JLT Within Striking Distance?
The latest poll results show Democratic gubernatorial challenger Jill Long Thompson trailing incumbent Gov. Mitch Daniels by only four points.
Thompson’s campaign sent out an urgent e-mail this morning asking supporters to give money based on the numbers.
What does this all mean?
Republicans are saying the poll is an outlier that has no merit, but Daniels has always hovered around or below the 50 percent mark in all the recent polls, even those showing Thompson trailing by double digits.
This obviously gives Thompson a much-needed boost and the ability to restart her sputtering campaign with her new media consultant and, with any luck, some cash to get back on the airwaves. Does it also mean that Daniels will go negative against her? He’s always said he’ll remain positive, but only a fool believes the promises that come out of his mouth.
Given yesterday’s Obama results, I wonder if the McCain campaign will actually start paying attention to Indiana instead of assuming we’ll be the first state in the GOP column.
One thing’s for sure: It’s great to finally live in a battleground state.
One thing to watch: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases monthly jobs numbers this morning. Indiana’s been on the losing end for months now. Another bad report could be good political news for Thompson.
Powered by
But the race is still over, right? I mean, you called it dead in the water last week, and isn’t your party chairman telling donors not to waste their money on Jill?
“I also do not want the dubious honor of being the first pundit/commentator/hack to declare this race over.
I am, however, declaring this race over.”
Self-fulfulling prophecy? I don’t disagree with you that it’s over–because you and Parker have been telling the Indiana political universe that it’s over.
Y’all must really believe I’m one of the most powerful people on the planet. Flattering, but entirely untrue.
I still believe this race is over, but the Star poll gave Thompson an opportunity to raise some money.
Unfortunately, the Guv rained on her parade by releasing his own internal polling yesterday. If you don’t trust that kind of thing, there was also another public poll released. I’ll be writing about those shortly.
At the end of the day, you can go looking for a scapegoat, and if you decide on me, that’s fine. I’ve got thick skin, and I can handle it.
But I’m a big advocate for personal responsibility, and I’m pretty sure nothing I’ve written here has directly affected the Thompson or Daniels campaigns, except perhaps to annoy a few low-level staffers who ought to be spending their time actually campaigning instead of hanging out on the blogs.
[...] Polls JLT Within Striking Distance? Gotta Bail Sep207:15 [...]
Jennifer, no one believes you have any power whatsoever, but I agree with Tawney that it’s easy to spook donors and the press corps if you have a relationship with them, which you do.
Interesting that you didn’t address her allegations. My guess is that’s because you can’t deny them.
I have no power, yet you’re going to lay any and all blame for JLT’s campaign at my feet? Riiiiiight.
That’s cool. I’ve got broad shoulders, and I can take it, but here’s some food for thought: I have never — not once — been contacted by the campaign with talking points about how I’m supposed to answer when people ask, “What the heck is going on with JLT’s campaign?”
I’m a commentator, and I’m only as good as the information I receive. I work in my basement with a nine-month-old. I’m not exactly out there pounding the pavement.
The notion that I’m somehow out there spending all my days talking about this race is insane, but if you want to believe that, be my guest. It’s good for a post every once in a while just to see y’all get your feathers ruffled.
You should spend less time on blogs and more time fighting for the candidate(s) you believe in.
I was on a panel the other day, and someone asked me what it’s like to work in a state party role, and my answer was simple: “No one likes you, and everyone thinks they could do a better job than whatever you’re doing.”
Pull up an armchair, quarterback.
Oh, one last thought before I head to bed: If I possess this magical ability to sway the entire press corps and every Democratic donor in the state, maybe JLT should have hired me.
So there it is: The root of the sour grapes–JLT didn’t hire the maestro of Indiana politics, so you will continue to trash her campaign. Just because you were left with a huge money advantage and couldn’t get it done doesn’t mean you should do what you’re doing. You ran an incompetitent campaign, Jennifer. Take ownership.
No, friend. You missed my point, which was to take your point, wrap it around your neck and watch you struggle with it. Did you notice the construction of my argument? Apparently not. Maybe you shouldn’t post so late at night.
You can’t imagine how much more fun my life is being a commentator, running my own business, spending time with my kid and doing politics on the side.
I’m proud of the work I did at state party and for Jim Schellinger. I’m sorry you’re so gosh-darned bitter that the only place you have to express your frustration is this blog, but that’s your problem, not mine.
Have a great day!
P.S. Learn to spell.