A new poll taken by the Fort Wayne New-Sentinel for the Allen County Sheriff's race indicates that more than half of the people in Allen County who identify themselves as being Democrats are not supporting the Democratic candidate for Sheriff, Tina Taviano, who is believed to be one of the first openly lesbian women in Indiana to seek public office. According to the poll, Taviano is trailing her Republican opponent, Ken Fries, by a 57%-16% margin. An independent candidate, P.J. Smith is drawing 15% of the vote, or just one percentage point behind Taviano.
Although Taviano's political opponents have not raised her sexual orientation as an issue in the campaign to date, the wholesale abandonment of Taviano by her own party seems hard to explain otherwise. Only 46% of the Democrats polled said they supported Taviano, while Republican Fries picked up support from 19% of the Democrats and another 11% said they supported independent Smith. By comparison, Fries is capturing 85% of the vote of Republicans. Also, the poll showed a higher percentage of undecided voters among Democrats than any other group. While 12% of those polled overall declared themselves undecided, double that number, or 24% of Democrats, declared themselves undecided.
Former state representative and Fort Wayne Observed blogger Mitch Harper said of the poll results, "The numbers are historically unprecedented." "The results would mean that Ms. Taviano has lost a huge amount of the base Democratic vote." He added, "Mr. Smith probably benefits from Ms. Taviano lack of support within what should be the Democratic base."
Taviano's campaign has received enormous financial support from the national Victory Fund PAC, a gay rights political action group, which has kicked in $19,425 to her campaign. According to a Fort Wayne News-Gazette summary of the campaign financial reports for Fries and Taviano, she has competed head-to-head with him in fundraising to date and has more than sufficient funds to run a competitive campaign against Fries.
14 comments:
Gary -
The Fort Wayne paper says your friends (and I say that sarcastically) over at the Indiana Family Institute have dropped a bunch of money in this race. Do you think it's being used to spread the word that Taviano is weak on crime? I haven't seen what they've done, but I really doubt it.
All-in-all, I've been very, very disappointed in your attitude about things lately. Why the change to bitterness about Democrats? I really thought you were on to something with taking after evil Republicans and things you have some background in.
On the Congressional race up in Fort Wayne, it seemed to me that Hayhurst was after a man who was soliciting BOYS. That IS a crime against nature, and as a gay man I think it's a crime for which Foley and his defenders should be condemned. These boys were 15, 16, and 17. That may be "of the age of consent" in some places, but no where I know.
And the bottom line? These issues wouldn't be issues if not for ethical corruption in the Republican Party as an institution. Sunday night I got my personal call on behalf of the Republicans: Did I support Mahern/Elrod; did I support candidates who support the NRA ... gay marriage constitutional amendment ... pro-choice or pro-life candidates. Trust me when I say that Democrats are living and reacting in a Republican political world. Our campaigns about education, health care, public safety, and good government don't put a dent in the workings of the closet-cases of Karl Rove, Ken Mehlman, and company.
Take a deep breath, my friend. Take another look at the pictures of Eric Miller, Brian Bosma, John Waterman, Jeff Drozda, Mike Young, Jim Bradford, Woody Burton, Scott Schneider, Brent Waltz, and company. Heck, I'd throw in things like the Carl Drummer memorial lounge or rascals likek Ron Gibson and Monroe Gray. You have much better things you could and should be reporting!
Troy
Troy, you and Wilson are just alike. You are completely blinded by your partisanship for Democrats. You see everything wrong with the Republicans and nothing wrong with the Democrats. Unlike the two of you, I can see what is wrong in both parties and call the shots as I see them. Your suggestion that I'm friends with the IFI is as comical as your last run with the House Democrats. Check the archives of this blog if you doubt me. The GLBT community, as a whole, has been busting their asses to help elect key Democratic legislative candidates. I've personally expressed support for four here in Marion Co--Fuldauer, Barnes, Orentlicher and Brown. Your former boss, Mr. Bauer, decided to demoralize a key part of his political base by throwing away the marriage issue because it wasn't worth the fight. It looks to me Mr. Liggett, your time would be better spent talking to Mr. Bauer and working your butt off to help your dad instead of taking shots at people who are actually doing something to make a difference in this election.
I believe it AI. It's sad, but true, that once you leave Marion County, with the exception of little enclaves in Bloomington and Lafayette, you find virtually no support among Democrats for GLBT issues. These "traditional Hoosier Democrats" are just as hostile as the Republicans to gays and lesbians. I have to laugh at Troy Liggett complaining. He supported the suppression of GLBT issues throughout his tenure with Pat Bauer because he was more concerned about losing power than advancing gay civil rights.
It is precisely the GOP and its allies who are on an active and continuing attack on LGBT folk. It aint the Democrats introducing continually new anti-gay initiatives!
Democrats are having to be defensive - some have fallen for the shit shoveled out by the GOP. Democrats could be stronger on LGBT rights but compared to the Republican active and determined and hostile drive against LGBT folk - Pat Bauer seems like a Harvey Milk!
Gay Republicans whine at the mote in the Democrats eye while overlooking the Log in their own...
You are desperately happy to find fault with a few Democrats sins of omission while being unable to equally cover the multitudinous sins of commission by the GOP as a Party. AI does a good job on nailing Eric Miller but if you covered every local homophobic GOP nutjob, you wouldnt be able to find any time to knock elected Black officials...
I forgot to ask: are the Indiana Republicans running and enthusiastically supporting any openly gay candidates for any office whatsoever anywhere in Indiana? Didn't think so!
Or is this story simply to emphasize the evil Democrats are screwing over LGBT folk again - unlike the oh-so-virtuous Republicans?
Once again: mote-neighbors eye and Log-thine eye !
Gary -
Yes, I see things wrong with Democrats, too. Did you not catch that I support your reporting about the bar in the Center Township building ... and the shenanigans of Democrats like (the closeted) Ron Gibson and Monroe Gray, among others? I'd say I would not agree with my friend Wilson about all of these.
And please notice that I spelled out in clear words ("sarcastically") that IFI is not your friend or mine, for that matter ... though you oddly fired back otherwise. Please do not read my posting with the assumption that I was writing in partisan anger. I've been away from politics too long to get too worked up about any of this.
But please do reread your last few postings and take a second look at the facts about about your Taviano and Hayhurst bits. It is my impression that they were written with the same assumption about Democrats in general that I have about the Republican Party and its elected officials (and not those on the outside trying to put a dent in the evil armor). Does that make me wrong ... too?
Believe it or not, I have appreciated your positions on most all issues over the last couple of years of your blog. You haven't seen me being a regular critic. It may be my own sensitivity from election season, but I've read more "all Democrats are evil" in your postings the last couple of months, and I'm not enjoying or appreciating it because it's unjustified.
One more clarification -- I haven't so much as talked to Rep. Bauer or otherwise been involved in Democratic politics in any way for almost two years now except for one brief stint working for a candidate running against the County slate. It has been a pleasant life change, and I think I have a somewhat clearer perception of the world from the "outside." I have absolutely no desire to work in today's political world dominated by Karl Rove's push polls and negative campaigns built on wedge issues that demonize and foster hate. These evil Republicans that you used to call to task have built an evil empire that I'd prefer to watch implode than get so frustrated trying to topple or change.
Again, please reread my post. I really look forward to your next posting about the truly bad guys and the really bad things going on in our community to which no one else pays any attention, especially in the LGBT community.
Troy
Wilson, you never answered my e-mail about those really bad comments bearing your blogger ID which were written about Joe Lieberman on other blog sites. They were quite slanderous.
Troy, there's a bit of sarcasm in my reply about the IFI being referred to as my friend--I know you weren't serious. Curt Smith wasn't real happy about this post: http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2005/09/smith-and-ifi-abuse-non-profit-status.html
Sorry, I hadnt noticed your question about my comments elsewhere about Joe Lieberman - slanderous? not intentionally. Hyperbolic? Undoubtedly. I do find your concern for your favorite Democrat amusing and telling (about Joe).
Did you read of my Joe-Mockery URL Empire such as www.Sore-Loserman.com or www.WhinyJoe.com or www.LiebermanforLieberman.com or about 20 others? His webfolk were very sloppy about not registering names involving his slogans. I own www.BlogJoe2006.com and www.Joe2006Blog.com.
Folk have asked why I dont grab some ED fake webnames - he aint worth it at $9.20 per URL - folk dont have much of a sense of humor! Naptown isnt ready for such InnerTubes jockeying yet.
Damn...Wilson buys up potential blog/web names for Connecticut Senate candidates?
I don't even know what to say to that....
I'm a democrat, and I'm not voting for Taviano. It has nothing to do with her being a lesbian, but has to do with what I think is more experience in Fries.
I'm the straight son of a lesbian mother and I grew up in rural Indiana. No one can tell me a thing about how hard it is to be GLBT in Indiana. Especially during the 1980's when Gay Rights were nonexistent.
I understand AI's position. But seriously, just because I'm a democrat doesn't mean that I'm going to throw blanket support for someone because they are gay. I'm more interested in experience and whether I think the candidate will serve my interests.
That’s too bad. I lived in FW years ago – apx. 1996 we needed the police. Officer Taviano was the responding officer. She was great at helping us. And for the record I am a Republican. Honestly she would capture my vote. And that is from someone who has voted straight R for ever.
I also remember that she worked SP at my high school. She did not take any crap from us when we were teenagers, she defiantly has my respect for that.
Polls show exactly what the person who pays for them wants. If you read closely, the News-Sentinal states that people were called in the Congressional 3rd District. The 3rd district comprises part of Allen county as well as a good portion of Northeast Ihdiana. I live in southern Allen County and I am not part of the 3rd district. I have had a chance to talk with Tina, and I will be voting for her come election day, this coming from a registered Republican. I believe in voting for the person who has the best skills, just like I would hire a person with the best credentials. I have seen all the main debates, even during the primary. Tina has proven herself to me, and if you had a chance to talk with her, I believe you would feel the same.
I have to say that we had personal experience with Taviano in a child molestation case. We were the victims however she insisted on treating us like the criminals. We were humiliated and taken aback. When I saw she was running for Sheriff and her platform was on children and sexual predators I had to laugh. Due to her lack of interest in our case, 3 other family members children were molested. The criminal was charged in one case "by the city police" and he ran. Could she have stopped this madness if she would have done her job in the beginning? I always have voted Democrat but I will NOT vote for TAVIANO. Don't let the fake advertisements fool you.
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