The Indianapolis Star’s Matt Tully titled his Sunday column “Making Sense of Political News Commentary.” In his column, he asks several questions.

Two of them are particularly interesting.

Q: Will Burton survive his primary challenges?

A: The crowded field no doubt helps him. And his once-energized opponents have been quiet of late, with the exception of state Rep. Mike Murphy, a one-man public relations machine. But Burton’s fear of debating his opponents makes clear he sees a serious threat ahead.

Nobody at the Indianapolis Star ever misses a chance to dump on Dan Burton, even at the expense of basic common sense.

A crowded field helps Burton, it’s true.

And the field is so crowded that he doesn’t need to bother to debate any of them.

Dan Burton isn’t avoiding debates with his opponents because he’s afraid of them. He’s avoiding debating them because the challenge to him is so fractured and divided that it can hardly be taken seriously and he doesn’t need to worry about debating them.

When you’re behind, as Burton’s opponents are, you want to debate. When you’re ahead, you don’t need to.

That’s just the way it is. It’s Basic Politics 101. Maybe Matt Tully could see that if he wasn’t trying to spin every mention of Burton to as bad an angle for Burton as possible.

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Another endorsement reigns in for Jim Banks who is running for the State Senate seat in SD-17. You can read the full endorsement below! Congratulations Jim!

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For Immediate Release

March 1, 2010

Hoosier Gun Owners PAC

Endorses Jim Banks for State Senate

Columbia City – The Hoosier Gun Owners PAC announced their endorsement today for Jim Banks for State Senate in Indiana’s 17^th District.  “When it comes to protecting the Second Amendment, Jim Banks is the clear choice for voters in the 17^th District,” said Matt Boyd, Treasurer and Spokesman of the PAC.  “Hoosier Gun Owners PAC was created by a group of Second Amendment supporters who are passionate about protecting our constitutional freedoms.  Jim Banks is the type of proven leader we can count on to protect our rights in the Indiana General Assembly.  He is the only candidate in the race who has even addressed the Second Amendment.  The choice here is very clear between Banks and his opponent.  We encourage all gun owners in the 17^th District to vote for Jim Banks for State Senate.”

Banks has been endorsed by numerous conservative organizations and leaders including Indiana Right to Life PAC, Allen County Right to Life PAC, Indiana Family Action PAC, American Family Association of Indiana PAC, Patriots Project, Congressman Mike Pence, State Representative Jackie Walorski, Congressman Mark Souder, Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold, Wabash Mayor Robert Vanlandingham, Opportunity Project of Indiana and many others.

Hoosier Gun Owners PAC was created in 2008.  For more information, please contact Jim Banks at 260-579-5828 or visit www.JimBanks.us.

Yes..I know it is not Monday, but I did not want Mr. Heaton to get lost with the news of Sen. Evan Bayh’s retirement announcement, I felt it would not be fair to the candidate that we are trying to help.

I had an opportunity to speak with Bob Heaton about this race, who was going to run against Rep. Vern Tincher (D), but announced he was not seeking reelection. Now this leaves the door wide open for the Republicans and Mr. Heaton, who has been knocking on doors and talking to folks about his run for this office for a few months already. Now the question is this, who will Democrats run in this seat or will they leave it wide open?

Bob is running for Indiana State House District 46, this district includes counties of Vigo, Clay, Owen and Monroe and includes cities and towns of Spencer, Clay City and parts of Terre Haute.

Bio:

(Read more after the leap)

This e-mail came to us this morning….

“Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita discussed and prayed with his wife Kathy at home over the weekend about how best to serve going forward.

“He is grateful for the strong encouragement from Hoosiers throughout the 4^th CD, and has decided to campaign for the opportunity to serve in Congress on their behalf.

“Todd will post a statement today to his Facebook page.  He wants to work at the federal level on the economic and security issues that directly affect the workers, families and small businesses of the 4^th District.”

We will update as news comes to us…

*UPDATE*

Here is Todd’s announcement from via his facebook page:

“Last week I said what most Hoosiers already know– that we need real leadership in Washington D.C.

“Every year as Secretary of State, and for two years before, I traveled to every one of Indiana’s 92 counties. It’s in the small towns and far reaches of our great state where I have learned how to best serve Hoosiers and where I get my marching orders. Because of this, I am deeply familiar with the people and issues of the beautiful counties that make up Indiana’s fourth congressional district. Even more, Kathy and I made the 4th District our home five years ago and are raising our growing family here.

“I continue to enjoy the challenge of helping to lead Indiana’s successful 21st Century comeback. Any objective observer would conclude that we have done a lot in and with the Office of Secretary of State, including reducing its size and cost while improving service to Hoosiers. But, as my time as your Secretary of State begins to wind down, Kathy and I have thought and prayed about how we can best serve others either in or out of elected office. Then, last week we had the opportunity and were asked to consider running for either the U.S. House or Senate, all within a day or so.

“For us, it became clear that the best way we can work on reducing the national debt and generating good jobs, strengthening our national and homeland security, and nurturing an environment based on conservative family values – is to ask the people of the 4th Congressional District for the opportunity to serve them in Congress. Over the next several months, my team and I will work morning, noon, and evening crisscrossing the district and detailing our plans and ideas.

“We are looking forward to continuing to help Indiana’s Comeback and I thank our many supporters for their encouragement and offers of assistance.”

This morning I got an opportunity to speak with Ron Bacon (R) who is running for Indiana State House District 75 against Rep. Dennis Avery (D). You can see a map of House District 75 here. This district includes parts of  of Vanderburgh, Gibson and Warrick counties. I would like to thank Ron for taking the time to talk with me.

Bio:

As a small business owner in Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties for the past 32 years, Ron understands the importance of fiscal responsibility. Whether leasing space, selling products or signing paychecks, he knows what it means to watch the bottom line. He’s seen firsthand how lower taxes on small businesses mean more jobs for working families in Southwest Indiana. But he also realizes that his fiscal decisions have real consequences for his employees and his family.

And Ron knows a thing or two about keeping government spending low while providing high quality service to Hoosier citizens. As an elected Warrick County Councilman, he never voted for a budget that spent more money than the local government was bringing in. As the Warrick County Coroner, he modernized the department and implemented a model of service that makes record keeping easier and response times quicker for families in their times of loss. In this tough economic environment, we need legislators who will vote with those same principle in mind.

Ron currently lives in Warrick County with his wife, Karen. They have two children and 3 grandchildren. In addition to owning Freedom Medical, the only family-owned medical supply store in Southwest Indiana, and serving as an elected official in Warrick County, he is also actively involved in many community service organizations. He is currently a member of Vanderburgh County Right to Life, Indiana Right to Life, the National Rifle Association, and the Kiwanis, and formerly served as president of the Boonville Kiwanis, Boonville Junior League Baseball/Softball program, and secretary and treasurer of the Evansville West Side Optimist Club. In his spare time, he is a master gardener and likes to restore classic cars.

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From a reader comes this blurb from the Howey Report, concerning Saturday’s 9th District GOP Christmas Party:

HOSTETTLER, SODREL ATTEND 9TH CD RECEPTION: Former U.S. Reps. Mike Sodrel and John Hostettler attended the 9th CD Christmas party Saturday night in Scottsburg (Howey Politics Indiana). Hosettler announced last Thursday he would challenge U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh. Ninth CD sources continue to tell HPI that Sodrel is preparing to enter the Republican race. As one informed and reliable source told HPI, “Mike isn’t going to the Christmas party for the eggnog. It was obvious that he is running.”

Interesting news coming out of Howard County where Ron Herrell (D- HD 30) is in the fight for his very political life.  Funny thing is, it’s not just coming from Republican challenger and current Kokomo City Councilman Mike Karickhoff, it’s coming from his own party which has Dan Parker throwing childlike fits.

Sources inform us that Democrat Chuck Sosbe was all set to run against Herrell. Reports were tha Dan Parker had a fit and is now bullying Sosbe into running against Jim Buck in Senate District 21. Sosbe is telling people that Democrat Party doesn’t have enough money for all of the key races and they don’t want to spend money on Herrell.

So instead of spending money on a contested primary, Parker and House Democrats are content to let Herrell crash and burn against Karickhoff while sacrificing Chuck Sosbe against the popular Howard County State Senator Jim Buck.  Buck, as you may recall, replaced Jeff Drozda in a caucus after Drozda left the State Senate and Indiana after a job transfer sent him to South Carolina.

Of course the greater question here is, if Parker and the Democrats are willing to give up a seat that Herrell will have had six out the last eight years (in 2010) because they don’t have the money, just how vulnerable are they to the solid recruitment job done by their Republican counterparts at the House Republican Campaign Committee?

While I’m at it, you can contribute to the Mike Karickhoff campaign here.

With the Republican gubernatorial victories last night in Virginia and New Jersey, voters, specifically Independent voters, proved that while they still may personally like President Obama, he is no longer an essential asset to victory for Democrats. Consider the following:

New Jersey

• Obama sent his top pollster to take command of the race.
• Obama visited multiple times, including the day before the election.
• Obama is featured in most of Corzine’s advertising.
• The Democratic Governors Association and DNC all pumped in a ton of money.
• Corzine ran on helping Obama at the state level.

Virginia

• The Democratic Governors Association spent $4 million to get Creigh Deeds elected.
• The Democratic National Committee spent $6 million to get Deeds elected.
• Obama campaigned for Deeds multiple times.
• Organizing for America sent a mail piece to 300,000 “surge voters”, or voters who voted for the first time in 2008, urging them to vote for Deeds.
• Organizing for America set up phone banks for Creigh Deeds.

(H/T – Red State)

And the defeat of Creigh Deeds (he the Jill Long Thompson of Virginia just by the margin of his defeat) and Jon Corzine prove that the mere presence of the President isn’t enough to win over voters.

According to Red State:

But one of the signal exit poll items was pointed out by Jake Tapper: in NJ, which Obama carried by 15 points a year ago, 19% of the voters told exit pollsters they were casting ballots in support of Obama, and 20% against. In other words, even in a very pro-Obama electorate, he was a small net drag on the Democratic candidate, and certainly no help despite campaigning ardently for Jon Corzine.

And according to MSNBC’s First Read:

The first warning sign is withs independent voters. In New Jersey, Christie leads Corzine here by 25 points, 58%-33%. And in Virginia, McDonnell leads among indies by an identical 25 points, 62%-37%. As Domenico pointed out below, Obama won indies in Virginia last year by one point, 49%-48%.

The other warning sign is with people who are worried about the nation’s direction. In New Jersey, 90% said they are worried, and Christie leads with these folks by three points, 48%-45%. In Virginia, 84% say they are worried about the nation’s direction, and McDonnell leads among these people by 17 points, 58%-41%.

So what of Doug Hoffman’s loss in NY-23? Doesn’t his loss mean conservatism is still on the way out and that Obama was able to sneak out a victory?

(Read more after the leap)

Congrats are in order to Todd Young (Ind-09) for being added to the NRCC Young Guns list. He was added to the list in the first tier of the program called “On the Radar”  Todd is facing incumbent Rep. Baron Hill for the 9th Congressional District seat to be decided in the 2010 elections. You can read the full story here. The full list is as follows:

Jesse Kelly (Ariz.-08)
Tim Griffin (Ark.-02)
Justin Bernier (Conn.-05)
Ryan Frazier (Colo.-07)
Allen West (Fla.-22)
Beth Coulson (Ill.-10)
Dick Green (Ill.-10)
Bob Dold (Ill.-10)
Ethan Hastert (Ill.-14)
Todd Young (Ind.-09)
Alan Nunnelee (Miss.-01)
Tim Walberg (Mich.-07)
Ed Martin (Mo.-03)
Vickie Hartzler (Mo.-04)
Bill Stouffer (Mo.-04)
Lou Huddleston (N.C.-08)
Randy Altschuler (N.Y.-01)
Michael Allegretti (N.Y.-13)
Nan Hayworth (N.Y.-19)
Tom Reed (N.Y.-29)
Bob Gibbs (Ohio-18)
Jim Renacci (Ohio-16)
Rob Cornilles (Ore.-01)
Steven Welch (Pa.-06)
Pat Meehan (Pa.-07)
Dan Kapanke (Wis.-03)
Scott DesJarlais (Tenn.-04)
Stephen Fincher (Tenn.-08)
Scott Rigell (Va.-02)
Keith Fimian (Va.-11)
Sean Duffy (Wis.-07)
Reid Ribble (Wis.-08)

Today State Senate hopeful Jim Banks received an endorsement from State Rep Jackie Walorski. She had this to say about Jim and his strong Conservative Values:

From Indiana conservative leader State Representative Jackie Walorski :

“Jim Banks is the real deal when it comes to conservative champions in the State of Indiana. He works tirelessly with a passion rarely seen in politics. If we want to maintain our traditional Midwestern values we  are going to need people like Jim representing us. His energy and enthusiasm will help Indiana  usher in a new generation of conservative leaders to the General Assembly.”

Congrats to Jim for receiving this endorsement. She is correct in her assessment on Jim and his strong Conservative Values. If you would like to know more about Jim and his State Senate run you can go to his website here.

According to Roll Call The GOP has Big Hoosier Dreams in next year’s election. With Todd Young (R) running against Rep. Baron “You’re not tell me how to run my congressional office” Hill (D) in the 9th Congressional District. You also have State Rep. Jackie Walorski (R) considering a run against Rep. Donnelly (D) in the 2nd Congressional District as well. Ellsworth’s District which we all know as the Bloody 8th is being looked at as well, but insiders say that would be the hardest to take back, because he has won 61 percent of the vote every time.

Here is the article (note…I am posting this because if you don’t have a Roll Call account you cannot read the full stories…so here ya go and if you don’t have an account…get one, well worth the money!)

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GOP Has Big Hoosier Dreams Next Year

Oct. 6, 2009
By Shira Toeplitz
Roll Call Staff

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In an attempt to recover the three Indiana seats they lost in the 2006 cycle, House Republicans are again setting their sights on the Hoosier State.

After failing to give any Indiana Democrat a tough challenge last cycle, Republicans already have a candidate in place against Rep. Baron Hill and said they are on the verge of recruiting competitive candidates to run against Democratic Reps. Joe Donnelly and Brad Ellsworth.

(Read more after the leap)

I just received this in my e-mail. Charlie has been working hard around the State of Indiana and now it is official. Please consider Charlie for Secretary of State, he is a great man and I know he would serve the State of Indiana well (note…this is my opinion and not necessarily the opinion of others here on Hoosier Access)

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Fishers, IN September 14, 2009-After 10 months of touring nearly 70 counties in the Hoosier State as an exploratory candidate, Charlie White, Republican Fishers Town Councilman, has announced his intention to run for Indiana Secretary of State (SOS) in 2010. Todd Rokita, who is currently in the SOS office, is term limited from seeking this office again.

Please forward this message to all of your contacts. For more information, please e-mail the campaign at campaign@charlieforindiana.com