The appointment today of former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack to become Agriculture Secretary puts an end to the speculation that Jill Long Thompson was in line for that job.

A 40-percent showing alongside and Obama win should have been enough to spike it sooner.

-Township officials turned out in force to begin the fight for their jobs.  The vote to do away with most assessors who were on the ballot is a bad omen for them. 

-Governor Mitch Daniels kept a relatively low profile, answering a few questions from reporters after revealing the new Benjamin Harrison bust, then retreating quickly to his office.

-Former Jill Long Thompson staffer Jason Tomcsi was in the hallway renewing contacts. 

-Union members who lost the chance to renew collective bargaining for state employees (when Long Thompson lost) gathered near the rotunda and talked up plans to organize hotel workers.

Here are my predictions (first presented on Indiana Week in Review but with further explanation here) for the 2008 Election in Indiana:

President: Leans Obama. This is still a Republican state and John McCain’s last minute visit may still make a difference but I think the Obama organization carries the day.

Governor: Mitch Daniels, hands down, double digits. Tune in to WISH-TV on Election night for details on the mistakes Jill Long Thompson made pursuing a Republican governor who should have been vulnerable in a Democratic year. (He hasn’t even been forced to run a negative ad!)

Attorney General: Greg Zoeller. Did I say it’s still a Republican state? Steve Carter helps Zoeller, so does Mitch Daniels and, while Linda Pence is a good candidate, she did too little TV to pull this off.

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tony Bennett. Republican.

Congress: Rep. Mark Souder is the most the vulnerable and sounds like a loser in TV interviews so let’s call him one. All of the other 8 incumbents hold on.

Indiana House of Representatives: Democrats hold control. Brian Bosma and the Republicans tried to sneak up on some old-timers including Bill Cochran, Bob Bishoff, and Dennis Avery. That tells me they need gains in places that aren’t readily apparent. Remember, though, if Daniels wins the Republicans need just 50 to win the Speaker’s chair. Democrats need 51.

Bonus Prediction: The referendum to do away with township assessors passes.

Canididates win elections but the people who do the behind the scenes work win my admiration.

Take, for example, the Obama staffer I encountered twice in the last week (I didn’t get his name) who says his last day off was June 20th.  That’s four months ago.

Or, Kate Bell. 

Kate is on Jill Long Thompson’s staff and recently delivered a baby boy.  Her attempts to avoid a Caesarian section, so she could return to work more quickly, failed.   The doctor insisted.  Nevertheless, she is back on the job despite the doctor’s orders to rest.

Or, Ben Ledo.

Four years ago Mitch Daniels was on the road continuously in RV-1 as he campaigned for a first term as governor.  He was almost always accompanied by Ledo.

It was duty that required long days and nights, little rest and much aggravation, though it led to a job in the governor’s office for Ledo.  Now, Daniels will head out tomorrow on his longest trip of the year in RV-1 and Ledo took vacation time to go along.

Trust me, it takes more than nostalgia to make that decision.

The program is underway at the Barack Obama rally with Indiana Democratic candidates on stage including Congressman Baron Hill who was introduced by the PA announcer as “Bill” Hill.  That’s a name ID problem.

Jill Long Thompson can drive a tractor, according to Linda Pence’s introduction of her.  Long Thompson recites much of her current TV ad without a reference to “George Bush economics,” or a direct reference to Governor Mitch Daniels.

Baron Hill says he’s never spoken to this many people before, says it makes him nervous.  Hill adds accurately, “This is all new, folks,”  in reference to Obama’s chance to win Indiana.

Thousands of Barack Obama supporters stream onto the American Legion mall at the moment, some in the sunshine, some not.  The Secret Service agent who screened me on the way in complained about how cold it is.  Parkas and stocking caps are common sights.  Jill Long Thompson forgot her coat, according to her communications director.

Parking in this part of downtown is nonexistent.  Many of the rally attendees are at two hour meters.  Will the parking police crack down?  Will they give people a break in the name of democracy?  Are Obama supporters willing to pay a fine to see their candidate?  Jill Long Thompson only has to walk two blocks from her headquarters. 

With a giant flag stretched out at the south end of the mall, Obama will use a stage at the north end.

It is almost October and while there are rumors that Jill Long Thompson will restart her television advertising soon (with an ad featuring a matador and a Crocodile Dundee character–obvious references to the Spanish/Australian consortium that leased the Indiana Toll Road) the absence of ads in some other races is noteworthy.

Where are the ads in the Attorney General race, or the Superintendent of Public Instruction race (not counting piggyback ads with Mitch Daniels)?  How about Congress (pick a district, any district)?  State Representative?

They may be on the way soon but, right now, I can’t believe how many car ads are on TV.

The latest television ad from Governor Mitch Daniels about protecting children is under fire from a public defender in CHINS (Child in Need of Services) cases.

Chris Worden wrote a letter to Sharon Pierce of The Villages (she appears in the ad.)   Worden says Pierce violates IRS rules by appearing in the ad because she works for a not-for-profit.  He asks Pierce to call on Daniels to pull the ad.

The letter is being distributed by the Jill Long Thompson campaign.  When asked about it the Daniels campaign had no comment.

Last night’s debate among the candidates for governor in Merrillville lasted an hour but I think I can sum it up quicker.

Call this a translation for those who lack the ability to spot political nuance.

Mitch Daniels:  “I’m doin’ stuff.  You don’t like some of it and I understand, but my heart is in the right place.  If you re-elect me, I will do more stuff and maybe sell it better.”

Jill Long Thompson:  “All the stuff he’s doing is misguided.  I’ll do different stuff.  I can’t tell you what it will be but I’m not him.  You’re not supposed to like him.”

Andy Horning:  “I’m not a politician.  Sure, I’ve run for mayor, governor, Congress, and now governor again, but if you have no prospect for winning, you’re not really a politician.  I am glib.”

Things to watch for in tonight’s Jill Long Thompson/Mitch Daniels debate:

-Will Long Thompson get under the governor’s skin?

-Will Daniels talk down to Long Thompson?

-Will Andy Horning get in the way?

-Will Long Thompson wear her trademark blue blazer?

-Will the governor wear a suit and tie?

-Will Horning shave?

-Will there be any news made?