Friday, October 19, 2007

More On Believe It Or Not

Some of you may recall my post from last Friday discussing how Marion County Democrats were finding help in strange places this year, namely the Marion County Republican Party. To confirm my point, the Marion County Republicans put their first paid radio ads on the air during this campaign. Do the ads talk about Greg Ballard? No. Do the ads talk about the failed record of Mayor Bart Peterson? No. Do the ads talk about the corrupt leadership of CCC President Monroe Gray? No. Do the ads talk about the need to elect a Republican-controlled council? No. Then what the hell are the ads about you might wonder. There are two ads to be precise. One ad attacks Councilor Lonnell Connelly (D) for having the nickname "King Ro". The other ad touts the candidacy of at-large council candidate Kent Smith.

As you might imagine, this latest move by Marion County Republicans has some folks in the party infuriated. Some are already talking about showing their disapproval for this latest misstep by urging Republicans to vote for the three at-large candidates the party shoved to the curb, Ed Coleman, Barb Malone and Michael Hegg and to cast their fourth vote for Libertarian candidate Tim Maguire instead of Kent Smith. All of this, of course, is music to the ears of Marion County Democratic Chairman Mike O'Connor. Someone might want to explain to someone over at the Marion Co. Republican headquarters that the party is supposed to unite Republicans, not divide them.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Knowing one of the At-Large candidates, I can assure you that they are all working as a team despite this idiotic radio advertisement. It's not as if Tom John is unaware that in the history of Uni-Gov the 4 At-Large seats are a all or none proposition; rather its his token support for Smith, thinking that only 1 seat is vulnerable. In actuality all 4 seats held by the Dems are vulnerable.

Anonymous said...

The Marion County GOP, will never see another cent from me! I will donate directly to worthy candidates.

If they want one party rule (as they have displayed a propensity for) they will have to get used to drinking the cheap stuff...

Kiss my $$$ good bye, Tom!

Anonymous said...

8:03, They already have one party rule. It's called the Republicrat Party controlled by the same type inner circle of wealthy businessmen and attorneys that have always called the shots in this town.
The Downtown Klan gets their piece of the pie and the Ghetto Mafia gets theirs. Same game only different players but with the same agenda as Burkhart,Bulen,Lugar,Lamkin,L.Borst,Walls,Hasberg,Mutz and SerVaas had when they created The City Committee and Unigov at Burkhart's home back in the 60's.
Bart Peterson is simply carrying out an old agenda wearing a Democrat hat.

Anonymous said...

Never ever underestimate the power and influence of Lilly Endowment on what comes down politically in this town. Since the beginning back in the days of Bulen the Endowment has had a hand in selecting who they want as Mayor. It's all done in private on North Meridian Street.

Wilson46201 said...

Interestingly, of the 4 GOP At-Large candidates, Kent Smith is the only one who hasn't tried any friendly overtures to the LGBT community. Where does he stand on any possible domestic partners H.R. policy for City-County Government?

Anonymous said...

I agree with Anon 7:39, I think the 4 candidates are working together but I would disagree that all 4 are vulnerable. Brizzi ran a strong campaign but it was not enough to help the others on the ticket.

I think the issue is the the Marion GOP has very limited resources and is still weak as it is shifting from the religious right segment to the moderate segment of the party. I think they are thinking of the 5 city races, they think Connelly is the weakest candidate. I think they see Kent Smith as a candidate with a future.

I think the game is: Can a smart, articulate, young African-American Republican cause some African-American voters to vote Republican? And if so, Connelly is probably the easiest one. And if they might switch to Smith, then they might switch for Ballard and others.

Anonymous said...

I have meet Kent Smith and he is a good guy and a worthy candidiate.

I think ad money is better spent promoting Ballards mayors race - this helps all republicans.

Anonymous said...

Smith didn't even pay the party the slating fee.

Anonymous said...

I talked with Greg Ballard last night and told him what I think of the Marion County GOP.

The GOP has treated him like a really bad boyfriend you should dump, but who gives you just barely enough to keep you in the relationship.

I also suggested that if he wants to make national news after the election, he should change parties and declare himself a Libertarian.

I do not believe Greg Ballard is beholden to anyone and is completely his own man.

He told me it is going to be very difficult to dig our city out of this mess once he is elected. It's going to take everyone of us helping him to get it accomplished.

I say to hell with party politics. Our city and her people are what is important.

Anonymous said...

If he didn't pay the slating fee, and now has Tom John barking for him, that makes him a smart cookie, doesn't it?

Or else To is his polibitch.

Each party has its problems. I am a Democrat, and many, many rank-and-file folks are sick and tired of the Monroe Gray nonsense. He is not my district council member or he would not get my vote.

King Ro on't get my vote because he's insisted on a top job for his under-qulified wife.

I'm neutral on Ron Gibson, and will likely vote for him, but his closet mentality is driving me nuts. That, and his God complex. Oh yeaa and the cop-slapping thing...I care not what a prosecutor does. He slapped a cop, and I take that seriously, even if the legal systeepussies uot.

Anonymous said...

I would vote for a Democrat and have in the past, but after seeing the arrogance, lies and corruption displayed by those in charge now why should I ? After all it would mean that I agree and am on the same page as Wilson 46201.

Anonymous said...

The Marion County GOP is completely supporting the Greg Ballard for Mayor Campaign. MCRCC has donated over $70,000 worth of resources to the Ballard for Mayor Campaign this year. This is significantly more than MCRCC has given to any of our other local candidates and far more than any other donor or supporter has given to the Ballard Campaign. This is in addition to our efforts to elect Republicans in over 70 other races across Marion County.

We at MCRCC know that change in Indianapolis begins with the Mayor’s Office, and electing Greg Ballard is key to lowering taxes, making our neighborhoods safer, and restoring accountability to government. However, for Mayor Ballard to have the support he needs when elected, it will require a Republican Council and other supportive officeholders. MCRCC is working hard to ensure that. Greg absolutely needs more assistance still, and we encourage you to provide it for Greg Ballard by donating or volunteering by visiting www.ballardformayor.com, or calling us at 317-635-8881.

Sincerely,

Dan Tierney
Communications Director
Marion County Republican Central Committee

Anonymous said...

Voting for Ballard and NOBODY else and then I am an independant. Local GOP and RNC will get no more $$$.
Also signed with a realtor and out of Marion Co.

Anonymous said...

Did you notice how the MCRCC communications director did not address the insane strategy they are using for Kent Smith. Please Dan, explain yourselves and tell us why the other 3 candidates are not worth the same efforts.

Anonymous said...

To all who are interested in the GOP and Libertarian At-Large candidates, tomorrow, October 20th the Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations (MCANA) is hosting a moderated forum. The forum will be held at the United Methodist Church, 3808 N Meridian from 9am until 11am. It will also be televised live on the local government channel, and then re-broadcast up until the election. To those who have dish tv service, the site can be accessed by going to the indygov website and viewing it on a high speed service.

Anonymous said...

I voted absentee today with a split ticket for the first time in my life based on their support of LGBT issues and opposition to the corporate and law firm greed that dominates the mayor's office to the deteriment of the taxpayers:

At-Large Council
JoAnn Sanders, D
Rozelle Boyd, D
Barbara Malone, R
Michael Hegg, R

Mayor
Fred Peterson, L

9th District Council
Jackie Nytes, D

Split your ticket, too!!

Anonymous said...

They already have one party rule. It's called the Republicrat Party controlled by the same type inner circle of wealthy businessmen and attorneys that have always called the shots in this town.
"The Downtown Klan gets their piece of the pie and the Ghetto Mafia gets theirs. Same game only different players but with the same agenda as Burkhart,Bulen,Lugar,Lamkin,L.Borst,Walls,Hasberg,Mutz and SerVaas had when they created The City Committee and Unigov at Burkhart's home back in the 60's."

Seeing as how most of the "Republicrats" mentioned have been thoroughly deceased for some time (the jury is still out on Dr. S), how much blame can they be expected to carry for the miserable state of Marion County government?