"It's a bit unusual," said Mike O'Connor, Marion County Democratic Chairman.
"But I think he's a person who looks forward to other, other service than just the prosecutor's office," said O'Connor.
"Obviously his name gets thrown around for mayor, possibly for 2011 or for other things. Carl's a very good officeholder," said Tom John, Marion County GOP Chairman.
"I expect him to do what he needs to do which is raise money to be prepared for the future for himself," said John.
Shella indicates there is some speculation Brizzi may be interested in running for Congress. Brizzi's office isn't saying what his intentions are other than he has "to raise money to remain viable." Nobody expects Rep. Julia Carson to seek re-election, particularly after serious questions have been raised about her continued ability to serve out the remainder of her two-year term, let alone run for office again. According to the most recent federal election reports, she has raised virtually no funds since winning another term last November. Melina Kennedy is one potential Democratic candidate who could run for Carson's seat. Could we see another Brizzi-Kennedy matchup?
15 comments:
With all the money Carl Brizzi is piling up in his non-Federal campaign warchest, he can run for Dogcatcher of Center Township or Governor of the State of Indiana or anything in between but he CANNOT use the money for a Federal office such as Representative, Senator or President. None of this money can be transferred to a Congressional run. None!
Sorry to prick your bubble. No Federal office for Carl with this money! Ask Tom Delay about the boundaries between state and federal cash...
There is a loophole, however:
Transfers from nonfederal to federal campaigns. Transfers of
funds or assets from a candidate's campaign committee or account for a nonfederal election to his or her principal campaign committee or other authorized committee for a federal election are prohibited. However, at the option of the nonfederal committee, the nonfederal committee may refund contributions, and may coordinate arrangements with the candidate's principal campaign committee or other authorized committee for a solicitation by such committee(s) to the same contributors. The full cost of this solicitation shall be paid by the Federal committee.
There are lower maxima for federal donors than state donors. No corporate or labor money can be used federally but OK for state committees. There are also "per cycle" limitations too.
Brizzi just barely scraped by in his last election county-wide. It was damn close. The 7th CD is much more Democratic - a smart GOP candidate like Brizzi wouldnt risk almost certain defeat in the 7th CD. Only "vanity candidates" like Horning or Dickerson even try.
If a bloodied-up candidate like Dickerson could pull 47% in the worst congressional cycle for the GOP in over a decade, a credible GOP candidate without the baggage can win this district.
That 47% is the standard combined vote that GOP & Libertarian candidates usually get. Neither side put much serious effort and money into the campaign. It was oddly comparable to 2002 when both sides poured beaucoup bucks into the race.
Hofmeister and Gingrich felt Indianapolis was winnable in 1998. They too were wrong, Gary! McVeigh thought it was winnable and gave it a solid run. He did as well as Dickerson...
I'm more interested in what Rokita seems to be aiming for. No SoS has sought the spotlight as much as Rokita since Joe Hogsett.
I hope Brizzi runs for mayor in 2011. After four more years of Peterson, we will desperately need a good Republican candidate, assuming the party doesn't throw the next election too.
Nice try, David...no one wanted to "throw" the 7.5% primary election turnout. It was a collasal screwup which had better never happen again, but there was no criminal intent.
As for the Mayor screwing up the city...
Three elected people are responsible for our public safety--the sheriff, the mayor and the prosecutor. From day one, the mayor has warned us the police budget was a train wreck, in terms of current and pension oblligations and needs. I'm not thrilled with some of his proposed fixes, but he keeps trying different ideas. He works to fix it, and one of many fixes gets put into place five months ago. Cure-all? Hell no. But he shed a lot of political blood to get it done. He didn't lie to the council to get it done.
When Mr. Brizzi was called before the City Council, to explain why his deputies had prematurely released the man who would ultimately be the Hamilton Ave. killer, what was his answer?
To be polite, he misled the council. Less charitable folks would say he lied. Because the heat was turned up, and the evidence clearly showed his office released the killer too soon. It happens, and simple mistakes are often easily forgiven if they're owned up to promptly. And maybe the system can change as a result of what's learned from those mistakes.
Brizzi, on the other hand, races to scenes, makeup at the ready, and tries to act like he cares. But when pushed, he misleads a council committee that truly wanted to find answers.
In all this mess of public safety administration, I see one person avoiding responsibillity whenever it's convenient: Carl Brizzi.
A sorry conclusion, but an honest one.
When Mr. Brizzi was called before the City Council, to explain why his deputies had prematurely released the man who would ultimately be the Hamilton Ave. killer, what was his answer?
I may be wrong, but you might want to check your facts. There was only one killer in the Hamilton Ave. case. The guy who did not do the shooting was the one who was released. From what I recall, he was released from a DUI charge. If that is the case, you are basically wanting prosecutors to say everyone locked up is a likely future killer or will pull a robbery! While Brizzi got mud on his face in this instance, he was the one who begged that county transfer prisoners to New Castle. Gray shot that down.
I would also argue that Brizzi's office released no one. The only way to get out of jail is for a judge to set bail which you make or for a judge to release you on your own recognizance. The fact is, the guy was released the prior time for jail overcrowding. When he was arrested again, the prosecutor did not argue for bail if I recall. This does not mean the prosecutor released this person. Saying that had the prosecutor (not actually Brizzi) demanded bail, he/she would have got it is 100% pure speculation. That decision would have been up to the APC judge.
anon 11:39, the Kennedy campaign tried to link Brizzi's actions to the Hamilton Avenue murders during the campaign. It didn't work then, and it won't work now. That dog won't hunt in the words of Rex Early.
Can we talk about another real problem I have with this fundraiser? (Besides the fact that frankly I've forked over enough to Carl for now unless he wants to tell me why he wants a $5,000 check when he's not running for anything...)
This is in FORTVILLE-- not Indianapolis. The invite lists no less than three rounds of cocktails offered (if you pony up the big $$)-- the "private cocktails" at 6pm, the regular "cocktails" at 7pm and the "cocktails with heavy appetizers" at 7:15. The sponsor list is an interesting one too, what with booze industry heavily represented, so no doubt the top shelf liquor should be flowing freely-- and, hey, it's also the same night as Carb Day, so one could probably spend the day in a hospitality suite at the track as all and just keep the party going.
Yes, so, maybe this crowd isn't going for 14 beers and 6 shots ala T. Record, but that kind of party on that kind of day and night out where there's no taking a cab home from Fortville?? Brizzi is just way too cozy with liquor industry. And this fundraiser reeks of irresponsibilty for someone in his position. There ought to be sobriety checkpoints all over that night... but of course probably won't be on the road in from Fortville.
Not to nitpick but can't Carl run for a third term? If I remember correctly Goldsmith was elected Prosecutor three times 1978, 1982, 1986.
anon 10:23, you are correct. The term limit provision in the constitution apples to all county officeholders except the prosecutor.
And Mayor too! (Hudnut Forever?)
If it gets Carl out of the prosecution business, I don't care what office he holds. He and his media-hogging cronies have no business being there.
And 1:08, there were 2 people charged with the Hamilton Ave. murders. Do you live under a rock???
If Carl is so concerned about homicides, why is it that he just promoted his buddy Mike Biberstein to the homicide division? Mike has never tried a murder case on his own, or any other case of significance for that matter. In the one trial I can recall him doing a few years ago, the Judge had to step in and ask his co-counsel to handle the witness b/c Mike couldn't lay proper foundations. Nice call Carl. Good to know that you prioritize political favoritsm over public safety.
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