Former state Representative and former Lt. Governor candidate Dennie Oxley was at the Statehouse today to watch his father, Dennie Oxley, take the oath of office as state Representative in the seat he (Dennie the former) gave up.

Asked about Republican rumors that Dennie (the latter) will step down so that Dennie (the former) can return to the General Assembly, he said, “That’ won’t happen.”

Asked about rumors that he will become a member of the House Democratic staff, Dennie (the former) said he was just there to witness Dennie (the latter) take office.

Name Identification or Name Recognition, if you prefer, is a precious commodity for any politician.  That’s why MItch Daniels created the My Man Mitch label five years ago.

So, is it a problem if Congressman Mark Souder is called “Mike” in attack mailers from the Democrats?

I know its a problem when an AFL-CIO operative calls me about an event featuring Lt. Governor candidate Dennie Oxley and calls him “Dennis.”  That’s not his name.

Lieutenant Governor candidate Dennie Oxley got the privilege of announcing Indiana’s vote in the Roll Call of States last night but the behind-the-scenes activity was much more interesting than Oxley’s actual presentation.

Oxley prepared a written speech.  Then Indiana was told that Illinois (just before Indiana) would be the last state to make a presentation, because Illinois would yield to New York which would put Barack Obama over the top.  Protests ensued, vigorous protests. 

About a minute before the moment of truth, Indiana got the word that it was back on.  By then Oxley had discarded his speech.  After a brief search he decided to ad lib the whole thing.

The Indiana Delegation breakfast at the Democratic National Convention this morning was a light-hearted affair.

Congressman Brad Ellsworth told a story of how, when he made his first speech on the floor of Congress, he misspoke saying, “I want to spank the Congressman from Minnesota.”  He says that sort of thing doesn’t go over well in Indiana.

Andre Carson told delegates to call him if they have problems.  He said, “I have a 21 month old so don’t call after 8.  But call me.”

Finally, Lieutenant Governor candidate Dennie Oxley went after Governor Mitch Daniels.  “When he comes to southern Indiana, he talks like me,” said Oxley.  “That accent comes and goes.  Mine stays the same.”

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.

With all the flap about Barack Obama wearing a flag pin or not wearing a flag pin on his lapel, Jill Long Thompson sports a lapel pin that needs some explanation. 

It reads WOS which is short for Women of Steel.  It comes from the Steelworkers Union, one of her biggest support groups.   Long Thompson says she draws inspiration from it and believes all women are women of steel.

Meantime, while Republican blogs accuse her running mate, Dennie Oxley, of being unemployed, Oxley reports that he has a new part-time job.  Its a public relations position with Certified Engineering.

With the news that Dennie Oxley has replaced Dennie Oxley II as the Democratic candidate for state representative in District 73, let me take the opportunity to answer your questions about the names involved.*

Dennie Oxley, the new legislative candidate, is not named Dennis because he has an older brother Donald.  Donald is known as “Donnie” and his parents didn’t like it when people called him “Donald.”  They wanted sons named “Donnie” and “Dennie.”  Therefore, when Dennie was born, naming him Dennis was out of the question.

Dennie Oxley II, the candidate for Lieutenant Governor, is not named Dennie Oxley, Junior because his parents didn’t want him called “Junior.”  Just as the generation before, they wanted him referred to as “Dennie.”  He seldom uses the “II” designation choosing to simply go by Dennie Oxley. 

*(Information supplied by Dennie Oxley II.)

Jill Long Thompson sightings are few and far between in the time since her May primary win.  She is successfully completing the compulsories with the selection of Dennie Oxley as a running mate and a controversy free state convention.

But freestyle campaigning is on hold.  No policy announcements, no partisan attacks, no television commercials.

Both Oxley and Thompson are focused on fundraising in the effort to make a good showing on campaign finance reports due June 30th.  That’s when we get a good read on strength of her campaign.  Evan Bayh takes part in a big fundraiser for the Democratic candidate for governor tomorrow. 

Thompson spokesman Jeff Harris says it will be July before we witness much public campaign activity.  On the day after Thompson’s primary defeat of Jim Schellinger I said in this space that she had no time to celebrate.  This is what I was talking about.

Jill Long Thompson’s running mate decision is made. 

Jeff Harris, the press secretary for the Democratic candidate for governor says “We’ve got our guy.”   But, he says, only three people know and the campaign hopes to keep the selection secret for a week or so.

That’s a real test of will for at least three people and you know that number will grow.

I say keep your eyes on state Representative Dennie Oxley of English.