Speech from GOP playbook (1/16/04)

For a Democratic governor, Joe Kernan sure sounded like a Republican the other night.

Gov. Kernan’s first-ever State of the State address was a striking contrast to his most recent predecessors. The late Frank O’Bannon was many things, but even his best friends would agree that he wasn’t an orator. And Evan Bayh’s constant caution kept him tepid rather than stirring.

By comparison, Kernan’s confident, animated, straight talk was dynamic and spirited.

It’s in terms of content that the new governor had a GOP flavor. While emphasizing job creation, he was firm in maintaining that he would see the state’s budget balanced without raising taxes.

What he didn’t say, of course, is how he’s going to do it.

Republicans in the General Assembly have rightly taken him to task on that point. But they have to admit that he’s got the destination right even if the specific route isn’t yet clear.

It’s now up to Joe Kernan to make the tough choices on spending cuts which will get Indiana’s fiscal house back in order. That’s not going to be easy, but if he pulls it off this week’s State of the State address may be one for the history books. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]