November 3rd, 2008 at 3:47 pm by Jim Shella under Jim Shella's Political Blog
The McCain rally today is the last of a campaign year that produced more than 150 such rallies in Indiana, counting the primary season.
At one of the first of those, featuring Bill Clinton in Richmond, I spotted Republican state Representative Tom Saunders in search of an autograph on his copy of Clinton’s book. He tried to hide then.
Today Saunders is here at the airport trying to be seen in a McCain/Palin t-shirt. He is in search only of a memorable experience this time.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:48 pm by Jim Shella under Jim Shella's Political Blog
There’s word today that the Barack Obama campaign may take Indiana more seriously in November than have other recent Democratic candidates for President.
During the primary race Obama campaign manager David Plouffe was asked about the possibility of Indiana landing in the Democatic column for the first time since 1964 and he downplayed the chances. I am hearing things that indicate that attitude has changed.
If memory serves, the last Democrat to open a headquarters and hire a field staff here was Bill Clinton in 1992.
April 14th, 2008 at 11:00 am by Jim Shella under Jim Shella's Political Blog
Alternative fuels are all the rage this election season.
Bill Clinton talks about burning the “leavings” from any crop to make ethanol and envisions the construction of an ethanol plant every hundred miles or so.
Barack Obama talks about using switch grass. Its a perennial grass common in North America. George W. Bush mentioned it as a better source of energy than corn in a State of the Union Address.
This morning Rep. André Carson said, “We can take advantage of the switchblade grass ethanol movement,” while pressing for lower fuel prices.
My guess is he simply misspoke.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:35 am by Jim Shella under Jim Shella's Political Blog
Are Republicans watching the Democratic Presidential candidates stumping here with interest?
State Rep. Tom Saunders (R-Lewisville) is Exhibit A. Saunders appeared at the Bill Clinton rally in Richmond yesterday, not because he’s a Clinton supporter, but because he’s a political junkie.
Saunders brought his copy of Clinton’s book “My Life” seeking an autograph. He did attempt to appear incognito, wearing a hat.
That didn’t stop me from recognizing him from across the street as he arrived.
(By the way, Saunders got his autograph and more. ”Got a front row seat, got the meet the guy, it was a good day!”)
