What’s that Line From Happy Gilmore?

(Originally posted at Hoosier Access)

Petition signatures to get on the Indiana ballot as an independent third party? Rounded up, 33,000.

Petition signatures that the John Price led candidacy of John Waterman for Governor has at this point for today’s deadline? 128 certified according the Indiana County Clerks.

Frugal Hoosiers has more:

As of Friday, Indiana County Clerks had received a total of 128 certified signatures for Sen. John Waterman, leaving him just about 33,000 votes short of the 33,000 votes needed to get him on the ballot in his race for governor. That’s about four per day since he announced. At this rate, Waterman will qualify for ballot access in December of 2030. He’ll be 86 years old.

Ouch!

As FH reminds us, it looks like the Price is Wrong…!

I mean really, did anybody take this candidacy seriously? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

(H/T - Frugal Hoosiers)

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Sox answer: Buehrle, bats leads Sox to sweep

This one's for you Josh...

CHICAGO -- This much appears certain concerning the frequently fantasized-about 2008 Red Line World Series matchup between the Cubs and the White Sox.

Based on the regular season Interleague results from these past two weekends, the All-Star Game in New York could decide the Chicago that ultimately emerges with a championship.

Rarely have two series outcomes been so influenced by the venue in which the three games were played. The Cubs won a hard-fought opener on Aramis Ramirez's walk-off shot two Fridays ago, and then walked all over the visitors in the next two games at Wrigley Field.

As for this past weekend, the White Sox captured a one-run victory on Saturday, but basically annihilated the Cubs during the other two matchups. They completed their own three-game sweep with a 5-1 victory before an ESPN national television audience on Sunday night and 39,573 at U.S. Cellular Field, a partisan-White Sox crowd, who began the requisite "sweep" chant with the waving of the brooms shortly after Jim Thome's mammoth blast to right-center with two outs in the eighth.

The White Sox (46-35) out-pitched their counterparts, especially out of the bullpen, out-slugged them, and basically outplayed them from Jose Contreras' first pitch on Friday to Bobby Jenks' last pitch to pinch-hitter Daryle Ward on Sunday. Even Ramirez, a noted White Sox nemesis who hit four home runs and drove in eight runs at Wrigley, was completely shut down in 13 at-bats on the South Side.

Both teams exit U.S. Cellular with a first-place hold on their respective divisions. The White Sox, though, feature more of that championship glow after taking care of their home part of the competition.

"It will be a different Monday in Chicago," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen with a smile during his postgame press conference. "I bet you White Sox fans can't wait to get up for work tomorrow, because I know it was tough for them last weekend. It's nice to see the fans have a smile on their face."

Story is from Scott Merkin, a reporter for MLB.com.

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Can you feel the love?

Ya know, I've been wondering just where Bill Clinton has gone.

The Daily Telegraph knows:

[A senior Democrat who worked for Clinton] told the Telegraph: “He’s been angry for a while. But everyone thought he would get over it. He hasn’t. I’ve spoken to a couple of people who he’s been in contact with and he is mad as hell.

“He’s saying he’s not going to reach out, that Obama has to come to him. One person told me that Bill said Obama would have to "kiss my ass", if he wants his support.

This is your united Democrat Party.

Hat tip: Hot Air.

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Newt: Drill now, pay less

Newt's back...
He's sporting some new glasses and this time, he's fighting for a cause we all can relate.



Sign the petition.

Could it be that he's cleaned up, changed his approach and being looked at for Veep?

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Waterman candidacy running out of steam

Opinion from Porter County Politics
Update on Frugal Hoosier John Price is Wrong ... Again

The Howey Report suggest that John Waterman - actually the John Price religious right machine - may not get the 33,000 authenticated signatures they need to make the ballot. First it will take 40,000 to make sure they all count, and then the churches that make up this movement are frankly tougher to align. I know in Porter County Fairhaven Baptist, which was in lockstep in years past, is much more happy with Mitch Daniels.

State Sen. John Waterman is indicating to associates that he does not know if he can submit 33,000 authenticated signatures by Monday to qualify his Taxpayer Party gubernatorial ticket on the November ballot. The informed and reliable source who talked with Waterman earlier this week said that Waterman and his running mate, Glenna Jehl of Fort Wayne, are relying on a network of churches to attain the signatures. The source suggested that Waterman might need more than 40,000 actual signatures in order to cross the 33,000 authenticated signature threshold. The source suggested the odds of doing that "are less than 50 percent."

It's my humble opinion that the far right church movement has peaked. They may still be mad that they didn't get Eric Miller elected four years ago, but Mitch Daniels has done such a great job in Indiana that they are having to stretch to take shots at him. I would expect Micah Clark and Eric Miller and other strong religious right leaders to get as much space as possible from John Waterman and John Price. Or maybe Price will toss Waterman under the bus?

Price's one knock on the Governor is that he signed an affirmative action policy for hiring state employees that could conceivably allow a cross dresser to get hired. Whatever ... that's lame litmus testing.

Today the Cubs and Sox at 1:30 matters a lot more than this race that's for sure!

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How to Speak Democrat

Going into the Election Cycle, I thought this would help!

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Obama must be proud of NW Indiana

When Indiana was in the center of the primary news coverage, and wasn't that all fun, there was quite a bit of talk about Obama's strongholds versus those of Hillary Clinton. Hillary won Porter County of course, with quite a large Operation Chaos vote (personal observation).

Obama though won Lake County, a large and important vote in Indiana, convincingly. Do you remember the late nite games? It seemed that Mayor Clay (Gary Indiana) was actually trying to pad the election results to make sure that Obama kept the state close.

Brian has commented recently on the somewhat embarrassing fact one of the Democrat Superdelegates from Indiana is the corrupt former Mayor of East Chicago, none other than Mayor Pastrick. Will the Obama factions distance themselves from this "chicagoland corruption style politics" or will they allow political criminals to use their tactics to deliver the inner city vote in metro areas across the country?

Former Lake County Council President is a racketeer?

Buzzcut, the blogger and author, posts regularly on Lake County corruption and political criminality. Keep an eye on his site, he'll be sure to dig up more to show that Lake County Indiana is a mess.

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Obama helping a Republican senator

I don't quite know how to feel about this ad...



In every Presidential Election year, each Party's candidate helps others. Obama's name is likely to help several Democratic candidates down ballot, but what about a Republican?

Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans, is stressing his history of working with the presumptive Democratic nominee in a new campaign ad that hit airwaves Tuesday.

Obama camp immediately made clear Barry is supporting Smith's Democrat opponent. Of course they did... now Obama has be more more Democrat that before...

"Barack Obama has a long record of bipartisan accomplishment, and we appreciate that it is respected by his Democratic and Republican colleagues in the Senate," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said. "But in this race, Oregonians should know that Barack Obama supports Jeff Merkley for Senate. Merkley will help Obama bring about the fundamental change we need in Washington."

Alright, I understand the tactic. I won't hide the fact that I don't know Oregon. But I know I have a bit of a hard time with the fact that a sitting member of the Senate and a well respected Republican would step away from principles just to get elected.

I don't know... what are your thoughts?

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Americans have right to guns

In case you didn't know...

By James Vicini of Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Individual Americans have a right to own guns, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday for the first time in history, striking down a strict gun control law in the U.S. capital.

The landmark 5-4 ruling marked the first time in nearly 70 years the high court has addressed the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It rejected the argument the right to keep and bear arms was tied to service in a state militia.

Justice Antonin Scalia said for the majority the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with militia service and to use it for traditional lawful purposes, such as self-defense in the home. However, he said the new right was not unlimited.

The court struck down two parts of the country's strictest gun control law adopted in Washington, D.C., 32 years ago -- the ban on private handgun possession and the requirement that firearms kept at home be unloaded and disassembled or bound by a trigger lock.

The ruling marked the first time the court has struck down a gun control law for violating the Second Amendment.

The ruling won praise from the White House, Republican presidential candidate John McCain and Wayne LaPierre of the politically powerful National Rifle Association, who said, "This is a great moment in American history."

It drew fire from gun control groups, which warned of new legal attacks on existing gun laws, and some Democrats in Congress like Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who said the decision "opens this nation to a dramatic lack of safety."

The four liberal dissenting justices warned of the ruling's consequences. "The decision threatens to throw into doubt the constitutionality of gun laws throughout the United States," Justice Stephen Breyer said.

Although an individual now has a constitutional right to own guns, that new right is not unlimited, wrote Scalia, a hunter.

He said the ruling should not be taken to cast doubt on long-standing prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill or on laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in places like schools and government buildings or laws imposing conditions on gun sales.

The Supreme Court's last review of the Second Amendment came in a five-page discussion in an opinion issued in 1939 that failed to definitively resolve the constitutional issue.

In the 64-page opinion, Scalia said an individual right to bear arms is supported by "the historical narrative" both before and after the Second Amendment's adoption.

"What is not debatable is that it is not the role of this court to pronounce the Second Amendment extinct," he said.

"Few laws in the history of our nation have come close to the severe restriction of the district's handgun ban," Scalia said.

GUN POINTED AT BURGLAR WHILE CALLING POLICE

Scalia said a citizen may prefer may prefer a handgun for home defense because "it can be pointed at a burglar with one hand while the other hand dials the police."

The justices split along conservative-liberal lines in the ruling, one of the most important of the court's current term, in deciding a legal battle over gun rights in America. The ruling came on the last day of the court's 2007-08 term.

President George W. Bush's two appointees on the court, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, both voted with the majority in finding an individual right to keep firearms.

White House spokesman Dana Perino said, "The president strongly agrees with the Supreme Court's historic decision today that the Second Amendment protects the
individual right of Americans to keep and bear arms."

Republican presidential candidate John McCain applauded the ruling and criticized his likely Democratic opponent Barack Obama for comments he had made during the political campaign.

"Unlike the elitist view that believes Americans cling to guns out of bitterness, today's ruling recognizes that gun ownership is a fundamental right -- sacred, just as the right to free speech and assembly," McCain said.

"I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms," Obama said, "but I also identify with the need for crime-ravaged communities to save their children from the violence that plagues our streets through common sense, effective safety measures."

The United States is estimated to have the world's highest civilian gun ownership rate. Gun deaths average 80 a day in the United States, 34 of them homicides, according to Centers for Disease Control data.

The ruling was a victory for Dick Anthony Heller, a security guard who lives in a high-crime neighborhood and who wants to keep a handgun in his home for self-defense.

For decades, the meaning of the Second Amendment has been at the heart of a political and legal debate over gun control. People have argued whether it guarantees the right to bear arms to individuals or to citizens in a militia.

Written more than 200 years ago, the amendment says, "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

In a dissent, parts of which he read from the bench, Justice John Paul Stevens said
the court left for future cases the formidable task of defining the scope of permissible gun regulations.

"I fear that the district's policy choice may well be just the first of an unknown number of dominoes to be knocked off the table," Stevens said.

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Jill for Baton Twirler?

Couldn't let this one go by...

Stolen and modified from Hoosier Pundit.
Thanks to Hoosier Access for the logo.

(on vacation this week, will be back next week!!)

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Visclosky: invest and "bite the bullet"

My ole' pal Pete has actually tried to do something about our energy crisis...

`Da Region's Congressman Pete Visclosky introduced this week "a long-term plan" that attempts to reduce our dependence on oil.

Congressman Pete Visclosky (from the Post-Tribune):

"My bill is intended to help America invest and invent its way out of high gas prices and the energy crisis," Visclosky said. "I strongly believe that the solutions to our current troubles lie in Americans' ingenuity."

So Pete wants us to invent our way out of high gas prices and the energy crisis. Okay... In the mean time, hard working families will just have to deal with $4.50/$5.00 a gallon gas, rising natural gas prices, out of control prices on eggs, bread and other family food basics.

South Shore Progressive writer Bob Mattson writes:

"That is in stark contrast to the Bush/McCain plan of drilling our way out of high gas prices and the energy crisis. Oil isn’t going to be around forever and it is great to see someone thinking beyond that fact and toward clean alternatives."

Hey Bob, I don't disagree with you... But what are people supposed to do in the mean time? When people lose their jobs because they cannot afford gas to drive to work or the bus lines won't get them there... or worse yet: cannot feed their families because of rising food prices... you want me to step up and tell them that this is the best move for America?

Bite the bullet: we cannot use oil forever. Deal with it.

That line Bob, doesn't pay the bills or feed kids.

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Oxley’s Invisible Fingerprints

(Originally posted by Josh at Hoosier Access)

From a press conference that took place this week:

Reporter: How have you had experience dealing with the economy in the legislature?

Oxley: Every bill in the House the last 6-8 years I have had fingerprints on each bill. Of all those bills described economic bills, my fingerprints were on them.

Looks like Oxley’s economic “fingerprints” are invisible.

From 1999-2008 (his whole legislative career) Oxley was not on a single bill (author, co-author, sponsor, or co-sponsor) that passed through the Economic Development Committee. In fact, he wasn’t even on a bill that didn’t pass or even get a hearing in that committee. The vast majority of bills he’s had his name on have gone through Education, Finance, Roads, or Ways and Means.

While it’s nice to see he’s actually doing something in the House, even there he’s been far from a leader. According to Frugal Hoosiers:

* 51 bills introduced
* 6 passed into law
* 33 received no hearing
* 12 received a hearing and ultimately failed

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Cubs v Sox Crosstown Rivalry Heated

CIVIL WAR!

For those of you who hail from other parts of the state, we Northwest Indiana folks just may consider ourselves to be more Chicagoans than Hoosiers. I mean you got that whole silly time change thing going on that Mitch started while we have always been on central time. We have the Bears while the rest of you have the Colts. We have the Cubs and Sox and you have, uh…well you have the Colts. We haven’t cared about the Bulls since Michael Jordan left. We think that we have a professional hockey team somewhere around here but darned if anyone knows about them.

From Southshore Progressive, go to article to vote for your choice.

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Numbers stacked against Elrod

So I have spent a bit of my time today, thinking about this whole Elrod situation.

Why would someone commit political suicide? I mean, all Jon has done is now giving the Demmies (or ay Republican who wants to run against him) ammo.

"Elrod will run for any office, just as long as he can keep his seat."

Or...

"Elrod has no spine; he was selected to run for an office and then chickened out because he was afraid to lose."
(Actually, I made that last one up... personal opinion.)

Gary Welsh over at Advance Indiana has a good post about the Elrod Numbers:

An American Viewpoint poll recently conducted in House District 97 provides good reason for State Rep. Jon Elrod to seek re-election to his House seat instead of running in the 7th District congressional race against U.S. Rep. Andre Carson. Widely known to voters in the 97th District, Elrod is viewed favorably among voters by a 61%-16% margin, compared to his Democratic opponent's favorability numbers of 16%-4%.

Elrod's number also stack up well against Andre Carson's 45%-40% favorable rating, Mayor Greg Ballard's 55%-16% favorable rating, Gov. Mitch Daniels' 60%-31% favorable rating and Sen. Richard Lugar's 71%-15% favorable rating. When asked if they approved of the job Elrod has done representing the district, 62% answered in the affirmative and only 15% disapproved of the job he has done. Just over half, 51%, favored Elrod's re-election compared to only 28% who want a new person.

Ok, so the numbers were stacked against him. But that didn't stop Jon when he ran for the first time in his State House District.

Disappointing...

Once more, this blogger made some calls and talked with some people today close to this situation. Apparently, none of Jon's close volunteers, township coordinators or ranking members of the Party's staff knew this announcement was coming.

In a campaign that started off with a lot of excitement from within the Party, it seems arrogance and "snobness" pushed many people away.

And, in the end, Jon Elrod has become a typical, Washington style Republican (just like he wanted...). Elrod will read polls and numbers before making any decision on what his next step will be.

Hey Jon, tomorrow the winds will be out of the southwest at 8 to 10 miles per hour. Hope that will help with any decision you have coming up.

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Oxley: "prepared" to be LG?

Couldn't let this one pass, since I am such a Oxley fan...

Scott from Hoosier Pundit writes:

Ladies and gentlemen, Dennie Ray Oxley II:



On the one hand, you have a tall guy in a nice suit that can't speak in public worth a darn and has to read from a script (and even then does a bad job).

And on the other, you have a lady with blond hair who happens to be just about the smartest person in any room.

Appearances can be deceptive; I know who I'd prefer to have as lieutenant governor.

Can you even picture this bumbling dufus as the Governor of the State of Indiana should JLT get elected and get hit by lightning? That'd be like getting hit by lightning twice, but still.

I can picture Becky Skillman as governor; she'd do a darned good job at it, too.

I wince at the thought of Dennie Ray Oxley II being one heartbeat away from running the state of Indiana.

Hat tip for the video: Frugal Hoosiers.

Again, back to my point:

Dennie Oxley: Not My Man

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Road too "tough" for Elrod

Well, much to my surprise, I just learned that Jon Elrod has quit (I'm not going to use dropped out... face it, he quit) the race for the 7th Congressional Congress Seat.

Here's the text of the "speech":

"Today I announce my decision to forego my candidacy for Congress, and to seek re-election to the statehouse.

Much has happened in the past eight months since I announced last November. Our campaign reached out to voters with a positive message, fresh ideas, and a vision of a government that works. We ran on issues: balanced budgets, fully funded social security, and an end to earmarks. Two elections have passed, and the voters have chosen the victor. In the meantime, none stepped forward to continue my efforts in the statehouse.

Whenever a public servant is at a crossroads, the question should always be: where can I do the most good? How can I most positively influence public policy? I have come to the conclusion that we need state legislators committed to eliminating the property tax, reforming education, and bringing jobs to Indianapolis. We need positive, common sense leadership. We must protect our neighborhoods from the blight of abandoned homes. We must fund our neighborhood development corporations. We will have those opportunities in the next two years in the Statehouse. As I weigh all of this, I feel compelled to seek re-election

This decision was not made lightly- I take no pleasure in walking away from a fight. The easy path would be to stay in the race. I also know many supporters will be disappointed. But this is not about ego or ideology. The only question is how I can best serve Indianapolis. I am resolute that the greater good is in a hard-fought return to the statehouse, rather than a long-shot run for Congress.

Rudyard Kipling wrote words every politician should consider:

If you can dream- and not make dreams your master,
If you can think- and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two Imposters the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build’em up with worn out tools….

If you can do all this, you are ready for the public arena.

And so, I pick up my worn-out shoes and turn fully to the task at hand. I promise a determined campaign focused on protecting and preserving the neighborhoods that make Indianapolis home. I will continue to fight for the abolition of the property tax. I will seek legislation empowering cities to more quickly combat abandoned houses.

I will continue to seek bipartisan solutions for the problems we face. Together we can do better, and together we will do better."

I think he forgot the quote about how cowards never win as well...

Ok, I have a really hard time with this... Elrod is taking the safe approach. And my guess here is that he thought about this before the Primary. After seeing all the new "Demmies" who came out to vote, Elrod has turned yellow.

I know many members of the Party begged Elrod not to run for this seat. And I guess he had to learn the hard way.

It's moves like this that give the GOP a bad name. Elrod has a responsibility to the people of the 7th CD who selected him over two others to be their nominee. Now, he is turning his back, hoping the GOP will slot him into the GOP nominee for his old State House seat.

So tonight, I sit here... thinking. I mean his Congressional Seat yard signs never said what office he was running for... does that mean this was always his backup plan? For pete's sake, his web site is already been taken down (from the info about running for Congress) and now reads a "Under Construction" logo.

Tonight, I am ashamed to have supported Jon Elrod for Congress.

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Dennie Oxley: not my man

So recently, Jill Long Thompson finally found a running mate. I believe it took her four to five trys though. No one wanted to run with her.

Ask yourself for a moment... now why would that be? hmmmm?

In the end, she "chose" State Rep. Dennie Oxley, from English, Indiana.

During his "tour" of the state, the newspapers covered it of course. Now, just be reading his quotes (because some of us work for a living...), we can find out a lot of the LG in waiting...

“The stakes are way too high in this state. This state is in need of change,” he said. “The economy in this state needs to be improved, and Jill Long Thompson has a plan to do that. She asked me to be a partner in that plan so … for me, the decision was easy.”

Stump line right there... good quote though Dennie.

So, just who is this guy?

Oxley, 37, was elected to the House in 1998 and currently serves as the majority whip. He is from the small town of English in Crawford County, and started out as a math teacher and school administrator.

Oxley is now a sales representative for Beam, Longest and Neff, an Indianapolis-based engineering firm.

Not too bad of qualifications...

When Long Thompson was searching for a running mate, she said one important factor was economic-development experience. Neither she nor Oxley could give a specific example of an economic-development project or policy change where Oxley was directly involved.

Opps. Well hey, we'll over look that is isn't qualified, right?

Instead, Long Thompson said his educational background is vital to economic development, and Oxley said that as party whip he has had his fingerprints on every bill in the House chamber in recent years dealing with economic development.

Oh... so no specific examples... but he had his "fingerprints" on every econ development bill thru the Chamber in past years... Well, so did Legislative Services personnel, as well as House Pages. Does that make them all qualified as well?

What about the time I visited the House Chambers last year to visit a friend. I got to see a copy of a education bill that was due for discussion. So since I touched the bill, does that mean I am qualified to deal with education concerns for this state?

So in the end, JLT compromised. Or gave in more like it. So many other people said no.

But now we are coming to my favorite part... Dennie talks about change.

Remember this quote?

“The stakes are way too high in this state. This state is in need of change,”

Ok Dennie.

Delegates at the state Democratic convention will make her choice official Saturday. At that point, Oxley will have to withdraw from the ballot for his southern Indiana House seat, and he conceded his father might run to take his place.

I added the boldness and changed the color to red. Got these quotes too, from the The Journal Gazette.

Oxley's idea of change is to simply hand over his seat to dear old Dad.

That way, after JLT loses this fall, Dennie can have his seat back. Plus hey, it saves money on changing yard signs.

Oh yeah Dennie... that's real change.

Dennie Oxley: not my man.

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Couple uses occasion for worthy cause

Here's something we should all get behind...

(From the Hendricks County Flyer, penned by Wade Coggeshall)

AVON — Monday was their 29th wedding anniversary, and the start of a week-long vacation.

They could’ve taken a nice, relaxing trip like they always do. Instead they decided there was something else they could do that’s much more important.

Leonard and Sandee Keller got permission from Lowe’s to park their pickup and trailer on the north side of the business’ parking lot facing Rockville Road traffic. Their goal is to fill that trailer full of needed items and drive it directly to the Red Cross in Martinsville.

“We’ve been blessed, so rather than take a vacation, what better to do than help those who need it?” said Leonard, a deputy sheriff with the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department.

It was a rather spontaneous decision on something that’s been brewing for a couple of weeks. The Plainfield couple has indirect ties to Martinsville through fellow church members and co-workers. Sandee has a co-worker at Wellpoint with family that lost everything. Originally their plan was just to collect a couple of bags of clothing to donate. But they decided, given the resources and free time they had, to do it right.

“You just have to thank the Lord for all you have and try to help others,” Sandee said.

The Kellers set up shop at 3 p.m. Monday. A few bags of clothing were already in the trailer. Other items they’re accepting are cleaning supplies, diapers, Wet Wipes, bottled water, baby formula, and personal hygiene items like razors and toothpaste.

Personnel from the Avon Fire Department were on hand to help with any loading.

Leonard’s goal is to fill the trailer. He’s not leaving until he does. That includes spending the night, if necessary.

“Good thing I slept in this morning,” he said Monday afternoon.

If they get a full load early enough in the week, the Kellers said they’ll stick around for more.

It’s certainly an unusual way to celebrate a wedding anniversary.

“It’ll probably be one of the best,” Sandee said.

They were still there as of this morning... help them out, and help out our fellow Hoosiers!

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Willie's 3am phone call

Coming back to what I love to rant about... baseball.

How much would this suck?

It's 3am. And the phone rings in the Oval Office.
Who's on the other end of the phone?

It's New York Mets General Manager Omar Minaya. Who else do you think would be calling?
He asks for Willie Randolph... and then realizes he's dialed the wrong number.

At 3:12 a.m. in New York eariler this morning, Minaya fired Randolph, less than two hours after the Mets defeated the Angels, 9-6.

That victory, the Mets’ third in four games, improved their record to 34-35 but had no bearing on Minaya’s decision. According to the NY Times crack sports division, the organization plotted the firing on Monday morning. Minaya ended up waiting though until after the game.

Minaya also gutted their coaching staff, firing the pitching coach Rick Peterson and the first-base coach Tom Nieto.

Ok, I think we all know of people who have been "dismissed" from a job for poor performance. But to can someone at 3am?

New York is a baseball town, as I am sure my friend Josh will agree. And the amount of pressure coaches like Randolph and Yankees skipper Joe Girardi (who is feeling some pressure himself with the lack luster performance of the Yanks and all the injuries they are picking up along the way...).

I caught the Mets against the Cubs last year in Chicago with my wife (yes, I finally did get to Wrigley). They didn't look all that bad.

Did Randolph do a bad job? Well, yeah.

Just 17 months ago, Randolph received a new multi-million dollar contract for guiding the Mets to their first division title in 18 years. Since then, the stroy changed as everyone watched one of the greatest collapses in baseball history, from which this year’s team has yet to recover.

So Randolph's flash in the pan is over. Jerry Manuel, a Mets Bench Coach and former White Sox Manager is taking over in the interm. It was time to move on Willie, you could see that coming.

But hey, Omar Minaya... couldn't you have waited until the morning? Maybe after his first cup of coffee? Firing someone in their pajamas and slippers is cold... even in New York.

Make a note: never accept baseball coaching job in New York.

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Gore endorses Obama

Anyone catch this? Anyone care??
The AP is reporting tonight...

Al Gore is endorsing Barack Obama and promising to help the Democrat achieve what eluded him - the presidency.

In a letter to be e-mailed to Obama supporters, the former vice president and Nobel Prize winner wrote, "From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected president of the United States."

"Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action," Gore wrote. "With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country's most pressing problems."

The former vice president also asked for donations to help fund Obama's effort - the first time he's asked members of his Web site AlGore.com to contribute to a political campaign.

Gore is one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, but he kept a low profile in the primary campaign. He's planning to appear with Obama at a rally in Detroit Monday night.

Gore has said he will do everything he can to help Obama. But he might just come up a chad or two short once more. Then again, people will make the argument that they weren't voting for McCain; they were voting for Bob Barr...

Gore is popular? He lost...


Gore has become a sellout, not just to his cause but to the Demmie Party itself.
When they needed a leader, Gore did not answer.

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Tiger Woods wins Again

I know it's not baseball or politics, but the blogosphere was all crazy today with people following the playoff and sudden death of the US Open today. Some reporters even suggesting that businesses were losing productivity due to guys bailing out of the office to watch.

In a sudden death overtime win, after 18 holes of playoff today, Tiger Woods completes his 14th major title. Some thoughts:

• Rocco Mediate is a terrific spokesman for the game of golf, his poise and charisma were powerful. I hope to see him again in another major, perhaps even a win
• Tiger Woods shows again that even when he's injured he is the best golfer on the planet
• The game of golf is the big winner, a game of rules that are followed and not cheated, a game where the best is only as good as his or her last outing.

Other posts of note:

Woods brings out top ratings for US Open
US Open = Hole-In-One For City

I watched and was logged into Twitter for the last few holes and the sudden death hole. On a business Monday twitter was crazy with posts. It didn't matter who you wanted to win, today Golf won.

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Vatican bans Hanks from filming

Gotta love it when Hollywood gets slammed for filming garbage.
Drudge reported on this earlier today:

(bits taken from an AP Story:)
The Vatican has banned the makers of Angels & Demons, the latest Dan Brown thriller to be filmed, from shooting scenes not only in the Vatican but in any church in Rome on the ground that it is "an offence against God" and "wounds common religious feelings".

Archbishop Velasio De Paolis, head of the Vatican's Prefecture for Economic Affairs, said that the author had "turned the Gospels upside down to poison the faith. It would be unacceptable to transform churches into film sets so that his blasphemous novels can be made into mendacious films in the name of business."

Father Marco Fibbi, spokesman for the diocese of Rome, said: "Normally we read the script, but this time it was not necessary. The name Dan Brown was enough."

As churches try to lead people back to Him, last thing they need it Tom Hanks and Ron Howard filling their head with conspiracy theories and crap.

Call me a religious zealot, I don't care.
One thing is for certain, I am one of the children of God.

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The light bulb police are coming!!

H/T: to Diana at Welcome to my Tea Party

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Indiana Democrat Party in leadership quandry

Jeff, an Obama supporter writes of his concern that the Indiana Democratic Party is in a leadership vacuum in Indiana Democratic Leadership?

When looking for the Audacity to lead in the Indiana Democratic Party of late I feel that the leadership left for South Bend when Joe Kernan went home. I have no idea what Dan Parker is doing at the party but it sure does not seem to be leading. Now I am more then willing to be corrected Dan but if you are leading it's sure in private back rooms.

He goes on to list all the back and forth problems and toe-smashing that has transpired lately, with this whole Lt. Gov. thing a total mess for JLT. I get the feeling he's most worried that his messed up party will lose Indiana for his chosen Obama.

Cross Posted at Porter County Politics

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Jill Long Thompson picks State Rep. Oxley as running mate

According to democratic insiders, Jill Long Thompson will announce her running mate on Monday:

State Rep. Dennie Oxley II sings gospel music in quartets, but now he'll be part of a duet -- as the running mate to Democratic nominee for governor Jill Long Thompson.

Oxley, 37, did not return calls Friday seeking comment, and Long Thompson would only say that she'll discuss her choice on Monday, during a series of news conferences around the state. However, other Democrats including House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, confirmed that Oxley is Long Thompson's choice.

From Indianapolis Star
With HT to Hoosier Access
Cross Posted to (Porter County Politics and NWI Connect)

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Sunday morning's won't be the same

Boy, this Sunday morning is going to be rough.

Aside the part that it is Fathers Day, much like the rest of America there will be a part of my morning that is missing.

For as long as I can remember, Tim Russert and NBC's "Meet the Press" was a part of my Sunday morning. NBC News’ Washington bureau chief and the host of “Meet the Press,” died Friday.

He was only 58.

A grilling on “Meet the Press” was often considered an essential proving ground in the career of any national politician. If you could survive Russert, you could hold your own.

Sean Hannity this afternoon laughed about the reason why he told Russert he'd never appear on "Meet the Press". (Paraphrasing) "He'd go and pull out a recording I did back in the mid 90's and ask me why those statements of long ago contradicted things now. I just couldn't handle that," was along the lines of Hannity's quote.

Even though Russert had a background working in the Demmie's campaigns and with elected officials, he fairly kept an open attitude with whomever he interviewed.

I remember hard grillings of Bill Clinton, along with Newt, John Kerry and President Bush. For the most part, he went after everyone the same way.

This past Primary season, Russert was at the top of his game. You could genuinely see he was enjoying every moment.

But apparently, God needed a "correspondent".
I will miss Tim Russert on Sunday mornings.

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"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

This day in history, a reminder that freedom cannot be stopped. H/T to Gateway Pundit.



Also, Michelle Malkin says it's time for a similar speech by Bush on oil exploration and drilling: “Mr. Bush, Tear Up That Offshore Drilling Ban”

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ACLU "helping" Indy's homeless

"You and I are allowed to walk down the street without the government forcing us to show who we are," said ACLU Legal Director Ken Falk.

The ACLU of Indiana makes it sound like IMPD is walking around, asking people for "your papers please" on the streets of downtown.

Have I ever told anyone how much I "love" the ACLU?

Allegedly, four homeless men contacted the ACLU recently about being harassed while panhandling. Indy Mayor Greg Ballard has stepped up on cracking down on panhandling on downtown streets.

Ballard has instructed IMPD to enforce state law, which sets restrictions on when, where and how panhandlers can solicit donations. Ballard wants to drive panhandlers out of the downtown.

Last month, the city installed five donation boxes for homeless charities along sidewalks to discourage people from dropping money into panhandlers' cups.

The ACLU suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, does not identify the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers involved. It seeks class-action status. The plaintiffs are ID'd as Richard Dellantonio, Douglas Ayres, Ryan McClellan and Richard Byrd. All four are homeless, but, according to Faulk, McClellan and Byrd don't "solicit for contributions".

Ayres and Dellantonio hold cups without speaking when they solicit, the suit states. Generally, Indiana's panhandling law exempts people from any restrictions if they avoid verbal solicitations and stand or sit passively.

The suit states that such treatment violates the U.S. Constitution's protections of free speech and against unreasonable seizures.

So, let's recap for a minute: four homeless guys downtown got harassed by the Police downtown because they were "begging" for money, thus breaking the law. As a result, they got ticketed.

So, these four guys, instead of looking for a job or a shelter, sought out the ACLU. They wanted to file a lawsuit because their rights were violated under the Constitution.

Am I really supposed to believe this story?

I think it went down like this: an ACLU lawyer was walking downtown, probably looking for a place to buy a latte (because after all, coffee from Mickey D's just doesn't cut it...). He got harassed by someone asking "ya got any spare change?". Like most, he probably ignored them, until he saw two IMPD officers on the beat, asking a couple guys to stop begging.

A light bulb went off in his head. And within a week, he had four homeless guys to file a suit. After all, this is how the ACLU can stick one to Ballard.

Now the ACLU could have given these four guys jobs or a place to stay while getting back on their feet. But no... they helped them to file a lawsuit because they "can make you rich".

Let's also forget, that you and I do not have the right to walk down the street without being harassed, stopped or swore at (yes, that has happened to me).

(Ever wonder why people beg downtown? Check out an "experiment" Abdul did downtown a few months back.)

Look, I feel for the homeless. My wife will confirm that our family has made donations before to organizations to help homeless people. But if this is how the ACLU feels they can "help" the homeless, this is ridiculous.

Does anyone know how much the ACLU has done to help the homeless in Indianapolis?

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Prayers for the Scouts

As a Scouter, Eagle Scout and father of a Star Scout, I ask you all please to keep the families of the four Scouts who lost their lives last night as a violent tornado ripped thru the Little Sioux Scout Ranch, which lies outside of Blencoe, Iowa.

The National Weather Service reports that a twister struck at about 6:35pm, only twelve minutes after a warning went out.

The Little Sioux Scout Ranch is a wilderness camp, where nearly 120 people had gathered for a junior leadership training program. A Youth Staffer and three Boy Scouts attending the program lost their lives. There were 93 scouts, aged 13 to 18, attending the program. Some were hiking and engaged in other activities when the storm struck.

State and Boy Scout officials and local media said the tornado made a virtually direct hit on the Scout Ranch, destroying some of the 1,800-acre area's few buildings and collapsing the brick chimney of one shelter where many of the scouts and staff had taken refuge.

Fifteen-year-old Rob Logsdon, interviewed on CNN, said that as the group huddled in the building to escape an intensifying storm, a scout leader took a flashlight, peered outside, and hollered for everyone to take cover.

"Everybody dived under the tables . . . and two seconds later the tornado was on top of us," Logsdon told the cable network. "The next thing I knew the walls and windows were gone . . . The chimney fell down behind me."

Logsdon described a chaotic scene in which scouts were digging through the rubble of the collapsed building to rescue their friends.

"I was pulling bricks off the tables as fast as I could," Logsdon said.

Scouts "were under the tables and stuff and on their knees, but they had no chance," scout supervisor Thomas White told Omaha television station KMTV, according to the AP.

White, an Eagle Scout and one of the group's leaders, was outside when the tornado struck and said he got low to the ground as it approached. In an interview with CNN he estimated that about 50 scouts and some adults were in the shelter when the tornado destroyed it.

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, interviewed on the "Today" show earlier this morning, said the damage throughout the camp was "massive."

The group had been practicing disaster drills and first aid just the day before, and "they responded as quickly as they could, and I think lives were saved," Culver said.

In my youth, I was a BSA Staffer at a Junior Leadership Training Camp. When bad weather struck, we relied on each other, the good Lord and a weather radio.

Scouting traditionally teaches kids about life. And this lesson is a tough one to learn. But knowing the Scouting community, they will all pull together especially with all of our prayers.

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Home Depot: "You can do it; we want your $$"

So I am sitting here this morning, drinking my Turbo Coffee from BK and reading the morning paper.

As I drove in this morning, my new friend, Jake Query on WIBC, was talking about an ad this morning in the Indpls Star (page A9).

It's a Home Depot ad.

Now, I am a capitialist. I don't hide that. But this ad that Home Depot is running is just plain tacky.

The ad reads:

"The unthinkable has happened. Now for those who've been hit the hardest by the flooding, the recovery begins.
Here's what we're doing at the Home Depot.
All your local stores are open for business and committed to keeping essential products in stock.
We continue to be the every day price leader.

If you have any questions about flood-related repairs, we're here to help.
We also offer comprehensive installation services.
We understand that at the moment, just getting things back to the way they were is a big project in itself. But at the Home Depot, big projects are something we've never sined away from.

So instead of asking yourself, "Now what?" say to yourself, "Now I can." We're right around the corner if you need anything."

So, Home Depot is out to make a buck. I understand that.

But I find it tacky to do it at the expense of people who've been hit the hardest during this time with the floods.

Looks like I will be shopping at Lowe's more often.

Anyone want to join me?

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Morning Coffee Blues

I will not hide the fact that I am a coffee drinker.

Heck, I'd take it to the next level and say that I am a coffee junkie, more than just a drinker. I have a problem, I know I do. And I am good with it.

I used to be one who got excited each time I saw a new Starbucks opening up or that a Dunkin Doughnuts wasn't far behind.

When times were lean (especially before Starbucks took over) I used to take my daily hits from gas stations or Mickey D's. Geez, Burger King even has a "turbo" coffee that is great.

Speedway Gas Stations now serve an "shockwave" coffee. Double the caffine to get your day started.

Then, I took my "problem" to the next level: homebrewing.

My coffee pot at home has a place of importance in the kitchen. The surrounding counter is kept clean. Utensils used in the brewing process are kept near by. And, above my cabinets, I keep antiques of days gone by from coffee (old canisters and such). A few years back, a family member gave me a grinder. Now I can make my coffee at home pure and fresh.

And, as my problem progressed, I took another step in my addiction.

When I started dating my wife years ago, she hated coffee. In fact, she didn't even have a coffeemaker in her apartment... I know! A travesty. That soon changed in a couple of weeks. I used the guise of "buy one for me to have some coffee while I am here...".

A month or so down the road, and she took became hooked. On me... and coffee.

She likes "stuff" in her coffee. Sometimes sugar or milk or... dare I say it... (I have never used bad language on this blog before...) DECAF.

Me? I am a coffee drinker, black. Don't out anything in it. I like italian roasts or bold coffees. Sometimes, the morning cup of Breakfast Blend hits the spot too. I like coffee where a spoon would stand up on end if you put it in the cup.

Fuu fuu coffees? Like Mochas or Lattes? While I won't hide the fact that I have enjoyed them from time to time, they aren't an "everyday" enjoyment.

So you are asking yourself:
"Brian, would you shut up and make your point...".
Alright.

I stopped this morning at a Starbucks over on thr eastside of the city this morning for a cup of joe. McD's had a line to Kentucky. And BK, well, when there is no one at the place, I kinda get scared as to why... I had already passed the Speedway. And I thought that a good cup of Italian Roast would hit the spot this morning.

So, I walked in.

I am always fascinated by the fact that it takes two managers and five employees to brew coffee.

I know it has been this way for a while… but today it just tipped me off.

Starbucks no longer brews “several kinds” of coffee. They now brew this Pike Place Roast. And maybe a “morning brew selection” is how the fake chalkboard spelled it out.

What? I thought this was a “promotional” thing. That after a while, Starbucks would have to go back to brewing the other coffees that helped make them famous. After all, Kroger sells them…

I have tried this Pike Place Roast before. And much to the surprise of my wife, I didn’t care for it.

I know, believe me. I like bold coffee, but this Pike Place stuff is terrible. I thought I would give it a couple months so all the “qualified” employees at Starbucks would understand how to brew it, but nope. Didn’t happen.

The gentleman working offered me a sample. So I took it. After all, who I am to turn down coffee? Especially free coffee…

Pike Place Roast has a bite and a large bitter aftertaste. Subtle. I like a subtle aftertaste where you get hints. But not this sludge.

It was also boiling hot. Hot enough to burn the tongue but not hot enough to destroy the flavor. I drank about half of it and then threw it away.

I ended up with a Misto.

Defined by The Coffeehouse Dictionary:

A drink made with half drip coffee, half steamed milk. The resulting drink is a slightly Italianized Café Au Lait. As far as I know, Starbucks may be the only place (at least in the United States) that uses this term in preference to the better known au lait; feel free to correct me on this.

I guy who helped me was kind enough to use the press and make me some regular coffee for my drink. He admitted to me too, that he didn’t care for the sludge of the Pike Place.

Big surprise…

So, gotta tell you… upset with Starbucks. From what I can find, they are putting a lot into this Pike Place crap.

According to Starbucks website:

“We are returning to the very best elements of our heritage and bringing back the simple romance and excitement of coffee,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo. “Since 1971, we have sourced, roasted and sold the world's finest coffees. Pike Place Roast truly represents the best of who we are, showcasing our new quality standards for freshness – freshly roasted, hand-scooped, freshly ground and brewed with shorter hold times. Pike Place Roast takes us one step closer to achieving our goal of transforming the in-store experience by restoring the connection our customers have with our coffee.”

And, if you read on, get this:

The new Pike Place Roast was artfully created by Starbucks master blenders and roasters using input from customers and baristas to achieve a bold taste and smooth finish. Nearly 1,000 customers spent almost 1,500 hours providing input on what’s important to them in a cup of coffee.

“It was an exciting opportunity to find the right roast that would produce the flavor customers told us they wanted in a daily coffee,” said Andrew Linnemann, Starbucks master coffee blender.

“We heard our customers and we were determined to deliver the consistent high-quality cup that they expect every time they walk into one of our stores. We really took our roasting technology and everything we’ve learned over the years to someplace new.”

Huh? I never was asked… Who did they use? People from Seattle?

This blend was created using input from Starbucks customers and represents our 37 years of coffee roasting experience, knowledge and passion. Taking the wide range of customer preferences as a guide, this everyday brew is a unique blend featuring Starbucks signature bold flavor with a smoother finish balanced by soft acidity and subtle, rich flavors of cocoa and toasted nuts.

Won’t argue about the nuts. Starbucks is nuts.
Don’t like the stuff and won’t drink it.

Looks like I am looking for another place for my morning joe. Any suggestions?

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Real leadership comes up from the waters

Mitch Daniels has always been one who gets in there and rolls up his sleeves when it comes to fixing things.

And this past week's weather has become something that will need some leadership, as to how the state can help people who have ran into trouble.

But then, there was one problem... Mitch was due to leave for Japan to help market Indiana to Japanese companies to relocate here. He was due to leave today.

The, something happened that I know made Jill Long Thompson upset.

The governor’s office announced earlier in the day that the Gov. had cancelled the trade mission to Japan.

The Gov's office said in a statement: "He will return to Indianapolis from Fort Wayne this afternoon and continue to coordinate the state's efforts to respond to severe weather that has impacted much of the state."

Sorry JLT. You cannot pick on Mitch for leaving at a time of crisis... But then, it gets better.

LG Becky Skillman toured the town of Seymour with Mayor Craig Luedeman. They toured Coventry Place, an upscale neighborhood where the streets today looked more like canals.

During the tour, Skillman had an announcement:
The state is planning to set up a one-stop call center where victims of the flooding could call for answers to their questions.

Darn, strike two JLT. Now you cannot say that the state did not react quick enough...

Real leadership. That is what is going on.

Instead of flying around or listening to briefings, you will find the Gov and Becky Skillman on the ground, helping and being involved.

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McCain 2008 Strategy Briefing

How cool is the internet...?

Modern times now have brought the campaign volunteer into a bigger picture.

Now, they can be part of daily updates, talking points and "marching orders" within minutes of the campaign giving the okay.

Need something out to your "army" fast? Email it.

Or better yet, put it up on YouTube:



This is thorough and interesting look at what the McCain Camp has and what is ahead.

Has any other campaign ever putting this sort of information out on YouTube before?

(Crossposted at Hoosier Access and Porter County Politics)

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Ackerson desperate, brings on Wagner?

(As a supporter and friend of Steve Buyer, I found it important to post Scott's entry...)

Ackerson Takes Low Road; Employs "Nastiest Woman in Indiana Politics"
By Scott Fluhr from Hoosier Pundit

It seems that big-bucks Washington carpetbagger Nels Ackerson has provided gainful employment (or has accepted volunteer help from) Jen Wagner, everyone’s favorite internet smear artist.

Having already wrecked the gubernatorial campaign of Jim Schellinger with her politically-ineffective and party-destructive negative attacks, she’s moved on to find new villages to napalm and new candidates to leave with the smoldering ruins of her handiwork.

Via Google Alerts:
I guess that any day now Steve Buyer, his family, his staff, or his campaign workers and volunteers can expect to see their social security numbers, bank account information, and details of their personal lives blasted across the Internet.

That’s how Wagner rolls.

And that’s the game that Nels Ackerson has decided to play.

From digging thru Ackerson's website, the blog entry is there, but Jen Wagner's name isn't there anymore? Blog entry was from Sunday...

So at this point, I cannot confirm this or not. But is looked awfully too interesting to ignore.

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Rain, rain, go away

Tough times lie ahead for our state.

And today, we learn that there is more rain in the forecast.

(Rain today, tomorrow and Friday...)

Rest assured, things will get better.

Not to make light of it, but remember God's promise:

"Never again will I curse the ground because of man, however evil his inclinations may be from his youth upwards. I will never again kill every living creature, as I have just done. While the earth lasts seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall never cease" (Gen.8: 21,22)

Prayers are with the people of Indiana.

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Sportsman for Swatts!!

Pistol and Rifle Shoot Fundraiser
for
Candidate Chris Swatts
State Representative, House District 89

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Hamilton County Fish & Game
1100 Edith Avenue
Noblesville, Indiana 46061
(http://www.hcfg.us/)
Cost is $25 for member,
$50 non member or $75/couple

9:00 am - Registration
9:30 am - Range Instruction
10 am to 12:30 pm – Pistol Shoot
12:30pm to 3pm – Cookout
1:30 pm – Raffle Winners Announced
1:45-3:00 Opportunity to shoot and win an M-44 Mosin Nagant

Participants must bring own eye & ear protection

Along w/holster and minimum of 75 rounds (Pistol Shoot)
Pistol requirements - Semi Auto or Revolver .38, 9mm, .357, .40, .45, .44 or .454

Sponsorship opportunities available
Pistol Sponsor $100 Rifle Sponsor $250

To register or more info please contact:
Veronica Wilson veronica@housevictory08.com
Or call (260) 438-3083

Kinda a really cool idea for a fundraiser...

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Mystery Person to Join JLT in Gov Political Suicide Pact

(Originally posted at Hoosier Pundit, by Scott Fluhr)

Yes, it's official.

Someone in Indiana is actually dumb enough to want to go down in flames as JLT's number two.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jill Long Thompson, the Democratic nominee for Indiana governor, has selected her running mate, a campaign source confirmed to 6News on Thursday.

Thompson, however, has decided not to reveal her choice for lieutenant governor until closer to the state party convention scheduled for June 20-21, 6News Capitol Watchdog Norman Cox reported.

According to Cox, Thompson’s selection was not Jim Schellinger, the person she defeated in the Democratic primary in May.

Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel removed his name from consideration last week, saying in a news release, "It is more important for me to concentrate on my commitments here in Evansville rather than run for Lieutenant Governor."

Former Indiana House Speaker John Gregg also removed his name from consideration.

Other possible candidates who have been publicly mentioned are Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez and State Rep. Trent Van Haaften, who is a former prosecutor from southern Indiana.

Let's see. Who else might be that crazy...

Richard Young (please, JLT, give us more Batman)

Dennie Oxley (owner of the nicest and most expensive car in Crawford County)

Both have more ego than political sense.

Sucks to be Linda Pence, though. Her campaign announcement sort of disappeared after word of this got out.

And they still say that the Republicans are divided by comparison?

Hardly.

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McCain's 1st General Election Ad

John McCain's camp was the first on the playing field this morning, releasing its first ad of the general election, a spot called "Safe".

Looks like McCain is going to stay positive as long as he can. But rumors out of the campaign is that they are planning on hitting Obama hard on his lack of experience.

In the spot, McCain looks directly at the voter and says:

"Only a fool or a fraud talks tough or romantically about war. ... I was shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a POW. ... I hate war. And I know how terrible its costs are. I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe."

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JLT and the geopolitical lieutenant gov pick

Jill Long-Thompson has an offer from the kool-aid kid of the south, Senate Minority Leader Richard Young (D-Milltown). Young has offered to run as her lieutenant governor, according to Indiana Barrister. Young hails from Harrison County where the HC Democrats Party web site suggest that George Bush is responsible for child prostitution, among other things.

By the way, if you go to the Harrison County Democrats web site and click on the “Contact Us” link, you’ll have to call Louisville, KY.



Young announced his candidacy for the Gov’s post in January 2007 but later withdrew, citing it would take $20 million to run against Mitch Daniels, an amount he admitted he could never raise.

Is JLT is looking for geographical parity (Deja Vu) by looking to the south, or does she realize she cannot carry the southern end of the state on her own?

Without Hillary’s coattails to ride on, JLT is going to have an uphill battle through November.

AWB

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If Baseball Were Like Politics...

Baseball is alot like politics if you think about it...

Adam Graham at Adam's Blog had a light-hearted take on what baseball would be like if it were handled the way we handle presidential elections:

As baseball comes upon us and the presidential primary cycle winds down, I thought it’d be interesting to look at what baseball would be like if we played the baseball season the same way we elect a President:

• The free agent signing period would begin in June of the previous season.
  
• Teams would jockey for media attention by being the team that has the first game of the season. As a result, Spring Training would begin in November following the conclusion of the previous season’s Fall Classic. The regular season would start on Christmas Day.
  
• In order to be fair and democratic, rules are changed so the opposing team’s fans get to pick the starting line-up at each game.
  
• Teams would play at a normal pace for a couple months and then have one week where every team in the league is expected to play 28 games, or 7 straight days of Quadruple-headers.
  
• Of those teams that still had functional ballplayers after that, all teams other than the top team in the American and National League, respectively, would be expected to forfeit the rest of the season and warned sternly that if they didn’t, they’d be hurting their league’s chances in the World Series.
  
• After a forfeit is obtained from the last remaining “losing” teams in Mid-April, baseball stops except for an occasional exhibition game, while sports pundits speculate on who will be the starting pitcher in game one of the World Series in October. Supporters of the two League Champions are left with months to pointlessly razz each other.
  
• For a reason that makes no sense to anyone, a couple months before the World Series, each team airs a four day infomercial on national television touting how great their players are and their league as a whole. Nobody knows why and wishes they could watch American Idol instead. Some old guy insists there was a reason for the infomercial a long time ago, but he’s not even quite sure what it was himself.
  
• The World Series goes the distance to Game 7. A grand slam ends the series in the bottom of the eleventh. The opposing team goes into its clubhouse to decide whether it wants to agree the Home Run was hit. Around noon the next day, the opposing team faces reality. The World Champions have a fantastic parade in honor of their achievement.
  
• The next day, Spring Training begins. They got to hurry. Opening Day is on Thanksgiving.

Bring on the boys of summer!

This year, it's a little different.

We'll watch the Red Sox battle it out against the Yankees (sorry Josh, this just ain't your year...). We'll see the White Sox and the Cleveland Indians play some good baseball.
And, like every other year, we'll watch the Chicago Cubs self destruct after the All-Star Break, leaving room for the Brewers to battle it out with the Cardinals.

In addition, we'll watch John McCain slug it out with Barack Obama.

So they Cubs and Obama are asking themselves... is this my year?
Nope!

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Flood Watch thru June 5th...?

Hope everyone had a good sleep last night. I know I didn't.

Have a project started in my backyard, so I thought I would snap a photo for you to see:

"Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.

A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with
lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it."
Genesis 6:14-16

We are accepting reservations by the way...

And I just want to know:
How big is a cubit?

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Jon Costas: a true class act

Once again, Jon Costas showed us who he truly is...

And to my friends over at Frugal Hoosiers, relax.

In a true class act, Costas sent out an email to his supporters:

Congratulations to Greg Zoeller, the successful nominee for Attorney General at the Indiana Republican State Convention. I look forward to campaigning for Greg, Governor Mitch Daniels, Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman and Tony Bennett, the Republican candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

I want to thank all of those who supported my campaign with time, endorsements, money and encouragement. You are all my friends and I look forward to our opportunities and challenges together in the future.

To all the delegates that have spent time with me over the past five weeks, I appreciate your dedication to the Republican principles that we embrace as we lead and govern our state. I thank you all for your support and friendship built on the campaign trail. I look forward to our conversations in the future.

Jon

Now before people go putting words in my mouth (FH), let me say this:
Jon Costas committed to me in our phone conversation, that he would indeed support and campaign for Greg Zoeller, if he (Costas) was not able to win the delegate vote.

So, I never questioned that this type of concession would come, it was just a matter of "when" (are you listening Hillary??).

In this action, Costas has shown me that he is a "rising" person in our Party. His campaign worked hard, and Costas himself, should be commended for that.

Jon, we look forward to seeing you again down the campaign trail.

If and when you run again, let me know...
I'll make the two and a half hour trek north to walk precincts with you.

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Interesting Result from the AG Race

As reported by Dan at Angry White Boy:

Statewide:
1061 - Zoeller
707 - Costas

Allen County (Ft. Wayne)
Zoeller - 71
Costas - 16

Lake County (NWI - `da Region where Costas should be strong...)
Zoeller - 51
Costas - 30
So much for a "united delegation", John...

Porter County (Costas’ home county)
35 - Costas
8 -Zoeller

Green/Vanderburgh
48 - Zoeller
19 - Costas

Delaware/Adams - tied

Marion County
146 Costas
71 - Zoeller
(Hey, Tom John can only strong arm, twist and replace people so fast...)

Costas could not sweep his own county. And in areas where he should have been strong, Zoeller still stole some votes.

Greg Zoeller was on WIBC this morning (news spot) talking about how his goal was to personally talk with 500 delegates. Zoeller beat out the machine, by doing it the old fashioned way. Hard work and shoeleather (well, in this case, miles on the car...)

Now, I am not saying that Costas relied soley (no pun) on Mitch Daniels endorsement or the tactics of a small few. Costas himself was making phone calls, trying to touch base with as many people as he could. The DVD he sent me was just one more example of that.

But personal contact once again won out. Make a note of that all you potential candidates.

But, as I ranted about before and so have many of my fellow bloggers, now is the time for us, as a Party, to come to together to defeat the Demmies this fall.

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Zoeller claims victory at State Convention

Zoeller: 1,061 votes
Costas: 707 votes

This vote, to me, says that state GOP delegates rejected strong arming campaigning.

We, the members of the Republican Party, will make the choice as to who our nominees should be.

And this vote also says that, just because you are from a particular part of the state, it doesn't mean you are the most qualified for the office you seek.

As Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi pointed out in his nominating for Greg Zoeller:
EXPERIENCE MATTERS

I had a chance to catch up with Jon Costas after the convention and wished him well. I told him that some time next week, I would like to sit down and talk with him about "what's next" for Jon Costas. Stay tuned for that...

Congrats to Greg Zoeller! I know you will make an excellent candidate and a superb Attorney General for our state!

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Hillary supporter needs a cup of coffee...

A little something to watch with your morning coffee...



The Democrats, as much as they deny it, are falling apart. And this is proof of it.

We have an opportunity to seize here.

And as the state GOP Convention opens this morning, we need to remember that we need to come together, as a Party, to support the entire GOP ticket this fall.

I will try to send some updates throughout the day. Either way, there will be a wrap up later tonight.

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Thoughts on the eve of Convention

Some thoughts tonight on the eve of the GOP State Convention...

There are a few postings around the blogsphere that, dare I say it, are very correct. It seems in all the hustle and bustle of campaigns, we have forgotten a very important point: election of GOP candidates.

And while I know that everyone who contributes to this blog would agree, I thought it needs to be written.

Indy's Conservative Hardball will work for the entire GOP ticket this fall.

But I also feel that some of my fellow bloggers have missed the point as well.

The AG race, State Sup of Public Instruction, Sec of State and State Auditor (just to name a few) are offices who's Party's nominee are chosen by the Party's delegates at state convention. And we, who are members of the Party have the RIGHT to support whichever candidate we feel is the best choice.

We also have an obligation to let other's in the Party know hoe we feel and who we are voting for. Blogs have opened that opportunity to another realm of getting that information out, quickly and to a different audience.

I have the right to support whichever candidate I choose, especially being an elected delegate. And I refuse to allow anyone to take away that right, being the County Chairman or the Governor of this state. (BTW: at no time, did either of these gents try to do so.)

After the Primary or state convention is over, it becomes my responsibilty to support and work for the GOP ticket, even if my candidate did not win a nomination.

At no time (I hope) did I ever speak badly of Jon Costas, the man. I never brought up anything in his personal life or spoke badly of him. I have called to question, a few things about his tenure as Mayor and things in his professional life (which are all on the table).

My new friend, James Snyder from Portage, and I have had a few really good conversations about the AG's race. And I am looking forward to meeting Jim tomorrow.

Jim wrote an email to Scott over at Hoosier Pundit that made some good comments about this race and all the crap that is flying around. He makes the comment:

"Grow up this is politics. There is crap going both ways."

Well Jim, you're right. Grow up, this is politics. And the Costas supporters should also heed this advice.

Tomorrow evening, we will have a complete GOP ticket for the fall. It is my sincere hope that we will come together as a Party tomorrow and move our ticket forward with the same energy that has driven this AG race.

I know many Zoeller supporters would support Costas, should he be selected tomorrow. So my closing thought is this:

Would Costas supporters come out in full force for Greg Zoeller, should he be selected as the GOP nominee for AG?

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Costas Rumor Debunked

Josh from HoosierAccess reports today:

During the last two weeks of the AG’s race heading into the state GOP Convention, rumors and speculation have been flying around like trees, cars and roof tops from Friday evenings storms here in Central Indiana. (Side note, I finally got my power back after 24 hours. Thankfully, no damage.) Some rumors have been confirmed, some haven’t.

But the Costas campaign contacted me yesterday to take issue with the newest rumor of unverified and denial of support. And that involves Mayor Craig Luedeman of Seymour. Apparently the rumors are false and the Costas campaign offered the email below as proof that Mayor Luedeman does, in fact, support Valpo Mayor Jon Costas for Attorney General.

From: Craig Luedeman
Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2008 9:31 PM
Subject: jon costas

It was and still is my pleasure to endorse John Costas for attorney general. As a fellow mayor it would be an honor to see a colleague as attorney general and that is why I am endorsing Jon Costas and encourage all fellow mayors to follow my lead.

Thanks again and wish Jon the best,

Craig Luedeman
Mayor of the city of Seymour

There you have it. Mayor Luedeman does indeed support Jon Costas for AG.

I apologize for reporting the opposite.

You have my committment that Indy's Conservative Hardball will do everything we can to remain accurate on what we talk about.

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