Free Republic

t's official. WSBT first told you that a long-time St. Joseph County Democratic Chair Butch Morgan had resigned. But there was some confusion over whether that in fact did happen, until shortly before 10 p.m. when his attorney confirmed it. Earlier Monday night, Morgan’s attorney told WSBT he was considering a leave of absence, not a resignation. That was after Indiana State Democratic Chairman Dan Parker sent WSBT an email stating Morgan resigned effective at 6 p.m. This comes as the St. Joseph County Prosecutor investigates the local Democratic Party for possible voter registration fraud. A South Bend Tribune and...

Former Gov. Joe Kernan says a signature on a petition to place Barack Obama's name on Indiana's 2008 primary ballot isn't his, putting him among dozens of dubious signatures found in a newspaper's investigation. Kernan, a Democrat who campaigned for Hillary Clinton during the 2008 primary, told the South Bend Tribune that he didn't sign the Obama document. "No, not at all," the former South Bend mayor said when asked whether the signature next to his name on the Obama petition looked like his own. "Nor does the printing look like mine." The Tribune reported Wednesday that it has talked...

John McCain was interviewed this morning on CNBC's Sqawk Box program about the Wall Street crisis by the lone conservative anchor, Joe Kernan. Kernan, doing everything he could to point McCain in the right direction, fought an uphill battle as McCain was blaming most of the problem on CEO's who had "broken the public trust" and on "unfettered capitalism" in the spirit of "Teddy Roosevelt." McCain managed to blame both parties equally in the mess, refusing to acknowledge that Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Lehman Brothers are all much more aligned with Democrats in congress than with Republicans. The Arizona...

No Need to R.S.V.P. Bishop rescinds invitation to Gov. Kernan to speak at St. Joe High School (WSBT) Governor Joe Kernan's high school alma mater has withdrawn his commencement speaking invitation because of the governor's policy statements on abortion. South Bend's St. Joseph High School withdrew the invitation at the direction of Bishop John D'Arcy of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. The bishop has direct authority over the school. D'Arcy said that theology teachers at the school believed that Kernan's appearance would directly contradict the moral truths they teach and expect students to embrace. He then directed...

National politics could impact state races By ROBERT TANNER AP National Writer Presidential politics and economic turmoil will have a major impact on the 11 gubernatorial races this fall, with the interplay between national and state politics most critical in four states where the 2000 race was dramatically close Missouri, New Hampshire, Washington and West Virginia. Tuesday’s primary, the first this year for a gubernatorial race, puts President Bush’s former budget director into the running in Indiana. Mitch Daniels is relying on the president’s term of affection “My Man Mitch” as his slogan for the GOP nomination. He’s up against...

<p>SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Gov. Joe Kernan's high school alma mater withdrew a commencement speaking invitation to him because the governor's stance on abortion conflicts with Roman Catholic teachings.</p> <p>South Bend's St. Joseph High School withdrew the invitation at the direction of Bishop John M. D'Arcy of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, who has direct authority over the school.</p>

As Governor Frank O' Bannon began showing small signs of improvement following a debilitating stroke suffered this week, the Indiana Supreme Court formally transferred power Wednesday to Indiana's Lieutanant Governor.Lawmakers recieved a written statement from O' Bannon's doctor and invoked a process spelled out in the State Constitution for officially handing over power to Lt. Governor Joe Kernan.Doctors said O'Bannon 73, had emerged from a drug induced coma and showed some 'small but significant improvements.' He remained in critical condition Wednesday.O' Bannon was found unconscious and in his pajamas in his Chicago, Il. hotel room on Monday. Doctors say there...

Lt. Gov. Kernan Takes Over in Indiana By MIKE SMITH .c The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - As Gov. Frank O'Bannon lay in a coma following a stroke, Indiana's lieutenant governor took over as acting governor amid uncertainty over whether to formally transfer authority to him. State lawmakers on Tuesday held off invoking a process spelled out in the state constitution for formally handing power to Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan. However, Republican Sen. President Pro Tem Robert Garton said he and Democratic House Speaker Patrick Bauer could initiate the process, perhaps as early as Wednesday. Doctors said O'Bannon, 73, had...