Letter to the Editor: THE REAL REFERENDUM ON MAY 3

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THE REAL REFERENDUM ON MAY 3
By Daniel Kisner

Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 could signal end to a political era or it just may stay intact. After almost 8 years of political successes and failures for the Weinzapfel Administration, those who are loyal to Mayor Weinzapfel are now betting on Troy Tornatta to carry on the political torch of Mayor Weinzapfel.

Tornatta’s late entrance into the Democratic primary race has caused a major division within the Vanderburgh Democratic Party. Members of the Central Committee and its party Chairman, Mark Owen are openly supporting Tornatta over Rick Davis with their words, their actions, and their money. Local union bosses are not only supporting Tornatta, they are encouraging their membership to as well. Rick Davis has not been deterred. He continues to take his message door to door and from meeting to meeting. His campaign doesn’t rely on any outside pollsters or campaign staff. His newspaper advertising is on target with his mission–“It’s time for a new direction”. His TV ads are less effective because his lovely dog takes away from his political message. On the other hand Tornatta’s TV ad is considered to be a roll of the political dice. He openly supports the Weinzapfel doctrine and suggests that if you elect him the Weinzapfel era (business as usual) shall continue. Davis spends a great deal of time staying after a public gathering and talking with those whom attended the gathering one on one. Tornatta says his piece and leaves.

Both candidates are considered intelligent, honest, well intended, aggressive, and both candidate’s spouses are considered by all to be major assets to their campaigns. However it is Davis that has the political edge because of the anti-incumbent mood of the voters.

Political watchers have all eyes on the 2nd and 6th Wards. Conventional wisdom is that if Al Lindsey wins the 6th Ward and Patrick McBride wins the 2nd Ward then Rick Davis shall be elected. However if B J Watts wins the 6 Ward and Missy Mosby wins the 2nd Ward then Tornatta shall be elected. Of course the heavily Democratic 4th Ward is also a concern for both candidates. It is considered that the 4th Ward shall not give either candidate a big voting edge because of the recent non-endorsement editorial published in the popular “OUR TIMES” newspaper who serves the needs of the people living in the Center City area.

Political types also watching to see if Republicans will cross over to vote in the Democratic primary. If they do, it is expected that the majority shall vote shall be for Davis. Political types are reporting that the Davis camp is getting its lion share of the local Tea Party and Freedom Makers votes. Also the absentee votes shall be strongly in favor of Davis because of the extensive effort made by his supporters.

Tornatta’s camp is relying heavy on the local union bosses, Mayor Weinzapfel, his loyal supporters, Mark Owens and his Democratic Central Committee, a few elected County Officials, and City Attorney David Jones.

However, it is felt widely that the city employees of Evansville and independent thinking voters shall play a major role in determining who shall win this Democratic primary battle for the nomination for Mayor of Evansville!

No matter how the votes go in May 3 Democratic primary, this shall be considered a referendum on Mayor Weinzapfel last two (2) terms in office! If Tornatta is right about the Mayors popularity, then he wins! If Davis is correct about the general rejection of Mayor Weinzapfel’s way of running the City of Evansville, then he wins!

If the Mayor is considered popular in the 2nd and 6th Wards, then Mosby and Watts will win! If not, then Lindsey and McBride will win the Democratic nomination for these City Council seats!

If Davis loses this primary battle it is all but certain that his political future is in doubt! If Tornatta loses it is almost certain his political career is over because he will have lost two political races in a row.

Finally, if Tornatta loses it shall signal the end of a successful tenure for the Vanderburgh County Democratic Chairmen, Mark Owens because of the role he played in this primary battle.

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12 COMMENTS

  1. Ask anyone on the street – we are SICK of Weinzapfel’s tactics and his dishonest way of doing business. The voters will speak loud and clear tomorrow, and we will PICK RICK because we have had enough!

    As for Mark Owen, we don’t care where he goes, as long as it’s far, far away from our local party. Some might say he has damaged it beyond repair, but we will put it back together again. Look out, Evansville – change is on the way.

    Pick Rick Davis for Mayor.

    • Just Weinzapfel?

      Last time the Dems voted for “change”, well… errr… gulp! (I’ll believe it when I see it…)

      How quickly you “proud” Democrats forget Durham – whoops. How quickly you forget the Weaver political firings – whoops. Did you forget the reverse carpet bagger Reicken – whoops. Jack McNeeley’s threats – whoops.

      But you’ll kick the can for Rick with little, if any, specifics. You go out there and proudly put humpty dumpty back together again (your party), but in reality, you’re just flipping on the frankenstein you’ve created.

  2. EVANSVILLE NEEDS CHANGE! Don’t just hope for a better Evansville, VOTE FOR ONE!

    RICK DAVIS for Mayor
    PATRICK McMRIDE for the 2nd Ward City Council
    DON WALKER for 3rd Ward City Council
    AL LINDSEY for the 6th Ward City Council
    DAN ADAMS and STEVE SMITH for Council at Large

  3. First of all your post shows ignorance of how party politcs work. Mark Owen is the ELECTED chair of the party and does not serve at the mercy of the Mayor or any elected office holder. Regardless of who wins Tuesday Owen still several years left on his term and I doubt anything Rick Davis could say to him would make him vacate that chair. Any Democrat running for office should seek the advice and council of the Party Chair in their county if you want to be successful.

    • Tomorrow will show you how successful many can be without the backing of Mark Owen. Just wait and see…
      Rick WILL win
      Al WILL win
      Patrick WILL win
      Don WILL win
      Dan WILL win

    • “Mark Owen is the ELECTED chair of the party and does not serve at the mercy of the Mayor or any elected office holder.”

      That’s a good one! I’m still laughing! Only one question- where have YOU been?

  4. Change? Changing the rules? Al Lindsey doesnt even live in the city. Don Walker acts like the big union guy but doesnt even bother to get his signs made by his fellow union brothers. Thats the kind of Change we dont need.

    • Curt tomorrow the voters will decide if Lindsey lives in the 6th Ward or not and after the election when the charges filed against Mr. Mosby are finally brought out then the least of Dave Mosby’s worries will be where Lindsey lives but where his new home will be and does it have iron bars or not and if his roommate’s name is Bubba.

  6. This time tomorrow night the Dem Central Comm will have a tear in their beer!

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