10/25/2010 - Indy Star Endorses Four Democrats in U.S. House Races
District 1: Pete Visclosky
Democrat Pete Visclosky will breeze to a 14th term in Congress on the strength of his delivery of the goods -- and the weakness of the GOP in the state's northeast corner.
Visclosky faces token opposition in perennial Republican candidate Mike Leyva and Libertarian Jon Morris.
The well-placed incumbent has used his seniority to bring home substantial federal funding for the struggling area's redevelopment. Clearly, constituents are not upset about his ties to lobbyists, who have profited from his clout.
Although federal probes did not link Visclosky to wrongdoing, they raised serious questions about earmarks and special interests. His opponents have done the same, but his lack of credible opposition trumps the criticism.
District 2: Joe Donnelly
Both major political parties have painted a bull's-eye on this north-central Indiana district, where Democrat Joe Donnelly is battling for a third term against Jackie Walorski, a Republican state legislator with strong conservative views and hefty national backing.
Libertarian Mark Vogel also is in the mix.
Since upsetting a Republican incumbent in 2006, Donnelly has sought to establish himself as a "blue dog" Democrat willing to break with his party.
Walorski maintains he has failed to show independence, citing the stimulus package and health-care reform. Donnelly defends those votes, pointing to a drop in unemployment in key parts of the district and noting that he demanded anti-abortion language and relief for Indiana medical device makers in the health-care package.
Beneath the noise of a nationalized campaign heavy with attack ads, Donnelly's record shows moderation and willingness to listen to constituents. He deserves to stay on the job.
District 7: Andre Carson
If Marvin Scott were to focus on Democratic incumbent Andre Carson's liberal voting record in this banner year for conservatives, he might be a credible candidate in a diverse district that comprises most of Marion County.
Instead, the Republican has resorted to attacks on Carson's Muslim religion. Scott's own behavior and judgment have been atrocious, including his decision to hire incendiary former talk show host Stan Solomon as his campaign manager. Solomon resigned under fire after posting anti-gay slurs online.
On concrete issues, the Butler University professor opposes the new health-care law and other Democrat-backed fiscal measures. Carson counters that the federal stimulus is working, nationally and locally; and that his constituents are "fired up about health-care reform."
Dav Wilson is the Libertarian candidate.
As he bids for his third election to the seat, Carson acknowledges there are causes for discontent, including the national debt, the corruption of the Afghan government and the power of special interests. On his list of other priorities are small-business lending, reduction of offender recidivism and immigration reform.
Carson commands strong loyalty in the district. He figures to buck the anti-Democrat tide, and justly so.
District 9: Baron Hill
Incumbent Baron Hill is a moderate Democrat who's shown solid growth since voters returned him to Washington in 2006. Hill was first elected to Congress in 1998, but lost the seat after three terms to Republican Mike Sodrel. Hill, in turn, upset Sodrel four years ago.
Now, it's Republican Todd Young, a deputy prosecutor in Orange County, who is challenging the incumbent. Young is an attractive candidate in many ways, but he lacks the experience that would give him the advantage over Hill.
Hill, who touts himself as a "blue dog'' Democrat, needs to show more independence from his party's leadership. Like many others in Congress, he also tends to try to score political points at the cost of thoughtful dialogue.
Greg "No Bull'' Knott is carrying the Libertarian banner in a district where third-party candidates have provided a reasonable alternative in the past.
Despite Young's appeal, Hill earns the endorsement based on his practical and political experience.
