If you're like me, the race for the White House has dominatedyour political attention this fall. The drama of choosing who willbe the most powerful man in the world for the next four years isundeniably compelling. But when voters head to the polls in lessthan two weeks (mercifully ending this venomous election cycle)they'll be settling more than just that race.
In fact, the victors of two critical state elections willprobably affect the lives of most Hoosiers more directly than thepresident (barring a huge new war). And since there's littlequestion which presidential candidate will claim Indiana'selectoral votes -- it's been 40 years since a Democrat has -Hoosiers may want to spend more time weighing their vote in thesetwo important races.
Of course I'm referring to the races for governor and one ofIndiana's senate seats. The Democrat incumbents, Governor JoeKernan and Senator Evan Bayh will have to fend off multiplechallengers to retain their offices. Kernan is opposed byRepublican Mitch Daniels and Libertarian Kenn Gividen, while Bayhis facing Republican Marvin Scott and Libertarian AlbertBarger.
The race for governor is very tight. Kernan is hoping to win theoffice in his own right after succeeding the late Frank O'Bannonlast year. He's locked in a tough battle with Daniels, who left hispost as budget director in the Bush White House to make his run. Astatewide poll by the South Bend Tribune and WSBT shows Danielsleading Kernan 46 percent to 43 percent with two percent supportingGividen.
The most remarkable thing about this contest is the starkcontrast between it and the presidential race. The closest thing tomudslinging was Kernan's criticism of Daniels's role in the 2001sale of the utility company IPALCO. However, Kernan has softenedhis stance some and now says it is merely a criticism of Daniels'sjudgment, while acknowledging that Daniels's conduct was withinethical bounds.
The same poll showing Daniels with a slight lead also indicatesthe majority of Hoosiers view both major candidates favorably. Thisis deeply refreshing in a bitter election year when so many saythey support President Bush or Senator Kerry as "the lesser of twoevils." Hopefully one day a relatively civil campaign between twoquality candidates will be seen as normal rather than pleasantlysurprising.
As for the senate race, Bayh seems to be comfortably ahead.According to a poll by the Indianapolis Star and WTHR, Bayh leadsScott by a commanding margin of 61 percent to 22 percent amonglikely Indiana voters. Meanwhile Barger, who wants to eliminateincome taxes and Social Security, is not a major factor in thepolls.
How can Bayh garner such support in a conservative state? Wellfor many -- including lots of independents like myself - thebiggest problem with Democrats is their tendency to erectexpensive, ineffective government programs to deal with problems(though lately Republicans have been trying this more and more aswell).
However Bayh is largely an exception. He talks about spendingtaxpayers' money conservatively, and it's generally accepted thatIndiana's budget and economy were very healthy in his eight yearsas governor. He also isn't afraid to break with his party whennecessary. For these reasons, Bayh is easily my favorite Democraton the national stage. Don't be surprised to see him on apresidential ballot in the coming years.
Write to Jake at
jymoore@bsu.edu
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