The Statehouse hallways buzzed today with talk about Presidential politics.  Almost every conversation was about the Super Bowl or Super Tuesday.  I’m sure that was the case all over Indiana.

Yet while much of the country will take part in Super Tuesday tomorrow, Indiana voters sit on the sidelines with no prospect for change. 

Governor Daniels says he has an idea for getting Indiana on the national electoral map, but its not ripe yet.  Secretary of State Todd Rokita wants rotating regional primaries agreed to on a national level.  Why would Iowa or New Hampshire play along?

Rep. Brian Bosma thinks we should get involved but isn’t sure how.  He points out that Indiana’s May primary was once at the head of the pack.  Rep. Pat Bauer thinks the feds should change things.  Republican and Democratic party leaders don’t want to pay for caucuses, apparently, and taxpayers don’t want to pay for a second primary.  At least that’s what lawmakers hear.

What if Evan Bayh or some other Indiana politician was running for President?  There’s no help here until it may be too late.

Why won’t somebody do something?

If we can host the Super Bowl as civic leadrs think, we should be able to take part in Super Tuesday. 

A couple of Indiana politicians found that New Year’s is a good time to change supporting casts.

House Speaker Pat Bauer changed his Chief of Staff.  Pete Nemeth is out, Pat Cunningham is in.  Its a move that apparently was Nemeth’s call but it took other staffers by surprise, especially since it comes in the days leading up to the 2008 session.  J.D. Lux, session help in the past, comes on board full-time.

Then there’s Jim Schellinger.  The 2008 candidate for governor, has a vacancy for campaign manager.   Mike Edmondson, long rumored to be on the way out, is now labeled an advisor but, according to a campaign spokesman, is “looking for other opportunities.”

The campaign says that, despite rumors and the additional departure of staffer Joel Miller, there is no shakeup.  Repeat, there is no shakeup.

State Representative Dave Crooks (D-Washington) gushes about his new radio program on WAMW in southern Indiana.  The 60 minute Saturday morning show is devoted to Indiana politics.

Last week’s guest was Governor Mitch Daniels.  Crooks says a friend listening in thought the two of them sounded like fishing buddies.  This week’s guest is House Speaker Pat Bauer.   (Crooks may want to save a favor or two for the campaign season.)

The show has a catchy name.  Its the Dave Crooks show.  You can listen to live or archived shows at davecrooks.com.   I don’t know if he needs all that name ID since he’s not running for re-election, but if I help him here I might just get a guest gig of my own.