In this year’s election cycle, the policy watchword is "change." But amid the partisan debate, another type of
change is revolutionizing the way candidates track voters and spread messages. Communication tools like
text messaging, social networking and YouTube are increasingly integral to successful politics.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson promises to buoy Indiana’s slumping rural counties with a three-tiered
incentive plan. Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has a different vision for stoking the state economy. He wants to build on Indiana’s
strengths–such as world-class research at universities–to innovate and create jobs.
Jerry Handfield hasnâ??t lived in Indiana since 2001, when he moved to Washington to take a similar job overseeing
that stateâ??s archives.
But Handfield still keeps tabs on Indiana. So much so that he checks the Weather Channel when tornadoes
rip…
Yet another poll shows the contest between John McCain and Barack Obama as too close to call in Indiana.
The WISH-TV Channel 13 survey has each with 46 percent of likely voters.
With margins like this, the election could…
Thereâ??s no time like an election to make politicians nervous about taking a stand on a controversial issue,
and this afternoonâ??s House vote on the $700 billion bailout plan is no exception.
Many Republicans and some Democrats, leery about facing voters…
If any governor were vulnerable to a strong challenge in a re-election campaign, it should have been Mitch
Daniels, who has made a lot of Hoosiers mad by pushing daylight saving time, leasing the Indiana Toll Road
and in general…
Sarah Palin won rave reviews for her speech last night at the Republican National Convention, as did Barack
Obama when he closed the Democratic convention last week.
This morning, the Associated Press quoted Democratic Party leaders in Indiana as saying Palin…
Mitch Daniels ran for governor four years ago promising to shake things up, and it would be hard to argue
that he hasnâ??t followed through.
Daylight saving time passed. Cigarette taxes were raised to fund health insurance. Property taxes were reformed.
What…
Barack Obama is expected to announce his vice presidential running mate any day now, and Evan Bayhâ??s name
is still thought to be on the short list.
The Indiana senator is viewed as a moderate who would counter Obamaâ??s liberal voting…
The Democratic primary race between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and winner Barack Obama attracted
so much attention that the Indiana governorâ??s race got short shrift â?? and the governorâ??s race still isnâ??t
getting the respect it deserves.
Thatâ??s how Jim Schellinger…
Weâ??ve reached the season when companies start lining up employee health care coverage for the following year.
Like prior years, companies will complain about skyrocketing costs and workers will complain about getting
fewer benefits. Study after study suggests both parties will…
Health advocates beamed with a â??told-you-soâ?? response this week when state officials announced that cigarette
sales dropped dramatically after taxes were raised last July.
Sales fell nearly 18 percent, apparently a direct result of boosting the tax 44 cents to a…
Exit polls yesterday showed Hoosiers voted their pocketbooks. Theyâ??re worried about the economy.
That has a familiar ring. Many voters made a similar point four years ago when Gov. Mitch Daniels beat
Gov. Joe Kernan by promising to improve the economy.
Now,…
Weâ??ve experienced, or maybe endured, one of most intense campaign seasons in memory here in Indiana.
Perhaps you were one of the people who pollsters and news organization kept saying would turn this primary
election, the undecideds.
If you voted in the…
The topic of health care sparked the most spirited comments from business leaders interviewed by IBJ ahead of the May 6 presidential
primary. When asked whether they thought Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton would be better for business, executives in manufacturing,
exporting, computer technology, logistics and education largely demurred.
Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown suggested over the weekend that Barack Obama might fare better with
Indiana voters if Obama werenâ??t from Illinois.
Indiana folks think of Illinois â??as the land of hoods and thugs,â?? Brown said. Illinois people…
Indiana’s business community is divided in its support during this presidential election. Many Republicans are disenchanted,
which has contributed to slow contributions to their candidate, Arizona Sen. John McCain. But those looking to support Democrats
are torn this year, as the fierce competition between Clinton and Obama has made Indiana’s normally sleepy May primary a battleground.
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama suggested to voters before the Ohio primary election early this month that
the North American Free Trade Agreement should be renegotiated because Rust Belt workers are getting a raw
deal.
The extent to which Clinton and…
Gov. Mitch Daniels is set to sign the property tax legislation tomorrow.
Daniels got most of what he proposed last fall. Homeowners get a tax cut, future bills will be capped and
the sales tax rises to compensate.
Are you happy with…
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is dropping in on Indianapolis this Saturday for a campaign stop.
Will Obama or Hillary do better in Indiana?
