Palladium-Item from Richmond, Indiana • Page 20

of of 22 C6 Wednesday, July 15, 1981, Palladium-Item, Richmond, Ind. Fithian plans to take easiest, least costly route By Gene Policinski WASHINGTON (GNS) The suspense, of sorts, is over. Rep. Floyd Fithian has decided to forsake this city and Congress next year to campaign for a job as Indiana Secretary of State. The move ended months of speculation durwhich the four-term Democrat whose ing district was eliminated in a new congressional district alignment adopted this year openly considered several races.

Considered the only state Democrat in a position seriously to oppose Sen. Richard G. in 1982, Fithian also flirted with gar, running for re-election to the House in either the new 3rd. 5th or 7th districts. Fithian's decision to try for the state post which provides very little real power, but does offer presence in the statehouse is a combination of shrewd political opportunism and pessimistic pragmatism.

It's also going to provide Indiana with a three-year gubernatorial campaign, in fact if not name. Fithian himself identified his real target, first Gov. Robert Orr up for reelection 1984 in his opening statement Monday, in which he mentioned Orr's name three times on the first page. The roots of Fithian's decision rest in the running debacle endured by the state Democratic party in the 1970s, which culminated in total GOP domination of the state's elected structure. It left the party bankrupt, both in leaders and dollars.

TO MOUNT ANY credible challenge to Lu- Analysis gar will take at least $2 million, political analysts have said. And that amount would have to be doubled to give Fithian -or any other Democrat a top-notch shot at Lugar's seat. The price tag for seeking a congressional seat would be less, but the negative numbers are voters rather dollars. The same there Indiana legislature that redistricted Fithian's current 2nd District seat out of existence loaded big GOP majorities into the three new districts in which he could run. The choice that Republicans hoped to pose to Fithian was a "worst of two evils" situation: A near-hopeless run for glory against Lugar, or a risky shot at returning to Congress in an unfriendly district.

By dropping down to the Secretary of State's second position on the ballot behind the Senate slot Fithian hopes to provide himself Fithian has plans, but few would help state By Jeffrey Stinson INDIANAPOLIS (GNS) Build suspense. Create sound and fury. Attack the opposition. Of such stuff much of politics is made. And Rep.

Floyd Fithian, Indiana's 2nd District Democratic congressman, made it Monday with a blitz of the state to reveal his much-awaited political intentions an announced run for secretary of state next year and an unannounced run for governor in 1984. With cameras grinding, Fithian unleashed on the infant Republican administration of Gov. Robert Orr a series of attacks. lackluster, indecisive and void leadership primarily in the areas of energy development, new jobs and better education. But there is more to politics than that.

Hopeful leaders must tell what they will do to right the ills of the opposition. That is where better politics is made. And that is where Fithian stumbled a bit. YES, AS FITHIAN pointed out, the Orr administration has had its problems in its first six months on the job, most notably in failing to get a school-finance package out of his GOP-controlled General Assembly during regular session. And yes, Fithian did talk in grandiose terms of mak- mid-summer major appliance ing Indiana the alternative energy state in the nation, and that could bring about new jobs and presumably more money for better education.

However, Fithian tried to dismiss as mere "details" how he would make Indiana the alternative energy paradise of which he spoke, especially with a near-bankrupt treasury. He said he didn't have time to explain exactly how he would right the serious woes from which the bulk of Orr's problems stem. That would take a couple of hours, he said. When pressed nonetheless, Fithian offered only PalladiumItem "the paper for all kinds of people" and clearance display modeis I one-of-a-kind items Illimited quantities I all items subject to prior sale hurry for best selection! save $115 Frigidaire 19 cu.ft -free Custom Imperial 544.99 reg. 659.99 save $65 General Electric 14 cu ft.

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Yet another interesting possibility is the rumored consideration by top Democratic leaders of not fielding any candidate against Lugar. While such a move would go against the grain, both in the state and nationwide, its supporters cite several attractive attributes. Floyd Fithian Floyd Fithian Analysis vague terms of "tax breaks" or "bonds" to stimulate greater development of Indiana's energy resources. touched on more money for more research into alternate energy sources. He talked of "retraining" workers for other jobs.

Orr has acknowledged up front that the economy is his greatest concern. The thrust of his administration is to right it. IF FITHIAN is to better fund education while helping create in a big way a new energy-based economy of coal and synthetic fuels in Indiana, he's got to get the money from somewhere. It's the old chicken and egg argument. Raise taxes for tax breaks and taxfree bonding to stimulate the economy for more jobs? Or do as Orr suggests and keep taxes low while trying to attract industry for more jobs? Orr acknowledges his solution is a long-term proposition that requires help from President Reagan and Congress in the way of tax and budget cuts.

A longterm economic rebuilding plan isn't of much immediate consolation to out-of-work Still, that's what Fithian is offering. When he talks of creating a new energy-producing based economy that will make Indiana "America's gasohol and coal state," he isn't offering any more of an overnight solution to Indiana's current problems than Orr is. But since Fithian, in essence, is embarking on a three-year campaign for the governorship, maybe more "details" will be forthcoming from him on how to turn the state around. 9 50 45 Lock up high interest rates for 7 to 89 days with a Winters Money Market Investment. Talk about performance! A Winters Money Market Investment is one of the best.

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