Andre Carson left state Democratic Headquarters with a handful of papers this morning, preparing to file as a candidate for Congress in the 7th Congressional district.
Carson confirmed his intention to run but declined an interview on the subject until he can send a letter to the precinct committeemen who will choose a replacement for his grandmother, the late Julia Carson.
As for the committeemen, Democratic chairman Dan Parker points out that 560 of them will take part in a caucus to choose the nominee (Andre’s the favorite, all of a sudden) on January 12. On February 16th there will be slating for the May primary election and only 425 will take part. Its the result of redistricting that was ordered after Parker scheduled his caucus.
Marion County Chairman Mike O’Connor determines which committeemen get cut out for slating.
That makes three Democratic candidates actively working the race. State Rep. David Orentlicher has already been calling committeepersons and organizing fundraisers. Marion Co. Treasurer Mike Rodman is also seeking support from committeepersons. City-County Councilor Joanne Sanders, also mentioned as a possible candidate, is spending part of this week in Iowa working the Democratic presidential caucus being held there tomorrow night. Perhaps that means she will not be a candidate after all.
77 comments:
Guy has ZERO qualifications and NO political experience that make him a good candidate. Riding grandma's dead coattails certainly isn't how I'd like to make it to Congress. Viva la Ghetto Mafia!!!!!!!
Andre has a good head on his shoulders and a big heart. He will do just fine.
Not surprised. And I won't be surprised when they elect him as a savior.
Embarrassing.
How are the Republicans doing dredging up sacrificial lambs for the 7th District? (Hint: RV7 wont be rolling this year!)
Just like the presidentail race.
NEITHER PARTY will have a viable candidate!
The typical voters in the 7th have to be TOLD what to think. Maybe they will be strong armed, like in the past, to vote for whoever the ghetto mafia wants.
I remember te late Ms. Carson going to nursing homes and telling the residents that Eric Dickerson was going to try to take Social Security from them and that she would try to get them an increase.
People being told thatthey would lose their benefits, monthly checks from the gub-ment, and people being handed ballots already filled out.
WELCOME TO THE 7TH !!!!!!
It sounds like some commenters are unhappy that the 14th, 15th and 19th Amendments were ever passed ... Get over it!
Wilson, you're an idiot. The voters in the 7th dist have the right to be represents. Julia DID NOT represent us.
Andre saw that and he wants the
165K for doing what grandmama did...NOTHING!!!!!
Andre has my wholehearted support. He is a more than qualified to advocate for the people of the 7th. We are lucky to have such a quality candidate. I believe in him.
No one other than the Lord himself is a savior. Andre is a humble, decent and hard working advocate for the people. He will make a fine Congressman.
Just who is this hateful and hysterical anonymous nobody with repeated comments with the stuck!!!!!!! exclamation point key???? Jocelyn maybe?
Viva la Ghetto Mafia: I find your remarks insulting, racist and in bad taste. Gary: do you have control of what is said on this blog,
If you do remove this post or I will believe that you condone such hate.
Andre might be able to learn on the job, but he might not. David O is the most credible candidate on the merits who has been mentioned by either side.
Racist? Are you serious. That is dead-on right and the status quo of being under represented in the 7th will continue. Other than being handed a state job by his grandmother, what qualifications does he have to be a member of the United States Congress. Just because someone speaks the truth of him doesn't make them a racist. Don't cast such a broad net. And don't remove the post Gary, it is someone's opinion and in no way is it hate filled, prejudicial, or racist.
Shella is wrong about the Primary Convention. The 917 precincts will prevail.
arnie
I've always voted for Julia, but I won't vote for Andre. He has *no* background. I would happily vote for Carolene Mays or Greg Porter or David O. - they have all paid their dues, contributed to the community, and demonstrated that they can get some things done. Not so Andre.
Explain to me exactly how Andre is qualified to hold this position? He's served low-level county jobs and on the city-county council for a few months? He will most decidely *not* do just fine for the voters of the 7th district.
I supposed though that if your definition of "just fine" is "as well as Julia", then great, we'll have another do-nothing member of Congress. I wonder what some members of the party are getting in return for rolling over on this.
André Carson has served as a Local Board Officer/Investigator for the Indiana State Excise Police for nine years and was recently detailed to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s Intelligence Fusion Center. He is currently a marketing specialist for Cripe Architects & Engineers.
He was first elected to fill an unexpired term to our Indianapolis/Marion County City-County Council and recently won re-election.
I think that the common sense smarts that Andre has is preferable to all the degrees and statehouse experience of the other candidates. I know all of them. Nothing against the other Demo candidates, but I think he is simply the better choice.
Curious how some people speak against Andre, but not for any one in particular of the other candidates? I am for Andre and against no one.
Andre is going to prove all the nay sayers wrong anyway. But more importantly he will make a good Congressman.
He was first elected to fill an unexpired term to our Indianapolis/Marion County City-County Council and recently won re-election.
Placed on the ballot ILLEGALLY, you forgot to add.
The only reason he stayed on is because Beth White REFUSED to do her job and tell him that "it's too late"! Hmmm! A Peterson supporter doing something illegal? I find that hard to believe!
550 is correct. There was nothing racist about calling them the "ghetto mafia". They call themselve that.
Kind of like an african -American using the "N" word. It's not racist when it comes from them.
Wilson, was Andre` (how do you get that {`} in the right place?) part of the Excise Police officers who were banging the strippers at Brads?
Hell, I'd vote for Joanne Sanders first! At least I have heard her speak - Andre has said CRAP. Never heard an original thought come across his lips.
André was NOT part of that Brads crowd -- he's such a "straight arrow" and Dudley DoRight! He's 33 years old and has never been drunk once in his life...
agreeing with 6:43. come on, wilson. you know he was placed on the ballot illegally and "elected" with no opposition. that is all hardly something to brag about.
one thing that isn't getting a lot of discussion is andre's nation of islam past (current ties?). i cannot imagine that playing well here. i would imagine there are many loyal julia voters who would struggle with that. perhaps wilson can enlighten us on how that will be spun.
suddenly the other dems are starting to look appealling.
i am currently in david o's district. i campaigned for him in his first election. i have met with him on occassion and communicate with him frequently. he is clearly intelligent and should be commended for taking the initiative on legislation -- something julia carson rarely did. however, i have a hard time as seeing him as electable in a larger district. while i think he has the potential to do the best job of the bunch, he does come across as odd and more than a little creepy in person. any debate would do him in. while i personally have no problem with it, i have a hard time seeing him as someone a larger electorate would embrace.
i do believe the wild card here is sanders. she comes across well and has made the right friends over the years. i am still bewildered how she won in the general election when her african american counterparts lost. it seems odd but, unless there was some funny business there, it demonstrates her popularity.
That Wilson will defend anyone named Carson is reason enough not to consider this clown.
Andre was not part of the Excise incident.
People sure like to hate. If chosen, Andre will do fine.......He is not my first choice but he is quite capable.....Wilson, I think you are right,...the hate spewer is Jocelyn....same old Jocelyn.
I find it rather odd that the African American community feels that that they are somehow "owed" this Congressional seat in the Indiana 7th. No one but a Black is acceptable? That is extremely racist in and of itself.
The population of the 7th District is even close to being majority African American.
TOTAL POPULATION OF 7th: 675,674
WHITE: 63%
BLACK: 29.4%
HISPANIC: 4.4%
ASIAN: 1.3%
NATIVE AMERICAN: 0.2%
OTHER: 1.7%
It is more than obvious that Andre has been selected based more on his race than on his qualifications.
For African Americans to feel that this seat belongs to them is quite simply a joke.
It belongs to the person who can best represent ALL the people in the District, not someone who only speaks for fractional minority of selfserving individuals.
Good luck Andre but I seriously doubt you will make it. The numbers aren't in your favor nor is the public sentiment.
Don't think for a moment that the Republicans won't put up a good candidate with plenty of cash this time around.
This is the best chance the GOP has had in years to retake that seat.
This could literally end up being a real bloody fight.
How should one seed the contestants in this playoff?
I recall that same old tired numbers argument back in 1996 by secretive so-called "Democratic Leaders" against Julia Carson... it was wrong then, it's still wrong now!
Allegedly, the national Republicans (short on cash) have already told the local GOP that they're on their own for money for this Congressional race. Kerry took the District by 58% -- it'd be quite an uphill push for any Republican nominee. Why squander scarce money if you're likely to lose?
because of the way the 7th is drawn -- the heavily republican northeast and southern fringe of the county is not in it -- i can't imagine a republican winning. i believe all the CD districts that went to peterson are included in their entirety.
that being said, the primary probably will be a bloody mess irrespective of what happens in the slating process for the special election.
if a more pominent, experienced, and esteemed black democrat were to step up, it would be theirs.
Wilson, it's 2008 NOT 1996. Kerry isn't running.
Things change,regardless of what transpired in ages past.
For a district that's 64% white and only 29% black it's an anomily that a black candidate should win regardless of how it's gerrymandered.
You've made it a black and white issue but the numbers are the numbers and Andre is not the same color as Peterson OR Kerry.
A white candidate will take that district be they a Repub or a Dem.
Times changed and Julia's machine doesn't exist any longer.
OK, so Wilson is right!
He never did answer how he gets the ` in the right place, over the "e" in Andre`
In Windows, depress and hold down the ALT key and then using the side numeric keypad type in 0233 . Release the ALT key.
é !
In a minority-Black District, Julia Carson defeated 4 Caucasian candidates. Yes, times do change and racial polarization has decreased in America. Julia's repeated elections are proof of this ...
Andre is not qualified and I will not vote for him. When he gets some real experience from perhaps the CCC and if he stays clean then by all means he should run.
Right now he needs to learn how things should be done and not follow how is Grandmother did things.
By the way, there are five other majority-white Congressional Districts in the USA now with elected African-American Representatives. Senator Barack Obama is a quite credible Presidential candidate.
Yes, times do change and the old model of whites being too prejudiced to vote for a Black politician is going the way of the old cotton plantations of the South...
wilson, as andre's apparent spokesperson -- at least in the blogosphere -- would you provide the response on his status with nation of islam?
now that he's a candidate, you might as well get used to that question and be prepared to answer it.
Jeffery White,the Principal of John Marshall has been asked to run. Today, he refused to talk about running. He may "mess things up" for Andre. He is well liked by the African-American community and is not connected to the ghetto mafia.He was seen meeting with his close friend Steve Campbell talking about changing the community. Don't be suprised if Bart Peterson support him instead of Andre.
Wilson, tell us something..
Do you ever get tired of being the standard bearer of Black manipulation of White Guilt towards Black Empowerment?
I ask only because the proselyzation of you towards this end is rather disturbing. Although I am not Black, I would be offended if I saw and read comments of this ilk by a representation of the Oppressor, which you are, according to your spiel and "logic". Seriously, you dont open anyones mind to rationale thought on racial oppression, but rather open yourself up to scorn by both Black and White communities.
Go to Menards..I hear they are running a special on plaster. Perhaps you can plug the holes in your hands and feet and rid yourself of this martyr complex. Perhaps a step-ladder to get down off the cross would be helpful as well.
Just sayin'
8:32, my eyes swelled up at the beauty of your post. It may very well be the most amazing comment ever made on this blog. And the most pleasing thing about it is that Wilson's response will be exactly what you say it will. Empty air.
André Carson is not a member of the Nation of Islam (the so-called "Black Muslims"). He is both Black and also a Muslim but not a "Black Muslim".
Gary: Some may thing the term ghetto mafia is cute. Most people find it offensive and racist. You can have a good conversation without this type of language. If you think it is cute leave these posts up. If you think the term is offensive and racist don't allow them on your site.
9:06 -- if you think people posting on blogs coined the term ghetto mafia, you haven't been paying attention.
The term "ghetto mafia" was used by RiShawn Biddle, a former African-American editorial writer with the Indianapolis Star, to describe the Carson political machine. I've seen the term also used by other African-Americans, such as Darla Williams and Jocelyn Tandy Adande. Are you saying they are racists?
Using Darla, Jocelyn and RiShawn as authorities for decent political discourse is like using Britney Spears for motherhood guidelines or Michael Moore for dieting tips...
I agree 6:58pm. I think that Sanders is the one to watch and if she runs, I will gladly vote for her. Things are going to get interesting.
Gary: Rishawn Biddle ia a former writer because of comments like Getto Mafia. I don't know Darla Williams, but I have known Jocelyn since 1975 and she is crazy.
I hear blacks use the N word and that bothers me and I don't think that makes it okay for everyone to use the n word. I guess you have answered my question you do not find the term Ghetto Mafia offensive or racist.
Jocelyn Tandy Adande has screamed FAGGOT at me in public - you use her as a mentor for diversity issues? Astounding!
The problem with Andre Carson is twofold in BAPI's view. One is that he does not appear to offer anything significant in the way of leadership. His political career appears to be a creation of his relationship to Julia Carson and not much more. So thats problem number one, that he does not appear to offer much as an advocate for the people.
Secondly, its the job of the voters to select the 7th District Congress person. Julia does not get to anoint her successor or will the seat to a family member.
Andre Carson appears nice enough but other than serving as an excise cop, he has not done anything for the community nor the Democratic party.
I say go Daivid O!
"faggot" or "fag" is a british term for cigarette. Maybe she was asking you for a Marlboro!
If she would have said, "goofy looking little man who is an intelligently diverse and articulate moron" we would know for certain she was talking about Wilson46201
"it'd be quite an uphill push for any Republican nominee."
Wilson that's the same BS that you were pushing in the Mayoral race. The seat for the 7th is wide open and should prove to be a fight to the finish. Names are still floating within the GOP Elrod isn't a shoe in just yet.
Andre appears to be a good guy but Sanders would leave him in the dust.
The GOP can take this seat I for one think it’s time for some representation in the 7th. Jacobs and Carson have convinced me that the US Congress is nothing more than a retirement home. I hope someone proves that wrong.
1. Joanne Sanders has repeatedly said that she is not interested in running for congress. Why do people keep throwing her name in?
2. Jeff White Ha ha ha ha ha
3. Bart Peterson is DEAD in the Democratic party.
4. Even a poorly run campaign by Bart Peterson and he still carried the 7th congressional district. There is no way a republican will win that district.
11:26--if you think Bart Peterson is dead in the Democratic Party, please advise us for whom you'll be betting in the next Super Bowl. And I'll bet all my money on the opposite team. You simply don't know what you're talking about.
8:32 hit the ball out of the park.
It's this simple: Andre got his Excise job only because the then-chief, Gene Hunnycutt, was Julia's security chief before he went to Excise. Gene lasted only a short while there before being drummed out for some unseemly activity. He did stay long enough to grease the skids for Andre, who reportedly failed his written skills test on the first try for the Excise job.
Andre has not earned this nomination or election. If there were no other qualified candidates, I'd be inclined to support him. But there are other qualified candidates.
David O. would be wonderful, so would Joanne or Greg Porter, Carolene Mays or Robin Winston.
Many committeemen and women I know are reviewing all the candidates, and will not support Andre. Oddly enough, besides the qualifications thing, the most cited reason for not supporting Andre that I've heward:
Wilson supports him.
Seriously.
Listen,
It comes down to this:
Who are the folks on the Dem side worthy for consideration? In my mind, it's not Andre. He needs to cut his teeth more locally/state/etc.
Wilson, TY for attempting to be the go-between, but Andre, was most certainly a NOI member a decade ago. It's why Julia travelled to those nationAL noi CELEBRATIONS IN cHICAGO when she was trustee.
Wilson: I really do not understand why you spend so much effort attacking and insulting Ms. Tandy, Darla Williams etc. It is extremely disrespectfully and it demonstrates a certain character flaw in you. You defended Julia Carson and she certainly was not a perfect person! That being the case,why are you so excited about attacking other "non perfect people". You are certainly free to speak your mind in our free society, but being nasty for the sake of nasty is just offensive!
Be respectful of all people, none of us are perfect!
Respectfully yours;
Dragon Slayer
The seat will go to a well known African-American not directly connected to the democratic party. An attorney with Ice Miller and High School principal were discussed at the gym this morning. Both are smarter than Andre and are connected to the church community. They are expected to complete the required documents today. Lacy Johnson is backing the lawyer and two high prifile democracts are supporting the principal. The party needs "new blood" and they are looking outside of the circle for new leadership.
In reference to Andre not passing his test for Excise, the law says that a person must take the test not pass it. Besides, at that time the dept. needed minority officers. From my understanding, Andre did well at the Academy and continued to develop a great rep.
Also, while the super. was in for a short time, there was more positive work done such as closing bars, the officers receiving good raises, awareness of underage drinking etc...
Yes, people do mess up and that seems to be all the people look at, time has passed stop shooting the dead horse and let it go.
Wilson, you should teach keyboard "shortcuts for dummies"
That was something I didn't know, started playing around with it, found out a whole lot of cool things.
Somebody ought to tell Wilson's
candidate that being elected to
Congress requires that you represent everyone in their district whether they be under-priviliged or over-priviliged,
white or black, mainstream thought or nutcase.
Can someone identify what his
solution is on improving the
discrepancy between the dollar
and the euro? Better yet, does he even know what a euro is?
BTW, I'm a D.
9:38-
Congress doesn't have much to do with monetary policy...that's a job for the Fed. Congress deals with fiscal policy. Maybe a more appropriate questions would be to ask Andre's thoughts on the trade inbalance...
André Carson has a Masters degree in Business Management - that requires an economics class or two...
When I was president of the College Republicans at EIU back in 1984, I moderated a debate between Congressman Dan Crane and his GOP primary challenger, State Sen. Max Coffey. Crane was badly damaged by the page scandal and Coffey tried to capitalize on it by challenging him in the primary. Coffey had to punt about 2/3 of the questions because he knew nothing about many of the issues that are asked of a would-be congressman. Afterwards, Coffey's campaign manager accused me of rigging the debate. Crane smashed Coffey by a 2-1 margin but went on to lose the general because of the page scandal. Unfortunately, neither parties are going to have the benefit of a debate between their respective candidates to test them before they are thrust into the special election as their party's candidate. This allows even a completely unqualified candidate like Andre Carson a realistic chance of winning.
As Gary knows full well, it is the voters themselves that determine whether a candidate is qualified or not. White Republican lawyers may have opinions too but the constituents make binding choices based on an amazingly broad set of criteria for "qualified"...
Wilson,
Andre Carson is no Barack Obama.
Where did Andre recieve his college degrees from?
Let me guess, Martin U?
I'm still trying to figure how Andre went from Black Muslim to just a Muslim. I'm certain that Andre will recieve full support from his brother Abdul Hakin-Shabazz.
André Carson a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice Management from Concordia University-Wisconsin and a Masters in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.
André was associated with the NOI as a teenager -- as he matured, his religious outlook changed.
Amazing. Posters on this blog condemn and decry Andre Carson's "inexperience". Then others talk up the Principal at John Marshall, backed by Lacy Johnson (?!?!) and Steve Campbell to run for Congress. If Andre is inexperience, by that same measure so would a middle school principal. I think the John Marshall principal for Congress thread is hot air we all need to warm up our homes and cars.
Andre must have earned those degrees online. Tell me, why are there so many Concordia Universities in so many different cities?
And what, pray tell, is criminal justice management?
Wilson46201 said...
As Gary knows full well, it is the voters themselves that determine whether a candidate is qualified or not. White Republican lawyers may have opinions too but the constituents make binding choices based on an amazingly broad set of criteria for "qualified"...
---
As do those who do the slating and or vote on who gets picked to run in a special election.
The voters get to choose from those that are picked by others.
Google is the friend of supercilious questioners...
I talked for about 30 minutes with Andre Carson today. I was undecided when I picked up the call, and when I hung up...he had my vote. He's young, intelligent, and much more than just Julia's Grandson. I think when the district gets to know him, that he will be the clear choice.
Again, he's much much more than just Julia's grandson!
The middle school principal is nothing but a puppet for the GOP who know that they cant win the district so they will have a candidate in the dem primary...look where his money comes from and who supports him..and then examine his views.....he is a republican...also he wont get many votes from IPS people or Marshall parents and teachers.
Wilson keeps saying that Andre Carson is NOT Nation of Islam.
Well, then, Wilson -- since you know everything -- what kind of Muslim is he?
Where does he go for Friday prayers?
Carson confirmed his intention to run but declined an interview on the subject until he can send a letter to the precinct committeemen who will choose a replacement for his grandmother, the late Julia Carson.
Farakhan spoke at the grandmothers funeral which speaks volumes and this clown Carsonis a Noi hater......
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