WISH Blogs » Jill Long Thompson

White House Appointments

Jim Shella — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:53:11 +0000

Former candidate for governor Jill Long Thompson has a new position thanks to the Obama Administration as a member of the Farm Credit Administration Board.

So does the wife of former Democratic National Chairman Joe Andrew (who endorsed Obama prior to the Indiana Primary even though he couldn’t vote here any longer.) Anne Slaughter Andrew will be Ambassador to Costa Rica.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Announces-more-key-Administration-posts-10/15/09/

Voorhies Out

Jim Shella — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:27:01 +0000

Bob Voorhies is out of the race for state Democratic chairman two days after filing his candidacy. In an e-mail Voorhies said he got out because he can count votes (and it was clear he would lose.) He used the e-mail, however, to air his grievances against Chairman Dan Parker, who is now unopposed in his bid for re-election.

The Voorhies gripe boils down to the way Parker handled the primary for governor last year. Without saying so directly, Voorhies makes it clear that he thought Jim Schellinger got preferential treatment from party headquarters.

Jill Long Thompson won, didn’t she?

What if?

Jim Shella — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:36:41 +0000

What if the 2008 election for governor took place this month? Would Mitch Daniels survive 9% unemployment and a 10% drop in tax revenues? Would Jill Long Thompson know how to take advantage of the circumstances?

What if lawmakers acted last year to fix the unemployment insurance system? Would anyone’s re-election be reversed? Would the recession be deeper?

What if we really need the federal stimulus money to balance the state budget after all?

What if Evan Bayh wasn’t on the ballot in 2010? Would he still be opposing President Barack Obama’s spending proposal?

What if Indianapolis had a downtown casino? Would it solve the stadium funding issues? Would it attract more conventions? Would it put the racinos out of business?

What if Mike Pence gave a speech and no one was there to hear it? Is that the definition of Congress?

Testing the Water?

Jim Shella — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:34:25 +0000

Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez may run for governor in 2012 according to the Times of Northwest Indiana.

Dominguez was on the short list to be Jill Long Thompson’s running mate last year and cut his teeth in East Chicago politics, but don’t print the campaign buttons just yet. Dominguez also says he is interested in becoming a U. S. Marshal or U. S. Attorney.

So, is he testing the water, or fishing for possibilities?

Jill Long Thompson (not)

Jim Shella — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:15:30 +0000

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.

Organization Day Leftovers

Jim Shella — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:49:35 +0000

-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.

Predictions

Jim Shella — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:56:19 +0000

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.

Believers

Jim Shella — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:28:53 +0000

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.

Warm up Act

Jim Shella — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:53:48 +0000

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.

Ready for Obama

Jim Shella — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:58:23 +0000

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.