On behalf of the Dr. Woody Myers campaign I would like to take this opportunity to extend an apology to the bloggers involved in the threatened legal action at the end of last week initiated by our attorney Justin Leverton. There was a miscommunication between the campaign and our attorney relating to the television ad run by David Orentlicher which he was authorized to threaten legal action against the David O campaign for running.
Mr. Leverton chose to pursue the course of action against the bloggers involved on his own. When we discovered what had happened we immediately asked him to drop the matter, but by then the damage had been done with letters issued to Bil Browning, Tyrion and Sheila Kennedy. We regret this took place and would like to extend a personal apology to each of those bloggers.
I would also like to extend my own apology to any members of the Blue Indiana community who may feel slighted in any way by my recent comments here. Emotionalism got the best of me a few times and I may have said some things recently which reflected poorly on me and my candidate. For that I am very sorry and can only offer that I am guilty of zealous partisanship on behalf of my candidate, which I would hope each and every one of you who clashed with me in comments here would be honest enough to agree we are all guilty of from this cycle. I had no ill intentions going into this campaign and harbor no ill will towards any members of the Blue Indiana community at this time either.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton squeaked out a critical razor-thin victory in Indiana's presidential primary Tuesday but lost North Carolina's primary, a split decision that left her no closer to overcoming Sen. Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic nomination.
With 99 percent of the votes counted, Clinton was clinging to a narrow 51 percent to 49.percent lead. Only about 22,000 votes out of about 1.2.million cast separated her and Obama.
U.S. Rep. Andre Carson said it's time to reunite the party after winning a hard-fought Democratic nomination in the 7th Congressional District, where the race featured record spending and multiple candidates who split the majority of the votes.
With most of the precincts reporting, Carson led with 41 percent of the vote, according to unofficial tallies. The three top voter getters who trailed Carson together had 52 percent of the vote.
Carson said it won't be difficult to unite the party for the general election in November, when he will have a rematch with Jon Elrod, who easily won the Republican nomination. Carson beat Elrod by 9,000 votes in a March special election to complete the term of his grandmother, Julia Carson, who died while in office.
Jill Long Thompson captured a slim victory early today in a fierce battle for the Democratic nomination for governor.
With just 26 of the state's 5,230 precincts left to report at 1:30 a.m., Long Thompson led Schellinger by just 5,400 votes.
She had won 50.25 percent of the vote statewide compared to his 49.75, largely thanks to winning 54 percent of the Lake County vote, which did not release most of its results until early this morning.
Of course, the Long Thompson victory is still subject to scrutiny and recounts, and there are some still making noise about the race still having a little life left in it. More on that later after I have a few hundred cups of coffee.
For weeks now we have been getting phone calls with supportive messages of encouragement. Below you will find a video from Tony Edwards, a local radio DJ, and here is a link to a collection of voicemail messages left at headquarters supporting Dr. Myers set to music.
So what've you been hearing right before the primaries? You know me, I love to gossip. Here's what I've got. How about you?
I hear the party has pretty much given up on Schellinger. Jill Long Thompson's election night celebration is in Ft. Wayne and not with the establishment in Indy. Will "change" win over "insiders" in the gubernatorial race?
How about in the Presidential battle? Sources tell me that Team Clinton is feeling confident that they will carry the day while Team Obama is encouraged by the amount of new registrations state-wide and are banking on "change" to give him the win.
All the 7th Congressional District campaigns are sweating those new registrations too. With so many new voters outside of Center Township, will Orentlicher buck the polls? No one thinks Carolene Mays stands a chance. I've heard of three different polls now that puts Woody just a hair under Carson; perhaps the newbie "change" can sweep the day.
The happiest candidates the night before the election? Mitch Daniels, Jon Elrod and John McCain.
No word yet about Blue Indiana or Tyrion himself. Keep trying guys, they're handing threats out like candy now; you'll get one soon!
I have now been advised by counsel for Dr. Meyers that the Doctor considers my original post "libelous," and that failure to correct the record will be grounds for an immediate lawsuit.
I posted the ad in question yesterday, but today brings word that Woody Myers and his campaign aren't taking the accusations lightly. In fact, if this release from his people is to be believed, they are willing to take the matter to court.
Yesterday a competitor vying for the 7th Congressional District seat released a television advertisement criticizing Dr. Myers saying he "worked with Republicans to defeat the Patient's Bill of Rights," a statement that couldn't be further from the truth.
Today Dr. Myers will call on his competitor to take down the desperate and erroneous advertisement or face legal action at a press conference in his campaign headquarters.
I'll have more on this as it develops.
Update: From a press release that hit the streets a short while ago.
"Today I demand my competitor take down this erroneous advertisement," Myers said. "Passing false statements off as facts for the sake of political expediency is not politics of real change. The 7th District needs a Congressman willing to roll up their sleeves and fight for universal healthcare, bring good jobs to Indianapolis and make sure all our children can have a better education."
Dr. Myers has been a tireless advocate for patients his entire career and has served boldly standing up for their interests in the very venues where they need the strongest voice. The notion that he would oppose the principles put forth in the Patient's Bill of Rights is simply ridiculous.
"I've taken care of patients my entire career and fought for them in every job I've had," Myers said. "Whether in the emergency room or in a board room, patients need to be taken care of. I'm the only candidate that has taken care of them in both places and I'll work the hardest to take care of them in the halls of Congress."
Any candidate claiming real change should be above inducing politics of fear in the campaign's final days. This claim is a desperate attempt by competitors to curb the momentum the Myers campaign is gaining. Recent polls have proven this is a two-person race.
We've got a new music video exclusive for the web produced by Victoria Dillon and yours truly entitled Stop and Think. Set to the tune of the song "Stop" by Gainesville, FL based Against Me! the video is a remix of stills from our TV ads and other campaign photos from appearances Dr. Myers has made in his effort to connect with voters from the 7th District. Watch the clip below and enjoy!
Maureen Groppe updates us on a story that Wilson has been taking great pleasure in spreading in various threads -- Dr. Woody Myers has dropped more change into the 7th District primary.
Myers, a multimillionaire, reported to the Federal Election Commission Tuesday that he has loaned his campaign $356,000 on top of nearly $1.3 million in previous loans.
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Myers is one of seven Democrats hoping to defeat Rep. Andre Carson, D-Indianapolis, May 6 for the Democratic nomination in the district.
State Rep. David Orentlicher, another challenger, previously reported loaning his campaign $327,000.
Myers was outspending the field as of April 16, the end of the last full campaign disclosure period. After April 16, candidates also have to disclose if they loan their campaigns significant sums or if they receive contributions of $1,000 or more. Carson has reported receiving about $150,000 in contributions since April 16. Much of the money came from Democratic members of Congress and political action committees representing such interests as mortgage brokers, insurance agents and wine and spirits wholesalers.
Will the self-funding turn people off? Are any of them paying attention to this race at this point?
Maureen Groppe gives us another soft profile piece of Rep. Andre Carson this morning, noting that barely a day had passed after his victory in the March special election before he was casting votes.
It is probably worth mentioning that barely a day went by before the campaign to unseat the newly-elected grandson of Julia Carson began.
Fast-forward a month or so, and you find yourself at a grocery store watching Congressman Carson on the stump -- or at least you do if you're Star columnist Matt Tully.
The symbolism was impossible to miss.
U.S. Rep. Andre Carson stood at a Northeastside grocery store Monday morning, hoping to drum up publicity eight days before the May 6 primary. Behind him, on a large billboard, was the face of Woody Myers, the former state health commissioner who has dominated the 7th District's Democratic primary with his self-funded campaign.
Carson is the sitting officeholder, the man with the title, the family name and the built-in advantages that come with incumbency. But Myers has been the more visible candidate, with a powerful TV advertising campaign and a well-run campaign office that has many wondering whether he'll put an end to the Carson dynasty when voters head to the polls next week.
The Myers 2008 campaign today is pleased to invite our friends in the GLBT community to a reception in our offices downtown with members of the GLBT community, their friends, family and supporters. Details are as follows:
What:
Dr. Woody Myers, Candidate for 7th District Congress is hosting a reception for the GLBT community at his campaign headquarters. Topics to be discussed include ENDA, Federal Marriage Amendment, Don't Ask Don't Tell and Hate Crime Legislation
When:
Wednesday April 30 7pm
Where:
Myers 2008 Headquarters
30 S. Meridian Street
Suite 250
Indianapolis, IN 46204
For more information or to RSVP call 317-687-0707 and ask to speak with Aaron Schaler. Dr. Myers will be available to speak with directly at this reception and we urge all interested parties to join us.
After a soaring performance last night in the 7th District Congressional debate which capped off a weekend of events with Jeanne White-Ginder, Dr. Woody Myers rolls into the final week of the campaign on a hot streak. The momentum is definitely building the closer we approach primary election day next Tuesday, May 6th. Check out some of the media from the last couple of days:
Job creation is Job One in the 7th Congressional District.
The four major candidates for the Democratic nomination put that issue atop their list of concerns. That's music to local business leaders who spend an inordinate amount of time trying to replace lost jobs.
The public is engaged, too. An Indianapolis Star/WTHR poll showed Hoosiers care far more about job creation than anything else. So, as the primary nears, which Democrat has the best combination of business savvy and a plan to address job woes?
From a pure business perspective, Woody Myers tops the list. The first thing that catches the eye of local businesspeople is his campaign. Even though he's a first-time candidate, the campaign is operating like a well-oiled machine.
Also, Robert King's profile of Dr. Myers ran in today's edition of the Indianapolis Star. Its a great profile of Dr. Myers from his humble beginnings on the east side of Indianapolis to his current bid for Congress.
I got an unexpected letter in the mail on Saturday. It was from the Marion County Democratic Party; they were writing me as a precinct committee person. Of course when it came time to choose a candidate for the special election, they decided that I wasn't a committee person and refused to let me vote against Andre Carson. Now, apparently, I'm back in but who can be sure?
The letter seriously irritated me for it's sheer idiocy and threatening posture. County Party Chair Michael O'Conner's note to party insiders insists that Congressional candidates David Orentlicher and Carolene Mays can only hand out literature at the polls that asks people to vote against them. It also asks for poll workers to rat out any other lower level volunteer who hands out literature for any Democratic candidate other than Andre Carson and threatens an unspecified punishment. Keep in mind that O'Conner has maxed out his allowable contributions to the Carson campaign.
For those who don't know, "slating" is a process designed to make money for the party. Candidates pay a fee that varies depending on the race in question and generally runs in the thousands of dollars. After you've paid your non-refundable fee, party insiders pick which candidate the party is going to be on the "slate" at a slating convention. Slated candidates get the official backing of the party and get party resources, campaign materials, and from the sounds of this letter, a goon-squad to make sure no one strays from the script.
So much for democracy in action. Why in the hell do we even need a primary? Why don't we just allow candidates to pay the Party their money and allow the insiders to pick our candidates for us so those silly voters won't have to get involved at all! For the Marion County Democratic Party to threaten sanctions against those who participate in one of the most basic functions of democracy is beyond outrageous; it's treasonous.
Copy of the letter and my analysis at Bilerico-Indiana. Just for the record, my calls to the Marion County Democratic Party about this story were not returned.
Here's another reminder that last night will bring us what I believe will be the last joint appearance by the four front-runners for the Democratic nomination in the 7th District. Here's the scoop, for those that missed it earlier in the week:
IUPUI will host on April 27 a live debate among four candidates vying for the 7th Congressional District Democratic nomination in the May 6 primary. The debate will be shown on MyNDY Channel 23 and broadcast live on WIBC, 93.1 FM.
Jim Shella, 24-Hour News 8 political reporter, will serve as moderator of the debate between U.S. Representative Andre Carson, former State Health Commissioner Woody Myers, and State Representatives David Orentlicher and Carolene Mays.
The debate will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.in the University Place Conference Center Auditorium.
My sense is that if you don't have a ticket already, you may have a hard time scoring one at this point. No worries, because you can listen to the WIBC broadcast via their website.
I never received any hard details from the organizers about the prospect of some Blue Indiana questions making their way into the event, so I have no idea if that will occur or not. I will be there, though, and if the 'net cooperates I will liveblog the event as best I can.
Expectations? Is anyone even paying attention to this race right now in Indianapolis?
Indianapolis Star columnist John Ketzenberger turns his eye toward the 7th District, and looks at one of the major issues facing the Indianapolis area: Job creation. He breaks down the various experiences of the candidates themselves, and their policy proposals, but the real question at the end of the day is whether any of the voters will be paying attention amidst all of the presidential noise.
Job creation is Job One in the 7th Congressional District.
The four major candidates for the Democratic nomination put that issue atop their list of concerns. That's music to local business leaders who spend an inordinate amount of time trying to replace lost jobs.
The public is engaged, too. An Indianapolis Star/WTHR poll showed Hoosiers care far more about job creation than anything else. So, as the primary nears, which Democrat has the best combination of business savvy and a plan to address job woes?
Hey there folks, the Myers 2008 campaign is looking for a few good men and women to help us get out the vote in the days ahead of and on election day May 6th! We need help getting voters to the polls, answering and making phone calls and more. Here's our want ad:
Dr. Woody Myers Congressional primary campaign seeks hardworking, energetic individuals to help get-out-the-vote for the May 6 primary! Earn $250 working May 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th and help make history! Own transportation a plus, but not necessary. Equal opportunity employer.
For more information or to apply, please call 317-687-0707 or email jobs4woody@gmail.com today
The Myers 2008 campaign unveiled our new campaign ad featuring the endorsement of Jeanne White-Ginder, the mother of internationally known AIDS activist Ryan White who died of complications from the disease in 1990. Dr. Myers played a pivotal role in bringing international attention to the cause of Ryan White returning to his classroom after being diagnosed with the virus after a blood transfusion for his hemophilia condition in 1984. You can watch the YouTube version of our ad below.
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