The Tent Just Keeps Getting Smaller

The swearing in today of Mike Delph as state senator in District 29 gave those Hamiltonians who attended pause. The "dignitaries" who were AWOL stood out more than those who filled the Senate chamber. Congressman Dan Burton showed his class by coming from Washington, D.C. to support his colleague. Mike Murphy, Marion County Republican Chairman, State Representative, and one who helped put together "the deal" didn't make it from down the street. Senator Jeff Drozda was on hand, but Luke Kenley, Teresa Lubbers, and Beverly Gard, Republicans who represent Hamilton County, were no where to be seen. It just seems that those members of the General Assembly could have shown support for Mike by showing up. By the way, also on the MIA list was former senator Murray Clark, whose seat Mike won. The tent just keeps getting smaller.


It would have been nice to see Ike Randolph and Dan Gammon in attendance. It certainly would have shown Party support, but maybe their wounds are still healing. We suppose the swearing in of a senator from the most Republican county in the state is too insignificant for Governor Daniels to attend. Evidently Senate President Bob Garten didn't think so - he was there. Congressman Burton showed his class again by stopping in Daniel's office after the ceremony. Maybe he too, wondered, if the Guv was in town since RV-1 was nowhere in sight. Jim Kittle? He's not only state Republican Chairman, but also lives in District 29. He, too, was a no-show. Must have had floor duty at the store.

We take President Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment: "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican" seriously. And we do no ill by pointing out our observations. But the Party needs to take a lesson from the Carmel-Clay and Hamilton County Republican leadership who did show up. Namely, do what you have to do: Wear your Republican pride on your sleeve. Work to get Republicans elected, and pitch-in to do what it takes to make that tent bigger.