Everyone I know was calling the state and county party offices wondering where the support was. Did you not read the papers? Even the Star reported on that…..comments from Mitch Daniels like “I don’t remember the Colonel asking me for any support.”

Actually a lot of it was “in kind” like office space and website stuff. I believe someone went to a group of donors and said something to the effect of “Ballard doesn’t stand a chance don’t bother contributing”.

Also, if the Mayor thanked Tom John, I didn’t hear that, either. What I did see is Tom John taking FULL credit for Ballard’s election and the “resurgence” of the Republican party in Marion County (Tully’s column in Indianapolis Star following the election). Ballard may not admit it now, but his entire entourage of volunteers and family knew and expressed that he was not supported by the party. He was elected by grass roots, totally.

Until less than two weeks before the election, Ballard had only had $30,000 to try and campaign with…how is that being supported by the party? At the last minute, people threw fundraisers and sent in checks, once the Star endorsed Peterson. Ballard’s campaign ended up costing $300,000 vs. Peterson’s 3 million. Want to tell me again how Ballard was “fully” supported?

Let’s be calm about this–because it is calm and calculation that is needed for the Republicans right now. First, Mayor Ballard may just be a kind man, but he has expressed great thanks to Tom John for his help in the Mayoral campaign. Overstated? Maybe. But apparently Ballard does not feel that Tom John did nothing. Second, I know there is a lot of ill-will associated with John appointing Costas supporters as delegates. Personally I have no problem with this–they are APPOINTED delegates. If I am appointing someone as a delegate, I am certainly going to make sure that they represent my views on the key issues before the convention. This is not trying to “rig” the election.

That being said, John has been alleged to have engaged in heavy handed tactics. He has also been in charge of a party organization that seem…ah…unorganized and certainly poorly funded. For all that Ballard has shown himself to be a first rate Mayor so far, his selection as a candidate came about because of the inability of Tom John to get a higher profile, better-funded candidate. I cannot tell that he has done anything to help Elrod try to take the 7th district (he probably has no ability to help Elrod).

It could be argued that since he took over the Indy GOP we have taken back the Mayor’s office and the City-County Council. But I would argue that Peterson and Monroe Gray should get most of that credit. I would say that he has done a poor job running the organization.

So where does that leave the MC GOP? Well, Michael accurately points out the unlikelihood of impeaching John. He also points out the problem of fighting him now within months of the general election. But there is a time and a place. And it is the Precinct Committeemen who count in this dogfight. Find out who yours is and start working on him/her.

By the way, when you talk to the PC about this, why not start talking to them about making sure that the next Chairman of the GOP is conservative. I don’t know that much about Tom John, but the political persuasion as well as the effectiveness of the Chairman should matter.

I was volunteering with the county party making thousands of calls to get out the vote fro Greg Ballard. I saw their staff work hard, daily, with the Ballard campaign to assist with their campaign plan. I saw them move hundreds, if not thousands of yard signs. That was what was public; I’m sure there was more behind the scenes.

As I said, if you think that Tom John and his team did nothing for Greg Ballard, you obviously never volunteered at the County Headquarters, and have absolutely no clue what you are talking about.

I was also an active volunteer for Greg Ballard. Were you there to help him? Did you get “off your butt?” I didn’t see you there. I did see Tom John, again, doing absolutely NOTHING. Another “miracle” election…Ballard. Why don’t you get out and see what the heart of the party thinks about Tom John and his deliberate attempt to rig the election? You must be one of those with your head inside the party within a square mile of the Governor’s office. Well, let me tell you, those people are totally out of touch with the rest of the party. I know, because I spoke with HUNDREDS of delegates over the past month. They were not happy with his actions and those of the party, trying to “fix” this election.

What does that tell you? It tells me that no one thinks much of Tom John. The sooner he is gone, the better for everyone in the party….in a time where our party needs to have a much better image.

Because Center is mainly Democrat with some precincts receiving no GOP votes in most elections such as ones in Brightwood or Haughville the PC’s are by nature appointed.

Not to mention the result of such a likely failed action would lead to obvious chaos, and with such a pivotal election before us in November we just need to work to re-elect the ticket and AFTER THE ELECTION if changes are desired then PC’s have a chance to make their voices heard 1st Saturday in March, 2009. BUT NOT UNTIL THEN!