WTF? Now they sue to keep Ockomon out of office

Amazing but true, Suit filed to prevent Ockomon from taking office.

Who was the bonehead who came up with this idea? I know about rumblings that Ockomon actually lived in Chesterfield but no one challenged his residency. At least, not till after the election and just before Ockomon's swearing in. Maybe the Republicans remember when they did this to Evan Bayh.

But then Larry Davis is not a Republican. Or was not. The Herald Bulletin reports a rumor I heard weeks ago that Larry was out at Animal Control. There was talk a few years back that he wanted to be Democratic County Chair. So speculate as to his motive.

I am not sure if this move dumber on legal or political grounds. I should note that Jim Anderson, the commissioner who denied the temporary restraining order, is a Republican.

FEC Watch

For anyone wanting to keep an eye on the Federal Election Commission check out this site.

Primaries: Muncie, Anderson and Kokomo

Anderson - Ockomon versus Smith in the Fall. Everyone give Rensel a big hand. The last thing we need in the Fall is a split party and Mr. Rensell shows his class in the Herald-Bulletin:

Ockomon said he received a call from Rensel Tuesday evening after results were in, pledging his support.

Rensel, who was seeking political office for the first time, has not ruled out another run.

“I’m ready to do it again,” said Rensel, 43, owner of Mahalo Graphics. “I’m looking forward to a good race in November.”

It appears that our Mayor hobnobbed too much with our Governor about the Interstate Commerce Connector and picked up the Governor's campaigning style:

“I think the die has been cast,” Smith said. “The election this fall will be for the future of Anderson, and it will determine whether we continue with the development, with the job growth, or whether we go back to the political machine of the previous 16 years.”

Incumbent Elwood Mayor Taylor won his primary but Alexandria's mayor lost his primary.

Anderson City Council winners were Muir, Chamberlain and Eicks. Muir and Chamberlain are incumbents and Eicks is a newbie.

Once again, a low turnout in Madison County. Which everyone will be worrying about but probably about the wrong thing. Primaries are about identifying with a party. To me, low turnout means that there is little identification with the local Democratic Party. I would say that about the Republicans too, but as Smith had no competition there was no need for a Republican turnout.

Also, I voted for the first time on one of the touchscreen machines. Interesting in one way - seeing the tech in use is just that interesting. I gritted my teeth about there being no paper trail.

No way can I describe the Kokomo mayoral race. That thing was just too weird. Here is the news from Kokomo. Sounds like they had a good turnout in Kokomo.

The Muncie paper covered their races quite well and you can find the articles here.

Another idea for reforming the Electoral College

From E.J. Dionne's column in The Washington Post:

It does not have to be this way. As someone who lives in Maryland, I am proud that my state may pioneer a process that could lead to popular election of the president. The state Senate passed a bill last Wednesday that would commit Maryland's 10 electors to voting for the winner of the nationwide popular vote. The bill is expected to pass in the House of Delegates this week, and Gov. Martin O'Malley has said he would sign it.

The law would not take effect unless states representing a 270-vote electoral college majority pass similar laws. The idea is to create a compact among states genuinely committed to popular rule.

An interesting idea and an interesting means of implementing the idea. Dionne, however, hits the national recount issue on the head here:

But direct election of presidents works just fine in France and in Mexico, which managed to get through a divisive, terribly narrow presidential election last year. Are opponents of the popular vote saying our country is less competent at running elections than France or Mexico?

If we are not more competent than France or Mexico, why are we so incompetent?