Indiana

Thursday?s Thoughts

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

The hard thing about writing about politics daily, is what do you write about when it’s a relatively politically slow news day?  Well, if you’re me, you write about the latest political gossip, rumor and blatant innuendo, that’s what.  So here it is.

The latest numbers are out on early voting in Marion County.   As of Wednesday more than 15,000 people have taken advantage of absentee and in person voting.   That number is up from 2006, which was slightly more than 13,000.  There’s no official word on any breakdown of Democratic, Republican  or Libertarian.   But traditionally, Democrats have done better with in-person voting while the GOP does better with absentee ballots.

The latest polling in the Marion County Prosecutor’s race shows Democrat Terry Curry with a six-point lead over Republican Mark Massa, however there’s talk the poll was mostly conducted in the 7th Congressional District, which is heavily Democratic.

Speaking of polling, the Todd Young Congressional campaign released a poll saying they have a 49-37 lead over Democrat Baron Hill.   However, a poll conducted by The Hill, only shows a 2-point difference with Hill in the lead.  While The Hill is an independent source, the locals on the ground tell me their polling in statehouse races is more reflective of Young’s numbers.

Speaking of polling, the word on the street is that local Democrats did some polling last week of their Lawrence Township candidates (constable, small claims judge, and trustee) and all three were losing 8-12 points against their Republican challengers.

And before I forget, I just wanted to let everyone know I have no hard feelings against Marion County Democratic Chairman Ed Treacy.  Treacy took a dig at me yesterday at their news conference where they unveiled the latest Mark Massa attack ad.  As he began he acknowledged me as the “representative of the Republican Party.”  I told him I was happy to see him too, however I was hoping in the back of my mind he wasn’t going to try and belly bump me because I don’t know if you’ve seen Ed lately,  he would easily win that contest.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on October 28, 2010 (boomark / email).