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For Immediate Release

Dec. 2, 2008

 

Media Contact: Kyle Niederpruem, kyle@kylecommunications.com, 317-509-7334

 

Indiana Debate Commission Announces Final Numbers for Gubernatorial Debates

In-Kind Donations Include Public Television, Venues, and Volunteers

 

INDIANAPOLIS --The landscape for debates changed dramatically this year with the partnership of the Indiana Debate Commission and Indiana's 16 public broadcasting television and radio stations, extending viewership broadly throughout the state prior to the November gubernatorial election.

 

"This was a great way for candidates to be sure they had every reasonable opportunity to say all they wanted to say to Hoosier voters," said Bruce Haines, president and general manager of WFWA-TV in Fort Wayne , Ind., and president of the Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations (IPBS).

 

The commitment from IPBS to cover the productions was considerable--totaling $54,425 to produce each of the three debates, which included production, personnel and equipment costs. The stations that provided services were Lakeshore Public Television in Merrillville, Ind., WVUT-TV in Vincennes, Ind., and WTIU-TV in Bloomington, Ind.

 

The Indiana Debate Commission, a non-partisan volunteer citizen-media group in its first year of operation, met its 2008 goals--to provide free broadcast feeds of the debates statewide, increase voter participation by allowing the public to submit online questions for consideration, and to produce and sponsor three gubernatorial debates.

 

The first-time series of gubernatorial debates this election season featured Gov. Mitch Daniels, Democrat Jill Long Thompson and Libertarian Andy Horning from September through October at three different venues.

 

In the site selection process, the commission also secured and chose venues that had professional staffs and partnered with those that were also willing to donate services and support--which accounted for another estimated $74,480 for in-kind support.

 

The professional staff and volunteers supporting all three debates included more than 200 people at all locations, an unprecedented cooperative effort to present professional debate formats for this year's candidates.

 

An average of 67 people per venue, including the Star Plaza Theatre, Jasper Arts Center and Indiana University Auditorium, provided logistical support.

 

"In the commission's first year of operation, we could not have expected more--with everyone from the League of Women Voters working registration tables at the events to donated support in legal services and set design," said Kevin Finch, president of the Indiana Debate Commission and news director of WISH-TV in Indianapolis.

 

The debate commission's work in 2008 marked a number of firsts for organized gubernatorial debates including extended Web site broadcasts provided by Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System which were available for post-debate viewing on the commission's Web site.

 

A total of 2,868 people attended the hour-long debates around Indiana; while 2,826 visited the debates that were posted and archived online.

 

For the final debate, many commercial TV stations also carried the hour-long broadcast without commercial interruption--including those in the state's largest markets. The central Indiana viewership for the Bloomington event on Oct. 14, according to Nielsen, included 144,950 households.

 

IDC By the Numbers 2008: Final Facts and Figures

 

Estimated donation of public television time and hours to broadcast, including personnel and equipment

-- $54,425

 

Estimated donation of venues for use of facilities, including personnel

-- $74,480

 

In-person attendance at the debate venues

-- An estimated 1,400 attended the first Merrillville debate

-- An estimated 450 attended the second Jasper debate

-- An actual count of 1,018 people attended the final Bloomington debate

-- Total: 2,868

 

Worst weather affecting attendance of a debate

-- Unprecedented flooding in Northwest Indiana for the first debate in September

 

The debate that relied primarily on Internet distribution of free tickets via Ticketmaster

-- Bloomington , Ind.

 

The debate that relied primarily on public office distribution of free printed tickets

-- Jasper , Ind.

 

Amount of money charged for the public to attend debates

-- Zero--free tickets were provided for all venues; first come, first served

 

Number of university students involved in assisting with the broadcasts

-- 22

 

Broadest debate coverage on TV, aired on radio or carried online by media outlets

-- Final debate in Bloomington on October 14

 

Number of people who played the archived debates online made available through the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS)

-- Total of 2,826 watched the debates online

 

Total number of questions submitted online to the Indiana Debate Commission

-- 421

 

Total number of questions asked in the time allowed for the three, hour-long debates

-- 24

 

Amount of funds spent by the debate commission to broadcast three debates via satellite feeds for any commercial or public broadcast outlet

-- $2,229

 

Total number of journalists who registered for credentials to cover all three debates

-- 224

 

Total number of Indiana high schools who sent student journalists to cover the debates

-- 2

 

Broadest debate coverage on TV, aired on radio or carried online by media outlets

-- Final debate in Bloomington on October 14

 

Audience share in Central Indiana for the final Bloomington debate (commercial numbers only)

-- 144,950 households watched the debate or about a 23 percent market share

 

About the Indiana Debate Commission

The Indiana Debate Commission is a non-partisan, statewide group of 13 citizen and media organizations dedicated to promoting debates at the state level. Incorporated in the fall of 2007, the IDC will work with candidates, sponsors, venues and citizen groups to promote open, unbiased and transparent debates for Hoosier voters. For more information visit: www.indianadebatecommission.com

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2008
Contact:    Michael Wolf, Associate Professor of Political Science, 260-481-6898
Andrew Downs, Assistant Professor of Political Science, 260-481-6691
        
Red State Nail-biter:
McCain and Obama in 47% - 47 % Dead Heat Among Hoosier Voters

Presidential Vote Intention in Indiana
October 27-30, 2008

John McCain           47 %
Barack Obama           47 %
Bob Barr            2 %
Other            1 %
Undecided            3 %

Indiana's presidential race is extremely close according to a poll of 900 registered and likely voters done by SurveyUSA for the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics.  For the first time in four decades, a Democrat has a chance of winning Indiana's Electoral College votes.  Forty-seven percent of Hoosiers support each candidates when asked whom they would vote for "if the election were held today" between October 27 and October 30.  Two percent intend to support Libertarian Bob Barr, 3% remain undecided, and less than 1% support any other candidate.  

Region of State and Vote Intention

    Northern    Central    Southern
McCain    46 %    48 %    47 %
Obama    48 %    47 %    45 %
% of sample    32 %    33 %    34 %

The presidential race is tight (within the margin of error) everywhere in Indiana.  Obama does slightly better in the northern portion of the state and McCain in southern Indiana.
 
 
Both McCain and Obama have mobilized their partisan bases.  Both have double-digit defections by their own weak partisans, but receive overwhelming support from strong partisans and independents leaning toward their party.  To McCain's benefit, there are slightly more Republicans in our sample (44%) than Democrats (42%).  However, Obama holds a greater than the margin-of-error lead among Hoosier self-described independents 44% to 37%.


    Presidential Support by Timing of Vote Decision
    
    Knew All Along    After Party Conventions    After Wall St. Bailout    After Debates    Past Few Days
McCain    52 %    47 %    --    33 %    60 %
Obama    47 %    51 %    --    65 %    30 %
% of sample    56 %    21 %      4 %      8 %      7 %

Most Hoosiers long-ago decided who they would support for president.  However, some distinctive patterns of vote decision timing appear for each candidate.  McCain's support is greater among those who knew all along how they would vote.  Relative to McCain, Obama received more support from those who decided after the party conventions but before the bailout and debates.  He also received two-thirds of those deciding after the debates but before the past few days.  Twice as many of those deciding in the past few days support McCain over Obama, though there are only fifteen percent of Hoosiers who decided after the debates and in the past few days.  
 
 
Presidential Support Among Early Voters & People Yet to Vote

    Already Voted    Yet to Vote
    McCain    32 %          50 %
    Obama    64 %          43 %
    % of sample    17 %          83 %

Barack Obama's early voting efforts have paid off in Indiana.  Seventeen percent of Hoosiers have already voted according to our survey and Barack Obama is doubling up John McCain among these voters.  Of those who have yet to vote, McCain leads 50% to 43%.  

Vote Preference by Issue Next President Should Focus On

    Will Vote for McCain    Will Vote for Obama    % of Sample
Most Salient Issue            
Economy    43 %    51 %    58 %
Environment    22 %    71 %      3 %
Health Care    34 %    58 %      8 %
Iraq    26 %    67 %      5 %
Terrorism    86 %      9  %    10 %
Social Security    46 %    42 %      3 %
Education    33 %    61 %      4 %
Immigration    76 %    13 %      5 %

By an overwhelming margin, the most important issue to Indiana voters is the state of the economy.  Fifty-six percent of Hoosiers rank the economy as the issue on which the next president should focus most.  Of these voters, Barack Obama is receiving 51% support compared to 43% support for John McCain.  John McCain dominates among those who see terrorism (86% to 9%) or immigration (76% to 13%) as the most important issues.  Barack Obama does well on those issues normally owned by Democrats: the environment (71% to 22%), health care (58% to 34%), and education (61% to 33%).  Interestingly, Indiana voters do not follow conventional wisdom on two issues.  John McCain receives more support (46% to 42%) among those who see Social Security as the most important issue, while Barack Obama has more supporters (67% to 26%) of those who view Iraq as the most salient issue.  However no issue rivals the salience of the economy.
 

Presidential Support by Gender
       Male       Female
McCain       49 %          45 %
Obama       45 %          49 %

A slight gender gap exists among Hoosiers concerning whom they will support for president.  49% of Indiana men support McCain compared to 45% who would vote for Obama.  These numbers are reversed for women.  Women made up 53% of the sample.

    Presidential Support by Age    
    18-34    35-49    50-64    65 +
McCain    41 %    52 %    45 %    48 %
Obama    53 %    43 %    50 %    43 %
% of sample    24 %    31 %    27 %    18 %

Interestingly, presidential support by age is not simply a story of younger Hoosiers preferring Obama and older Hoosiers preferring McCain.  As has been the case throughout his presidential run, Barack Obama enjoys strong support from the youngest voting group.  Fifty-three percent of 18 to 35 year old Hoosiers intend to vote for Obama, but Obama also receives a majority of the support among those from age fifty to sixty-four.  McCain receives nearly the same advantage (52% to 43%) of 35 to 49 year olds that Obama receives from 18 to 34 year olds.  The 35 to 49 year old cohort makes up nearly a third of the sample.  McCain leads by five percent among respondents 65 years old and older.   

Presidential Support by Race
    White    Black
McCain    51 %    11 %
Obama    43 %    84 %
% of sample    88 %    8  %

A majority of white Hoosiers support John McCain, while an enormous majority of African-American Hoosiers will vote for Barack Obama.  McCain leads by eight percentage points among whites 51% to 43%.  Obama is receiving 84% of African-American support compared to McCain's 11%.  The percentage of African-Americans in this sample is smaller than the percentage of African-Americans in Indiana's population.  Therefore, the sample may undercount the relative influence of African-Americans in the Indiana electorate.  

 

    Presidential Support by Marital Status
    
    Single    Married    Divorced    Widowed
McCain    38 %    54 %    33 %    37 %
Obama    59 %    40 %    58 %    59 %
% of sample    14 %    67 %    9 %    6 %

Married Hoosiers are more likely to vote for John McCain than Barack Obama by 14 percentage points.  Barack Obama has the majority of support among single and divorced Indiana voters.  Widowed Hoosiers support Obama over McCain by 22 points.  

Education and Presidential Vote Intention

    Graduate
Professional    College
Graduate    Some
College    High School Graduate    Not High School Grad
McCain    51 %    51 %    47 %    43 %    --
Obama    43 %    44 %    47 %    51 %    --
% of sample    23 %    23 %    33 %    19 %       3 %

John McCain will receive the votes of those with a college education and higher, whereas Hoosiers with a high school education will vote more often for Barack Obama.  Obama had received much higher relative support among highly educated Hoosiers in the Indiana Primary Election.


Presidential Vote Intention by Frequency of Church Attendance

    Every
Week    Almost Weekly    Once/ Twice per Month    A Few Times Yearly    Almost
Never
McCain    59 %    48 %    39 %    43 %    34 %
Obama    34 %    48 %    55 %    52 %    62 %
% of sample    41 %    13 %      8 %    16 %    19 %

A majority of Hoosiers tend to attend church weekly or almost weekly.  Among the most religious Indiana voters, John McCain enjoys a yawning advantage over Barack Obama (59% to 34%).  Obama and McCain are tied (48% apiece) among those who attend church almost weekly.  Like recent patterns of religiosity and voting behavior for Republican and Democratic voting behavior, as voters become more secular, they are more likely to support Obama.  

 
What is the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics?

The Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics is a non-partisan organization that helps the people of Indiana understand the role of politics and government in their daily lives.  By doing this, The Mike Downs Center hopes to encourage participation in political and public processes the same way its namesake, Professor Michael C. Downs, did for more than 34 years.  The Mike Downs Center is located on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW).

Statement of Methodology: This SurveyUSA poll was conducted by telephone in the voice of a professional announcer. Respondent households were selected at random, using a registration based sample (RBS) provided by Aristotle, of Washington DC. All respondents heard the questions asked identically. The calls were conducted on October 27, 28, and 29.  The number of respondents who answered each question and the margin of sampling error for each question are provided in the crosstabs. The margin of error for all of the questions regarding the presidential races is 3.3%.  Where necessary, responses were weighted according to the voter registration database.  In theory, with the stated sample size, one can say with 95% certainty that the results would not vary by more than the stated margin of sampling error, in one direction or the other, had the entire universe of respondents been interviewed with complete accuracy. There are other possible sources of error in all surveys that may be more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. These include refusals to be interviewed, question wording and question order, weighting by demographic control data and the manner in which respondents are filtered (such as, determining who is a likely voter). It is difficult to quantify the errors that may result from these factors. Fieldwork for this survey was done by SurveyUSA of Verona, NJ

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2008
Contact:    Andrew Downs, Assistant Professor of Political Science, 260-481-6691
        Michael Wolf, Assistant Professor of Political Science, 260-481-6898

Daniels Has Large Lead Over Thompson
Other State Races Much Closer

Who is leading in the race for Indiana governor?

Among 900 likely voters, Republican incumbent Governor Mitch Daniels has a substantial lead over Democratic challenger Jill Long Thompson - 55% to 38% with 4% for Libertarian Andrew Horning and 3% undecided.  Daniels leads among men and women, in all age categories, and in almost every other category.  The only categories where Thompson leads are early voters (52% to 44%), voters who identify themselves as strong Democrats (81% to 13%), Democrats (53% to 38%), or independents who lean Democratic (58% to 32%), those who support Barack Obama for president (64% to 28%), those who almost never attend a religious service (46% to 43%), divorced respondents (49% to45%), and African Americans (68% to 23%).  Her leads in these categories are smaller than the leads of the other statewide Democratic candidates (Obama, Pence, and Wood) in the same categories.

Respondents who said they were voting for Daniels were asked if their support was a vote for Daniels or a vote against Thompson.  Respondents who said they were voting for Thompson were asked if their support was a vote for Thompson or a vote against Daniels.  The results to these questions help to explain why Daniels has such a large lead.  Almost nine out of 10 (88%) of Daniels' supporters are voting for him because of him and only 10% are voting for him as a vote against Thompson.  The numbers are very different for Thompson.  Not quite half (47%) of her supporters are voting for her because of her and just over half (51%) are voting for her as a vote against Daniels.  This suggests that Thompson has not effectively delivered a message about why she should be elected other than she is not Mitch Daniels.

Who is leading in the race for Indiana Attorney General?

Among 900 likely voters, Republican Greg Zoeller has a slight lead over Democrat Linda Pence for this open seat (46% to 42%).  The fact that 10% of the respondents are not sure yet who they will be supporting means this race should remain exciting till the end.  The tightness of the race can be seen in the fact that in more than half of the demographic categories used in this survey, neither candidate has a lead of 50% or more.  In the categories where a candidate does have a lead of 50% or more, it either is barely over 50% or is in a category where it would be expected to be large such as among strong partisans.  

Zoeller has expected leads among Republicans and McCain supporters.  He also has a sizeable lead among respondents who attend church every week (56% to 34%), married respondents (51% to 38%), respondents with a graduate or college degree (11 point leads).  A final interesting finding is that Zoeller is leading among the respondents who said they have made up their minds in the past few days about who to support for president (51% to 25%).  It is a small percentage of respondents who have decided in the past few days (7% of all respondents), but if this trend continues among the undecided voters it could help push Zoeller to victory.  Almost half of the people still undecided regarding the presidential race are undecided regarding the attorney general race.

Pence has expected leads among Democrats and Obama supporters.  She has sizeable leads in several categories (African Americans, 70% to 16%; respondents who decided who to support in the presidential race after the debates, 56% to 34%; respondents who almost never go to church, 52% to 33%; divorced respondents, 55% to 30%; and widowed respondents, 59% to 33%).  Unfortunately for Pence, many of these categories are small parts of the electorate.  Like other Democratic candidates, Pence seems to be benefiting from the aggressive early voting effort of the Barack Obama campaign.  She leads Zoeller among early voters (59% to 33%).  If she can maintain her lead among early voters and cut into Zoeller's lead among those who will vote in Election Day, she could pull off a victory.  

An analysis of the undecided voters confirms that this probably will be a close race to the end, but that it might be leaning toward Zoeller.  Nineteen percent of the independents are undecided and the independents who have decided who support in this race are evenly divided (37% Zoeller - 37% Pence).  Two of the next highest percentages of undecided voters are independents who lean Republican (14%) and independents who lean Democratic (13%).  Not surprisingly among the independents who lean Republican who have decided who they are supporting in this race, Zoeller is winning (75% to 10%).  Pence is leading among the independents who lean Democratic who have decided who they are supporting in this race (62% to 22%).  Finally, 21% of the respondents who made up their minds about who to support in the presidential race in the past few days still are undecided in the race for attorney general.  This is good news for Zoeller because the respondents who have made up their minds about the presidential race in the past few days and have decided who to support in the attorney general race have broken decisively for Zoeller (51% to 25%).  

Who is leading in the race for Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction?

Among 900 likely voters, Republican Tony Bennett is leading Democrat Richard Wood for this open seat (45% to 41%).  This has not been a high-profile race and that might explain why 14% of the respondents still are undecided.  There are many aspects of this race that are similar to the race for Attorney General.  The Republican candidate is leading overall, but has significant leads in fewer demographic categories than the Democratic candidate.  While the Democratic candidate may have significant leads in more demographic categories than the Republican candidate, they are categories that make up small parts of the electorate.

Bennett leads in the categories that he would be expected to lead such as strong Republicans, Republicans, independents who lean Republican, and McCain supporters.  His biggest lead other than the categories mentioned above is among respondents who attend religious services every week (56% to 31%).  He has 19 point leads among voters who decided who support in the presidential race in the past few days (47% to 28%) and respondents with a college degree (52% to 33%).  Finally, he has a 15 point lead among respondents who are married (51% to 36%).  

Wood also leads in the categories that he would be expected to lead such as strong Democrats, Democrats, independents who lean Democratic, and Obama supporters.  He also has a large lead among African Americans (68% to 16%).  He has 20 point or larger leads among early voters (60% to 32%), voters who made up their minds about who to support in the presidential race after the debates (54% to 33%), respondents who almost never go to religious services (53% to 32%), and divorced respondents (50% to 29%).  

There are several ways to analyze the undecided voters.  One is to look at the categories with the largest percentages of undecided voters.  Another is to look at the categories that make up the largest percentages of the population that have a large percentage of undecided voters.  Independents have the largest percentage of undecided voters (29%).  Bennett and Wood have split the decided independents evenly (Bennett 36%, Wood 35%).  One quarter of the voters who have made their decision regarding the presidential race in the past few days are undecided on the race for superintendent of public instruction.  This may benefit Bennett since he is 19 points up on Wood in this category among respondents who have made up their minds (47% to 28%).  Wood may benefit from the 21% of the divorced respondents who are undecided since he currently leads in this category by 21 points (50% to 29%).  Sixteen percent of females, who make up 53% of the respondents, are undecided on this race.  Bennett and Wood are in a virtual tie in this category among those who have decided (Bennett 42%, Wood 41%).  Sixteen percent of the respondents younger than 50, who make up 55% of the respondents, are undecided on this race.  If the undecided voters younger than 50 vote the way the decided voters have, Bennett stands to gain quite a bit (Bennett 45%, Wood 38%).  Sixteen percent of the respondents who said they will be voting on Election Day are undecided.  These voters make up 83% of the respondents and break solidly for Bennett (Bennett 47%, Wood 37%).  This is a close race that seems likely to be won by Bennett.  

What is the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics?

The Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics is a non-partisan organization that helps the people of Indiana understand the role of politics and government in their daily lives.  By doing this, The Mike Downs Center hopes to encourage participation in political and public processes the same way its namesake, Professor Michael C. Downs, did for more than 34 years.  The Mike Downs Center is located on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW).

Statement of Methodology: This SurveyUSA poll was conducted by telephone in the voice of a professional announcer. Respondent households were selected at random, using a registration based sample (RBS) provided by Aristotle, of Washington DC. All respondents heard the questions asked identically. The calls were conducted on October 27, 28, and 29.  The number of respondents who answered each question and the margin of sampling error for each question are provided. Where necessary, responses were weighted according to the voter registration database.  In theory, with the stated sample size, one can say with 95% certainty that the results would not vary by more than the stated margin of sampling error, in one direction or the other, had the entire universe of respondents been interviewed with complete accuracy. There are other possible sources of error in all surveys that may be more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. These include refusals to be interviewed, question wording and question order, weighting by demographic control data and the manner in which respondents are filtered (such as, determining who is a likely voter). It is difficult to quantify the errors that may result from these factors. Fieldwork for this survey was done by SurveyUSA of Verona, NJ

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Press Release - Lafayette Journal & Courier breaks 10 year Buyer endorsement streak, says Nels Ackerson is the change we need!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2008

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. - For the first time in over a decade, The Lafayette Journal & Courier announced that it is not endorsing 16-year incumbent Steve Buyer.  Instead, the paper has endorsed Nels Ackerson for Congress, stating that, "Nels Ackerson offers a credible change from the overly partisan representation offered by Buyer.  Ackerson knows his way around Washington and the issues. He leans toward being a fiscal conservative, which fits the district well."

Nels Ackerson has built a strong grass roots campaign in the 4th district and is now neck and neck with 16-year incumbent Steve Buyer in a race that many had thought was secure.  Last month The Journal & Courier, the largest newspaper in the 4th district, conducted a poll revealing that Nels Ackerson was only 2% behind 16-year incumbent Steve Buyer with 26% still undecided.  In recent weeks the race has been re-categorized as a contested race by several political trackers.

"We are making great progress," Ackerson declared, "and I am very proud and humbled to receive the endorsement of the Lafayette Journal & Courier.  With only 7 days left, my campaign is gaining amazing amounts of support from across the district.  This campaign is going to win, and we are going to change the failed policies that have hurt this country.  There is a great deal of work ahead if we are going to get America moving in the right direction again."

"My opponent, Steve Buyer, has been in Congress for 16 years.  He has completely failed to stop the misguided policies and pointless partisanship in Congress.  Instead he has marched in lockstep with some terrible economic policies, including huge deficits, reckless banking deregulation, and risky social security privatization.  When I am in Congress I promise that I will fight for jobs, I will be a better steward of taxpayer money, and I will help change the direction that our economy and our government has taken. That is my promise to the voters of the 4th district."

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2008
 
Contact: Sen. Jim Arnold (home) 219-326-5826 or (cell) 219-608-9520
 
Arnold has broad support for re-election
State Senator receives key endorsements
 
State Sen. Jim Arnold has received endorsements from a wide variety of organizations in his bid for re-election in Senate District 8.
 
Arnold's support includes public safety, labor and education groups, as well as the Indiana Manufacturers Association and the Indiana Farm Bureau.
 
"The wide array of support that I have received for my re-election campaign demonstrates what I am most proud of - my ability to reach out to all groups and across the political aisle to work hard and get the job done for my constituents."
 
Arnold's endorsements include:
 
LaPorte Firefighters
Indiana Fraternal Order of Police
Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana
Indiana AFL-CIO
Indiana Manufacturers Association
Indiana Farm Bureau
Indiana Federation of Teachers
Dunes Shore Political Action Committee for Education
United Senior Action of Indiana
 
Arnold, an Air Force and Army Reserve veteran, has over three decades of public service to his credit. He is a career law enforcement officer who served two terms as the LaPorte County Sherriff. Senate District 8 covers portions of LaPorte and St. Joseph counties.
 
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Paid for an authorized by The Committee to Elect Jim Arnold State Senator
 

MEDIA ADVISORY

October 24, 2008



Governor issues statement on federal lottery lease opinion

Governor Mitch Daniels today released this statement in response to an opinion issued by the Office of Legal Counsel of the U.S. Department of Justice. The opinion, which was requested by Indiana and New Jersey, expresses the view that states would not comply with federal law if they enter into long-term private management agreements to operate their lotteries.

Governor Daniels has proposed the Hoosier College Promise program, a plan that would provide $6,000 over two years to recent Indiana high school graduates to pursue postsecondary education in the state. The governor has suggested several possible methods for funding the scholarship program, including leasing the Hoosier Lottery to a private operator, or issuing bonds backed by future growth in lottery profits.

Here is the governor's statement:

"As one of a number of states considering the possible lease of their lotteries to private operators, we were surprised by the recent Office of Legal Counsel decision.  The best legal advice available to us had suggested that the OLC would not interpret federal lottery statutes as preventing the long-term lease of state lotteries. 

Although the OLC opinion is not binding, rather than challenging it in federal court it seems wiser to look to other options we've been exploring to fund the Hoosier College Promise proposal.  The goal of the plan is to guarantee a college scholarship to every low and middle income Hoosier high school graduate. A lottery lease would have been one means to that end, but there can be other financing options available and we will shift our attention to them."

Additional background

The Office of Legal Counsel in the U.S. Department of Justice issued the opinion on the question of whether a long-term lease of a state lottery to a private operator would conform to federal law that generally prohibits the promotion and advertising of lotteries in interstate commerce (federal law makes an exception for lotteries "conducted" by a state). The OLC opinion addresses whether leases to private operators would fall within the exception and thus be permissible. It concludes that states may contract with private management firms to operate their lotteries, but that the state must maintain control over significant business decisions made by the lottery.  In addition, the opinion says that the management firm may not receive more than "a de minimus interest in the profits and losses of the business".

The opinion was issued because a number of states, including California, New Jersey, Illinois, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Texas, New York, and Indiana, have proposed the long-term lease of their state lotteries in order to fund investments ranging from infrastructure to education.

The text of the opinion may be found on the OLC website at www.usdoj.gov/olc/

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Media contact: Jane Jankowski, 317/232-1622, jjankowski@gov.in.gov

OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN ANDRÉ CARSON
2455 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515
 
CARSON: BUSH ADMINISTRATION SHOULD ADHERE TO BERNANKE'S CALL FOR ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE
 
October 20, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact: Micah Ragland - 202.225.4011 or 202.841.4065
 
WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, Congressman André Carson released the following statement after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testified before the House Budget Committee that Congress should look at passing a new economic stimulus package to jump start the sagging U.S. economy:
 
"President Bush has rapidly responded to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's advice of having some of our nation's leading financial institutions bailed out in their time of need.  However, now that it is Main Street and not Wall Street who needs the help, the President has been slow to answer the call in supporting an urgently needed economic stimulus package for working Americans.
 
"Time is of the essence and the American people can't afford to wait any longer for a much needed and long overdue economic stimulus package that will boost our economy and create jobs.  President Bush responded to Wall Street's call for help, now it is time that he does the same for Main Street."
 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 20, 2008

Former National Commander of the American Legion Endorses Nels Ackerson, Criticizes Steve Buyer


Zionsville, IN - Today the Ackerson campaign released a video endorsement by Tom Bock, former National Commander of the American Legion and a lifelong Republican who is endorsing Nels Ackerson for Congress in Indiana's 4th district.  

"Through our discussions about issues of great concern to military veterans and your approach to addressing them, I have reached the conclusion that Nels would be a true veterans' advocate in Congress," said Bock.  

The American Legion is one of the Nation's leading veterans' service organization, with over 2.7 million veterans involved nationwide.  Tom Bock was elected National President of the American Legion in 2005, after over 20 years of active involvement and advocacy on behalf of veterans.  A veteran of the Air Force during the Vietnam War, he obtained the rank of Sergeant, and is a Blue Star father, having a son who is serving in Iraq.  

"It is my proud honor to receive the support of such a strong advocate for Indiana's veterans.  Tom has been a lifelong Republican, and I am particularly proud that like so many Republicans this year, he has been willing to cross the aisle to support my campaign.  Treatment of our Veterans is a critical issue, particularly when we have more and more veterans fighting and returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq," said Ackerson.

"Our commitments to our veterans are a sacred promise.  It is shocking that Congress hasn't honored those promises.  The failure of Congress to honor their promises to veterans is more than a legislative failure.  This is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue," Ackerson continued.  "It is fundamentally an issue of character and integrity."

During his 16 years in Congress, Steve Buyer has been highly criticized for his well documented anti-veteran record.  While on the Veterans Affairs Committee, Buyer was given very low marks by multiple veterans organizations.
Disabled Veterans of America in 2006 was 66% and 0% in 2003, 2004, and 2005
AMVETS gave him a score of 50% in 2003
American Legion gave him a score of 50% in 2003
Two years ago, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of American gave Buyer a "C" for his lack of support of the veterans' community.

Former National Commander Bock met with Steve Buyer on many occasions trying to get his support for Veterans.  Bock commented, "In my honest opinion, Steve Buyer is not a veteran's friend.  He was responding to someone else's direction in order to further his own career."

Ackerson has promised that when he is in Congress, he will be a champion who fights for Indiana's veterans.  In August, Nels Ackerson publicly committed himself to the Ackerson Pledge on Veterans, four specific proposals that he would fight for in Congress.  "Our veterans have given us their best, and they deserve to be treated honestly and to receive the benefits they were promised.  And when I am in congress, that is exactly what I intend to do."

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Contact: Peter Ackerson, 317-733-8468, peter@nels4congress.com
Nels Ackerson believes very firmly in the need for truth in government and for active protection of Veterans rights.  He is running for Congress to bring much-needed change and bipartisan leadership to Washington on behalf of Hoosiers in the Fourth District. Nels and his wife Sharon live in Zionsville. They have four grown children and a granddaughter. Learn more at www.nels4congress.com.

OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN ANDRÉ CARSON
2455 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515
 
BUSH ADMINISTRATION FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE OBVIOUS: PARTS OF COUNTRY ARE IN AN ECONOMIC RECESSION
 
October 20, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact: Micah Ragland - 202.225.4011 or 202.841.4065
 
WASHINGTON D.C. - Congressman André Carson released the following statement today after Edward Lazear, Chairman of President Bush's White House Council of Economic Advisers, acknowledged that parts of the U.S. are experiencing an economic recession:
 
"Yesterday, a senior Bush Administration official finally acknowledged that certain sections of our country are suffering through a recession.  However, despite the Bush Administration's tardy admission of the obvious, President Bush continues to voice his strong opposition to an economic stimulus package that will help working Americans.
 
"When Wall Street needed help, the President hastily demanded that Congress act swiftly in providing that industry relief.  Unfortunately, he has lacked the same fortitude and initiative when it comes to helping working families who are struggling to navigate through these tough economic times.
 
"With our economy receding and our housing market plummeting, now is the time for the Bush Administration to work with Congressional Democrats in supporting an economic stimulus package that will create jobs, provide tax relief to middle-income Americans, and invest in our aging transportation infrastructure."
 
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Mary Etta Ruley for Congress (Indiana Fifth Congressional District)
Grant Co. HQ: 1420 W. Kem Road Marion, IN. 46952; Hamilton Co. HQ: 802 Mulberry Street, Noblesville
MaryEttaRuley.com     ruleyforcongress@yahoo.com

PRESS RELEASE

Endorsements keep coming in for Fifth District Congressional Candidate Mary Etta Ruley; Burton still won't debate

For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Barta, (317) 517-3127; media@MaryEttaRuley.com
Interviews and photos available

October 20, 2008

MARION, IN - The National Committee for an Effective Congress (NCEC) has endorsed Congressional candidate Mary Etta Ruley (IN-05), adding to the growing list of organizations and individuals who have endorsed Ruley instead of opponent and incumbent Congressman Dan Burton.

The NCEC "supports the best and most electable candidates." They determined the Indiana fifth district congressional race between Democrat Mary Etta Ruley and Republican Dan Burton to be close enough to warrant their endorsement.

The Indiana State AFL-CIO, representing union members and their families belonging to over 700 Local Unions and 15 Central Labor Councils in the State, endorsed Ruley for Congress "for your responses and commitment to the issues of concern to Hoosier working families."

The National Farmers Union has endorsed Mary Etta Ruley's candidacy for United States Congress. In a letter of support, they explained their criteria; "committed to ensuring that the public policy needs of family farmers, ranchers and the communities in which they live are addressed. You have demonstrated that commitment, and we thank you."

Other endorsements include Central Indiana Building & Construction Trades Council, UAW, IBEW, the United Steelworkers, and Hoosier Heartland Wabash Co. C.O.P.E..

Indiana Democratic Party Chair, Dan Parker replied when asked about the attraction of Ruley, "Hoosiers today are struggling under the failed Bush-Burton economy, and they are desperate for a change in leadership.  Mary Etta Ruley represents the change that the voters of the Fifth District so desperately need."

"Mary Etta Ruley has a real chance to unseat Burton. The district is excited to have her on the ticket," J.D. Lux, Fifth District Democratic Chair, said.

Ruley has 30 years of experience in Washington, D.C.  She is degreed in Economics from the University of Maryland.  She worked as a congressional staffer for former Fifth District Democratic Congressman J. Edward Roush and on the National Security subcommittee.  She was an analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses, which led to an Executive appointment on the President's Commission on an All-Volunteer Armed Force, where she worked with major economists Alan Greenspan and Milton Friedman.  She was president of two large Washington consulting firms, and she led a manufacturing company from bankruptcy, saving and creating jobs.  Upon her return to the Fifth District in 1999, she led high technology economic development efforts.  She currently owns two small businesses in the district.

Burton continues to refuse to face Mary Etta Ruley in either a debate or town hall meeting. "The Burton campaign has been contacted, but they feel they don't have to debate Mary Etta. Without the debate, Burton doesn't have to face voters, who are his constituents, and deal with how they are feeling about the state the country is in and his role in bringing us there," Greg Purvis, Ruley campaign spokesperson commented. "Burton has disconnected from the district and Indiana, and he doesn't seem to care. I've even heard of Republicans for Ruley groups popping up, much like they are for Obama."

Purvis added, "If people want to know who Mary Etta Ruley is, they only have to check out her website, MaryEttaRuley.com, or meet her at an event or when she is walking the district. She is very accessible, and is committed to staying accessible to her district after she is elected."

Former work associates have volunteered their support through Letters to the Editor in papers around Indiana. Warren Buhler, Potomac, Md., wrote to the Chronicle-Tribune just before the primary, "I am a Republican urging support for Mary Etta Ruley for the Democratic nomination for the Fifth Congressional District of Indiana.

"She won my respect when we worked together in the House of Representatives. She knew the issues and concerns of Indiana and was able to contribute most effectively to the legislative process.

"She naturally has a no-nonsense political style of solid analyses and a willingness to put together coalitions, including with Republicans, and is more than able to deal effectively with the critical policy issues of today like jobs, education, health care, foreign policy and bringing the budget under control."

Similar letters of support from others, who knew her in Washington, or on one of the many community initiatives, have appeared in Indiana newspapers.  Vickie Hess, now in Hadley, Mass., met Ruley when they both worked to develop a science museum in Grant County. "I have known Mary Etta as a woman of vision, integrity and intelligence - and incredible energy. She is forthright - what you see is what you get. She has deep roots in Grant County. Her devotion to the county has caused her to remain and seek opportunities to support its growth and development."

This year the voters of the fifth congressional district have a choice when voting for the person to represent them in the U.S. Congress, and therefore the country. Mary Etta Ruley has attracted the support and endorsements that could influence the district voters to decide to make a fresh start and vote for her. An Internet poll at Topix.com, on the Dan Burton page, indicates voters are choosing Mary Etta Ruley. With the momentum created by the Obama campaign for change, those winds might blow through Indiana's fifth congressional district?

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