Tough Weekend to be a Democrat

Wow! This was supposed to be a great weekend of unity and good feeling for Democrats, but then the UAW and City-County Councilwoman Doris Minton-McNeill had to go and ruin everything.

First, the UAW refused to endorse Jill Long Thompson (From the Howey Political Report):

The UAW vote could be a blow to the Thompson-Oxley ticket because it has a network of field operations vital to any Democratic gubernatorial nominee. The Democrats needed to come away from today’s convention with the perception of unity. The UAW played an integral part of the field operations of the Jim Schellinger gubernatorial campaign as well as for past Democratic nominees.

I would argue that if JLT could beat “Diamond Jim” Schellinger and the UAW ground game in May, then she really doesn’t need all those ground people working on her behalf anyway. She’s a big girl and she can handle herself pretty well I’m guessing (please note the heavy sense of sarcasm).

Show us what you got Jilly-O!

Second,

(Read more below the fold)

Indy Councilwoman Doris Minton-McNeill and heir to Andre Carson’s council seat (what, his seed wasn’t ready to replace him?) got arrested on battery and resisting arrest charges over the weekend.

From WishTV.com

Minton-McNeill was appointed to the District 15 seat by Democratic Party Precinct Captains in March after Andre Carson was elected to Congress.

Police say Minton-McNeill called police to her home in the 2000 Block of Medford Avenue complaining about a man armed with a knife inside. When Metro Police arrived, the man in question was not there. She explained to police that the man was involved in a previous sex offense.

Police say Minton-McNeill was very agitated and seemed to be drinking. Police then say the council woman started to run into her house when she ran into an officer and injured the officer’s wrist.

Police started to arrest her and she also resisted officers.

“After the arrest took place she identified herself as a member of the Indianapolis City-County Council and the officers continued with the arrest as planned. It made no difference to them,” IMPD Sgt Paul Thompson said. “She was arrested and transported.”

Almost immediately, the Marion County Republicans pounced calling on McNeill to resign her position and for Democrat leadership to step up and press this issue:

Marion County Republican Party Chairman Tom John tonight called for the resignation of City-County Councilor Doris Minton McNeill (D-District 15) following her arrest for battery and resisting law enforcement Sunday. John issued the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened that once again a Democrat member of the City-County Council has shown such public contempt for law enforcement and disregard for the laws of our great city and the State of Indiana. The citizens of Indianapolis demand leaders who are servants of the law, not people who think they are above it. Doris Minton-McNeill should immediately resign her seat on the City-County Council.

“I also call upon Democrat leaders such as Minority Leader Joanne Sanders and Marion County Treasurer Mike Rodman to join us in our call for Minton-McNeill to resign. They failed to act before when people like Monroe Gray felt they were above the law. I sincerely hope they act now that such a situation is unfortunately occurring once again.”

Whew!!! What a tough weekend to be a Democrat.