-Would Todd Rokita be doing all those radio commercials warning consumers about fraud if he wasn’t planning to run for governor?

-Would Becky Skillman be doing the housing commercials if she didn’t have designs on 2012?

-Best rumor at the Statehouse:  Lawmakers will adjourn for the year in 2010 by Valentine’s Day to permit more time for campaigning in a pivotal year.  (It happened in 1992 but seems unlikely with the current budget issues.)

-Second best rumor at the Statehouse:  Lawmakers will meet for Organization Day on November 17th and adjourn Sine Die with no session in 2010.  (Fat chance.)

I emceed the annual (117th) Beefsteak Dinner at the Columbia Club tonight where Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and Lilly CEO John Lechleiter were among the honorees.

Lechleiter gave brief remarks and got a laugh when he said that he expected a special evening but then said that the dinner was “the highlight of my week.”  He said that despite the major cutbacks announced this week, Lilly has an “unwavering commitment” to Indianapolis.  He shared how he called the Mayor and the Lt. Governor on Sunday (the governor is in Japan) to give them advance notice of Monday’s major announcement.

It’s a slow time in Indiana politics but there’s lots bubbling below the surface.

-Will Republicans mount a serious challenge to Evan Bayh next year? 

-How many GOP candidates will test the waters?   (I’m better it’s more than the current 3.)

-Will Becky Skillman run for governor in 2012?  Will Mike Pence?

-Does a Pence candidacy trump all other Republicans?

-Will Greg Ballard run for re-election as mayor in 2011?

-How many Democrats will go to the post in 2011?

Feel free to add to the list of questions.

This week’s topics on Indiana Week in Review:

GOP Chairman Michael Steele in Indianapolis

Americans for Mitch (new website)

Prison changes

BMV changes

Young Republicans convention in Indianapolis

Becky Skillman’s remarks at the state GOP Dinner

Special Session facts:

-The budget conference committee in the General Assembly is meeting and hearing testimony.  That means that members are not engaged in negotiations. 

-Governor Mitch Daniels and Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman are on the road selling the GOP budget plan.  That means they are not engaged in negotiations.

-Republicans stand by a 2-year spending plan, Democrats stand by a 1-year proposal.  

-In many significant ways the standoff has not changed since late April.

-Time is running out.

-The one good sign is that there is an increase in tension between the Parties today.  The old Statehouse bromide is that you need a blowup before you can reach a compromise.  Maybe one is building.

Trevor Foughty is the new spokesperson for the Indiana Republican Party.

He leaves the staff of state School Superintendent Tony Bennett next week to take the new post.  The GOP has been doing without a fulltime spokesperson since Jay Kenworthy moved to Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman’s staff last year.

There’s a jobs announcement in Evansville today.   Sharing the stage will be Republican Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and Democratic Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel.

What are the odds that they will be the nominees in the next race for governor?

The governor had company today when he went barefoot during a Statehouse news conference to promote the charity efforts of Samaritan’s Feet along with IUPUI Basketball Coach Ron Hunter.  Members of Mitch Daniel’s staff also went barefoot, and so did Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman (I barely noticed the nylons.) 

When asked about it, they each replied, “I’m on the team!” 

Press Secretary Jane Jankowski wore shoes, saying, “I don’t go barefoot even in my own home.”

President George W. Bush pardons a turkey today in an announcement delayed by the Barack Obama news conference (first delay.)  

Meantime, the annual donation of turkey and other frozen poultry products given to the Indiana governor and lieutenant governor by the Indiana Poultry Association takes place next Tuesday (second delay.)

No, Sarah Palin’s public execution of a turkey didn’t force a change in routine.  Lt. Governor Becky Skillman is on vacation and the Thanksgiving week tradition requires her attendance.

I’m on a little vacation and that means I turned down an opportunity to take part in the State Fair debate between Lieutenant Governor candidates Dennie Oxley and Becky Skillman.  It is an unfortunate circumstance.

Four years ago I was able to pose what may be my best debate question ever at that event.  It was prompted by onetime candidate for governor Joe Andrew who, at a press conference, made reference to some “Heffords.”  I asked if he meant to say heifers or Herefords and he insisted that he meant what he said.

That led me to quiz then-Lieutenant Governor (and agriculture commissioner) Kathy Davis about the matter at the 2004 debate:  “What is the difference between a heifer and a Hereford?”

She answered that “heifer” refers to gender and that “Hereford” refers to breed.  Close enough.

I wonder if Dennie Oxley knows that.