My Dinner with Democrats
I attended the Indiana State Democrat Annual Dinner last night, much to the surprise of a few folks. U.S. House Majority Steny Hoyer was the keynote speaker and the crowd was very receptive to the usual cast of characters, Bart Peterson, Pat Bauer, Julia Carson, Evan Bayh, etc. Also getting warm regards were new Congressmen Joe Donnelly and Brad Ellsworth and returning Congressman Baron Hill.
As I sat down to eat one of the people at the tabled asked me why was I there? I said to see if I could get a free meal from the Democrats like I did the Republicans. They wondered how I could do that, insinuating that I don’t like them. That is so far from the truth. Fundamentally, I like everybody. I have very good relationships with members of all three parties, there are women in all three parties I wouldn’t mind dating and there are people in all three parties that I can’t stand.
I give my Democratic friends grief in Marion County not because they’re Democrats, but because they’re in charge and this County’s crucial problems are happening on their watch. If the GOP were running things, I’d be all over them. My criticism isn’t so much about party, but position. And Democrats are in the top position in Indianapolis. And I reminded my Democratic friends that with my criticism there are three things they can never say: I’m not fair, don’t do my homework, nor am I wrong.
