Political observers close to the district say Carson’s under-performance can be attributed to two things: redistricting, which made her district somewhat less Democratic, and her health problems.
Since being elected in 1996, Carson has battled a number of ailments, including heart disease (she had bypass surgery in 1997), high blood pressure, asthma and diabetes. In 2004, she missed almost a third of the House roll call votes and fell seven points shy of Kerry’s mark.
Carson’s health concerns have prompted some local Democrats to call for her retirement. Possible successors being mentioned are state representatives Carolene Mays and Gregory W. Porter; Robin Winston, former Indiana Democratic Party chair; Woodrow Myers, a former state health commissioner; and Carl Drummer, a Center Township trustee. Another name being tossed around is the incumbent’s grandson, Andre Carson, who recently won a seat on the Indianapolis’ city-county council.
The elder-Carson, though, defused speculation late last month that she would step aside. According to the Indianapolis Star, Carson told a group of reporters that she is committed to running again in 2008.
If Carson stays true to her word, she should be a lock for her party’s nomination. “You don’t challenge the queen, unless you know the queen is definitely gone,” said Brian Howey, a political analyst for Indiana’s Howey Political Report. “I think there is a sense that if there is an overreaching, [a challenger] could pay the price.”
CQ Politics notes Carson's fundraising efforts to date have been anemic, having raised only $8,500 as of the June 30 filing deadline. Jen Wagner, Indiana Democratic Party communications director, tells the publication Carson doesn't need to raise much money in her district to win. "The Congresswoman has a different district, and hasn’t relied on fundraising,” Wagner added. “It is a small-compacted district, and she has a great grass-roots network.” She also tells the publication Carson is "well liked" in her district.
The Democratic Party has to think very little of the people of the 7th District to expect us to return Carson to Congress for yet another term in her condition. Would someone in the Democratic Party please stand up and tell her it's time to go?
Hat tip to Blue Indiana for catching this article.
33 comments:
Woodrow Myers? I'd love to see him serve in Congress, but I thought he moved away and was making a ton of money in California(?).
I don't know, but I find it extremely insulting to the majority of non-African-Americans who live in the district that only names of African-Americans would be floated as possible successors.
You left out the best part of the CQ Politics article:
Carson’s personable skills haven’t scared Republican Wayne E. Harmon, who filed with the FEC earlier this month. Harmon is a retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who served in Iraq during the ongoing war in that nation. He retired from the military in 2005 and currently is a probation officer.
There was someone named Wayne Harmon who served as a Parole Officer in Ohio until he was involuntarily separated after a psychologist concluded he was incapable of performing the essential functions of a Parole Officer.
http://pbr.ohio.gov/pdf/2001/01-IDS-07-0194.pdf
I'm interested in knowing if it was the same person. If it is, you should be even more insulted that the Republican party would only float him as a possible contender.
They don't want a qualified person, just another icon to represent the african americans but not do anything for them.
As an African-American I find it insulting to think that our successors must be "Selected" for us by the Ghetto Mafia.
The successor may very well be someone different than those floated because EVERYONE has the "right" to run for office and the "People" select the successor.
The reason we have Julia Carson, Carl Drummer, Tony Duncan, Monroe Gray, and the rest of those clowns is because greedy people use an antiquated slating system to shove these low lifes down our throats.
Enough is Enough!!!!!
Gary, I gotta hand it to you--it's some kind of record.
A JC post stands for almost two hours thus far, with nary one Wilson comment.
Miss Carson has richly earned retirement. Our district deserves full-time representation. Her health is not good enough for her to continue. I saw her at the airport in May or June, in a wheelchair, being pushed by staffer (who was, by the by, VERY cute), and her head down. They waved her through security with not one iota of checking. What I observed was a pathetically frail woman.
All the names mentioend are possibilities, but that dogfight, if you'll pardon the cliche, has yet to begin. It will NOT be Andre, bank on that. And there's another certainty:
If "The Queen" serves until, God forbid, she dies, she will not be around to influence votes for her replacement. Her influence is waning anyway, but if she's not here, she has zero influence.
I, too, would love to se emore names, and not all have to be African-American. It's that mentality attitude that's gotten us into the trouble we're in in this city.
The best candidate will win, when that time comes. I hope, anyway.
I don't plan to comment in here because it's just another classic Julia-hatefest posting from AI ... might as well let the anonymous nobodies bay at the moon!
We are all doomed when we can't get rid of Carson the incompetent. What's wrong with you people who elect her over and over.
It's curious that Carson's number one fan would post such inflammatory comments on her. Perhaps so a certain somebody can turn around and point a finger at her critics? Pitiful.
She needs to leave why? If the people of the 7th feel she needs to go, then she will go. If we continue to vote for her, then how can she be seen as self serving? If she missed ALL her votes, and the electorate reelects her, isn't it the electorates fault?
Marti, I can't explain why the voters elect half the politicians they elect in this county. It really doesn't say much for representative democracy. But for her gerrymandered district, she we would have been long gone. It's the same with Dan Burton, but at least a decent person with a solid reputation is going to give voters a choice in the Republican primary next year. An openly gay (the first in the state's history)and successful Capitol Hill aide decided to take her on two years ago and look what those folks at Bilerico did to destroy him.
What IP address was that supposedly Number One Fan posting from? You know mine is 24.229.128.27 on a static cable modem via Earthlink. It's also confirmed by that Email I just sent you in the header.
AI is right that the gerrymandered district helps Carson, but there is another aspect that Carson critics miss. Her staff must be topnotch at constituent services. I cannot tell you the number of times I've overheard people in her district say "Call Julia's office, they'll help you."
I sent letters to our representatives in Washington a couple of years ago regarding a piece of legislation that was important to me. I got a response form Julia's office. Nobody else responded. Interestingly, my position was more in line with the R's than the D's.
The 7th District is only about 30% Black. Most of the District is outside of Center Township. Your analysis is flawed.
"I ain't got no nickel in that dime."
- Julia Carson
Nuff said.
Center Township has always been majority white - Blacks are only 41% there.
Julia actually arranged to have the 300 East building named after her before she left office as Center Township Trustee, which included ordering the expensive monument to dedicate the building in her honor.
I am a Democrat who wishes Julia would not run again but when I keep hearing this ignorant cruel bashing and lies about her, it makes me want to tell her to run again and show those ignorant a-holes that they dont know whatthey are talking about. The more lies and cruel jokes and jibes they write or tell, the more they solidify her base.
anon 2:46, the rumor is obviously not worth repeating. Think about it, Andre is Julia's grandson.
You Said: The more lies and cruel jokes and jibes they write or tell, the more they solidify her base.
Response: Thats not true. Her handlers warn people to "not criticize her" to save her but, They threaten "it'll make people vote for her."
That's a lie.
We've had enough, we're telling the truth, no more silent victims.
We don't LOVE JULIA!!!!!
About 10% of African-Americans voted for Bush and Republicans. About 10% of Indianapolis Blacks dont like Julia Carson - big whoop!
Of course, that "Proud" person was too ashamed to use her own name. Funny, isn't it?
Jocelyn...whatever her name is on here again.....
I'll continue posting this whenenver Julia's successor are listed: State Rep. Carolene Mayes is the ONLY Democrat in Marion County who voted FOR the Republican's same sex marriage constitutional amendment, and she's never retracted her vote.
It would be TERRIBLE if she is sent to Congress with that record.
Julia has been our "Fool on Capitol Hill" far too long. She is an embarrassment to the city. Nobody, even Capitol police, can believe that she is a representative...
Ignorant, uncouth, corrupt are the three terms that best describe her.
Anonymous 10:27 AM
Wrong, I am not Jocelyn. Someone on this blog must really love to write about her.
Wilson Allen, paid mouthpiece for Carson ant the Ghetto Mafia, it is none of your business who is commenting on this blog. Get your own blog so that you can track people.
I agree with anon 11:45 ...Carolene Mays will NOT be able to buy this congressional seat.
You said: I'll continue posting this whenenver Julia's successor are listed: State Rep. Carolene Mayes is the ONLY Democrat in Marion County who voted FOR the Republican's same sex marriage constitutional amendment, and she's never retracted her vote.
It would be TERRIBLE if she is sent to Congress with that record.
Response: Please keep reminding everyone, I'll do the same. It would be devastating if she's sent to Congress, you talk about getting RAPED BIG, look what Julia did and she's dumber than Carolene!!!!
NO ONE is dumber than Carolene!!!!!!!!!
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