Racialist Behavior by AWB

I decided to post the complete article from yesterday newspaper in it's entirety. I wouldn't wont folks to think I called anyone a racist.

Obstacles persist for local minority candidates
But color has less influence on vote as ballots see more diversity
By Benjamin Lanka
The Journal Gazette


Even as Sen. Barack Obama tries to blaze trails by becoming the nation’s first black president, minority candidates still face hurdles in winning elections at the local level.

Many political candidates, officials and experts said the issue of race is becoming less of a factor in local elections, but it will continue to hold influence for some time.

Andy Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, said race undoubtedly affects local politics, as it does everywhere. The reason is simple, he said.

“There are still some racists out there,” he said.

In Fort Wayne government, one of 11 elected officials is a minority. In Allen County government, not including the court systems, one of 17 elected officials is not white. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Allen County is 80 percent white, while minorities make up about 26 percent of the Fort Wayne population.

Women in Fort Wayne and Allen County have held many elected positions. They currently hold the offices of city clerk, county auditor, county assessor, county prosecutor, one of the three county commissioners, two of the 10 Allen Superior and Circuit Court judges and three of the seven county council members.

This year’s Fort Wayne city elections include several minority candidates, and at least one will win. Councilman Glynn Hines, D-6th, will face Joe Smith, a Republican minister, to represent southeast Fort Wayne in the only race to pit two blacks from opposite parties. This is an area home to many minorities.

Denise Porter-Ross, Eddie Arrington, Melvin Billingsley and Tom Essex, all Democrats, are seeking to become the first minority – all are black – to win a citywide elected office as they run for one of three at-large city council seats. Essex is the former Wayne Township trustee.

Hines said he doesn’t believe running as a minority in Fort Wayne is a problem, pointing to the success of Rick Stevenson in last year’s race for the Wayne Township trustee. Stevenson, who is black, unseated two-term incumbent Matt Schomburg in a result that was a surprise to many Republicans.

Stevenson said his family has local roots dating back to 1915, giving him more recognition within minority circles and throughout Wayne Township.

“I could just about name every black individual in Fort Wayne,” he said.

Mike Cunegin, a Republican, served as president of the Allen County Council before losing a race for county commissioner and then leaving to take a job with the state.

Race did not play a factor in losing the Republican primary to current Commissioner Nelson Peters, Cunegin said. He said the main color in that race was green – Peters was able to outspend him.

Party choice

Both major political parties claim to be the party of choice for minorities. Kevin Knuth, chairman of the Allen County Democratic Party, announced during his state of the party speech this year that the party will form a black caucus, along with caucuses for other minority groups.

Knuth said starting the caucus is a way to drive interest in politics for minorities as well as develop minority candidates. This will not only help minority candidates, it also will help the party increase its appeal, he said.

“I think the party as a whole has taken the black vote for granted and that’s a mistake,” he said.

Hines said the caucus is an excellent idea, although he believes many black Democrats have been meeting informally for years. He said one of the best ways to get minority candidates is to first get minorities working on campaigns for people of all colors. That way they get involved with the political process.

He also didn’t believe the candidacy of Obama for president would help local candidates, but said it will work in reverse. If local minorities participate in elections and win, he said, that will energize the entire minority community to get out and support national candidates.

Steve Shine, Allen County Republican chairman, said the local party has been able to reverse the national perception that minorities flock to the Democratic Party.

“Our record with members of the multicultural community is stellar,” he said.

Shine pointed out that Herb Hernandez was the first Hispanic – and minority – elected to countywide office. Shine also cited Cunegin’s accomplishments.

Two blacks, Ivan Hood and Wilbert “Duke” Brown, are running for mayor of Fort Wayne as Republicans. While Hood and Brown aren’t seen by many as candidates with legitimate chances of winning, Shine said they are given every opportunity within the party to succeed.

“They have to run their own campaigns,” he said.

Winning big

Minority candidates in Fort Wayne and Allen County have had success winning races confined to small areas of the community. For example, the 6th District City Council seat has historically been held by a minority.

In fact, some seats favor minority candidates. Shine said his party tried to attract a minority to replace Cunegin on the ticket for the 1st County Council district, which represents southeast Allen County. A Republican caucus nominated James Ball, a white business owner from New Haven. Ball then lost to Maye Johnson, a black Democrat, in the fall election.

Winning across a broader population has been more difficult for minorities. In fact, officials could point only to Hernandez as a minority who won a countywide race. He was elected to an at-large County Council seat in 2000. Hernandez, however, only made it to the fall ballot through an appointment by Shine after the death of Jack McComb.

Hernandez did not seek re-election to his seat in 2004, instead running a fairly low-key race for commissioner against Cunegin and Peters. He finished third.

Council candidate Essex handily lost a race for Fort Wayne mayor in 1995 against incumbent Paul Helmke.

Downs, a self-proclaimed optimist, said he believes minorities can win elections, but that it will take specific qualities for them to win city or countywide. For example, a minority candidate would have to have some initial name recognition to start. Candidates would also need the ability to raise significant money, Downs said, and they would likely have to hope their opponent does not run a perfect campaign.

Cunegin said one of the reasons he lost his election for commissioner was because his campaign did not adequately target absentee voters.

Knuth said a concerted effort to bring out Democratic voters last year helped spur both Stevenson and Johnson to victory. He said a similar effort on a larger scale could propel a minority to win a citywide seat.

Shine said he would hope race doesn’t play a factor in elections anymore.

“I hope they would judge someone on their merits rather than on the color of their skin,” he said.

Burdened with victory

While campaigning last year, Stevenson said he heard references to shortcomings of previous black trustees in Wayne Township. While it was not expressly stated, he said the message was clear that their past mistakes should be lumped on Stevenson because he is also black.

Most people would consider it ludicrous to associate a white politician’s failings with another white politician, just because of their race, Downs said. Still, he said, some people use this line of thinking with minority candidates.

“This is something that we have seen for decades,” he said. “It took the right African American to break into baseball, and he knew that.”

That is one of the reasons Hines said he strives to achieve the highest level of performance in government.

“You gotta be able to show them by example that you can do it,” he said.

This not only quiets critics, he said but also inspires younger minorities to seek these positions.

Stevenson said he believes sometimes that he is carrying much of the black community on his shoulders. That is why he makes sure to do everything he can to be a great example, he said.

“I don’t want to let those people down,” he said, “who have now developed hope.”

blanka@jg.net


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elected minorities

Black

Statewide

In 2001, there were 86 black elected officials in Indiana state, county or local government, out of 11,636 total elected officials.

Nationwide

In 2001, there were 9,101 black elected officials across the country. In 1970, there were 1,469.

Hispanic

Statewide

In 2001, there were 10 Hispanic elected officials in Indiana state, county or local government; that number increased to 13 in 2005.

Nationwide

In 2005, there were 4,853 Hispanic elected officials across the country. In 1984, there were 3,063.

Source: Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. Both datasets can be accessed through the U.S. Census Bureau.

African-American Women are you for or against Obama?

No more excuses. I am tired of hearing about the historical opportunity to vote a woman in as president of the United States of America. Excuse me it is not going to happen. I don't care if this woman's husband used to be the President of the United States of America!!! It is not going to happen. America is not going to allow a woman to be President of the United States of America.

And sistas, what is up with all of ya'll and this championing Hillary to the White House. Excuse me again, Shirley Chisholm ran for President of the United States of America in 1971. And raced white women was not knocking over their men to trying to get the first woman elected into the white house thirty-six years ago. OOps, I forgot, Chisholm was a BLACK woman!!!


You forgot that too, huh. This is not a first,for a sista or a brotha it just the first time that a brotha is kicking some serious butt, check it out below this joint is not about raced white woman or raced black male, it's the package, Democrats or Republicans. Hilliary has moved on to the Latino crowd and could care less rather or not an African-American vote for her. There is America, meaning there are other groups able to get her into the white house..come on PEOPLE.

Hillary and Obama: Is America Ready for a Non-White or Female President?”

By Darrell M. West, Brown University



The 2008 U.S. presidential election may turn out to be a historic event. For the first time in our country’s existence, there is a serious chance voters may elect the nation’s first female or African-American president. There also are serious contenders who are Latino and Mormon, respectively. In this report, I look at the changing attitudes of Americans on issues of race, gender, and religion, and how these shifts may affect the presidential candidates.



Historical Attitudes



Since the 1930s, the Gallup polling organization has asked Americans the question, “if your party nominated a generally well-qualified person for president who happened to be (Jewish, Catholic, Female, Black, atheist, gay, or Mormon), would you vote for that person?” This is a way to track general views about candidates of various backgrounds regardless of the specific individual.



Table 1 Voter Willingness to Support Candidates of Various Social Backgrounds

1930s 1950s 1970s 1990s

Jewish 46% - - 92%

Catholic 60% - - 94%

Female 33% - - 92%

Black - 37% - 95%

Atheist - 18% - 49%

Gay - - 26% 59%

Mormon - - 75% 79%



Table 1 reveals that in the 1930s, Americans were not very open to presidential candidates from non-white male backgrounds. At that time, only 46 percent of Americans indicated they would vote for a Jewish American, 60 percent said they would support a Catholic for president, and only 33 percent claimed they would support a woman for president.

In the 1950s, only 37 percent of Americans said they would vote for a black for president and 18 percent indicated they would support an atheist. And in the 1970s, 26 percent said they would vote for a gay for president and 75 percent indicated they would vote for a Mormon.

By the 1990s, though, these views had liberalized on most groups. The numbers saying they would vote for a Jew, Catholic, woman, or black rose to the low to mid-90s. However, only 49 percent said they would vote for an atheist, 59 percent admitted they would vote for a gay presidential candidate, and 79 percent indicated they would support a Mormon candidate.

These changes suggest America is more open to candidates of diverse backgrounds, as long as they are not atheist, gay, or Mormon. Voters openly admit to unwillingness to vote for individuals from these backgrounds, unlike the situation for women or black candidates.

Of course, these views do not mean there is no prejudice against female and/or African-American candidates. Voters may say they are willing to vote for a woman, but refuse to do so in the privacy of the ballot box. Or they may harbor private attitudes that make them unreceptive to a candidate with an unconventional background even if in the abstract, they are willing to say that they would vote for a woman or black.



Bush Fatigue



After eight years of President George W. Bush, it is likely America will be more open to candidates from diverse backgrounds. It is not like the white males have been doing such a great job. Three-quarters of Americans are dissatisfied with the Iraq War. Many worry about the economy. Large numbers lack adequate access to health care insurance. And 71 percent percent believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.

This is a perfect recipe for candidates from different kinds of backgrounds to run well. In a situation of unhappiness with the status quo, voters may opt for a women, an African-American, a Latino, or a Mormon presidential candidate. This gives these candidates a much better shot than they ever have had before.



An Open Field of Candidates



Most presidential candidate fields feature white, male candidates. While there occasionally have been individuals who ran who had unconventional backgrounds, such as Shirley Chisholm (female African-American), Jesse Jackson (African-American), Pat Schroeder (female), or Carol Mosley-Braun (female African-American), the vast preponderance of American presidential candidates have been white male.

Of those women or minorities who have sought the presidency, none have been considered a top-tier candidate. Most have been poorly financed and have not featured the type of broad-based support that gave them a meaningful shot at the presidency.

In 2008, however, the front-runners for the Democratic nomination are Hillary Clinton (female) and Barack Obama (an African-American). Both are well-known and likely to be well-funded. Each has support from across the political spectrum. Both are serious contenders.

In addition, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico is running and he is a Latino. A former member of the Clinton Cabinet, he is bright, articulate, and well-respected. He furthermore comes from the ranks of state governors, which has been the source of four of the past five American presidents (Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush). Of the presidents from the past 30 years, only George Herbert Walker Bush came from the national position of vice president, as opposed to being a state governor.

Finally, Republican Mitt Romney of Massachusetts is attempting to make history on the GOP side as that party’s first presidential nominee to be Mormon. Unlike public attitudes on Jews, Catholics, women, and African-Americans, voters remain reluctant to support a Mormon candidate. Whereas 92 percent say they would vote for a Jewish candidate and 94 percent claim they would support a Catholic, only 79 percent say they are willing to cast a ballot for a Mormon presidential candidate. This lingering prejudice may handicap Romney in his contest for the Republican nomination against John McCain and Rudy Giuliani.



The Nomination Calendar



Although it appears that the 2008 presidential campaign is getting an early start, the Iowa caucuses are less than a year away. Indeed, in looking at the nomination calendar, there are a number of states that are choosing delegates to the national nominating convention early in 2008. The first caucus will take place in Iowa on Jan. 14, followed by the Nevada caucus on January 19, the New Hampshire primary on January 22, and the South Carolina primary on January 29. Other states will follow with caucuses and primaries starting on February 5 and thereafter.



National versus State Polls



In an early national poll conducted by the Washington Post and ABC News, Hillary Clinton is the leader for the Democratic nomination with 41 percent of the vote, followed by Barack Obama at 17 percent, and John Edwards at 11 percent.

These numbers confirm the openness of many Americans either to a female or African-American president. The willingness of large numbers of voters to say they will support Clinton or Obama, respectively, bodes well for those individuals.

However, little stock should be placed in national surveys because the nominating process is a sequential process taking place state-by-state. There is no national nominating process in either party because each state runs its own primary or caucus.

A more meaningful indicator of early success are the polls in early states. There, the polls indicate a more fluid situation. For example, a Zogby poll of Iowa shows John Edwards in the lead with 27 percent, followed by Barack Obama with 17 percent, Hillary Clinton with 16 percent, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsak with 16 percent, and others trailing these candidates.

In New Hampshire, a recent Zogby survey reveals that 23 percent say they support Barack Obama, followed by 19 percent who say they support Hillary Clinton, 19 percent who support John Edwards, and others trailing these front-runners.

On the Republican side, John McCain is ahead of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani by 26 to 20 percent among New Hampshire voters, followed by Mitt Romney at 13 percent. In Iowa, Giuliani leads with 19 percent, followed by McCain at 17 percent, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 13 percent, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at 9 percent, and Mitt Romney at 5 percent.



Things to Watch



Look for lots of volatility over the course of the next year as a big field of candidates battle for their party’s nomination. This is the first race since 1928 when there has not been a president seeking re-election or a vice-president wanting to move up.



1) The Money Primary



In the short-run, all attention will be focused on the money primary. This is the informal contest to raise cash in 2007. Leading contenders will need something between $75 and $100 million by the end of this calendar year. The need for lots of financial resources advantages candidates such as Clinton, Obama, Edwards, McCain, Giuliani, and Romney who are well-known and have demonstrated fundraising capacity.



2) Iraq War



The issue of Iraq remains the 800-pound guerrilla in this presidential contest. Voters across the country continue to point to this unpopular war as their most important national concern. With President Bush committing additional troops, voters must see more calm and stability in that country by late summer or early Fall in order for the president to maintain this policy. If by late 2007, America continues to suffer serious casualties in this war and there is a continuation of sectarian violence in Iraq, this issue will be the dominant issue of the presidential campaign, and it will not be an easy election for Republicans.



3) State of the Economy



Most American elections focus more on domestic economic considerations than foreign policy. However, the last two election cycles have been contested mainly on foreign policy. Unless Iraq improves significantly in the next six months, look for that pattern to continue.

However, the economy is an issue that always affects the campaign. Although the economy slowed at the end of 2006, it looks like economic growth may pick up to 3 percent in the coming year. Watch the personal income numbers, consumer spending, and the housing market as barometers of economic well-being. The stronger those numbers are, the better off Republicans will be in 2008.



4) The Gender and Race Gaps



With Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama among Democratic front-runners, pay attention to how men and women as well as whites, African-Americans, Latinos, and Asian-Americans and people from different regions view the candidates. Candidates must secure their base early in a crowded field, but also make sure they reach out to other groups different from themselves.



5) Party Prospects



Right now, Democrats are well-positioned for 2008. Due in large part to voter discontent with Iraq, Democrats recaptured control of the House and Senate for the first time in 12 years. A Newsweek national survey shows that when asked whether voters want a Democrat or Republican president in 2008, 49 percent indicate they prefer a Democrat, while only 28 percent say they want a Republican.

Potential Candidates for Campaign 2007

The Republican political party had their luncheon this afternoon, and a few potential candidates filtering into the Allen County Election Board to declare their candidacy before the February 23, 2007 noontime deadline. Although many potential candidates have already signed on, some with letters of endorsement from their party chair. Others appears to be bent on challenging the old inertia from the status quo polished career candidates.

One potential candidate, David Hecke, when asked why he was challenging a candidate, (city clerk) expressed the fact that his family had been in the city for over 200 years and that was more than enough to qualified him. Good enough. Several other potential candidates walked in seem bored by just flicking the television channels as a past time for the elderly and hobbled in to get into the action by participating in the political process beyond simply voting. With little fanfare and with a great deal of dignity, these men quietly filled out their declaration of candidacy for primary nomination form and filed. Filing was the easy part. So easy was it that one potential candidate filed and later found out he was not in the district and withdrew his filing. Nevertheless, whipping up the voters to support these new comers will be the hard part, especially with so many new names enter the primary.


For example the at large seats appear to be attracting lots of candidates from the two party system of Democrats and Republicans. And the Mayor nomination (six filed )may not have as many as the at large candidates (nine filed) but the list has time for growth.

Democrats

♦Tom Cook Jr., unknown to the Allen County Democratic Party

♦Frederick Steinke, unknown to the party

Republicans

♦Matt Kelty, local architect

♦Nelson Peters, Allen County Commissioner

♦Ivan R. Hood, unknown to the Allen County Republican Party

♦Wilbert “Duke” Brown, unknown to the party

Well the crowd does not dampen Wilbert Curtis " Duke" Brown's spirit. Brown, one of the potential Mayoral candidates was pleased as punch in meeting some of his challengers at the Republican's luncheon. Brown expressed the fact that the luncheon was a great experience where he was able to mentally sizes up his competition within the party. Brown states he is in to win.

But some potential candidates have not sign up although the media has informed the voting public that these individuals may be entering the primary race. Potential candidates like Tom Henry and Mitch Harper had not signed up by 4:15 today, but the deadline is not until noon February 23, 2007.

WOWO-Chosen Mayoral Candidates Discussion

Have you seen the sign? No I am not talking about the huge sign hanging from a building by Matt Kelty. I am talking about the backtracking of arrogant republicans in the scheduled photo op Harrison Square public hearing. And if that is not proof enough, I hope you got a chance to listen to WOWO this morning. Tom Henry, Matt Kelty and Nelson Peters were guests of Charley Butcher on WOWO program. The program was a breakfast program broadcast with three candidates for Mayor talking with Charles Butcher and Jeff Neumeyer of IndianaNews Center. It was interesting that other candidates were excluded from this dialogue this morning. Especially, when there is a large pool of candidates running for Mayor. But those other candidates must not count. At least they must not count to the media.

I suggest, that the media is contributing to the outcome of the republican election, by focusing only on Kelty and Peters. The women and African-Americans votes are not representatives of the business owners' support these two candidates are seeking. Tom Henry, Democrat was probably thrown in to the morning event to outset the media bias. This is clearly a bias of business support in the battle between Kelty and Peters. The Kelty's campaign is giving Peters campaign a fit. Free media. Yes free airtime, priceless.

The republicans must be outraged that Kelty is receiving advertising support from business folks in the community that does not support the Harrison Square Project. If the Zogby poll was not enough for the Kelty Camp to signal to republicans the folks are listening. The letter written by Nelson Peters flip flop on the support for the Harrison Square is and lead to a call for a public hearing.

Those republicans sitting on city council who are Nelson Peters supporters, are saying their want to hear from the public before casting their votes. Ha, big laugh. The fact that Nelson Peters calls for a referendum is even a bigger laugh. Peter's letter is pandering to Kelty supporters by suggesting voters are offended in the council rush to pass the Harrison Square Project. Funding of the project that the voters find offensive from the Zogby poll.

And now the fact that these republicans are allowing the real public to stand before them instead of the fake special group orchestraed meetin, to vent is council members paying attention to Kelty's poll. The public hearing is not an opportunity for voters to be heard, but for republicans to pretend that they too listened to the voters, as Kelty had suggested. It's a public relation ploy by city council members who are unsure of the backlash if they vote yes.

The candidates discussed other issues, such as the funding for schools, sewers, user fees, and consolidation with Jeff Neumeyer and Charly Butcher. But the most dominate issue was the Harrison Square Project and its funding.

Note: Kelty had my vote until he made the statement about gangs on the southside. Kelty failed to name any gangs, but stated that there is a gang problem on the southside. Kelty is not attempting to attract voters on the southside. Kelty knows his audience is republicans for the primary, a no brainer, the majority of these voters do not live on the southside. There is a drug problem on the southside, but that is not the same as gangs. Unless Kelty can name gangs on the southside, I believe it is name calling no different than Don Imus's rant on his right to freedom of speech to insult a segment of our community.

Wilbert Duke Brown

Wilbert Curtis Duke Brown has registered to run for Mayor in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Brown ran for Mayor in Ponchatoula, Louisiana in 1998, and two years later ran for Mayor of Hammond, Louisiana. Brown lost both races, but he didn't lose his interest in becoming Mayor. Brown is now being Mayor in the city he now calls home.

Brown brings his education, a bachelor degree from Southeastern Louisiana in Business Technology and a master degree in Business Administration from Saint Francis College. Brown is currently working on his Ph.D. in Business and Scientific Decision-Making.

But education is not all that Brown brings to the growing number of republican candidates for Mayor. He brings his expertise and political savvy to the job that require someone with vision. Brown suggest that he is the best man for the job of Mayor.

Steve Shine boy infiltrate Kelty's Camp

Another blogger picks during the primary.

Many people I’ve spoken to over the months were unaware of what the issues really were surrounding the mayoral race, however that was several months ago. As the months approaching tomorrow went by, people have been becoming more and more aware of just how the city and county elected officials have an undeniable disregard for the will of the people.

In the last few weeks I’ve taken note of an interesting trend. People have become more aware of the Mayoral race and the issues at-hand. They have become incensed with the “status quo” and political ineptness displayed by Crawford and Co with the approval of Harrison Square. How many times does an elected official have to insinuate the constitutes they represent are stupid before we see the light?

It’s time to vote out the good ol’ boy network and the political cronyism that runs rampant in our community. It’s time for a change and the citizen’s of our community are more aware of this now than ever before. Tomorrow, let’s put the past behind us and start anew with fresh new ideas from a field of “more than qualified” candidates.

For Mayor
Matt Kelty

For City Council At-large
Adam Mildred
Bob Morris
Kurt Gutman

Posted by AWB

Fort Wayne Left fawns over Matt Kelty win in hopes that it will help Tom Henry. I don't think they have really looked at the numbers. The Democrats should have been doing what Kelty was doing building grassroot support. Instead they were too busy with their nose in other folks business, meaning the Republican mess.

The general election is going to be a dogfight. The voters of Fort Wayne will have a distinct choice in who will become mayor and lead this city into the future. Matt Kelty has proven to be a formidable campaigner but the Democratic party is energized and ready to seize the day. If Kelty thinks he's already won the mayor's office then he's got another thing coming. Tom Henry will not make the mistakes Peters' campaign did. He will be methodical, professional and victorious.

The Journal Gazette Ben Lanka reports:

Henry faced little challenge against two long-shot candidates and did little campaigning. He named his campaign director only a week ago. Henry had served on the council for 20 years and now runs his own insurance and consulting firm.

Left in Aboite believes in Tom


So long city hall.

Side note here: The headline of the Lanka story is a little..Underdog Kelty tops Peters. Boys will be boys. Speaking of boys..

Advance Indiana suggest Kelty win was from the doing of a group that is purely anti-SAME SEX!!! I believe they have always been part of the Republican party, except now they are picking on Same Sex folks.

But Advance Indiana got a lesson in how Fort Wayne Republican are running things by someone named Christopher Mann:

The city formally annexed Aboite township, politically comparable to Indianapolis annexing Carmel. All Allen Co R's and D's know that it will be a very tough race simply by sheer number count for a D to win in 2007. The fact that no Dem stepped forward to run for Mayor until two days before the Feb deadline demonstrates the lack of D's confidence in obtaining the seat; the Ds had to darn near suspend the 14th Amendment and conscript the poor guy in order to avoid the embarrassment of not fielding a candidate.

Add to the fact that Kelty knows grassroots politics like no other R or D in Allen county...there is no point in disputing that this is Kelty's race to lose. Remember, this guy lost the state rep race to veteran Win Moses in 2002 by only 63 votes. There is every indication that Kelty will outwalk and outwork Henry; Henry will have to work hard *and* hope for some terrible gaffe or scandal in order to pull of a Nov victory.

If there is a city where GOP hopes are "dashed" it would be Kokomo, where incumbent GOP Mayor Matt McKillip, also roundly endorsed by almost the same lineup as Fort Wayne's Kelty, lost to GOP challenger Rick Hamilton.

It is hard to imagine how Kokomo's GOP leadership can reunite after GOP Chairman Craig Dunn's ranting against incumbent Mayor Matt McKillip and his "McKillip is a Nazi" rhethoric. If there is a clear win for Dems this year, Kokomo could be it.

Nazi? HITLER! Wow, all the name calling! And you thought the Republican was the poster child for one big united party!

So Long Mayor Dick

Sixty four candidates have signed up for the primary. Republicans have a total of 39 and the the Democrats 25. A few are incumbents others are candidates from other failed races and many are new to the races. Some were welcomed by their party leaders and others were not. Some were confused on what position they would run, one just in the wrong place for the right race.

The Republicans signed up early and the Democrats were a slower pace in signing on for the primary. Men first, and a few women followed. Female republicans signed up early for positions to handle the money, democrats followed. But there was no Mayor Graham Richard. The man with two first names or last name or however, you look at it, Mayor Dick has not signed on. The great visionary that has bankruptcy Fort Wayne and it's citizenry, will not run again. The mythical catalyst god will not hang around to see so many of them fail as the citizen seek a new leader to pull them out of the mess and uncover the mess.

Mayor Dick where will you go, while others hang around to pull the citizens out the mess or uncover the mess? Maybe we'll see you on Oprah promoting your book! Or work with Al Gore on global warming, since you have recently caught the environment bug, forget about our brownfields, combined sewers costs, and polluted air you placed secondary while you building a world class city. We're going to miss you Mayor Dick, oh how we're going to miss you.

A government by the people for the people has until noon for other patriots to sign on the dotted line.

Michael Montagano calls on heavy hitters for the U.S. Congress Third District

Press release from the Mike Montagano camp:


Former Governor Joe Kernan & Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry Endorse Mike Montagano for U.S. Congress
Fort Wayne, IN – This Friday, August 15, 2008, two political heavyweights in northeast Indiana joined forces to endorse the Third District’s Democratic nominee for U.S. Congress, Mike Montagano. Former Indiana Governor Joe Kernan came to Fort Wayne to officially endorse Mike Montagano and was joined by Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry.

“As a former Governor, I understand how important it is for Indiana to have strong representation in Washington,” stated Governor Kernan. “Mike understands our needs and will be that much needed Hoosier voice in Congress.”

Mayor Henry was also on hand to endorse Montagano, saying that, “Mike represents a new perspective and a new generation of leadership. He understands the importance of economic development and job creation in cities such as Fort Wayne and across northeastern Indiana. Mike is the kind of dynamic and visionary young man who will go to Congress and get our country moving again.”

“It has been my privilege to serve great Hoosier leaders like Governor Kernan and Congressman Tim Roemer,” Montagano said. “I am honored that Governor Kernan and Mayor Henry have joined me tonight to endorse my campaign. It is a powerful statement that they are confident in my ability to bring true Hoosier values to Washington and deliver needed change for families in Northeast Indiana.”

The pair of endorsements further illustrate the strong momentum behind the Montagano campaign. Montagano outraised incumbent Mark Souder in the last reporting period – one of only twenty-two candidates in the country to outraise an incumbent opponent. Montagano also reported more cash on hand than Souder, one of only nine candidates to have more money in the bank than an incumbent opponent. And, most recently, Montagano went up last week with a heavy TV blitz, that continues through this week and beyond. Souder, by contrast, has yet to start airing any TV or radio ads.

The endorsement came last Friday at Memorial Stadium before the Fort Wayne Wizards hosted the former Governor’s South Bend Silver Hawks. Prior to the game, Mayor Henry and Montagano threw out the first pitches to Governor Kernan, a former catcher for the University of Notre Dame baseball team, in front of a full-house of about 6,600 fans.

Election Day snippets

Indianapolis Star reports at the polls.

The polls opened at 6 a.m. today for a primary dominated by local races, local issues and charges overnight that both parties are unprepared to run the election.
Republicans and Democrats will be picking candidates for Indianapolis mayor, Carmel mayor, city-county council members, town council members and much more.
The parties exchanged late-night charges accusing the other of being ill-prepared for today's vote.

The volley started at around 10:30 p.m. Monday when Republicans called a 10:45 p.m. news conference to complain that Marion County Clerk Beth White had failed to secure inspectors in over 20 percent of Marion County's precincts.

White, who was not immediately available for comment, had attacked GOP preparedness in past elections in her successful campaign last year.

Then the Democrats countered with their own attack.

They expressed concern late Monday that Republican Secretary of State Todd Rokita is overstepping his legal authority by sending 10 unauthorized deputies to Lake County to monitor today's primary election.

Rokita said last week that he has the legal authority to send poll watchers into any precinct he wants, the Democrats said.

"Under that premise, Todd Rokita could create an army of deputies to canvass the state and intimidate voters for political purposes," said Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker in a prepared statement.

Rokita wasn't immediately available for comment.

Most voters, however, will likely be focused on races like the Indianapolis mayor's race.

Democrats will be out working to get Mayor Bart Peterson the nomination for another term.

Peterson will start Primary Election Day by casting his ballot at Castleton Church of the Nazarene, 7848 Allisonville Road, at 7:30 a.m.

He will then visit various polling places throughout the county, said party spokesman Terry Burns.

GOP leaders will be pushing to get their preferred candidate for mayor Greg Ballard the nomination.

He plans to visit more than 10 precincts before the polls close at 6 p.m.

No surprise with that news, there was a reason for the lawsuit in requiring I.D. to vote. And the reason did not have anything to do with voters trying to vote more than once but more to do with folks being discouraged from casting their votes.

Here on the planation, in Fort Wayne, voter's turnout has been low. 5% by noontime, with only 60 registered voters out of 300 voters at one precinct voting, reported by 15 news reporter, Brian.

AWB reports to work and finds that 2 of the 4 machines were not sealed. AWB working from Preston Pointe Apartments in Aboite is ..an angry white man. AWB is overseeing Colony Bay according to the liber. site. A comment on his site states:
..the westview church this morning and in the first 1-1/2 hours, 90% of those voting were voting for Matt. Between 8:00 - 9:00 it was more difficult to know who was voting for who. Most people didn’t want to talk to us. I guess bright yellow t-shirts are harsh first thing in the a.m.

The majority of bloggers support Kelty.

Money appears to be problem for local candidates

It appears that donors money contribution is a problem for local candidates running for local elections. Especially if you are a Democrat running for political office. Ben Lanka and Nikki Kelly reports on the coffers of those who are able to rely on their own funds or political friends:

Nelson Peters tap out of towners for more money:

As of Friday afternoon, Peters reported raising $16,500 in contributions. Peters contributors were: $1,500 from Edward and Barbara Nevers, of Howards Grove, Wis.; $2,500 from Thomas Helbing, of Indianapolis; $1,000 from Rudy Kachmann, of Fort Wayne; $5,000 from GAB LLC, of Fort Wayne; $2,500 from Martin Goldstine Knapke, of Fort Wayne; and $4,000 from Willis Conner, of Indianapolis.

Matt Kelty goes to his own funds to keep the money flowing:

Kelty reported raising $17,500 in extra cash contributions. His donors were: $1,000 from William Schneider, of Indianapolis; $5,000 from Private Bank Holdings LLC, of Fort Wayne; $1,000 from Vivian Priddy, of Fort Wayne; $1,000 from Margaret Shields, of Fort Wayne; $1,000 from Petroleum Traders Corp., of Fort Wayne; $2,000 from Bobay Web Development, of Fort Wayne; $2,000 from Mark Crumblish, of Richardson, Texas; $2,500 from Jeannette Quilhot, of Roanoke; $1,000 from Deborah Quilhot, of Fort Wayne; and $1,000 from Albert Dahm, of Fort Wayne.

Kelty also reported lending his campaign another $8,000, bringing the total amount the campaign owes the candidate to $156,000. John Popp, owner of Perfection Bakeries, also reported giving Kelty $5,500 in in-kind contributions for the large sign that hangs near the bakery off Main Street downtown.

Tom Henry is encouraged to stay in the race with a big pay out by the city's current Mayor.

Henry reported $10,000 in contributions. They came from: $5,000 from Mayor Graham Richard’s campaign account; $1,000 from Owen Morgan, of South Bend; $1,000 from Robert Kirkley, of Mishawaka; $1,000 from Gary Fisk, of Edwardsburg, Mich.; and $2,000 from Garden Mall Inc., of Fort Wayne.

Let's see Henry has raised $10,000 to Kelty's $156,000. Are we to take Henry as a serious candidate based on fundraising skills? Looks like the Democrats need to do a lot more on raising funds rather than moderating forums.

That is if it was really a real party, and not a fake political party. Look again only $10,000 for the candidate that is to be the frontrunner for Mayor!!!! William Crawford would be shamed to call himself a Democrat in this city. But at least the lack of big money in the primary gives hopes to other candidates in the Mayoral race.

Fort Wayne May 8, 2007 selection of candidates for office

Fellows are you ready !!! Yep, I made my picks. I am not sure I am going to vote, since I am an independent. But if the races are close, I can always be a spoiler. There are a few races that I am pulling for an upset. But, I am not feeling the party thing. And with the moving of some of the polling places, I think a lot of folks will be discouraged from voting. And the republican driven ID requirement is going to discourage other folks from voting in this little contested election.

You are not going to believe this, especially after you see the slate of candidates running for office. Fort Wayne is the second largest city in Indiana. And you can see that many of the elected positions are unchallenged and some have no one running against them from the other party! So was it should not been too much of a surprise that folks did not show up for the political debate held at IPFW by the political guru, moderator Andy Downs.

This small sampling of candidates should make for a very low voter turnout. The Republicans have a lot riding on this, so the number should be high with the number of candidates seeking the nomination for Mayor.


FORT WAYNE MAYOR DEMOCRAT
Cook
Henry-
Steinke

Fort Wayne City Sandra Kennedy-No challenger and I mean no challenger

FORT WAYNE CITY COMMON COUNCIL MEMBER AT LARGE DEMOCRAT

Arrington, Sr
Billingsley-
Cline
Essex Jr.-
Porter-Ross
Reef
Shoaff-

1st District
Boyd-no challenger

2nd District

Goldner-no challenger


3rd District
McBride-no challenger

4th District

Langley
Raymer-


5th District

Boren-
Pape


6th District
Hines-no challenger

Circuit Breaker-Tax Relief

Fort Wayne blogosphere and other bloggers are real quiet on the property tax increases that had hit the mailbox or are being sent to the printer as I type. Fort Wayne blogosphere are talking about things like an interview with Sam T, Mitch Ditched his opponent, and TIF.

I've already addressed Mitch, so let me move on to Sam's interview: Sam tells all should be the title of this interview. Sam contradicts himself over and over again. The most telling part of the interview for me was this statement:

Talarico: It’s kind of interesting, I don’t know how long you’ve been around Fort
Wayne, but I almost viewed it as an 8 year process. About 6 months after I was elected there had been an ongoing dispute that went on for a couple of years about whether or not to approve $38 to 40 Million to expand the Coliseum. It got caught up in the court system because of a lawsuit over the food and beverage tax and everything else. I wrote an editorial about 6 months into being on council that said if we’re going to spend $40 Million to renovate the coliseum why not build a new arena downtown like every other community has done? People were saying, and they ended up being right, we’re adding 4000 bad seats and for the same amount we might be able to build something brand new.

Well that took off and it became a huge movement and unlike Harrison Square it was
extremely popular. I would say the pros and cons ran just about opposite of Harrison
Square.

The thing was the idea just came too late – it was at the 11th hour. The county council and commissioners basically just said “you’re out of luck, it’s too late” and sent us on our way. And I’m not going to mention any names, but after that county council vote I went up to one of the county council members and I asked him why he didn’t consider a couple of issues. And his response to me I can’t even repeat, but it was rather juvenile and basically he said get out of my face we’ll do things the way we’ve been doing it for a long time. Well I left that meeting and met with some other people and we came up with the idea that we were gonna put a slate of candidates together to go after the incumbents in the primary election. Everyone said we were nuts, said that none of them would get beat, that we’d be lucky if one of them won, and they all won.

I felt momentum from that because they were all people connected to the downtown
arena debate. And only because of them getting on board have we been able to have
discussions about consolidated government, 1362, and it’s kind of flowed all the way
through the 1362 discussion into the Harrison Square debate which we wouldn’t be
forming a committee to study consolidation, we wouldn’t have Harrison Square, if not for this whole batch of new people that had been elected, including Tom Didier as well.

Does this not scream Sam T is bragging on hoodwinking the people all in the name of "democracy"? And did he really believe Tim Pape had a change of becoming Mayor, running for Mayor yeah, but having a hail Mary change of winning?

Tim and I, on the whole Harrison Square thing, we both put party aside. We told each other we would do that early on because we both felt so strongly about it. I have a lot of respect for him and I actually think he would’ve been by far the best candidate the Democrats could’ve put up for mayor this time.

The interview confirmed for me my suspicious that there was a group of people who did not have the voters best interest at heart.


Now let me discuss the article about TIF. Remember Sam T. strategy of slating candidates this can applied to the group interviewed for the TIF article by Ben Lanka.

Tax increment financing, or TIF, allows governments to capture property taxes from new development in an area

Is that really how Tax incremental financing (TIF) work? Is that how the groupies, explained it to Ben? YOu know the groupies, the ones in the article, let's see Karen Goldner, Jim Lindsay, Mike Sylvester, and John Stafford. I would have loved for Ben to interviewed the folks in Indy to explain how TIF really works.

For example, TIF is not complicated when you know what you are talking about and don't have to remember the lies. My understanding of TIF is that it freezes the property tax in a specific area. And if there is an increase about the property freeze, that money can be used for specific improvements. The improvements to the specific area is to attract new development into the area. And with new development will generate additional funds to improve the area and attract even more development. A sort of snowball effect from the first revenue received from the TIF district.

Did you notice I did not say anything about giving tax dollars to build condominium or a hotel? Did you see anything in the code Ben about TIF dollars building hotels, motels or anything else? Ben did you talk to legislators? Just talk to somebody other than the those who hit on boards to hide the ball, that's all I'm asking!

These folks can't blame Fort Wayne Community Board for the increase in their current tax bill, so now they want to blame it on TIF. TIF DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CURRENT INCREASES!!! IT IS TRENDING-THE OVERASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY VALUE AND NOT LOWERING THE TAX RATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sylvester had his assessed value reduced last year and this year he will pay $210,100 $3,611.56. I could not find Karen Goldner, but I did find a Stafford John R & Linda K 2207 Owaissa Way $126,200 $1,560.78 .

Have you figured out the arbitrariness of the taxing of these folks yet. Folks are real quiet on the current increases to their tax bill. Too quiet

Birds of a Feather Flock Together-Ole Boy Republicans

My blogspot is down, but I was able to get around it to blog..or should I say gossip. When I started blogging, I was attacked. I did not know why. I guess Fort Wayne bloggers were to be men only. But, I have since learned that there is a group of male bloggers who support each other in the blogosphere. In real world this would be called the good ole boy network.

I recently read that a cypersquatter took the names of potential candidates running for mayor in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Now think about it. How would a student in Bloomington just by coincident pick the names of the two candidates?


On November 16, 2006, Peters officially announced he would run for mayor. Peters announcement came after forming an exploratory committee on October 12,2006, two day after Kelty officially announced he would run for mayor. The more confident Kelty formed an exploratory committee during the early spring of 2006.

Second, why would a student with no connection to Fort Wayne purchase domain names of the Fort Wayne candidate names?

According Fort Wayne Observed it was on a dare. Stay with me. Why? Well, it is what it is ...Matt Kelty is not the republican favorite son. And if you are not the republican's favorite or favor, they love to play silly games. But this type of antics sound more like something crafted from those who are active in the blogosphere. Oh yeah, they have a various blogs under different names, different parties, different whatever, but they know and support each other in stupid stuff. Now, I did not say all, but there is a group. Yes siree bob.


I think they were trying to throw a wrench into the program of Matt Kelty. But, Kelty, and I don't know him, outsmarted them. This releasing of the domain name is not doing Kelty a favor. The man has a website already!!! So who would benefits? Or was getting lawyers involved would mean naming names behind this little prank? The man is just too smart(Kelty that is).

Chuckle, Chuckle.

Now, you are wondering how did I come to my conclusions. Prove me wrong. When you are attacked you remember things. And it helps to have a friend with a photographic memory. I just wonder if the domain name prank will get Nelson Peters some free air time? That's what it was all about was it not? Prove me wrong.

More Candidates filing

FWOB reports Karen Goldner has filed her candidacy for 2nd district. From Goldner's website,

From 1996 to 2000, I managed the Community Development Corporation of Fort Wayne which makes loans to small, growing businesses. From 2000 to 2003, I was Fort Wayne’s Director of Economic Development. Prior to working for the City, I worked for the State of Indiana’s Job Service and helped people find jobs, including skilled trades positions at General Motors when it opened the Fort Wayne Assembly plant.

.


Hmmmmmmmm, I wonder how many African-Americans benefited from Goldner's help in getting loans to grow their small businesses during her tenure from 1996-2000 or employment at General Motors, hmmmmm?


But it does not matter, Goldner is not running for Mayor, only for the 2nd District. Did Don Schmidt signal a retirement in the horizon? FWOB reports Schmidt signed on again for reelection to the longest held seat by a council person. Schmidt does even have a website. So what, the man is a lecturer in the engineer department of IPFW. Sitting on boards compared having the knowledge how things work and how to build them is a huge difference.

Wait, the Dems still have not announced a candidate for Mayor. Maybe Goldner could change her mind, because a woman can, you know, and run for Mayor? Linda Buskirk did,and she didn't have quite a thimble full of experience as compared to Goldner.

Can we get some new blood here.

Just laughable-fort Wayne the dumbest city

A tax readjustment board which is to have oversight on the people taxes. The commissioners’ appointees were to be property owners who were not part of local government, according to the journal-gazette.

The appointees are Laura Fries, Joe Ruffolo, John Stafford and Lantz Mintch. Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard has appointed city Controller Pat Roller.

In the following order, the sheriff's mother, the mayor's friend, former city employee, campaign worker for one of the county official, and city's employee. Is this not a form of the fox watching over the hen house?

They represent a mix of business and fiscal policy leaders and a mix of Republicans and Democrats. They join County Councilman Darren Vogt, R-3rd, on the seven-member board.

The appointees are Laura Fries, Joe Ruffolo, John Stafford and Lantz Mintch. Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard has appointed city Controller Pat Roller.

Fort Wayne Community Schools board members also make an appointment to the board. But they have not yet made a selection.

Appointments are due Monday at the Allen County Auditor’s Office.

Fries runs L.A. Fries Tax Service and is Allen County Sheriff Ken Fries’ mother.

Ruffolo is a businessman who formerly worked with Richard and is a regular contributor to Democratic political candidates. He is the founder of Ruffolo-Benson, a Fort Wayne-based investment firm.
Mintch is a former chief financial officer for Lincoln Financial, who also worked on Commissioner Bill Brown’s campaign, Brown said.

And Stafford is the director of the Community Research Institute at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Stafford is knowledgeable about fiscal policy and tax issues and has done much of the background research needed before the board can begin its work, Brown said.

He has also served on the Indiana Local Government Tax Control Board, which falls under the umbrella of the Department of Local Government Finance, Stafford said

Now, let's read this again, The commissioners’ appointees were to be property owners who were not part of local government. I guess that does not exclude your employees or friends.

Just say play ball.

2007 Mayoral race: Media's Rules of Engagement

Matthew Kelty was first to sign up for the May primary election. Kelty is campaigning as a Republican candidate against one of his fellow Republicans, Nelson Peters. Kelty was flanked by family, friends and supporters while Nelson held a press conference flanked by uncontested appointed officials and colleagues from his party.
Republicans like to present a unified front even at a time when some of its leadership is under scrutiny for questionable and inappropriate behavior.


But the picture of party's klannishness get skewed with Kelty entering the primary race. Kelty's as an alternative provides an opportunity to question loyalty by value conscious republicans on their corrupt political leaning practices. However, the media is attempting to muzzle the lively debate by suggesting ground rules for Kelty if he is to get coverage in his run from the partisan local print media, to me it seems.

The Journal Gazette suggestion to Kelty or other candidates that is not wise to raise the issue of irresponsibility by the City Government for using tax dollars( even if the tax dollars are property tax dollars (TIF) for investment in Harrison Square that could be used elsewhere or on other things to improve the city. Who cares as long as the city can market the logo of Rooms for Dreams on key rings.

Second warning, if Kelty or the unknown Democratic candidate or candidates(more about this later) should dare speak out against the field of hope, Kelty or the other candidate better have an alternative for improving the dying downtown. If not, they better just zip it, suggest the article.

Third, because there is the need for the county dollars for this field of mission impossible, consolidation is a mandate during this campaign. Well maybe not the newspaper exact wording, but I am sure the meaning is consolidation is a must by the county. Even going so far as to suggest that the candidates "should have specific plans to improve communications and seek efficiencies."

Fourth, a property tax control board is inevitable, but the candidate should at least parrot outrage at the possible abuse in favor of the county government. But, who cares the county is running the show.

Fifth, remember that no matter your belief, just remember, the County Council will ultimately make the decision skewed toward their constituents, not the elected Mayor.

Sixth, the voters are unimportant and have the least say about who gets elected or what is best for Fort Wayne Indiana, we just need their tax dollars.

And last but not least, the Democrats don't have a rat's behind of a change for finding a viable candidate among their constituents. Sounds a little arrogant to me, but I'm just reading the paper. And if the Dems do field a candidate or two,it is just some inactive window dressing puppet or puppets pulled out pretending to give the public a two party system in Fort Wayne. Sad huh, for the second largest city in Indiana.

Geez, and all this time, I thought the Democrats was a rainbow coalition. It must have been the National Democratic Party tha's an inclusive party and our local democratic party was mimicking we are the world theme, just to siphon off votes. Wow, I am so looking forward to Campaign 2007 according to the newspaper rules of engagement.

Political Pandering of the African-American voters

Ben Lanka hedges in his article about race not mattering on the ballot. Lanka wrote several other articles about the potential candidates running for Mayor which conspicuously left out the names of Ivan Hood and Wilbert Brown, both African-American males running for the position as Republicans. Lanka in his most recent article uses a quote from Andy Downs,

Andy Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, said race undoubtedly affects local politics, as it does everywhere. The reason is simple, he said.

“There are still some racists out there,” he said.

Downs uses this statement with the word "racists" to show his solidarity in the uplifting of the African-Americans in spite of his privileges received by being a spoke person for the African-Americans community. When in fact we all live in a racist society. But people exhibiting a deep seeded belief in maintaining this system practice racialist behaviors which is against the law. This behavior is built into organizational structures, developed as a culture of permissible practices of discrimination and segregation.

Andy Downs, board member for the Allen County Election Board is incorrect in labeling voters who do vote for African-Americans as racists. Both the Republican and Democratic Parties encourage racialist behaviors by it leaders and followers.

Lanka used another quote by Micheal Cunegin, who is a republican to suggest that race does not matter yet, Cunegin often appealed to the African-American community voters who normally voted on the Democrat ticket,

Mike Cunegin, a Republican, served as president of the Allen County Council before losing a race for county commissioner and then leaving to take a job with the state.

Race did not play a factor in losing the Republican primary to current Commissioner Nelson Peters, Cunegin said. He said the main color in that race was green – Peters was able to outspend him.

. Cunegin suggest it was green that determined the outcome, which takes the issue away from the fact that over 90% of African-American lives in the city of Fort Wayne and not one of the County Commissioners are African-Americans.

African-Americans have the right to run for office based on the Constitution, on representation, not green. Party leaders suggest that they have to select which African-American candidates represents a certain model for running as an African-American for their respective party. The political parties are made up of many people but the African-American voter is told he or she must earn the support from the party. In other words, the African-Americans must seek permission to run by raced whites who think they are running things, you see!

When in fact, the party leaders are saying go to the back of the line, and if we need the African-American vote to get our preferred candidate, like Tim Pape,we will allow you, African-American to appear on the ticket. I say appear on the ticket because the party will not fund the candidate to run a viable race. And at the end, the party will say the African-American candidate did not have enough money. Money that could have come from the party. You know from those little fundraisers

The local Democrats have been found out to be a party that is a mini-Republican, not accepted by the Republicans and unwilling to go to the back of the line. These Dixiecrats, I mean local Democrats use the African-American voters to get their candidates into office. The local Democrats are not trying to be the inclusive party for the African-American. Take one look at the webpage, and you will see the only type of inclusiveness that the Democrat is building has to do with raced white women, and says nothing about welcoming African-Americans in that picture. The Party keeps its money but needs the African-American vote, yep need the African-Americans votes found throughout the city. How do you explain just one African-American on the city council seat and one on the county seat where over 90% of African-Americans live...Ben, race does matter, go ask Obama.

Magical Negro votes in Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne's Democratic Party may not be able to slate many African-American candidates but they know where to go to get the African-American votes.

Benjamin Lanka of Journal Gazette reports:

The Allen County Democratic Party hosted its fall slate of candidates for Fort Wayne mayor and the City Council at a dinner at Link’s Wonderland. Three Democratic Indiana gubernatorial candidates – or, in one case, his wife – also spoke to the crowd of a few dozen people.

Link's Wonderland is one of the few long standing African-American business serving the Fort Wayne, Indiana community. I don't think the Democrats has ever held a Democratic Convention there.

From the article a quote, "..to the crowd of a few dozen people." How about a group of a few dozen democrats committee members and few unsuspecting voters. The Democrats are seeking some "Magical Negroes" not to run for office but to get out the African-American vote. The status quo of a certain arm of the Allen County Democratic Party needs to feel safe as they seek out the mythical Magical Negro and it does not hurt that Link's Wonderland is just a few blocks from the police station.

And they are going to need more than a crowd of a few dozen folks. But the party does not want real participation from the African-American community. They love the caricature of the Magical Negro. The Magical Negro is only in the mind and does not make demands for sharing power.


So the Dems sing praises on a select few African-Americans out of the large group. This way the Dems don't have to be really inclusive of the changing demographic. The Dems wants to hold up these select few as representative of the whole African-American community. The Dems need the voters to push forth their agenda that they are helping the mythical Magical Negro.

And how are they helping the African-American community? Can you say SouthCentre..in hopes of creating a loyal and appreciative super duper Magical Negro. The Magical Negro works in movies, not in the African-American neighborhoods without representation.

Mark Souder Republicans Contenders Lines UP

It is official, there will be more than enough republicans contenders to plea for Indiana 3rd district vacated House of Representative seat by the resignation of Congressperson Mark Souder. There is the car dealer Bob Thomas, who lost to Souder doing the primary earlier this month. Than there is Randy Borror, who believes he should be chosen because he is a loyal Republican. That's what Borror, the man said, "I'm a loyal Republican,” Borror said in a new report.

But
Fort Wayne City Councilwoman ELizabeth Brown, after losing a Fort Wayne Community School Board seat jump back into the City Council race and handily won herself a seat. The fact that Brown was new in town did not stop the republicans from voting for her to take the city council at large seat in 2007. But, I don't think Brown is interested in Washington. I believe Brown is aiming for a name recognition strategy among voters. The Republicans are just twirling Brown's hat toward the other candidates. Brown seems more poaitioned for battling in the home front for the local party, married to Dr. Stephen E. Brown and mother of seven children. Perhaps, Brown is gunning for Mayor in Allen County.

Republican women running for political office tend to stay local. It was a woman however, Democrat Jill Long Thompson who took the seat once held by Vice-President Dan Quayle in a special election back in 1989. Therefore, I wouldn't count Kendallville Mayor Suzanne Handshoe as a serious contender, either. The two women may be the republican ploy to attract women voters from the popular Democrat Dr. Tom Hayhurst. It was the local physician who gave Souder a run for his money, during a 1996 Congressional race. Hayhurst is expected to pull a closer race this time out.

So, this could explain the endless parade of Republicans names coming from the Republican camp. Some of these folks have money to spend that the Republicans would love for them to spend campaigning for name recognition. While other contenders won‘t have a chance at the seat, but it could encourage the base to get the votes out against the Democrats. If Republicans have more than one candidate to vote for than perhaps they won't be tempted to vote for the good doctor Hayhurst. Other republicans who are expressing an interest in Souder’s seat from various areas within the third district:

State Senator Marlin Stutzman. State Senator Marlin Stutzman who lost a senatorial race against Dan Coats,(Stutzman is favored as the candidate to beat in the selection for the replacement for Souder), Phil Troyer, is another person who ran against Souder in May during the primary. Allen County Superior Court Judge Dan Heath, South Bend Congressman Chris Chicola and State Representative Matt Bell are some other names flowing about for selection for the 3rd district seat.

If Governor Mitch Daniels holds out for the special election to be held during the November Election, these folks will get plenty of free campaign time. The Democrats sole candidate Hayhurst name would get lost in this maze of names.

What say you?

The Democrat who is Running for Mayor

I don't know. And even more surprising is to read on the Democratic Weblog about a hat tip to Rush. Rush Limbaugh ! And a debate on who will run against Nelson Peters and the viability of Matt Kelty for Mayor, both Republican candidates!!!

Somebody scream. Where do you go to read about the Democrats if the Dem is not writing about its own party??!! Just thinking out loud.


Gabcast! Fort Wayne African-American Independent Woman #16 - Interview with James Clingman