politics

Rokita Releases Report on Indiana's Preparedness for Upcoming Election

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:46:26 -0700

54-page document details state's voter outreach and collaboration with local election officials

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Secretary of State Todd Rokita, Indiana's Chief Election Officer, has published a 54-page report on his office's pre-election activity in preparation for the 2008 General Election. The report is available on the Secretary of State's Web page at www.in.gov/sos.

Highlights of the report include:

Extraordinary voter interest - with more than 817,000 new or updated voter registrations in 2008
Updated figures on the number of voters who have already voted in this year's election
Details of Secretary Rokita's 50+ county statewide pre-election tour
Information about his trip overseas to inspect the absentee ballot process and meet with troops and military voting representatives
Outreach to hundreds of thousands of new voters, students and poll workers
Unprecedented bipartisan collaboration with local election officials in all 92 Indiana counties
Nearly $500,000 in grants to Indiana counties for polling place accessibility improvements

"As we reach the final week of our preparations for this monumental election, I am encouraged and confident," said Secretary Rokita. "The enthusiasm I'm witnessing as I travel around the state is only matched by the level of preparation by our local election officials. Indiana is poised to deliver in one of its finest hours through the execution of a fair and accurate election."

Secretary Rokita's office will periodically update the 2008 General Election Readiness Briefing through Election Day.
Source: Indiana Secretary of State

Lee Hamilton Endorses Welsh for Congress

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 7 Oct 2008 14:45:45 -0700

CONNERSVILLE, IN - Former Indiana Congressman and current President of the Woodrow Wilson Institute, Lee Hamilton has officially endorsed Barry Welsh for United States House of Representatives in Indiana's 6th District. Welsh is challenging Mike Pence for a second time. Today, Lee Hamilton released the following statement:

To the Citizens of Indiana's 6th Congressional District,

Our Nation is at a crossroads, and on November 4 each of us must choose the path we think our country should take. We need new leadership and a new direction, and that is why I have endorsed Barry Welsh for Congress in the 6th District of Indiana. Barry is the kind of individual we need representing us in Congress at this critical time in our Nation's history. Barry is a "forward thinker" who is serious about finding real solutions to our very real problems. Barry listens to the opinions and wisdom of others before making a judgment and taking action-just the traits we need in a representative.

I hope you will join me in supporting Barry Welsh in this crucial election. Make sure you spread the word to your friends that now is the time for change. Barry Welsh is part of that change. It is up to each of us to take a stand and help do our part to get our country back on track.

The Honorable Lee H. Hamilton,
Former Congressman.

Tone of US Presidential Campaigns Sharpens

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 6 Oct 2008 10:26:03 -0700

By Paula Wolfson
Voice of America

WASHINGTON, DC - The tone turned harder this weekend when Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin launched a new line of attack on Barack Obama.

"Our opponent is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to pal around with terrorists who targeted their own country," she said.

She was speaking about Obama's association with William Ayres, a college professor who founded a radical group called the Weather Underground in the 1960s.

The group claimed responsibility for bombings on several government buildings as a form of protest during the Vietnam War. Ayres never refuted the claims, but was also never convicted, and later went on to an academic career in Chicago that brought him into contact with Barack Obama.

Ayres hosted a fundraiser more than a decade ago when Obama was running for the Illinois state senate, and they served together on a charity board. But Obama says they were never close and could hardly be called pals.

It is not unusual for vice presidential candidates in the United States to use tough rhetoric, enabling the presidential nominees to stay above the fray. Both Governor Palin and Democratic Senator Joe Biden have done so before and likely will again.

But Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri says these particular comments are a sign the McCain campaign is trying to divert attention from the economy. She appeared on the Fox News Sunday television program.

"Do they really think that America is going to think that Barack Obama is palling around with terrorists? What that man did, Barack Obama has condemned," she said. "And by the way, he did it when Barack Obama was eight years old!"

But McCain supporters in Congress say the Republican candidate is right to raise questions about Obama's character.

Republican Senator Mel Martinez - from the battleground state of Florida - told ABC's This Week that these are legitimate concerns. He stressed Obama came into contact with Ayres at a time when he was just launching his career in politics.

"It is about his judgment and who he associated with during those years and right on into this political campaign," he said.

The morning after the Palin comments, the Obama campaign struck back with a new television ad, targeting John McCain's temperament, and calling into question his behavior during Congressional deliberations on the financial crisis.

"Our financial system [is] in turmoil, and John McCain [was] erratic and out of touch on the economy. No matter his campaign wants to change the subject," the ad says.

Ads from both candidates are expected to intensify and perhaps grow more negative in tone as Election Day approaches. Latest voter surveys show Obama currently in the lead, but in a campaign full of twists and turns, analysts say anything can happen between now and November 4.

Source: Voice of America

A Movement to Break the Silence of Churches in Political Campaigns

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 23:12:21 -0700

By Floyd and Mary Beth Brown

In the summer of 1954, an ambitious senator from Texas running for re-election became afraid that he might not win re-election because several large churches in the state were speaking out against his liberal politics. So what did he do? Powerful Sen. Lyndon Baines Johnson rammed through Congress legislation that stripped these churches of their free-speech rights.

Fifty-four years after this travesty of justice became law; a courageous group of voices is breaking the silence.

Johnson manipulated the process and his fellow Senators who were anxious to leave for summer recess in 1954. No hearings, testimony or comments by any tax-exempt organizations occurred before this prohibition entered the Internal Revenue Tax Code. His amendment to the IRS Code bans intervention in political campaigns by organizations, including churches, which receive federal tax-exempt status. If a pastor speaks too loudly, the entire church can lose their tax-exemption. It worked like a charm for Johnson, and it stopped all criticism of him in Texas churches.

On September 28, a heroic group of pastors challenged the ban by testing their First Amendment rights. They are speaking out in their pulpits on politics.

But the question that begs to be answered is: has this prohibition contributed to moral decay in America? The moral decline of the nation accelerated after the ban was instituted. Abortion, sexual crimes, rape and pornography have all increased dramatically since Johnson’s gag order was passed.

“I believe the church has been silent too long, which is why we have so much corruption in the world now,” said one of those courageous ministers, Rev. Mike Gonzalez of Columbia, S.C.

The First Amendment of the Constitution provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” Erik Stanley, legal counsel for Alliance Defense Fund, the organization that sponsored the Pulpit Freedom Sunday, argues, “IRS rules don’t trump the Constitution—and the First Amendment trumps the Johnson Amendment.”

A cloud of intimidation has been hanging over churches since 1954. “Pastors have a right to speak about biblical values from the pulpit without fear of punishment,” Stanley said. “No one should be able to use the government to intimidate pastors into giving up their constitutional rights…Groups like Americans United intentionally trigger IRS investigations that will silence churches through fear, intimidation, and disinformation.”

“They use that to keep religion out of morals,” says another pastor, Rev. Phil Ellsworth, who points out the church has historically always been involved in politics, using as examples the abolition of slavery, child labor laws and civil rights. “What some people call social issues, I call Bible. It’s our job to be involved.”

That’s why Rev. Gonzalez said to his congregation on Pulpit Freedom Sunday, “I urge you not to vote for Barack Obama or any candidate that stands in the same positions and activities that the Lord condemns.”

“The intimidation of churches by leftist groups using the IRS has grown to a point that ADF has no choice but to respond,” Stanley said, explaining why ADF felt the need to sponsor the “Pulpit Freedom Sunday” campaign to challenge the Johnson Amendment. “The number of threats being reported to ADF is growing because of the aggressive campaign to unlawfully silence the church. “

This ban on pastors “has always troubled me” said Rev. John W. Yates, a clergyman in the shadows of Washington from nearby Falls Church VA. “I’m skeptical about the government’s authority to dictate to the church in this way,” he said. “There is a cultural elitism in America that would like to keep religion privately comforting but publicly irrelevant! But if our biblical faith does not inform and shape our thinking on public policy and guide us in whom to vote for, we are simply failing in our responsibility as followers of Christ. We won’t always agree with one another, but it is unthinkable that followers of Christ wouldn’t evaluate candidates’ policies in light of the Word of God.”

Prior to the ADF designated Sunday encouraging pastors to defy the ban on political endorsements by churches, Yates said he did not plan to break the law. “But I could envision a time arising when I would feel that I would be disobeying God not to speak …about some political issue or election.”

Now we await the government’s next move, will they persecute the pastors that had the courage to stand up to this tyranny? America is watching.

©2008 Floyd and Mary Beth Brown. The Browns are bestselling authors and speakers. Together they write a national weekly column distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. For more info call Cari Dawson Bartley at 800 696 7561 or e-mail cari@cagle.com.

Floyd’s latest book (with Lee Troxler) is “Obama Unmasked,” from Merril Press. Mary Beth's latest book is featured at www.condibook.com. Time magazine wrote of Floyd: "Brown has stature among devoted conservatives that almost matches his physical heft (6 ft. 6 in. and 240 lbs.)" See more at Floyd’s blog at www.2minuteview.com. To comment on this column, e-mail browns@caglecartoons.com.

SouthWestern Indiana Latest Hit With Job Loss

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:45:50 -0700

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Southwestern Indiana became the latest region of the state to be hit by job losses as Evansville-based Accuride Corp. announced today that the company will lay off 11 percent of its work force. Accuride said it will cut 159 salaried positions and 233 hourly workers, which adds up to 392 employees in total. Accuride produces commercial vehicle wheels, wheel-end components and assemblies, truck body and chassis parts, seating assemblies and other commercial vehicle components.

"Just yesterday Elkhart received news of more job losses and the day before that Columbia City and Auburn were hit," said Jill Long Thompson, Democratic nominee for Governor. "Evansville is just the latest community to be hurt by the Bush-Daniels economy. There is no question that we need a change in leadership here in Indiana to help create the good paying jobs that Hoosier families deserve."

This announcement also coincides with a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released on Friday that showed that Indiana's unemployment rate rose to 6.4 percent in August, up from 4.5 percent last August. The report also found that 207,195 Hoosiers are currently unemployed, an increase of 63,726 from last year and a 4,200 increase from July to August 2008.

Known for her ability to get things done, Jill Long Thompson is an accomplished public servant. She has served as a city councilor, a Congresswoman and as Under Secretary for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture. Long Thompson grew up on her family's farm in rural Whitley County and was the first in her family to go to college. She received her undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University and went on to earn a master's and Ph.D. in business from Indiana University. A farmer and college professor by trade, Long Thompson lives with her husband Don Thompson, a commercial airline pilot, on their farm in Marshall County.

To view Long Thompson's complete "One Indiana Plan," visitwww.hoosiersforjill.com/issues. For more information about Jill Long Thompson, Dennie Oxley or their campaign to restore Indiana's promise, please visit www.hoosiersforjill.comor call 317-635-Jill.

Source: Hoosiers for Jill Press Release

Mike Pence Opposes Bush Admin Bailout Plan

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:39:47 -0700

"There are no easy answers but there are alternatives to massive government spending"

WASHINGTON, DC - Over the weekend, U.S. Congressman Mike Pence released the following statement in response to the Bush Administration’s plan to bail out the financial market:

“Our financial markets are in turmoil and the Administration was right to call for decisive action to prevent further harm to our economy but nationalizing every bad mortgage in America is not the answer.

“The Administration's request amounts to the largest corporate bailout in American history. Congress should act, but should act in a way that protects the integrity of our free market and protects the American taxpayer from more debt and higher taxes.

“To have the freedom to succeed, we must preserve the freedom to fail. Any solution to our present crisis must preserve our essential economic freedom.

“Congress should delay consideration of any legislation until the facts and competing solutions can be fully debated, consider alternatives to massive government spending and figure out how to pay for the solution through budget cuts and reform instead of more debt or taxes.

“Congress must not hastily embrace a cure that may do more harm to our economy than the disease of bad debt

“Before any bailout is enacted, Congress must set itself on an unalterable path to truly overhaul these Government Sponsored Enterprises from the top down and hold those accountable, in and out of government, who drove them, and our financial sector, to the brink of bankruptcy. Some important work is already underway, but additional reforms are needed. Even now, we read that the Treasury Department is using Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase many of these bad mortgages while it seeks the authority to purchase them all. Congress should also ensure that these GSEs can no longer pose a systemic risk to the entire economy while placing them on a brisk schedule to be fully private companies with no guarantee of taxpayer support in times of trouble. And Congress should immediately repeal the Affordable Housing Fund, which will actually siphon off capital from these under-capitalized entities, in order to fund left-wing, third party organizations.

“Next, Congress must consider all available options to put our nation's economy back on its feet. There are no easy answers but there are alternatives to massive government spending.

“Indexing the Capital Gains tax to inflation (which the Treasury Department can do without any help from Congress), or suspending it for one year, would release an enormous amount of capitol into our economy. Passing an energy bill that lessens the price of gasoline at the pump through more domestic drilling, wind, solar, nuclear and conservation would bring relief to family budgets and create American jobs. Establishing an entitlement reform commission to develop bipartisan solutions to the crushing weight of entitlements would strengthen the American dollar.

“These and other alternatives to a massive federal bailout must be fully considered and debated before Congress acts.

“Finally, any new expenditure of taxpayer dollars should be paid for with fiscal discipline and reform. If Congress decides to spend nearly 1 trillion dollars on a corporate bailout, it must find budget savings to prevent that cost from being passed along to the American people.

“We must address this crisis with forethought, creativity and fiscal discipline. Protecting the American taxpayer from higher debt and taxes and renewing our belief in the power of the free market must be our guide.”

Jill Long Thompson: Taxpayers Shouldn't Have to Reimburse Foreign Company for Toll Road Use

kpaul.mallasch — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:45:45 -0700

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - As Indiana prepares to reimburse the foreign consortium for the use of the Indiana Toll Road during the recent flooding in northwest Indiana, today Jill Long Thompson said it's yet another example of why Governor Mitch Daniels' 75-year was a bad idea for Hoosiers.

"I find it deplorable that, in the midst of a natural disaster, this foreign company would be charging Indiana taxpayers for the use of the Toll Road. They are clearly taking advantage of us," said Long Thompson. "What's worse is that Governor Daniels has agreed to pay it."

"This is just one more negative aspect of selling the state's assets. If Indiana still controlled the Toll Road, we wouldn't be in this situation," added Long Thompson. "I call on the Governor to show some leadership and fight to keep those tax dollars here so we could help the flood victims rebuild their lives. That would be a better use of this money."

Governor Daniels and the Indiana Toll Road Concession Co. announced Tuesday that tolls would be temporarily suspended from Porter County to the Indiana-Illinois border to help alleviate traffic congestion. The cost to taxpayers for the reimbursement has not yet been publicly disclosed.

For more information about Jill Long Thompson, Dennie Oxley or their campaign to restore Indiana's promise, please visitwww.hoosiersforjill.com or call 317-635-Jill.

Source: Hoosier for Jill Press Release

Oxley Launches Website, visits South Bend, Indianapolis

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:45:50 -0700

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, Dennie Oxley, today visited several Indiana communities to highlight Governor Mitch Daniels' disastrous four years in office and give him a reality check.

"Four years ago Mitch Daniels promised to turn Indiana around," said Oxley. "But by every measure that he ran on, he has failed. While he likes to say that things are going great, the reality is that Indiana is heading in the wrong direction."

"Indiana continues to lose jobs faster than any other state in America," said Oxley. "The most recent numbers show we lost 16,500 jobs last month alone and thanks to Governor Daniels's policies more than 61,000 Hoosiers have lost their jobs in the last year alone. Mitch Daniels' inability to see what is happening in the everyday lives of Hoosiers shows that his is simply out of touch with the challenges Hoosier families are facing."

Joining Oxley on his travels was "Reality Check 1," a new mobile tote board displaying the number of jobs lost in Indiana during Daniels' time in office.

"Indiana continues to lead in categories it shouldn't. Currently the state ranks second in business bankruptcies and sixth in home foreclosures and Hoosiers make only 87 cents on the dollar compared to other American workers," Oxley added. "The cost of health care continues to be more expensive here than elsewhere and when Hoosiers go to fill up at the gas pump they are seeing high prices that jump erratically as each day passes."

Indiana is one of only seven states to even charge a sales tax on fuel. And, along with the higher fuel prices, Hoosiers have also been forced to pay more in taxes thanks to Daniels's efforts to raise the sales tax from six to seven percent.

To ensure that all areas of the state are a part of Indiana's economic recovery, Long Thompson and Oxley have proposed the "One Indiana Plan." This plan is aimed at overhauling the state's tax structure to create an economy that works for all Hoosiers. The plan includes policies that will:

Expand on Indiana's opportunity by creating "Green Jobs." A study by the Blue Green Alliance found that nearly 340,000 existing Hoosier jobs could benefit from investments in clean energy. In the manufacturing sector alone, the same report found that Indiana has the potential to create as many as 25,180 new jobs from wind turbine manufacturing and an additional 7,485 new jobs in solar component manufacturing.

Create a real insurance pooling option for small businesses and individuals. During all or part of 2006-2007, 1.75 million Hoosiers under the age of 65 were without health insurance. By establishing a pool, small businesses and individuals who lack the buying power that larger businesses have will to be able to purchase health insurance in bulk, making it more affordable.

Create an "Economic Tiers" program. This proposal would categorize the state's 92 counties into three different economic tiers and then allocate the state's economic development dollars accordingly. The tiers, which would be updated regularly, would be determined by a county's unemployment rate, median household income, population growth and assessed property value per capita.

Reform education to help grow the economy. This proposal includes measures to ensure all Hoosier children learn to read, creating more flexibility in the classroom to reduce the state's high school dropout rate and better prepare the future workforce and to create lifelong learning opportunities and college scholarships for more Hoosiers.

Today, the campaign is also launching a new Web site, www.mitchrealitycheck.com, to illustrate Governor Daniels' poor leadership, failed polices and consistent flip-flops on important issues. Among other things, the site features articles, web videos and direct quotes of Daniels demonstrating just how out of touch he is with the concerns of working Hoosiers.

Dennie Oxley is a 10-year veteran of the state legislature, currently serving as the Majority Whip in the Indiana House of Representatives. A former high school math teacher, school administrator and businessman, Oxley brings a wealth of public and private sector experience to the team. Oxley is a graduate of Indiana University Southeast, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in education. A lifelong resident of English, a small community in Crawford County, he resides there with his wife, Jayme, and their two young daughters.

For more information about Jill Long Thompson, Dennie Oxley or their campaign to restore Indiana's promise, please visit www.hoosiersforjill.com or call 317-635-Jill.

Source: Hoosiers for Jill Press Release

Indiana Turning the Corner on Energy Alternatives, Conservation

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:45:49 -0700

Washington D.C. Gridlock on Energy has Many States Struggling with National Issue

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Once seen exclusively as a federal issue, decades of Washington-beltway gridlock on developing a comprehensive national energy policy and alternative sources of energy have caused many states to seek their own solutions. Indiana was among the first states in reviewing statutes and policies in hopes of helping Hoosier families cope with the "squeeze" on their budgets due to rising energy costs.

Indiana continues to seek alternative sources of energy, including wind and clean coal. Benton County is home to the largest wind farm under construction in the country which will produce enough energy to power more than 200,000 homes. Meanwhile, Indiana's first clean coal gasification plant is under construction in Knox County.

Using agricultural products and by-products as alternative and renewable energy sources are also being explored. The first of its kind in the nation, BioTown USA is designed to meet all of its energy needs with renewable resources while reducing our dependence on foreign oil and creating new opportunities for Hoosier farmers and rural communities.

High gas prices continue to drain Hoosier wallets, but less expensive fuel alternatives are more available and affordable due to a new law, which increases the number of stations selling E-85 - a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Indiana now has the third highest number of E-85 pumps in the nation. What's more, the world's largest soy biodiesel plant is now operating in north central Indiana.

Through innovative efforts like these, we are working hard to achieve energy alternatives and savings for Hoosier families.

Hoosiers can take these simple steps to curb high energy costs:

• Watch your thermostat and consider a programmable one.

• Sign up for budget billing with your home energy provider.

• Install Energy Star appliances, which will help save money on your energy bills and are eligible for a tax credit.

• Apply for federal Energy Assistance Programs through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA). These are available for residents whose household income is less than $15,600 for individuals and $31,800 for a family of four. Last year, 159,000 Hoosiers received assistance. For information, contact the IHCDA at 1-800-872-0371.

Source: State Sen. Brandt E. Hershman Press Release

Democratic Convention Paints All-American Image for Obama

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:48:35 -0700

By Meredith Buel
Voice of America

DENVER, CO - Democrats hope Barack Obama, a first-term U.S. Senator, will make history as the first African-American president of the United States.

The 47-year-old Obama is the son of a black Kenyan father and a white American mother. He grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia..

His uncommon life story, coupled with his race and foreign-sounding name, add challenges that are unprecedented for a presidential nominee.

Obama has said openly that his biography is not typical of a modern American president, and he has acknowledged that his race will be a burden in winning over some voters.

Obama's chief strategist, David Axelrod, says the candidate's personal story will be a core message at the convention.

"The son of a single mother, working his way up, and then going back to work in communities that were felled by steel plant closings, we are going to tell that story," he said. "But we are also going to tell the story about what has happened to the country under the policies we have seen under the broken politics of Washington. We are not going to shy away from making a contrast."

So during the Denver convention Obama's wife and numerous speakers will introduce him to the electorate as a family man with American values.

The candidate will then try to build on that message and try to define the election as a time for change.

"At this defining moment in our history, with our nation at war, our economy in recession, we know that the American people can not afford four more years of the same failed policies and the same old politics in Washington," Obama said.

Professor Robert Dudley is the head of the government and politics department at George Mason University.

He says the two strategic objectives of the convention are to make the American voters comfortable with Obama and clearly tie Republican candidate John McCain with the policies of the Bush administration at home and overseas.

"He needs to demonstrate that he is a person of strength, that the line that he is inexperienced is not applicable to him, and he needs to tie his opponent to the current administration," said Dudley.

Analysts say the other critical task the Democrats face here in Denver is to unite their party after the bruising primary contests between Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton.

Clinton is scheduled to address the convention and Professor Dudley of George Mason University says her speech will be critical.

"I think Obama will still have a difficult time with some of the Clinton supporters," he said. "I do not think it will be easy even with Hillary supporting Obama. I think it will be a difficult time for some of her supporters. They may never come around and if they do it still may be late in the campaign before they do."

The Democratic convention will be the first time many Americans will pay attention to the general election campaign, and surveys show the race is very close.

Democrats hope the carefully choreographed nightly programs will polish Senator Obama's image while giving him a measurable surge, or bounce, in opinion polls when he leaves Denver and focuses on the November election.

Senator Kennedy Addresses Democratic National Convention

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:58:30 -0700

DENVER, CO - The Democratic National Convention opened Monday evening in Denver, Colorado with a touching salute to ailing party icon, Senator Edward Kennedy, who told delegates he would not have missed the chance to pass the torch to Barack Obama as candidate for president of the United States.

Before Senator Kennedy addressed delegates, a video tribute noted his support -- and that of his two assassinated brothers -- for civil rights, as the convention prepared to officially name the first African-American presidential nominee from a major party.

Kennedy is recovering from a malignant brain tumor and his appearance at the convention brought a sustained roar from the crowd of thousands. The evening schedule also includes a speech by Senator Obama's wife, Michelle. She is expected to focus on her husband as a man guided by American values and a desire to make the world a better place.

Party leaders worked Monday for unity, following a bitter primary campaign during which Obama defeated New York Senator Hillary Clinton.

Some of Clinton''s supporters remain upset she lost the nomination. Others are disappointed that Obama did not select her to be his vice-presidential running mate.

Speaking to delegates Monday evening, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi praised Clinton, saying the party and the country were strengthened by her candidacy.

Earlier Monday, Clinton urged party unity in remarks to convention delegates from her home state. The Clinton campaign has indicated she will release her delegates in a gesture of unity so they may vote for Obama.

The convention consists of four days of rallies, speeches and meetings, capped by Obama's acceptance speech on Thursday.

The Republican Party holds its national convention next week in Minnesota.

Source: Voice of America

Democrats Ready to Rally Support Behind Obama

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:59:58 -0700

DENVER, CO - Michelle Obama takes the stage during prime television time Monday night to tell millions of Americans why she believes her husband would be, as she says, an "extraordinary president." Friends of Michelle Obama, 44, an attorney, say she has always kept Barack Obama's feet firmly on the ground, and that the two are best friends and equal partners.

In recent weeks, Michelle Obama, has appeared to soften her image somewhat, after coming under attack from some Republicans for a remark she made during the primary race saying her husband's campaign made her proud of her country for the first time in her adult life.

Monday's convention events will feature Barack Obama's life story - the story of the son of a black Kenyan father and a white American mother from Kansas - who was born in multicultural Hawaii, and spent part of his youth in Indonesia, graduated from top universities and went to work as a community organizer helping the poor in Chicago. But as the Democratic candidate told supporters at a barbecue in Wisconsin before the convention, he will also seek to reassure American voters that he is like them.

"And I think what you will conclude is, 'Gee, he is sort of like us. He comes from a middle class background. He went to school on scholarships,'" Obama said.

Doris Kearns Goodwin, a presidential historian and author, says that the partnership between a potential first lady and her husband can be very important to voters. And she told NBC's Today Show Monday that Barack Obama's acceptance speech at an outdoor rally on Thurday will be crucial to shaping his image in the minds of the American people.

"He is still not that well known in parts of the country," she explained. "And because he has been caricatured by the other [Republican] side, his speech is probably more important than most acceptance speeches are."

Also speaking to the Todayshow, political analyst Rachel Maddow said, with recent polls showing a virtual tie between Obama and his Republican rival John McCain, Obama needs to re-sell himself to American voters this week.

"What Obama is hoping for out of this week is a redefinition of himself and his campaign that is lasting and that is appealing to the American people," she explained.

Other prominent speakers Monday night will include the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. There will also be a video tribute to veteran Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy, who is suffering from brain cancer. Ted Kennedy and his family will be in a special section at the convention center, but it is not yet clear whether he will be able to speak.

Source: Voice of America

New Technology Plays Growing Role in US Presidential Race

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:04:53 -0700

By Robert Raffaele
Washington

For Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, staying "on message" increasingly means staying "online."

From website links helping people register to vote, to links to personalized pages on "social networks" such as Facebook and My Space - the campaigns of the presumed Republican and Democratic nominees have embraced the Internet.

Brian Darling is a senior government analyst with the Heritage Foundation, a conservative research institute in Washington.

Darling says, "Candidates are using all of these new technologies, whether it be throwing videos on the Internet, or text messages, to get messages out very quickly. So, we are seeing a campaign that is different than any other campaign in America's history."

Democrat Howard Dean may have been the groundbreaker. He was a contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004.

Analysts, including Donald Rieck, of the Center for Media and Public Affairs, credit Dean as the first candidate to use the Internet to energize supporters.

"He very effectively utilized the Internet to get his name in front of massive amounts of people, which again in the presidential race, is what you need to do," Rieck said.

YouTube is one website being used by both candidates. Both have uploaded campaign ads of themselves.

Rieck says You Tube messages have a direct appeal that expensive television commercials cannot match.

He adds, "I think the primary thing is that a person clicks on a You Tube video and then it's him and the video, and it's his choice, they can stop it, they can pause it. So I think the intimacy and ownership of the event is better and more connected to the viewer."

Obama's campaign has taken the high-tech battle one step further with his plan to announce his vice presidential running mate.

Supporters who submitted their wireless phone numbers received the information ahead of the news media, via text message and email.

That approach may have pros and cons.

"This is connecting with them almost viscerally through technology, which is good. But if, especially as the campaign accelerates into the fall, if you're bombarding these people with daily updates, and filling up their mailboxes, there could be a backlash against that," Rieck explained.

The new technology used by the campaigns may impede the public's ability to separate hype from useful information, analysts say. And for that reason, voters may lose as candidates battle across the digital domain.

Source: Voice of America

Pence Joins House Colleagues: Calls for Energy Bill With Drilling

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 8 Sep 2008 18:52:55 -0700

“The cost of energy is costing American jobs”

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence gave the following speech today at a press conference by House Republicans calling on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to allow an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act, a comprehensive energy package that allows for more domestic oil drilling.

“Five weeks ago, Democrats adjourned this Congress and took a five-week paid vacation without even taking a vote on a comprehensive energy bill that includes more drilling.

“But, House Republicans never left.

“Republicans are here and we stayed here because the American people are hurting.

“Working families, small business owners, family farmers and seniors are struggling under the weight of record gasoline prices.

“The American people know: The cost of energy is costing American jobs.

“Congress must take immediate action to lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

“We have one message to the Democrats returning to Washington:

“Speaker Nancy Pelosi, you can turn off the lights on the House floor and shut off the mics, but you cannot silence the voice of millions of Americans who say with increasing clarity, ‘Give us all of the above: conservation, alternative energy, fuel efficiency, and drill more, drill here, drill now!’

“House Democrats should heed the overwhelming majority of the American people who want this Congress to take immediate action to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, come together and allow the pro-drilling bipartisan majority a fair and open debate on the American Energy Act.

“No gimmicks, no fig leaves, no political posturing will suffice. The American people won’t stand for it.

“The American people want relief at the pump and House Republicans have been fighting and will continue to fight to enact a roadmap to energy independence with more drilling before this Congress adjourns again.

“We owe our countrymen, this economy and our prosperity no less.”

Source: Press Release

Pence to House Democrats: Drill Here, Drill More, Drill Now

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 9 Sep 2008 21:39:59 -0700

As House Democrats Unveil Energy Plan Today, Pence Calls for a Fair Up-or-Down Vote on Comprehensive Energy Bill that Includes Drilling

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence gave the following speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today about the House Democrats’ energy plan to be unveiled later today:

“Five weeks ago Democrats adjourned this Congress for a five-week, paid vacation without ever giving the bipartisan majority in this House that supports comprehensive energy legislation that includes more drilling, a vote.

“But House Republicans never left. Republicans stayed here on the House floor because we know that the American people are hurting. Senior citizens, school systems, working families, small businesses and family farmers are struggling under the weight of high gasoline prices.

“In fact, the American people know that the high cost of energy is costing American jobs.

“And so now today along comes the latest iteration of a Democrat energy bill, and as Congress awaits the unveiling of their latest effort – a plea to Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats:

“No gimmicks, no fig leaves, no half-measures. The American people won’t stand for it. Democratic leadership must allow the bipartisan majority in this House that supports more drilling, more conservation and more alternatives a fair up-or-down vote and debate.

“Speaker Pelosi, respectfully, you can turn off the lights on the House floor, you can shut off the microphones, but you cannot silence the majority of the American people who want a comprehensive bill and want to drill here, drill more, drill now.”

Social Workers Endorse Jill Long Thompson

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:46:03 -0700

INDIANAPOLIS - Representing hard working and compassionate Hoosiers, today the Indiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-IN) Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) Committee announced their support of Jill Long Thompson's campaign for Governor.

The National Association of Social Workers is the largest social work organization in the world with nearly 154,000 members. Of those, approximately 2,900 are members through the Indiana chapter of NASW. Indiana NASW PACE endorses candidates running for Indiana offices who share their concerns for social services, health care access, civil rights and assistance for Hoosiers who are most in need.

"I'm honored to have the support of the social workers, and their noble leadership in our state," said Jill Long Thompson. "Human service workers are on the front lines every day helping Hoosiers live better lives. They see firsthand the dangers of the Daniels administration's failed policies, and they know Indiana can do better."

For more information about Jill Long Thompson, Dennie Oxley, or their campaign to restore Indiana's promise, please visit www.hoosiersforjill.com or call 317-635-Jill.

Source: Hoosiers for Jill Press Release

Long Thompson, Oxley Announce Labor Day Weekend Public Schedule

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:46:14 -0700

Public events for Saturday, August 30-Monday, September 1

INDIANAPOLIS - The following is a listing of public events to be attended by Jill Long Thompson and Dennie Oxley, the Democratic nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, for Labor Day weekend, August 30-September 1, 2008.

This schedule is subject to change. All times are local.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

9:30 a.m. -- Jill will participate in the Indianapolis Labor Day Parade, stepping off from North and Pennsylvania Streets in downtown Indianapolis.

11:45 a.m. -- Jill will be in Lafayette to attend the Northwest Central Labor Council's 25th Annual Laborer's Family Day Picnic at Columbian Park (1915 Scott Street).

1:00 p.m. -- Dennie will meet residents of Nineveh at the CSW 49th Annual Ox Roast at Cordry Sweetwater Lake Clubhouse (8451 Nineveh Road).

2:30 p.m. -- Dennie will travel to Beanblossom for the Old Settlers Picnic, at 5163 North State Road 135 to visit with area residents.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

4:00 p.m. -- Jill and Dennie will be in Petersburg for the Labor Day Celebration at the Pike County Fairgrounds (IN-56 and Park Road).

Monday, September 1, 2008

8:45 a.m. -- Jill will begin the day at the Lowell Labor Day Rally near Lowell High School (SR 2 and Deanna Drive).

11:30 a.m. -- Dennie will participate in Labor Day Picnic and Rally festivities at the United Auto Workers Local 685 in Kokomo (269 E. Hoffer Street).

12:45 p.m. -- Jill will take part in the Fort Wayne Labor Day Picnic at Headwaters Park (333 South Clinton St., Fort Wayne).

1:00 p.m. -- Dennie will meet locals in Gas City at the Grant County Labor Day Picnic, held at Hontz Hall (307 West South H Street).

2:15 p.m. -- Dennie will visit with Madison County residents at the Solidarity Picnic at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Alexandria (4th Street, East of State Road 9).

2:45 p.m. -- Jill will travel to Muncie for the Solidarity and United Way Labor Day Picnic at the United Auto Workers Local 287 Union Hall (5000 Centennial Avenue).

6:30 p.m. -- Jill will speak at the Wabash Valley CLC, AFL-CIO Banquet at the Holiday Inn in Terre Haute (3300 US 41 South).

For more information about Jill Long Thompson, Dennie Oxley or their campaign to restore Indiana's promise, please visit www.hoosiersforjill.com or call 317-635-Jill.

Gubernatorial Candidates Highlight Indianapolis Chamber’s HobNob: Meet the Candidates

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:45:13 -0700

NDIANAPOLIS, IN - All three Indiana gubernatorial candidates—Governor Mitch Daniels, Democrat Jill Long Thompson and Libertarian Andy Horning—are slated to appear at the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce’s eighth annual HobNob: Meet the Candidates, on Thursday, September 4 at the Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.

“The Indianapolis Chamber has historically been the voice for business as well as the larger community within city-county government and at the Statehouse,” said Indianapolis Chamber President Roland Dorson. “We offer HobNob annually because democracy is not a spectator sport and we believe it’s necessary to give business leaders and citizens an opportunity to meet the candidates in a nonpartisan atmosphere.”

NEW THIS YEAR, Howey Politics Indiana will release its third of four Howey Gauge Poll Results exclusively at HobNob. For more information on the Howey Gauge Poll, please visit HoweyPolitics.com.

What: HobNob: Meet the Candidates, presented by State Farm Insurance

When: 5 – 8 p.m., Thursday, September 4, 2008

Where: Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis

Presented by State Farm Insurance, HobNob is the premier political event in central Indiana, opening the region’s 2008 election season. Local business leaders, voters and members of the Indianapolis Chamber have an opportunity to interact one-on-one with candidates running for office.

In years past, HobNob proved to be a flashpoint for candidates for Marion County prosecutor and provided voters an early glimpse of Mayor Greg Ballard, who last year staged one of the biggest election upsets in Indiana political history.

Cost to attend HobNob is $10 for Chamber members and non-members. For more information go to IndyChamber.com and click on the HobNob banner.

Be informed. Be heard. Be there.

Source: Howey Politics Indiana Press Release

Political Ethics – Madison County

K9Mike — Wed, 9 Apr 2008 17:32:21 -0700

Both parties have corrupted the election system by design.

Republican moral values justify deception and changing election results. And violations of election laws are ignored when Republicans are guilty of the dirty deed. In Madison County, the not so popular failed R policies will live on with the help of Democrats. So voting by party is not relevant.

Democratic leaders have turned to the dark side, the Republicans.
Dem Chairman McNabney and also a lawyer went Republican with passion. Gee, think this might be a conflict of interest. In the Bibbs recount case. As D party Chairman, he did NOT provide the correct admin legal support in getting papers filed. Bibbs told papers were filed correctly. McNabney who was paid by the county, not the party, then went against Bibbs at hearing. Dem chairman turned anti Dem candidate in public.

Bibbs was not the only candidate to be intimidated for questioning the election. Plus others not in politics. So this is not just about Bibbs.

But there is a bigger issue. The corrupted election system in Madison County. There has been a info lockdown and officials are following the Republican position of be silent. But what do they think they are hiding??? (Maybe the puppet masters know and the few who made copies.)

At a County Council meet, Bostic exposed this. In rejection of oversight/accountability on election system, he revealed this. What they do behind closed doors will stay a secret.
State law on oversight will not be followed.

A question that will NOT be answered is this.
What favors are the Dem leaders getting to support the Republicans???

Without a full disclosure, can the voter trust a party???

Taking Government to the People is Catching On

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 16:28:17 -0700

By C.A. Bouslog

Brad Polk, newly elected to the Muncie City Council representing District 4, has joined forces to bring government to the people. His first District 4 Quarterly Meeting with Polk will be held Monday, March 31, 2008, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Kennedy Library on McGalliard Road, Muncie.

For the first meeting, he has invited the Mayor, all Department Supervisors, and Council persons Jerry Dishman, Allison Quirk, and Linda Gregory.

Linda Gregory

Said Polk, “The meetings are informational and a great way for residents to find out what I (as their elected representative to the City Council for District 4) have been doing for them, and what I am going to do for them in the future.”

There will also be a question-and-answer period for citizen concerns.

Meetings will be held at the same time on a quarterly basis on the last Monday in March, June, September, and December.

The next Breakfast with Gregory will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on April 5, 2008, at Mac’s Restaurant (2323 South Madison Street, Muncie, Indiana). Breakfast with Gregory sessions are held the last Saturday of each month before the City Council meeting (for the month of April, April 7, 2008).

Upcoming City Council meeting agenda will be discussed, and attendees are encouraged to participate in a question and answer session regarding citizen concerns.

Brad Polk and Young Friends

VFD, EMT, EMS

Bard — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:22:23 -0800

If you are VFD, the next legislative cycle may bring you unwelcome news. Several legislators told a buddy of mine that all vollys, (FD, EMT and EMS) will lose their jobs; that's what Mitch Daniels plans for next year if he can get HB 1001 passed. All fire departments will be required to go to full time paid personnel. Just how that's supposed to help Indiana's economy, I don't know.

Sounds like a really bad idea, and if this really is his plan, I hope it gets derailed before the next legislative session. Your department heads may try to tell you it's baloney, but remember this came from some legislators in Indianapolis who claim to know what's planned for the next session.

Anyone else heard anything about it?

Seeing the Reagan in Obama

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:16:01 -0800

By Bill Steigerwald

Martin Anderson has been watching a certain politician this primary season who reminds him a lot of his former boss.

"He's doing a brilliant job," says the Hoover Institution fellow who served as senior public policy adviser in Ronald Reagan's 1976 and 1980 presidential campaigns.

"He is the only person out there that's talking like Reagan. In terms of his approach, and what he's doing, he's doing exactly what Reagan did and no one notices."

Anderson's not talking about John McCain or Mike Huckabee. He's talking about Barack Obama -- the only Democrat on Earth who can save America from four more torturous years of Clintonism.

Others have spotted resemblances between Sen. Obama's and President Reagan's superior oratorical and communication skills, though they are obviously opposite in style, delivery and message. But Anderson arguably knows the real Reagan better than anyone else alive.

Not only did he travel tens of thousands of miles with him on campaign trails, but since 2001 he's co-authored three books that used thousands of radio commentaries, letters and speeches Reagan wrote to prove that Reagan was never the empty suit he was said to be.

And as for those who still think Reagan was a passive player in the demise of the U.S.S.R., Anderson's current book project will soon show otherwise.

Anderson and his wife Annelise have been given access to classified minutes of more than 330 meetings of the high-powered National Security Council, which met in the 1980s to plot the defeat of the Soviets. Reagan was not only the chairman of those meetings, Anderson said on Super Tuesday, he "made all the decisions, ran the whole shop."

Getting back to Obama, Anderson said his campaign strategy also echoes what candidate Reagan did.

"Obama wants the Democrats but he also wants the people in the middle. He wants the Republicans. This is the reverse of Reagan. Reagan said, 'Look, I want the Republicans, but I'll take the ones in the middle and I want all the Democrats.'

"They're both saying, we are doing this not for the Republican Party or the Democrat Party but the whole country."

Meanwhile, as Obama has been trying to seduce independent and (very) liberal Republicans, the Reagan remnant has obviously failed to find a new hero to save the Republican Party.

The candidate who's said the nicest things about Reagan, Anderson said, is Obama. Obama caught hell from other Democrat candidates for saying Reagan had the vision-thing but even the hard left sees the Reagan in Obama.

Nation magazine writer Christopher Hayes, for example, believes Obama can do for left-liberalism what Reagan did for conservatism -- resurrect it and make it the country's political majority.

Of course, that dream will never happen, because if Obama bests Hillary -- which every American should pray happens -- he'll have to move from the left to the center.

It hardly matters who wins. Except for the war in Iraq, their politics are essentially the same big-government Democrat drivel. Neither President Obama nor President Clinton II could damage America any more than George W. Bush has.

But unlike Hillary -- who thinks she already knows everything and had her fling with Goldwater conservatism as a teen -- there's still hope for Obama to wise up.

After all, Reagan was once a Democrat.

Bill Steigerwald is a columnist at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. E-mail Bill at steigerwald@caglecartoons.com. ©Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, All Rights Reserved.

One Day of the Iraq War - thought-provoking?

Bard — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:00:28 -0800

Madison County voter registration trival data

K9Mike — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:20:26 -0800

Checked Indiana data base on SOS web for the Nov 2007 election.

Here are the Voter Registration totals of SOS and what Madison County Election Board reported to local public.
Local and state use the same data base. But totals don't match.

registered voters in Madison County
state 109,487 18 % voted

Public told 51,465 38.2 % voted

??? 109,487-51465 = 58,022 extra voters ???

Both show 19,658 voted.

So the trival question is, how many real voters are there???
Could this be the replacements (B team) for those who don't vote correctly???