Don't fault Daniels for doing job (4/11/05)

Gov. Mitch Daniels is taking shots again for being "too assertive" as governor.

But what he's really being criticized for is doing his job.

Political memories are short, and it's understandable that lawmakers accustomed to the make-no-waves policies of the Bayh administration and the mostly passive approach of the O'Bannon-Kernan years might be confused.

After all, for eight years while Evan Bayh was in the state's top job, the number one priority was to make no mistake which would impede his movement up the ladder of ambition.

Temperamentally, the administration of Frank O'Bannon and Joe Kernan was only marginally different.

There certainly wasn't anything equivalent to the muscle-flexing seen since Daniels took office.

But is muscle-flexing such a bad thing, or is it a form of leadership?

We haven't bought in to all of the governor's proposals, and we'd be the first to say he's made his share of miscues.

Specifically, his end-run on the state's Open Meetings law by claiming that a gathering of the majorities of county councils surrounding Marion County was simply a party caucus was foolish. He deserves a trip to the woodshed for that nonsense.

But what we can't complain about is having a governor who is pushing an agenda, personally, strategically, and enthusiastically.

Hoosiers believe in the separation of powers, but they have no problem with a governor willing to lead, ready to step out front, and prepared to take political risks.

In fact, after 16 years of cruise control, they welcome it.

Is the governor assertive? He ought to be.

Should the Indiana General Assembly be assertive in return? Of course.

That's the sort of give and take necessary to move this state forward. — J.R.

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