Race for Indiana Governor gets Renewed Attention

[CMT]

Hoosiers are beginning to face the reality that popular Gov. Frank L. O'Bannon, felled, by a massive stroke this week, may not be able to continue in office. Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan has assumed the governor's duties and may continue in power through the end of O' Bannon's term next year...

O'Bannon is term limited, and Kernan had said he was not going to run. After 15 years of Democratic control, Republicans were betting they had their best chance yet at regaining power...

But, now, some Hoosier Democrats want Kernan to consider running after all. He would, in effect, be the incumbent and may have broader appeal than the other two Democrats now in the race...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62534-2003Sep11.html

[diamondsoul]

1. Heh! They need to sic Mrs. O'Bannon on Kernan!

That lady could sell a deep freezer to an Eskimo!

Seriously, though, I hadn't even thought about the Gov.s race yet. Too busy worrying about whether O'Bannon would survive. This is awful.

[goobergunch]

2. kick

:kick:

[valphoosier]

3. Gonna be a tough race

I just don't see us holding this seat. Not sure why, but I don't think it's in the cards. I sure HOPE we hold on, but Simpson and Andrew are fairly weak candidates and Bush's "My Man Mitch" is going to tie himself to the President (who is very popular in this state despite demographics that suggest he should not be) every chance he gets.
Our only hope, probably, is to nominate Andrew (which will bring Bren Simon's $$$ to the general election) and tie Daniels to the federal deficit and recession (ala Ben Chandler).
Or, we can just hope the Republicans are crazy enough to nominate Eric Miller (let's hope for a big evangelican turnout...) :-)

[CMT]

6. apparently the Lt. Gov, now the Governor, since O'Bannon

died is a popular man in the state. He might change his mind and run next year which, if his administration is a success, could keep the Indiana governorship democratic. Still, it is too early to say.

[valphoosier]

4. Also...

I have to take a slight point of contention with the original post. I would not have described O'Bannon as "popular" (pre-stroke that is). His recent approvals have been VERY low.

[diamondsoul]

5. O'Bannon was nowhere near perfect, but

he was a good man. We have to get another like him in office.

[diamondsoul]

7. I suspect that's a result of the economic mess

Bush has caused. Indiana has been hit pretty hard with companies closing or going under, and we're a factory driven State, imo. If the factories close we're all screwed.

As I recall O'Bannon tried to do a couple of things to jog Indiana economy last year but was unsuccessful.

Judy O'Bannon was amazing yesterday. I have no idea how she managed to stay composed for that so soon after his passing.