TIP LINE

If you have any news tips, gossip or rumors you would like to share or any ideas for future post. Please send an email to: 6vwts@notsharingmy.info or contact us on Twitter: @IndyRepublicanX

You do not have to leave your name. We appreciate greatly your support.


Showing posts with label Christine Scales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christine Scales. Show all posts

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Christine Scales tells Fake Republican Jim Merritt why Indianapolis Roads are so bad

Many times on this blog we have praised Indianapolis City-County Councilor Christine Scales and criticized Marion County Democratic Republican Party Chairman and State Senator Jim Merritt for his nonsense. Links to our past posts on Christine Scales and Jim Merritt can be found here, and here. Merritt issued this statement earlier this week about the current state of Indianapolis's roads:

Chairman Jim Merritt Comments on Road Conditions

INDIANAPOLIS – Today Marion County Republican Party Chairman Jim Merritt spoke out in frustration on the shameful conditions of our roads.


“It’s been less than a month since I first spoke out about the deplorable conditions of our roads and they’ve only gotten worse. When I first challenged the administration on their lack of action to repair the crumbling roads in Indianapolis, there were about 1,700 open cases of potholes. Only three weeks later, we have nearly 5,000 reported cases of potholes,” said Merritt.

“Why isn’t the Mayor using all of the $50 million dollars given to the City from the State for road and infrastructure projects now? Perhaps he doesn’t think we need it. Or is he waiting until next year when he’s up for re-election to spend it in order to score some cheap political points? Our roads aren’t just degrading at an alarming rate, they’re becoming a danger to the citizens of Marion County. There is no question the Mayor of Indianapolis has countless responsibilities. We expect our Mayor to pick up the trash, plow the snow, fill our potholes and keep us safe. Right now this Mayor is not making the grade.”

“Pothole Joe can put on a reflector vest for the cameras and act like he has a solution to our pothole and infrastructure problems, but the media sees through that and more importantly, the residents of Marion County see through it. It’s time for Pothole Joe to stop playing games and actually get serious about fixing our streets.”


To this Christine Scales torched Merritt with this reply on her Facebook page:





Fact Check GOP County Chair Merritt's Road Condition Blame Game:
IF.... the $400 million in ReBuild Indy dollars received from the water rights sale hadn't turned into a slush fund, we wouldn't be where we are today.
IF:...millions in ReBuild Indy funds-ordained to fund only roads, sidewalks, bridges, and some drainage projects hadn't been used to remodel a wing of the City Market, spent on a Cricket Field, spent to shore up Blue Indy, and other non-priority projects....
IF....Asphalt contractor's work had been held to industry standards the newly resurfaced roads under Ballard wouldn't be in the deteriorated condition they are in today.
IF...Sen. Merritt wouldn't burden Marion County with unfunded mandates in the Statehouse that overburden our City budget, we would have more money to dedicate to infrastructure.
"Chairman Jim Merritt Comments on Road Conditions
INDIANAPOLIS – Today Marion County Republican Party Chairman Jim Merritt spoke out in frustration on the shameful conditions of our roads."

Councilwoman Scales is of course calling Merritt out on former Republicrat Mayor Greg Ballard's asinine Blue Indy, a Cricket Field, and scores of other useless projects which have only served to drain the life blood our of Indianapolis. We are not aware of any replies yet by Merritt to Scales statement. We would be greatly surprised if Merritt even attempts a reply. The man is a useless fool who the Marion County GOP should kick to the curb. As long as Merritt or another toady like him is in charge of the Marion County GOP the party is assured of nothing but continued disaster.

Monday, February 12, 2018

Christine Scales Calls Out Indianapolis GOP Councilors for backing Stephen Clay


City-County Councilor Christine Scales 


Earlier today Indianapolis City-County Councilor and friend of the blog Christine Scales wrote a letter to the editor of the Indianapolis Star in which she criticized the move by Council Republicans to vote Democrat Stephen Clay in as Council President.

Here is the text of Councilor Scales Letter to the Editor:

“Politics makes strange bedfellows.”  That quote aptly describes the recent forged alliance between City-County Council Republicans and Democrat Council President Stephen Clay. The public remains puzzled by this odd coupling, even as their union appears misbegotten and doomed.

In his Jan. 12 Letter to the Editor, Republican Councillor Scott Kreider attempted to rationalize why all but one member of their caucus would vote for Clay as council president. Kreider’s reconstruction of his caucus’s mindset and events that led to Republican votes securing Clay’s presidency contradicts the reality of what transpired and why.

Clay is someone with whom Republican councillors have ideologically zero commonality. In 2012, every Republican councillor voted against Clay’s appointment to the Police Merit Board. Council meeting minutes give evidence to Republican statements about Clay’s political partisanship. Now, once numerous complaints about Clay's divisive partisanship have been replaced with Kreider’s claims of Republican’s newly found faith in Clay’s bipartisan leadership abilities.

Kreider’s laundry list of complaints against the Democrat majority included accusations of stalled or killed Republican proposals due to partisan gamesmanship. It’s a matter of public record however, that more Republican proposals move smoothly through the Council process to successful passage, than not. It was Kreider and his Republican caucus who authored Proposal #6. This controversial proposal created a new crime prevention grant funded with nearly half a million dollars. It passed 24-1. A search of other successfully passed council proposals will prove that this Indianapolis City Council enjoys greater bipartisanship than any led by the Republicans.

In his letter, Kreider also bemoaned the fractures within the Democratic caucus over Council leadership--  as if this has caused them anything other than delight. He failed to mention that behind the scenes, he and fellow Republican councillors continually fed the conflict, playing both sides, wheeling and dealing their votes in exchange for committee chairmanships. When then-Council President Maggie Lewis refused the use of council committee chairmanships as bargaining chips, the Republicans found Clay willing to do their bidding.

The slights Kreider magnifies into justification for handing Clay the council presidency pale in comparison to political shenanigans historically engaged in by the Republican Council Caucus. After the November 2011 elections, in their last months as the Republican majority and without a Council vote to approve the funds, well over $200,000 was paid to a GOP political operative to redraw the council district boundaries. In order for their 11th hour gerrymandering to work, Republican councillors and Mayor Greg Ballard also sought to eliminate the four at-large seats, all held by Democrats at that time. The Republican dominated Indiana Legislature granted their request. 

In his Letter to the Editor, Kreider apparently hoped all his reasons for finding promise in a Clay presidency might be found plausible to IndyStar readers. What he seemed to have forgotten was that I was a member of the Republican Caucus in January of 2017.  At that time, Republican Caucus Leader Mike McQuillen suggested we Republican councillors have some "fun" with the council presidency election. Instead of voting for Lewis, who enjoyed her Democrat Caucus's support at the time, McQuillen encouraged us to vote for Clay. His motivation was that Clay would be so ill equipped to serve in that role, and make so many mistakes that Clay's actions would raise the public's ire against all Democrat councillors, not just Clay. Republicans would then enjoy the public's support in votes during the next municipal election cycle to reassume the majority on Council. I, and a handful of other Republicans opposed playing partisan games with such an important matter. With the 2019 council elections looming, and without me to rain on his political parade, it appears that Minority Leader McQuillen found a caucus more receptive to carrying out his plot.

Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows. The Clay coup orchestrated by McQuillen and his caucus affirms the truth of that quote. While explanations to account for the whys and wherefores of votes donated to Clay abound, Republican Caucus members only dig themselves in deeper to their deception to avoid accountability for their destructive partisan gamesmanship. We elected councillors can do better and we will -- if those among us will abandon selfish, desperate desires for greater power and work as humble servants in unity of purpose that will ensure the well being of our community. 

Christine Scales
Indianapolis City-County Councillor


Sunday, July 30, 2017

Indy Republican Gives Awards for Helping to Fight The Good Fight

To give credit where credit is due. The writers of Indy Republican have decided to show our appreciation to the following people who have helped to pickup the torch that the late great Gary Welsh lit in 2005.

So to the following individuals IR is proud to induct you into a august order of men and women who have exemplified the qualities that were shown by Gary Welsh. This order is called The Welsh Saints! After all your names have been listed you will all see the Welsh Saints Coat of Arms which we pray that you will all enjoy!

So here are the new members of the Welsh Saints: Charlie White, Charles Navarra, Eric Morris, Christine Scales, Paul Ogden, Jon Easter and Matt Stone.

Gentleman and Lady, our most sincere thanks for all you do. Now behold your Welsh Saints Coat of Arms! Display it with pride:



Welcome to the Club!

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Marion County Republican Chairman Jim Merritt Blows Smoke at Matt Tully

Vacation was outstanding. But know time to get down to business. In a previous blog post we brought you the story about RINO State Senator Jim Merritt was seeking to run ruin the Marion County Republican Party by seeking election as it's chairman. Since that time as we expected Merritt has been successful at becoming Marion County GOP Chairman. He recently sat down with our most hated establishment flunky Matt Tully to spout nonsense about how he will revive the Republican Party in Marion County. Tully writes:


Marion County Republican Chairman Jim Merritt


Jim Merritt understands the task he’s taken on. It’s a tough one. Politically speaking, it doesn’t get much more daunting than this.
Merritt, the longtime state senator from Indy's northeast side, recently won his bid to become the new chairman of the Marion County Republican Party.


 Republicans have been swamped in every countywide election in recent years. They control none of the major offices in a city that has tilted more and more heavily to the Democratic side in recent years. Hillary Clinton won the county by 82,000 votes last year. Mayor Joe Hogsett won 62 percent of the vote in 2015, joining a long list of Democrats who have won big here in recent years. The GOP has lagged badly on fundraising.


"Ass Kisser" Tully quotes Merritt as saying:


“The Republican Party is in limbo in Marion County,” Merritt said. “We have to improve ourselves. I wouldn’t want to invest in the Republican Party locally right now.”
But he did, adding county chairman to his gig at the state Senate, where he has been a powerful voice on issues such as hunger and opioid addiction in recent years. He says he has to start “with the basics, the blocking and tackling of politics” as party chairman, recruiting new precinct workers and raising money. But then the party must focus on doing a better job of offering ideas and an “urban Republican model” that can appeal to more people.

“We have to show people that we can challenge Democrats and lead the county on tough issues,” he said. “In Indianapolis, we cannot be the party of ‘no.’ Not this time. This city obviously has crime problems, fiscal problems, infrastructure problems. There’s an opportunity to show that a Republican model of a big city can work.”
Unlike in many larger cities, Republicans at least don’t have to go too far back in history to find big moments of success. Former Mayor Greg Ballard won a surprise victory in 2007 and then cruised to re-election four years later. Former Gov. Mitch Daniels, elected in 2004 and 2008, won the county big. Those two men, known for running pragmatic, idea-driven administrations that didn’t get caught up on social issues and appealed to voters from both parties, have provided the road map for success in a big city, Merritt argues.
“We’ve got to be about having a broader appeal,” he said.


As evidence of that, Daniels won the county by almost 50,000 votes in 2008 after running, in large part, on a message of government efficiency, thinking bigger and making Indiana more attractive to employers. Four years later, fellow Republican Mike Pence, with his well-established position as a socially conservative leader, lost the county by 80,000 votes. That 130,000-vote swing tells you a lot about what kind of Republican can sell in Indianapolis.


The above paragraphs shows why under Jim Merritt the Democrats are in no danger of losing their dominance in Marion County. If anything the Marion County GOP will only continue to shrink. It's true that Greg Ballard was elected as Indianapolis Mayor twice and both times Mitch Daniels ran he carried Marion County. The problem is that Daniels was running against very weak opponents. That is the only reason he carried Marion County. In 2012 and 2016 both times the Republican Gubenatorial Candidate lost Marion County by large margins. Mike Pence did better in Lake County than he did in Marion and there are no republicans in Lake County! Ballard only won in 2007 because Bart Peterson was stupid enough to shoot himself in the foot prior to the election by pushing to raise Indianapolis's property taxes. In 2011 he narrowly won reelection against a very weak opponent. So citing Daniels and Ballard as a way for republicans to regain ground in Indianapolis is not a good suggestion. The baseline republican vote in Marion County is around 40% and that seems to be dropping each election. Greg Ballard is not very well liked by rank-and-file republicans due to his nonstop taxing and spending, his hostility to gun owners, and his turning the keys to Indianapolis over to the establishment hacks in both parties.




Merritt is moving the county party out of its standalone location and into the state party headquarters, a cost-cutting move but also one he hopes will help the local party better coordinate with a state organization that has won a solid string of elections in recent years. He believes he has a better chance of growing the party locally with the election of Gov. Eric Holcomb, a Republican who has won praise across party lines.


He is focusing on local races in 2018 and helping current GOP council members better get the word out on their initiatives. He is already scouting for 2019 mayoral candidates, but he knows the party must improve its infrastructure in order to attract a top nominee. Above all, Merritt said, the party must market itself as a force trying to improve the community by offering smart ideas on core city issues.
“If we do our job and add solid people to the organization and support a broad range of candidates, we have a chance,” he said. “Greg Ballard proved it, and that wasn’t so long ago. We have a chance to win in this county. But we have to give people a reason to want to be Republicans.”


Why Merritt thinks that Eric Holcomb will be able to help rebuild the Marion County GOP is beyond us. If the above photograph of Merritt is any indicator than it would seem likely that Merritt just has no damn clue what the hell he is doing! He looks like his brain is struggling to deal with his own stupidity! Holcomb lost Marion County by a large margin last year in his race for Governor. And years ago when Holcomb was the State Republican Chairman he did less than nothing to help out the Marion County GOP.  Holcomb seems like the person to go to if you want to mess things up in Indianapolis! Merritt is the last person who should be speaking about building the party up. He is one of the insiders that tried to defeat Christine Scales in the 2015 Primary and was probably a factor in her leaving the Republican Party. If Matt Tully had any brains he would have asked Jim Merritt for specifics on how he intends to fix the GOP. But he won't because that would cost him points with the members of his circle jerk club! Time will tell but so far there is no reason for us to believe that Merritt will do anything other than to continue turning the Marion County GOP into a wholly owned subsidiary of the Marion County Democratic Party.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Should Hoosier Republicans Form a Third Party?

Should real Hoosier republicans form a third party? That's a question that is being asked of us a lot these days. With there being no discernible differences between the two major parties in Indiana. At least in the area of good government. It is a question that most if not all serious conservative/libertarian republicans must ask ourselves. It's certainly a tempting thought to declare the party of Bill Hudnut and Rex Early dead and buried and walk away to create a new party one dedicated to individual liberty and freedom. But for reasons we will elaborate on. We here at IR have come to believe that starting a new political party would be ultimately counterproductive. Before we get to why we are not in favor of forming a new political party in Indiana. We wanted to provide some new information about the Indiana GOP's plans to hike the states gas tax. On January 25th, 2017 the Indianapolis Business Journal ran a story entitled "GOP lawmakers draw criticism for calling tax hikes 'user fees'" the same day a bill to raise gas taxes and vehicle fees for Indiana passed through the House Roads and Transportation Committee according to a story on WISH-TV's website. With the obvious abandonment of fiscal responsibility by Governor Eric Holcomb, Rep. Ed Soliday, State House Speaker Brian Bosma, and the Marion County GOP Leaderships pushing for higher taxes, along with the gutting of the State Board of Accounts. It understandably makes us ask "Why are these people Republicans?" The only answer we can come up with is they are Republicans merely out of convenience rather than ideology. The only core conviction that Daniels, Holcomb, Bosma and McQuillen hold is they believe they are entitled to serve in public office. Recently we reported about Christine Scales decision to leave the Republican Party to become a Democrat. We here at IR cannot speak for Mrs. Scales. But in our minds we cannot help but think that if the Marion County and Indiana Republican Party had a few more people like Christine Scales and fewer apparatchiks like Mike McQuillen she might have stayed.

Alright now to why despite the temptation to do so. We here at IR would oppose Hoosier Republicans bolting the GOP and forming or joining a new political party. One of the biggest reasons is the immense difficulty inherent in attempting to win an office as an independent or third party candidate. Take a look at the case of former Republican Congressman Ron Paul who ran for President on the Libertarian Party line. He did not earn a single electoral vote when he ran in 1988. However when he returned to congress as a Republican in the mid 90's and then twice ran for the GOP presidential nomination he did much better. Congressman Paul has generated far more interest and attention for his ideas as a republican than he ever did as a libertarian. As a difficult as it is to reform a political party. It can only be done by changing the parties office holders and structure. After all why should a political party be open to any change if the activists who seek it all walk out? Lastly one issue that has not been brought up much is: Are third parties any better run than the two dominant political parties? Many a disgruntled republican in Indiana has left to join the Libertarian Party. Many have left the LP because in this state at least the Indiana Libertarian Party is just a social club that likes to play games with both parties. For an alternative political party they spend time kissing up to people like Democratic State Rep. Ed Delaney and pseudo republican and former Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle. We feel that the State and National Republican Parties have a heritage that is to beautiful to surrender to the Daniels, Holcomb's, Oesterles, and Ballards! We believe as President Reagan did that what our state and nation needs is not a third party but a revived and vibrant second party!

Thursday, February 2, 2017

RINO Jim Merritt seeks to be Marion County GOP Chairman another reason why the Marion County GOP is Screwed!

It seems that the Marion County Republican Establishment has learned nothing from losing their greatest officeholder Indianapolis City-County Councilor Christine Scales! Word is out that Democratic Republican State Senator Jim Merritt has decided he is the cure for what ails the Marion County GOP. So he has decided to bestow upon them his great gifts be seeking to be their next chairman. Today's issue of the Indianapolis Business Journal has an article about Merritt's run for County Chairman:


State Sen. Jim Merritt is throwing his hat into the ring to become chairman of the Marion County Republican Party.
Merritt told IBJ that he “holds the party pretty close to my heart” and said his focus issues in the state Legislature—including poverty, hunger and addiction—are “ideally suited for Marion County and the urban Republican model.”
“If we don’t reach out to those addicted to drugs, those who are hungry, those who have vacant homes on their block, we are not doing our duty,” Merritt said. “I think the GOP should stand for community.”
Others are also expected to seek the leadership spot. A new chairman will be selected March 4 as part of the Marion County Republican Central Committee reorganization process.


IR has does not yet at this time have any information about any other candidates running for the chairman's position. Merritt may have ambitions beyond just being the new county chairman the article continues:


Many Republicans insiders believed that Merritt would run against Democrat Joe Hogsett, in the mayor's race in 2015, but he did not enter the GOP primary. The Republican candidate, businessman Chuck Brewer, ended up losing to Hogsett.
Democrats currently control the City-County Council, with 14 seats compared to Republicans’ 11 seats. Republican council member Christine Scales defected to become a Democrat this week.
Merritt, who represents portions of Marion and Hamilton counties as a state senator, said he believes "Republicans can win in Marion County with good organization.”


“We’re going to work on the grassroots,” Merritt said. “We’re going to work on raising money and working on communications and messaging. I think I can provide the leadership."
Merritt is seeking to replace Council Minority Leader Mike McQuillen, who led the party on a temporary basis until announcing he would step down this week.
"I believe that there is much work to do in my role as minority leader of the City-County Council, working with our Republican councillors to move the needle on thoughtful policy, hold the mayor accountable to the people, and prepare for 2019,” McQuillen said in a statement.
Asked if Merritt would be interested in running against Hogsett in 2019, he said he is focused on “reviving the party.”
“We’re not going to win the mayor’s office if we don’t have a strong party,” Merritt told IBJ.
Merritt said he counts on others running for the seat and that he will be working on a “full-throated plan of what I plan on doing in leading the party.”


A few thought come to mind. For one when Merritt says he is going to "work on the grassroots". We are all scratching our heads trying to figure out if there is any grass where this man walks. It is also beyond laughable the idea that Merritt could beat Hogsett in 2019! He is correct when he states that they will not win the mayor's office without a strong party. Merritt however does not have the intelligence, drive or leadership to rebuild the Marion County Republican Party. Writing on his blog a few years back the late, great Gary Welsh had this to say about Jim Merritt:


Readers should know a couple of things about Merritt. He is behind the cabal of good ole boys who drafted Tim Craft to move into Councilor Christine Scales' new third district and run against her in the Republican primary next year. He approved of the same council Republicans who never asked Lincoln Plowman to resign or leave the caucus after being indicted for taking a bribe from an undercover FBI agent booting Scales from the Republican caucus because of her conservative and independent streak. Former Chief of Staff Ryan Vaughn liked to copy Merritt on e-mails deriding Scales for putting her constituents ahead of their petty politics. Merritt would reply approvingly to Vaughn's cutting e-mails of Scales. Secondly, Merritt lobbied hard for the bone-headed decision to locate the Regional Operations Center at Alex Carroll's Eastgate Mall property despite the legitimate misgivings former Public Safety Director Frank Straub had with using that location. Know the man before you jump to support him.


All of us have only this to say. If the above mentioned facts by Gary Welsh about Merritt are any indication of his style of leadership. Then the hell with it! We will have no part of his faux brand of Republicanism!


For further reading:
http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2014/11/star-claims-exclusive-on-ballard-not.html

Marion County GOP pushes Christine Scales away




Christine Scales




Yesterday Indianapolis City-County Councilor Christine Scales announced on Facebook that she was leaving the Republican Party to become a Democrat. We here at IR have for many years supported Christine Scales and we all will continue to do so regardless of her party switch. We previously have mentioned the inept leadership of the Marion County Republican Party under former Mayor "Boss Greg" Ballard and current fellow RINO Traitor Mike McQuillen. Although we here are all very sorry that Councilor Scales has left the Grand Old Party. We certainly can sympathize with her decision to leave. She was treated abysmally by the apparatchiks that pass themselves off as republicans when real republicans like Paul Ogden, Christine Scales and the late great Gary Welsh are treated as pariahs for holding the parties officials accountable. As for ourselves we all have been Republicans for many decades. We will agitate for reform until we leave this world. The Republican Party of Marion County and of Indiana is not and has not been worthy of laying claim to the historic conservative and libertarian principles of the GOP for many years. There have been some positive developments such as the ousting of former US Senator Dick "Carpetbagger" Lugar in 2012 and the refusal of former Mayor Greg Ballard to run for a third term in 2015. But there is still a long way to go to reclaiming the Grand Old Party in the Hoosier state. As we have pointed out the state house republicans wish to raise our state gas tax, and continue to fund projects of dubious value such as the previously mentioned bicentennial projects that were started by former Governor and now Vice President Mike Pence. Along with shielding our state legislators emails from we the people. Former Governors Mitch Daniels, Mike Pence and now current Governor Eric Holcomb have all ran on making state government more transparent but have increased the secrecy surrounding government immensely. Former Governor Pence went as far as to push to keep his emails a secret and so far Eric Holcomb has shown no willingness to rollback previous administrations secrecy. If newly elected State GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer so desires he can order a long needed overhaul of the Marion County Republican Party structure. Until the State Republican Party returns to its historic roots of limited government, opposing pay-to-play schemes, obeying the rule of law, and not blindly following ever yahoo that runs with an R after their name they will continue their deserved decline! If it must come to the point where the State GOP is reduced to rubble. So be it. All us true republicans will be there to rebuild and reclaim our parties heritage. Godspeed Christine Scales! And to all our fellow brothers and sisters in arms! In the words of the savior: "Let not your heart be troubled." John 14:1 also remember "Blessed are you who are persecuted for righteousness sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10

Paul Ogden of Ogden on Politics fame and our colleague on the left and still the undisputed king of Indiana Democratic Bloggers Jon Easter have both written about Christine Scales Party switch. The links to their pieces are below:



Republican Indianapolis City Councilor becomes a Democrat:
http://www.ogdenonpolitics.com/2017/02/local-indianapolis-republican-councilor.html



Jon Easters post on Christine Scales party switch:




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!



Saturday, May 21, 2016

Marion County GOP trades one Democrat Stooge for Another to be their new Chairman

Yesterday the Indianapolis Star wrote an article about how a new Indianapolis Ethics ordinance has moved Marion County Democrat Republican Chairwoman Jennifer Ping to step aside from her position and make way for a new Democrat Republican Indianapolis City County Council Minority Leader Mike McQuillen to assume control of what remains of the crumbling Marion County Republican Party. Lest anyone think that the probable appointment of McQuillen to become the new Marion County GOP Chair will do anything to reverse the GOP's deservedly sagging fortunes we will refer you to the following blog post that show how the Marion County GOP is now a directly controlled subsidiary of the Marion County Democrats and also why Mike McQuillen is the worst possible choice to revive the County Party. If the leadership of the Marion County GOP had any sense they would appoint Paul Ogden or Christine Scales Party Chair yesterday! But they won't because the Party would rather lose with candidates that they can control then win anything with any candidates of merit.


Here are Gary Welsh's Post about Jennifer Ping and Mike McQuillen:




Jennifer Ping:


Governor Mike "Pampered" Pence and State House Speaker Brian "The Weasel" Bosma's selling out the GOP:

http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2015/12/republican-officials-endorse-turning.html




Fake Republican Ping Slated to be New Marion County GOP Chair:

http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2015/12/joe-hogsett-and-democrats-poised-to.html


Marion County GOP Bosses Issue the Death Knell to County Republicans:

http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2015/12/marion-co-gop-picks-democrats-choice-to.html




Mike McQuillen:


Mike McQuillen Rebukes Real Republican Christine Scales while lavishing praise to RINO Jose Evans:


http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2013/03/republican-council-leader-rebukes.html

http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2013/03/jose-evans-switches-parties.html

UPDATE: Fellow Blogger Paul Ogden of Ogden on Politics has an in depth look at this story here:
http://www.ogdenonpolitics.com/2016/05/annoited-new-marion-county-gop-chairman.html

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Where Have All The Real Republicans Gone?

As promised we here at Indy Republican are blogging about issues the Mainstream Media will not discuss. The question of the day is why does there seem to be so few Genuine Republicans left these days? Where to begin. Well for one thing Donald Trump the presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee. Has a long history of supporting liberal democratic positions. Such as his past advocacy of Universal Health Care, his support for Abortion on demand. Just like Mitt Romney who ran in 2012 who started Romneycare in Massachusetts, and who was pro choice when he ran for the U.S. Senate in 1994. Or former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard who both supported and pushed for higher and higher taxes, and were extremely hostile to the rights of Gun Owners. Why do We The People keep electing people to office who run as Republicans and then proceed to act no different than Democrats once elected? Especially in Indiana the only Genuine Republicans Left around the Hoosier State seem to be few and far between. As political commentators go we have Paul Ogden, Charlie White, and Gary Welsh. As for past and present elected officeholders we have Indianapolis City County Councilwoman Christine Scales the only member of either party on the council to stand up against crippling taxes enacted by both parties in the Circle City. In the Indiana State Senate we have Mike Delph who is always a gentleman and is one of the only public officals in Indiana who has refused to pile on the Charlie White hate train. Kudos to you Mike! Also we have Indiana State Senator and soon to be US Congressman Jim Banks who has the distinction of pushing for more transparency in the affairs of the Indiana Republican Party! That is about all of the real Republicans left in the Hoosier State we can think of if you out there think of anymore we should include on this list please let the staff at Indy Republican know in the comments section. Have a Blessed Day!




UPDATE: Indy Republican is sorry to report that Gary Welsh died on May 1st, 2016. We here send our sympathies to his family. Some of us had the privilege of knowing Mr. Welsh personally and are saddened by his unfortunate demise. Paul Ogden has information about a life celebration to take place for Mr. Welsh in a post of his click here for the information on the celebration.




Also we would like to add the following tributes to Gary Welsh from Paul Ogden, Jon Easter, Matt Stone, Pat Andrews, and last but not least Ruth Holladay.