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Showing posts with label Bill Oestele. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bill Oestele. Show all posts

Friday, June 2, 2017

The End of Angie's List?

Readers of this blog may recall IR's article from November in which we reported about upcoming layoffs at Angie's List. Since then Angie's List has agreed to be sold to their competitor Home Advisor. The agreed upon sale has done nothing to stem the tide of layoffs at the cesspool that is Angie's List.

The Star reported yesterday on the most recent layoffs at Angie's List. Everyone's favorite Langley Propaganda Rag said:

Angie's List Inc. is reducing its sales staff as the company struggles to generate revenue under its new business model. The company on Thursday laid off about 70 members of its sales staff as part of "right-sizing" efforts, said Leslie Arena, the company's vice president of investor relations. All of the employees were based in Indianapolis.

The affected workers were members of the sales staff who worked with Angie's List's service providers.

The move comes almost one month after Angie's List agreed to be acquired by HomeAdvisor parent company IAC in a deal worth more than $500 million. The layoffs are not related to that deal, Arena said.
Angie's List had 1,567 employees as of a Jan. 31 Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Arena declined to update that number or specify how many people work in sales.
Angie's List has dramatically changed its business model during the past year. The company in July began offering free memberships, which increased its number of users, but caused its base of paying customers to plunge.
The company's year-over-year revenue declined by more than $10 million in the first quarter as paying subscribers became free members. Angie's List generated $73.1 million in the three months ending March 31, down from $83.9 million a year earlier.
Yet, during the same period, memberships grew at a rate 357 percent faster than the previous year. Angie's List during the first quarter added 860,000 members for a total of 5.7 million.
Arena described Thursday's layoffs as part of Angie's List's ongoing transformation.
"In general, we're always focused on efficiencies," she said. "What we had done, more than sales reductions, is some structural changes within the organization, so we're focused on optimizing both the acquisition of service providers and retention of service providers. This is more of a right-sizing."
One is tempted to ask Ms. Arena is how much more "right-sizing" is Angie's List going to need until it actually turns a damn profit? It seems as if about the only thing that Angie's List does these days is lay people off. Apparently getting taxpayer handouts from the Indianapolis City County Council just isn't doing the trick. As far as saying Angie's List is always focused on efficiencies. Does anyone outside of Bill Oesterle's group of sycophants believe this nonsense? This is almost exactly what the company said back in November of 2016. 
The company has almost never turned a profit since it's founding in 1995. So obviously there focus has clearly not been on having a sound business model. We aren't putting up with this nonsense anymore! Angie's List has been the target of shareholder lawsuits. And as the late great Gary Welsh and Paul Ogden have reported Angie's List would have died long ago without taxpayer dollars! Angie's List is simply put a vampire that has run out of victims to drain blood out of. May this nefarious enterprise be put out of it's misery soon!








Friday, November 4, 2016

Trouble in Paradise? Angie's List to layoff undisclosed number of employees!

Wednesday  night Fox 59 reported that the taxpayer funded racket Angie's List is going to be making some cutbacks in it's workforce.

Fox 59 said yesterday: 


Angie’s List isn’t being specific tonight on layoffs reported in Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Employees at its East Washington Street campus confirmed to FOX59 that layoffs did in fact take place, but there have been no details released from the company.
Angie's List has been subtly indicating that it would be looking for cost cuttings measures. Marketwatch reports stocks went up 3.5 percent Tuesday after the company publicized that it was putting itself up for sale and exploring strategic alternatives.
Third quarter net losses released Tuesday showed Angie’s List took a $16.8 million hit.
A company spokesperson issued this statement to FOX59 Wednesday afternoon:
As we covered on the earnings call yesterday, we're always looking to drive efficiencies and have identified another $15-$20m in savings. These are primarily workforce related and targeting non-revenue generating headcount.
 Those of you who follow INDY REPUBLICAN, Advance Indiana, and Ogden on Politics are familiar with Angie's List and it's underhanded way of doing business. Former Angie's List CEO & Co-Founder  Bill Oesterle has been a particularly frequent target for criticism by our staff, the now deceased Gary Welsh, Paul Ogden and Charlie White. Although we don't envy the 150 plus layoffs our sources tell us are coming at Angie's List. In a way it's only poetic justice that this Frankenstein monster that Oesterle and his cohorts have created is like the walls of Jericho is "a tumbling down"! Thank God for small favors! No wonder Bill went flying out of Angie's List like a bat out of hell last year! He is forever grateful to "Asskisser" Matt Tully and his minions in the media for not reporting on Billy's lack of business acumen. 

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Useless Poser Eric Holcomb Picked As GOP Choice for Governor! Why The Indiana GOP Needs to Shape UP!

Yesterday the State Republican Central Committee voted to place Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb as the Republican Nominee for Governor to replace Governor Mike Pence on the November ballot. Hayleigh Colombo and the Associated Press in an article reporting on the selection of Holcomb delved into the question of who will be Holcomb's running mate on the November ticket:


Holcomb said he would soon seek a lieutenant governor candidate. Both (Susan) Brooks and (Todd) Rokita said they were interested in returning back to their seats in Congress when asked about taking the No. 2 spot on the ballot.


This is interesting that neither Congresswoman Brooks nor Congressman Todd Rokita would consider running for Lt. Governor in light of the fact that they were so publicly trying to run for the Governor's office! And since Susan Brooks is supposedly thought of as a good fundraiser and a good candidate! Apparently Brooks and Rokita are more content to stay in congress then play second fiddle to Holcomb!


Unfortunately we have no idea by how many votes each candidate received on the second and final ballot to fill Pence's ballot seat because as the article goes onto say:


Republican Party Jeff Cardwell refused to release the vote totals. The committee seemed to be pretty evenly split between Holcomb and Brooks. Former Republican State Rep. Mitch Harper tweeted at one point that the voting went to a second ballot, meaning no one got the majority on the first vote. The new nominee was required to earn 12 votes.


Now the INDY REPUBLICAN staff can understand why State GOP Chairman Cardwell wouldn't release the vote totals while the voting was taking place. But Good God! What possible reason is their to not release them after the voting is done and over with? Is Cardwell afraid people will think less of Holcomb if it was close on the second ballot?


The Democratic nominee for Governor John Gregg wasted no time in giving his reaction to the selection of Lt. Gov Holcomb as his new GOP opponent:


“I want to congratulate Eric Holcomb on this latest political appointment," Gregg said in a written statement issued by his campaign. "While there may be a new name on the ballot, the issues remain the same. For too many Hoosier families, wages aren’t keeping up and the good paying jobs we are losing aren’t being replaced. Eric Holcomb wholeheartedly embraced the failed approach that embarrassed our state, cost us jobs and has left the middle class behind. My economic plan sets our state on a new path forward, one that puts jobs and the middle class first.”


Holcomb had spent the better part of a year running for the GOP Nomination to replace retiring Senator Dan Coats. Holcomb had served as Coats Chief of Staff for several years. He lagged behind in fundraising despite having being Coats Chief of Staff and a former Indiana State Republican Chairman. Very telling that even with all that under his belt Holcomb raised so little that he dropped out and accepted the appointment to Lt. Governor after Democrat Republican Lt. Governor Sue Ellsperman ran like the wind accepted her position as President of IVY Tech State College.


As far as plans to how Holcomb plans to campaign for and how he will do the job as Governor assuming he is elected that is Holcomb had this to say:


When questioned what his plan was to increase his name identification across the state since he has never been elected to an office, Holcomb said he planned to travel the state and put out ads and mailers. Holcomb also said he believed the Donald Trump-Mike Pence presidential ticket was a “strong asset” to his campaign.


Regarding what his legislative agenda as Governor would be he said:


"The General Assembly will focus on what the General Assembly wants to focus on,” Holcomb said. “I look forward to working for them across the spectrum."
Holcomb said he wouldn’t “speculate” whether or not he would support legislation next year to add civil rights protections to LGBT Hoosiers.
“We’ll play it as it comes to my desk,” Holcomb said.


We will elaborate on Holcomb's campaign strategy shortly. Our initial reactions are that giving such vague, evasive answers as to what his agenda as Governor will be. It will only play into John Gregg's hands and allow Gregg to portray Holcomb as not being straight forward with the voters.


Not all Indiana Republicans reaction to the news of Eric Holcomb being tapped to run for Governor was positive. Faux Republican and Former Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle according to a WISH-TV story was a strong backer of Congresswoman Susan Brooks unsuccessful attempt to run for Governor Oesterle's reaction to the Holcomb pick was negative to say the least:


“Between the abortion bill, the Ellsperman axing, and the Brooks passover, 2016 has been debilitating for GOP women. Makes me sick.”


It seems that the passage of time has not patched things up between Oesterle and Holcomb. In a previous post we documented the rift between the two old friends that started back when Holcomb agreed to be Mike Pence's running mate.


Another Republican this time a real one was also less than pleased by the selection of Holcomb. Indianapolis City-County Councilwoman Christine Scales whom is a hero to all of us here at the INDY REPULICAN staff. She also holds the distinction of being the only real Republican on the Indianapolis City-County Council took to Facebook yesterday to share her thoughts on Holcomb:




How electable is Eric Holcomb? How many votes has Eric Holcomb ever received running for office? None-he has never run for elected office. Very disappointed that one of the two other viable candidates-proven winners- weren't selected.
Susan Brooks possesses the resume and appeal needed to garner votes to defeat John Gregg. It's months like the past few that force me to seriously consider forming a new party-"Common Sense Republicans with Integrity".


Councilwoman Scales later made a correction after it was pointed out that Holcomb had run for State Rep in 2000 and lost badly in a race in an otherwise good year for Indiana Republicans. It is a testament to Councilwoman Scales integrity that she will state so openly what so many others in the Indiana Republican Party think but will not discuss. She is in a class with such fine Indiana Republicans like the late Gary Welsh, Paul Ogden, and Charlie White. All of us here at INDY REPUBLICAN wish that someday we will be worthy of being among this August group of men and women!


Tony Cook and Chelsea Schneider were kind enough to update an article they had written earlier this year about Eric Holcomb when he was picked for his current job as Lt. Governor. Mr. Cook and Ms. Schneider provided some details about Holcomb's life before he was Lt. Governor:


Holcomb, 47, earned his political stripes working for former U.S. Rep. John Hostettler, one of the nation’s most conservative congressmen.
The job proved a good training ground for political combat.
The district was known as the “Bloody Eighth” because of the nasty nature of its races. Hostettler made things even tougher because he refused to accept contributions from political action committees, forcing his team to rely on grassroots campaigning.
“He was always handicapped because he was financially the underdog,” said state Sen. Jim Banks, who also worked for Hostettler. “It was a very interesting place to learn about politics. Every two years was a tough fight.”
Hostettler managed to hold the office for 12 consecutive years – longer than anyone since the 1930s.
Banks credited Holcomb for much of Hostettler’s success.
“Eric and I probably drove in a car together for tens of thousands of miles, crisscrossing the rural communities,” he said. “I remember how Eric could talk to anybody. We would stop at diners and truck stops. He could connect with regular people… He was very instrumental to (Hostettler’s) organization.”


If as State Senator now Congressional Candidate Jim Banks says that Holcomb was "very instrumental to Hostettler's organization. Then it would only be fair to say that Holcomb should shoulder a lot of the blame as to why Hostettler lost his 2006 re election bud by 24 points! Seeing as how Holcomb was his campaign manager at the time! But wait there's more! Earlier in this post we mentioned how Holcomb had run and lost a 2000 election for state representative. Well Cook and Schneider cover that as well:


In 2000, while still working for Hostettler, Holcomb took a shot at elected office himself.
In the final days of the campaign for state representative, Holcomb published an ad in several local newspapers accusing his opponent, Democratic incumbent John Frenz, of supporting bestiality and obscene photographs of children. The basis for the accusation: Frenz had voted to fund the Kinsey Institute, which the ad described as “the largest library of pornography of its kind in the world.”
What Frenz had actually supported was merely the state budget bill, which included routine funding for Indiana University, home to the Kinsey Institute, a sex research center.
The ad was so outrageous it got written up in the Wall Street Journal.  Holcomb lost the election.


Here is a link to a Wall Street Journal article about that race it is behind a pay wall though: http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB973548981661223018


Although as far as any of us here at the news desk is aware Holcomb has not accused any other candidates of being perverted. It is safe to assume given his abysmal fundraising performance during his ill fated Senate race this year. That apparently he has not learned very much in the way of fundraising or campaign management!


It has been said that Holcomb knows John Greggs record. Well here's a newsflash for Eric! Gregg also knows yours! And if Holcomb thinks the Democrats aren't going to attack his record then he is beyond help!


Last point we want to cover from Cook and Schneider then to move onto other shortcomings about good old Eric. From Cook and Schneider:


“Eric knows a whole lot about John Gregg and is going to be a great campaigner for the governor and the ticket this fall,” he said. “He makes the campaign much more able to respond to John Gregg’s charges and challenges, which we all know are forthcoming… I think he boosts the odds of re-election significantly.”
Oesterle’s response, however, raises some doubts. The former Daniels campaign manager called Holcomb’s decision to team with Pence “the most severe case of professional betrayal that I’ve encountered in my career.”
“Unfortunately, Eric is returning to his roots. In the name of personal gain, Eric has cast his lot with the side of religious zealotry,” he said. “You can’t – in this environment – satisfy those disparate interests and he’s made his choice. I think it’s going to serve to heighten the divides in the party. There was no way this move is going to unite the party. It has the appearance of a gimmick.”
Unsurprisingly, Democrats criticized Holcomb’s nomination. The state party released a statement highlighting Holcomb’s conservatism with the headline, “Who Is Eric Holcomb? Spoiler Alert: A Mike Pence Clone.”
Ultimately, only time will tell what kind of impact Holcomb will have on Pence’s re-election bid, said Laura Albright, a political scientist at University of Indianapolis.
“I think he has the capacity and ability to serve as a uniter. Whether he can fulfill that role, we will have to wait and see.”


There are some questions that Eric Holcomb needs to answer if he wants any chance of becoming our states next Governor. For starters: Why should he be trusted to manage the state when he so badly bungled John Hostettler's 2006 Campaign? Especially since it is claimed that he knew the district so well? Also if he really is so good at brining people together and he was such an outstanding State GOP Chair as is claimed by many why did he do so poorly raising money for his Senate race? Why didn't his Credentials as a former State GOP Chairman and Dan Coats former Chief of Staff fail to sway more people to help his campaign? Lastly if he was really so set on running for the US Senate why did he so readily agree to serve as Lt. Governor? Can he not make up his mind and stick with anything? Gary Welsh rest his soul tried to tell others what kind of man Holcomb is unfortunately nobody bothered to listen! We would also like to point out to our readers that Holcomb even took part in a "Hoosier Hunks on The Right" Calendar in 2010! What is complete silly about this is not only was Holcomb silly enough to wear rose colored pants for his photo! Worst of all they didn't even ask Gary Welsh, Charlie White or Paul Ogden to appear in the calendar!


Well folks that's all we at INDY REPUBLICAN have for now. Goodnight and God Bless!


UPDATE: We have just received word that Mike Pence may not be able to transfer the money he raised for his run for Governor to Holcomb! We will be watching this story and will bring you developments as they happen!



Friday, July 22, 2016

Hoosier Republican Chaos! Mitch Daniels passes on Governors Race, Mike Pence is Trump's VP Pick! Madness! It's Madness we say!

It is great to be back and to be blogging about the political scene and bringing you perspectives that the Indianapolis Press and Pundits will not! The staff at INDY REPUBLICAN would like to thank fellow bloggers Paul Ogden and Jon Easter for kindly linking to this blog on their blog homepages. Gentleman it is indeed a pleasure for all of us here to be in your company! As most of you probably know by now last week Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump chose our very own Governor Mike "Pampered" Pence to be his Vice Presidential Candidate. As previously reported on this blog here and here. Since Governor Pence has agreed to run for Vice President. He has as required by Indiana Law withdrawn his name as a candidate for Governor in the fall. The 22 Member Indiana Republican State Central Committee will have to convene and pick a replacement candidate to put on the ballot in Pence's place. The candidates who have submitted their names are Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb, Congresswoman Susan Brooks, Congressmen and former Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita and State Sen. Jim Tomes. Former Governor Mitch Daniels was considered by some this blog's staff included as a possible candidate to appear on the ballot instead of Mike Pence. Last Thursday WISH-TV reported on their website that Mitch Daniels would not seek a new term as Governor.  Here is the text of Mitch Daniels statement to the press about his decision not to seek the Governor's office. As well as our commentary highlighted in bold in between the sections of Daniels statement:

“Ordinarily, it’s neither necessary nor good practice to comment on hypothetical questions.  But this year and the current political situation in Indiana is extraordinary to say the least. So I think it is appropriate that I make plain today that, should there be a sudden need to name a new nominee for governor, I will not present myself as a candidate nor would I accept the nomination if offered.

Over the last few days, I have been importuned to do so by a large number and wide variety of people I respect deeply.  They include those now on the Indiana Republican ticket, those responsible nationally for supporting both gubernatorial and Senatorial campaigns, and a host of Hoosier citizens, many of whom I know and many more I was hearing from for the first time.  An apparent majority of the Republican State Committee has offered its support, as have several of the good people who will now become candidates if the vacancy does in fact occur.


I told each such person that I was highly unlikely to return to elective politics, but that out of respect for them I would take a couple days to reflect on their appeal. We had all been led to believe that we would know by now if a new nominee would actually be needed, but as that has not happened I think it best to make my decision known now.


I told the people of our state repeatedly that I believe in citizen service, and that if hired as governor I would give the job my full attention and best effort and then return to private life. I told the people of Purdue that I would fulfill wholeheartedly the duties of this post, a commitment I reaffirmed in accepting an extended contract just a year ago. I was raised to live up to commitments and not to leave tasks incomplete.


My reasons for this decision are entirely positive. I love Purdue, its students, staff, and alumni. I believe that good things are occurring at our university and am enthusiastic about pursuing them further.  It does matter immensely to me that Indiana’s strong progress over the last decade continue. Just this week, CNBC named ours the #1 infrastructure in the nation, and reaffirmed our top status for economic investment.  I hope that whoever leads us for the next four years will succeed in extending these and so many other gains, and in building our new reputation as an innovative, vanguard state.  I’ll try to see that Purdue, and I personally if asked to do so, play a role in that success.”






Here are our thoughts. Does Daniels honestly expect us to believe that the reason he chose to take a few days to reflect on if he would change his mind to run for Governor was out of respect for the GOP Elites before firmly saying no? Why? Was he afraid he would hurt their feelings? Why would he intentionally keep an already tense situation for the State GOP even more stressful?

Dave Bangert in an article posted on The Indianapolis Star's website on July 14th goes into a little more detail about Daniels decision not to seek his old job back. Mr. Bangert pointed out that: "Daniels said he was committed to Purdue, which a year ago offered him a contract extension that runs into 2020. Daniels stands to make a combined $1 million in retention bonuses if he stays at Purdue through then, according to that contract." Could the retention bonuses be a factor in Daniels decision not to seek the Governor's Office?


Mike Berghoff, chairman of the Purdue Board of Trustees, said he spent time with Daniels this week for long-standing business “while all the chatter was going on.” Berghoff said he trusted that Daniels understood that trustees believed he was doing good work at the university. Of Course Mike Berghoff is going to say that Daniels is doing a good job as Purdue University President seeing as Daniels appointed him to the Purdue Board of Trustee's!


As for the fate of the "Draft Mitch" website that had been launched by Enterprise Republicans a Phoney Republican group started by former CEO and Daniels 2004 Campaign Manager Bill Oesterle and Megan Robertson. Bangert had this to say:
By lunchtime Thursday (July 14th), the “Draft Mitch” site had been stripped of its petition and fundraising links that had been there a day earlier.
Oesterle did not immediately respond to calls Thursday. But Megan Robertson, executive director of Enterprise Republicans, said the organization wanted to reinforce the idea that Daniels would have solid support for an encore in the governor’s office.
“We obviously respect his decision, but we still have a lot of admiration and respect for what he did as governor and would like to see him serve our state or our country at a different time, when he’s ready,” Robertson said. “And when he’s ready, we’ll be here, ready to draft him again.”

INDY REPUBLICAN will return shortly to the subject of the Mitch Daniels nonexistent 2016 campaign for Governor in a minute. All of us here felt that some background information about Bill Oesterle and Megan Robertson of Enterprise Republicans was in order. In light of the role they played in the "Draft Mitch" movement. Once again our readers since the Indianapolis Press seem unable and unwilling to do any real investigative work into the powers that be in Indiana we will again turn to the pen of the Master himself Gary Welsh.


Regarding Ms. Robertson Mr. Welsh wrote on his blog in January 2015 about how Robertson was busted for OWI on Christmas Eve 2014. Gary Welsh also pointed out another fact that should anger all real Hoosier Republicans in that "Robertson managed Mayor Greg Ballard's re-election campaign". Her association with Greg Ballard is enough to make any honest Hoosier leery of anything that Megan Robertson is involved with!


Now for information about the Big "O" himself. Bill Oesterle the man behind the "Draft Mitch" movement. In sharp contrast to how the Star and other Indianapolis media outlet's portray Angie's List and Bill Oesterle's business skills. Mr. Welsh shared some of what he heard about Bill on his blog back in April 2015:


I'll give you a taste of what I hear about the Bill Oesterle-run Angie's List. Here's the latest from Advance Indiana's mailbag:
How about the Angie's List company bus trip to Cincinnati for a Reds game? The place shuts down and everyone goes along for the beer-infused trip down, the game, and the return home. Part of the ritual forces females walking down the bus aisle to be groped and fondled by any and all. Yes, even company officials participated.
Then there was the "soap box derby" races in the parking lot.
All the while [Company Official] is carrying one with a very, very young employee. So young that other notices how hard she has fitting in with all the carrying on. After the divorce and remarriage, [Company Official] steps aside from Angie's sexual harassment committee . . . 
Just a fun place to work. No wonder it is filled with unemployable and unemployed Republicans. 
Which is more accurate? Tully's press releases masquerading as serious political columns or the Advance Indiana mailbag?


Mr. Welsh was of course referring to another in what to this day continues to be a never-ending chain of press releases for Bill Oesterle and Mitch Daniels spewing out of the Langley Dominated Indianapolis Star! Now returning to the subject of Mitch Daniels and the campaign that never was. Their are some questions that should be asked. Such as: Why didn't Daniels specifically ask Oesterle not to start a "Draft Mitch" campaign. If he knew he most likely wasn't going to run? Or are we supposed to believe that Daniels was just being a dick to his fellow Republicans all so he could hype himself? Even though doing so would merely serve to undermine Republicans chances at holding onto the Governor's office? Also why is nobody in the press asking any questions about why so many troublesome characters are associated with Mitch Daniels? If we were in his position we would run as far away from Bill and Megan as we could!


The Indianapolis Business Journal's Max Gabovitch & Hayleigh Colombo writing after the Pence pick talked about the GOP ballot confusion that has now occurred because Pence will be withdrawing from the Governor's race:


Complicating the process: A noon Friday deadline for all candidates to voluntarily withdraw from the races they’re now in. Without doing so, they won’t be eligible to be appointed to the ballot in any other race, said Dale Simmons, co-legal counsel for Indiana Election Division.


Gabovitch & Colombo quote Bill Oesterle when asked about how this affects the Governor's race now that Pence has withdrawn and Daniels will not run for reelection for Governor:


The Friday deadline “is going to make it really complicated for everybody,” said Bill Oesterle, the former Angie’s List CEO who had hoped Gov. Mitch Daniels, now the Purdue University president, would run if Pence was selected.
Daniels said Thursday morning he would not run.
“Decisions are going to be made very quickly,” Oesterle said. “We’re just hoping everybody’s aware of that. It’s going to be a mess.”


The process for replacing Mike Pence is even more confusing because: "Following Pence's withdrawal, the 22-member Republican State Central Committee would have 30 days to choose who would run for governor in his place. They are also required to give 10 days notice of that caucus.
But the more time that process takes, the less time their chosen candidate has to run a full-fledged campaign against Democrat John Gregg."


Also cited is well know Indiana political commentator Ed Feigenbaum:
 “There are going to be 22-people making the decision,” Feigenbaum said. “It’s not the party staff or Mike Pence or the congressional delegation.”


Picking Pence's Ballot Replacement is not just a problem for the Republican State Central Commitee but also an issue for current office holders who wish to run for Governor:


Daniels would likely have cleared the field if he had jumped in the race. That’s why he made clear Thursday he’s out.
Regardless, other candidates will have to make decisions within hours.
Oesterle said the process is particularly stressful for sitting members of Congress and state elected officials who would like the state’s top job.
Those potential replacements would have to withdraw from their current re-election bids by the noon deadline on Friday in order to be eligible to run for governor, creating more turmoil down the ballot.
“By noon Friday they’re going to give up a seat in order to be considered, which is just complicated,” Oesterle said. “That’s just risky.”
The vacancies that they would then leave on the ballot would be filled by the Republican precinct committee people in their districts. Those not chosen by the Central Committee could then be re-appointed to the ballots in their original races. But it all must happen in a 30-day window of the withdrawals.


So the long and the short of it folks is that we will have to wait at least another week or more until we know who the Republicans will even have running for Governor! As life-long Republicans ourselves at this blog this whole process is utter nonsense! Every vote cast in the GOP Primary for Governor has just been declared null and void! If the Indiana Republican Party wishes to live up to the true principles of Republicanism such as free speech, limited government, and decentralization of political power this year in Indiana they are doing a lousy job of it!


UPDATE:


This just in IBJ and the Associated Press are reporting that Governor Mike Pence has endorsed his Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb to succeed him as Governor on the November ballot.
In a statement to the members of the Indiana Republican State Central Committee Governor Pence has this to say about his endorsement of Eric Holcomb:
July 22, 2016

Members of the Indiana Republican State Committee:

Today concludes a truly unforgettable week for my family and for the Indiana Republican Party. Karen and I are humbled by your prayers and well wishes; my selection as nominee for Vice President is a reflection of the hard work and success of the Hoosier State, and specifically twelve years of strong Republican leadership at the state level. You all have played a vital role in supporting that movement, and are owed a debt of gratitude.

I am honored to serve as your Governor, and taking on this challenge results in making a difficult decision not to run for re-election. Together we have achieved a great deal in improving the lives of Hoosiers, and I am confident that we will be leaving this office with our state as prosperous as any time in our state’s history.

To continue our momentum, it is imperative that we build upon twelve years of progress, innovation and success by selecting a proven leader and dedicated public servant. Fortunately, you are blessed to have several fine choices to continue our proud legacy.

As members of the Indiana Republican State Committee, you are tasked with a historic duty, one in which I know you are approaching with a discerning heart. Your decision will have a major impact in charting a path for the future of our state and ensuring we continue our momentum as a national leader in job growth, economic development, and sound fiscal management. This decision is yours alone, and I will respect that decision and support the nominee you deem fit to serve.

Over the past week, Hoosiers have had an opportunity to weigh in and offer their recommendations on who they feel is best fit to lead our party on the ballot and in the statehouse. While the choice you face is difficult, it displays the depth of talent the Indiana Republican Party has produced over the past decade, with sterling public servants at the federal and state levels. I have served with these fine Hoosiers and they are the embodiment of servant leadership.

However, as I prayerfully considered the group offering themselves to succeed me, I concluded that I made my choice several months ago. When selecting my Lt. Governor in March, the primary factor was who would be able to best serve the State of Indiana in the event I could no longer perform my duties as Governor. As I concluded before, there is no better individual to lead our State than Eric Holcomb.

When I asked Eric to take on this vitally important constitutional role, once again he answered the call. I’ve known Eric Holcomb for more than twenty years, and I believe he is one of the best prepared individuals in recent memory to take on the job of Governor. His range of service to our State and our Nation makes him uniquely qualified to fill this role.

A lifelong Hoosier, Eric followed his studies at Hanover College by putting on the uniform of the United States Navy. He served a variety of roles for Governor Mitch Daniels as a senior member instrumental in his election in 2004, and running a re-election effort that resulted in a historic landslide victory. As Deputy Chief of Staff, Eric was a key member of a group that transformed state government and set our State on a new course that cut taxes, balanced budgets, and ushered in groundbreaking education reform. Later, he earned the respect and acclaim of this group as Chairman of the Indiana Republican Party, and was a trusted advisor that helped ensure my election in 2012. Senator Dan Coats tapped Eric to lend his considerable talent as Chief of Staff and served with distinction. And, now he serves as my closest confident, partner and friend.

Eric instantly hit the ground running as Lt. Governor, traveling the State and providing value in areas of agriculture, community and rural affairs, and economic development, among many others. He showed a great range of policy expertise and Hoosiers were able to witness firsthand that Eric is ready to govern on Day one.

As Karen and I embark on a mission to restore strong Republican leadership to our nation, I do so with optimism about the boundless future of Indiana, and I wholeheartedly endorse Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb to serve as the Republican nominee for Governor of Indiana in the upcoming election. I would be grateful if you would consider doing the same. Eric will put together a robust campaign utilizing decades of valuable experience in all 92 counties, and I look forward to supporting his efforts in continuing the progress that we all have worked so hard to achieve.

As I serve out the remainder of my term as Governor, please know how grateful Karen and I will always be for your support and prayers throughout our career. While I am deeply humbled to have the opportunity to run as the Republican nominee for Vice President of the United States, our hearts will always be back home again in Indiana.

Thank you for your service to our party and state.

Sincerely,

Michael R. Pence

Governor of Indiana


Congresswoman Susan Brooks another candidate to replace Pence on the ballot for Governor had this to say about Pence's Endorsement of Eric Holcomb: “I appreciate that the Governor is in a tough position knowing how close he and Eric Holcomb have become. I have known the governor for over 30 years and I know him to be very loyal. But this endorsement doesn’t change my focus. It is clear the 22 State Committee members take their responsibility for making this historic decision very seriously, and I appreciate Governor Pence’s acknowledgement that the decision lies alone with them and that he will support the nominee they choose. I am confident I am the strongest candidate to beat John Gregg in the Fall, and I will continue my efforts to demonstrate that to the committee.”




 Bill Oesterle@billo317 Feb 9
Expediency is not a sound strategy.