"Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em"

Russ Stilwell: “Know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em”

By Russ Stilwell

                The opening session of the 2011 General Assembly should not have surprised anyone.  When the House Democrats pulled a never-used rule out of their political playbook that delayed opening day feel- good speeches, it was a classic case of the minority informing the majority (or in this case Pat Bauer sending not so subtle political smoke signals to Speaker Bosma) that we matter, we count and be careful with your agenda or you just might not have one. 

                He could have just as well sung lyrics from classic Kenny Rogers, The Gambler:

You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em,

Know when to walk away, and know when to run.

You never count your money when you’re sittin‘ at the table.

There will be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done.

                A long time ago, a prominent State Senator commented about House Democrat Leader B. Patrick Bauer, “Never underestimate Pat Bauer politically or intellectually.”  Wise words from a wise former senator.  No doubt that Governor Daniels gets it.  The bigger question is whether or not the House Republicans get it.

                The governor has been on the receiving end of the good, the bad and the indifferent from the feisty partisan from South Bend throughout his tenure.  That’s one of the reasons the Gov has repeatedly stated that now is not the time to for a contentious Right-to-Work battle.  The state has other issues far more deserving debate.  I hope that Speaker Bosma and his caucus understand as well.

                Some of the most successful politicians in the Hoosier state are familiar with the crosshairs of political weapons – sometime aiming the sights and sometimes being the target.    Bauer and Daniels are experts at this political sport.  Both have a lot of practice with each other.  But the shot initiated last week by Bauer was not directed at the governor; rather it was a shot over the bow to Bosma and the House Republicans.  If they hope to move their weighty agenda, hopefully they took notice. 

                One only has to look at the past to predict the future.  The year was 1995 and the Republicans had captured the Indiana House with fifty-six seats.  They had run on an aggressive agenda of a Contract for Indiana.  They were swept into office with a national wave just short of a tsunami.   Times were good.  Sound familiar?

                Fast forward to 2010.  With a wealth of “capital” support from Daniels, House Republicans ran on a Daniel’s agenda of reform.  They were swept into office with a national wave of relentless tsunami proportion.  Sixty house seats and nearly a score of fresh faces in the freshmen class. 

                In ‘95, they began the move to dismantle organized labor that created the most contentious and massive lobbying the Hoosier capitol had ever experienced!  Twenty five thousand trade unionists converged on the state capital. 

                The only issue talked about or written about was the controversial labor issues.  They had forgotten their agenda and the political reality that a near tsunami propelled them into office.   And they lost their impressive majority the very next election.

                2010?  It was a very popular and motivated Governor with the hurricane-force winds of a tsunami of the century that propelled the House Republicans to victory.  According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the repudiation of Democrats in 2010 put the GOP in control of the most state legislative seats since 1928.  Sounds to me like a national storm of epic proportion, not a recipe to take on all of organized labor in a mid-sized industrial state with a strong union presence. 

                The 2010 win in Indiana ended with a political tsunami with waves that pounded the shores in a relentless torrent.  They just kept coming, beginning at the doors of then Speaker Pelosi and continuing the cascade through the state legislatures all the way to the courthouses.  It was not a call to arms to dismantle labor and pick a fight that will overshadow what the election was really all about.

                The House Democrats know when to pick a fight and when to take their medicine.  They demonstrated this on opening day last week.  Just like Kenny Rogers, they know when to “hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em.”   After all, they are in the minority.

                The House Republicans also know when to pick a fight and when to take their medicine.  However, time will tell if they know when to “hold ‘em and when to fold’em.”  I hope they learn lessons from years past.  Maybe they should review this classic song’s other lyrics as well.   

Now Ev’ry gambler know the secret to survivin’

Is knowin’ what to throw away and what to keep

                 “Knowin’ what to throw away and what to keep” just might make the 2011 session a whole lot more productive, albeit a whole lot less interesting.