Last weekend I attended the Decatur County Lincoln Day Dinner. I have wanted to hear Mike Braun, Luke Messer and Todd Rokita speak during the same event. This was my chance.
When my friend Dee and I arrived at the venue, we were instructed to go up the road, park at a church and a shuttle bus would bring us back to the venue. No big deal. People were arriving in a steady trickle, so things were moving along smoothly.
I never knew an athletic sports center could look so nice! The tables were beautifully decorated for the adults while an area at the other end was set up for children, complete with bouncy houses and fun entertainment.
A few-hundred-plus people were expected to attend. This was by far, the largest of these events I have attended. I saw several familiar faces and met several new friends. It was an honor to be invited where we could show our support of our Senate pick, Todd Rokita.
When it was time for each of the candidates to speak, the host gave a quick introduction. The speakers were told they would have 10 minutes each to speak to the crowd. They should use their time to tell attendees why they were the one who deserved their vote. Candidates would speak in alphabetical order.
MIKE BRAUN
First up was Mike Braun Mike, really does seem like a nice guy, but he just doesn't come across as political to me. He's a savvy businessman, but the few times I have seen him debate or speak, he just does not possess the pit bull with heart quality I look for in a candidate. After all, I AM voting for the person I trust most with the future of my kids and grandchildren.
LUKE MESSER
Next was Luke Messer. Going into the evening, I already had several reservations about Luke Messer, primarily the fact that he does NOT live in Indiana. His television advertisements come across as deceptive because they lead people to think he does live in Indiana. He Does Not!
Now, it's not required that a person live in the state to run for senate, BUT, I personally believe there is something unethical about a candidate who pleads for votes, then promises to represent people in the state, towns, and communities where he is running. How can we possibly expect a person to CARE about our community when they don't live here?
Think about it… they don't pay taxes to the area. They don't contribute to the community OR the local economy, other than when they pop in to campaign of course. Why should we assume they can care enough to represent us well?
Know what I mean?
About two-minutes into his ten, the mud started flying. Messer began attacking Rokita by name with the occasional glare in his direction. I KNOW politics is comparable to a blood sport at times, but this time, I was sitting front and center, witnessing the entire thing! I was SO put off by his actions, my blood boiled most of the drive home.
While he was slinging mud, and launching his attacks, I looked around the room, paying attention to the faces of those he had been chummiest with throughout the evening. Even many of them had confused or stunned looks on their faces. My attention went back to the stage. I listened and paid close attention to his mannerisms. Perhaps he was a good guy at one time. Perhaps he made Greensburg proud, years ago – but what I saw was a man who had been swallowed up by the D.C. Swamp! Nothing more, nothing less.
TODD ROKITA
Next, was Todd Rokita. Todd was far more political, he presented many of the reasons people should trust their vote to him, and he managed to point out a few less-than-savory facts about Luke Messer. Rokita was direct, he was humble, genuine, soft-spoken, but firm. I know, or at least I have heard, Rokita does possess a pit bull heart and uses it only when necessary. The fact that he could get up on that platform and speak to that large crowd with all the mud that had been slung in his direction, made me more certain in my choice.
MY TAKEAWAY OF THE EVENING
We were at a venue that we couldn't just walk out of, hop in our car and leave. We were essentially a captive audience in Messer-burg, the town where his mother lives. We were in the Luke Messer Safe Zone. It's my opinion that because we were on his home turf, he felt more comfortable showing his ass a little more than normal.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT work for the Rokita campaign, I’m just a pissed-off ex Democrat who won’t be snookered again! That’s all.
Let me know what you think. Leave a comment here.
Well said, Gayla. Exactly on point, as it went down.