Did Mike Pence create a PAC simply to pay his lawyer?

If you live long enough you see just about anything happen. But even IR never thought we would see the day that Mike Pence would hire a lawyer from the firm that employs former Indiana Governor and Senator Evan Bayh. Apparently the shock of being dumped by Congressman Jim Banks and being replaced by Bobby Knight has shattered Pence's already fragile mind! The Washington Post revealed that Mike Pence has hired Richard Cullen of McGuireWoods to represent him in regards to possible investigation by congress and special prosecutor Robert Mueller into possible collusion between the Trump White House and the Russian Government involving the 2016 presidential election. Several Indy Republican readers alerted us to this story. There are a few interesting questions that pop up during an examination of the circumstances surrounding Pence's hiring of Mr. Cullen. We will ask our questions. First let's layout what facts we have so far.

Ashley Parker writing for the Washington Post on June 15, 2017 reported here on Pence's hiring of Cullen by citing his office making the following statement: 

“I can confirm that the Vice President has retained Richard Cullen of McGuireWoods to assist him in responding to inquiries by the special counsel,” said Jarrod Agen, a Pence spokesman, in an emailed statement. “The Vice President is focused entirely on his duties and promoting the President’s agenda and looks forward to a swift conclusion of this matter.” 

Cullen will not be paid with taxpayer money, an aide said. Cullen referred questions to the vice president’s office.

The process of hiring a lawyer took several weeks and included interviews with several candidates, a Pence aide said. The vice president made his final decision earlier this week. 

Several INDY REPUBLICAN readers have contacted us and said they found it interesting that Pence's aide would emphasize that taxpayer money would not be paying Cullen's legal fees. In light of the fact according to Vice President Pence's financial disclosure here he filed last year it showed him as not having any money!

Mike Pence when he looked at his bank account: 

 

So if the taxpayers are not going to pay for Cullen, then how is Mike Pence planning on paying his attorney? Another question we have been asking ourselves is just when did Mike Pence decide to go around shopping for an attorney. The aide quoted said that several candidates were interviewed over a period of around two weeks with the decision to hire Cullen was made earlier this week. Now Vice President Pence was originally scheduled to give an interview on June 7, 2017 on PBS's "News Hour" program but canceled the interview shortly before it was to start.

Now the cancelled interview was to take place on June 7th. The news of Pence's decision to hire Richard Cullen was reported on June 15th, this past Thursday, or 8 days after the cancelled interview. That would fall within the "several weeks" timeline mentioned by Pence's office. So if Pence had to interview potential lawyers during that timeframe that could very well account for his abrupt cancellation with PBS. Since even if he did not interview potential lawyers in person. Pence at the very least would have had to speak to them via phone or some other means. 

The Post reports that Cullen is no stranger to representing high profile clients. Ashley Parker gives the following background information on Cullen:

Cullen, a former Virginia attorney general, served as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia under President George H. W. Bush and worked on President George W. Bush’s legal team during the Florida recount in the 2000 presidential election.

His other high-profile clients have included Tom DeLay, the former Republican majority leader who was investigated by the Department of Justice for his relationship with Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff; Elin Nordegren, the ex-wife of Tiger Woods, in her divorce from the golf star; and former senator Paul Trible (R-Va.), during the Iran-contra investigation.

Ms. Parker elaborates further on how Mike Pence has potentially been drawn into the Russian-Trump collusion investigation:

As Trump’s No. 2 and as head of the transition team, Pence has increasingly found himself drawn into the widening Russia investigation.  Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser, misled Pence about his contacts with Russian officials — Pence then repeated the incorrect claims publicly. The vice president was kept in the dark for nearly two weeks about Flynn’s false statements before learning the truth in a Post report. 

Trump fired Flynn for misleading the vice president. 

There were also news reports that Flynn’s lawyers had alerted Trump’s transition team that Flynn was under federal investigation for his secret ties to the Turkish government as a paid lobbyist — a claim the White House disputes. And aides to Pence, who was running the transition team, said the vice president was not informed of Flynn’s overseas work with Turkey, either.

James Comey and Cullen once worked together at McGuireWoods and Cullen is godfather to one of Comey’s daughters.

Forgive us if we are finding it impossible to believe that Mike Pence was in charge of the Trump transition team, but somehow was unaware of Michael Flynn's lawyers having informed the transition team that Flynn was under federal investigation! It is also bizarre that the lawyer that Pence finally settled on was an the godfather of one of fired former FBI Director James Comey's daughters! That's is to much for King Kong to swallow! 

The Vice President's increasingly being so repeatedly near the scandals of the Trump administration. Has caught the notice of several who are finding it harder and harder to buy the nonsense being shoveled that Mike Pence is just a nice, squeaky clean guy.

Pence's former congressional colleague and host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe". Former Congressman Joe Scarborough (R-FL) said last month:

“We are faced with two options when it comes to Mike Pence,” “Mike Pence, the vice president of the United States, is either a sucker and a dupe for Donald Trump — being set up that way to go out and lie and lie and lie again — or he’s a liar.”

“There’s no middle ground,” he added.

Allan Lichtman a history professor at American University in Washington, D.C. and the man most famous for correctly predicting the winner of every presidential election since 1984. Including being one of the only experts to correctly forecast that Donald Trump would win the 2016 election. Professor Lichtman has trained his sharp mind to trying to ascertain the Vice Presidents role in the Trump administration. The good professor is skeptical to say the least about old Mikey being a victim of those around him.

Lichtman writing in an op-ed piece on CNBC.COM on May 19th, 2017 had this to say:

According to a now standard account, Pence is the innocent victim of deceptions by others – former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and the president himself.

But this is supposition only, with no hard evidence behind it. It is equally plausible that Pence is complicit in the lies propagated by the Trump administration and perhaps even involved in a cover-up of potentially impeachable transgressions. That's why he must be investigated thoroughly by the Congress and the FBI along with the president and other members of the Trump campaign team and administration.

For a seasoned politician who served for 12 years in Congress and three years as governor of Indiana, Pence has seemed remarkably easy to fool. Supposedly, Mike Flynn fooled Pence into affirming that Flynn's conversations with Soviet Ambassador Sergey Kislyak were "strictly coincidental" and had nothing "to do with United States' decision to expel diplomats or impose censure against Russia."

Pence was allegedly fooled again when he said that Trump fired FBI Director Comey because he accepted "the recommendation of the deputy attorney general and the attorney general." Trump later admitted that he had intended to sack Comey before he received any Justice Department recommendations and that "this Russia thing with Trump" was on his mind when he made the firing decision.

The theory of Pence as innocent victim lacks credibility.

As vice president on March 9, 2017, Pence said that regarding stories about Flynn's lobbying for Turkey, "Hearing that story today was the first I'd heard of it." Yet Pence was the head of the transition team that recommended Flynn for National Security Adviser and news reports in November 2016 had disclosed Flynn's lobbying for Turkey.

Beyond press reports, on November 18, 2016, Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings, the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter to Pence warning: "Recent news reports have revealed that Lt. Gen. Flynn was receiving classified briefings during the presidential campaign while his consulting firm, Flynn Intel Group, Inc., was being paid to lobby the U.S. Government on behalf of a foreign government's interests. … Lt. Gen. Flynn's General Counsel and Principal, Robert Kelley, confirmed that they were hired by a foreign company to lobby for Turkish interests"

Lies spoken softly by Mike Pence are no less insidious than lies bellowed and blustered by Donald Trump. Pence must be part of all investigations of the Trump administration. Under Article 2, Section 4 of the constitution, a vice president no less than a president is subject to impeachment.

Such damning statements made about a sitting Vice President of the United States by one of America's finest political experts and by a former fellow congressman are not to be dismissed lightly. If Michael Flynn's lawyers did indeed tell the Pence-led Trump transition team  about Flynn's work being the subject of a federal investigation. In all likelihood Mike Pence was aware of this as well! Which would mean that even a dimwit like "Pampered" Mike Pence would know he was going to probably need a lawyer. And he would have known this before assuming office. Which would make the matter of him being able to pay what would undoubtedly be exorbitant legal fees an urgent one.

But how to pay a high powered lawyer if he reported having no money on his disclosure form?

Well the Wall Street Journal's Rebecca Ballhaus may have an answer in her article "Here's How Pence Could Pay for a Personal Lawyer".

Ms. Ballhaus writes:

How does the former governor, whose financial disclosure last year appeared to show a negative net worth, plan to pay him?

The likely solution: an independent political group launched by Pence allies last month that can raise up to $5,000 per donor and has no restrictions on the personal use of funds.

Mr. Pence on Friday is set to attend a fundraiser for the group, Great America Committee, in Indianapolis, a day after his office said the vice president had retained Richard Cullen, chairman of the prominent law firm McGuireWoods, to represent him in the special counsel probe of Trump associates’ ties to Russia. Premier tickets to the event cost $5,000, while donors who pay $2,500 gain access to a reception at the hotel where the event is hosted.

Mr. Pence will most likely use funds raised through that group to pay for his legal bills, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Mr. Cullen said Mr. Pence’s office had directed him to “make certain that whatever method [of payment] is used is compliant with all federal law and regulation.”

There are no rules barring Mr. Pence from using the group’s funds to pay for his private attorney, said Kenneth Gross, former head of enforcement at the Federal Election Commission.

“There is no personal use restriction on a leadership PAC,” he said.

Using leadership PAC funds to pay for a private attorney would allow top donors to Mr. Pence to bankroll his legal defense as the special counsel’s probe heats up.

Ms. Ballhaus mentions that the creation of this PAC was most curious because:

The creation of one (a PAC) on Mr. Pence’s behalf earlier this year raised eyebrows, as vice presidents—particularly those in their first terms—rarely have their own political committees separate from the president.

Another weird twist is that Mike Pence is the honorary chairman of the PAC. And his aide Marty Obst is on the staff of the Great America Committee. Readers of this blog and Gary Welsh's Advance Indiana blog may remember that Obst was associated with the shady real estate agent John Bales and also unsuccessfully tried to save Senator Richard Lugar from losing the 2012 Republican Senatorial Primary. The inclusion of Obst on the Great America Committee and the fact that Pence came down to Indianapolis to fundraise for his pack one day after hiring Richard Cullen as his attorney does not pass the smell test.

So what are we to make of the increasingly boneheaded and paranoid actions of Mike Pence? 

Bill Kristol the founder of conservative magazine The Weekly Standard had this to say about an unusual tweet the VP made:

 Bill Kristol @BillKristol

Why this tweet now? Speculation: Trump's angry at Pence over news Pence hired a lawyer. Pence desperately trying to show Trump he's loyal.

Vice President Pence @VPIt is the greatest privilege of my life to serve as Vice President to @POTUS Donald Trump – a man devoted to American ideals.

1:58 PM · Jun 16, 2017

In the INDY REPUBLICAN mailbag a reader made this observation about VP Pence groveling like a submissive worm to his D.C. masters:

Typical Pence...the soft, weak link of any team....probably wears "depends" undergarments for as much as he pisses his pants. Wonder what is worrying the little pissant so much?

We love our readers insights into Mike Pence. We think they are mistaken about one thing though. They forgot that since Pence is Number 2 in Washington he most likely would have to wear depends because he just craps so much! 

 

Congressman Jim Banks picks Bobby Knight over Mike Pence!

Mike Pence continues to lend credibility to the belief in some circles that he is a political masochist who seems to enjoy being humiliated and publicly embarrassed by others. In today's "Behind Closed Doors" column by Maureen Groppe in today's Indianapolis Star reports:

When Indiana Rep. Jim Banks had his first Oval Office meeting with the president his year, Trump had a difficult question for him.

“The president asked me, `Did Bobby Knight or Mike Pence do more good in Indiana?’” Banks recently recounted to The Atlantic in a feature on the Indiana freshman.

Banks chose Knight, the former Indiana University basketball coach, despite the fact that the vice president was standing right there.

“I don’t know if Pence appreciated that,” Banks told The Atlantic. “But the president looked at him and said, `See, I knew it!’”

A spokesman for Banks said the exchange was in jest and a lighthearted moment during a conversation about the president’s affection for the Hoosier state.

When Knight announced his support for Trump shortly before Indiana's primary last year,Trump called it “the greatest endorsement in the history of Indiana.”

Cruz’ inability to beat Trump in Indiana despite the backing of Pence – the sitting governor – effectively ended the GOP nominating contest.

Gary Welsh of Advance Indiana fame in his next to
last blog post spoke about Pence's half hearted endorsement of Senator Ted Cruz wrote:

Gov. Mike Pence will upset many Republican primary voters today by endorsing Ted Cruz's presidential campaign. It will have no impact on the race, which Donald Trump is poised to win, and Pence gains absolutely nothing from the endorsement. The people who support Cruz already make up the backbone of his narrow, electoral support. What it can only do is further alienate him from already disaffected Republicans and aid in the election of John Gregg. Support for Cruz's candidacy has been collapsing for weeks now. He cannot win in open primary elections, only in closed-door, party caucus elections. He has no viable path to winning the nomination. This is another totally bone-headed move by Pence.

IR by no means believes that Mike Pence has much common sense. But he has to be aware that he is only being used by the President. And by continuing to let himself be abused and humiliated he is only further damaging his already non-existent credibility. If Pence wants to salvage anything of his political career he should resign as Vice President immediately. His apparent eagerness to defend the indefensible is only going to hasten the end of his political career. And give those republicans like all of us who have no use for Pence. Even more reasons to want him sent to political Hell.

Keeping it in the family! Mike Pence's brother may run for Pence's former congress seat!

 

Greg Pence older brother of Vice President Mike Pence 

Gary Welsh liked to say politics in Indiana is an incestous business. Well with the news that Mike Pence's older brother Greg may run for his little brothers former congress seat. It is very clear why so many have come to agree with Gary's observation. Kaitlin Lange and Tony Cook wrote for the Indianapolis Star on June 8th, 2017 about Greg Pence's possible run in their article: "Is Vice President Mike Pence's brother considering a run for congress?"

Mr. Cook & Ms. Lange wrote:

Greg Pence, the vice president's older sibling, isn't ruling it out and a source close to the Pence family said this week that a group of Republican donors is encouraging him to run for the seat once held by his brother.

Greg Pence, who once ran the family's Kiel Bros. Oil Co. gas station and convenience store business, has been a close confidant to the vice president, frequently traveling with him during last year's presidential campaign.

Greg Pence took his first formal step into the political arena earlier this year when he became statewide finance chairman for U.S. Rep. Luke Messer, who is expected to run for Indiana's U.S. Senate seat in 2018.

That would leave Indiana's predominately Republican 6th District House seat vacant. Stretching from Muncie to Madison, it's the same district Mike Pence represented for 12 years and one where he continues to enjoy wide support.

In an interview with IndyStar, Greg Pence acknowledged regular overtures encouraging a congressional run but said he's focused on Messer's campaign right now.

"The funny thing is I’m getting asked that a lot," he said. "And right now the only thing I’m focused on is helping Luke and Jennifer (Messer) make a big decision on whether or not they should run (for Senate)."

That would leave Indiana's predominately Republican 6th District House seat vacant. Stretching from Muncie to Madison, it's the same district Mike Pence represented for 12 years and one where he continues to enjoy wide support.

In an interview with IndyStar, Greg Pence acknowledged regular overtures encouraging a congressional run but said he's focused on Messer's campaign right now.

"The funny thing is I’m getting asked that a lot," he said. "And right now the only thing I’m focused on is helping Luke and Jennifer (Messer) make a big decision on whether or not they should run (for Senate)."

The eldest of six siblings, Greg Pence and his wife, Denise, now own antique malls in Edinburgh and Bloomington. Denise was also a delegate to the Republican National Convention last summer, where she saw her brother-in-law's formal nomination as the party's vice presidential candidate. 

Greg Pence also served a brief and controversial stint as the top deputy at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. He was hired in 2005 to streamline the agency under Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels, but the appointment raised eyebrows because he had no environmental credentials and his former company, Kiel Oil, had been cited by the agency for environmental violations in the past.

He left the post after just 2½ months. 

Greg Pence's latest role as chairman of Messer's finance committee could help the political novice establish relationships with key donors for a potential run of his own, while also lending Messer a prominent last name to help with fundraising. 

One major GOP fundraiser, Bob Grand, said Greg Pence "would be a great choice" to fill Messer's seat. But such decisions are premature given that Messer hasn't even officially declared a Senate run.

"I just think it’s too early to speculate," Grand said. "You can’t start running for a seat that isn’t vacant yet."

If he does decide to run, Greg Pence would almost certainly enter the race as a heavy Republican favorite, preventing what might otherwise be a competitive and potentially contentious GOP primary.

"When you're looking for a candidate to recruit, you want somebody with an ability to raise money, somebody who has name recognition, somebody who fits well with the district and those things would seem to characterize Greg Pence if he were to choose to run," said Robert Dion, a political scientist at the University of Evansville. 

It also doesn't hurt to be the vice president's brother. Mike Pence plays a key role in Indiana politics, most recently aiding in Gov. Eric Holcomb's rise to power after Pence dropped out of the gubernatorial race to join Trump on the national ballot.  

IR's belief is that if Luke Messer does run for the Senate, as we believe he will. Greg Pence will run for his brothers former congress seat. His brief service at IDEM under "Godfather" Mitch Daniels doesn't inspire confidence. Our advice to Mikey's older brother is: "Greg, if you do wind up getting elected to congress don't ever run for another office and become a national joke like your brother. "

Wanna Chat with Governor Eric Holcomb? Just Bring $10,000 and you can talk to them!

 

Today's "Behind Closed Doors" column in the Indianapolis Star by Tony Cook shows why he is a far better reporter than the Star deserves.

Readers of this blog know just how little we all here think of Eric "Bagman" Holcomb. Tony Cook's piece today helps illustrate why we think Holcomb is a vile sleaze ball that is not fit to run a one car parade. Let alone run a state!

Tony Cook writes in today's piece entitled:

"Got $10,000? You can dine with Gov. Eric Holcomb:

Gov. Eric Holcomb is holding a fundraiser later this month at the swanky Lucas Estate, with tickets priced as high as $10,000.

Those top-tier donors and their spouses will be treated to round table dinner with the governor in a setting the Lucas Estate website describes as "reminiscent of a French Country Manor for a member of aristocracy."

Don't worry if you don't have $10,000 to throw around you have other options Cook says:

For a more modest $2,500 contribution, donors can attend a VIP reception after the dinner. 

But never fear if you don't have quite $2,500 to curry favor with contribute to Holcomb's fundraising shindig you can still be in on the fun:

Those who contribute $50 to $2,500 will have access to a general reception party with music from local cover band Dave and Rae.

So what exactly is his holiness Eric Holcomb having a fundraiser for? Tony Cook says:

An invitation to the June 27 event, dubbed the "Team Holcomb Launch Party," promises "new and exciting announcements from the governor" as well as "dancing, food, drinks and lots of fun!"

Contributions will be split 70-30 between Holcomb's campaign and the Indiana State Republican Party, according to the invitation.

Holcomb still has plenty of time to fill his campaign coffers. The governor is only six months into his four-year term. 

Okay let's just hold on for a second while we pass around the barf bag! Let's try and wrap our heads around this here. So "Bagman" Holcomb is asking Republican voters to shell out $50 to $10,000 or more so that we can hear new and exciting announcements from his worthless butt! And as a bonus we all get treated to dancing, food and drinks as well!

Let's think. Pay up to $10,000 to hear worthless drivel from "Bagman" Holcomb and eat shitty food and watered down drinks from Holcomb himself! We would rather spend a weekend recovering from eating White Castle!

As Cook's article points out he is only six months into his four year term as Governor. Is he really that scared about his reelection prospects now? If so why? Maybe the Indiana Republican Party is worried that Holcomb might be a drag on them later so they are trying to get money out of him now.

Having this kind of stupid fundraiser so early in his term just shows Holcomb likes other people's money!

Welcome to Indiana people! The worst government money can buy!

I-69 Extension Delayed Again! Let's See If The Fourth Time is the Charm! w/update

 

Mike Pence realizing he is everybody's whipping boy

How do you solve a problem like Mike Pence? At the risk of being a broken record. We have decided that Mike Pence's shenanigans once again warrant IR's personal attention. Seriously Mikey! How much more nonsense are you going to trouble us with? If you aren't doing your best to imitate Hillary Clinton, Rod Blagojevich, or an untrained seal. Being disingenuous and hypocritical about your residency when you ran for Governor in 2012, entering into a stupid deal with Agile Networks to fund projects for Indiana's Bicentennial last year and then putting the

taxpayers on the hook when the deal went south. Or you are carrying water for your Washington paymasters and getting chewed out by even Establishment hacks for it. You just can't help but keep tripping over your own feet.

Now Kaitlin Lange and Mark Alesia reported in yesterday's issue of the Indianapolis Star or as we mockingly call it "Pravda Indianapolis". They have reported that there is yet another delay in the fabled I-69 extension from Bloomington to Martinsville! Lange and Alesia write:

The state of Indiana intends to take control of the troubled I-69 project from Bloomington to Martinsville as the public-private partnership used to finance and build the highway crumbles.

Bond analysts told IndyStar that terminating the deal could drive up project costs, but it is uncertain how much.

State officials confirmed Monday that the project's new completion date would be pushed back from May 2018 to August 31, 2018.

That's the fourth time the opening has been pushed back as the state's design-build contractor struggles to pay subcontractors and meet deadlines. The original completion date was October 2016.

I-69 Development Partners originally bid $325 million to win the project, which started in 2014. 

With the project about half finished, the state notified bondholders on Friday of its intention to take over.

The statement said it would take nearly $237 million to complete the project, and that $72 million was available. That means $164 million is needed to "complete construction and resolve claims."

But the extra cost to taxpayers is unclear.

Understandably the Star wanted to find out what additional costs will be burdening us taxpayers but was unable to find out because as the article reports:

State officials declined to tell IndyStar whether taxpayers would have to foot the bill for the $164 million that is needed. Stephanie McFarland, a spokeswoman for the Indiana Finance Authority, said the "official authority" who could answer IndyStar's question is off until Wednesday.

Translation we need to buy ourselves time until we can come up with some bullshit reason to give to you rubes as to why you all should pay for the state's screw ups! 

It doesn't appear much of anyone else connected to this "road to nowhere" was eager to talk either.

As reported:

The IFA issued a statement from Director Dan Huge on Monday, but it also did not address the issue of cost and where the money will come from. Huge has declined numerous interview requests.

Cherian George, managing director of the Fitch ratings agency, earlier told IndyStar that if a project is terminated for cause, the cost of completion typically would rise.

"As a result, there will be additional cost, because now the state has to take it back and actually deliver the project and fill in the gaps," George said. "It may be more than they thought they were going to pay, but it may not be an exorbitantly higher amount."

There will also be money available from the project's performance bond — insurance that it will be completed. But the state only required a bond covering 25 percent of the project's value,which bond analysts said was on the low end of what would typically be required. And getting money from that bond could also be held up by litigation.

As if possible lawsuits weren't enough to drive up the costs to Hoosiers. The Star also reports that other contractors will probably be more expensive:

What's more, the winning bid was $73 million lower than the next lowest bid, suggesting other contractors might demand more.

The project was originally touted by the state as an innovative public-private partnership that would take advantage of private sector expertise, innovation and efficiency to save taxpayers money.

I-69 Development Partners won a bid to design, construct and maintain the highway for decades after completion. But in March the Spanish company Isolux Corsan — which initially comprised more than 80 percent of I-69 Development Partners — entered insolvency proceedings in Spain.

It had four months to reach an agreement with creditors and avoid potential bankruptcy.

The state's negotiations to buy out the bonds for the project have been unsuccessful so far, but Huge's statement said "the state is moving forward with the goal of assuming control." The state has not, however, declared the developer to be in default.

When asked about the deal, I-69 Development Partners issued the following statement: "I-69 Development Partners and the IFA continue to participate in confidential discussions with the aim of ensuring the successful completion of the project. We are confident that we can reach an agreement with the IFA."

Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, said the protracted construction has not only frustrated people but also created safety issues.

"I think they should have been willing to declare the company in default a long time ago," he said.

What is so idiotic about this whole I-69 Development problem. Is that way back in 2014 the late great Gary Welsh reported concerns about I-69 Development Partners over at Advance Indiana. 

Gary Welsh writing in 2014 said:

In a separate report this past weekend by the Evansville Courier & Press, questions were raised about the wisdom of Gov. Pence's plan to build the I-69 extension from Bloomington to Martinsville through the use of a public-private agreement. The Pence administration has awarded the project to a Netherlands-based company, Isolux Infrastructure, to upgrade the 21-mile stretch of State Road 37 as another connecting link for I-69. The state will kick in $80 million upfront, while the private contractor will provide $325 million in funding for the extension. In addition, Indiana will make annual payments of $21.8 million to the private consortium over the next 35 years, or a total of $763 million, in exchange for the private consortium agreeing to maintain the highway.

By comparison, $700 million in Major Moves funding was provided for construction of the the nearly 100-mile stretch of new highway from Evansville to Bloomington. State Road 37 between Martinsville and Bloomington is already a 4-lane interstate quality highway absent the interchanges. It looks like Pence is just relying on a public-private agreement for the sake of privatization without any regard to the the extra cost future generations of taxpayers will bear to pay for this small stretch of highway. I hate to see the tab for the final leg between Martinsville and Indianapolis.

Even in death Gary Welsh is still looking out for the taxpayers. Gary was more right than he knew in his concerns about what the tab will wind up being for this section of I-69. 

Democrats and republican rivals of Mike Pence have no doubt long ago gathered this and other such stories on Pence to cause him trouble if he decides to ever run for the White House. Buckle up folks it's going to take awhile until Mike Pence is out of elected office. We are all looking forward to sending old Mikey Pence out to pasture! Let's do this people!

UPDATE:  As if wasting taxpayers money and patience wasn't bad enough. Now CBS 4 is reporting that the continued delay of the I-69 extension is a safety concern in Bloomington:

BLOOMINGTON, Ind-- Safety concerns over an I-69 roadway project are growing in Monroe County.

Residents and officials are expressing the concern after it was announced the project on the new section of interstate between Martinsville and Bloomington will not be finished until August of 2018.

While the delay is certainly cause for annoyance for people who live in the area, residents say they’re equally fed up with accidents and close calls along the stretch of highway.

“Just pulling out onto here, there have been a few accidents already,” said Julie Aubin.

City officials in Bloomington have also called the project a “safety concern,” citing numerous accidents and injuries amassed on the stretch over the years.

“There are often lane realignments that happen day to day. Even if you drive the road frequently, you can be surprised from one day to the next. We’ve had some real tragedies in the area and are very saddened by that,” said director of communications for the City of Bloomington Mary Catherine Carmichael.

A recent study by the Federal Highway Administration stated that most fatal crashes and injuries in work zones most often occur in the summer and fall months.

Bloomington officials like Carmichael say those are the exact issues they’re hoping to avoid for the remainder of the project’s construction.

Now IR understands that there are difficulties and dangers involved in any road project. But we don't think that it is to much to ask that traffic lanes not be completely realigned on a daily basis! The state must be stopped before it causes more damage!

Open Letter to London Mayor Sadiq Khan

To: The Honorable Mayor of the City of London, Capital of Great Britain. Mr. Sadiq Khan

From: Indy Republican News and Opinion Desk

Dearest Mayor Khan,

From across the Atlantic let us express our deepest sympathies and most heartfelt condolences on the wanton slaughtering and injury inflicted on your fellow London residents. We believe and pray that England will recover from what is now the third in a series of terror attacks this year that has struck London. At this time your emotions like that of your fellow British brothers and sisters are running high. You are no doubt receiving more advice and suggestions than any man alone can process. We are not even sure that you or any of your staff will read this open letter.

But as you have been duly elected to the highest office in London. And since a free and prosperous England is in the interest of both our countries. The most profound patriotism and loyalty compels us all here to offer our most candid advice to aid you in this crisis. 

As you are a patriotic Englishman you understand the love of country of which we speak. Your record as a solicitor defending as Thomas Paine calls it "The Rights of Man" is admirable. There are however some areas of your tenure as mayor that we are not satisfied with. We bring these to your attention not as a personal attack. But because we believe that in order for you to help yourself and those that you have sworn to serve. That there are aspects to your governance that you must reevaluate and improve upon. 

It was reported in the Daily Mail on September 21, 2016 that while you were on a tour of New York and Chicago that  you said terror attacks are "part and parcel of living in a big city" This sounds very much like you believe that terrorism is simply just another unpleasant fact of life that we should be forced to accept as unavoidable like disease is. Terrorism is a choice made by sick and depraved individuals. To simply say that it is "part and parcel of big city life". Is demeaning to people who reside in big cities and most Londoners after the three recent terror attacks would be right to take offense at this. 

Now let us be clear we don't believe that you meant to offend anyone with your comments. But Mr. Mayor these terror attacks have been carried out by Islamic Extremists. These terror attacks will not be effectively curtailed until the British national and local governments acknowledge this and honestly face the facts surrounding the driving ideology of terrorists in your city. 

You have it in your power to stand as a powerful alternative to these men and women who twist and warp your religion to justify their own sickness and depravity. You are the first Muslim to be elected as London's Mayor. You have built a life that all people can be proud of. You have broken down barriers, you have stood up to members of your own Labour Party and endured ridicule for it. You have worked with members of the Conservative Party your parties chief rivals when you have felt it was right. You obviously have courage.

We implore you to take a public stand and say that these terrorists do not speak for Islam and that they can not hide behind their warped and sick views to justify their crimes. Call out the evil actions of these evil doers. Say that you are determined that terrorism is not "part and parcel" of your city. You know deep down in your soul that you can and must defeat these terrorist who seek to destroy your city. 

Assalamu Alaikom to you Mayor Khan 

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!

Indy Republicans Guide to Taking Back The GOP

Introduction

Greetings Friends and fellow Rabble Rousers. The time has come to discuss just how we will take back the Indiana Republican Party. And to make the state party the home of real  republicans. Throughout out this state and around the country we continue to hear from countless disgruntled republicans. Men, women and young people who are frustrated and angry at being betrayed time after time by the party of Reagan and Lincoln. Some stay republicans but are only active at election time. Others leave the GOP and become Democrats, Independents, or Libertarians. The few the wisest, bravest, and the best of us work within and outside the party for change and reform.

It is not an easy path that we the disciples of constitutionalism walk. For those of us who pitch our tent in the GOP. We have it the hardest. Only the most stubborn, anti-social and independent of republicans cling to and fight for our principles within the GOP against the establishment who wants to destroy all philosophical differences and replace us with unfeeling demon robots from hell. Men and women who exist only to be a harlot to service the filthy wants and whims of their masters.

The biggest problems with the Hoosier GOP include the reduced role of elected precinct committee men and women in favor of appointed pc's. The refusal to advocate for good government such as the recent move to charge citizens search fees for public records, the increasing politicalization of state government by elimination in 2011 of the Merit System of Employment. The abandonment of free market capitalist principles with the establishment of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to serve as a way to curry political favors with donors and lobbyists. By abandoning the principles of enforcing state ethics laws by the appointment of the Governor of the states Inspector General and making them a servant of the governor.

Since we have briefly put forth the problems of the Hoosier GOP. It is time for us to outline how we shall chip away and ultimately destroy the establishment. And what policies, laws, and reforms we will pursue and move the GOP center of gravity back towards the individual citizens of Indiana and the United States.

This will be a long, difficult task. It may take decades perhaps centuries to achieve our goals. Ultimately however we will win. So if you don't wish to take part back away now. But if you feel the calling to reform the Hoosier state. If the thought of holding your heads high and facing reality fearlessly and with a smile is what you want. If you would rather die than passively accept the sin, evil, and vice that plagues us in Indiana. Then proceed with us.

Now are you ready to rumble?

Since you have decided to join our holy quest. It's time to layout strategy.

Strategy

We face battles on many fronts. Our approach must therefore be against several targets but the methods we will be using will be similar against each.



Target #1
The Media

If we are to reform the Republican Party we must convince enough of the general and voting population of the rightness of our cause. We must also make the public aware of the corruption in our political system and explain why it must be stopped. The media is the main source of information for most people. Whether they be working class or executives. At this time unfortunately our voices within the Indiana press with some exceptions are very few.
In our state much of the media establishment of the major newspapers and television stations is run out of Indianapolis. These outlets are run by a relatively small number of people. Most of whom have an interest in not rocking the status quo. Their reasons can vary from being money grubbing power seekers to just believing they know better how to run our lives than we do. However there are still members of the Indianapolis and National press who still do a decent job at being journalists. We will list the "good journalists" shortly. In order to make the Indiana press start doing there jobs we the people must keep up non stop pressure on the press to do their jobs. As far as Establishment hack reporters like Tim Swarens and Matt Tully of the Indianapolis Star. Most likely Matt, Tim and their fellow travelers in the press will never stop pandering to the Powers that Be. In order to further our goals of having a world class media in Indiana we must work to change the media culture in this state. Here are Indy Republicans steps to reforming the media:

1. Whenever and by whomever good journalism is practiced by compliment the journalist. Contact them by Facebook, Email, Twitter, and tell them and others about there good work. Everyone needs some positive reinforcement. At the very least it will bring attention to genuine talent and greatness. 

2. If you know of something not being reported by the newspapers, radio or tv stations that should be reported make the media and others aware of these stories.

3. If the media refuses to carry the stories. Than contact Paul Ogden, Jon Easter, or fill out the contact form on the web version of the INDY REPUBLICAN blog site. And we will all do our best to get the information out there.

4. We must create and innovative in order to change the Indiana media. We encourage you all to not only share and publicize Ogden on Politics, Indy Republican and Jon Easter's Indy Democrat blogs. But to create and start your own blogs. Creating groups on social media to respond to cases of media bias and omission is a must. Such groups could fact check news stories and call out the Indianapolis press corp when it falls down on the job. Some ideas for group names are: the Ogden Brigade, Easter's Men, the Welsh Saints (in honor of the late Gary Welsh), and IR's Crusaders all have some good rings to them. 

5. Keep in touch with and support the "good" journalists. The following are journalists who are if not in complete sympathy with our aims. At the very least they aren't overly hostile to us. Kara Kenney and Rafael Sanchez at WRTV-6 are decent journalists. Nikki Kelly of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Tony Cook, Fatima Hussein of the Indianapolis Star are good and original thinkers. Dan Carden of the Northwest Indiana Times is worth reading and check his twitter feed for good information. Hayleigh Colombo of the Indianapolis Business Journal. Rob Kendall at WYRZ-FM was a good friend of Gary Welsh and is worth listening to. At the national news level Tom Lobianco and Jake Tapper at CNN are solid guys. Liberal but good journalists they are. Eric Shawn of Fox News is a good guy. Lastly Bernard Goldberg of BernardGoldberg.com is a no nonsense man. All of these men and women are worth following and much can be learned from them.

Target #2

Local Government Officials and State Legislators

All politics is local. Getting the voters on our side will only pay dividends if we are able to have allies at both the local governmental level and in the state legislature. To that end we must elect good men and women to office. Staying engaged at the local level is absolutely essential. It is at this level we can get our feet in the door. Challenge elected officials to enforce the laws, to enact true, just and objective laws. And to repeal laws that destroy the God given and natural rights of man. When your officials do good tell them why you appreciate their service. When they fall short tell them. If they don't shape up. Then run against them. Keep after every mediocrity that is a lawmaker until either they are defeated or quit. Our elected officials are supposed to work for us. REMIND them of this. Make it so that they are so terrified to betray their oath of office that the mere thought of it makes them ill. We will win our struggle over a long period of time. It will little by little that we chip away at Indiana's Bi-Partisan Cabal. We will be as a million mosquitoes taking down an elephant. But take it down we will. 

Target #3

Taking Back the Indiana Republican Party 

This is the hardest nut we must crack. Which is all the more reason we need to pound away at the INGOP until there are no party hacks left standing. To retake the Hoosier Grand Old Party we must break up the good old boy network that is the leadership elite of our party. There are a good number of activists in Marion County who are working to take back the party from Bob Grand and Joe Loftus. Paul Ogden has worked tirelessly to fight the establishment in Marion County. His efforts are valuable and must continue. But retaking the party will have to be done by starting outside Marion County. For now our efforts must be focused on building up pro liberty County GOP organizations throughout the state. From their we will advance resolutely and gather more and more territory. Until we are in a position to challenge what remains of the so called Republican Party of Marion County. Contrary to the delusional press releases of the Marion County Party and it's propaganda ministers. The party has been losing ground and bleeding support for the last twenty years. Unless drastic course corrections are made within 5 to 10 years the Marion County GOP will be reduced to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Marion County Democratic Party. It is best to simply let the party in the Circle City implode and to get as far away as we can. To build up our strength throughout the state's other 91 County parties. We must keep the local parties focused on good government reform. We must oppose all republicans who are anti freedom. At the same time we must identify and elect pro-freedom candidates. We can't fight everywhere so we must focus all our energies into where we can win. 

Conclusion 

Above we have put out in general terms our ideas for reclaiming the Hoosier state. Later we plan to publish policy proposals. For now this should work as a starting framework to achieve our goals. Any suggestions or ideas are of course always welcome.