OBSERVATIONS: It took only two rounds for Angel Rivera to lock up the at-large seat previously held by Kent Smith. Angel Rivera will join the City-County Council as the second Latino (Karen Celestino-Horseman a Democrat was the first) to serve on the Council. Here's the Indy Star's
take on the special election. As an added honor he will also join the IPSE trading board and in the process provide GOP Chairman Tom John and his right hand man David Brooks a much needed boost. We recieved a couple of emails during the caucus with some interesting viewpoints from tonight and at least two differennt observers suggested that it was a combined Ballard Tom John push that pushed Angel over the top.
While it flies in the face of conventional wisdom we are entertaining that fact that whatever supposed rift existed between the Mayor Ballard and Tom John is now well past them. Accepting this premise suggests that their futures (in terms of stock prices) are now inextricably link from this point forward. It is at least plausible that whatever Tom John does he does with the approval of the mayor. This helps Tom immensely as his stock values has hit rock bottom over the last few weeks. Brooks will benefit as well. As a result of updated twitters from Indiana Barrister (INBR) that complimented the dozen or so emails we received throughout the evening we boosted this stock as well.
ANALYSIS:
UP: TOJO $70; DBRK $70; INBR $125; GBAL $150
DOWN: JCIS $0; AWMS $0; DHEN $0
Posts
Whoa ipse! How do you figure that Tom John and Ballard are friends now?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion,I guess you really had to be there last night. It was so obvious that the deal was done prior to the meeting. How many registered hispanic republicans are there in Marion county? Oh and the phone calls I got prior to the caucus....almost threating my position?
Center Township did their thing as directed by the John,Brooks Brizzi and Durham agenda.
In my opinion,Rivera will be a rubber stamp for the Mayor.He admitted it. Is that what we want on the CCC, someone who is the Mayors voice. This city was on the right path for Raciel equality.
In my opinion, Tom John has set race relations back 20 years
In My opinion,It seemed to me last night that was a clear racial devide. Just when this city has started to get someplace Tom John decided to not count the fact that he seat was held by a black person.
It is clear that the John,Brooks,Brizzi+Durham connection has embraced the Gay and Hispanic community and decided that the black community does not need a vote any more.
nice try IMO aka David Brooks or of his his minions. I like the way you embedded a few factoids like the "rubber stamp" in an otherwise blatantly uneducated posting that can only be interpreted that anyone who disagrees with Tom John's selection of Angel Rivera is an uneducated homophobe.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is neither Tom or Ballard wanted to take a chance on a wildcard option that on the Council. Tom is on record calling Barb Malone a "Pushy Black B!@@h" when she fought him about committee assignments. Ballard likes African-Americans as long as they fit his criteria of following orders without question. That's why Kent's departure was such a blow, however did you notice that no one offered Kent a job to keep him in the City or on the Council? That's how much they valued Kent as a person.
Like Tom and David Ballard doesn't need/want their advice just the symbolism they bring to the table. For these guys Angel is a logical pick, not because her will bring the Hispanic vote but because he makes a good prop for 2011 and he will be grateful enough to follow orders thru the next two budget cycles.
Now IMO, I suggest you take your Al Jolson rant to Advance Indiana where it can be appreciated and leave this blog for those who care about the Party as a whole not just propping up a bunch of neanderthals with law degrees.
@ anon 8:19,
ReplyDeleteWe had a very lively email conversation from someone we can only identify as a Ballard insider (who asked to be anonymous) and they basically share that since Ballard doesn't like to get his hands dirty with insider politics Tom would be his surrogate on intra-party/political negotiations and disputes.
Tom handles all appointments to public boards and commission and is allowed to make strong recommendations for low-level positions within the Ballard adminstration.
He said that while Ballard may not trust Tom this truce was the strong suggestion of Bob Grand and Joe Loftus and that ultimately Ballard trusts their political instinct. We were also told that while Tom has some authority, nothing is allowed to happen without Ballard signing off or at having knowledge. This didn't happen with the Brizzi boondoggle and that was the incident that forced the re-alignment and subsequent truce. We're not suggesting that there's deep trust between the two we just get the indication that Ballard has more control over Tom's actions and behavior than he or Tom would want to admit.
As for our source, this person had no reason to lie and seem to welcome our queries on the issue just to set the record straight. If we are wrong we welcome other points of view however we think our source is pretty reliable.
Anyone that was there last night with half a brain could see that it was a set up. I dont know about the race stuff, but it looks like it.
ReplyDeleteIt was clear that Angel was the chosen one. I just cannot believe that he isnt smart enough to understand that he is the "token" hispanic who Tom John and David Brooks will pull his every string.
With Henry or Cissel in that position, TJ and DB knew that they would have trouble. They did cut a deal with Reeves to back Angel, but when you ship in 102 PCs from Center township and offer them free food and drinks you can get a lot done.
The MCRCC is broke, one would have thought that they would have gone with Bruce Shumacher, is is a millionair, owns the Indianapolis Indians.
How much money is Angel going to raise in the hispanic community? Each candidate was told that they would be expected to raise $250,000.
@ anon 2:21,
ReplyDeleteyour comment strikes the heart of the issue with me. no disrespect ot IPSE but the fact that Tom John mandates that a candidate raise 250K tells me two things: He is struggling to raise money and maintain his "major player" status which after 3 years should be a chip shot. And two he really has no juice what so ever as a Chairman if he is forcing his candidates to raise funds for him. Sounds like he's trying to create a "crisis" among at-larges that keeps them in line going into 2011.
I'd expect there will be a change in the line-up in 2011 with the excuse being (he/she can't raise enough money). And just for the record no candidate has ever raised 250k for any council race. When you have the Mayor's office there's no need to as the at-larges follow the Mayor.
Now the big question is will Angel be held to the same standards as everyone else? (including slating fees)
Personally I think ever since Tom hired his little barfly to take care of the GOP County books and she absconded with a 5 figure bonus most donors would rather give to Ballard instead. Which is kinda poetic justice if you think about it.
The funny thing is that Angel thinks that the party really cares about him.He seems to be a smart guy, but does he not see that he is a token hispanic to be used at Chairman Johns every whim.
ReplyDeleteDo they really think that the party will give them any money for their campaigns. ALL of the money will go to Massa and Ballard.
The black community does need to worry about Brooks, it is clear that he wants no part of the black community.He now considers the Hispanic community more important. WOW Wonder how Cissel,Henry,Williams and Reeves feel about that. Why did they even run?
From what I am told it was clear that the folks from Pike and Lawrence do care about the Black community.Center Township seems to care only about what they are told to do and the promises made to them by The Great Hunter David Brooks.
Hell, David Brooks can't even get a decent Buck on opening day anymore.When you are proud of a four pointer, you need to get another hobby.
what seems to amaze me is how so many in GOPs can't see the forest for the trees. This is one big scheme. Tom has recreated with the help of the local Democrat bigwigs a Lake County-type Republican Party. They strike a deal with the GOP chairman either by contract or in this case a job (Tom John reports to Lacy Johnson Andre Carson's mentor and protector) and in return the Chairman makes sure that no one really gets out of line for certain races in this case its CD 7 seat. Remember Tom was dead set against Ballard winning and was doing everything in his power to undermine him. After it was over he parlayed his Chairmanship to a nice position at Ice Miller. Now it doesn't stop there. Bob Grand was pissed when Bart locked out B&T out of contracts for 8 years and swore revenge. Now he's doing it with Bart's bet firm Baker and Daniels, but with a twist. He's letting everyone play but in percentages.
ReplyDeleteNow Bob Grand and Ed Tracey go wayyyy back. Ed was told to lay low and he will get a slice of the pie (remember the Keeler Deal?) if he doesn't go after the mayor. Don't beleive me, how many times have you heard Ed Tracey speak out against the Mayor in the last two years?
Now back to Tom. Tom's whole deal is to maintain his position as chairman so that he can continue to rake in the big bucks at Ice Miller. In order to do that he must make sure Lacy Johnson is happy. He could care less about PC or winning elections. Its about making sure that the powerbrokers get their piece of the pie and upstarts never get a chance to gain a following. Ballard has a good chance of re-election despite what the rank and file Democrats think. If the powers that be are getting their share they will fight to maintain the status quo.
It has always and will always be about the money. And please don't under-estimate Tom. He likes his current lifestyle and will do ANYTHING to keep it. Look what he did to his mayor.
wait is this the same David Brooks who would go out west to sit in the wilderness naked with a bunch of his buddies?
ReplyDeleteYep former Chief Ron Evans spilled the beans on you Davie boy.
Before there was Brokeback Mountain there was this little band of brothers
TOJO if nothing else is clever. He took over the ILF and used it as a recuiting tool to produce his brand of GOP minions. He then gets them appointed to boards where they get a little face time and the rest is history. Does he care about them? Nope they're just political fodder.
ReplyDeleteHe better than most think. He has solid ties to many of the Docratic bloggers. just as he was drinking buddies with Jen Wagner he claims he pretty tight with Chris Wardon over at iPOPA. Its not hard form me to believe that Dems don't mind working with Tom if it gives them some leverage in the Marion County GOP. Surprising what a few drinks will get ya.'
ReplyDeleteBTW Tom did you ever get your money back from the your little barfly. Kinda' screwed you when you can't prosecute her because she had something on you and Carl. All of this and a partnership with Ice Miller. Those boys must be proud of their employee.
Not a problem with the CCC,that was a set up fromthe start. TOJO and DBRO got their ass kicked yesterday.Please buy 5,000 shares of BMAC please.
ReplyDeleteIT IS TIME FOR MAJOR CHANGES IN INDPLS,CHAIRMAN OF REPUBLICAN PARTY,AND ALL THE BUDDIES,IN WHICH INDPLS TAXPAYERS KNOW WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR..THEIRSELVES..
ReplyDeleteI AM WANTING TO RUN IN 2011 FOR MAYOR AND AT THIS TIME EXPLORING ALL OF OPTIONS..GARY A. ISTERLING,PROBABLY RUN AS AN.........NO ONE CALLING YET..ACCOUNTABILITY WILL BE THE PLATFORM..WITH A WRITTEN STATEMENT AND PLEDGE,I WILL RESIGN IF I CANNOT MAKE A DENT IN REBUILD THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND REDUCE CRIME,I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ANY OTHER OFFICE HOLDER MAKE THAT PROMISE,THEY WILL NOT...
WE ARE FOR YOU,,LET THE GAMES BEGIN..SIGN ME UP
ReplyDeleteGOOD LUCK WE WILL BACK YOU,WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY IN CITY AND STATE GOVERNMENTGOOD LUCK IN 2011..
Mr. Isterling,
ReplyDeleteIf you're serious about being a candidate send us a website address and we'll add you to the board. We're equal opportunity snarkers here
ipse
ReplyDeleteall of the above will be done,in time..i am very serious about being the next mayor of indpls,indiana..i want total change and will need the backing of all the citizens who are fed up with the crime,neighborhoods,and the excuses,big salaries and nothing seems to change,every day more deaths and very few arrests.the public know what is going on and it all about money,could it be that drugs play a big part of this shooting spree...gary a.isterling next mayor of indpls..2011 help me make it happen..i demand accountability .no excuses will be acceptable...lets get it on....
we like what you are saying,we represent about 2,000 voters and we are willing to help you and back you once you get things together we will contact you..do not let up and i understand you have alot of government experience and worked for the last mayors 28 years,you have to know how to fix the problems and be fair..you also are a business person for last 42 years..sounds good to me and others,,good luck we need someone like you in office of mayor of indpls,,and soon
ReplyDeleteImpressive work - you have a brilliant blog here. Don't miss visiting this site http://www.smctradeonline.com/ipo-listing.aspx about New IPO It's all there: ipo stock, new ipo, ipo market.
ReplyDelete