Sunday, February 11, 2007

Tully: Time For Burton And Carson To Go

Star political columnist Matt Tully launches an unusually harsh attack on Indiana's U.S. Rep. Dan Burton (R) and U.S. Rep. Julia Carson (D). A gold watch and forced retirement is what is needed for "[t]wo politicians who long ago gave up caring about their constituents and began to see themselves as icons who own their congressional seats." Tully cites Burton missing key votes last month to attend a celebrity golf outing in Palm Springs, California and Carson's comments during a resolution honoring the Colts this past week suggesting there's more in Indianapolis than "drive-by shootings." Curiously, Carson's "drive-by shooting" comment was ignored by the local media after she made it earlier this week. AI learned about it from a story in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Here's the full text of Tully's spot-on column today:

They are an embarrassment to the city of Indianapolis.

Time after time, they humiliate both themselves and, by association, the city. With their arrogance and conduct, it's clear they don't respect the wonderful jobs they have.

Can't we just say goodbye to these do-nothings? Can't we finally replace them with people who are fresh and at least mildly modest? Can't we give their jobs to people who will make us a teensy bit proud?

No, I'm not talking about the Indiana Pacers. I'm talking about our disastrous and dysfunctional congressional duo from Indianapolis.

Republican Dan Burton and Democrat Julia Carson -- two politicians in need of gold watches and forced retirements. Two politicians who long ago gave up caring about their constituents and began to see themselves as icons who own their congressional seats.

We'll start with Burton. The Indianapolis Republican added to his long and embarrassing record when he once again skipped a big batch of House votes in January to go golfing in Palm Springs, Calif.

As Burton hung out in California, his colleagues on Capitol Hill voted on tax and higher education issues. He didn't care. He had a tee time.

To say this is the most arrogant thing Burton has done this year is saying something. After all, in early January he was the only House member to vote against lobbying reform.

He's off to a fine start in 2007.

Then there's Carson.

The Indianapolis Democrat had made a spectacle of herself in recent months, from incoherent TV appearances to a mean-spirited victory speech after her Nov. 7 re-election.

Last week, she decided to rain on the city's Colts parade. She did so as the House discussed a resolution honoring the Super Bowl champions.

"I come today to congratulate the Indianapolis Colts," she said on the House floor.
It wasn't a bad start. But, sadly, Carson kept talking.

"See," she said, "we have good things in my district. They are not all drive-by shootings."

Yes, Carson stood up in the House and trashed her own city. Her supporters will say, "That's just Julia being Julia." But it's more than that; it's the sad case of a politician losing her ability to control what she says.

These two need to go.

They miss more votes than any other member of the state's congressional delegation. They stun us with their ridiculous words and bizarre actions.

They need to go.

Burton, however, runs in a solidly Republican district, and Carson rules an increasingly Democratic district. They will not likely be defeated in a general election.

Still, it's not hard to find Democrats who hold their noses as they vote for Carson, or Republicans who do the same as they cast ballots for Burton.

It makes you wonder whether a strong primary opponent could do what the opposition party cannot. Remember, this state has recently seen primary voters end the reigns of some legendary politicians -- namely state Sens. Bob Garton and Larry Borst.

Defeating a member of Congress would be a bigger chore. But a more important one.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

A 30-second television spot showing Carson standing in the well of the House making that comment is all her next opponent needs to put the bag lady away.

Sir Hailstone said...

For once I agree with Matt Tully.

Anonymous said...

*whispers*

ER-IC! ER-IC! ER-IC! ER-IC! ER-IC!

Wilson46201 said...

After a calamitous Marion County GOP Slating Convention, the best the hotshot political columnist for the Indpls Star could do for his big Sunday column is to ruminate on old newspaper clippings about Congress? Kinda feeble...

Congresslady Julia Carson has lived for 35 years at her home on North Park right in the middle of what used to be a center for drive-by shootings. It was called "Dodge City" - there were so many shootouts! Years of diligent work have gotten it turned around at last. One offhand remark in the midst of a floor speech is hardly a major policy pronouncement.

Wilson46201 said...

If you want to hear hardcore putdowns of Indianapolis, head on over to IndyU Blog where they specialize in running down the city. If there's a wad of used gum on the sidewalk in Broad Ripple, it gets headlined as a failure of the Health and Hospital Corporation. A kid shoplifting a candy bar gets reported as mass looting. It's all negativity all the time.

Fearmongering by fat old Chickens is hardly an effective or positive way to run a winning election campaign in Indianapolis.

Anonymous said...

Old NEws paper clippings Wilson ? Try the congressional record a few days ago !

Here was another FLUB on her part in that same speech.

As she tries to think on her feet to congratulate the Colts on the floor of the house.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-h20070207-30#sMonoElementm6m0m0m

"I heard somebody mention the NASCAR a few minutes ago. We lost Paul Dana in NASCAR out in Indianapolis, and he fought successfully to get race cars to use ethanol. In 2008, all the race cars of NASCAR will be fired up and fueled up by ethanol. I want to be sure and mention that."

Paul Dana was an INDY CAR DRive - not NAscar - and the INDY Car series is going to ethanol NOT NASCAR.

And one has to wonder how she fairs on REAL Issues of the day while in congress.

Anonymous said...

From the congressional record:
Rep. Julia Carson [D-IN]: I do thank you very much, Representative Davis, for your courtesy and your indulgence, especially being from Illinois, the Chicago Bears. And the Bears have been overcome by the Colts. If you watch the Animal Planet channel, you can see that the Colts are not to be pushed around. So I want to thank you very much for your courtesy.

I come to the floor today to join my colleague, Danny Burton. We have contiguous districts. I am fighting over mine because the Colts' headquarters and the team is in my district, but I am sure he doesn't mind that at all. I heard the wonderful remarks that he made yesterday about the Colts, about Tony Dungy and Bill Polian and Jim Irsay. I want to thank him for it.

I come today to congratulate the Indianapolis Colts, who are in my district. See, we have good things in my district. They are not all drive-by shootings. The Indianapolis Colts have made us extremely proud. Here is a man, Tony Dungy, who incurred major tragedy, who hung out about a week or two, and then he came back and got back on the plate. I admired him for that. He sets an example for a lot of our young kids to follow that your setbacks can be your setups and your stumbling blocks can be your stepping stones.

Tony Dungy was determined to lead. He lead in a very positive way. He could have stayed out, moaned and groaned about what had happened, but he didn't do that. He incurred his spirituality and kept on moving.

I heard somebody mention the NASCAR a few minutes ago. We lost Paul Dana in NASCAR out in Indianapolis, and he fought successfully to get race cars to use ethanol. In 2008, all the race cars of NASCAR will be fired up and fueled up by ethanol. I want to be sure and mention that.

I rise today to recognize the Indianapolis Colts, the Super Bowl champions. The path they took was not easy, but they made it look easy because they operated as a team. I think that is an illustration of what we can become if we operate in unison as a team. When one member faltered, two others would be there to fill the gap. And after a long season, they filled the gap on a rain-soaked field in Miami to claim the title of world champions. Tony Dungy, game MVP Peyton Manning and Robert Sanders have all earned the title of champions.

I am proud that Indianapolis was represented by a very classy team with character. In a day when so many athletes are questionable examples, this team shows that you can be an active citizen and a winner at the same time.

This is a championship of firsts. This is the first Super Bowl win for the Indianapolis Colts, and the first time an African American head coach led the team to an NFL title.

Congratulations, Indianapolis Colts, and team owner Jim Irsay and President Bill Polian and all those who have supported this team through the years. I want to thank Lovie Smith, class act; Chicago Bears; and all my friends in Chicago for a wonderful Super Bowl.

You go, Colts.

I yield back to Danny, and I won't take my district away from him right now.

Thank you, Mr. Burton.

Translation? Julia must go!!!

Anonymous said...

The election was 3 months ago! Where was this idiot then? He took a lot of vacation if I recall. Easy to sit back as a Monday morning quarterback!

Anonymous said...

What I don't understand is why people feel they must vote for a party over the person. If your party doesn't have a candidate you feel will represent your wishes in government, why vote for them? Last election I voted Democrat, Republican, and Libertarian.

I'm glad you don't censor Wilson. He always provides me with entertainment. Not sure why the Democrats don't shut down his mouth because he can't possibly be helping them, but then they also let Carson ramble on.

Anonymous said...

Anon 11:37,

Thanks for taking the time to post the other 500+ words spoken by Carson. And, for reminding fair minded folks ... it's not just what is being said but what IS NOT BEING SAID!

Anonymous said...

She's just pathetic.

I watched a Senate hearing last week, and Sen. BYrd from WV was chairing, I think, the Armed Services or FInance committee. He routinely stumbled over his words, and clearly has the symptoms of Parkinson's, sadly.

It was pathetic.

Julia isn't far behind. Rambling incoherencies and shuffling onto and off the floor in jogging suits.

Lord help us.

Anonymous said...

"Fearmongering by fat old Chickens is hardly an effective or positive way to run a winning election campaign in Indianapolis."

There goes Wilson self defining again.

Anonymous said...

from the Indy Chicken,

"Fearmongering by fat old Chickens is hardly an effective or positive way to run a winning election campaign in Indianapolis."

Wilson46201 if this in reference to our cause I can assure you, I'm not a candidate. I’m not running a campaign for anyone else. Voter yes, candidate no.

"For once I agree with Matt Tully."

Tully is wishey washy, he will change his tune tomorrow.

"One offhand remark in the midst of a floor speech is hardly a major policy pronouncement."

Everytime she opens her mouth she inserts a foot.

Anonymous said...

"Congresslady Julia Carson has lived for 35 years at her home on North Park right in the middle of what used to be a center for drive-by shootings. It was called "Dodge City" - there were so many shootouts! Years of diligent work have gotten it turned around at last."

In other words, out of all the ghetto areas of the city, she made damn sure millions went to _her_ neighborhood first. Wonder what this does for her property values?

Anonymous said...

I read congressional record quote to my sister and she laughed her ass off. She asked what the hell is wrong with Indiana? I told her I know! Some representation! She is a rambling idiot who has lost her faculties. She is an embarassment.

Amy's Blah, Blah, Blogging said...

I think he's spot on, they do need to go!!

Particularly Julia, the woman is just seriously incoherent most of the time. I listen to her speeches and spend a good 3/4 of the time just trying to figure out what she's trying to say. Very sad.

Sir Hailstone said...

Amy H: Agreed. Cute kid.

Anonymous said...

Matt Tully will conveniently forget to report this critical assessment of Rep. Carson if she lives long enough to run again. Tully and his ilk are complicit in getting her re-elected time and time again. For him to now criticize her in this manner is pure hypocacry.
She is our "representative", Matt, because of you and others who put their political partisanship ahead of the good of this community.
Where was this critical analysis before the election???