiana who's propelled to higher elected office. Go ahead. I'll wait over—————————here.
Dick Stein thought about it in the 70s after Carter appoitned him USA for southern Indiana. Dick decided he couldn't win a higher office, and becmae a high-paid voicebox for Public Service Indiana.
Linda is finely qualified. That's not the point.
Now, the Curry-shove-aside angle is interesting. That might just work.
I can tell you this–the precinct folks, for the most part, don't give a hoot about the prosecutor's office. Build your own joke around that, but in our party, that's the truth.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I'm not sure any have had the political ambitiions, TA. Clearly Linda Pence has the ambitions and in other jurisidcitions being U.S. Attorney is a huge stepping stone to elected office.
I think TA though you're underestimating the drudgery of practicing law, even at the partnership level. To instead get a nice federal job, with a good salary and great benefits, not to mention the power associated with the office, yep she'd leave her practice to take that in a heartbeat as would most attorneys.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
TA,
Jim Thompson, former Governor of Illinois from 1976-1990 was U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. His claim to fame was putting a predecessor in jail. I love my home state.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Well, since you managed to shrink the pool by making me list only Hoosiers, that might be hard. Nothing in my comment said I was speaking only of those from Indiana. Several members of Congress are former US Attorneys, James Thompson as Abdul mentions, not to mention Guiliani.
Oh wait, how about William Hendricks, who was US Attorney under James Madison? No shouting about how long ago it, I did exactly what you asked.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
I think Pence would have been an excellent selection and she would have gone after corruption. Southern District? Where is Evan from? Oh. Sorry.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I really don't think there will be any reason to “shove aside” Curry. It's not like last time when the D's ran someone very underqualified for prosecutor. The D's should win that office easily next time around. I still say the Rs best shot will be for Sheriff, but even that will be an uphill climb.
Boy if the D PCs feel that way, then I feel really sorry for them. Marion County prosecutor is one of the most powerful offices in the state. In fact any county prosecutor has tremendous power under Indiana law. The decisions made by the prosecutor on whether to prosecute or not cannot be questioned by anyone. The Marion County prosecutor also has the power to prosecute state officials for misconduct. Not like that's actually happened under Brizzi.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
US Attorneys and higher “elected office”? perhaps not, but they sure do parlay it into nice gigs. Miller (Ind. court of Appeals), Young (Ind Court of Appeals), McCarty, Barker (Disctrict Ct) Tinder (7th circuit), Daniels, Brooks……just to name a few since 1968.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
“re-election of every Democratic Congressman in Indiana.”
Where do you buy the dope that you are smoking TA? and can I get some?
November 11th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I think Pence wants to get elected to something, relatively soon. No Indiana US attorney has been able to do that in the last 60 years. Hoosiers don't view the job as well as our neigboring states' residents do.
It is a plum job.
Paul, I'm not under-estimating the partnership track at good Indy firms. I am very familiar with one. A partner there just got notice that the next three retiring partners would not be replaced, and he'll see his partnership share increase by attrition. Of cours,e his potential liability increases, too…but that particular firm has cut costs jusidiciously (no pun intended).
My partner friend at that firm made about $300K last year. Times are tough. He thinks he's down 10% this year.
Sign me up. $270 large, and an ownership interest in a silver-spoon firm that increased by attrition. If you love the work, that's a bonus. My friend works 50 hour weeks, longer if there's a large trial coming up (he's a litigator…business layers live a different life, I'm told).
Pascal–the metro area is in the Southern US District in federla terms.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Isn't one of the incumbent Democrat Congressman involved in an investigation having to do with his ties to Murtha? There is another one with the Arrogance Award for Indiana, too. I'd think the R chances are looking better every day since so far, the D's have been a disaster and it's a bit thin to blame all their miscues on Bush.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Well, since you managed to shrink the pool by making me list only Hoosiers, that might be hard. Nothing in my comment said I was speaking only of those from Indiana. Several members of Congress are former US Attorneys, James Thompson as Abdul mentions, not to mention Guiliani.
Oh wait, how about William Hendricks, who was US Attorney under James Madison? No shouting about how long ago it, I did exactly what you asked.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I think Pence would have been an excellent selection and she would have gone after corruption. Southern District? Where is Evan from? Oh. Sorry.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I really don't think there will be any reason to “shove aside” Curry. It's not like last time when the D's ran someone very underqualified for prosecutor. The D's should win that office easily next time around. I still say the Rs best shot will be for Sheriff, but even that will be an uphill climb.
Boy if the D PCs feel that way, then I feel really sorry for them. Marion County prosecutor is one of the most powerful offices in the state. In fact any county prosecutor has tremendous power under Indiana law. The decisions made by the prosecutor on whether to prosecute or not cannot be questioned by anyone. The Marion County prosecutor also has the power to prosecute state officials for misconduct. Not like that's actually happened under Brizzi.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
US Attorneys and higher “elected office”? perhaps not, but they sure do parlay it into nice gigs. Miller (Ind. court of Appeals), Young (Ind Court of Appeals), McCarty, Barker (Disctrict Ct) Tinder (7th circuit), Daniels, Brooks……just to name a few since 1968.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
“re-election of every Democratic Congressman in Indiana.”
Where do you buy the dope that you are smoking TA? and can I get some?
November 12th, 2009 at 12:08 am
I think Pence wants to get elected to something, relatively soon. No Indiana US attorney has been able to do that in the last 60 years. Hoosiers don't view the job as well as our neigboring states' residents do.
It is a plum job.
Paul, I'm not under-estimating the partnership track at good Indy firms. I am very familiar with one. A partner there just got notice that the next three retiring partners would not be replaced, and he'll see his partnership share increase by attrition. Of cours,e his potential liability increases, too…but that particular firm has cut costs jusidiciously (no pun intended).
My partner friend at that firm made about $300K last year. Times are tough. He thinks he's down 10% this year.
Sign me up. $270 large, and an ownership interest in a silver-spoon firm that increased by attrition. If you love the work, that's a bonus. My friend works 50 hour weeks, longer if there's a large trial coming up (he's a litigator…business layers live a different life, I'm told).
Pascal–the metro area is in the Southern US District in federla terms.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Isn't one of the incumbent Democrat Congressman involved in an investigation having to do with his ties to Murtha? There is another one with the Arrogance Award for Indiana, too. I'd think the R chances are looking better every day since so far, the D's have been a disaster and it's a bit thin to blame all their miscues on Bush.