Well it is Official…

Dan Coates has announced his official candidacy. He will enter the Republican primary race to run against Evan Byah.  Now do you think that Dan Coates just arbitrarily decided to run? Not Hardly. Coates said in his radio interview that he was “answering the call”. However, something tells me the originator of that “call” was the RNC rather than his own convictions. 

For those of us who are sick of career politicians Dan Coates has “zero” appeal to us. And it tells me that the GOP has learned absolutely nothing form the past 15 months. NY 23, New Jersey, Virginia, Massachusetts!?! In the words of a favorite philosopher, Hey GOP, “Is there anybody in there?”

Currently the GOP Primary field is; Behney, Stutzman, Bates Jr., Hoesttler, Haney, Weaver and finally Mr. Coates. Yep, that is right Dan Coates makes seven. Of course I can understand the surprise if you have heard about the other gentlemen… even though the majority of them have been campaigning for several months. It seems that none of these men had the luxury of being able announce their candidacy to one of Indiana’s largest radio markets… that also happens to be a part time employer of a particular county’s GOP chair… just pure coincidence, I am sure.

So what exactly are we to make of this? The GOP is obviously worried that none of these primary candidates have the “political credibility” to stand against Byah, a constituent ignoring, politician who sells his vote to the highest bidder. So out of concern (for us, I am sure) they offer up “Byah-Lite” a K-street lobbyist who lives in North Carolina. Smooth move GOP…

Have they learned nothing? Are they even watching? Hey Boys! Get this; the people of Indiana are tired of career politicians! We want honest people in Government. Now I realize when you set the bar high it drastically limits the field you have to select from… perhaps that’s the real issue here.

GOP, if you want to really impress people start by offering the citizens of Indiana, a CITIZEN of Indiana as a candidate! This is exactly why you have lost people like me… It’s all about power, not about the people. Well I hate to be a drag, but our Constitution “still” says that “We the People” elect our representatives, and (get this) it says that they are accountable to us.

So go ahead GOP, consult your “strategists”, follow your “electability” metrics, spend your money (if you have any) and tilt the media to your candidate. I and thousands of others will see you on primary day. And we do not care how much money you spend trying to convince us that “Evan Byah-lite” is what we need. We will see about that… for now the issue is not decided.

 

Michael Yancey