IN-SEN: Brains or Braun?

[StateBoiler]

https://apnews.com/amp/aaeb92bec9c2430ea6b23c85fab84948

Rokita used to be a Never-Trumper. Messer isn't gonna let him off the hook for it.

This primary is such a sh!tshow.

Eh, not really, that's just politics. The first debate between the 3 was very civil.

Who do you prefer, out of curiosity?

Not decided yet. I know it's not Rokita, so I'll vote for either Braun or Messer. Right now I'm leaning Braun.

I'll be attending the April 23rd debate.

[BuckeyeNut]

Heard it down the grapevine from an Indiana Republican officiant that they don't want Braun to be the nominee. Which doesn't make sense to me, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Lolwut why on earth? He’s easily the strongest nominee. I’d set this race to Tilt R if he wins the primary

I really don't know. My guess is they feel Braun won't fire up the base enough? Donnelly will definitely benefit from a trade war, since tariffs on pork are riling up farmers, and if a soy tariff follows? Boy howdy.

Ironically, Pete Visclosky, Democrat representative in Congress from Lake County, is full on board with the tariffs. Jackie Walorski, Republican representative in Congress from next door in northern Indiana (where a lot of RV manufacturing is done, in addition to farming), is against it.

I do wonder how many voters though are actually impacted by tariffs on farming. There's been a lot of consolidation of the small family farms. There's still family farmers, but they're larger operations now acreage-wise, which means there's less of them as a percentage of overall voters.

That said, I don't expect Lake County Democrats to vote for the Republican, or a lot of Walorski's constituents to vote for Donnelly. Tariffs would hurt Braun's business, so not sure he'd be for it. Watched the economic debate a week or so ago, and I think he was against it. This hand grenade the president threw doesn't really fit on left-vs-right lines. Union voters for example are probably a majority for them. Due to my line of work, I'm not pro-tariff. I am more pro-stopping countries from intentionally undervaluing their currency than anything (which the entire tariff conversation is a reaction to, of course the media and no one else are near smart enough on the issue to talk about that). This is more just an example of how Bretton Woods II is failing and we need a Bretton Woods III.

WIBC recap of the 1st debate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpOsDErRx_s

Eh, I wouldn't be so sure. Donnelly was their Congressman for a couple of terms, and he fended off Walorski in '10, and she then went on to narrowly win in '12.

[Free Bird]

We really should change the thread title lol

[KingSweden]

https://apnews.com/amp/aaeb92bec9c2430ea6b23c85fab84948

Rokita used to be a Never-Trumper. Messer isn't gonna let him off the hook for it.

This primary is such a sh!tshow.

Eh, not really, that's just politics. The first debate between the 3 was very civil.

Who do you prefer, out of curiosity?

Not decided yet. I know it's not Rokita, so I'll vote for either Braun or Messer. Right now I'm leaning Braun.

I'll be attending the April 23rd debate.

Fair enough. You didn’t strike me as a Rokita guy, so that makes sense.

[Pandaguineapig]

As a current Indiana resident I'm currently torn between Braun and Messer though I think Braun has a better shot in the General

[_]

Another ad out by Braun, looks as good as the cutout ad of Messer and Rokita imo.

[#gravelgang #lessiglad]

Another ad out by Braun, looks as good as the cutout ad of Messer and Rokita imo.

Braun has a really good ad agency. This ad is really clever and stands out against the typical political ads. It's a little cheesy, but tbh a little cheesy plays well in Indiana.

[#gravelgang #lessiglad]

Rokita accessed Republican Party records on his government computer while serving as IN Secretary of State.

The literal definition of a nothingburger.

[UWS]

Rokita accessed Republican Party records on his government computer while serving as IN Secretary of State.

The literal definition of a nothingburger.

I guess its a great opportunity for Messer to jump on it to attack Rokita as we are approaching the senate primary on May 8.

[Ye We Can]

I currently think that the Republicans will beat one of the Trump state incumbents, and I could see Braun being the only R gain.

[Holy Unifying Centrist]

I currently think that the Republicans will beat one of the Trump state incumbents, and I could see Braun being the only R gain.

I'd give it to Jenkins before Braun, but if Morrissey or god forbid Blankensh!t wins, then Braun is the most likely.

[StateBoiler]

The Trump reelection campaign has demanded the Rokita campaign remove these road signs.



http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/20180419/trump-team-rokita-must-remove-signs

Rokita has agreed to participate in the Indiana Debate Commission's April 30th debate.

[#gravelgang #lessiglad]

Good lord, Rokita is a cluster of a bad campaign. How can someone who's been in Indiana politics for going on 15 years be so bad at it?

[TheRocketRaccoon]

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/19/luke-messer-indiana-primary-2018-senate-race-didnt-disclose-duis-when-lawmaker-drunk-driving/511788002/

Y I K E S

[Hindsight was 2020]

This primary is a car wreck

[Hoosier_Nick]

Mike Braun's got this. I'm almost at the point where I'd give him like a 75% chance of winning, even though that's the outcome I want least (the other two would be much, much easier to beat.)

[StateBoiler]

Brian Howey:

https://howeypolitics.com/Content/Default/Lead-Story/Article/Horse-Race-Rokita-teeters-as-Messer-makes-Indy-TV-push/-3/346/17387

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Former Congressman Mark Souder's take on the race for the same publication. The Messer line is worth a laugh.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Holy Unifying Centrist]

How did Mike raise taxes?

[StateBoiler]

How did Mike raise taxes?

The supermajority Republican state legislature has most notably approved a decent-sized gas tax hike for the purpose of repairing the state's road infrastructure in the past couple years. Braun served in the state House until late last year.

Not sure how they get the 45 number, but that's the key one.

[Lamda]

Here is something that Joe Donnelly can use against Braun if he the Republican nominee.

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/06/mike-braun-indiana-primary-2018-senate-race-ethics-concerns-timber-industry/490093002/

[#gravelgang #lessiglad]

The timber story won't do lasting damage. It'll hurt as much as Donnelly's (now former) ownership in his family business that's accused of outsourcing.

But I do maintain that while Braun might have a high ceiling as a candidate, he also has a lower floor than the Reps. Their negatives are fairly priced in and Braun hasn't been vetted much. He'll probably be the best candidate, but don't count out some pretty bad oppo.

[junior chįmp]

Here is something that Joe Donnelly can use against Braun if he the Republican nominee.

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/06/mike-braun-indiana-primary-2018-senate-race-ethics-concerns-timber-industry/490093002/

Nobody will care. Almost all 2018 races are a referendum on Trump period

[Young Conservative]

Here is something that Joe Donnelly can use against Braun if he the Republican nominee.

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/06/mike-braun-indiana-primary-2018-senate-race-ethics-concerns-timber-industry/490093002/

Nobody will care. Almost all 2018 races are a referendum on Trump period

Nobody will care because the legislation benefited his entire industry, not just his business.

[Bidenworth2020]

Here is something that Joe Donnelly can use against Braun if he the Republican nominee.

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/06/mike-braun-indiana-primary-2018-senate-race-ethics-concerns-timber-industry/490093002/

Nobody will care. Almost all 2018 races are a referendum on Trump period

Nobody will care because the legislation benefited his entire industry, not just his business.

deregulating oil companies-

Nobody will care because the legislation benefited his entire industry, not just his business.

[StateBoiler]

Here is something that Joe Donnelly can use against Braun if he the Republican nominee.

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/06/mike-braun-indiana-primary-2018-senate-race-ethics-concerns-timber-industry/490093002/

Nobody will care. Almost all 2018 races are a referendum on Trump period

Nobody will care because the legislation benefited his entire industry, not just his business.

deregulating oil companies-

Nobody will care because the legislation benefited his entire industry, not just his business.

Braun is not in the oil business. He owns an auto parts distributor business.