(Cross-posted at my blog, An Enduring Democratic Majority).
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is in real trouble. Even Christine Gregoire of Washington, who was elected in 2004 by a mere 129 votes, has a higher approval rating than Governor Daniels.
According to Wikipedia, Daniels' approval rating has not been over 50 percent since 2005. As recent as April of 2006, Daniels was sitting at a pathetic 35 percent. Yet, Daniels is taking this all in stride as he makes plans to announce his reelection plans tomorrow at Butler University.
From the NWI Times:
The Mitch for Governor Campaign Committee sent out invitations more than a month ago for an "important announcement" Saturday outside Hinkle Field House at Butler University.
Daniels launched his first gubernatorial run at Butler University in the summer of 2003, and he returned there to await returns on election night 2004. The event Saturday starts at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to run through 1:30 p.m.
Daniels' two biggest challengers thus far are Indianapolis architect Jim Schellinger and Senate Minority Leader Richard Young. While Young has the name recognition in this race, Schellinger seems to be building some serious momentum. Look at this incredible list of endorsements Schellinger has racked up (courtesy of his web site):
For years, Jim Schellinger has been a strong supporter of the Indiana Democratic Party and key leaders like Senator Evan Bayh, Governor Frank O’Bannon, Governor Joe Kernan, Mayor Bart Peterson and Congresswoman Julia Carson. Jim is endorsed for Governor by Mayor Bart Peterson, Congresswoman Julia Carson, Former House Democratic Speaker John Gregg and by the UAW. Jim is the Democratic candidate who can beat Governor Daniels and put our state on the right track once again.
Admittedly, I am no expert on Indiana politics, but if I stared at that list and didn't know what it was representing I would assume that it was a list of the Indiana Democratic Party Hall of Fame. So where does candidate Schellinger stand on the issues? Unfortunately, Schellinger's web site is still under construction and he has yet to put up an "issues page."
Minority Leader Young seems like a good candidate. He's hitting all the right notes with his pledge not to privatize the Indiana Toll Road (something that Daniels has tried to do much to the dissaproval of Hoosier residents), but I just don't know if he has what it takes to win. Indiana primary voters are going to have a clear choice int he primary. They can vote for the older, more established candidate in Richard Young or the younger, unestablished (but promising) candidate in Schellinger.
Additionally, according to the Times Article, Schellinger already has a jump on Young in fundraising. In fact Young hasn't even started fundraising.
Indianapolis architect Jim Schellinger has logged several contributions of at least $10,000 since entering the race in late March. The other announced Democrat, state Senate Minority Leader Richard Young of Milltown, said Thursday that his campaign has just begun to focus on fundraising.
I don't know what Young is waiting for here. Maybe he has some cash on hand from a past Senate reelection campaign, but to have just begun focusing on fundraising today is ridiculous. It really begs the question of just how committed Young is to the race.
Former US Rep. Jill Long Thompson is rumored to also be interested in running on the Democratic ticket. However, no official announcement has been made yet. Certainly, Thompson's entry into the race would shake things up and make for a very interesting primary.
So why is this race so important to national Democrats? Well, let's go to the map!
A victory in Indiana would form a coalition of statehouses that stretch from the Democratic stronghold of New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, to that of the upper midwest. By doing this we would be shutting the Republican Party out of local politics for a large chunk of the country. This would not only be effective in our attempt to pass a progressive agenda, but it would be completely demoralizing to our oppositions followers.
Let's send Mitch Daniels into an early retirement.
To Donate.