Sunday Morning Politics
Once again, I awake Sunday to lots of interesting political tidbits of gossip, rumor, innuendo, etc. etc. So please allow me to share. This information is a collection of what I garner from conversations and observations. And I always say, take it for what it’s worth.
Brizzi Battle
- Embattled Marion County Prosecutor took his case to the airwaves Saturday afternoon in an interview on WIBC radio. Brizzi repeated his argument that while he’s made mistakes, he’s done nothing illegal and plans to finish his term. While I agree he may have done nothing illegal, the bigger issue is whether the perpetual stream of bad press is starting to effect cases tried by the office? My early estimate is probably. I am hearing that in some cases where defendants have been found not guilty, jurors reached that conclusion, in part, because they didn’t trust the deputy prosecutor because of the bad press. If more of this continues, Brizzi may have to reconsider his position.
Senate Stuff
- There were a couple noteworthy events in the Republican race for the U.S. Senate. Don Bates, Jr. called out Marlin Stutzman on fund raising. He says Stutzman’s fundraising reports don’t match what he’s been saying publicly. He says Stutzman’s claim that he raised $125,000 and had $50,000 in the bank was not true. But that really only raised $75,000 in the first quarter and only had $14,000 on hand. I got an e-mail with this same information in it from another political campaign a couple days before Bates’ announcement.
- Speaking of Senate, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is encouraging the candidates to play nice in this last week of campaigning. It would be nice if people would listen.
7th District Stretch
- I was wondering when I was going to get the most draw dropping quote of a political campaign in any area race and I finally did Saturday night. I moderated a debate between the Republican candidates for the 7th Congressional District. The “I Can’t Believe You Said That With a Straight Face” award went to Wayne Harmon. In his closing statement Harmon said one of the reasons he could beat incumbent Andre Carson in the fall was because “I’m a Christian and he’s a whatever.”
Attack of the Slate
- Expect the Marion County Democrat and Republican parties this week to step up their efforts to promote their slated candidates. The Democrats may really want to kick their efforts into high gear, I was having a conversation several citizens who are not active in party politics and none of them could name who the candidates for Prosecutor were. On the Republican race for Sheriff, I’m hearing while Bart McAtee has dominated the air war, Dennis Fishburn is ahead in the ground game with phone calls and identifying likely Republican voters for the May 4th primary.
Parties Party
- The Libertarian Party of Indiana may be seeing a benefit from this years anti-incumbent mood. The LPIN had record attendance at their state convention this weekend with candidates running for offices from all over the state. Some are really polished and some not so much, however more people involved and more competitive races are always good for the process.
- Speaking of party, I did some political satire at the Washington Township GOP club Lincoln Day Dinner this past Friday. Just about everyone in Marion County who was running for something was there. I jokingly said it would easier introduce the candidates by asking the people in the room who were not running for something to stand up and be recognized. And just so you know, my satire was the Bob Newhart Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Avenue bit. It went over quite well. I’m still waiting for my agent to book me at a Jefferson-Jackson dinner. Of course with my luck it would a Jefferson Davis-Stonewall Jackson dinner.
Vote Tally
- And speaking of voting, the Marion County Clerk’s Office is reporting ore than 4,000 residents have voted by mail and about 650 people have come into the office and voted early.
That’s all for today. Enjoy your Sunday.
