The Marion County Democrats want to blame Mayor Greg Ballard for problems in IMPD and that’s to be expected.

The recent arrests of officers for selling guns, prostitution, and other crimes could well become a political problem for the Mayor.  But don’t you think he could spin this whole thing his way?

Anecdotal reports indicate higher morale in the police department and most of these problems were identified from within.  A good politician would take credit for locating and solving problems.  Greg Ballard, on the other hand, intially avoided comment after the most recent arrests (which included a policy advisor in the last administration.)

In politics, perception can be reality.  The Democrats know that.  Who is standing up for Ballard?

Its time for some quick political analysis on what winning the 2012 Super Bowl bid means.

Mayor Greg Ballard can take credit for winning a bid where Bart Peterson failed, and because the game comes after the next election, he can run on it in 2011 without knowing if its a success or a failure.

Bart Peterson can still come back and run while taking credit for laying the groundwork for a bid and starting the work on a new stadium.

Mark Miles may want to run for public office.  First the 1987 Pan Am games, and now this, is he a lucky charm, or what? 

Incumbents on the City County Council and the state legislature will stumble over each other taking credit.  Who’s against the new stadium now?

The latest evidence that Isaac Randolph over-stayed his welcome in city government comes from Governor Mitch Daniels.

Daniels appointed Randolph to take over his Office of Faith Based Initiatives in an announcement released today.  He replaces Paula Parker-Sawyers who moves to Washington.  It means that Randolph’s career as a firefighter is over and he is gone from the Ballard Administration after a failed attempt to win a position in the Mayor’s office.

You can also be sure that Randolph’s frequent appearances on local radio talk shows will be curtailed.  Or, can you name another state agency head in the Daniels Administration who spouts political views in the media on a regular basis?

The first fallout from Mayor Greg Ballard’s Ways and Means testimony hit this afternoon and its not good for Ballard. 

Ballard requested passage of Senate Bill 280, a measure aimed at fire department consolidation in Marion County.  He said that if more consolidation takes place, that would make it easier to eliminate township trustees who oversee fire departments now.

Ways and Means Chairman Bill Crawford says that, by mentioning the trustees, Ballard politicized the issue.  Crawford won’t give the bill a hearing now.  Instead, he says he will wait to consider the Kernan/Shepard Commission recommendations next year and look at government consolidation on a statewide basis.

According to Crawford Ballard’s testimony means no more special treatment for Marion County.

Look for Mayor Greg Ballard to name Nick Weber as a deputy Mayor as soon as tomorrow.

Weber is a former aide to Sen. Richard Lugar (both in Washington and Indianapolis) and Mayor Steve Goldsmith who currently works in economic development.  He has experience running a political campaign, working with policy issues, and the media.

Weber is another strong choice for an administration that had few ready options during the transition.

• Brian Bosma taking Greg Ballard in to see House Speaker Pat Bauer.  Ballard returned about a minute later, alone, saying the Speaker was polite.
• Greg Porter deflecting questions about a possible run for Congress in the 7th District.  “I have a Congresswoman,” said Porter.
• Carolene Mays deflecting the same question.
• A full gallery in the House with lots of auto workers, motorcyclists and Farm Bureau members in attendance.
• A new refrigerator holding soft drinks for House Members complete with a sign telling staffers to stay away.
• Farm Bureau handing out clocks to lawmakers as a reminder that its time for property tax reform, supporters of the Hoosier Heartland highway handing out coffee cups.
• Bob Kuzman working as a lobbyist for the first time.