In the Agora: Indiana's Bloody 8th

« Pick Two | Main | End of the Spear is beautiful, stirring »

January 31, 2006

Indiana's Bloody 8th

The Evansville Courier and Press's headline article today reads, "Ellsworth to test Hostettler: Sheriff joins race for 8th District congressman." Indiana's 8th Congressional district, typically one of the most competitive in the country, will once again see a "bloody" battle between two formidable contenders. The young, attractive Brad Ellsworth has as good of a shot as anyone to unseat John Hostettler, the district's strong social conservative.

But if Ellsworth's coming out party is any indication of his campaign to follow, Hostettler may hold on to his job for at least two more years. The C&P reports Ellsworth "did not mention Hostettler by name but repeatedly hammered home the message that lobbyists and special interests have co-opted Congress and that he will fight them if elected." Ellsworth's message then is the one chartered by the national Democratic party - influence peddling in Congress must stop. "We can pass all the new laws we want, but until we replace the people committed to breaking them, we'll never have real reform," he said.

But in Hostettler's district such charges should ring hollow. Hostettler doesn't accept political action committee money and doesn't play the fundraising game like others. Indeed, Hostettler is often out spent and underfunded, yet always comes out on top. Ellsworth's inplicit attacks just don't stick. As Indiana political guru and ITA friend Brian Howey noted, "Hostettler, who has not been linked to Abramoff, may have the only kind of political organization that can withstand a Democratic tide - issues-oriented true believers who will work tirelessly for their candidate and who will mount a sophisticated get-out-the-vote campaign."

Without ethics charges what will Ellsworth rely on? His website trumpets a call for tougher immigration reform, an issue Hostettler has already championed. Ultimately Ellsworth will have to rely on his strongest assets - an attractive face, a fresh perspective, and a controversy-free tenure. Hostettler has won the battle of issues in Indiana's 8th and firmly stands in the winning corner. For Ellsworth to win he will need to appear sane, sensible, and dashingly fresh, all while making sure his smiling face is seen by every woman voter.

Posted by Joshua Claybourn at January 31, 2006 11:49 AM

Comments

I find it a bit amussing that Ellsworth's daughter not only publicly admits her underage drinking to the world through her facebook profile, but also Facebook me! but also in many pictures on her online photo album, http://community.webshots.com/user/iuandrea

So much for the good old town sheriff keeping those youngin's from breaking the law...

Posted by: Anonymous at January 31, 2006 01:47 PM | permalink

Before people get too high and mighty, Gov. Daniels' daughter Maggie's Facebook profile shows her to be a member of groups such as:

"Blondes Tease.... Brunettes Please!"
"Beer Chicks"
"Cathedral Drinking Club (IU Chapter)"

And of course, there are plenty of pictures of her drinking. She's not 21, heh.

Posted by: Nick Blesch at January 31, 2006 02:08 PM | permalink

That's gold!

Posted by: Anonymous at January 31, 2006 02:19 PM | permalink

Don't be stupid. These are children. Yes they're over 18, but they are not mature enough to be considered adults, if they were there woudldn't be a law that kept them from drinking. They are not the ones running for public office. Their fathers are. I'm so sick of people that are so self-rightous that they attack children.

Posted by: Paul Coomer at March 12, 2006 05:33 PM | permalink

Sorry I got on my own soap box and made a comment, with no reference to the article. I must say that I have to agree with Claybourn. I was a Hostettler supporter, as a matter of fact I would say that I was avid. However, Hostettler's record is a little over the top for my taste, and I'm thinking that Ellsworth might be a good choice for this Christian Evangelical, that is socially conservative and economically moderate. Hostettler, as a core of supporters who have drank the Kool Aide, and he'll be hard to beat, even on a Democratic Tide. However if Ellsworth can make a distiction on "shares my values" I think this is definately a winable election for him.

Posted by: Paul Coomer at March 12, 2006 05:42 PM | permalink

I think even the religious fanatics of IN-08, by far Hostettler's strongest support group, might be getting fed up with the poor economic management of the GOP. Whether or not these Bible thumpers will set their pride aside and cast a rational vote that places issues that affect all citizens everyday at the top of their priorities is another matter. Perhaps they may continue to vote for an obviously lunatic representative and resort to attacking Ellsworth's daughter. The point is, regardless of whose side the religious fanatics of southwestern Indiana lie on, the majority of the population is intelligent enough to realize when a change is needed. Ellsworth has proven to be an effective leader, and his moderate tastes will suit the political stance of most Hoosiers quite nicely.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 18, 2006 03:28 AM | permalink

Ellsworth's daughter likes to throw back a few? Ellsworth should be running for PRESIDENT!

Posted by: Expat 8th at April 19, 2006 07:04 AM | permalink