Importantville: New Pence investigative biography—99 days until midterms—Summer reads
By @AdamWren & design by Kris Davidson
Days to Election Day: 99 (!)
FIRST IN IMPORTANTVILLE: That forthcoming Pence book New York Times columnist Frank Bruni wrote about in his searing Sunday column? I’ve obtained an early copy, too.
In “The Shadow President: The Truth About Mike Pence,” journalists Michael D’Antonio and Peter Eisner “draw on insider access to Pence confidants and members of Congress.” It’s the first major book to look at not only Pence’s rise, but his time in the White House.
Here are some interesting excerpts:
“The Trump administration was filled with Pence people because, bluntly speaking, Trump didn’t have any people of his own. With high places occupied by his friends, Pence had thus functioned for years as a kind of shadow president, making the machine work as Trump was consumed by special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of his 2016 campaign ties to foreign interests and various crimes detected in the probe.”
“The vice president’s view, that the ends justify the means, confused close advisers who considered themselves to be the kind of Christians who were honest and truthful. They were troubled when, for example, Pence ignored that scripture that commands ‘the foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born,’ in order to support Trump's attacks on immigrants.”
The book comes out Aug. 28. I’ll have more excerpts for you Thursday.
Good Monday morning. On Friday at 8 a.m., the Indiana State Fair opens its gates.
WHERE'S VEEP? Headed to Newark, Ohio, where he will do a Troy Balderson for Congress event. Time to benchmark your cholesterol.
UNDER-COVERED STORY: More than Trump, Pence will have put his political reputation on the line for these midterm elections. Trump has said he’ll campaign six or seven days a week in the weeks leading up to Election Day. Pence, meanwhile, will have been doing the same for six or seven months.
WHAT VEEP IS SAYING ABOUT ECONOMIC GROWTH:
Per Friday press release:
After nearly a decade of slow economic growth, President Donald Trump promised during our campaign that we would rev America’s engine of prosperity and opportunity. And since day one, our Administration has fought tirelessly for an agenda that puts American workers and American jobs first. We’ve cut taxes, eliminated job-killing regulations, and unleashed American energy. Today’s strong GDP numbers showing 4.1 percent growth is another promise kept and proves that our agenda is working. Consumer confidence has hit a 17-year high, businesses have added nearly 3.7 million new jobs since Election Day, and we’re now on track to reach 3 percent annual growth for the first time in 13 years. These results have outperformed expectations and defied critics, and under this President’s leadership, we will keep working to grow our economy and expand opportunity for every American.
As a reminder, you can subscribe to the paid version of Importantville for as little as $10 a month ($8.33/month on the $100/year plan). You’ll get breaking scoops, and a minimum of 50 percent more Importantville. After Labor Day, we’ll be ramping up the frequency of dispatches leading up to Election Day, offering you coverage that you can’t read anywhere else.
IMPORTANTVILLE MERCH: Importantville is more than a state. It’s a state of mind. And also a t-shirt that you can get here.
FREE BEER, FOOD AND BOWLING: Join some of Indy’s top journalists for OFF THE RECORD, a night of shop talk, source-building, bowling and drinks for prospective SPJ members and current ones at Punch Bowl Social. This is a free event, with limited space, sponsored by Indiana Pro Society of Professional Journalists. Your first round is on us, and there will be food, too. There are only a few free tickets left. You don’t have to be a journalist—just someone who believes in the cause.
LATE SUMMER BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: Three of my favorite summer book recommendations so far:
“Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in Silicon Valley Startup,” by John Carreyrou. This book is filled with an incredible amount of are-you-serious details that paint a picture of a too-good-to-be-true Silicon Valley startup. It’s the kind of non-fiction narrative that would be more believable as fiction.
“Chasing Hillary: Ten Years, Two Presidential Campaigns, and One Intact Glass Ceiling,” by Amy Chozick. It still seems too soon to read an account of the 2016 election. But this one goes deeper, pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to cover American politics, and revealing the things we’re willing to trade in exchange for accomplishing our professional ambitions.
“The Man Who Caught the Storm: The Life of Legendary Tornado Chaser Tim Samaras,” by Brantley Hargrove. If you’re like me, and you’ll drop anything to watch any Weather Channel dispatch from Tornado Alley, or any YouTube video of a tornado, this book is your jam. It’s like a real-life Twister, but riven with more Americana.
Importantville Inbox: Indiana politicos respond to Carmel hate crime
In the wake of anti-Semitic vandalism at Carmel's Congregation Shaarey Tefilla synagogue, here’s what a sampling of Indiana pols had to say.
Vice President Mike Pence:
Sickened and appalled by the cowardly act of vandalism at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla; a beautiful synagogue in Carmel, Indiana where I have many good friends. Those responsible must be held accountable. These vile acts of anti-Semitism must end. https://t.co/0h6rKPilda
July 29, 2018I condemn the vandalism at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla. There is no place for anti-Semitism, bigotry, or hatred in our communities, state, and country. -Joe https://t.co/P6Nw1ADcGI
July 29, 2018The vandalism at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla goes well beyond a petty crime. It was a hateful act of anti-Semitism that goes against everything America stands for. I’ve spoken with Rabbi Sendrow and members of the congregation, and I stand with them in condemning this ignorant and disgusting crime. Our nation’s diversity is a great attribute, not an undesirable flaw.
Rep. Mike Braun:
Anti-Semitism should be condemned in all forms. Acts like this disgusting crime are an attack on our core values of tolerance & diversity that our country was founded on. I hope Hoosiers will join me in praying for the congregation in this troubling time.
Gov. Eric Holcomb:
This morning, I contacted Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter and made sure state police offered to fully assist the Carmel Police Department and the FBI in bringing those behind the repulsive acts of desecration at the Congregation Shaarey Tefilla to justice. The cowards responsible for these crimes always hide from public scrutiny precisely because they know their actions will be soundly rejected by their neighbors and are not consistent with who we are as a society. We will work to help find those responsible and hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Congresswoman Susan Brooks:
I am appalled by the despicable and hateful act of antisemitism perpetrated yesterday against Congregation Shaarey Tefilla in Carmel. I urge all citizens of Carmel, Hamilton County and throughout the state to join me in speaking out against this awful act of intolerance and bigotry. Actions like this have no place in our community and I hope the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.
Honest question: Which of these statements call for hate crime legislation? What are the reasons for not supporting a hate crime bill in the state legislature? A reminder that Indiana is one of only five states nationwide without one.
Here’s what Tim Swarens had to say in The Indy Star:
We can say all the right words, and we should, about the ugly attack targeted against Congregation Shaarey Tefilla this weekend in Carmel.
It was vicious, infuriating, shameful, cowardly, despicable.
But merely saying the right things about such as appalling display of ignorance and hatred isn't nearly enough.
Action is required.
And as citizens, our actions should include pushing Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly to adopt a hate crimes law.
Read more.
The Importantville Correspondent: What Brandon Evans, President of Marion County Young Dems, is Reading
DONNELLY LAUNCHES NEW RADIO AD IN THE INDIANAPOLIS MARKET: The ad began running yesterday in the Indianapolis media market. Audio for the ad is available HERE. The ad highlights Joe’s record on protecting health care for Hoosiers as well as his support for the everyday Hoosier.
HAPPENING TODAY: Governor Holcomb will ceremonially sign HEA 1175, a bill regarding Diabetes reporting into law today. The bill would require the Indiana Department of Health to present a strategic plan to prevent and lower Diabetes in the state every two years until 2026.
GET IN THE CAR WE’RE GOING ON TOUR: Democratic Secretary of State Candidate Jim Harper traveled each corner of the state last week on a press tour aimed at raising awareness and addressing Hoosiers concerns over the state’s current election security vulnerabilities. Harper made stops in ten counties last week before he wraps things up in Marion and Monroe counties today. Along the way he was joined by high-profile, up and coming democrats like South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, State Representative Ryan Hatfield and a number of county chairs and candidates.
Harper called the current Secretary of State's efforts to address election concerns lackluster and made a pitch for new, uniform security measures to be taken at the ballot box.
Questions surrounding election security at the national level and most recently in our own state should prompt immediate action to ensure each vote is secure. Voters expect the Secretary of State to use all resources possible to verify that our democratic process is intact and that’s exactly what I’m calling for. We need a paper trail, we need a high-level auditing system, and we can’t keep leaving our infrastructure susceptible to foreign interests in election meddling.
WHAT CITY HALL IS READING: Despite partnerships with local organizations like Wheeler Mission and restaurants like Tinker Street reported by Tim Swarens, the ideological battle to prevent crime and the dollars that follow are yet to be played out according to an Importantville Tipster —
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has increased funding to community organizations doing neighborhood-based crime prevention programming to combat the rising number of violent crimes happening in Indy. The only caveat has been that everyone play by the same set of rules.
And this year, community groups specifically targeting violence at the neighborhood level had an additional funding opportunity — with the introduction of a $300,000 grant program through the city’s Office of Public Health and Safety.
In total, more than 20 community organizations applied. While the “grantees” are expected to be announced mid-week at a press conference with Mayor Hogsett and IMPD, Importantville’s correspondent was told Ten Point wasn’t one of the applicants.
The 31st marks the deadline for the CICF Community Crime Prevention Grant Program applications. With more than $2 million in funding available, will Ten Point help themselves?
Importantville Reads
South Bend Tribune: Colwell: South Bend mayor could win again by losing
If Buttigieg sought a third term as mayor next year, he would again win big. He has a formidable re-election campaign fund and remains popular as South Bend’s image finally turns positive after decades-long doldrums from Studebaker automotive demise.
Another term as mayor? He likes the job. But what else does he have to prove as mayor? Is it time to seek national challenges?
If Buttigieg runs for the Democratic presidential nomination, he would be impressive in debates before the Iowa and New Hampshire contests. Maybe beyond.
The Atlantic: “Mike Pence’s Damning Indictment of Donald Trump”
Conor Friedersdorf looked at what Mike Pence wanted in a president in 2010, based on a speech he gave at Hillsdale College—and how that matches up with the president we have.
A sensibility such as this, and not power, is the source of presidential dignity, and must be restored. It depends entirely upon character, self-discipline, and an understanding of the fundamental principles that underlie not only the republic, but life itself. It communicates that the president feels the gravity of his office and is willing to sacrifice himself; that his eye is not upon his own prospects but on the storm of history, through which he must navigate with the specific powers accorded to him and the limitations placed on those powers both by man and by God.
The Hot Take: The progressive vs. moderate candidate debate misses the point
By Heather K. Sager, Deputy Director, Deputy Director at Indiana Senate Democrat Committee
Who needs a blue wave? Winning down-ballot races starts with rejecting the idea that any one kind of candidate is right. The progressive vs. moderate candidate debate misses the point: a one-size-fits-all model can’t work and ignores the electorate.
Democrats running for State Senate this year illustrate how vital it is to recruit and support candidates that fit the district, rather than try to convince the district on the candidate. Chris Gambill in Vigo County is an attorney who ran the local Farmer’s Market and put himself through school by trapping. He’s not your typical candidate, but he’s up in polls. JD Ford has personally walked over 240 miles in his district - from his 2014 primary to the 2018 primary, the votes for him soared over 300 percent. The list goes on: Sherry Shipley in Tippecanoe is an educator and workforce development expert in a district concerned with brain drain and high-paying jobs. Derek Camp is a young leader who secured a national convention for Indy, worth $800,000 to local businesses, in a district where the incoming electorate is young families and professionals.
These candidates don’t reflect the musings of a national conversation – they reflect their individual electoral landscape, and a voters-up approach primes Democrats to flip seats this year.
That’s all for today. What did I miss? Please send me ideas—and tips—to cadamwren@gmail.com.