Journal & Courier - Long Thompson Touts her Ind. Mission

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Journal & Courier - Long Thompson Touts her Ind. Mission

Brian Wallheimer

On a Lafayette campaign stop Tuesday, gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson tried to tie Gov. Mitch Daniels to President Bush and herself to presidential candidate Barack Obama.

"We cannot afford four more years of Bush-Daniels economic policy," Thompson, the Democratic candidate, said at Obama's Lafayette headquarters.

"We need leadership that will put us in the right direction."

Daniels was director of the Office of Management and Budget under Bush several years ago.

Thompson said she wants to stop privatizing state assets -- a shot at Daniels' sale of an Indiana toll road -- work to bring more jobs to the state and upgrade public education.

"I believe my mission is to lead the great state of Indiana with President Barack Obama on the road to change," Thompson said.

Daniels campaign spokesman Cam Savage said he was disappointed Thompson had become negative.

"The governor has simply gone out and given his plan for the next four years," Savage said.

"The governor is working in a bipartisan way to move Indiana forward."

Those who saw Thompson speak said they believe she can help Indiana.

"We just really agree with her about doing something, not just talking about things," said Rachel Riquelme of Lafayette.

Emma Dalsimer of West Point said she likes Thompson's stances on the issues.

"I like her plan for Indiana," Dalsimer said. "I like the way she brings facts together."

Thompson toured with running mate Dennie Oxley and attorney general candidate Linda Pence.

Oxley also invoked Bush's name in talking about Daniels.

"The Bush-Daniels economy is crippling Indiana," Oxley said. "We realize Hoosier families are struggling."

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