John Gregg undergoes a pre-election LGBT conversion.

In a recent article about John Gregg's evolution since 2012, online.com/news/opinion/commentary-john-gregg-mike-pence-and-a-locked-steering-wheel/article_723b88c4-c99f-11e5-b0ed-dbbe112fc955.html">John Krull offered this quote: "You shouldn’t lock the steering wheel in life, because the road does bend."

There's a reserved seat for Mike Pence in dustbin of history, and yet I still need convincing about Gregg. In 2012, he came off as exactly the sort of  non-Democratic Faux Democrat we've learned from experience to loathe here in Floyd County.

We'll see.

A one-on-one with the Indiana Democrat looking to take down Mike Pence, by By Rick Sutton (The Word, via NUVO)

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The Word, central Indiana's LGBT monthly publication, is paying close attention to the 2016 election cycle. The Word's Political Editor, Rick Sutton, sat down with Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg for a recent interview, which is featured in the April issue. A similar interview or guest column has been requested of incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Pence. That request remains open. NUVO will reprint that interview or column, if it ever happens.]

Former Indiana House Speaker John Gregg is the Democratic nominee for governor. It's his second try — in 2012, his campaign ran afoul of the LGBT community for divisive statements regarding Indiana's then-pending Constitutional amendment on marriage.


After that hard-fought but losing campaign, Gregg considered his options and decided to seek the state's top job in 2016. As part of that process, one of his major considerations was LGBT civil rights —and he arrived at different conclusions than his 2012 campaign proclaimed.

Tears of joy cascade like rain as the newspaper takes a position on "horrirfying" Pence.

Well, not exactly; it's just a "Cheers and Jeers" piece, but still, it's always encouraging to see evidence of a pulse. Given its oft-stated proclivities in opposition to progress in such matters, perhaps the New Albany news desk can issue some variety of counterpoint, or go on strike.

A boy can dream. Thanks to Amy Huffman-Branham for this welcomed dose of reality.

SOUTHERN INDIANA — CHEERS

... Triple cheers and a little jump for joy to columnist Brian Howey for his column, “Cat and mouse with Pence on his moral agenda,” which appeared in the Monday, Sept. 24 edition of The News and Tribune.

I have been wondering when someone — anyone — would remind voters who Republican Indiana gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence is.

I certainly don’t blame Pence and his handlers for keeping the focus of his campaign on the economy and jobs in an effort to keep quiet on the candidate’s stance on social issues. Hoosiers who didn’t pay attention to Pence before he announced his run for the Governor’s Office might just fall for it.

But those who have been paying attention for the last decade know the Pence’s trademark is his far right stance on social issues. We’re not just talking about him tiptoeing into conservatism here, we’re talking an all-out assault on people who believe [and prefer] they have a right to make decisions for themselves when it comes to marriage, children and religion.

As Howey wrote, “In his 2011 campaign kickoff speech in Columbus, Pence said, ‘To restore our economy we must reaffirm our respect for the institutions and traditions that nurture the character of our people. As your governor, I will stand for the sanctity of life, traditional marriage and the importance of organized religion in everyday life. To build an even better Indiana, we must recognize every day that our present crisis is not just economic, but moral.’

When pressed by the Times of Northwest Indiana’s Dan Carden, Pence would only say, ‘I am who I am and I hold the views I hold, but if I have the privilege of being governor of the state of Indiana, we’re going to make job creation job one.’”

While I certainly can’t argue with making job creation job one, the prospect of what job number two might be under a Pence governorship is horrifying.

Hopefully Hoosier voters will take the time to read up on Pence’s career as a lawmaker before they head to the polls in November to see what he’s really about.

If you thought St. Daniels was a tolling atrocity, meet Mike Pence and his bridge fetish.

Growth for the sake of growth: The ideology of the cancer cell. Anyone heard what Mike Pence thinks about independent small business?

Pence talks bridges, jobs during Southern Indiana swing; Ellspermann joins Pence on tour after being announced as Lt. Gov. choice, by Daniel Suddeath (Pop Up Picayune)

NEW ALBANY — Defining the area as primed for growth, Indiana gubernatorial hopeful Mike Pence toured Southern Indiana Friday along with running mate Sue Ellspermann, who was announced Monday as the GOP lieutenant governor choice.

During a stop at the News and Tribune office in New Albany, Pence talked about economic development, educational advances and one of the region’s biggest issues — the Ohio River Bridges Project.

“I think everyone senses with the recent bridges agreement, the potential for extraordinary growth,” said Pence, a U.S. House member who is seeking to replace Gov. Mitch Daniels and retain the gubernatorial seat for the Republican Party.

When asked about the tolling aspect of the project — which as planned would entail the addition of downtown and east end bridges as well as the reconfiguration of Spaghetti Junction — and concerns by some that Hoosiers will be paying more than Kentucky residents, Pence said Indiana has been leading the effort on the proposal.

“I support the bridges agreement and concept, and I support the process that’s under way,” he said.

Pence added “the full weight” of his administration would be behind implementing the project, though he didn’t specifically refer to tolling as a part of the plan.

21st Century Schizoid Man.

Let me see if I understand this probable doomsday scenario: The woman with the real Democratic credentials, whom I'd happily vote for, is stuck on the under card. She's yielding her Indiana Senate seat to play second fiddle to the male nominee, who already was significantly wrong on at least three major issues before the primary even was held.

Robert Fripp was right: "Politicians' funeral pyre," indeed.

Given that Gregg now appears to be a Ted Heavrin-style Democrat, at least we don't have Larry McAllister running for Lieutenant Governor. Thank Allah for small favors.

Gregg picks Simpson for Democratic ticket, by Tom LoBianco (Associated Press)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg is reaching out to his party's base with his pick for lieutenant governor.

Gregg tapped Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson as his running mate Tuesday. Simpson is giving up the Bloomington Senate seat she's held since 1984 to run with Gregg.

The addition of Simpson, an abortion rights supporter, to the Democratic ticket should shore up support for Gregg among liberal Democrats. It could also open up the wallets of Democratic donors turned off by Gregg's anti-abortion stance and opposition to same-sex marriage.

"Life's too short to dance with ugly men."

That's what a friend of mine's bumper sticker used to say. It's too short to vote for them, too.

Only in Indiana could a matter of conscience turn your electoral attention toward a reality TV refugee.

Indiana Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Favors Constitutional Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage by Bil Browning, Huff Post Gay Voices

Flying in the face of the national trend in favor of same-sex marriage, Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg announced his support of a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages and civil unions on the same day President Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage. Gregg's Republican opponent, far-right Congressman Mike Pence, also supports the discriminatory amendment. Libertarian candidate Rupert Boneham, the former Survivor reality show star, has already announced his support of full marriage equality for all Hoosiers.