Above the fray.  That apparently is Gov. Mitch Daniels’ campaign strategy.  While he does plan to debate Democrat Jill Long Thompson three times this fall, it looks as though he plans on minimizing all other discussion of her or her programs.  When Long Thompson holds a news conference to unveil a program or proposal, the only time you can get a sound bite directly from the governor is if he has a public event on another topic.

  Generally his campaign produces a spokesperson to do the reply.  But in the past week or so, even that has gotten difficult.  The campaign is now shifting reporters to Republican Party people for on-camera responses, putting another layer between Daniels and his challenger.

  It’s all reminiscent of a 1980 campaign episode involving Republican Bob Orr and Democrat John Hillenbrand.  Having debates wasn’t universally expected then as it is now.  But the Bloomington Public TV station invited both to a candidates’ night, along with about a dozen legislative candidates.  Orr didn’t come, but Hillenbrand did.  And, amazingly, he went on the air anyway, along with the people running for the House and Senate, sitting in the back row.  Talk about minimizing yourself in front of the voters!

  Long Thompson certaintly isn’t doing anything like that.  But it just shows how the person holding the upper hand can marginalize the challenger just by keeping a certain distance.  So unless Long Thompson says something that really makes the governor mad (think Pat Bauer and the infamous car-bombing remark), don’t expect him to directly say much, if anything to any of her proposals this fall.