The political turmoil in Wisconsin over the past two years mirrors some political debates we have seen in Indiana. Republican-led governments in both states put larger restrictions on labor unions. In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker signed a law that limited the collective bargaining rights of public employees. In Indiana, Gov. Mitch Daniels signed a right-to-work bill that made it illegal for unions to mandate dues from members.
Walker took a huge risk and the unions largely funded an effort to recall him before he could even finish his second year in office. But the plan backfired, and other states are taking notice. Wisconsin Democrats viewed the recall election as a referendum on Walker’s politically motivated approach to union-busting. But Walker defeated his Democratic opponent by 8 percent in a state where polls show Barack Obama beating Mitt Romney by 6 percent.
What does all this mean for Indiana? It means the right-to-work debate is over — Democrats can’t win on it. If Walker had lost, Democrats could hold on to some hope that the labor issue could still resonate with voters. A recall victory for Democrats would have meant that Barack Obama could gain valuable political points by visiting Detroit, talking about the American auto industry “bailout” (a loan that was ultimately paid back with interest) and the hard work of the United Auto Workers. It also would have meant that Indiana’s gubernatorial hopeful John Gregg could galvanize the Democratic base by talking about his opposition to right-to-work.
But that is not going to happen. The tables have turned on labor unions, at least for now. With Walker’s victory, Romney can comfortably talk about teacher unions blocking vital education reforms to the nation’s youth (a statement he made to the Latino Coalition in Washington, D.C.) and Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence can talk about Indiana’s right-to-work legislation as a “victory for economic freedom and Hoosier workers” with little fear of moderate voters retaliating. While unions are not dead, and they will continue to be a funding force for Democrats, the populist message of protecting unions against big business is dead for now. Big business is the job creator for 2012.
So what can Democrats get voters excited about? With economic numbers not being as strong as the nation would hope, and the blame being targeted on Obama, do Democrats have any issue advantages for 2012?
It’s tough in Indiana’s current conservative political environment, but Gregg and U.S. Senate candidate Joe Donnelly will undoubtedly increase their victory chances if they run on women’s issues. It’s difficult for male candidates in their upper 50s to speak eloquently on women’s issues, but their biggest opportunity for electoral gains is with this key group of voters.
On the national stage, congressional Democrats have been coining the term “war on women” and accusing Republicans of blocking measures to benefit women. Just this week, Senate Republicans blocked a vote that would help ensure women were given equal pay for equal work.
In Indiana, Republicans’ effort to block Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood has the opportunity to only add to the “war on women” hitting closer to home. Congressman Pence was the chief House sponsor of a failed attempt to ban federal funding for Planned Parenthood in 2011. Gregg and Donnelly should take notice. While their connections with labor may not work in 2012, an even larger electoral force is potentially there to save them.
— Matt Bergbower, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
of Political Science
Indiana State University
Opinion
FLASHPOINT: What Wisconsin’s recall election means for Indiana
- Opinion
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READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
The dangers of a little knowledge
Students enjoyed Rose study trip
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Mark Bennett: High-profile mural connects historical dots from city to river
At 96 feet wide and 2 stories tall, the power, impact and value of the Wabash will be evident.
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EDITORIAL: Waging the ‘readiness’ campaign
Almost every Hoosier who starts college intends to finish. Unfortunately, those who arrive on campus unprepared in key academic areas are far less likely to fulfill that aspiration.
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READERS' FORUM: May 19, 2013
• Flawed reasoning on gun checks
• A hint of things yet to come?
• Are the ‘makers’ doing the ‘taking’?
• The ‘Obamination’ is finally revealed
• Pondering effects of Obamacare
• Fantasizing on the ‘Apocalypse’
• Another view of Hinduism
• Great experience for HCMS students
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
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RONN MOTT: Mushrooms = Hoosier happiness
Someone wrote or said a few years ago a statement that would define the word “Hoosier.” According to this urban legend, a Hoosier is somebody dribbling a basketball around the Indy 500 while eating a fried, morel mushroom. It did not define me, at the time.
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EDITORIAL: Insult to an independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
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READERS' FORUM: May 17, 2013
Hinduism doesn’t deserve ridicule — Shefali Purohit, Terre Haute
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RONN MOTT: Israel’s Air Force
Recently the Israeli Air Force bombed and rocketed a convoy leaving Syria going to Lebanon with rockets that were going to be used to attack Israel. It did not get there. It was destroyed.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: Dashing finish for the Sycamores
It’s always thrilling to see Indiana State University’s athletic teams do well in high-level competition, and two specific teams rose to impressive heights last weekend in the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships.
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Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013
Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’
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Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013
Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
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RONN MOTT: Media merry-go-round
Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows. That isn’t a unique phrase to this writer or to this era in time. But, when it comes to the musical chairs of broadcasting, it certainly applies.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Courts see a different appearance than cops
Have you ever noticed the transformation between the arrest of an accused lawbreaker and the first appearance in court?
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READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013
ISTEP failure exposes flaws
Community hasn’t changed its spirit
Egregious threat to nation’s defense
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READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013
• Women’s group criticizes Bucshon
• Let’s hope this doesn’t come true
• Many get thanks for fest success
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MARK BENNETT: Life at face value: Mom’s simple advice still presents a valuable daily challenge
Most moms don’t base their advice on scientific research.
(Unless, of course, your mother is a scientific researcher. If so, carry a No. 2 pencil and take good notes.) -
EDITORIAL: Better monitoring needed to prevent local environmental messes
The nasty, hazardous messes lurking in the community raise a bottom-line, red-flag question. Could these environmental problems have been monitored and, thus, prevented?
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GUEST COLUMN: Nursing more than medicine and bandages
Being a nurse … Like most nurses, I chose this profession because I had a strong desire to help others and no other career would allow me the opportunity to touch lives the way I have been able to through nursing.
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READERS' FORUM: May 12, 2013
Vigo Youth Football, entering 45th year, seeks new support
Media ignoring important case on abortions
Proud to be old-fashioned
Guns in school? What’s next?
Promoting hate not a ‘brave’ act
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
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RONN MOTT: ‘Raccoons II’
In the Algonquin Indian language, raccoon means “working with hands.” They are really cute little fellows until they injure a child, or a pet, or leave feces around where you certainly do not want it.
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Readers’ Forum: May 11, 2013
I just wanted to express my disappointment at the lack of response shown by President Obama after the Boston Marathon bombings.
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Readers' Forum: May 10, 2013
CANDLES event plants new seed: On April 26, CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center hosted an event called “Sowing Seeds of Peace: A Celebration of Spring” at the Apple House. Our purpose was to introduce people to our concept of forgiveness as a seed for peace.
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RONN MOTT: ‘NRA Convention’
At the recent NRA Convention in Houston, Texas, where the right-wing political hot air almost lifted the convention's building off its foundation, the NRA trotted out the forever yours political dame of the right wing, Sarah Palin. Sarah did not disappoint.
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EDITORIAL: Memo to U.S.A.: You can ‘SPPRAK’ just as we do in Vigo County
Our kids, truly, are ‘Making a Difference’
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Some words in praise of boring government — Indiana’s
A conservative Republican governor has super majorities in both branches of the legislature. One might suspect such one-party government leads to major changes in public policy. This did not happen in 2013 in Indiana.
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EDITORIAL: Doc’s prescient prescription
Viewed through a 2013 prism, Doc Bowen’s response to the AIDS epidemic looks merely prudent, routine.
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RONN MOTT: ‘Heritage gone’
The last high school I attended was being torn down just a few days ago. I didn't learn about it until I saw classmate Dick Mills on television and a display he had put together about State football championships in the middle 1930's. I began elementary school with Dick Mills. That was Matthew South Elementary School on South Sixth Street in Clinton, Indiana. After seeing Dick on TV, it dawned on me that all schools I had attended in Clinton have been torn down.
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LIZ CIANCONE: We always want more than we need
Washington seems more preoccupied with the unemployment rate than they are about the constant stalemate. Still with thousands out of work and the unemployment rate hovering somewhere between 7 percent and 9 percent, it does deserve more than a passing nod.
- More Opinion Headlines
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READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Tornadoes Spotted in Kansas
Today in History for May 20th
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Obama Exhorts Good Deeds by Morehouse Graduates
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone"
Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt
Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
