Buyer Retires

Steve Buyer is retiring, citing his wife's "incurable autoimmune disease." Buyer curiously stated, however, that he will serve out the rest of his term. Under the saying, "When it rains....," Buyer was already facing congressional and IRS investigations for running "the little scholarship fund that could....but never did."

While I feel terrible for Buyer and cannot envision how devastated I would feel if we switched places, I cannot help but wonder how much further along medical science would be in combating autoimmune diseases had Republican leadership not done so much to stall stem cell research.

Campaign Diaries reports that Buyer was accompanied at his press conference by State Senator Brent Hershman, which served undoubtedly as an implicit endorsement by Buyer. But the intriguing idea floated is that Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman might be interested.

When the Governor selected her as his number two, she said she wouldn't run for his job. Then she changed her mind, resulting in friction and some very public gubernatorial stands on issues pushed by Todd Rokita, such as redistricting. Now Skillman finds herself in a tough fight and politically at odds with her own boss, which makes her 2012 chances pretty dim. How easy would it be for the Governor, who is now playing puppet master for every race in Indiana, to hoist his LG into that slot to clear the way for Todd Rokita?

If she wants it, Becky Skillman should pack her bags.

Buyer Retires

Buyer Beware: Congressman Gets Feelings Hurt?

For somebody who touts his military service (of subpoenas) constantly to make us think he's tough as steel, Steve Buyer sure can be creampuff. Remember in 2006 when Buyer refused to debate David Sanders, his Democratic opponent, because he was "mean-spirited?"

Now Buyer says there will only be one debate with his current opponent, Nels Ackerson, because Ackerson allegedly violated a debate rule, though Ackerson has no idea what Buyer is talking about, nor does anybody in the 4th District. Buyer is supposed to issue a statement to clarify what he meant. Word on the street is that Buyer was upset that the Ackerson campaign advertised the debate, which was hosted before the Indiana Farm Bureau. WHAT!?!?!? Yes, you read this correctly. Buyer was upset the Ackerson was telling people they were going to debate. Umm....isn't that the point of a debate? To get people to attend so, ya know, they can educate themselves?

Anytime somebody attacks Buyer's positions, voting record, or the fact that he pledged to serve only six years in Congress over sixteen years ago, Buyer takes his ball and goes home. Certainly, any campaign can decide debate schedule, and it is a tactic used by both parties' candidates who are leading to duck debates for fear of saying something stupid. But you'll see me call out my own party members when they don't debate. You'll also see me give credit to "poll leaders," such as Mitch Daniels, when they agree to debate when they have, ostensibly, a lot to risk in doing so.

Sure, some candidates or elected officials might be extremely knowledgeable and completely in tune with their constituents and still come off poorly for want of television polish. I get that. But
debating is part of the ritual that is running for public office, and if an elected official cannot withstand the intensity of public scrutiny and criticism, I find myself questioning whether (s)he is up to the job. You have to have a thick skin in politics, or you'll start acting out in vindictive and petty ways against political opponents that will compromise your constituents' best interests. And that's what bothers me about Buyer. He's too sensitive, and as a result, he suffers from podium cowardice.

That's why I'm about to utter probably my most "mean spirited" remark of the year:

Congressman Buyer, grow a set.

Buyer Beware: Congressman Gets Feelings Hurt?