This is a great blog! It is written by Jennifer Wagner a law student and employee of the State Dem Party (communications or political director?) but she writes is on her own--not as a party official. She is pretty witty and always on top of things. (She must have some great connections on both sides of the aisle) I like it that she makes no pretense of being unbiased or non-partisan. You want conservative, right wing rhetoric, read another blog. Althouth it is heavily skewed to Indy politics, it is still always worth checking out..she gets stuff from all over the state, sometimes before the mainstream media. As for the Kelty news..well, that speaks for itself, I think. Should be interesting to watch.
TDW is an interesting blog, but if you're not a state employee and a card carrying democrat don't bother commenting, they're not exactly tolerant of opposing views.
Wow. This is very interesting thought. First of all, the loan proceeds would NOT be income to Matt Kelty. HOWEVER, if indeed, the campaign proceeds are used to retire the Kelty personal note, it might be argued that it then becomes income to Kelty.
The GOP certainly wants Kelty off the ballot. This was their best card to play to make it happen. I don't think Kelty is willing to roll over--yet. But the GOP is determined and may convince him while there is still time. (There was a reason the GOP pressured him to come clean now, there is still time for him to withdraw) Anyone laying odds on who will get the nod if Kelty steps down? Kelty was wrong, wrong, wrong..but this is also a demonstration of what happens when you cross the good ole boys and girls at the GOP! If Kelty steps down in hopes he can avoid punishment I will be watching Madame Prosecutor to be sure she does her job-Even the GOP doesn't get to dangle a plea bargain to exact a spot on the November ticket.
As much as the 'power' Republicans want Kelty out, Tom Henry must be grinning from ear to ear over this. If Kelty stays on the ballot, many rank and file Republicans will vote for Henry because of how this whole mess smells. If he's off the ballot, there's a good possibility the Kelty die hards will either stay home on election day or vote for Henry to spite the Republican power structre. Since abortion is irrelevant at the local level, the pro-life crowd could turn the tide in favor of Henry. Ohhhh to see some polling data.......
I think you insinuate that Kelty's withdrawn support was a calculated move by the GOP. How utterly ridiculous. Kelty asked for money from some people who wanted an answer (an honest one) on where that loan came from. When the answer was not forth-coming, they decided to investigate in the hope of saving face for the Republican party. Why on earth would they wait for the Democrats to bust Kelty after it was too late to get someone else in there? It was the only move they could make. Honest and smart.
The GOP would be in much better shape in the fall if they can dump Kelty now. By Sept it would be too late so I think it is a calculated move by the republican establishment.
10:16: Yes, that is one way of looking at it. A 'bury my head in the sand' way of looking at it, but still... I think you are partially correct, 10:16..but if you don't think they did it this particular manner hoping to get Kelty to withdraw you are so wrong. I do think they have seen the democrats dig deep into these issues and wanted to uncover this before Knuth did. BUT, I also know that had this been a GOP-backed candidate they would have 'spun' it much different and the party would have rallied around this as a 'mistake'...INSTEAD the GOP is trying to convince Kelty to get off the ballot even before the rulings from the county come through. They want the mayor's office badly--and know Kelty isn't going to deliver it. So, yes, they think they have found a way around it. (they can spin the story anyway they want to, but they knew about the problems early on...if you suspect campaign finance violations you speak out when it comes to your attention NOT when it is most advantageous to your party IF your motives are clear.)
That last post is ridiculous. If the GOP wanted to get rid of Kelty, don't you think they would have "exposed" him during the primary. It makes no sense to wait until Kelty wins and then have to run a caucas to get a replacement. The fact is, NO-ONE knows what the hell is going on yet. Is Kelty guilty? There is no verdict yet.
They were so sure they were getting to have Nelson in the office, they would not have to worry about the sign issue or any questions they had! But they did not get their wish, and now they are causing problems with Matt! Unfortunately, I am a FIGHTER that SUPPORTS MATT! Steve and his buddies better get ready for a long summer!
Guess who voted in the GOP Primary, So I'm now a Republican again! Chance favors the prepared mind? I'm now the "Hail-Mary"( holy christ!)3rd string walk-on Punt Receiver! OHH the IRONY!! Caucus Roach in for Mayor. Its a sure bet it wont be Steve Shine in'09. hey- Kelty shot himself in the foot. now he should "do the right thing", and take the bullet for the good of the party..
1:27: Honestly you have to start thinking just a BIT below the surface. What planet are you from that you don't think the GOP wanted and wants to get rid of Kelty? Did you not follow any of the Primary?? Try to follow: They SHOULD have "exposed" (as you put it) Kelty in the Primary because it was the right thing to do. But their goal was not to do the right thing. So by keeping quiet they did not need to 'expose' one MORE instance of GOP wrongdoing (you do remember the plethora of others, right?) They never, ever thought that Kelty would WIN! (Do you think so many of the power hitters would have posed for that Peters endorsement photo if they thought they were putting themselves at odds with the eventual Primary winner?) So, after he did win this was the best shot they had at Kelty. Bottom Line: NOT 'exposing him during the Primay was in the self interest of the GOP. Exposing him now is in the best interest of the GOP. As a bonus, those GOP leaders who were never going to align themselves with Kelty in the first place now have a public reason not to get behind him. They MEANT that pledge of unity when they took it...but NOW....so sorry, Matt. If Matt bucks the GOP and does not remove himself from the ballot you will see precious few GOP elected officials at his side. And you are right, no one knows if Kelty is "guilty"..at least of Campaing Finance Fraud. But there is not doubt he is guilt of poor judgement and lying and so much more that may not be illegal but certainly are not right.
17 comments:
This is a great blog! It is written by Jennifer Wagner a law student and employee of the State Dem Party (communications or political director?) but she writes is on her own--not as a party official. She is pretty witty and always on top of things. (She must have some great connections on both sides of the aisle)
I like it that she makes no pretense of being unbiased or non-partisan. You want conservative, right wing rhetoric, read another blog. Althouth it is heavily skewed to Indy politics, it is still always worth checking out..she gets stuff from all over the state, sometimes before the mainstream media.
As for the Kelty news..well, that speaks for itself, I think. Should be interesting to watch.
You people amaze me with your high-school high-jinks. Get over it already!
TDW is an interesting blog, but if you're not a state employee and a card carrying democrat don't bother commenting, they're not exactly tolerant of opposing views.
Wow. This is very interesting thought. First of all, the loan proceeds would NOT be income to Matt Kelty. HOWEVER, if indeed, the campaign proceeds are used to retire the Kelty personal note, it might be argued that it then becomes income to Kelty.
If Kelty retires his personal Rost note with campaign contributions, it definitely could be construed as $150,000 of income to Kelty personally.
I was at a Soccer game tonight and everybody in the stands was talking about this and it was not favorable for Kelty.
The GOP certainly wants Kelty off the ballot. This was their best card to play to make it happen. I don't think Kelty is willing to roll over--yet. But the GOP is determined and may convince him while there is still time. (There was a reason the GOP pressured him to come clean now, there is still time for him to withdraw)
Anyone laying odds on who will get the nod if Kelty steps down? Kelty was wrong, wrong, wrong..but this is also a demonstration of what happens when you cross the good ole boys and girls at the GOP!
If Kelty steps down in hopes he can avoid punishment I will be watching Madame Prosecutor to be sure she does her job-Even the GOP doesn't get to dangle a plea bargain to exact a spot on the November ticket.
It does not help Kelty, that apparently Karen Richards is not very fond of Mr. Kelty or his methods
I'm sure that Richards would refer any criminal action to a special prosecutor from another county.
As much as the 'power' Republicans want Kelty out, Tom Henry must be grinning from ear to ear over this. If Kelty stays on the ballot, many rank and file Republicans will vote for Henry because of how this whole mess smells. If he's off the ballot, there's a good possibility the Kelty die hards will either stay home on election day or vote for Henry to spite the Republican power structre. Since abortion is irrelevant at the local level, the pro-life crowd could turn the tide in favor of Henry. Ohhhh to see some polling data.......
To tfw,
I think you insinuate that Kelty's withdrawn support was a calculated move by the GOP. How utterly ridiculous. Kelty asked for money from some people who wanted an answer (an honest one) on where that loan came from. When the answer was not forth-coming, they decided to investigate in the hope of saving face for the Republican party. Why on earth would they wait for the Democrats to bust Kelty after it was too late to get someone else in there? It was the only move they could make. Honest and smart.
The GOP would be in much better shape in the fall if they can dump Kelty now. By Sept it would be too late so I think it is a calculated move by the republican establishment.
10:16: Yes, that is one way of looking at it. A 'bury my head in the sand' way of looking at it, but still...
I think you are partially correct, 10:16..but if you don't think they did it this particular manner hoping to get Kelty to withdraw you are so wrong. I do think they have seen the democrats dig deep into these issues and wanted to uncover this before Knuth did. BUT, I also know that had this been a GOP-backed candidate they would have 'spun' it much different and the party would have rallied around this as a 'mistake'...INSTEAD the GOP is trying to convince Kelty to get off the ballot even before the rulings from the county come through. They want the mayor's office badly--and know Kelty isn't going to deliver it. So, yes, they think they have found a way around it. (they can spin the story anyway they want to, but they knew about the problems early on...if you suspect campaign finance violations you speak out when it comes to your attention NOT when it is most advantageous to your party IF your motives are clear.)
That last post is ridiculous. If the GOP wanted to get rid of Kelty, don't you think they would have "exposed" him during the primary. It makes no sense to wait until Kelty wins and then have to run a caucas to get a replacement. The fact is, NO-ONE knows what the hell is going on yet. Is Kelty guilty? There is no verdict yet.
They were so sure they were getting to have Nelson in the office, they would not have to worry about the sign issue or any questions they had! But they did not get their wish, and now they are causing problems with Matt! Unfortunately, I am a FIGHTER that SUPPORTS MATT! Steve and his buddies better get ready for a long summer!
Guess who voted in the GOP Primary, So I'm now a Republican again!
Chance favors the prepared mind?
I'm now the "Hail-Mary"( holy christ!)3rd string walk-on Punt Receiver! OHH the IRONY!!
Caucus Roach in for Mayor.
Its a sure bet it wont be Steve Shine in'09.
hey- Kelty shot himself in the foot. now he should "do the right thing", and take the bullet for the good of the party..
1:27: Honestly you have to start thinking just a BIT below the surface. What planet are you from that you don't think the GOP wanted and wants to get rid of Kelty? Did you not follow any of the Primary??
Try to follow: They SHOULD have "exposed" (as you put it) Kelty in the Primary because it was the right thing to do.
But their goal was not to do the right thing. So by keeping quiet they did not need to 'expose' one MORE instance of GOP wrongdoing (you do remember the plethora of others, right?) They never, ever thought that Kelty would WIN! (Do you think so many of the power hitters would have posed for that Peters endorsement photo if they thought they were putting themselves at odds with the eventual Primary winner?) So, after he did win this was the best shot they had at Kelty.
Bottom Line: NOT 'exposing him during the Primay was in the self interest of the GOP. Exposing him now is in the best interest of the GOP.
As a bonus, those GOP leaders who were never going to align themselves with Kelty in the first place now have a public reason not to get behind him. They MEANT that pledge of unity when they took it...but NOW....so sorry, Matt. If Matt bucks the GOP and does not remove himself from the ballot you will see precious few GOP elected officials at his side.
And you are right, no one knows if Kelty is "guilty"..at least of Campaing Finance Fraud. But there is not doubt he is guilt of poor judgement and lying and so much more that may not be illegal but certainly are not right.
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