Secretary of State Todd Rokita loves television advertisements. Well, more accurately, he loves television advertisements in which he is featured prominently.
Unfortunately for our buddy Todd, the Republican-dominated Senate wasn't feeling particularly charitable when Rokita's minions made the walk over to their chamber and asked that the General Assembly make it even easier for elected officials to earn some free ad time on the public dime.
The Senate voted 50-0 in a highly unusual roll call vote to reject a bid by Rokita's office to rewrite a banking bill to remove language that bars a state officeholder from using the fund to buy advertising that identifies the official.
Some lawmakers felt Rokita is using the fund he controls to build name recognition as he pursues another elective office. He's seeking the Republican nomination in the 4th District congressional race against 12 other candidates - including state Sens. Brandt Hershman of Lafayette and Mike Young of Indianapolis.
Hershman and Young joined the parade of senators from both parties to speak against the amendment that author Sen. Richard Bray, R-Martinsville, said was sought by a lobbyist for Rokita's office.
"We should not use the public's dime to let people advertise on TV, whether running for public office or not," Young said.
Hershman said Rokita was seeking a pass at a time when the state, to balance its budget, is making "painful cuts" to necessary programs.
You know it's a strange day when I find myself echoing the sentiments of Brandt Hershman, but there it is.
Last week, I speculated at the Capitol Watchblog that we'd see uncharacteristic enthusiasm from Lt. Governor Becky Skillman's supporters when it came to rumors that Secretary of State Todd Rokita could run for the now-open congressional seat in the Fightin' Fourth District. Why?
Quite plainly, they want to get rid of the guy any way they can.
It's no secret that both Rokita and Skillman have entertained delusions of gubernatorial grandeur as of late, and the prospect of a protracted (and costly) political battle has loomed on the horizon for a while now. With Rep. Steve Buyer's announcement that he will not be seeking reelection, a door was opened by which the Indiana Republican Party establishment could shove Rokita out to pasture for the foreseeable future.
Abdul notes this morning that the rumor mill is pointing pretty conclusively to a Rokita announcement in the coming days. But don't hand this seat to Rokita just yet -- his state money won't be of much use in a federal election, and he'll have a new primary contest to worry about with both State. Sen. Brent Hershman and former State Rep. Matt Whetstone readying a hat-toss in recent days.
For loyal Democrats such as myself, I can't think of anything more entertaining than watching those three tear one another apart.
For the Lite Guv, the result of all this jostling could be presumptive front-runner status as 2012 speculation continues. With Rep. Mike Pence unabashedly discussing presidential aspirations, Indiana Republicans appear willing to push Skillman front and center. For a politico who has never seemed capable of getting anyone's blood pumping -- or getting their wallets to open, for that matter -- Skillman still has a long way to go to prove her viability as a legitimate statewide challenger.
And just like that, confirmation from a reliable news source -- no offense, Abdul -- brings to an end the reelection bid of the Fightin' Fourth's Steve Buyer.
24-Hour News 8 has learned Indiana Congressman Steve Buyer (R-4th District) will announce he will not seek reelection during a news conference Friday.
Sources tell us Buyer, who's Frontier Foundation became the focus of a CBS investigation, chose not to run due to his wife's illness.
Buyer made changes to they way the foundation ran, moving it out of his campaign offices in Monticello, in August when questions were first raised about the fund.
Steve Buyer has made a name for himself over the last decade with habitually outlandish behavior and hyperpartisan rhetoric, but I think everyone can agree that he and his family deserve best wishes as they deal with a presumably difficult medical situation.
I'll be updating this post throughout the day with news as it develops.
Oh, the rumor mill is a-churnin' this morning, due in no small part to everyone's favorite WXNT radio host, Abdul.
He reports of unconfirmed whispers that Rep. Steve Buyer -- he of nuking Afghanistan, smoking lettuce, and shady scholarship fund fame -- is poised to step down amidst an investigation into the aforementioned "charity" work.
I'll be keeping tabs on this throughout the day, but while we wait, here's a classic blast from the past.
After completely misstating the effect of this bill on veterans, and then screaming like a madman on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, Buyer went back to his office and counted the hundreds of thousands of dollars he, his family, and his campaign staff have indirectly (and in some cases directly) received from the pharmaceutical industry through his fake charity.
The Star this morning takes aim at Rep. Steve Buyer's increasingly fervent claims that his non-charitable charity is too legit to...investigate.
Specifically, they compare the finances of Buyer's Frontier Foundation with the charitable activities of two other Hoosier lawmakers.
Buyer's Frontier Foundation was launched in 2003 with $25,000. He has said he doesn't recall the original source of the money. It has grown to more than $880,000, almost all coming from companies and trade organizations that have issues before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on which Buyer serves. He's held golfing events in the Bahamas and at Walt Disney World to raise cash.
And, so far, he's given out only $10,500, of which $4,500 was being refunded, saying he was trying to raise $1 million before handing out scholarships.
And on the other side...
Bayh began his foundation in 2002 with $658,700 in leftover funds from his gubernatorial campaigns.
He made no donations in 2003 but has done so in every subsequent year. In 2008, the donations totaled $146,500.
Visclosky began his foundation in 2001 with $38,590 that his press secretary, Jacob Ritvo, said came from a pay increase that Visclosky felt he should not accept.
Congressman Steve Buyer continues to assert that he has absolutely nothing to do with the "charity" organization that has raised nearly a million dollars over the last five years, of which over $250,000 has been spent to compensate members of Buyer's campaign staff and immediate family.
Our friends over at TPM list just a few of the reasons why Buyer's bold-faced denial doesn't add up:
The foundation shares an address and phone number with Buyer's campaign headquarters on North Main Street in Monticello, IN.
Buyer's daughter Colleen was the president of the foundation until August 1 of this year.
His son Ryan is a director of the foundation, according to filings with the Indiana Secretary of State.
Answering the phone number of the campaign office (and foundation) today, Stephanie Mattix, until recently the secretary-treasurer of the foundation, told TPMmuckraker that the foundation shares the office but works out of "a separate room."
The real estate company that owns the space says the lease is for Buyer, and adds that the foundation is not subleasing the space. Mattix told TPMmuckraker, though, that the foundation does pay rent.
While drawing an annual salary in the $12,000-$17,000 range from the foundation, Mattix also served as the executive director of Buyer's Storm Chasers PAC. She is currently the finance director of his campaign and the webmaster of the campaign Web site.
Buyer was listed as the "honorary chairman" of the foundation on a 2004 donor solicitation, sent from Buyer's office, the Lafayette Journal & Courier reported.
Companies have made donations to the Frontier Foundation "in honor of" Buyer.
Buyer has helped the foundation with its fundraisers.
Justin Elliott of TPM is doing great work on this story -- be sure to check back in the coming days for any updates he has.
It's never too early to start pontificating on the next election cycle, especially if you make your money, uh, pontificating on the next election cycle. And thus, with little fanfare, the Cook Political Report released their initial race ratings for the 2010 cycle. Indiana is, at least at the moment, a real snoozer.
IN-1 -- Solid D IN-2 -- Likely D IN-3 -- Likely R IN-4 -- Solid R IN-5 -- Solid R IN-6 -- Solid R IN-7 -- Solid D IN-8 -- Solid D IN-9 -- Likely D
The only real things of note here are that Brad Ellsworth is now recognized as beyond mere mortals in an Eighth District that he has quickly made his own, and Baron Hill has effectively consolidated his political strength in the historically tight Ninth District. Oh, and Mark Souder is a really, really lazy campaigner, but somehow keeps winning.
Rep. Steve Buyer won election in the 90s by carrying around his dusty combat boots and plunking them down like a cheap prop at every campaign stop he made. His service as a JAG officer during portions of the Persian Gulf War was played up by the Republican, who was swept into office during the bloodbath of '92.
Since then, the 4th CD represenative has come under constant fire from veterans groups, who were especially incensed by his deference to Bush administration requests when he headed the Veterans' Affairs Committee. Now in the minority, Buyer still can't stop himself from taking a holier-than-thou stance on military issues.
During World War II, over 200,000 Filipinos served with the United States Military. The U.S. government promised all of the benefits afforded to those serving in the Military of the United States. However, in 1946, the United States Congress passed the Rescission Act which stripped Filipinos who served during WWII of the benefits as promised. Of the sixty-six countries allied with the United States during the war, the Philippines is the only country that did not receive military benefits from the United States.
Fast-forward to today, and the passage of the economic stimulus bill that includes the aforementioned long-ago promised benefits.
Congressional supporters and the remaining veterans - about 18,000 out of some 250,000 - lauded a $198 million provision that will give lump-sum payments of $15,000 to Filipino veterans who are American citizens and $9,000 to those who are noncitizens.
Some veterans said they would have preferred monthly pensions, an idea that had been proposed before in Congress.
"It's better than nothing," Manuel B. Braga, 81, said of the lump-sum payments. Mr. Braga was a guerilla fighter in the Philippine jungles and now lives near San Diego.
Enter Rep. Steve Buyer, champion of the veteran:
Representative Steve Buyer of Indiana, the ranking Republican on the committee, opposed the benefit, saying, "I hope Americans will stop to ponder the distorted values of those who crafted this bill."
Back by popular demand, I bring you this quarter's congressional fundraising totals from across the state.
Incumbent
Total Q3 Fundraising
Cash on Hand
Challenger
Total Q3 Fundraising
Cash on Hand
IN-1
Rep. Pete Visclosky
$63,335.00
$1,123,798.49
---
---
---
IN-2
Rep. Joe Donnelly
$142,887.86
$559,233.97
Luke Puckett
$53,708.39
$17,509.71
IN-3
Rep. Mark Souder
$216,987.38
$451,756.49
Mike Montagano
$152,485.49
$31,255.90
IN-4
Rep. Steve Buyer
$270,674.86
$806,324.83
Nels Ackerson
$128,782.53
$100,632.78
IN-5
Rep. Dan Burton
$199,774.70
$359,866.96
Mary Etta Ruley
TBA
TBA
IN-6
Rep. Mike Pence
$142,557.48
$417,601.56
Barry Welsh
$3,233.21
$9,380.03
IN-7
Rep. Andre Carson
$245,415.79
$186,951.99
Gabrielle Campo
$20,720
$11,836
IN-8
Rep. Brad Ellsworth
$267,651.31
$735,413.07
Greg Goode
$48,802.93
$43,860.25
IN-9
Rep. Baron Hill
$206,928.26
$684,909.30
Mike Sodrel
$177,387.86
$263,642.79
There's really nothing but good news for us in these numbers. Here are a few things of note:
The first thing you should notice is the absolutely piss-poor job the formerly-celebrated GOP challengers have done this cycle. Greg Goode and Luke Puckett (when he bothers to file reports) can't raise a dime to save their political lives, which were likely dead before those contests even started.
Congressman Baron Hill continues to kick ass in the 9th District, and Mike Sodrel posts another lackluster set of figures that will undoubtedly dishearten Republicans who were depending on Millionaire Mike to sustain his own effort. Keep fighting until the finish on this one, folks, but things are looking great right now.
Mike Montagano gave us another impressive effort in the 3rd District, and keep in mind when looking at his CoH number that he was able to spend out a lot more due to the dedicated funds he'll be receiving from the DCCC. We're right where we need to be in this contest.
Although the CoH figure will be a huge hurdle in the final weeks, kudos to Nels Ackerson in the 4th for outperforming any and all expectations for a Democrat in this decidedly difficult district. Great stuff.
(Thanks for the rundown on yesterday's debate between 4th CD candidate Nels Ackerson and 4th CD whiner Steve Buyer. - promoted by Thomas)
Steve Buyer is taking his ball and going home. From the admittedly mixed reports and vague accusations, Buyer told Ackerson that he would not participate in any future debates. According to the Lafayette Journal & Courier's Dorothy Schneider, Buyer was upset that Ackerson sent out a press release about the debate:
Dave Wyeth, a member of the hosting Hendricks County Farm Bureau, said Buyer was referring to a news release Ackerson sent out Wednesday about the event. Wyeth said there was no written rule about not sending out releases but said the event was intended for only Farm Bureau members and the leadership.
Now, I'm not a member of the Farm Bureau, but I've seen plenty of press releases for local FB events and debates. Keeping a debate secret kind of defeats the point of a debate. And after Buyer has repeatedly ignored Ackerson's other calls for a debate, I don't think he has a lot of credibility here.
The debate became heated when Ackerson pointed out that Buyer has missed more votes than any other member of the Hooiser delegation. Buyer responded by calling Ackerson "the gentleman from Maryland" and demanding an apology on behalf of his wife, according to the Indy Star:
Buyer accused Ackerson of being "mean-spirited" with distortions and fabrications and demanded an apology to Buyer's wife. Buyer said she was upset by the political mudslinging at the same time was she coping with the death of a relative.
Ackerson responded by saying that he was referring to Buyer's 16-year Washington career, and not specifically the past term. (If I recall, Buyer has responded angrily to this accusation in the past as well - I'm trying to find an article I vaguely remember from 2002 or 2004 about this.)
Nels Ackerson will finally get a chance to debate Steve Buyer in a Farm Bureau-sponsored debate tonight:
Thursday, August 28
Hendricks County 4H Complex Auditorium
1900 E Main St
Danville, IN
Doors open at 6:00pm
Debate starts at 7:00pm
Apparently, Buyer is still ducking the other debate offers that Ackerson has accepted. And like Masson, I haven't heard anything about any media coverage of this event.
Rep. Steve Buyer seems to be having problems with his usual modus operandi, as the Republican congressman's bi-annual refusal to debate in front of the 4th District is being met with some strong push-back from Democratic candidate Nels Ackerson. This story in the Bedford Times-Mail includes some great quotes from our great candidate.
"We have accepted every debate proposal, and I think there have been six of them," Ackerson said Wednesday morning. "My opponent has declined, not responded, or indicated he has time conflicts."
But Ackerson is confident Buyer will eventually accept an invitation to debate.
"I don't believe he wants the people of this district to think he's afraid to face me or afraid to face his record," he explained.
Ackerson was in Bedford Wednesday to appear on WBIW's "Talk of the Town." While he conceded the incumbent has the advantage of name recognition, he notes his campaign is building momentum.
"It's been fabulous," he said of his multiple visits to Lawrence County. "I'm having a good time, and now I'm seeing a lot of people for the second and third time. I think they appreciate the fact I've been around a lot."
Rep. Steve Buyer isn't really fond of the 4th District. He spends hardly any time at all there, rarely makes himself available to his constituents, and generally seems to have a distaste for the troublesome parts of being in Congress. (Namely, the 'Representative' part of his House.)
The Times' joint effort to sponsor a debate within Clinton County between U.S. Congressman Steve Buyer (R IN-4) and his Democratic challenger, Nels Ackerson, has one of the candidates ready to participate.
"I am in favor of multiple debates and I know the people are in favor of multiple debates," said Ackerson, during a break from touring the Clinton County and 4-H Fair on Thursday. "There are too many important issues to just allow people to send out press releases and tell their own story.
"That's important, but it's also important to be submitting to questions, and going back-and-forth with persons having differing views."
Buyer, however, has yet to commit to participating in a debate within Clinton County, an area solely represented in U.S. Congress by the eight-term incumbent.
Buyer has done this the last few cycles, but with Ackerson raising eyebrows with his competitive fundraising and campaign efforts, one wonders how long ol' Steve can afford to ignore his constituents.
The Times sent a letter to Buyer's Monticello office in June, requesting his participation in a debate.
After no answer, an e-mail was sent on Wednesday, and a phone call made on Thursday to Buyer's Communication Director, Anjulen Anderson.
"As the Congressman thinks the invitation for a debate is worthy of consideration, the Congressman has always discussed debates amongst the campaigns in the fall," Anderson wrote in an e-mail response to a Times' request to speak to Buyer about a possible debate.
How worthy of consideration? So worthy that Buyer's office then made the claim that he would be unavailable to appear in the district for the entire month of September.
Rep. Steve Buyer to the 4th District: I'll get to you when I get to you.
Back by popular demand, here's your handy chart based on the latest campaign finance filings for our congressional contests.
Incumbent
2Q Fundraising
Cash on Hand
Challenger
2Q Fundraising
Cash on Hand
IN-1
Rep. Pete Visclosky
$212,045.00
$1,585,193.21
---
---
---
IN-2
Rep. Joe Donnelly
$248,481.82
$993,045.67
Luke Puckett
TBA
TBA
IN-3
Rep. Mark Souder
$89,873.46
$323,339.38
Mike Montagano
$141,407.00
$351,701.69
IN-4
Rep. Steve Buyer
$182,269.08
$628,854.91
Nels Ackerson
$87,989.00
$177,536.88
IN-5
Rep. Dan Burton
$128,176.69
$336,537.54
Mary Etta Ruley
TBA
TBA
IN-6
Rep. Mike Pence
$231,772.01
$739,104.21
Barry Welsh
$3,878.61
$8,093.40
IN-7
Rep. Andre Carson
$434,765.31
$82,934.89
---
---
---
IN-8
Rep. Brad Ellsworth
$168,173.79
$779,312.64
Greg Goode
$24,651.37
$9,029.45
IN-9
Rep. Baron Hill
$294,587.47
$1,160,436.64
Mike Sodrel
$193,349.05
$379,358.76
A few things of note:
The big surprise is obviously the strong showing of Mike Montagano in CD 3. Rep. Mark Souder continues to disappoint in his ability to muster a respectable warchest, and with Montagano showing a $30k CoH advantage heading into the summer, this race looks increasingly likely to jump from the DCCC's "emerging races" list to the big time.
If there were any people left who thought the "Bloody 8th" would make a reappearance this year, Greg Goode's numbers should put that to rest rather quickly.
Speaking of disappointment, it looks like Millionaire Mike Sodrel is having a hard time finding support for his Bush-loving brand this year. He pledged to not dip into his personal finances this cycle, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen based on this performance.
I'm still waiting on Luke Puckett's numbers, who apparently didn't get his report turned in on time. I'll update the chart when I can give you those figures.
Rep. Steve Buyer has made a name for himself over the years shilling for the pharmaceutical industry. Whether you are looking at his strong-arm tactics on behalf of the drugmakers or his outspoken opposition to pro-consumer legislation, the 4th District "representative" established long ago that those that pay the piper get to name the tune.
Democratic challenger Nels Ackerson says it's time for a change:
According to campaign finance records, Fourth District Congressman Steve Buyer received more money - almost $100,000 - from Big Pharma and the health products industry than any other group in the 2006 campaign cycle. He has received $38,000 from the industry in this cycle.
"Why do we keep sending someone to Washington who's more interested in representing the special interests than the people who elected him?" Ackerson asked. "Our Congressman should be standing up for the people of the Fourth District, not the special interests."
More than 90 percent of Ackerson's campaign contributions have come from individual donors.
A quick look at Buyer's public statements on the Big Pharma pet issues reveals little more than the corporate talking points being peddled by the deep-pockets out in DC. Ackerson pledges to bring a fresh, novel approach should he be elected: He'll actually represent his constituents.
"I bring a different approach," Ackerson said. "For the past 16 years, while my opponent has been in Congress, I've been fighting for the little guy, protecting their rights and opportunities, and taking on governments and big corporations when they abuse their power and influence to take advantage of others. Hard-working Hoosiers are looking for that kind of leadership to represent them in Washington, and that's why I'm running for Congress."
In response to 4th District Rep. Steve Buyer's blatantly false smears against Democratic candidate Nels Ackerson, the campaign has released a statement calling on Buyer to stick to the issues.
Steve Buyer doesn't want Hoosiers to know that he has repeatedly proposed increasing the fees veterans must pay to receive the health care they deserve. He wants to call it an enrollment fee, but in plain English, it's a tax on veterans.
Steve Buyer doesn't want Hoosiers to know that as Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee, he aggressively fought to cut funding for veterans health care and education benefits.
He underestimates Hoosier veterans if he thinks he can hide his record behind a personal attack. They deserve to hear the facts about his record, and I'll be sure they do.
I'm ready to provide leadership to give veterans all that we have promised them; I consider our commitment to our troops to be a sacred contract.
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From the Star's 
