TERRE HAUTE —
Come January, for the first time in eight years, someone besides Mitch Daniels will occupy the governor’s office. It will be a challenge for Daniels’ successor. No matter who wins the Nov. 6 election, the next governor faces a daunting assignment. Like him or not — and many people still do — Daniels’ leadership legacy and long list of accomplishments will go down as bold, visionary and significant.
It won’t be fun for the next governor being compared with Daniels. And it’s unlikely either Republican Mike Pence or Democrat John Gregg will completely measure up, at least not in the eyes of most Hoosiers. They are different people with different ideas. And that’s a good thing. The Statehouse could use some new blood, and these two men are both qualified for the job.
Deciding which would be the better choice, and which man gets our endorsement, is an extremely close call. It’s as close to a toss-up as we’ve encountered in recent elections. But we’re coming down ever so slightly on the side of Pence. His Roadmap for Indiana plan, while lacking in specifics, is reasonable and in line with where this state needs to devote its energy and attention. If he stays on course and resists veering off on divisive social issues, we believe he can have a successful stint as governor.
The reason this is such as a close call is because Gregg is equally qualified and a longtime friend of western Indiana. As a Knox County resident, Gregg served for 16 years as a state legislator representing portions of Sullivan, Greene and Vigo counties in the General Assembly. He rose in the ranks of leadership in the House of Representatives, and he eventually served six years as Speaker of the House before retiring, at least for a while, from politics.
Gregg’s experienced and steady hand offers Hoosiers a strong alternative for statehouse leadership, but his prolonged absence from the political scene diminished his leadership edge and name recognition, and his candidacy was slow to develop a serious campaign. His sense of humor and “aw shucks” approach to the race only went so far, and when he finally sharpened his message and began to take on Pence in a more aggressive fashion, his attacks seemed shrill, even petty.
Meanwhile, Pence enjoyed big leads in the polls from the start and was able to project an image of himself far softer than that of the partisan attack dog that came through during his recent years as a Republican Party leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. The longtime congressman was able to craft a serious campaign message and present it without vestiges of partisan rancor. His Roadmap for Indiana lists six goals that build on the Daniels’ agenda: increase private sector employment, build on strengths by investing in them; enhance the quality of the workforce; improve math and reading skills in young learners; raise graduation rates; and improve the health and well-being of Hoosier families.
The devil, they say, is in the details. But we like the Roadmap, and we’ll be anxious to see concrete ways Pence plans to advance his agenda.
Our endorsement of Pence comes with reservations, and our support could quickly diminish if as governor he allows his agenda to drift into social issues and he pursues an extremist agenda. Indiana does not need that. It has suffered through enough divisive political battles and should not be allowed to become a lab experiment for radical conservative causes.
We would trust either of these candidates with the keys to governor’s office, but we give slight edge to Pence over Gregg.
Opinion
EDITORIAL: Governor’s race closest call of all
Both candidates highly qualified to lead state
- Opinion
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EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
It’s not a lot of money in the big scheme of things, but the $2 million designated in the recent session of the General Assembly will begin the messy but necessary process of cleaning up Indiana’s voter registration rolls.
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READERS' FORUM: May 22, 2013
Rich history all along the river
Great work by Duke employees
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RONN MOTT: Rabid Republicans
The so-called news people at Fox News can hardly sit still long enough to report on the latest gossip or untruth about our sitting President. They can hardly contain themselves.
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READERS’ FORUM: May 21, 2013
• Great response to annual golf outing
• Doing your part on climate change
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LIZ CIANCONE: Smell of fresh air gave way to dryers
Remember when clean clothes smelled like fresh air and sunshine rather than fabric softener and dryer sheets?
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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.
- More Opinion Headlines
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EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
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Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
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Today in History May 22
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
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Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
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Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
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Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
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Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
