Recently in Gubernatorial Category

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:    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

###

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/

-30-

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

Please note the speaker change for the following event.

MEDIA ADVISORY
October 10, 2008

Contact: Eric Wright, IU Center for Health Policy, 317.261.3000, ewright@iupui.edu
              Ryan Heath, Hetrick, 317.262.8080, ryanh@tellhetrick.com

UPDATE: IU Center for Health Policy to host
gubernatorial candidates' debate on health care

INDIANAPOLIS--Voters are invited to learn the Indiana gubernatorial candidates' positions on health care and health policy at a debate hosted by public policy educators and students at IUPUI. The debate is set for 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13 in the University Library's Lilly Auditorium and will feature representatives for each major-party candidate presenting details of their respective candidates' plans.

Indiana State Sen. Patricia Miller will represent Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels, and Indiana State Rep. David Orentlicher, M.D. will present on behalf of Democrat Jill Long Thompson. Libertarian candidate Andy Horning will represent himself. Representatives will present their candidate's health care platform and answer questions from a panel of IUPUI students. IU Center for Health Policy director Eric Wright will moderate the debate.

The event is sponsored by the IU Public Policy Institute's Center for Health Policy; the IUPUI Consortium for Health Policy, Law, and Bioethics; and the IUPUI Masters in Health Administration Student Association. The debate will coincide with the release of the IU Center for Health Policy's nonpartisan, point-by-point assessment of the health care plans of both the Indiana gubernatorial and U.S. presidential candidates.

An online version of the Center for Health Policy's assessment will be posted the day of the debate at www.policyinstitute.iu.edu and copies will be available at the forum.

What: A debate on gubernatorial candidates' health care policy hosted by the IU Public Policy Institute's Center for Health Policy, in partnership with the IUPUI Consortium for Health Policy, Law, and Bioethics; and the IUPUI Masters in Health Administration Student Association.

Who: Indiana State Sen. Patricia Miller will represent Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels, and Indiana State Rep. David Orentlicher, M.D. will present Democrat Jill Long Thompson's plan. Libertarian candidate Andrew Horning will represent himself.

When: 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 13

Location: University Library's Lilly Auditorium, 755 W. Michigan St., on the IUPUI campus. Parking is available in the North Street Garage, Sport Complex Garage and Blackford Street Garage. Further directions are available at www.ulib.iupui.edu/libinfo/directions.

For more information, please visit www.policyinstitute.iu.edu/health.

###

For immediate release October 8, 2008

Newly Registered Voters
Favor Governor Daniels

Indianapolis -- The Indiana Manufacturers Association (IMA) and its political action arm, the Indiana Manufacturers Political Action Committee (IMPAC), today released the results of a recent poll. The poll exclusively covered newly registered or re-registered voters statewide in an attempt to quantify the impact of new voters on the upcoming November gubernatorial election.
Thirty-one percent said they would vote straight Democratic, 19 percent straight Republican; and 37 percent said they'll split their ticket. The poll shows that including committed voters and those who say they are leaning toward voting for a candidate, Governor Mitch Daniels leads Jill Long Thompson by 49 to 30 percent. Daniels is viewed favorably by 52 percent of newly registered voters, while Long Thompson is viewed favorably by 25 percent of this group.
Fully, 42 percent of the newly registered voters have never heard of Long Thompson. Respondents were asked to name an issue most important to them and then asked which candidate for governor they believed would do a better job of handling that issue. Daniels was favored on that measure by 43 to 26 percent.
 
The poll was conducted October 2-6, on behalf of IMA and IMPAC, by Bellwether Research & Consulting of Arlington, Virginia. IMA/IMPAC has had a 12-year relationship with Bellwether, and the polling has proven to be very accurate in each of the last three gubernatorial elections.
 
The results of polling 500 newly registered voters indicate that 85 percent say they will definitely vote and 15 percent say they will probably vote.  Forty-one percent of the group is 22 years of age or younger. The demographic data for this group is similar to their previously registered counterparts.
* * * * * * *
IMA is the second oldest state manufacturer association in the United States, having been founded in 1901. Representing about 1,800 manufacturing locations in the state, with more than 525,000 employees, IMA has existed solely for the purpose of representing the interests of Indiana manufacturers for more than 107 years. Manufacturing is the most important contributor to jobs, wages and wealth creation in the State of Indiana. The jobs of another 1.3 million Hoosiers depend on the continuing existence, growth and future success of the manufacturing enterprise in Indiana.

For more information, contact IMA Vice President Ed Roberts at 317-632-2474, 800-462-7762 or eroberts@imaweb.com.


www.imaweb.com




Survey of 500 newly registered voters in Indiana
Conducted on behalf of the IMA
Margin of error + or - 4.5%
October 2 - 6, 2008
Survey Results

1.    According to Indiana voter registration records, you registered to vote or updated your registration this year, correct?  

100%    Yes

2.    How likely is it that you will vote in the November 4th election?  Will you definitely vote, probably vote, or is it possible you may not end up voting due to your schedule or other reasons?

85%    Definitely vote
    15%    Probably vote
    
    Usually people are more interested in some races than others and they may choose not to cast a vote in every contest, just the ones they care about.  How about you?  This year, what is the likelihood on a 1 to 10 scale with 10 being absolutely certain and 1 being completely unlikely that you will vote in...

3.    The election for governor of Indiana              62%    "10"


4.          And, on November 4th, if you had to say today, do you plan to...

             31%    vote a straight democratic ticket
    37%    split your ticket and vote for one party for president and another for governor
    19%    vote straight republican
    13%    (do not read) don't know/ref

             I'd like to read you the names of a few people. Please tell me if you have heard of this       
             person and, if so, whether you have a favorable or an unfavorable impression of him or   
             her.
                Total    Very    Smwt    Smwt    Very    Heard        Never
                Fav    Fav    Fav    Unfav    Unfav    No Opin    Heard
5.    Mitch Daniels        (52%)    24%    28%    12%     9%    18%        9%    
6.    Jill L. Thompson    (25%)     9%    16%     9%     4%    21%        42%
        
7.    Do you approve or disapprove of how Mitch Daniels is handling his job as Governor?

22%    Strongly approve
36%    Somewhat approve            58% Approve - 19% Disapprove
10%    Somewhat disapprove            
 9%    Strongly disapprove
23%    Don't Know (vol.)
 



8.    And if the election for governor were held today for whom would you vote (rotate) Mitch Daniels, Republican, Jill Long Thompson, Democrat or (always ask last) Andy Horning, Libertarian?      

    45%    Mitch Daniels
    27%    Jill Long Thompson            w/leans
     4%    Undecided, lean Daniels            49% Daniels - 30% Thompson
    14%    Undecided - firm
     3%    Undecided, lean Thompson
     -    Undecided, lean Horning
     3%    Andy Horning
     4%     Refused


9.    Most people consider a number of factors when deciding on a candidate to support. If you had to say, which of the following issues would be most important to you personally when deciding on a candidate for governor?

12%    taxes
19%    education
28%    jobs/business
 6%    the environment
12%    health care
 3%    illegal immigration
 7%    abortion
 7%    energy
 4%    (do not read) other, list
 3%    (do not read) don't know

10.        Which candidate for governor (rotate) Republican Mitch Daniels or Democrat Jill Long     Thompson, do you think would do a better job handling (insert issue choice from Q15)?

    43%    Mitch Daniels
    26%    Jill Long Thompson
31%    (do not read) Don't know
    
11.        What is your main source of news and information about the Indiana's governor's race?     

35%    Local news reports on television
10%    Campaign ads on television
 8%        Friends and family
22%    Newspaper
 5%        Radio
 8%        Indiana news sites online
 2%        Political blogs
 3%        Candidate's web sites
 2%        Social networking like facebook or myspace
 5%         (do not read) other, list




12.        Did you watch the presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain?

             59%    Yes
             41%    No    
    
13.        Did you watch either gubernatorial debate between Mitch Daniels and Jill Long Thompson?

    12%    Yes
        88%    No
        
    
14.     What is your level of formal education to date?

27%    High school Degree
 6%    Vocational, technical or professional training
38%    Some college courses
 5%    An Associate Degree
15%    A Bachelor's Degree
 9%    A post-graduate Degree

15.    And, for classification, what is your racial or ethnic background?
 
81%    White
 8%    African American   
 1%    Hispanic or Latino
 7%    Other
 3%    Refused

16.    The voting record shows your age to be (read age from list).  Is that correct?

16%    age 18
13%    age 19
 6%    age 20                41%    age 22 or younger
 4%    age 21
 2%    age 22

17.     Gender     

    48%    Male
    52%    Female

18.    County (top responses)

17%    Marion
 7%    Lake
 6%    Allen
 4%    St. Joseph
 4%    Hamilton

-30-

MEDIA ADVISORY
October 6, 2008

Contact: Eric Wright, IU Center for Health Policy, 317.261.3000, ewright@iupui.edu
               Ryan Heath, Hetrick, 317.262.8080, ryanh@tellhetrick.com

IU Center for Health Policy to host gubernatorial candidates' debate on health care

INDIANAPOLIS--Voters are invited to learn the Indiana gubernatorial candidates' positions on health care and health policy at a debate hosted by public policy educators and students at IUPUI. The debate is set for 4 p.m. on Monday, October 13 in the University Library's Lilly Auditorium and will feature representatives for each major-party candidate presenting details of their respective candidates' plans.

Indiana Family & Social Services Administration Secretary Mitch Roob will represent Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels, and Indiana State Representative David Orentlicher, M.D. will present on behalf of Democrat Jill Long Thompson. Libertarian candidate Andy Horning will represent himself. Each representative will present their candidate's health care platform and answer questions from a panel of IUPUI students. IU Center for Health Policy director Eric Wright will moderate the debate.

The event is sponsored by the IU Public Policy Institute's Center for Health Policy, the IUPUI Consortium for Health Policy, Law, and Bioethics; and the IUPUI Masters in Health Administration Student Association. The debate will coincide with the release of the IU Center for Health Policy's nonpartisan, point-by-point assessment of the health care plans of both the Indiana gubernatorial and U.S. presidential candidates.

An online version of the Center for Health Policy's assessment will be posted the day of the debate at www.policyinstitute.iu.edu and copies will be available at the forum.

What: A debate on gubernatorial candidates' health care policy hosted by the IU Public Policy Institute's Center for Health Policy, in partnership with the IUPUI Consortium for Health Policy, Law, and Bioethics; and the IUPUI Masters in Health Administration Student Association.

Who: Indiana Family & Social Services Administration Secretary Mitch Roob will present Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels' plan, and Indiana State Representative David Orentlicher, M.D. will present Democrat Jill Long Thompson's plan. Libertarian candidate Andrew Horning will represent himself.

When: 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 13

Location: University Library's Lilly Auditorium, 755 W. Michigan St., on the IUPUI campus. Parking is available in the North Street Garage, Sport Complex Garage and Blackford Street Garage. Further directions are available at www.ulib.iupui.edu/libinfo/directions.

For more information, please visit www.policyinstitute.iu.edu/health.

###

For Immediate Release

Sept. 30, 2008

 

Media Contact: Gerry Lanosga, glanosga@indiana.edu, 317-697-6083

 

Indiana Debate Commission Announces Tickets for Final Gubernatorial Debate

Block Tickets Open to School Groups for Bloomington , Ind. , Event

 

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. --The Indiana Debate Commission is making free tickets available to the public today for the final gubernatorial debate in Bloomington through Ticketmaster for individuals and through advance reservations for school groups contacting the Indiana University Auditorium.

 

"We're encouraging our youngest citizens to attend the final debate in person," said Gerry Lanosga, an associate instructor at Indiana University and board member of the Indiana Debate Commission. "There is no better opportunity for those who will soon vote, or be voting for the first time, to see and hear these candidates debate."

 

The upcoming debate, which includes incumbent Republican Mitch Daniels, Democrat Jill Long Thompson and Libertarian Andy Horning, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 7 p.m. ET, at the Indiana University Auditorium, 1211 E. 7th St. , Bloomington , Ind.

 

The final debate will be moderated by Tom Cochrun, a retired broadcaster and independent filmmaker who spent decades in both radio and television in central Indiana and also ran a successful documentary film company. The format for this venue will be a roundtable discussion with candidates that will include questions for consideration submitted by the public online to the Indiana Debate Commission, the official sponsor of the three gubernatorial debates.

 

Questions can be submitted for consideration at www.indianadebatecommission.com through Wednesday, Oct. 8.

 

Limited block tickets also will be available for classroom groups from high schools, colleges and universities. Teachers or administrators can request tickets by faxing the auditorium box office at 812-855-4244. To be considered for a first-come, first-served block of seats, a school must:

 

• Identify the institution on letterhead
• Identify the administrator or teacher making the request
• Provide a work telephone and email of the requestor so receipt can be confirmed through the "will call" office

 

Block ticket reservations will be limited to 25 tickets per school.

 

For other ticket seekers, the commission has set a limit of two tickets per person. Free online tickets can be printed directly from http://iuauditorium.com/new0809/govdebate.html

 

The auditorium box office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets held for "will call" can be picked up at the box office beginning at 2 p.m. on the day of the debate.

 

Ticketmaster can be contacted at 317-239-5151 or 812-333-9955.

 

Individuals who need ADA accommodations are asked to call 812-855-1103 or send an advance e-mail describing those needs to tickets@indiana.edu.

 

For additional information about the I.U. Auditorium, visit http://IUauditorium.com.

NEWS RELEASE



For Immediate Release:  Sept. 19, 2008                                                                                                                   

Media Contact: Jeff Harris or Jason Tomcsi, 317-635-5455





LONG THOMPSON, OXLEY CALL LEADERSHIP IN RESTORING POWER TO SOUTHERN INDIANA



INDIANAPOLIS - Urging Governor Mitch Daniels to show some leadership, today Jill Long Thompson and Dennie Oxley called for a review of the prolonged length of the time it has taken to restore power to thousands of homes and businesses in Southern Indiana.



Specifically, the Democratic nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor are urging Governor Daniels to instruct the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) to bring the matter before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) for a full review and assessment of what has occurred.



"Dennie and I have been traveling Southern Indiana for the last few days and just about everywhere we go, people are still without electricity," said Long Thompson. "It has been almost a week since storms came through southern Indiana and knocked out power. It is absurd that it has taken so long, Hoosiers deserve better than this."



"Governor Daniels should use his authority to review this matter immediately," added Long Thompson.  "We want a full review of what has occurred so when Dennie and I are in office we can make sure it never happens again."



According to recent reports about 40,000 homes and business are still without power.



"We understand that no one can control the weather, but state government can partner with the utility companies to put in place procedures to deal with situations like this - and that's clearly not been done here," said Oxley, whose home in Crawford County has been without power since Sunday. "This is another example of Mitch Daniels falling down on the job. They have no plan for dealing with disturbances like this - and now southern Indiana residents are left to suffer while they try to figure it out."



The OUCC represents Hoosiers to ensure quality and reliable services from utility companies. The IURC is a fact-finding body that hears evidence in cases filed before it and makes decisions based on that evidence.



Known for her ability to get things done, Jill Long Thompson is an accomplished public servant. She has served as a city councilor, a Congresswoman and as Under Secretary for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture. Long Thompson grew up on her family's farm in rural Whitley County and was the first in her family to go to college. She received her undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University and went on to earn a master's and Ph.D. in business from Indiana University.  A farmer and college professor by trade, Long Thompson lives with her husband Don Thompson, a commercial airline pilot, on their farm in Marshall County.



Dennie Oxley is a 10-year veteran of the state legislature, currently serving as the Majority Whip in the Indiana House of Representatives. A former high school math teacher, school administrator and businessman, Oxley brings a wealth of public and private sector experience to the team. Oxley is a graduate of Indiana University Southeast, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in education. A lifelong resident of English, a small community in Crawford County, he resides there with his wife, Jayme, and their two young daughters.



For more information about Jill Long Thompson, Dennie Oxley or their campaign to restore Indiana's promise, please visit www.hoosiersforjill.com <http://www.hoosiersforjill.com>  or call 317-635-Jill.



###

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Sept. 17, 2008
Media Contact: Jeff Harris or Jason Tomcsi, 317-635-5455

GOVERNOR DANIELS FINALLY GETS A REALITY CHECK

Long Thompson campaign launches "Reality Check 1," new Web site

 
INDIANAPOLIS - Highlighting the differences between Governor Mitch Daniels' rhetoric and the reality Hoosier families are facing, today the Hoosiers for Jill Long Thompson Campaign kicked-off two new efforts to help voters learn the truth.

 
The campaign is launching a new Web site  www.mitchrealitycheck.com  to illustrate Governor Daniels' poor leadership, failed polices and consistent flip-flops on important issues. Among other things, the site features articles, web videos and direct quotes of Daniels demonstrating just how out of touch he is with the concerns of working Hoosiers.

 
"Governor Daniels is truly oblivious to what is happening to every day working Hoosiers of this state," said Travis Lowe, the Hoosiers for Jill campaign manager. "Job losses continue to mount, cost of living continues to rise and bankruptcies show no signs of subsiding, but if you listen to Mitch Daniels, all is right in Indiana."

 
"We disagree, and so do working Hoosiers," added Lowe. "With this new site, all Hoosiers will be able to log on, and compare Governor Daniels' campaign rhetoric to his real record. I think they'll come to the same conclusion we have; he's just not being truthful."

 
At the same time, the campaign is unveiling "Reality Check 1," a mobile tote board displaying the number of jobs lost in Indiana during Daniels' time in office. "Reality Check 1" will tour the state and visit communities experiencing job loss.

 
"If there is one thing the Governor has tried to gloss over during this campaign, it is his terrible economic record," add Lowe. "'Reality Check 1' will serve as a reminder for Hoosiers and to the Governor about the kind of damage his shortsighted and ineffective policies has inflicted in his four years in office."

 
"It's time to hold Mitch Daniels accountable, and that's what we intend to do," concluded Lowe. "It's not that he's a bad person, it's that he's just not good at governing. Governor Daniels is totally unaware of the everyday struggles of Hoosiers - and his policies reflect that."

 
For more information about Jill Long Thompson, Dennie Oxley or their campaign to restore Indiana's promise, please visit or call 317-635-Jill.  www.hoosiersforjill.com

 

###

For Immediate Release

Sept. 11, 2008

 

Media Contact: Dennis Ryerson, 317-444-6169, dennis.ryerson@indystar.com

 

INDIANA DEBATE COMMISSION ANNOUNCES MODERATORS FOR UPCOMING FALL DEBATES

Format Rules also Agreed to by Campaigns

 

INDIANAPOLIS--The Indiana Debate Commission today announced its three moderators for the upcoming gubernatorial debates, including a veteran Indiana broadcaster, university president and public television host.

 

The moderators include:

 

Dan Lowery - moderator of the Sept. 16 debate in Merrillville, Ind.

Lowery is the host of Lakeshore Focus, a half-hour public affairs program broadcast by Lakeshore Public Television in Merrillville , Ind. For five years, he served as executive director of the Northwest Indiana Quality of Life Council, a non-profit leadership organization chaired by presidents and chancellors of Northwest Indiana's six colleges and universities. Lakeshore Public Television  broadcasts to 3.5 million homes throughout Northwest Indiana, Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.

 

Jo Ann M. Gora - moderator of the Sept. 23 debate in Jasper, Ind.

Gora has served as Ball State University's president in Muncie , Ind., since 2004. She was honored as one of the most influential women in Indiana by the Indianapolis Business Journal last year. In 2005, she received a Torchbearer Award from the Indiana Commission for Women for her commitment to higher education. The award is the highest honor given by the state of Indiana to Hoosier women who have overcome or removed barriers to equality.

 

Tom Cochrun - moderator of the Oct. 15 debate in Bloomington, Ind.

In his 40-plus year broadcasting career, Cochrun's work has been seen on four Indianapolis television stations and has been heard by listeners at several central Indiana radio stations including WIBC in Indianapolis. He received a national Emmy Award for Community Service for his investigative work while at WTHR-TV, the Indianapolis NBC affiliate, about the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana . Cochrun also successfully operated a documentary production company called Nineteenth Star which provided films to international and national cable markets.

 

"The commission wanted moderators who do not have political connections and who are not currently linked to any one media outlet," said Dennis Ryerson, vice president of the commission and editor of The Indianapolis Star. "We also wanted moderators who, in front of a live audience and in a broadcast setting, could ensure fair and credible, voter-focused debates. With Dan Lowery, Jo Ann Gora and Tom Cochrun, we've been able to achieve our goals."

 

The debate commission is accepting questions from the public online at www.indianadebatecommission.com and also by mail addressed to its Indianapolis office at 3909 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Ind., 46208.

 

"Hundreds of thoughtful questions have been received and reviewed," said Max Jones, editor of the Tribune-Star in Terre Haute , Ind. , and the commission board member heading up the review committee. "The moderators will be asking only questions that have been submitted by the public--either online or through the mail."

 

Commission board members also met with campaign officials on Friday who represent the candidates--Republican Mitch Daniels, Democrat Jill Long Thompson and Libertarian Andy Horning. All signed an agreement to the proposed format rules for the fall debates.

 

(Editors Note: Photos of moderators available upon request.)

 

About the Indiana Debate Commission

The Indiana Debate Commission is a non-partisan, statewide group of affiliate 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

 

Indiana Debate Commission Affiliates

Indiana Coalition for Open Government (Founding Group)

Indiana Associated Press Managing Editors

Indianapolis Association of Black Journalists

Indiana Associated Press Broadcasters Association

Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations

The Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations 

Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists

League of Women Voters of Indiana

The Radio-Television News Directors Association

AARP

The Indiana Broadcasters Foundation

Hoosier State Press Association

Indiana State Bar Association