Rokita sets off remote AG battle - Howey Politics
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
V25, N35 Thursday, May 21, 2020
Rokita sets off remote AG battle
decision to suspend Hill for 30
How the four-way days brought him into the race.
GOP convention race “I’m the only one in this race
that has won twice statewide.
could play out in June I’m tested,” Rokita said. “The
others have to promise what
By BRIAN A. HOWEY they’re going to do in office. I
INDIANAPOLIS – The worst have a record.”
kept secret in Indiana politics finally Rokita brings the field
came out Wednesday: Todd Rokita is to four, joining Hill, Decatur
running for attorney general. County Prosecutor Nathan Har-
“I can bring certainty in uncer- ter, and Zionsville attorney John
tain times,” Rokita said after he filed on Westercamp. It will play out
the final day to much differently than Rokita’s
qualify for the break-through four-ballot 2002
virtual conven- convention win for secretary of
tion that will state, or Hill’s defeat of former
occur in WISH- attorney general Steve Carter,
TV studios on State Sen. Randy Head and
June 18 and Abby Kuzma over three ballots
broadcast statewide. That comes the in 2016.
day after Attorney General Curtis Hill Those fights came dur-
returns from his 30-day suspension over ing a physical convention with
sexual harassment allegations. the ebb and flow that included
Rokita said he waited “out of re- Continued on page 3
spect” for the incumbent, but the Indiana Supreme Court’s
Pandemic campaigning
By BRIAN A. HOWEY
INDIANAPOLIS — Beth Henderson has been cam-
paigning in the 5th CD with her two Belgian draft horses,
driving into neighborhoods to show them off. Kelly Mitchell
had a Zoom fundraiser with former Indianapolis mayor “We’ve earned the ability to
Greg Ballard. In three batches last week, the two dozen
5th CD candidates appeared on a TownHall.org virtual continue to move forward. The
meeting. No. 1 thing you can do is wear a
Up in the 1st CD, Frank
Mrvan is using Facebook showing mask when you’re around a lot
U.S. Rep Pete Visclosky endors-
ing him, while Hammond Mayor
of other people.”
Thomas McDermott, Jr., posted - Gov. Eric Holcomb, announcing
video of Lake County Sheriff Oscar
Martinez delivering campaign yard that Stage 3 of his Back on
signs on his behalf. Track pandemic reopening
This is the stark, blunt
reality of COVID pandemic era plan will begin on Friday.
Page 2
politics. If you were counting on an like it could be more on the voting
extensive door-to-door campaign and as opposed to campaign side with
leaving literature on a doorknob for the strong push(es) nationally and
the past two months, the plans you locally by the Democrats especially
settled on during that January kitchen to vote by mail. I think Sec. Law-
table meeting with your consultant son has done a good job making
Howey Politics Indiana have gone askew. accommodations this spring in an
WWWHowey Media, LLC “There’s no ground game, unprecedented time. But I don’t see
c/o Business Office which normally helps you gauge per- our campaigns losing that personal
ceptions,” explained Democratic media touch after this. I think we’ve seen
PO Box 6553
consultant Dave Galvin, CEO of Colfax technology step in to help (i.e. Zoom
Kokomo, IN, 46904 Communications. “Campaigns
www.howeypolitics.com have to be more creative and it
makes it more expensive. There’s
Brian A. Howey, Publisher a lot more that has to happen
behind the scenes for a candidate
Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington
to interact with the public and it’s
Mary Lou Howey, Editor not easy.”
Susan E. Joiner, Editor With the primary delayed
to June 2 and both the Indi-
ana Democratic and Republican
Subscriptions conventions opting for a virtual
HPI, HPI Daily Wire $599
format, it will be at least mid-
HPI Weekly, $350
summer and more likely after
Lisa Hounchell, Account Manager
the November election before we
(765) 452-3936 telephone
know if and how the coronavirus
(765) 452-3973 fax
pandemic will change American
HPI.Business.Office@howeypolitics.com
politics in a permanent way.
Not only has door-to-door
Contact HPI campaigning screeched to a halt,
bhowey2@gmail.com the mingling campaign fundrais-
ing has been suspended, and more A masked Frank Mrvan campaigns in
Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883
Hoosiers will vote by mail since the 1st CD.
Washington: 202.256.5822 Gov. Eric Holcomb, Secretary of
Business Office: 765.452.3936 State Connie Lawson and Indiana meetings) but I don’t think, when
Republicans and Democrats opted for the dust settles and this passes, that
© 2020, Howey Politics an expanded mail-by-vote system. we’ll stop our voter-to-voter contact,
The GOP attorney general race will be either door-to-door, town halls, or
Indiana. All rights reserved.
conducted via a delegate vote-by-mail one-on-one meetings.”
Photocopying, Internet forward- format. Galvin noted that there
ing, faxing or reproducing in any “A wildcard in this and all have been more union endorsements
form, whole or part, is a violation other primaries is turnout and the this year than in past Democratic
of federal law without permission impact of the non-traditional primary primaries since in-person contact and
voters,” said Matt Zapfe, executive fundraising have become much more
from the publisher.
director of the Indiana Senate Major- difficult. “There’s been a lot more
ity Campaign. “As of May 4, ap- labor money coming in the attorney
Jack E. Howey proximately 15% of all GOP ab ballots general’s race between Sen. Tal-
editor emeritus requested statewide were from folks lian and Mayor Weinzapfel, as well
1926-2019 who had never voted in a GOP pri- as Mrvan and McDermott,” he said.
mary before.” “Candidates are spending a lot of
Last week, Indiana Republican time on the phone. There have been
Chairman Kyle Hupfer was asked what no events and campaigns have been
the long-range impact might be. “I doing online events, getting used to
think it’s too early to tell on politics,” Zoom and Facebook, but the audi-
he said. ences are small and there’s been a
Zapfe added, “If there is to ton of glitches.”
be a more lasting impact, it seems Campaigns are also turning
Page 3
to geo fencing and IP targeting. In the GOP attorney gen- aggregate campaign spending will change in two major
eral race, Zionsville attorney John Westercamp has been ways: Shifts in media consumption habits during the quar-
turning up on an array of national publications (Wall Street antine will likely guide campaign spending more toward
Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, New Yorker) digital; and President Donald Trump may spend less than
because this writer has voted in past Republican primaries. expected due to extensive media coverage and challenges
Galvin hasn’t seen the Westercamp ads, but has with messaging.”
been seeing ads from 5th CD Democrat Christina Hale. “In On Carnahan’s first point, he writes, “The pan-
my ad tech world, there are campaigns which did not think demic has shut down traditional canvassing and outreach
they would be doing IP and geo target- efforts for both campaigns, and thereby
ing,” Galvin explained. “IP identifies your weakened the efficacy of out-of-home ad-
digital or virtual address and it’s way more vertisements, radio, town halls, and public
accurate.” rallies. Moreover, people are spending
“Such targeting began with Barack significantly more time on social media
Obama’s breakthrough 2008 presidential and with streaming services for news and
campaign and it’s now available to legisla- entertainment. The resulting impact will
tive and school referendum campaigns,” Galvin said. “Just likely lead campaigns and other politically-affiliated groups
in IP targeting, my business has increased by over 100%. like PACs to shift an even greater share of campaign
They’ll spend funds on ad deployments. In that sense budgets to social media and search advertisements – and
COVID has changed campaigns forever.” possibly even CTV ads.”
Unlike direct mail, IP and geo targeting gives Cam Carter, a communications strategist and the
campaigns feedback on who accesses the ad. “Unless former president of Tech Point, observed that micro-target-
there’s a call to action, you can send 10,000 pieces of di- ing could have dangerous implications for society. “We’ve
rect mail and won’t know that only 3,000 people looked at moved away from targeting consumers to a market of one.
it. But on Facebook, you get feedback, constant feedback. I can talk to a voter directly,” Carter said. “I know what
It educates you on what message works best.” makes you tick. So I can disaggregate you from others.
“The digital side is a big deal,” said Galvin, who By making my message to you different than from anyone
helped Glenda Ritz upset Supt. Tony Bennett in 2012 with else, we can strengthen bonds between tribe versus tribe.
a social media campaign. “We are now able to insert ads “The whole point of politics is governance; the
into devices, into TV sets. It’s a little cheaper than cable exchange of views with people of different viewpoints,”
buys. We reach the cord cutters. We can insert commer- Carter continued. “If all the tribes want to do is attack and
cials into programs. Cable is still being used, but that’s not work through our differences, if we can’t use social
going to change.” platforms to talk to each other, then we’re doomed.”
“Every community is different,” Galvin continued. Zapfe said that COVID has actually underscored
“IP targeting has been as high as 82% match. But in rural some more traditional methods. “For instance, our tele-
areas, you might only get to 35%. We used to be able to phone connect rates have been higher as folks are home
synchronize with canvassing, but this year that’s all gone.” and answering the phone.” Hupfer told HPI last week,
“So, too, will political ads on network television “We’ve had a lot of success making phone calls to people.
affiliates, unless you’re running a statewide campaign or in They’ve been very receptive. A lot of people are just happy
a large congressional district.” to hear from someone and happy to have the conversa-
Business Insider reporter Daniel Carnahan ob- tion. We’ve encouraged our staff to call voters across the
served: “If the pandemic continues through the summer, state and have conversations with them.” v
Attorney general, from page 1 tee caucus for governor. In that race, Eric Holcomb wound
up with 11 first-ballot votes, U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks had
nomination speeches and floor strategies. This one will nine and Rokita had two votes, with informed and reliable
play out over the next four weeks via phone calls, texts, sources telling HPI that Dan Dumezich and Dan Dernulc
emails and glitchy Zoom conferences. There will be intense backed the congressman. On the second ballot, Dumezich
delegate battles that are playing out in places like Hamil- switched to Holcomb, securing the nomination in unprec-
ton County, where elected officials are endorsing specific edented fashion.
delegates, an indicator of heightened interest. The key figures behind Holcomb’s win were Barnes
Instead of an organic mix of shifting support & Thornburg managing partners Bob Grand and Brian
between ballots, the 1,700 delegates will have filled out Burdick. Grand has been instrumental in a number of
ballots due on July 9 that will designate first-ballot votes critical decisions for Indiana Republicans for the first two
along with second and third choices. decades of this century. Grand formed the Phoenix Group
In addition to his 2002 convention win, Rokita that wrestled control of the GOP to Jim Kittle, setting the
finished third in the July 2016 Republican Central Commit- stage for Mitch Daniels to win the governorship in 2004.
Page 4
He backed and led Rokita’s floor fight in 2002. He helped unanswered, there is no further action on my part.”
clear Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman out of the 2012 gubernatorial Sources close to the governor have told HPI that
race which set the stage for U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, and a he is unlikely to make a specific endorsement.
potential Daniels presidential run. Harter has the backing of Clark County Sheriff Ja-
Grand helped engineer Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann’s mie Noel, who chairs Gov. Holcomb’s reelection campaign.
resignation and Ivy Tech landing spot in 2016, and sources Harter is expected to run strong in the urban counties of
say he backed Holcomb, then running third in money and Marion, Hamilton and Lake.
polls in the 2016 U.S. Senate race, for lieutenant governor.
And with Gov. Pence’s campaign funds tied up, Social conservatives and Hill
convinced the future vice president to back Holcomb, who Hill appears to be a rallying point for social con-
won on the second ballot. servatives who bristled when Holcomb announced in 2016,
As HPI reported in the July 28, 2016, edition: “I’m not Mike Pence,” and have viewed his pandemic shut-
“Holcomb ended up with the support of the financial tan- down as going too far. One informed and reliable source
dem of Grand and Dan Dumezich. As Brooks gained mo- put their numbers of delegates in the 20% range. Hill is
mentum late last week – something Grand says didn’t hap- backed by Curt Smith (whose IBJ column excerpted on
pen – sources say that Grand helped orchestrate a series page 18 praised Holcomb on the pandemic), Micah Clark,
of endorsements that included Pence, Sen. Dan Coats and Monica Boyer and Don Bates Jr.
National Committeewoman Marsha Coats, National Com- Bates posted on Facebook on May 12: “I was
mitteeman John Hammond III, former chairman Jim Kittle attacked for being a conservative Christian and yet still
and others who positioned Holcomb for the nomination. supporting Attorney General Curtis Hill. The comment was
The Holcomb camp consistently claimed enough support made that I must support people being in bars at 3 a.m.
for a first-ballot win, but ultimately couldn’t get over the No, I don’t. But neither do I support our legislature making
top during the first round. On the second ballot, sources booze more readily available and our governor wanting
believe that Dumezich switched his vote from Rokita to to be first in line to buy the first six-pack sold on Sunday.
Holcomb, giving him additional mojo in the emerging Nor do I support our legislature making gambling more
Holcomb universe. Not forgotten was Brooks’ primary vic- readily accessible and, again, our governor wanting to be
tory in 2012 over Dumezich ally David McIntosh, who now the first to buy a ticket. Nor do I support our government
heads Club For Growth.” being able to define via executive order what is essential
So Grand enters this sequence, once again, as a and what is not, and therefore shuttering church buildings
potential kingmaker. He did not respond to HPI’s question around the state when Walmart, Lowes, and Menards are
as to whom he is supporting in June. packed to the max.”
Gov. Holcomb, who was denied on a motion to Some social conservatives told HPI that the June
clarify and intervene on Hill’s 30-day suspension by the showdown isn’t about his personal behavior, noting the
Supreme Court on Monday, has sought Hill’s resignation way allegations made against former Speaker Brian Bosma
and was poised to select his replacement. “With the Su- have been handled differently than those of Attorney
preme Court’s decision to suspend the attorney general for General Hill. Most social conservatives have also been will-
30 days, my judicial inquiry was to, one, determine if that ing to over look the behavior of President Trump, who has
suspension created a vacancy and, two, if so, what was faced more than two dozen allegations of sexual harass-
my constitutional and statutory responsibility to fill that ment and assault, and Holcomb, Crouch and Sens. Todd
vacancy,” Holcomb said. “With those two questions left Young and Mike Braun readily appear with him despite
Page 5
vows of “zero tolerance” of such behavior in state govern- told the NWI Times. Rokita’s pitch to social conservatives
ment. goes beyond his electability. “No other candidate has a
There is also an attitude of Hoosiers “not being multi-office proven record of standing behind our God-
told what to do” at play. In 1996, gubernatorial nomi- given rights. I am A-rated in defending our Constitution’s
nee Stephen Goldsmith recognized that dynamic and let 2nd Amendment, and I have a 100% proven voting record
delegates choose his LG nominee, who turned out to be of defending the right to life, no exceptions.”
social conservative newspaper publisher George Witwer Jr. But some social conservatives are defiant and
In 2008, delegates rebuked Gov. Mitch Daniels would rather renominate Hill despite his vulnerabilities in
over his backing of Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas for at- a November showdown with either Democrat, State Sen.
torney general, choosing instead Greg Zoeller. That Daniels Karen Tallian or former Evansville mayor Jonathan Weinza-
was a popular governor on his way to a landslide win that pfel.
November even as Barack Obama carried the state’s 11 As one influential observer explained, “My personal
Electoral College votes did not matter. opinion, without much evidence, is that Hill will lose by a
Gov. Holcomb, as a student of history and former decisive margin in a remote convention because it minimiz-
GOP chair himself, recognizes these forces at play. Thus, es his strengths and maximizes his weaknesses. That, and
we’d be shocked if he actively waded into this 2020 hor- there seem to be minimal disputes about the facts of his
nets’ nest. case at this point. His apology is there but it was not the
first image people have of the situation. In other words,
The 2024 proxy element in addition to the power of the governor and most top of-
The other aspect of this race will be the 2024 ficials in the party, the personal error and initially defiant
gubernatorial race. Both Hill and Rokita are expected to response of the AG cannot most likely be overcome. Plus,
run should they win the AG’s office this year. Also expected and this is a more subtle point, Hill’s supporters are pub-
to run will be Lt. Gov. Suzanne
Crouch, U.S. Rep. Jim Banks and
Health & Human Services Secretary
Alex Azar.
Thus, 2020 could become
a proxy of sorts for 2024 if Hol-
comb and his allies cannot solidly
defeat Hill in June. If Hill were to
lose narrowly, it could set the stage
for a firestorm. One influential Re-
publican told HPI: “There is a fair
amount of feeling that going to this
type of convention was designed
to defeat (Hill) and maintain control. Even remotely, more licly louder. The quietness is rather deafening from most
interaction could have been allowed. I would watch closely delegates. That said, Curtis has spent his entire political life
if there is proxy voting (i.e. alternate delegates) con- being underestimated.”
trolled by the big counties and if those votes are dominant When Rokita was secretary of state, his reappor-
against Hill, which would potentially ignite another fire- tionment plan of creating compact legislative districts and
storm if the result is close.” nesting House districts into Senate districts was not viewed
kindly by Senate GOP leadership and the Daniels adminis-
Different scenarios tration. It’s one of the reasons the GOP power apparatus
Multiple GOP sources break down the race like chose Holcomb over Rokita and Brooks (her husband, Da-
this: Hill and Rokita are expected to run strong on the vid Brooks, was seen as a potential loose cannon) in 2016.
first ballot, but neither with enough support to secure the Rokita can claim vindication that the contours of
nomination. They see Westercamp is the most likely to exit his reapportionment plan became, indeed, the new reality
after the first ballot. in 2011 and throughout this decade. That resulted in no
Rokita is likely to pick up support on second-choice congressional seats changing parties in four elections thus
support on the second ballot. Former Howard County far (for the first time in history, unless Democrat Christina
Republican chairman Craig Dunn told HPI, “He’s run state- Hale can capture the 5th CD in November) as well as super
wide before and he’ll know most of the delegates and he majorities in the Indiana House and Senate.
offers an acceptable choice to Hill voters who might be So it will be fascinating to see if the prevailing GOP
inclined to support someone else.” establishment will view Rokita as a necessary block to At-
“The unanimous Supreme Court ruling, by Republi- torney General Hill’s thirst for power. v
can-appointed and conservative justices, after a significant
investigation of the facts made this choice clear,” Rokita Republican Convention Horse Race Status: Tossup.
Page 6
Pandemic creates
The most conspicuous example of a campaign up-
ended by the pandemic is that of presumptive Democratic
presidential nominee Joe Biden who has been campaign-
a technological thrust ing the past two-plus months from the basement of his
Delaware home. Biden’s virtual campaign – harkening back
to the days when presidential candidates like Benjamin
By CHRIS SAUTTER
Harrison and Warren G. Harding never strayed from their
WASHINGTON — Shelli Yoder, Indiana State Sen-
front porches – has received criticism from fellow Demo-
ate candidate and former Monroe County Council member,
crats though mostly prompted by the contrast with Presi-
is a charismatic campaigner who has the ability to both en-
dent Trump who appears on television daily, visibility that
ergize a crowd and connect at one-on-one interaction. Her
hasn’t necessarily helped him. But the greater concern
style and personality are perfect for old-fashioned retail
among Democrats is that the Trump campaign is signifi-
politics.
cantly ahead of Biden’s in terms of digital organization and
“But this pandemic has forced all of us to re-think
strategy.
what is and is not vital,” Yoder said in an e-mail exchange
Campaigning techniques develop over time
about her current Indiana Senate
even as major events accelerate their evolution. Dwight
campaign. “Though we’ve can-
Eisenhower used television effectively during his two presi-
celled all in-person activities, our
dential campaigns in 1952 and 1956 although the spots
campaign has continued to work
themselves were rather primitive. But it wasn’t until John
hard to have meaningful interac-
F. Kennedy’s campaign put JFK’s telegenic look into the
tion in Monroe County. We’ve
living rooms of millions of voters in 1960 that campaigns
shifted to phone banks, Zoom ral-
were said to have entered the television era. In 2020
lies, Facebook Live town halls with
candidates are learning that technology allows them to be
local leaders and letter writing.”
in multiple living rooms for town hall meetings rather than
COVID-19 is changing
having to worry about low attendance and sparse media
how political campaigns and vot-
coverage of such events. Campaigns are likely to continue
ing are being conducted, casting
using virtual town halls and fundraisers even after the
aside the traditional methods of
coronavirus is under control because they have proven to
voter contact while making way for newer techniques. The
be effective.
days of knocking on doors and delivering a message di-
The greatest challenge for Democrats is building
rectly to voters or physically helping voters get to the polls
a voter turnout operation that generates votes from more
are on hold in these times of social distancing. Instead, it
casual voters, especially in urban areas.
has forced campaigns to rely almost totally on
Turnout in the critical cities of Detroit, Mil-
digital means of communication and organiza-
waukee and Philadelphia was down in 2016
tion, some more creative than others. Field
costing Hillary Clinton an Electoral College
directors are working from home conducting
victory, in the minds of many observers.
on-line outreach rather than organizing coffee
The pandemic will make the effort more
meetings and rallies. One New York 1st District
challenging than ever as group activities
congressional candidate, Democrat Bridget
such as “souls to the polls” and buses to
Fleming, has been hosting regular coronavirus
early voting sites will not be available.
briefings on Facebook in the manner of Gov.
The pandemic is also changing the way
Andrew Cuomo.
we vote. Some states that usually reserve
Some Democrats give credit to their
absentee voting for the elderly, disabled or
digital operation for the stunning upset vic-
for special circumstances have been forced
tory in the State Supreme Court (SCOWIS)
to make it available to everyone for pri-
race during last month’s Wisconsin presidential
maries. Yet, President Trump’s attacks on
primary. Republicans had been so afraid of the Shelli Yoder campaigns
vote-by-mail have caused many Republican
usually high presidential primary turnout that for the 9th CD in 2016.
lawmakers, executives, and party leaders to
they tried to separate it from the SCOWIS elec-
back off of their previous endorsements of
tion. Democrats, for their part, had been counting on a
mail voting for the general election.
hotly contested Wisconsin presidential primary to generate
Indiana, as one of 16 states that still requires an
high Democratic turnout for their Supreme Court candi-
excuse to vote absentee (except for the June 2 primary),
date. Instead, the pandemic triggered an all-out legal bat-
is in the bottom third of states whose voters utilize mail
tle resulting in partisan court decisions that forced many
voting. The state’s election board has allowed concern
voters to risk their health in order to vote. Nonetheless,
about the coronavirus to be a valid excuse to request an
Democrats, capitalizing on voter anger over the insensitive
absentee ballot for the June 2 primary. However, Indiana,
court rulings, were able to generate a large turnout.
like most states that require an excuse, has yet to deter-
Page 7
mine whether expanded vote-by-mail will be permitted for without an excuse.
the general election. Expanding vote-by-mail for November’s general
Four states – Washington, Oregon, Colorado, election will likely boost its popularity as it is the fair-
and Hawaii – conduct all of their elections through mail-in est, safest and easiest way to cast a ballot. In addition, if
votes. Four more states – Wyoming, Utah, Montana, and Democrats win control of the White House and the Sen-
Alaska – have joined them in conducting their presidential ate – admittedly a big “if” – a required vote-by-mail option
primaries exclusively through vote-by-mail. In New Jersey, will almost certainly pass the Congress in 2021 just as
all registered Democratic and Republican voters are being Congress passed the “motor voter” bill in 1993 after Bill
sent a postage-paid vote-by-mail ballot for the June 2 Clinton’s election. That will make mail voting the most
primary. All unaffiliated and inactive voters are receiving lasting legacy of the coronavirus pandemic on U.S. politics.
a vote-by-mail application. Other states that conducted But, on-line voting while continuing to be discussed will
vote-by-mail primaries, like Nebraska and Ohio, allowed not likely be adopted anywhere so long as serious security
people with disabilities or without a permanent home ad- issues remain.
dress to vote in person. In the end, campaign fundamentals will re-
Election experts have urged Congress to mandate main the same. The four pillars of a campaign – message,
that every state make it easier to vote by mail and provide money, organization, and a quality candidate – will remain
funding for it, and have asked state governments to take the most important factors determining the outcome of an
immediate action to expand access to mail voting if Con- election. And, when the coronavirus is finally conquered,
gress won’t. The ideal approach would be to eliminate the person-to-person contact will once again be an essential
requirement that voters have an excuse for not voting in part of every campaign. v
person, especially during a pandemic. The six states that
are likely to decide the Electoral College winner – Arizona, Sautter is a Democratic media consultant based in
Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wis- Washington, D.C.
consin – all allow voters to obtain and cast a ballot by mail
Page 8
Poll shows Spartz with
proven record of delivering results for Hoosier families,”
said campaign manager Joann Saridakis. “She’ll bring that
experience to Washington, where she’ll fight for access to
lead; high name ID affordable health care and expanded economic opportuni-
ties so no Hoosier is left behind.” – Democratic Primary
By BRIAN A. HOWEY Horse Race Status: Safe Hale; Republican Primary
CARMEL – Club For Growth released a 5th CD poll Horse Race Status: Tossup.
showing its endorsed candidate, State Sen. Victoria Spartz,
with a double-digit lead. 1st CD: Visclosky video for Mrvan
The survey, with 409 respondents, had Spartz Democrat Frank Mrvan touted a video endorse-
with 32%, Carl Brizzi at 14%, ment from retiring U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky. “Frank is
Beth Henderson at 13%, Micah certainly positioned to excel as a member of Congress,”
Beckwith at 8%, Kelly Mitchell at Visclosky says in a video posted on Facebook. “He is an
5% and Chuck Dietzen at 3%. empathetic listener who wants to leave the world a better
The undecideds were at 21%, place and help every individual and family he encounters.”
and 10% were supporting another Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott has been
candidate. endorsed by Teamsters Local 142. “Thrilled to announce
The poll reveals the three frontrunners are the another endorsement from Northwest Indiana’s unions – I
ones who have mounted TV ads thus far. The poll was have been formally endorsed by Teamsters Local 142,”
conducted May 11-13 and has a margin of error of +/- McDermott announced on Facebook. “It is an honor to be
4.9%. The pollster was not revealed. endorsed by the Teamsters, whose members have been
What makes the veracity of this poll doubtful is performing essential work during this crisis. I will continue
the name ID showing Spartz with 76% name recognition, to be a strong advocate for organized labor in Congress
Brizzi at 74% and Henderson at 57%. Brizzi at 74% is and am grateful to have the Teamsters’ endorsement.”
believable because he served as Marion County prosecutor
for eight years. But Spartz, who won her state Senate seat PAC spends $100k to boost Reardon
via caucus and has yet to be on a primary ballot, hasn’t State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster,
spent nearly the kind of money to buy enough TV gross is getting another big money assist in her 1st CD bid (AP).
rating points to attain 76% name ID, even with a signifi- The Seattle-based Voter Protection Project announced
cant social media presence. Henderson at 57% name ID is Monday it’s spending “six figures,” or at least $100,000,
also a stretch. to create and send three different mailers to some 83,000
The Indiana Family Association published a list likely primary voters in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties
the 5th CD field on the ideological spectrum. It rated Rev. ahead of the June 2 election. The nation’s largest politi-
Micah Beckwith as “very conservative,” the only candidate cal action committee focused on voting rights said it’s
to achieve that score. It rated Brizzi as a “moderate,” Hen- highlighting Candelaria Reardon’s efforts to hold President
derson and Treasurer Mitchell as “somewhat conservative,” Donald Trump accountable, in contrast to Democratic
Sen. Spartz as “conservative,” and Dr. Dietzen and Kent Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., who initially did
Abernathy under the “insufficient information” category. not support the 2019 House impeachment inquiry. “For-
Brizzi described his reaction to President Trump mer Republican Tom McDermott opposed Donald Trump’s
saying on Monday that he’s taking hydroxychloroquine as impeachment and has actively worked to make voting
a “glitch in the matrix moment.” In a Facebook posting inaccessible for Hoosiers,” VPP President Matt Liebman
Monday, Brizzi explained, “President Trump just told the said. VPP is the second PAC sending mailers on behalf of
press 10 mins ago that he’s taking hydroxychloroquine and Candelaria Reardon. Bold PAC, a super PAC affiliated with
zinc for preventive reasons only ... meaning he’s not taking the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, also has sent post-
it because he’s symptomatic or tested positive for corona- cards backing the six-term state lawmaker to some 64,000
virus, but as a prophylactic. The second the press confer- Region households. Democratic Primary Horse Race
ence ends, FOX news shifts to the medical ‘experts’ who Status: Likely McDermott.
say ‘Absolutely DO NOT DO what the president is doing.
Instead, wait for the development of this amazing ‘vac- Governor
cine’ which we will have very soon.’ We live in interesting
times.” NW Trades Council endorses Holcomb
5th CD Democrat Christina Hale released her first The Northwestern Indiana Building and Construc-
television ad of the 2020 cycle. The positive spot highlights tion Trades Council has unanimously endorsed Republican
her record of reaching across the aisle to solve problems Gov. Eric Holcomb for his reelection bid, Randy Palmateer
and get things done for Hoosier families. It begins run- announced. “This is the first time in the history of the
ning today through the June 2 primary. “Christina has a council that a Republican governor has been endorsed,”
Page 9
said Palmateer, business manager. “On behalf of the 30 than I’ve ever ran before. “There are people that want to
affiliates and more than 35,000 highly trained, hard- control every facet of our lives, and we’re seeing it now,
working, union men and women of the Northwest Indiana but they’re destroying the economy.”
Building and Construction Trades Council thank you for Gormong said he feels state government is get-
everything you do for the construction industry.” ting done as much as it should for rural Indiana and feels
Meanwhile, presumptive Democratic nominee he would be best to represent the needs of District 45.
Woody Myers was endorsed by Indiana House Minority “We’ve been dealing with school issues and teacher issues
Leader Phil GiaQuinta, former congressman Lee Hamilton for a long time,” Gormong said. “We can argue about
and the United Steelworkers. teacher pay and blame anyone we want for the issues, but
Myers tweeted on Thursday that he supports the reality is that we’re not replacing our retired teachers
“sensitivity training” for legislators following State Rep. with anyone new, and there aren’t enough people wanting
Jim Lucas’s meme. Myers tweeted: “Rep. Jim Lucas, an IN to go into the profession.” Republican Primary Horse Race
elected official, used a picture of dancing African children Status: Safe Borders.
to create a racist meme on social media. I support efforts
by State Senate Democrats to bring bias and racial sensi- Biden leads by 11% in Quinnipiac Poll
tivity training to the Indiana General Assembly. Some re- Former Vice President Joe Biden leads President
ally need it.” Lucas was demoted by House Speaker Todd Trump 50 - 39% in a head-to-head matchup in the elec-
Huston on summer study committees, telling the IndyStar, tion for president, according to a Quinnipiac University
“The post is unacceptable and I don’t condone it.” national poll of registered voters. That’s up from the 49
- 41% lead Biden held in an April 8th national poll, but
General Assembly the change is within
the margin of er-
SD7: Buchanan reacts to KKK fliers ror. Democrats go
Pressed by Democrats and WLFI-TV on Ku Klux to Biden 88 - 5%,
Klan fliers distributed in Battle Ground, State Sen. Brian Republicans go to
Buchanan, (R) District 7, said, “I am aware of the recent Trump 87 - 8%,
activity in Battle Ground. It is extremely disappointing to and independents
see this type of behavior. Hatred, bigotry, discrimination, go to Biden 47 -
and racism have no place in our society. I firmly believe 36%.“What does the
this is the result of a few bad actors who do not represent 11 point Biden lead
the majority of Hoosiers and I stand with our community tell us? At best for
in denouncing this hateful propaganda.” Team Trump, it says voter confidence in President Trump
is shaky. At worst for them, as coronavirus cases rise,
HD45: Borders faces Gormong Trump’s judgement is questioned - and November looms,”
A pair of Christian conservatives are vying for the said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy. More
GOP’s nomination in the fall general election for Indiana than two months into the coronavirus crisis in the U.S.,
House District 45. Incumbent Republican Rep. Bruce President Trump’s job approval rating ticks lower. 42% of
Borders, of Jasonville, and Jeff Gormong, of Farmesburg, voters approve of the job President Trump is doing, while
say they’re motivated to take their rural sensibilities to the 53% disapprove. That’s compared to a 45 - 51% job ap-
statehouse and represent residents of the district (Terre proval rating he received in April, his highest ever. On the
Haute Tribune-Star). Borders has represented District 45 president’s response to the coronavirus, 41% of voters ap-
for 14 of the past 16 years, but says he’s more motivated prove and 56% disapprove. That is down from a 46 - 51%
than ever to represent the constituents. “When I run approval rating in April. On the president’s handling of the
now I think about my grandchildren,” Borders said. “And economy, 50% approve while 47% disapprove, compared
I believe that future of our nation hangs in the balance to a 51 - 44% approval in April. v
between those that
want to destroy our
Constitution and
those that want to
uphold it. I believe
that there are people
trying to destroy the
freedoms and reli-
gious liberties that
we know and hold.
And so I run with
a stronger passion
Page 10
Hale emphasizes
the latest pandemic recovery legislation, a $3 trillion bill
the House approved, 208-199, with 14 Democrats voting
against it. Republicans have dismissed the legislation as a
bipartisanship during wish list of liberal priorities that has no chance in the Sen-
ate.
polarizing times Hale praised parts of the legislation without
revealing her own position on the measure. “We must
provide immediate relief to our communities so emergency
By MARK SCHOEFF, JR. responders and frontline workers have the resources they
WASHINGTON – Christina Hale is emphasizing need, the hundreds of thousands of unemployed Hoosiers
bipartisanship in her attempt to win the 5th CD seat being can keep a roof over their heads and food on their tables,
vacated by the most bipartisan member of the Hoosier and small- and medium-sized businesses are able to keep
congressional delegation. their doors open beyond this crisis,” Hale said in a state-
Her first television ad, launched earlier this week, ment. “These efforts must be bipartisan to be successful.
extols Hale’s ability to work across the aisle. The narra- I have a proven record of reaching across the aisle to get
tor says she passed 60 bills as a state legislator – all with things done for my constituents when I was a state legisla-
bipartisan support. The spot said tor, and I’ll continue doing just that when I’m elected to
such a virtue is critical as Congress Congress.”
wrestles with the coronavirus out- Hale’s campaign manager, Joann Saridakis, would
break. “Rebuilding will be our next not say how Hale would have voted on the bill.
test, and we can’t afford partisan Republicans labeled the bill partisan and unwork-
bickering,” the narrator says. “We able. It would focused on aid to state and local govern-
need problem solvers.” ments, the unemployed and health care workers.
Hale is hoping that theme will Democrats and Republicans are likely to come
strike a chord in the race to replace together on some kind of agreement for the next phase of
retiring Republican Rep. Susan coronavirus relief, Diller said. “Congress in a crisis is always
Brooks, who achieved the highest going to find a way to spend money,” Diller said. “This is a
score among Hoosier members of Congress in the latest temporary blockage.”
Bipartisan Index. Hoosier Republican Sen. Todd Young is taking
The survey, released last week and sponsored by a bipartisan tack by teaming with Sen. Michael Bennet,
the Lugar Center and the Georgetown University McCourt D-Colo., on a bill, the Reviving the Economy Sustainably
School of Public Policy, measures the extent to which Towards a Recovery in 2020 (RESTART) Act. It would pro-
lawmakers work with members of the opposite party in vide loans for small- and medium-size businesses and, the
writing and co-sponsoring legislation. lawmakers say, fix problems with the Paycheck Protection
The question is whether Hale’s bet on bipartisan- Program.
ship will pay off at a time of extreme Young ranks as the 36th
political polarization. Dan Diller, policy most bipartisan senator on the
director at the Lugar Center, said the Bipartisan Index. The Lugar Center
issue can gain traction. is a policy organization established
“It’s always a winner in No- by the late Sen. Richard Lugar.
vember, especially in a district that’s But working across the
proven to support a very bipartisan aisle will become much harder for
member, which Brooks is,” Diller said. Young and his colleagues once
Hale is favored to win the Congress moves past the necessary
Democratic primary on June 2. She pandemic crisis spending, which
would face one of 15 Republicans has already resulted in a federal deficit projected to be
running for Brooks’ seat. The 5th CD, which stretches $3.8 trillion in fiscal 2020.
from Marion to the northside of Indianapolis, has a strong In order to tackle the gaping shortfall, Democrats
Republican orientation. will have to compromise on entitlement spending and
It will be difficult for Hale to find voters who Republicans will have to comprise on tax hikes, Diller said.
will split their ticket, but casting herself as someone who “The tougher partisan problem comes later, when you
can work with Republicans could help her in the India- need to address a fiscal situation that requires both parties
napolis suburbs, said Chad Kinsella, assistant professor of to bend on their most closely held priorities,” Diller said. v
political science at Ball State University.
“That might resonate with just enough people to Disclosure: The author is a former Lugar aide who
peal off some votes, which would be key to that race,” has made monetary contributions to the Lugar Cen-
Kinsella said. ter. He is HPI’s Washington correspondent.
Hale brandished bipartisanship in responding toPage 11
Don’t expand
disrupts families and communities, but it is an inevitable
part of progress. If it were not, we’d all still be making
our own clothes and churning our own butter.
the trade war Perhaps the best evidence of the benefit of trade
is actually the “China Shock” period after 2001, when
By MICHAEL HICKS China was given permanent normalized trade relations.
MUNCIE — If the media buzz is true, the Trump Since then, American factories lost as many as 1.5 million
Administration will use the solemn occasion of Memorial jobs to Chinese factories. Another 1.5 million jobs were
Day weekend to further expand the disastrous trade war reclassified from manufacturing to business services,
with China. This time, he will use as workers went from making things to servicing the
the global pandemic as an excuse machines that made things. Another 2 million or more
to restrict imports of medicine and factory jobs were eliminated due to productivity growth.
medical devices. But, even as factories lost 5 million jobs, the rest of the
This is a bad policy that economy created 23 million jobs to replace them.
will raise health care costs on Trade among families, states and regions makes
Americans while doing nothing all of these places better off. This truth was well under-
to boost U.S. jobs. It is noth- stood long before germ theory, but perhaps that is a poor
ing more than a cynical ploy to example given the Trump Administration’s marathon intel-
divert attention from an erratic lectual struggles with germ theory.
and unfocused response to this Free trade is such a robust wealth creation
pandemic. Before explaining why machine that few nations will abandon it because of
this is such an imprudent turn of American temper tantrums. Most of the rest of the world
events, I must report some truths has the same concerns over China that the United States
about China’s government that the Trump administration is had well before the 2016 elections. They steal intellectual
unwilling to say out loud. property and prop up their own industries, while ignor-
The People’s Republic of China is a deeply evil ing 19th century notions of civil rights. In fact, the rest of
enterprise. Right now, they have more people in concen- the world worked hard to help control China by creating
tration camps than did Hitler at the height of his powers. something called the Trans-Pacific Partnership. That trade
Their government scoffs at the value of the individual, and deal would’ve forced China to end its most obnoxious
they export a malicious presence across Asia and Africa. If practices or face trade limits. The TPP did something else
we lived in a moderately just world, tens of thousands of important, it acknowledged America’s international role as
Chinese government officials would face Nuremburg-type leader of free nations.
trials for crimes against humanity. America’s retreat from global trade weakens us
None of these should be new revelations to a sen- domestically by slowing economic growth. It weakens us
tient adult. The Chinese government has been the scourge internationally by deserting the post of international lead-
of freedom since the 1950s. I know it firsthand, having ership won through the power of our ideals, the blood of
faced and destroyed Chinese tanks in Iraq nearly 30 years our servicemen and the wisdom of our national leaders
ago. Defeating this criminal regime will require decades of over the past century.
robust international cooperation and bipartisan agreement The expansion of this trade war damages Ameri-
on policy goals. That is how we beat the Soviet Union, an can prospects in the 21st century. It makes us less able to
experience upon which the Trump administration displays a confront China or secure a safer, more prosperous world.
curious silence. Trade can be a weapon in conflict between Wrapping a trade war in the flag is noxious and dishonors
nations, but our policies simply turn that weapon against those whom we remember this Memorial Day. In the end,
ourselves. Here’s how: there’s no better way to say it than to simply note that
A goal of national economic self-sufficiency is those who argue that the ongoing trade war makes the
as wise and practical as a goal of family self-sufficiency. United States more prosperous or safe are either stupid
For both families and nations, trade allows us to buy things or think the people listening to them are. v
we cannot efficiently produce ourselves. Trade also boosts
our productivity by allowing us to specialize in things we Michael J. Hicks, PhD, is the director of the Cen-
can produce efficiently. Trade enables more competition ter for Business and Economic Research and the
between firms, which reduces prices and increases produc- George and Frances Ball distinguished professor of
tivity. This occurs whether the firms we trade with are in economics in the Miller College of Business at Ball
Ohio or Beijing. State University.
It is important to acknowledge that competition,
productivity growth and trade all displace jobs. Businesses
that cannot effectively compete close, and their assets
and workers are absorbed by other businesses. This surelyPage 12
Worrisome times for
and what does exist is more partisan. While there’s cover-
age of national issues and politics, the trends have led to
less robust local coverage, and a less healthy democracy.
democracy in U.S. As polarization has deepened, Congress has grid-
locked, presidential power has expanded (not a new thing,
By LEE HAMILTON by the way), and the government has become less respon-
BLOOMINGTON – We’ve seen plenty of evidence sive and less effective. It took a national crisis to lay bare
lately of the deep polarization in this country. Even in the some of these issues, but the trends underlying them have
midst of this crisis, national politi- been going on for some time, and fixing them will take
cians, the political parties, and time, too.
their adherents are finding plenty This has to start with ordinary Americans. Vot-
to fight over; even as, for the ers need to reclaim our democracy and demand that the
most part, ordinary Americans system that made us a great nation – one that adhered to
have been remarkably united the checks and balances and separate institutional respon-
and many governors and mayors sibilities laid out in our Constitution – be restored. At the
have worked hard to handle the community, state, and federal levels, our job is to maintain
coronavirus pandemic compe- the robustness of our institutions of government, agitate
tently and guided by expert to ensure that they are performing as they should, and
advice. recognize that if the trends I’ve laid out strengthen their
The question as we look grip, our representative democracy will suffer. The threats
ahead is whether the trends we’d may not be existential yet, but they could become so.
been seeing before the pandemic will reassert themselves, Because here’s the thing: People may distrust gov-
or instead there will be some sort of reset. Because those ernment, but just as the pandemic has made clear that at
earlier trends are extremely worrisome. bottom there’s no palatable alternative to an effective and
For years now, it’s been common for politicians to competent government system, so it’s also true that the
label their rivals as unpatriotic and illegitimate. The deep only way ultimately to solve the problems and worrisome
freeze in cross-aisle relations in Congress had made prog- trends of government is principally through government
ress there extremely difficult, though the crisis has given action. Which means that in the end, as citizens we have
congressional leaders and members of the Trump adminis- to forcefully step up to our responsibilities and insist that
tration no choice but to keep bargaining until they hammer our public officials do so, too. v
out agreements.
Other trends are equally problematic. The federal Lee Hamilton is a Senior Advisor for the Indiana
civil service, for instance, has always fielded a lot of very University Center on Representative Government;
good people – dedicated public servants who try not to be a Distinguished Scholar at the IU Hamilton Lugar
partisan, remain independent in their views, and support School of Global and International Studies; and
the work of whichever administration is in power. They a Professor of Practice at the IU O’Neill School of
want to make government work better. That has gotten Public and Environmental Affairs. He was a member
much harder to pull off in recent years, and the result is a of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.
civil service that is losing workers, institutional knowledge,
and competence. There are still capable civil servants,
many of whom have been doing their best to keep federal
services on an even keel during this crisis, but it’s hard to
escape the feeling that their impact has been diminished.
Likewise with the judiciary, which has become
more politicized. It’s a worrisome trend in a branch of gov-
ernment that has generally stood for even-handed justice
and, over the long term, strengthened Americans’ civil
rights and civil liberties. The president, however, likes to
say that his biggest achievement in office has been to put
very conservative judges into power, a claim that under-
mines the judicial branch’s standing as the pillar of inde-
pendence this country long depended upon. Ideology will
always play a role in judicial choices, but making judges
more nakedly political is a destructive trend.
This extends to the media, as well. For whatever
reason, it exercises less rigorous oversight of government,Page 13
‘Obamagate’ in the
trends in which being selfish, being tribal, being divided
and seeing others as an enemy – that has become a stron-
ger impulse in American life,” he said.
2020 campaign cycle The remarks drew a response from Senate Ma-
jority Leader Mitch McConnell. “I think President Obama
By KELLY HAWES should have kept his mouth shut,” he said. “You know, we
CNHI News Bureau know he doesn’t like much this administration is doing.
ANDERSON — In the middle of a tweet storm, That’s understandable. But I think it’s a little bit classless
President Donald J. Trump sent a one-word message: frankly to critique an administration that comes after you.”
“OBAMAGATE.” McConnell suggested Obama should have fol-
Later, he called on Congress to subpoena his lowed the example of his predecessors, including Presi-
predecessor. “If I were a Senator or Congressman, the dents George W. and George H.W. Bush. “You had your
first person I would call to testify shot,” he said. “You were there for eight years. I think the
about the biggest political crime and tradition that the Bushes set up of not critiquing the presi-
scandal in the history of the USA, by dent who comes after you is a good tradition.”
FAR, is former President Obama,” he Schmidt had a different take. “We have reached
tweeted. “He knew EVERYTHING. Do a level of terminal cynicism in our politics,” he tweeted.
it @LindseyGrahamSC, just do it. No “McConnell is one of this rancid moment’s most prolific
more Mr. Nice Guy. No more talk!” authors. The lying and gaslighting have become so easy
Phil Rucker, a reporter for Trump’s henchmen and women. Imagine the boundless
for the Washington Post, asked for hypocrisy involved in Trump’s Senate footman calling Presi-
a clarification. “What is the crime dent Obama classless. Soon his Senate majority will be
exactly that you’re accusing him of?” gone. The bill is coming due. These Republican enablers
Rucker asked. were not defeated by Trump. They surrendered to him.
The president declined to say. “You know what the They surrendered their duty, dignity, decency, honesty and
crime is,” he said. “The crime is very obvious to everybody. integrity to Trump. They will lose with shame.”
All you have to do is read the newspapers, except yours.” Through it all, Obama hasn’t said much. He
Graham isn’t entirely on board. He has rejected responded to the president’s rantings with just one word.
the idea of calling Obama to testify, but he has promised “Vote,” he tweeted.
an investigation. He hopes to have a report by October. Seems like good advice. v
Just in time for the election.
At the heart of this alleged scandal seems to be Kelly Hawes is a columnist for CNHI News Indiana.
the investigation into the president’s former national secu- He can be reached at kelly.hawes@indianamedia-
rity adviser, Michael Flynn. The Trump administration sent group.com. Find him on Twitter @Kelly_Hawes.
lawmakers a declassified list of Obama-era officials who
they claim sought documents that led to Flynn’s identity
being “unmasked” in intelligence reports.
The president and his allies claim this proves the
How to monetize
Obama administration was “spying” on the Trump cam-
paign as part of the “Russia collusion hoax.” time spent
Steve Schmidt, a former Republican political
operative now working to keep the president from winning By MORTON J. MARCUS
a second term, disagrees. “Trump is waging an all-out war INDIANAPOLIS — We are endowed with 24 hours
on truth and reality,” he tweeted. “It is fundamental to each day. That, in a sense, makes us all equal. However,
his reelection strategy. Obamagate is a lie. Nothing more. if we have it, money can be sub-
Nothing less.” He said news organizations treating the stituted for time. Thus, from here
scandal seriously risk becoming “instruments in a cynical to there, the poor man walks for
manipulation.” a longer time than the rich man
What triggered the president’s latest outburst rides. Our use of time is, partly, a
appeared to be a leaked recording of Obama criticizing measure of the value we place on
the Justice Department’s decision to drop charges against an activity.
Flynn. In that same recording, the former president called Most economic infor-
the Trump administration’s coronavirus response an “abso- mation about us is expressed as
lute chaotic disaster,” and he criticized the divisiveness that money spent by individuals and
seems so prevalent today. households. We are called con-
“What we’re fighting against is these long-term sumers. In truth, we are both
consumers and investors. An automobile and a lamp areYou can also read
