| Last week, I speculated at the Capitol Watchblog that we'd see uncharacteristic enthusiasm from Lt. Governor Becky Skillman's supporters when it came to rumors that Secretary of State Todd Rokita could run for the now-open congressional seat in the Fightin' Fourth District. Why?
Quite plainly, they want to get rid of the guy any way they can.
It's no secret that both Rokita and Skillman have entertained delusions of gubernatorial grandeur as of late, and the prospect of a protracted (and costly) political battle has loomed on the horizon for a while now. With Rep. Steve Buyer's announcement that he will not be seeking reelection, a door was opened by which the Indiana Republican Party establishment could shove Rokita out to pasture for the foreseeable future.
Abdul notes this morning that the rumor mill is pointing pretty conclusively to a Rokita announcement in the coming days. But don't hand this seat to Rokita just yet -- his state money won't be of much use in a federal election, and he'll have a new primary contest to worry about with both State. Sen. Brent Hershman and former State Rep. Matt Whetstone readying a hat-toss in recent days.
For loyal Democrats such as myself, I can't think of anything more entertaining than watching those three tear one another apart.
For the Lite Guv, the result of all this jostling could be presumptive front-runner status as 2012 speculation continues. With Rep. Mike Pence unabashedly discussing presidential aspirations, Indiana Republicans appear willing to push Skillman front and center. For a politico who has never seemed capable of getting anyone's blood pumping -- or getting their wallets to open, for that matter -- Skillman still has a long way to go to prove her viability as a legitimate statewide challenger. |
