I feel sorry for you people in this ditwit's district. (Hostettler)

[Archae]

To say he's an idiot, is to insult idiots.

IN-08: GOP Smear Machine At Work In 'The Bloody Eighth'
by Scott Shields, Sat Feb 04, 2006 at 02:51:17 PM EST

Races in Indiana's eighth Congressional District are always tight. It's one of few House seats in the country that has been consistently competitive over the years, with incumbent Republican John Hostettler winning reelection with 53% or less support in his last three races. This year's race should be another close one, with Democrat Brad Ellsworth, the Sheriff of Vanderburgh County, running a strong challenge. If you need any proof of Ellsworth's strength, all you need to do is ask Hostettler. He might not admit it in so many words, but recent actions speak volumes.

A mere three days after Ellsworth officially entered the race, right-wing blogger Joshua Claybourn approached The Courier-Journal with photos of Ellsworth's 19-year-old daughter drinking alcohol that he pulled from her Facebook site. At his site, he pouted about having to engage in "politics of personal destruction," but argues that, since Ellsworth is a law enforcement official, it's relevant. My guess is that he'd hoped the photos would run with no mention of his name, but when his name came up, he recognized the need for some serious backpedaling.

(snip)

This is how the rightist smear machine works. We saw it up close and personal here in New Jersey during last November's gubernatorial race. Republican operatives cook up dirt and pass it on up the food chain, until it winds up as front page "news" in traditional media outlets. There will be more of this in the Indiana Eighth, as well as across the country.

But it shows that, by stooping to this level so early in the campaign, Hostettler must be scared out of his mind. He's never been what I would consider a safe incumbent and with the momentum behind the Democrats, he obviously feels that it's kitchen sink time. After all, this is a guy who's a really wingnut. He's tried to bring a handgun on an airplane, accused victims of breast cancer of having had abortions, argued for the right of individuals to own nuclear weapons, opposed any and all environmental regulations, claimed that it was Jews "who killed Jesus Christ," opposed funding for post-Katrina reconstruction, and supported the pork-heavy transportation bill. (No word on whether or not he's also a puppy kicker.) He can't run against Ellsworth on the issues. Smear is all he's got.

http://mydd.com/story/2006/2/4/135755/4249

[izzybeans]

1. He's the biggest jackass this side of the planet Pluto.

I hear those folks on the new planet they just found are pretty far out there. But I'll give him some credit. He's not as stupid as them. I mean, who would live beyond Pluto, and I hear Rose Hulman wants him to be president. So he musn't be the biggest jackass in the universe. :sarcasm: ;)

Seriously this man is embarassing. I grew up in the same county and he reflects it to a T. He runs on (christian) god and guns, with the occasional smattering of the "Jews control the worlds money supply" and "homoSINuality" mixed in just in case he's ever forced to actually give a speech about something that effects them.

Ellsworth is going to need some serious help. Though Hostettler's opponents do fair well with little to no DNC support every election year. Maybe the DNC will not abandon them this time. There are some good Democrats down there.

[DrGonzoLives]

5. You've heard wrong

I don't know where the rumor started that Rose wants him as President, but I've heard nos uch thing, and I'm an alum. They're currently interviewing the heads of a couple of engineering schools at the moment.

[izzybeans]

6. He was bragging about it at a town hall meeting saying he was

mulling over retirement; a rumor no less, but one he was propagating himself it appears.

Seems believable given the small college trends. He's an engineer with political ties so it's a believable rumor.

[DrGonzoLives]

7. He may like the job

but they're not going to consider him. He was a C student.

[izzybeans]

8. I think it was wishful thinking on the part of some dems in Posey County

Anything would have done

[bfam9913]

9. Even though I don't like him at all,...

A "C" at Rose Hulman is not considered a handicap by any means. "C" students from Rose Hulman have no problem gaining employment. Rose Hulman is hard to get into and hard to stay in. Before politics, he worked for SIGECO in Evansville (I think?). This still doesn't change the fact taht I can't stand him for being anti-family. Even though, He claims to be strong on family rights. Hypocrtit!

[Chiyo-chichi]

2. Well, if your 19-year old daughter's underage drinking

disqualifies you from holding public office, then George W. Bush had better resign immediately.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/jenna1.html

[Chipper Chat]

3. I'm vacationing in Florida and Hostetter's a joke down here.

Recently in Fort Wayne Linda Buskirk (R) tried smear tactics and lurid innuendo against her Dem opponent for mayor, Graham Richard. She figured this being a republican town such Rovian tactics might put her over the top. Didnt work. Practical republicans were embarrassed and ashamed and voted for Richard. He won!
So screw yourself (and let's see the pictures) Joshua Claybourn.

[bfam9913]

4. He's anti-family that's for sure.

Back in 1998, he refused to vote for accountability statements to be added to CAPTA to allow parents and families that are falsely accused of child abuse to receive reparations for having their families wrongly destroyed by CPS.