Indiana

LIVE FROM INDIANAPOLIS, IT?S SUNDAY NIGHT 6:55 UPDATE

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Jim Schellinger is up next. He’s being introduced by his wife Laura. Laura took a swipe at the incumbent saying that her husband “won’t ride around in an RV trying to look like one of us because he is one of us.” Schellinger seemed to get a larger round of applause and standing ovations from the party faithful than Thompson.

He joked about the Presidential race being over shadowed by the Governor’s race. Schellinger said it was failed leadership in the Governor’s office that was holding the state back. Schellinger mocked Mitch Daniels, calling his leadership arrogant that was out of touch with the problems facing Hoosiers everyday. He also said he has never seen the state more divided over issues ranging from the economy to privatization. Schellinger also tied Daniels to President Bush.

He said needs leadership that listens and he cited his “Pick up Indiana” plan. The largest applause came from Schellinger’s promise to reinstate collective bargaining for state employees. He also said health care should a right from cradle to grave. He also said local governments are doing great and “they should not be kicked”.

Schellinger was also more animated than any other time I have ever seen him on the trail. He also took a swipe at Jill Long Thompson saying Hoosiers should ignore those who resort to negative attacks and distort the truth.

I’ll give Jim credit. He hasn’t run the most inspiring campaign, but this was the best speech I’d ever seen him give. He should have done this a long time ago.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on May 04, 2008 (boomark / email).