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?

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.

Sweet Georgia! Obama Wins!

Read the story by David Espo, special correspondent:

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama won the Georgia primary Tuesday night, the leading edge of a coast-to-coast struggle with Hillary Rodham Clinton for delegates in the grueling Democratic presidential campaign. Arizona Sen. John McCain challenged his remaining rivals for control of the Republican race.



It was Obama's second straight Southern triumph, and like an earlier victory in South Carolina, was built on a wave of black votes.

The Associated Press made its call based on surveys of voters as they left the polls.

The 87 delegates at stake in Georgia's primary were divided between the two candidates in rough proportion to the votes.

After an early series of low-delegate, single-state contests, Super Tuesday was anything but — its primaries and caucuses were spread across nearly half the country in the most wide-open presidential campaign in memory.

Overall, Clinton was winning only a slight edge among women and white voters, both groups that she has won handily in earlier contests, according to preliminary results from interviews with voters in 16 states leaving polling places. Obama was collecting the overwhelming majority of votes cast by blacks, and Clinton was gaining the votes of roughly six in 10 Hispanics.

In Georgia, blacks cast slightly more than half the votes, and Obama was winning nearly a 90 percent share of those. Clinton was supported by nearly six in 10 white voters, according to the exit polls.

In the GOP race, McCain had a small edge among voters calling themselves Republicans, a group he had not won in any of the earlier races. As usual, he was running strongly among independents. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was getting the votes of about four in 10 people who described themselves as conservative. McCain was wining about one-third of that group, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee about one in five.

Democrats and Republicans alike said the economy was their most important issue. Democrats said the war in Iraq ranked second and health care third. Republican primary voters said immigration was second most important after the economy, followed by the war in Iraq.

The survey was conducted in 16 states by Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International for The Associated Press and television networks.

McCain was the Republican front-runner, all but unchallenged in winner-take-all primaries in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. He looked for a home-state win in Arizona, as well.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, struggling to sustain his candidacy, concentrated on Missouri and California as well as several caucus states.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee concentrated on a swath of Southern and border states. Texas Rep. Ron Paul had the fourth spot on the ballot.

In the first contest decided Tuesday, Huckabee won all 18 delegates at the West Virginia GOP convention after McCain's supporters sided with him in a successful attempt to deprive Romney of a victory.

Democrats Obama and Clinton conceded in advance that neither was likely to emerge from the busiest day in primary history with anything more than a relatively narrow edge in convention delegates.

"Senator Clinton, I think, has to be the prohibitive favorite going in given her name recognition, but we've been steadily chipping away," said Obama, seeking to downplay expectations.

As she voted in Chappaqua, N.Y., Clinton said, "The stakes are huge."

Her aides conceded in advance that Obama might win more Super Tuesday delegates than the former first lady.

Already, both campaigns were looking ahead to Feb. 9 contests in Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington state and Feb. 12 primaries in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. And increasingly, it looked like the Democrats' historic race between a woman and a black man would go into early spring, possibly longer.

Democrats had 1,681 Super Tuesday delegates to allocate in primaries in 15 states and caucuses in seven more plus American Samoa.

Clinton led Obama in the delegate chase as the polls opened, 261 to 202, on the strength of so-called superdelegates. They are members of Congress and other party leaders, not chosen by primary voters or caucus-goers. It takes 2,025 delegates to win the Democratic nomination.

Republicans had 1,023 delegates at stake in 15 primaries, six caucuses and one state convention.

The evening began with McCain holding 102 delegates, to 93 for Romney, 43 for Huckabee and four for Paul. It takes 1,191 to win the Republican nomination.

The de facto national primary was the culmination of a relentless campaign that moved into overdrive during Christmas week.

After a brief rest for the holiday, the candidates flew back to Iowa on Dec. 26 for a final stretch of campaigning before the state's caucuses offered the first test of the election year. New Hampshire's traditional first-in-the-nation primary followed a few days later, then a seemingly endless series of campaign days interspersed by debates and a handful of primaries and caucuses.

Along the way, the poorest performers dropped out: Democratic Sens. Joe Biden and Chris Dodd, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio; and Republican Reps. Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo, and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson.

Former Sen. John Edwards pulled out of the Democratic race last week, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani left the Republican field.

Edwards offered no endorsement as he exited, instead leaving Obama and Clinton to vie for help from his fundraisers and supporters.

But Obama benefited from an endorsement by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who made a series of campaign appearances in California as well as his home state of Massachusetts.

Giuliani quit the race and backed McCain in the same breath, clearing the way for the Westerner in New York and New Jersey.

Giuliani's departure also made it possible for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to back McCain. Schwarzenegger said he would not have done so as long as the former mayor was in the race.

Obama and Clinton spent an estimated $20 million combined to advertise on television in the Feb 5 states.

Obama spent $11 million, running ads in 18 of the 22 states with Democratic contests. Clinton ran ads in 17, for a total of $9 million.

Neither advertised in Illinois, Obama's home state.

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.

FWOB Echo chambers of Political Notebook

This was an interesting piece by Niki Kelly and Ben Lanka, no surprise with all the groupies, cronyism and nepotism in the little big city called Fort Wayne, Indiana:

Republicans hold a 5-4 advantage on Fort Wayne City Council, and if voting records are any indication, the newest Democrat will at least be open-minded to siding with her GOP counterparts.

A review of voting records of the four newly elected council members showed that Councilwoman-elect Karen Goldner, D-2nd, voted in as many Republican primaries as those for the Democrats.

She voted Democratic in 2000, Republican in 2002, Democratic in 2003, Republican in 2004 and Democratic in 2006 and 2007. She also voted Republican in 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999.

Goldner said while she is proud to be a Democrat there have been times she felt the Republican candidates would get her vote in the general election.

“Like most people in the 2nd District, I tend to vote for the person, not the party,” she said.

Now serving as an elected Democrat, she said she doesn’t anticipate voting in any Republican primaries in the near future.

As for the other new members, Councilmen-elect Mitch Harper, R-4th, and Marty Bender, R-at large, voted only in Republican primaries, although they both skipped the 2003 primary election, which, ironically, was for the very seats they now hold. Councilwoman-elect Liz Brown, R-at large, voted in only a few primaries – choosing Republican in 2002, 2004 and 2007.

And as for the city’s newest mayor, Tom Henry didn’t miss an election and voted strictly in Democratic primaries.

I like Ben, but Ben does sometimes write what Ben wants to write..and we(bloggers) attempt to correct him. But Ben ignores us. Remember the photo of the cake...nobody seems to be bothered that the photo credit for the cake was missing from the news story. What'z Up with that?

But, when they messed up Mitch Harper's voting record..it is a whole different ballgame.

Now this will probably grow into a big story for Mitch's neighbor, who just happens to work for the evening newspaper. Are we not surprised when folks seek out the blogs to read rather than fluff news stories?

Now Ben will probably write a correction...but he still has not told us who did took the famous cake picture.

Now which one would like to see as news in your local newspaper, Harper's correction or who took the cake picture?

Fort Wayne local blogger's endorsement fever

It seems that the endorsement fever has hit the local blogosphere. The index finger appears to be in the air with folks proclaiming their favorites as being the only logical choice. Republicans bloggers are endorsing Democrats and some bloggers who claimed to be Democrats are endorsing Republicans. So much confusion, what is a blogger to do?

Well, that's why my blog has the word Independent in it. These folks were following labels, right wing, left wing, some kind of political wing. But Sharon Kuhn stated these folks following party leaders directives have been had, hoodwinked and bamboozled. Kuhn basically stated that a group of jerks got together and placed rings in the noses of the wannabees and lead them to the voting booth to pick the leaders' winner.

Over the years, it was understood that the Country Clubbers would provide the dollars and clout needed to win, and the Conservatives would provide the votes and volunteers. This uneasy alliance has worked for many years but now seems to be unraveling. With the notable exceptions of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, the Country Clubbers, a.k.a. Good Old Boys (GOB), have insisted on picking the nominees. They have used their money and influence to ensure that only candidates they deemed viable would have a chance of getting the nomination.

Ouch.

Great article Sharon, you told the truth and shamed the devils. Plus, I love it, when the truth comes to the light. What I didn't agree with in your article, Sharon, was your suggestion for the crooks to join the masses.

Fort Wayne is dependent upon unified conservatives recognizing friend from foe. This is the time for the uneasy alliance of money backers and volunteers to unite and appreciate each other's roles

No Sharon, the crooks are not into sharing power.

You got to cut them loose and watch them leave...and they are leaving just look around you Sharon. But I still believe it was a great article.

Now back to the bloggers, you see what Kuhn disclosed about the party is what is happening in the local blogosphere.

The result has been that over time the party has undergone a leftward drift, making it almost indistinguishable from the Democratic Party. Democrats wanted large government spending projects. Now, Republicans want large government spending projects. Democrats wanted to trample individualrights and show contempt for private property rights with intrusive regulations like the smoking ban. Now, Republicans support this heavy-handed abuse of government powers as well.

No difference. There was a manipulation of the masses. It took me a minute to see it. I was busy defending my right to write a blog. But, it was there, that manipulation all the time but I saw it as one thing, and lo and behold it was what Kuhn talked about in her article, one group controlling another group, no independent thinking. Why?

Well, since I normally don't endorse candidates but make predictions, I am going to tell you.

But first let me tell you this. You see like Kuhn, if you go on to AWB, he's telling some stuff on some folks,( matter of fact, someone sent me a nice little email with information to attack AWB, the person used the name Mark Felt, but I wasn't interested) Why? Because this is what the local blogger political world is about. Since, I didn't bite, they created their own little attack AWB website.

Yep. But you see I was never part of the blogging world or their purpose. But they thought I was part of the political groups that were on the local scene. I had folks coming from law firms and other distinguished places coming over to my blogs which I thought was strange until..

I discovered these groups were groupies. Now here comes the part about predictions. One of the main team leader was Mitch Harper. I predict that Mitch will win the 4th seat because it was orchestrated for Harper to take the seat. Now some folks were pointing out Harper's loyalty to his party with the lack of criticism toward members of his party. Except..

Matt Kelty

I might be wrong, but I don't recall Harper ever having any glowing reports about Matt Kelty. Now think about it. Here is a blogger, who suggest that he is journalist, historian and an astute political person but writes little about the future republican candidate for Mayor? In essence, Mitch does not want to offend his elite business friends!

Mitch was for Peters. And if that was the case, (remember, I give predictions, and I am speculating on my intuition, and it's all up for debate) it follows that Mitch is part of the anti-Kelty group. And the majority if the local bloggers are anti-Kelty except for one little blogger, AWB.

Go figure. Why AWB and Matt Kelty? Kuhn told you in her article. It is a strategy, the strategy is to keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. So as you read the local blogosphere, who you may think is an enemy could be a friend, and who you think is a friend could be an enemy.

So, it is of no surprise that Republicans are supporting Henry and Democrats are supporting Harper. Because these folks have orchestrated their winning team..except

Matt Kelty.

I only found one endorsement for Kelty who is running for Mayor. Why is that?

Mitch.

Prediction, that Tim Pape needs to go!!!

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

Bi-Partisan New York Bloomberg quit G.O.P.

Michael Bloomberg of New York is a victim of term limit. Bloomberg has served two terms as Mayor, and that's the end of that road. Bloomberg stated he will throw his support behind other candidates from different parties and not be restricted as a republican voter.

Some are hoping that Bloomberg will run for president, since he has the cash to upset Rudolph W. Giuliani, who is seeking the Republican nomination.

See Jack and Jill Politics

Mirror on America

skepticalbrotha

left in aboite

Matt Kelty some republicans are not your friends

Nelson Peters was emotional distraught in losing the Republican nomination for Mayor of the City of Fort Wayne to Matt Kelty. Peters who was supported by the old established Republican old guard did not take Kelty challenge serious. Peters relied on the talks of his friends in the media and the Republican Party.

Kelty took his challenge seriously, as he reached out to the people. People who were tired of appointed officials instead of officials selected by the people. Kelty and team hit the pavement and used alternative sources to get Kelty's message out to the voters. As Kelty did his thing, his friends had his back. Friends shared who their wealth, rather than folks who stole from the coffer of the taxpayers or friends. Y'all remember Douglas Foy.

Kelty's grassroot campaign upset the good ole boy control over their selected candidates. Kelty left Peters visibility shaken and David Long arrival to see Kelty victory speech rather than Peters was an early shock. And some other insiders just simply outraged.


But there was nothing Republican Steve Shine could do but welcome the new kid on the block.

Kelty had a lot to be proud of, he did not go negative. But that did not stop his opponents. Kelty credibility was attacked, his faith was attacked, but Kelty remained Kelty. And in the end, Kelty the underdog had done the unthinkable, he pulled off an upset. Kelty won.

But Republican Chairman Steve Shine would or could not throw his support behind the opponent so quickly.

Winning did not mean, that the opponents within his party would welcome him with open arms. They were busy plotting, because that's what evil folks do. And so the only thing left, the next phase by the Republican party into getting their appointed candidate on the ballot rather than the candidate selected by the people was to charge Kelty with campaign financing reporting fraud.

You know the campaign financial report that everyone and their momma had earlier gone over with a fine tooth comb and found nothing. But, they need Kelty to tell his new friends what was not visible to the nake eye. Where did the money come from and how much money? Kelty trusted as he told his new friends.

A big credibility issue would be the headline news. Charges of a felony would kick Kelty from the ballot was the noise. But they had no evidence, they needed Kelty to come in and give up the information that was not on the campaign report voluntarily. Kelty was invited in, according to Republican Chairman Steve Shine on the afternoon Pat White talk show with host Pat Miller.

As the story unfolded in the media newspaper and talk radio, some interesting details were disclosed. Details not just about Kelty campaign finance reports, but how Kelty was advised to review, rethink his campaign report. Kelty was placed on trial before being charged or even issued a subponea for a dispostion. The republican wanted Kelty off the ballot by any means possible.

Once Kelty made that decision, the Allen County Election Board was invited to do what Peters and the Allen County Republican could not do to Kelty. The Allen County Election Board was on board to punish Kelty for his win. The Democrats Chairperson Kevin Knuth was beaming because the Democrats Tom Henry did not have a pray of beating Kelty.

Andy Downs was on the same WOWO talk show talking about the procedure in removing a candidate from a ballot. Candidates would have to bring forth evidences that is not available to the election board members. This would mean Matt Kelty personal records. Downs sounded as if he wanted Kelty to voluntarily hand over information to the board to prove Kelty of being guilt of campaign fraud.

A fine tooth comb did not find anything, this was the second bite at the apple. The Democrats and the Republicans last change to keep Kelty name off the ballot. The Democrats and Republicans wouldn't work together to keep a Republican off the ballot now work they?

Down hypothetical suggested that there may be issues of commingling of funds. No one said that there was commingling, but if Kelty bring in all of his accounts the Allen County Election Board could make that decision for Kelty.

Another issue Downs discussed on the radio talk show with Pat Miller, contribution made in someone elses name in a hypothetical. However, the hypothetical involved three parties not two parties. The three parties did not involve an exchange between one to another, but one to another in behalf of another. This is a big difference.

The third issue Downs discussed on the radio program was on a fraudulent return being filed. To me, this would be based on finding of the other two which are misdemeanors. And last but not least on Kelty providing them with the necessary evidence.

Does this not sound like a fishing expedition and sore losers?

So what if Kelty friends had deep pockets and supported Kelty. Kelty took the money and used it as he saw fit. If Kelty goes before the Allen County Election Board, it is bias, two of its members are to look out for the interest of their party, one is a republican and one is a democrat. Peters was the interest of the republicans and Henry is the interest of the democrat. The third person is the clerk of the court. Bias, bias. The Allen County Election Board needs to have alternative members.

Hopefully, Kelty handlers has contacted Indiana Election Board or the manual.
Other bloggers weigh in on the Kelty's party., and here a discussion of what is a loan, contribution, or what is the true meaning of a word when it is used in law, here for a run down of the events of the calls for a review by the non legal Allen County Election Board and here.

Other bloggers comments but say little, herehere, especially the comment section which gives the blogger a lesson on Peters and here.

Also here at ABC7 Chicago.com

Associated Press, May 25, 2007 (FORT WAYNE, Ind.) -

The Republican candidate for mayor of Fort Wayne is revising his campaign finance documents to indicate a political adviser made a 150-thousand-dollar loan to his campaign.

Matt Kelty submitted the revised documents yesterday. He says loan came from adviser Fred Rost, not from Kelty's personal funds as he indicated in a January filing. Kelty also indicated that a ten-thousand-dollar loan came from Glenna Jehl, who is Kelty's campaign manager.
Kelty says he didn't initially report the origin of the money because he considered it a personal loan, which he then gave to the campaign.

Allen County Democratic Chairman Kevin Knuth says it appears that Kelty wanted to hide the source of the loans.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

nelson peter supporter questions Matt Kelty audacity

The poll that Matt Kelty used to blast the rumored support by business owners of the Harrison Square project is not being well received by Nelson Peters supporters. FWOB gives a long transcript of a Nelson Peters interview. But apologizes for a snippet of a interview with Matt Kelty focusing simply on the poll. Kelty isn't naming names and that is placing him in a bad light in the eyes of Republicans'haters camp. FWOB went in for the shakedown and came back with at least the questions.

The United States of the Allen County GOP has their panties (or should I say briefs)over Kelty's ability to upstage the Allen County GOP appointed keeper of the status quo, Nelson Peters. Kelty really gets their blood boiling. Mind you there are two or three more candidates running for Mayor on the Republican ticket. But, it appears that Kelty is the only one that's in the Republican Party's face, stating show me what you're working with?

The answer appears to be -not much. In the words of one of my favorite singers who will remain unnamed like the folks who commissioned the poll, "they are in trouble."

P.S. advertisement here. Mitch Harper (R) and Andy Down (D) will be speakers at the Libertarian third party convention this month. Only in Fort Wayne, I tell ya, only in Fort Wayne could we be one big happy political family of confusion.

Allen County Election Board Boots Potential Candidates.

On March 9, 2007, the Allen County Election Board booted James Talarico from running for city council at large. It seems that Talarico voted in the last election as a Democratic, but selected the republican ticket to declare his candidacy. With that last name Talarico was more than likely to draw a lot of votes. Talarico could have appeared on the ballot with the blessing of the Allen County Republican Chair, Steve Shine, but that did not happen.

The election board also decided that the City Council at-large candidate James Talarico and city clerk candidate Thomas Schrader would not be on the Republican primary ballot. Both had voted as Democrats most recently and had not received a certificate of support from Republican Party Chairman Steve Shine.

Side note here, Ron Buskirk declared his candidacy for the 5th district. Buskirk did not become a member of the 5th district until January, 2007. Which means that Buskirk will represent long term voters of the 5th district. Buskirk last voted in precinct 412. Buskirk has not vote in his new precinct 578, is this fair?


Another candidate who was booted from the pool of contenders was Thomas Schrader. Schrader running for city clerk was dismissed based on his voting record rather than his party affiliation. The Democratic leader Kevin Knuth, did not give a thumbs up to this candidate, and should have invited them into the party game. Now we fully understand Steve Shine assimilation into the money community did not accept these waffling gents. But it is still a questionable eyebrow raising event for Knuth to thumb his nose at any potential candidate for the Democratic Party.

I forgot the Democratic Party is about the less the merrier membership. This party gave us a Pat Love to screw property owners on their taxes. This woman was a stellar post child representative for the incompetent leadership driving the party. And by keeping the Democratic party cliche membership low, members don't have to share power. And members do not have to take inclusion, serious, either. (wink, wink). Or pushing for more jobs for African-Americans, they just need the African-American votes. Independently typing outloud, if it's not true,prove me wrong.

Where are the independent candidates? I understand there is one independent candidate who will be running for Mayor.

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.

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.