Costas: Strong Arming “Needs to stop”

(Originally written by Brian Jessen of Indy’s Conservative Hardball)

Alright, I have had enough.

Josh Gillespie from Hoosier Access at one time said that I “remind (him) of Chris Matthews, except..well..conservative”. So I must stay true…

All this AG race stuff is becoming ridiculous. So I made a phone call.

Yes, I called Jon Costas.

Being from `da Region, I will have to say that I have been a part of the Lake County/Porter County on going, alleged feud. And the last name of Costas has never been one I have been thrilled with.

So calling Jon Costas was a step for me…

Our 25 minute phone call was polite and to the point.

After Costas impressed me by “doing his homework” on who I am and things I have done, I brought the conversation straight to the point.

When I confronted Jon Costas about Tom John’s firing of Dave Miller (a Marion County GOP township chairman that who quoted in the Howey Report as complaining about John’s strong-arming of delegates and demand for a pro-Costas loyalty oath for appointed delegates), Costas made comment that he had heard some rumblings of what was going on in Central Indiana.

I found it difficult to believe, that a man who knew more about me than most, would not have known/heard about Tom John firing Dave Miller.

(Read more after the leap)

I asked Costas if he had trouble with the fact that John was confronting people, who wanted to be appointed to delegate, to sign a document that they would support Costas.

Costas said that he didn’t know “if it was problematic” for a County Chair to ask who the potential delegate would be supporting before appointing them to be a delegate. In essence, Costas is okay with that action.

However, if strong arming tactics were going on, “that needs to stop” Costas said firmly. I asked if he had heard about strong arming. Costas said he had indeed been made aware of it and then committed to me that he would look into it quickly.

I informed Costas that these actions had been confirmed by some in the blogsphere and that these actions (while they are not Jon’s directly) are a direct reflection upon Jon.

But Costas said pledges didn’t bother him either.

“After all, it is a secret ballot isn’t it?”, Jon asked me.

Well yes it is Jon. But when it has been reported that delegates who vote against the grain will be “punished” or dealt with, it gives the impression that people like Tom John and/or the Mitch Daniel Camp is trying to take away the rights of delegates to vote for whom they chose.

Costas committed to keeping in touch as to what he finds out is going on. He also made a comment that he found it exciting that blogs have become so involved in this race. Costas does of course have blogs loyal to him as well.

I changed the subject and then asked him about why he felt he was a better choice for AG.

Electability was the number one reason that rolled off his tongue.

While he said that Greg Zoeller was a friend of his, Costas was more concerned about if “Greg could connect with voters or not”. It is no secret that this is not Zoeller’s first run at the AG’s office.

Costas talked about his prior business experience and distinguished career as an lawyer, working on high profile cases for some of the world’s largest corporations. Costas referenced that Zoeller had basically been involved in government most of his career.

Is it true? Well, it depends on how you look at it.

According to Zoeller’s website:

Mr. Zoeller has also served as the president and director of the World Trade Center of Indiana, a post that he assumed in 1999 when he initiated the development of a strategic plan at the Hudson Institute. He negotiated a contractual relationships with the Indiana Manufacturer’s Association and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce to provide benefits to their respective membership. As the president of the World Trade Center, Mr. Zoeller managed the business services provided through the World Trade Center Association in New York City and was the chief contact with 316 member World Trade Centers in nearly 100 countries worldwide.

Bottom line: they both bring experience.

I also asked about leaving office early and not following thru on his commitment to Valpo’s residence.

Jon said he didn’t plan on running for AG. Carter’s exit was a surprise to all. This event though offered a “rare and unusual opportunity” for Northwest Indiana. We all know Northwest Indiana is the forgotten county, don’t we? I mean, Indiana has 91 counties… doesn’t it?

Have people from Valpo expressed any feelings on this issue to Costas? We all know that Jon will say that many people support his venture here… but Costas talked about how people have expressed that they would be more upset if Costas allowed this opportunity for NWI to be represented in the Daniels’ administration to pass by.

I told Jon upfront, that I have always spoken against elected officials using one office to run for another and referrenced my postings about Andre Carson.

“Well, I would have preferred this opportunity to have come two years down the road,” Costas said. He added that too, Valpo is in a good position to be able to pass the reigns on to another. Makes me wonder what people in Valpo really have to say.

But there was a point that Jon Costas and I agreed upon. Yes, there was one.

“I really feel it’s time for a new set of eyes to become the Attorney General,” Costas said. Zoeller has worked in the AG’s office since 2001 (confirmed by Zoeller’s website).

And while Steve Carter and Greg Zoeller have done an “exceptional job” in the AG’s office, Costas also felt that he brought a “breathe of experience” to the AG’s office that was new and different from what Zoeller could do.

I have to say I agree. But also, Zoeller has not been the AG for the last eight years. So it can be said that Zoeller brings new ideas as well.

It’s all political spin. I could take this entire conversation and spin it where Zoeller would be a better choice for AG. But I won’t do that.

Honestly, all this crap needs to stop.

This is the Republican Party. We are not known for these antics. The more you read these blogs, the more it looks like Mitch Daniels is beginning to resemble Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. And that’s not the Mitch I know and have campaigned for.

In this last week before Convention, I think it is time for the delegates to decide on who is the best choice for AG. Let Zoeller and Costas reach out and connect with the delegates. And all these people involved in these interesting campaign technics need to realize what their actions are doing to the candidate they support.