July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Has Daniels gone too far this time? (03/09/06)
Editorial
The line between campaigning and governing keeps getting thinner and thinner. Instead of debate, these days we get a sales pitch.
The trend began, arguably, back in the first term of the Clinton administration when a flawed attempt at health care reform was met with an onslaught of television commercials that muddied an already complex issue beyond recognition.
Having seen the tactics, no politician in his right mind is eager to return to that issue, even though there’s widespread agreement the problems have gotten worse, not better, in the intervening years.
Now the trend has arrived in Indiana. Big time.
Faced with public opposition to Major Moves, his plan to lease the Indiana Toll Road for 75 years in order to fund long-delayed highway improvement projects around the state, Gov. Mitch Daniels is focusing on the sales pitch.
He’s essentially won his case in the Indiana General Assembly, though details are still being worked out.
Where he hasn’t won is in the court of public opinion. Hoosiers don’t much like the idea.
Even some of the governor’s own supporters will admit to being a bit uncomfortable with the boldness of the plan.
So now comes the advertising campaign.
It’s going to be coming from an outfit called Aiming Higher Inc., but it’s essentially going to be an extension of the Daniels election campaign. And it’s getting funding from companies who will be doing business with the state.
Aiming Higher was created with funds left over from the Daniels election effort and exists solely to push the governor’s agenda.
According to The Indianapolis Star, Aiming Higher has raised $1.2 million, with almost a third coming from engineering and construction firms that stand to benefit most from the toll road leasing windfall.
Is this all legal? The governor’s a very smart guy, so it’s safe to assume the concept has been fully vetted by a staff of lawyers.
Is it good governance? That’s another story.
The old method of making your case, engaging in open debate, building consensus, then taking action doesn’t appeal much to the change-driven Daniels administration.
Instead, the new system seems to be decide privately on a course of action, bully it through the legislature, then sell it to the voters.
Will it work?
That remains to be seen. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
The trend began, arguably, back in the first term of the Clinton administration when a flawed attempt at health care reform was met with an onslaught of television commercials that muddied an already complex issue beyond recognition.
Having seen the tactics, no politician in his right mind is eager to return to that issue, even though there’s widespread agreement the problems have gotten worse, not better, in the intervening years.
Now the trend has arrived in Indiana. Big time.
Faced with public opposition to Major Moves, his plan to lease the Indiana Toll Road for 75 years in order to fund long-delayed highway improvement projects around the state, Gov. Mitch Daniels is focusing on the sales pitch.
He’s essentially won his case in the Indiana General Assembly, though details are still being worked out.
Where he hasn’t won is in the court of public opinion. Hoosiers don’t much like the idea.
Even some of the governor’s own supporters will admit to being a bit uncomfortable with the boldness of the plan.
So now comes the advertising campaign.
It’s going to be coming from an outfit called Aiming Higher Inc., but it’s essentially going to be an extension of the Daniels election campaign. And it’s getting funding from companies who will be doing business with the state.
Aiming Higher was created with funds left over from the Daniels election effort and exists solely to push the governor’s agenda.
According to The Indianapolis Star, Aiming Higher has raised $1.2 million, with almost a third coming from engineering and construction firms that stand to benefit most from the toll road leasing windfall.
Is this all legal? The governor’s a very smart guy, so it’s safe to assume the concept has been fully vetted by a staff of lawyers.
Is it good governance? That’s another story.
The old method of making your case, engaging in open debate, building consensus, then taking action doesn’t appeal much to the change-driven Daniels administration.
Instead, the new system seems to be decide privately on a course of action, bully it through the legislature, then sell it to the voters.
Will it work?
That remains to be seen. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
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