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We at IR would like to think all of our readers for their continued support. The blog has grown somewhat since we began in 2016. We look forward to many more years of blogging. Please tell your friends and family about the Indy Republican Blog and to send news tips and post ideas to our blog email: 6vwts@notsharingmy.info, fill out our contact form here on the blog, or reach us on Twitter @IndyRepublicanX. 

Tribalist Mitch Daniels urges Graduates to Reject Tribalism

Three weeks ago David Bangert of the Lafayette Courier & Journal reported that former Indiana Governor now Purdue University President Mitch Daniels in a speech he gave to this years graduating class a call for people to resist political tribalism.

From Bangert's report:

The biggest challenge facing this graduating class, Daniels said, “will involve the repair and renewal of trust among ourselves as a people.” Daniels’ speech was set along themes similar to his commencement addresses from recent springs. (Purdue tradition holds that the president gives most commencement speeches, rather than calling on guest speakers.) He called the class of 2018 new aristocrats, privileged elites “of a knowledge economy” who might well be tempted “unintentionally to segregate from their less blessed, less well educated fellow citizens.” 

Daniels had some other things to share with this year's graduating class:

“As we trust each other less, trust in the institutions of our society has eroded in parallel.  Almost no sector – government, business, the media, even higher education – has escaped a steep drop in public confidence.  Some constant vigilance and skepticism about centers of authority is a healthy, all-American instinct.  But ultimately, to function effectively as a free and self-governing people, we must maintain some degree of faith that our institutions and those leading them have our best interests at heart, and are performing their duties with sincerity and integrity.  And today, we plainly lack such faith.

“There are plenty of culprits here, starting with too many who have misused positions of authority.  The so-called social media – I have come to think of it as ‘antisocial media’ – enables and encourages hostility from the insulated enclave of a smartphone or a laptop.  People say things to and about each other that they would never say face to face, or maybe even think, if they knew each other personally. 

“Our various modern media lead us to, and feed us from, information sources that reinforce our existing biases.  They put us in contact with other tribe members, but rarely those who see things differently.  We’re starting to resemble ominously our primitive forbearers, trusting no one outside the tribe.

Daniels has no business lecturing anybody about the dangers of tribalism. During his eight year "Reign of Error" as Governor he was the ultimate tribalist and political hack insider. His ego is so enormous that he had his face plastered throughout every state agency and government building. His bungling of FSSA, DCS, the BMV, and his creation of the IEDC the ultimate tool in which to give away taxpayer money to those who bow before this pathetic runt of a man. Daniels misuses his authority everywhere he goes. Who can forgot the still questionable conduct of the Department of Child Services years ago involving the tragic death of Tajanay Bailey? A sad story which we, Paul Ogden and Gary Welsh have all written about. Mitch Daniels may preach about unity, and individualism when it suits him. Don't be fooled! He is an evil nasty little troll who deserves nothing less then the excoriation not the following of Hoosiers.

An old friend of IR's who  has detailed knowledge of the inner workers of the Daniels Cartel had this reaction to Daniels speech:

Haha...he would know all about tyranny...his first step everywhere he goes is to consolidate agencies/divisions under lt. Governor under him, try to end more local Gov’t to help him consolidate power into fewer local offices so he can have B&T push their folks to control easier and then move all the Purdue of Purdue foundation money into a new entity so it was easier for him to control...would say the Mitch Mafia could be characterized as a tribe...or a personality cult

Unfortunately the high priest of the Cult of Mitch, Eric "High Tax" Holcomb is now our Governor. Hold onto your wallets and liberties before old Eric takes them all away. Our sources tell us there is more trouble brewing for DCS. Will let you know if we hear anything. Once again this is IR and the Gang wishing you all a good night!

Twist the Night Away with Rod Stewart

Indy Republican is taking sometime off to celebrate Todd Rokita and Steve Braun going down to well deserved defeats in their primary races earlier this month. So IR thought we would share this oldie but goodie from 1987. Here is Rod Stewart’s rendition of “Twisting the Night Away” from the comedy classic “Innerspace”.

Enjoy my brothers and sisters:

Happy Mother’s Day!

Indy Republican wishes all you Mother’s out there a Happy and Blessed Mothers Day!

Paul Ogden Nails GOP’s Worthless Hoosier Senate Choices

Earlier today our good friend Paul Ogden wrote a good article discussing why none of the three losers running in the GOP Senate Primary are worthy of support by true conservatives. The only thing IR wants is for Todd Rokita to lose the Senate Primary at this point. As one man said: “If you want people to vote, give us candidates.” Good luck voting in today’s primary.

Jon Easter Returns to the Blogosphere

Jon Easter aka “Johnny Stir” Great Man

Indy Republican is happy to report that Jon Easter has headed the calling of the Bat-Signal and has returned to blogging. Jon we are so psyched about your return we had to up our medication! Jon we look forward to hearing from you again. Ladies and Gentlemen please check out the new JohnnyStir Blog at: http://johnnystir.blogspot.com/

Here’s a wonderful Seventies Classic to welcome you back Jon:

Todd Rokita Touts Former GOP State Chairman Cardwell’s Endorsement

Further proof has emerged that Todd Rokita intends to drive his Senate campaign into the ditch. A little earlier today the Rokita campaign issued a statement saying that former Indiana Republican State Chairman Jeff Cardwell has endorsed the Rokita Train Wreck.

Chairman Jeff Cardwell has been a selfless leader for Hoosier Republicans. I’m honored to have his endorsement. pic.twitter.com/JvwFyhV7Xv

— Todd Rokita (@ToddRokitaIN) May 2, 2018

You might remember that Cardwell was implicated in a scandal back in 2016. The scandal involved Cardwell using his position as state party chair to help benefit his hardware store Cardwell Home Center. We reported on the scandal back in September 2016 as it was covered by Tony Cook at IndyStar. The fact that Team Rokita is boasting of Cardwell’s endorsement shows just how tone deaf they are. Especially since Rokita used his staff as Secretary of State to help him get elected to Congress. We found this interesting reply to Rokita on Twitter and thought we would share it with all of you:

I admire your dedication to defeating the elite by destroying your own 16 year career as a politician by running the worst campaign in Indiana history pic.twitter.com/IwZOPJbpy2

— Conrad Spann (@ConradSpann) May 2, 2018

Todd Rokita’s Tasteless Attack’s on WIBC Producer Brian Baker

“Lying Todd” Rokita as Rob Kendall at WIBC so accurately calls Rokita, proceeded to our complete shock to make a total ass out of himself by insulting Brian Baker a producer over at WIBC. The incident in question occurred yesterday while Hoekita was appearing yesterday morning on the Tony Katz Show. Guy Relford was filling in for Mr. Katz. Rokita said after having spoken to Producer Brian Baker that he was glad to get a question from Guy Relford as opposed to “a lowly Producer”. An obvious swipe at Brian Baker. IR doesn’t know what planet Rokita lives on. But he should now producing a radio show is not a job for the unintelligent. We will share a link to Rob Kendall’s comments about Todd  We think they are spot on. Unlike Rob though if Turd Rokita wins the primary we are writing in a candidate for Senate in the fall. We would rather eat airline food than vote for Todd Rokita!

The Straw Donor Scheming of Rokita, Messer, Walorski & Renacci

Ohio Congressmen Jim Renacci

Good Evening Friends. INDY REPUBLICAN here just though we would report on one of the newest twist and turns in what has become the GOP Senate Primary from Hell here in Indiana. This latest scandal engulfs three of our Congressmen Todd Rokita, Luke Messer, and Jackie Walorski. (IR has mentioned Walorski in this previous post) We are referring to Todd, Luke and Jackie's having been accused of being involved with some campaign donation shenanigans. Last Friday April 27th, 2018 Tony Cook and Kaitlin Lange's article "Rokita, Messer deny wrongdoing in possible straw donor scheme". Mr. Cook and Ms. Lange wrote that Congressmen Rokita, Messer and Walorski:

gave and received money from Ohio Rep. Jim Renacci in what experts said may have been an improper straw donor scheme. Reps. Todd Rokita and Luke Messer, denied any wrongdoing. Rep. Jackie Walorski's campaign did not respond to multiple phone calls and emails seeking comment.

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

Cook and Lange cite a story from the Cincinnati Enquirer by Deidre Shesgreen where Ms. Shesgreen reported about Messer and Walorski receiving contributions from Renacci between April and June of 2017. Shesgreen's story as pointed out by Cook and Lange did not mention Todd Rokita.

Congressman Todd Rokita

Cook and Lange go further and write:

Within two months of receiving a donation, all three then contributed money to Renacci's gubernatorial campaign. In Messer's case, the contribution occurred just one day after his campaign received a donation from Renacci. Under Ohio's campaign finance laws, Renacci was prohibited from transferring more than $12,707 from his federal campaign to his gubernatorial account once he announced he was dropping out of the congressional race to run for governor in March 2017. 

Congressmen Luke Messer

According to Cook and Lange: 

Ohio's campaign finance laws,  Prohibited Renacci from transferring more than $12,707 from his federal campaign to his gubernatorial account once he announced he was dropping out of the congressional race to run for governor in March 2017. But over the next few months, Renacci's congressional campaign gave out $56,000 to 12 House Republicans — eight of which donated a collective $26,700 back to Renacci's state campaign for governor, often within weeks or even days of receiving the contribution from Renacci's federal campaign.

The Cincinnati Enquirer spoke with election ethics expert Brendan Fischer. Fischer told the Enquirer:

"this sounds like is a straw donor scenario, where Renacci is using funds from his federal campaign account to unlawfully support his state gubernatorial run and doing it through his fellow elected officials,”

INDYSTAR makes mention of the following suspicious campaign donations:

Renacci's congressional campaign gave Messer's campaign $4,000, and his leadership PAC an additional $2,000 on June 27. The very next day, Messer's campaign donated $2,000 to Renacci's gubernatorial campaign.

Renacci's congressional campaign gave "Hoosiers for Rokita" $4,000 and $2,700 to his leadership PAC on May 9. Rokita's leadership PAC then gave $2,000 to Renacci's gubernatorial campaign on June 28.

Renacci's congressional campaign gave Walorski's campaign $4,000 on  April 27, 2017. Her campaign then gave $4,000 to Renacci's gubernatorial campaign on June 13.

As mentioned earlier in their article at the time of these donations Renacci was running in a primary for Governor of Ohio. Renacci has sense abandoned the race for Governor and is running for the U.S. Senate against Sherrod Brown. Renacci has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Walorksi, Messer and Rokita have not donated to other GOP members of Congress who like Renacci were also competing in governor's primaries. The Star examine the campaign finances of Rokita, Walorski and Messer and found they had not donate to the gubernatorial campaigns of Ron DeSantis of Florida, Diane Black of Tennessee, or Raul Labrador of Idaho.

Andy Downs political scientist at IUPU at Fort Wayne told IndyStar:

"That’s another piece of evidence that you could argue is kind of damming," said Andy Downs, a political scientist at the Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. "If this is really about supporting your friends in contested primaries … or supporting a conservative candidate, why didn’t you also give to X,Y and Z?" Rokita, for example, has strong ties to both Black and DeSantis.

This isn't the first time that Congressman Renacci has been accused of being part of a straw donor scandal. IndyStar says that:

In 2014 Renacci's campaign found itself in the middle of a court case involving another alleged straw donor scheme in Ohio. Federal prosecutors accused an Ohio direct marketing firm and its owner of skirting federal campaign contribution limits by funneling about $200,000 through the company's employees and their spouses in 2011 to the campaigns of Renacci and Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, who was running for Senate. The company's owner, Ben Suarez, was found not guilty of violating campaign finance charges, but was sentenced to 15 months in prison for witness tampering in the case.

Given what we know especially of Rokita and Walorski. We are firmly convinced there is something extremely unethical, possibly illegal going on with this straw donor scheme of Renacci's. Especially in light of Renacci's past donor troubles back in 2011.

Earlier today on WIBC's morning show "Chick's on The Right". Rob Kendall the producer of the show had some interesting things to say about the straw donor scandal. We highly recommend that everyone listen to what Rob has to say. We thank you all again for your continued support. And bid you all good night.