Why Hoosiers lean Republican

Palladium-Item | October 23, 2004 | Maureen Groppe

[ConservativeStatement]

Indiana Democrats like to joke that a good presidential year is when Indiana isn't the first state in the GOP column on election night. Hoosiers haven't voted for a Democrat for president since 1964 and have done so only three times since 1932. While nearby states like Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa are being inundated with candidate appearances, political ads and get-out-the-vote canvassers because the presidential race is expected to be close there, all is quiet in Indiana.

[ConservativeStatement]

Link to story:

http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041023/NEWS01/410230302/1008

[areafiftyone]

Snicker Snicker - I took at quick look at your title and for a minute thought it said WHY HOOTERS LEAN REPUBLICAN.

[southlake_hoosier]

... After all, Indiana has had a Democratic governor since 1988 ...

This is going to change on election day. Look for a Republican (Mitch Daniels) to take this spot. Hoosiers are fed up with all the new taxes over the last few years by the Democrats here. Specifically, a new property tax structure that has Hoosiers foreclosing at a record rate.

[sierrahome]

Indiana has had excellent results with Several GOP government officials Gov's--Ed Whitcomb Dr. Otis Bowen and then Bob Orr. Indianapolis Mayor Bill Hudnut also has added to the highly positive GOP crowd. Indiana has had really good success with the local GOP's they have elected since 1968--I think that has carried over on the national stage.

[sierrahome]

"Specifically, a new property tax structure that has Hoosiers foreclosing at a record rate."

I live in Placer Co. California and my property tax is half that of my brother's who lives in Anderson, Indiana...my car tags are cheaper in California too...go figure

[BobinIL]

I hope the fine people of Indiana can send Evan Bayh packing also.

[southlake_hoosier]

In the last few years they have raised the Sales Tax, Gasoline Tax, Income Tax, and Property Taxes. I moved to Indiana 18 years ago to get away from the taxes in Illinois, now it is cheaper to move back there.

In Lake County, where I live, there are some people that have had their property taxes go from $3,000 a year to $20,000 a year. Lake County was legislated by Indianapolis to have their new assessments done by an outside company they hand picked. No other county in Indiana had to do this. The whole process is so tied up in courts that it will never end at this point. People have to move out and lose their houses with no recourse or a process that takes too long for them to wait.

[Edit35]

I have a townful of Hoosier relatives living around Berne and Geneva, Indiana.

Haven't spoken with them for some time, and I can only hope and pray they are behind President Bush.

My relatives (where my dad grew up) are the salt of the earth, truly. I always feel guilty for not going out there to visit more often.

[southlake_hoosier]

Don't count on it. He is considered by all as being a moderate. Even though he is a Democrat. He has backed the White House on some issues, and has been active in bringing business and dollars to Indiana. Hoosiers like this guy, and will probably not vote against him, even if they voted all the other Democrats out of office.

[Naplm]

I vote straight ticket, out with Bayh, he is considered a moderate and I kind of like him, but he lost my vote by voting in lockstep with the rest of the Dems on the Toon's impeachment. There are several votes he's made that do not reflect hoosier values. On another note, I would like a decent alternative to Luger. He seems to be there every time some criticitism comes from the right about Pres. Bush.

[mysterio]

I'll be the first to call it. While the Republicans won't raise a bunch of taxes on us in Indiana like the Democrats would, they will do nothing to reverse the damage of 16 years of Democrat rule. And then they'll flub up and lose in a few years, and the tax and spend will start up right where it left off. Hell, Mitch Daniels is already talking about toll roads here, which is one thing that we don't have to worry about too much at the present time. And he is as gung ho as the Democrats about spending billions on a connecting portion of I 69 that will take a lot of property here from farmers and house owners, as well as make the road a better straight shot from Canada to Mexico. Just like in any other election, here in Indiana we have a choice between bad and worse.

[sierrahome]

"On another note, I would like a decent alternative to Luger. He seems to be there every time some criticism comes from the right about Pres. Bush."

I have seen the same thing out of Lugar, he was to be the GOP fair Haired boy by the Nixon administration. As a local official at the time, very few people had heard of Dick Lugar and although he has been an Indiana Senator for decades it would seem his previous "fair haired" status has cost him dearly with the RINO's so his commentary reflects his desire to make good with the RINO's.

[sierrahome]

I've had such hopes for Daniels -- the thought of toll roads in Indiana is really nonsence. Talk about stabbing the heart in "The Crossroads of America"