Question of the Day

Why? (4.00 / 1)

Because she's losing statewide by almost 20 points.  I'm sure her numbers in NE Indiana have softened as well.  I have the feeling they're just going through the motions now and don't have any hope for victory at this point.  She's pulled her ads (for financial reasons I presume) and is campaigning in "safe" territory.

I really wish Evan Bayh had decided to run for governor again.  Then we'd be looking at a 20 point lead.

Hoosier Progressive

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by: Vox Populi @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 07:25:49 AM CDT

I know, I know... (4.00 / 1)

I recognize what is going on, but they were spending significant time and resources in that corner of the state long before the polls began their downward spiral. There are still sizeable portions of the state where the JLT-Oxley ticket have sub-50% name ID. This is a larger, systemic problem at heart, but that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to get irritated when I see it happening.

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by: Thomas @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 08:10:41 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

At this point... (4.00 / 1)

I think she's just trying to prevent this from sucking under her friends and people that have supported her locally in the past.  If she could get back to even in Northern Indiana she can at least show her face around town.

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by: Hank Scorpio @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 12:55:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

A question crossed my mind... (0.00 / 0)

this weekend.  Probably premature, but who would have made a better candidate?  I don't believe Schellinger would have by any means.  Who has the real moxie politically to take on Daniels?  And surely the Lite Gov Skillman won't be able to continue after Mitchie... so....2012?

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by: LafayetteLib @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 08:58:06 AM CDT

Daniels Ads (0.00 / 0)

It really annoys me that most of the Daniels ads I see these days are joint ads with other statewide candidates.  He's so unworried about his own seat now that he's helping out people who otherwise probably wouldn't be on television and who would bolster his poor policies.  

I did see some local people canvasing here in Muncie this weekend.  They were primarily canvasing for a local county commissioner, but they also had stickers for Jill.  First activity I've really seen for Jill in any way so far during the general election cycle.  I was surprised that they didn't seem to be coordinated with the Obama campaign in any way.  Has there been tension between the two camps that anyone is aware of?

"It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority."  --Benjamin Franklin

Yes, even Democratic authority.

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by: Daily Activist @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 09:00:16 AM CDT

Between the Jill Long Thompson campaign... (0.00 / 0)

...and the Obama campaign.  Not between Obama and the Dunnuck for County Commissioner campaign.  ;)

"It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority."  --Benjamin Franklin

Yes, even Democratic authority.

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by: Daily Activist @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 09:02:22 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

The most I've seen for Jill (4.00 / 1)

in Muncie is their little corner in the Muncie Obama office and I saw a few people at BSU tailgating.

Other than that, the only thing I've seen pro-Jill or even anti-mitch is when Mitch came to our football game and was booed by the sell out crowd. If there is that much dislike for the man, then Jill SHOULD be doing a much better job.  

Vote for the person, not the party.  

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by: kcflood @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 10:01:52 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

dont think so (0.00 / 0)

I dont think there is any tension because I am not sure that there is really a JLT camp. campaign or effort out there anywhere.

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by: Howard C. @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 12:55:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The Obama camp doesn't play well with others (0.00 / 1)

It's a widespread problem; they're all about Obama, the hell with anybody else.  It's not uncommon to see one group canvassing just for Obama and another working for the rest of the ticket.  

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by: Hank Scorpio @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 12:58:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

First of all... (4.00 / 2)

...I'm not sure how you can tell me that opening 30 field offices around the state and offering every local and statewide candidate space is in any way not "playing well."

Secondly, you're assuming that it makes political sense for Obama to help JLT. If I was outpolling an increasingly unpopular candidate by 10-20 points, I'm not sure I'd want to have them as part of my permanent field plan. They may be assholes for doing that -- if they are -- but they would be smart assholes.

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by: Thomas @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 13:26:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

They haven't offered every candidate space, and for that matter... (0.00 / 0)

office space wins elections?  I'm far more concerned with being told not bother ID-ing for local candidates when I've volunteered.

Secondly, JLT may not help them, but you can't tell me every candidate in Indiana is political cyanide for them.  Just because one is bad news; doesn't make them all.  

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by: Hank Scorpio @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 14:02:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

My point isn't that it wouldn't be helpful... (4.00 / 2)

...if they were dedicating all of their resources to all of the candidates. My point is that I can't fault them for putting the election of Barack Obama as their number one priority.

Especially when they are running a statewide field plan that WILL bring hundreds of thousands of new voters to the polls with the thought of voting Democrat.

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by: Thomas @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 14:12:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I understand that but... (4.00 / 1)

there's a wide berth between just Obama and all candidates.  I showed up for a canvass because I was told they would be canvassing for Obama and a local candidate I support; then I was told to just check the boxes for Obama.  I learned later the local candidates have to fight to get volunteers to walk the exact same neighborhoods.  It's not something I hold against Obama obviously, but it turned me off from volunteering further for the campaign.

I understand that there will be new voters as a result of Obama being on the ticket; but I also know there are people out there who have some reservations about voting for him that might be calmed if they saw him as being aligned with some of the local folks.  It does have the potential to help him as much as it helps the locals.

Besides does anybody really think are lives will be much better if Obama wins; but Mitch strengthens his choke hold on Indiana?  Having one is bad enough; having hundreds across the state will be a nightmare.

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by: Hank Scorpio @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 14:25:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Obama (0.00 / 0)

the Obama changed their name to the campaign for change so they could encompass other candidates.  Their massive voter regisration efforts will help all Dems and their GOTV will also be helpful...it will not be enough to keep the Titanic {JLT} from going down.

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by: Howard C. @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 14:22:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

It takes more then a name change (0.00 / 0)

What good does it do if we see waves of people vote for Obama and walk out, like we saw in the primaries?  Let's say 10% vote Obama only; think that won't swing a few elections?

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by: Hank Scorpio @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 14:27:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

No offense (4.00 / 1)

but why should the Obama campaign be paying for anyone else's campaign? JLT sets up shop in all of the Obama offices - that's already a lot. Why should people who donate to the Obama campaign also have their money go to other campaigns that they may not even support? There are plenty of republicans voting for obama but also voting for Mitch.  

Vote for the person, not the party.  

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by: kcflood @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 15:14:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm not talking about money (0.00 / 0)

I'm not sure any of us are talking about money; we're talking about volunteers and working together in the field.

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by: Hank Scorpio @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 15:37:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Here's how I look at it: (4.00 / 2)

1) Obama is already giving a huge leg up to Indiana candidates with their field offices. These are often in red (read: RED) areas of the state that would otherwise have NO large-scale GOTV or outreach activities. That's a gift, and one people should generally be appreciative of, specific candidate squabbles aside.

2) It's not Barack Obama's fault that Jill Long Thompson -- or any candidate, for that matter -- can't manage to supplement their work with an army of volunteers of their own. There's something to be said of the idea that Obama is sucking the air out of the room, but he has been actively campaigning in the state since March. Some of these candidates started last summer. I don't hold him accountable for their shortcomings.

All that being said, I would love to see as much coordination as we can between the camps. This will be a great year for Hoosier Democrats, and the level of activity and interaction we have already seen is amazing.

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by: Thomas @ Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 16:05:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]