The Louisville Courier Journal is running an AP story by Mike Smith focusing on Senator Garton’s primary challenge. Senator Bob Garton was elected in 1970 and has been leader of the Senate since 1980. For much of that time he controlled the Senate with 3 of his colleagues: Larry Borst, Morrie Mills, and Joe Harrison. Harrison is retiring this year, Mills retired several years ago, and Borst was ousted in a primary challenge by social conservative Brent Waltz. Garton faces a similar challenge from Greg Walker, another social conservative who is the darling of anti-choice groups like Indiana Right to Life.
In my opinion, it’s a shame that Republicans more focused on fiscal responsibility are being targeted by Republicans with more repressive social agendas. By-and-large, I and (I think) most Hoosiers agree with a responsible fiscal policy. Social conservatism is much more divisive. Unfortunately, I think less informed voters will see “Republican” and think they’re getting Republicans like Garton and Kenley when really they’ll be getting wingnuts like Waltz and Drozda.
Bob Garton has done an awful lot for the Indiana Senate. My understanding is that the pre-Garton Senate was disorganized at best, corrupt at worst. Sen. Garton was instrumental in giving Indiana an orderly and comparatively open legislative process in the Senate. Despite all that he has done, it’s true that he has controlled the Senate for an awfully long time, and I can see arguments to have him phased out of leadership. But not for the likes of Walker.
Doug,
Today I went to the BMV to get my driver’s license inorder to vote Tuesday in the primary. I registered over a month ago. I had to show a utility bill, bank statement, my SSN card, ORIGINAL birth certificate not a photo copy and my Illinois drivers license and pay 21 dollars. Then I was told I had to come back on Monday since the BMV could not get my Indiana drivers license records from 15 years ago out of tape archive.
The cost of a simple state id is $13 dollars.
Believe me I saw person after person in anger about the apparently new barriers to obtaining photo identification inorder to vote.
I was wondering if this unconstitional attempt at voter suppression by requiring a photo id by the Republicans might just blow up in their faces during Tuesday’s primary. What happens if lots of elderly “Dick Lugar/Otis Bowen” Republicans who no longer drive are prevented from voting? What happens if Republicans who moved since the last election can not show an id with their current address? How many Indiana Republican voters are not aware of the new rules and what happens if the rules are enforced on election day.
In an off year primary election with low voter turn out it might just bite the tradional Republican establishment in the ass. Because the strong suit of the Religious Right is they have their orc army prepared and get them to the polls on election day.
Poor Mitch Daniels he might have to spend his last two years as governor worring about banning gay marriage, abortion, and sex toys, supporting school prayer and intelligent design and fighting the war on Christmas and Easter. No time to spend passing out the pork from the proceeds of the Tollway sale in order to build his personal political machine.
It would serve the Republicans right. Hoosiers have a strong libertarian streak that is always at odds with the “traditional values” crowd. I picture lots of Hoosier holiday reunions ruined by one side of the family wanting to save the other’s souls while they are just trying to relax, pop open another beer, and watch the ballgame.
Amen, brother.
Doug,
Check out the article today in the IndyStar on Greg Walker. Not only is Walker a fundy wing-nut he is a fan of the use of torture. Nothing like slumming for the Yahoo vote.
If incumbents come with baggage, though, so do some challengers. Walker, for instance, has faced criticism for supporting public floggings for convicted criminals — a stance he defends by saying “no skin would be broken” and the public humiliation could change lawbreakers’ ways. I guess we are only talking about forced sodomy with household items like glow sticks that seems to be the rage amoung so many self styled young Rethuglicans who learned so well from the example Rummy set at Abu Ghraib.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060430/NEWS02/604300439
JHC!!!! from what depths of Mordor did this cretin crawl out of?? Does Indiana Republican party really want to go the way Ohio and Kansas have the last decade.
Imagine if Walker does win on Tuesday. We should try to make sure Greg Walker is famous through out the blogsphere for his remarks.
Some Christians seem to take a lot more pleasure in the persecution of the damned than in salvation for the faithful.
the GOP lost control of its party long ago. Now they’re reaping the consequences. (And I’d argue that Johnson was the first victim of this rather than Borst. And Johnson was right-wing socially, just not radical right-wing.)
And ‘social issues’ get people to the polls because there’s a basic sense of values that’s been aroused emotionally.
Look at how some frame the illegal vs legal immigrant debate. It’s not about due process and the rule of law, its about being against ‘brown people’ So, the argument cuts both ways. It takes sophisticated thinking to be against SOME brown people in favor of others,if the focus is ‘brown people’ to begin with.We’re all manipulated and/or motivated by rhetoric.
I had always been a republican and it’s true the republican party we have known is gone and probably forever..Republicans used to support the arts, listen to classical music and contribute to civic projects,and believe in ‘fairplay’,which many don’t understand anymore. Now they tack up 10 commandments in the judiciary,keep gays and abortion under control,and make sure Red China keeps Wal Mart shelves stocked by cheap labor,and help them keep unionization OUT!
“Some Christians seem to take a lot more pleasure in the persecution of the damned than in salvation for the faithful.”
That is true for some. However, your statement brings up an even more intresting point. What should be desired is salvation for the damned. Persecution for the faithful is expected.
I suppose that gets around to one of the problems I’ve always had with most forms of Christianity — I like the idea of good people being rewarded and bad people being punished. And, what’s more, I like the idea that people exercising free will are capable of being good. I recall being furious when I learned of the doctrine of “original sin” — everybody behind the 8-ball before they were even born. Visiting the sins of the parents on the children is offensive to my sense of justice. (Which is why I heartily approve of the U.S. Constitutional provision forbidding Congress from working “corruption of blood” when enacting the punishment for treason.)
But I suppose I digress.