You’d better have a second rinse cycle for this campaign, because it’s getting dirty.
If you’re a county party official that has elected to support Greg Zoeller for the AG nomination, Daniels’ campaign staffers and state GOP officials are going to be crawling down your collective throats. They claim it’s because Zoeller agreed to “not run” for the AG position. This is not true. Zoeller filed to run long before Costas.
The dirty spin cycle
One member of the Daniels campaign is telling county officials that support Zoeller in the northern and souther parts of the state, “Its not worth it. We’re keeping score on this one”. One person wondered if that threat could be construed as a class A misdemeanor.
Another member of the Daniel’s campaign is questioning the political judgment of county chairs. Kind of like calling them stupid.
A *very* high-ranking individual of the Indiana GOP is spouting-off that a vote for Zoeller is akin to a conscious decision to go against Mitch Daniels.
That is simply not the case. It’s a matter of what is better for Indiana. An experienced candidate with a proven track record, or a big law firm lawyer who has given himself the title of being a “progressive”. Progressive to the point that one of his heroes is Graham Richard. As a matter of fact, Costas is so progressive he passed a strict no-smoking ban as Mayor of Valparaiso.
I’ve been canvassing delegates, and while I’m just getting started an overwhelming wind of common sense appears to have fallen upon the 3rd district delegates. All but one so far are supporting Greg Zoeller.
Former Vice President Dan Quayle and Congressman Mark Souder are both backing Zoeller. Daniels’ endorsement of Costas claims it will provide geographical political balance. Some read that as “hey, let’s just toss-out experience out the window and offer a little political patronage to the big law firms”.
From NWITimes.com
INDIANAPOLIS | Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas left a mammoth Indianapolis law firm to return home to Northwest Indiana, a career turn his mentor and former boss says has made him a strong candidate for Indiana attorney general.
Robert Grand is the managing partner for the Indianapolis office of Barnes & Thornburg, the largest law firm in Indiana. It’s where Costas landed as a litigation attorney after graduating Valparaiso University School of Law in 1989.
[...]
Greg Zoeller, a New Albany native, unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination in 1996. He has served as Attorney General Steve Carter’s chief deputy since 2001 and says he knows what it take to manage a team of 140 lawyers.
“It’ll be a gentlemen’s race,” Zoeller said. “I think it’s a healthy test of our candidates.”
Looks like Greg was wrong on that count.
Costas seems to have followed Graham Richard’s example. For $12,000/month he hired a consulting firm to “manage” Valparaiso redevelopment projects. Costas also used eminent domain to snatch a shopping mall from it’s owner for less that it’s value, only to sell it to a developer, even after the current property owners had revealed a plan to invest $2 million to renovate the property. Sound familiar?
Costas’ house of cards is crumbling over in Valpo, not unlike that of his hero Graham Richard who bailed out of the bus when the wheels were coming off.
AWB
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Where have I heard the word “progressive” before?
GW:
I’ll bet it WASN’T in reference to AUTO INSURANCE…LOL!
B.G.
I cannot believe my conservative hero Becky Skillman would support someone who is so liberal. What has gotten into these people? What happened to principles over politics???
This is a stupid move by the governor’s campaign. Some of the people he is playing hardball with are the same people he will need to get himself elected this fall and to get his initiatives accomplished should he win.
Whoa there angry boy. Your “spin” on this issue is a bit overdrive.
The Redevelopment Commission in Valparaiso took control of an eyesore, one that the citizens of Valparaiso had come to despise and was owned by a slum lord from out of town. This was after many years of flawed negotiations by the Democrat mayor of Valpo who accomplished nothing. The citizens of Valparaiso are very happy to have a new shopping center, owned by a local family. Somewhat similar to the Circle Center mall in Indy.
As for progressive, I think you’ve spun that too much too. Mayor Jon Costas sees himself as regional, a leader in ethics, and willing to work with democrats and independants. If this is now off-limits for “true” conservatives than true conservatives will find themselves relagated to a distant minority … somewhat similar to the hard-right still not being happy about John McCain. McCain can win … Huckabee can’t. Daniels can win … Eric Miller cannot. Jon Costas can win … it’s entirely possible from my perspective that Greg Zoeller can’t.
Relax everyone Jon is not a liberal. I think Mitch’s backing would calm your fears but if not that’s ok look into what Jon has done.
In regard to the shopping center, I don’t recall every particular of the deal but some things are certain. That shopping center was a disaster, less then 50% occupancy beat up destroyed parking lot and years of promises to improve things. Look for replies from “the fat cow” he will have the exact details a little firmer. Now there is a real owner making real improvement. All in all the city is better off.
Valpo has made huge strides, a revived downtown with more restuarants more shops and more investment, an improving county seat plaza, and the begining of a new entrance corridor on the east side. Valpo is far better off for having had Jon as Mayor.
This looks like the worst kind of Lugar-like machine politics and the exact things Republicans do not need right now.
Clearly the Governor has put the arm on the other Staties, including the Lt Governor, to support his decision. I have heard from people who have spoken to officials in the Lt Governor’s and Treasurer’s offices, that they are both grousing about the strong-arm tactics, but are gritting their teeth and supporting the decision of the Governor.
I pray this is not political payback to Bob Grand and Barnes & Thornburg. That is the worst kind of reason to do this if true. I’d be interested to know how much B&T, and individual attorneys and employees of the firm, have collectively contributed to the Governor’s campaign. Someone is going to do the math, and I hope the answer does not contribute to further suspicions about the Governor’s intentions to endorse Costas for AG.
What’s curious is, the Governor has not expended much, if any, political capital for any candidates other than himself, yet out of the chute he comes on for Costas, why? Geographically balancing the ticket is lame, and certainly NOT a ringing endorsement of Costas’ abilities for AG.
Fishy.
I heard Mayor Costas speak at the Conservative Breakfast. I wasn’t impressed by his grasp of the issues facing the AG’s office. I’m sure he probably is a nice guy and great family man. I’m not a Republican state delegate, but I urge those that are to vote for Zoeller.
Have you ever been to Valparaiso? You guys doing the research don’t know a thing about what is going on. Mayor Costas has turned around a failing city.
As for experience no candidate knows the corruption facing Lake County Indiana as Mayor Costas. He has personally been a victim of its political woes.
Secretary of State Rokita has endorsed him also. The champion of voter ID believe Mayor Costas has ample knowlege to lead the attorney generals office.
Costas is a proven campaigner who will be very popular in Northwest Indiana. This will be key in fighting Jill Long Thompson.
Ample won’t cut it. Zoeller’s experience within the office and first hand knowledge of the job at hand is what will make a difference. Zoeller has made huge fiscal conservative advances within the Attorney General’s office and has the endorsement of his own Boss, not to mention the long list of national elected leaders who have stood up for him. The endorsements are not just a bystander.
Campaign experience won’t cut it. Experience first hand, will.
Putting on a show just to get votes in just one section of the state is the worst kind of strategy. People standing up for someone with a job well done WILL make a difference in how this state is run the next 4 years. That will win votes on both sides of the table.
P.S. You want to know where Jill Long has to fight? It’s in her back yard… NorthEAST Indiana. She has you and the unions where you are snowballed.
I heard Costas speak about being a progressive mayor who has modeled what he does after the fine leadership shown in the Fort Wayne mayor’s office.
I don’t want “progressive” politicians in our judicial system. Especially the Graham Richard and tom Henry types.
I also don’t appreciate the veiled threats from the state party and governer’s aides to vote for Costas. If your candidate isn’t strong enough to win the delagates fairly then that person doesnt deserve to be the candidate.
Can’t we all just get along?
Oh, better quote yet, “You can’t handle the truth” I like that one, saw it somewhere.
There is no doubt that both men can do the job. The anti-Mitch crowd on this blog and Hoosier Pundit and Digital Farmer have tried to use the AG office as a way to hold the Governor accountable. I’m not sure that’s the job of the AG. The job of the AG is to represent the State of Indiana. In Lake County that means pursuing criminals who happen to be elected all the way to jail. Steve Carter has done a poor job on this, if Zoeller is the same he won’t get the job done.
More important though than Central Indiana GOP “arm twisting” or Northeast Indiana “old guard” or Southern Indiana or NW Indiana geographic selfishness … is winning in November. IMHO Jon Costas can beat Linda Pence and Greg Zoeller cannot.
By the way, this scare tactic surrounding the use of the word “progressive” is getting some misuse. Jon Costas has used vision and leadership, things we need in the AG office, to make tremendous progress in Valparaiso, Porter County, and he is the hands down Republican leader of NW Indiana.
Isn’t it interesting that so many GOP office seekers have been frustrated with Mitch Daniels’ reluctance to expend capital, but for Mayor Jon Costas he was willing to put in all on the table? That must mean something.
Editor’s note: This commenter is also Jon Costas’ driver. Just thought you ought to know.
Let’s see here. The Guv says that there isn’t enough representation from northwest Indiana on the ticket.
But of the statewides already in office but not up this year - Mourdock is southwest, Berry was originally from the northeast and Rokita is from the northwest. Oh, yeah, Dick Lugar runs statewide but is from Indy.
This year, Daniels is from Indy, Skillman is from mid-south, Bennett is from southeast, and Costas would be northwest.
Looks like northwest would get two bites of the apple. No different than two guys from the southeast being in the Statehouse if Bennett and Zoeller would each get elected.
Let me first say I am from Valparaiso. When Jon Costas took office this city was a boarded up mess with sidewalks that you could lose a small child in. Now when you go up to the square businesses are busy and thriving and people are walking, jogging and biking. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! The shopping plaza that you are talking about was pot hole ridden, fascia, soffits and signs falling off with always less than 50 % occupancy. He could have ignored it just like our last mayor ignored the falling down car wash but for the sake of the home owners in the surrounding are he chose to do something about it positive. The business owners and the home owners are greatful because under Mayor Costas’s watch they thrive when other areas are dismal. Thank You Mayor Costas I am a delegate and I will be voting for you. We will miss you in Valpo but know when opportunity knocks it is time to answer the door. By the way Dalton is not his driver nice try.
Maybe you should first say that you weren’t from Valparaiso in 2003 when you ran for town council in Hebron and lost by a wide margin.
HEBRON
CLERK-TREASURER
Chris W. Stalbaum (R) 347
Jamie E. Uzelac (D) 400
TOWN COUNCIL AT LARGE (2)
Valarie Kubacki (R) 271
Troy Manago (R) 201
Jeffrey Grogan (D) 431
Donald A. Ensign (D) 475