July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Time to start offering some specifics (10/08/07)
Editorial
Saturday's page one might be a collectible.
After all, how often does one get to see two gubernatorial candidates in the same picture, with one speaking and one listening.
But if that photo is going to have any significant value on eBay a dozen years from now, something else is going to have to happen.
The Democratic challengers to Gov. Mitch Daniels are going to have to start talking in specifics rather than generalities.
At this point in any campaign, it's easy to go out and deliver a speech that says property taxes are too high, Indiana is losing too many jobs, and the Daniels administration has gone overboard with privatization.
What's difficult - and what will be required over the next several months - is spelling out how, specifically, Indiana's tax system should be restructured, how to make sure the state makes a net gain in job creation in a climate of job elimination, and what are the limits of privatizing governmental functions.
On Friday, when the two Democratic gubernatorial candidates came to Jay County, the easy answers were plentiful. The tough ones were harder to find.
While there was evidence that Jill Long Thompson and Jim Schellinger were working to put together polished and effective campaigns, there wasn't much evidence that they had a clear handle on what they would do if they were actually elected.
Property taxes for homeowners are too high? Fine. What do we do about it?
Manufacturing jobs continue to disappear? Fine. What do we do about it?
Privatizing the toll road was a stupid idea? Fine. Explain why and offer alternatives that make sense.
In some ways, the lack of substance from Friday's joint appearance by Jill Long Thompson and Jim Schelliniger is understandable. It's way too early in the political season to be making any judgments.
But, just the same, it would have been encouraging and heartening if the challengers to Daniels had been more concrete and more specific in how they'd do the job if elected. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
After all, how often does one get to see two gubernatorial candidates in the same picture, with one speaking and one listening.
But if that photo is going to have any significant value on eBay a dozen years from now, something else is going to have to happen.
The Democratic challengers to Gov. Mitch Daniels are going to have to start talking in specifics rather than generalities.
At this point in any campaign, it's easy to go out and deliver a speech that says property taxes are too high, Indiana is losing too many jobs, and the Daniels administration has gone overboard with privatization.
What's difficult - and what will be required over the next several months - is spelling out how, specifically, Indiana's tax system should be restructured, how to make sure the state makes a net gain in job creation in a climate of job elimination, and what are the limits of privatizing governmental functions.
On Friday, when the two Democratic gubernatorial candidates came to Jay County, the easy answers were plentiful. The tough ones were harder to find.
While there was evidence that Jill Long Thompson and Jim Schellinger were working to put together polished and effective campaigns, there wasn't much evidence that they had a clear handle on what they would do if they were actually elected.
Property taxes for homeowners are too high? Fine. What do we do about it?
Manufacturing jobs continue to disappear? Fine. What do we do about it?
Privatizing the toll road was a stupid idea? Fine. Explain why and offer alternatives that make sense.
In some ways, the lack of substance from Friday's joint appearance by Jill Long Thompson and Jim Schelliniger is understandable. It's way too early in the political season to be making any judgments.
But, just the same, it would have been encouraging and heartening if the challengers to Daniels had been more concrete and more specific in how they'd do the job if elected. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD