Northwest Indiana Discussion

Gov. Daniels criticizes Northwest Indiana in new book




INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mitch Daniels criticizes Northwest Indiana's business climate and political culture in his new book out Tuesday that otherwise calls on Americans to unite to stop runaway federal debt.

In a chapter detailing his work to overcome environmental objections to the $4 billion expansion of BP's Whiting refinery, Daniels said he was "thrilled" to bring new jobs to a region that "has been the hardest part of the state to attract jobs to."

"Culturally close to Chicago in both economics and politics, and with a reputation for governmental corruption and labor union aggression, our northwest corner is a place employers are more likely to flee than invest in," Daniels wrote in "Keeping the Republic: Saving America by Trusting Americans."

In a phone interview Monday with The Times, the Republican governor stood by his comments.

"My heart is still in the project of making something really positive happen there, but there is some responsibility," Daniels said. "If you want the kind of new jobs that we've been able to get in most of the rest of the state, it would sure help if governmental leadership was a little more pro-growth."

He said Valparaiso is on the right track compared to other cities in Northwest Indiana, but said region political and business leaders should be motivated by jobs locating elsewhere in the state to decide, "Let's shape up."

Northwest Indiana also figures prominently in Daniels' retelling of his 2006 lease of the Indiana Toll Road, which he says he became fascinated with while traveling on it repeatedly during his 2004 campaign for governor.

He says he was determined to find a way to run it better when he learned the state paid 34 cents per vehicle in staff costs to collect a 15-cent toll before cars could enter Illinois.

Much of Daniels' book, though, focuses on national politics and his belief that the country's nearly $15 trillion national debt, which he alternately calls the "Red Menace" or "the enemy," threatens the continued existence of American democracy.

He renews his call for a truce on all other political issues until a plan to reduce the debt is in place and says he's willing to accept tax increases if that's what is needed "to defeat the enemy at the gates."

Daniels disavows skeptics who claim Americans aren't up to the task of making tough decisions on Social Security, Medicare and other federal spending necessary to restore the country's financial footing.

"We need a national government that treats its citizens with respect, and citizens who demand the respect they deserve," he wrote.

Daniels' region criticism not sitting well with local pols

INDIANAPOLIS | Northwest Indiana leaders want Gov. Mitch Daniels to explain his reasons for spreading what they say is an inaccurate characterization of the region to a national audience.

"The question is why," said state Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary. "Is it to make the book more juicy and sellable that he would just kick an area that's already down economically?"

In Daniels' "Keeping the Republic: Saving America by Trusting Americans," the Republican governor says the region's cultural ties to Chicago and its "reputation for governmental corruption and labor union aggression" make the area "a place employers are more likely to flee than invest in."

Brown believes such talk from Daniels may lead businesses that are considering relocating to Northwest Indiana to select other sites.

"He seems to be talking out both sides of his mouth," Brown said. "He wants to be the economic development and business guru, but at the same time he's shooing businesses away from this area of the state."

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., who's also chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party, shared Brown's disbelief that a sitting governor would insult a portion of his own state.

"It is completely inappropriate," McDermott said. "It would be like President Obama saying he doesn't like North Dakota because (he) don't get votes there."

Roosevelt Allen, D-Gary, president of the Lake County Board of Commissioners, said at Wednesday's board meeting that Daniels' statement shows, "He doesn't represent us. He refuses."

Daniels has been in New York City all week promoting his book on television.

He will make appearances at Indiana bookstores for five days starting Wednesday, though Lafayette is the closest he will come to Northwest Indiana.

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake ... z1YnO4Xpoi

Hey the truth hurts. But like good liberal Dems it's another case of shooting the messenger for a message of truth. I mean it's not like they want things to change. They just don't want to her it.

Look at this crap!

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake ... 829ff.html

McDermott uses his radio show to call Indy perverts? Well he didn't call them crooked as Lake County did he? hee hee

I really struggled with who to vote for but the choice is becoming easier every time this clown opens his mouth. He doesn't have a legitimate, well though out response to give so he just fires off the first whatever crosses his mind like a typical hothead. In the old days you could blame it on 2 shot "breakfast meetings" as was often the custom of pols but that was a different era. At least I don't think he's 2 sheets to the wind that early but sometimes he sure acts like it.

I'm sure it must be desperation talking. After all didn't he get most of his campaign war chest from the good people in and around Indy? And despite all that loot he's still in the political fight of his life. And he knows that if he loses this race his hopes of being elected to a state or Federal office will be almost 0 for quite a while which means all the out of town support will go bye, bye.

Does Mayor Tom Mcdermott Jr. ever know when to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT?

There is no choice but George Janiec. Do we need more embarrassment for the good people in Lake County, spewed out of the mouths of our political leaders? We are the laughing stock of the nation. We deserve it, too, because a hardcore group of lemmings in Lake County will vote for whoever they are instructed to vote for. I split my vote, as there are good and bad on each side of the political fence.

That's a rhetorical question, right?

I wonder what Evan Bayh said to his friends after McDermott came to him for his blessing to run for his seat. I bet they had a good belly laugh.

There is no choice but George Janiec. Do we need more embarrassment for the good people in Lake County, spewed out of the mouths of our political leaders? We are the laughing stock of the nation.

At this point neither is a good choice. I don't like some of what George Janiec has proposed nor some of his treatment of people but I think we're all had enough of Tom's embarrassing statements and his smoke & mirrors act. And with Federal dollars about to get very tight would you expect a Republican President to look favorable on a new Republican mayor in a sea of Dems or a seasoned, loud mouthed, hot head Dem who's just as likely to rip him/ her a new one over any little thing? I think we'll need every asset we can get instead of some bozo who's likely to shoot us in the foot (again) because he got his feeling hurt over hearing the truth.