« Law "Many school officials incorrectly believe they have the right to search through cell phones whenever a student is misusing one" | Main | Ind. Courts - Still more on "Grand jury can be used to insulate prosecutor" »

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Ind. Gov't. - More on "Sylvia Smith Gets Souder Exclusive Interview"

Updating this ILB entry from May 21st, here is Fort Wayne Journal Gazette Washingon editor Sylvia Smith's lengthy exclusive interview with resigned congressman Mark Souder, headed "Souder discusses affair, relationships damaged and decision to leave office." It begins:

WASHINGTON – What were you thinking?

Whether they were fans of Mark Souder, or found his worldview repugnant, or were just vaguely aware that he’s been their voice in Washington for nearly 16 years, Hoosiers are asking:

What were you thinking when you risked your family, your career and your reputation and embarked on a sexual affair with a married woman on your staff? How could you be so stupid?

A tidbit:
It ended, finally, about six months ago when the couple were in a parked car in a nature preserve in Whitley County. A Department of Natural Resources officer tapped on the window and told them to get moving.

There was no citation, no arrest. But as word leaked out, it was the incident that would end the affair and lead to Souder’s resignation.

Some perspective:
The somber phone conversations staff members were having and the tear-streaked face of the receptionist were a sharp contrast to the first Wednesday of January 1995.

That was the day Souder, then 43, was sworn in as a member of the freshman class that would reshape Washington for decades.

Souder’s jubilant family crowded into his new office along with 60 political supporters who had traveled to Washington by bus or on one of two private planes.

They were there to celebrate his victory over a three-term Democratic incumbent and to watch Souder be sworn in and then vote for the first Republican House speaker in 40 years, Newt Gingrich.

Later Souder described the moment: “I said, ‘Can you actually believe this is happening and they’re not taking it away? It’s all been so surreal.’ ”

Under Gingrich’s baton, the newly minted Republican majority set about to remake Washington’s laws, policies and ethics.

The members of the “Republican Revolution” promised to promote family values and be tight with the public purse. Leading up to the 1994 election, Republican candidates – including Souder – signed the Contract with America that committed them to bring 10 bills to the House floor on issues such as term limits and child pornography.

The preamble of the contract pledged “to end (Congress’) cycle of scandal and disgrace.”

The new Republican majority developed a reputation of holding itself – and others – to a higher moral standard.

But of the 73 members of Congress new to Washington that year, a dozen have been the subject of ugly headlines in their hometown papers and on the national news. The Class of ’94, as they called themselves, may not have stumbled any more or any differently from others, but the contrast between their actions and their “family values” mantra invited claims of hypocrisy.

Mark Foley resigned Congress in disgrace after lewd text messages to House pages were uncovered. Mark Sanford, after leaving Congress and becoming governor of South Carolina, was exposed as a cheat who carried on an affair with an Argentine woman whom he had traveled to meet at state government expense.

John Ensign, now in the Senate, had a widely reported affair with a campaign aide, the wife of one of his staff members. Bob Ney went to prison for accepting bribes.

Last week Souder’s name went on the scandal list.

In a second story today, Smith looks at money matters -- penion benefits, campaign account disposition, staffing.

In this commentary ftoday, Smith writes that a double election is likely Nov. 2nd. It begins:
WASHINGTON – Should the special election to replace Mark Souder, who resigned last week after admitting to a sexual affair with an employee, be sooner rather than later?

The savvy Republican will push for as far from now as possible. The politically smart Democrat wants it ASAP.

The ick factor is just too big right now for Republicans to risk having the special election before there’s time for the revulsion to fade.

This Indianapolis Star "Behind Closed Doors" column today, headed "Do the math: $1 million-plus for 20 days of representation," reports:
Souder, a Fort Wayne Republican, became the latest politician to torpedo his career over sexual exploits with a staffer.

His downfall has left Daniels to weigh the district's need for representation versus the cost of holding an extra election to choose a successor.

"It appears that this might be a $1 million exercise to have a special election -- that's just the direct cost to the counties involved," Daniels said.

"But note that the earliest we can hold this election is the 20th of July. You know how Congress operates. They're out for August recess. They're out for Labor Day; they'll quit in September. So I've asked somebody to help us count the days. It looks like you might only miss 20 days."

So far, state Sen. Marlin Stutzman, R-Howe, and state Rep. Randy Borror, R-Fort Wayne, have said they want to replace Souder. Democrat Tom Hayhurst is his party's nominee for the November election.

Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker has said he favors a November election to save money.

It looks like everyone agrees ...

Posted by Marcia Oddi on May 23, 2010 08:51 AM
Posted to Indiana Government