The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

Preschool program and tea party set

CEDAR LAKE | Cedar Lake Parks and Recreation Department opens May with a couple of spring programs. Call the parks office at (219) 374-4444 for more information and to register.

Mary Beth Schultz Welcomes Guests to Afternoon Tea

Mary Beth Schultz, executive director of The Caring Place, welcomes guests to afternoon tea.

We can no longer protect politicians' sacred cows

Government is spending too much. Question to Tea Party: Cut Spending? Yes! Social Security? No! Medicare? No! Defense? No! What? Cut Congress' salaries! A 50 percent cut = 0.0003 percent of GNP!

ANDREA NEAL: Lugar solved problems before others even saw them

Dick Lugar set a record as the longest-serving U.S. senator in Indiana history, yet his career can be summed up in a single word: visionary. During 50 years in Indiana politics his chief concern was never the next election but the next generation and the common good.

DOUG ROSS: Lugar's departure bring back memories of Bayh

I'm impressed by Dick Lugar's classy exit from the U.S. Senate. It brings back memories of Evan Bayh's departure just two years ago.

BRIAN HOWEY: How Glenda Ritz brought down Supt. Goliath

There were rumblings this summer and fall that Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett might have a race on his hand.

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

BRIAN HOWEY: Positives, negatives of campaign 2012

On Election Day, as I headed to my office to watch the returns, I stopped to pick up some Chinese carryout.

DOUG ROSS: Poll shows social conservatism doesn't resonate in Indiana

For all the talk about Indiana being a conservative state, the latest Howey/DePauw Battleground Poll results add some nuance. Hoosiers are fiscally conservative, yes, but socially conservative, not so much.

Romney can't relate to average working American

The GOP has been hijacked by the extremism of the Tea Party. The election will not be determined by the regular Republicans but by the Michelle Bachmanns, Sarah Palins and the Paul Ryans - those whom Bill Moyer called The Apocalytic Cult. They have no plans except nostalgia for the past.

BRIAN HOWEY: Mourdock's words poised to defeat him

In the press filing room at Indiana University Southeast, the U.S. Senate debate was heading into the 45-minute mark, the candidates had been asked about abortion, and Republican nominee Richard Mourdock was speaking. In my estimation, he was winning this debate, pushing Democrat Joe Donnell…

Romney endorses Mourdock in new ad

INDIANAPOLIS | Ahead of Tuesday's final U.S. Senate debate, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is telling Hoosiers in a new ad airing on Northwest Indiana cable TV stations that he needs them to elect Richard Mourdock.

OFFBEAT: New tea time destination in Chicago welcomed with tea party

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

BRIAN HOWEY: Election consequences for Nunn-Lugar

Two elections this year are already yielding global change. The first occurred last March, when Vladimir Putin was returned to the Russian presidency. The second came two months later, when Hoosier Republican voters tossed out U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar in favor of Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock.

BRIAN HOWEY: Mourdock trying to soften stance against compromise

It is admirable when a politician or officeholder finds or is confronted with new information that prompts a shift in position.

BRIAN HOWEY: Nation's house is divided over politics in 2012

I've heard this story over and over again from relatives, friends, even the Sears salesman, and I've experienced it myself: Because of the polarized nature of today's politics, old friendships are ending.

BRIAN HOWEY: Independent voters will decide Donnelly/Mourdock race

The increasingly competitive Indiana U.S. Senate race will see more national money pouring in. The Majority PAC, a Democratic super 527 group, made a $500,000 TV ad buy on behalf of Democratic nominee Joe Donnelly last week.

BRIAN HOWEY: Sweating out ‘the greatest hoax of all time’

The solitude on the lakes this Fourth of July was eerie. Nary a rocket’s red glare or mortar exploding in air.

Visclosky challenger likes his tea strong

MERRILLVILLE | The latest Republican challenger to U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky is riding the Tea Party's disdain for career politicians into another unlikely victory this year.