Hostettler 'man of principle'

Congressman called courageous for taking stand

Editor's note: Today, we offer a profile on 8th District Rep. John Hostettler. The Wadesville Republican is being opposed by Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth as Hostettler seeks re-election to a seventh two-year term. On Tuesday, we featured Ellsworth. This election story and others are archived on our Web site at

Rep. John Hostettler was on hand Sunday to greet members of the Indiana National Guard’s 163rd Field Artillery when they arrived at the National Guard Armory after a 14-month tour in Iraq. Hostettler kept his remarks “short” so as to not delay troops from being reunited with their families.

Photo by Bob Gwaltney


John Hostettler says he wasn't thinking about boosting his re-election prospects or garnering favorable headlines when he stood virtually alone in Congress last year to vote against a $52 billion Hurricane Katrina aid package.

He was thinking, he says, about the future.

"I was taught that compassion is that which I show for my fellow man - it's not that which I compel my great-great-grandchildren to pay for, for my fellow man," the 45-year-old Hostettler says.

"That's called 'compulsion.' Government doesn't practice compassion; it exercises compulsion, and as a result of the current deficit situation, we find ourselves in a situation whereby nobody in this room will ever pay for (Katrina aid)."

The Katrina vote brought criticism from the six-term Republican congressman's political opponents, who said he was heartless.

But Hostettler, who was one of just 11 House members to oppose the aid package, refused to be swept along with what he perceived as a hysteria that made it politically impossible for

most members of Congress to say no.

Lost in the denunciations of Hostettler was the fact that he said he could vote for smaller aid packages.

"If we could have said, 'We'll send $5 billion down in the first week, tell us what you spent the money on and give us some accounting of that, and then we'll go forward from there,' I think we could have done something then, but that wasn't the direction that folks wanted to go," he recalls.

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, says the story is vintage Hostettler.

"John represents Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," says King, vice chairman of the House Judiciary Committee's immigration subcommittee, which Hostettler chairs.

King, whom Hostettler calls one of his closest friends in Congress, said Hostettler decides what he thinks is right and then acts without regard to political consequences.

"He'll put up a vote that makes him a target for political attacks, but it's a principled vote," King said. "I want to tell you something: There are maybe half a dozen people in all of Congress who have that level of devotion to principle.

"John is a very courageous man."

In 2000, Hostettler was one of just three House members to vote against a bill with the mom-and-apple pie name, the Violence Against Women Act - but the other two weren't running for re-election.

Hostettler said he was concerned about the federalizing of crimes that should be under state jurisdiction.

King said Hostettler is what reform-minded voters say they want in a politician.

"People say there's too much money in politics," the Iowa lawmaker said. "If John Hostettler doesn't go back to Congress, it's because he focused on policy instead of raising money and because he cast votes on principle, not politics.

"It would be a tremendous injustice."

John Nathan Hostettler grew up the eighth of 10 children in rural Posey County. His parents, Esther and Earl Hostettler, were conservative, churchgoing folk.

After graduating from North Posey High School in 1979, Hostettler struck out for Terre Haute and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1983.

After graduation, Hostettler married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth "Beth" Hamman.

The election of Bill Clinton as president in 1992 politically galvanized Hostettler, who saw in Clinton a raft of ethical and moral shortcomings. In January 1994, he announced he would run for the House seat then held by Democratic Rep. Frank McCloskey.

Hostettler was then a power plant performance engineer with Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Co. in Evansville, earning $34,346 a year. Few gave him a chance in a field of six GOP candidates, most of whom had more experience and connections.

But the 33-year-old engineer proved an able organizer and motivator, building a grass-roots political network that some analysts now call the strongest in the state.

Hostettler carried a sense of frugality - for the most part - into Congress.

The congressman who refused to accept the lifetime congressional pension because it would add to the federal debt now sleeps in his office - a not uncommon arrangement on Capitol Hill - and flies home on weekends.

With exceptions for postcards used to announce town hall meetings and answer mail, Hostettler has declined to use his congressional franking privilege to send newsletters at taxpayer expense.

King recalls seeing him in his office at night, marking up committee testimony with questions when other legislators were hobnobbing with lobbyists at parties.

Hostettler's habitually underfunded campaigns are testimony to his distaste for the organizational and financial aspects of politics.

A Hostettler fundraiser on a recent Sunday afternoon was typically small-scale. Instead of a $1,000-a-plate dinner with a national figure as the featured attraction, he held a $15-per-person dinner/auction at VFW Post 6576 in Wadesville.

John Sloan, pastor of Evansville's Westwood Baptist Church for the past 29 years, has known Hostettler for most of his life. Hostettler is still a deacon at the church.

"John has always been very serious in his faith in the Lord and very faithful," Sloan says. "He's still the same man he always was; he's just more experienced and knowledgeable now."

Sloan said some of the political attacks against Hostettler don't square with the man he knows - the man who still serves communion at church and comes to worship as a congregant, not a congressman.

"They say he's insensitive or not available," Sloan said. "I don't understand that; John's not that way at all."

Hostettler vows that he won't change, no matter how much money Democrats pour into the campaign to defeat him and regardless of whether they prevail.

"I got involved in this process because I wanted to make change," he says. "Change doesn't come easily, and with change there is tremendous resistance - and what I am experiencing is that tremendous resistance."


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Comments » 67

dollpenguin#68300 writes:

Was this a news item, or part of Ho's ad campaign?

garfieldw#135270 writes:


Three Questions:

1. You state he voted against Katrina funding because of race. 40% were White, Much more than New Orleans was directly affected. Could you tell me what race he is, since they were "different"?

2. Im guessing your IRA or 401k contains no "Big Oil" investments nor any portion of any of the mutual funds it might contain. So I pose the question, When and what amount of money came from "Big Oil"? Some employees of the Countrymark refinery in Posey County, I see made $25.00 contributions in '04. A few of them got new snow tires for their 1996 Chevy's, I bet that was a kickback for thier "Big Oil" connections.

3. Are you the type that depend on the government for everything, hate capitalism, and idolize Carl Marx, Hilary Clinton, and Robert Owen?

mewsic1 writes:

Your comments are hateful.
I personally know the Congressman, and he is not as you portray him.

tracee#57968 writes:

It is a shame people try to bring race into this. John did not support Katrina aid because he knew that the money would be misappropriated if there was no way to account for the money. A typical Democrat philosophy of “Let’s throw money at it and hope it goes away”. It was a difficult vote for him to make, he stood almost alone, how can anyone say he is a yes man or a rubber stamp type of person when he is willing to go against the grain??? Have you not noticed John has not had the President or the First Lady here for fundraising? John has not really had anyone from the national party here raising money for him, why??? I can tell you why, he stands up for what he believes and is not afraid to votes against them or anyone. This is not a popular thing to do.

Brad Ellsworth is not qualified for even dog catcher. As a dog catcher you still can get someone hurt if the dog gets out or away. Loose a prisoner or two and someone is going to get robbed, raped or even killed! This does not seem like a stand up responsible person to me.

Brad Ellsworth is running as a democrat John Hostettler he varies little on the issues. What would we gain with Brad Ellsworth?? I can tell you with Ellsworth we get a freshman congressman that will not be affective in getting anything done.

Ask the people around Crane if John is an effective leader. I bet the answer will be yes, because he has gone to the wall to save their jobs. What about Doppler radar?? Who was it that helped push that through?? It wasn’t Evan Bayh or Richard Lugar that kept pushing this. It was John and we all sleep safer because of it.

Like him or not Mitch Daniels just announced a new type of coal fire generating plant to be built. Southern Indiana is an ideal spot for it regardless what John Blair thinks. We need the jobs. We need John fighting for us to get this down here. At least John will be able to hold a conversation with the Governor for something other than trying to get his daughter out of a speeding ticket in Pike County!

Leaders are ones that will stand by themselves even when it is not popular. John is that type of person. John is the type that would stop what he was doing to help you if you asked for help even if he did not know you. Yes, he is not the Dare Officer the courier and press endorsed. He is someone that would and will do his job for the right reasons and not for vanity.

tatalley writes:

I respect John least he is a Republican who runs as a Republican and explains WHY he votes on things the way he does.....Brad Elsworth, sounds like a Republican but God forbid when and if he gets elected, he will be with those liberals ie Nancy Pelosi, who want what he says he is against (gay marriage, pulling troops from Iraq). Koodos John Hostetler, heck if you even upset your own party for bucking against them at times, all the more reason you will get my vote. We need to keep John Hostetler in Congress, and hope that his "principles" rub off on a few Dems and Republicans too!!!

cpg59 writes:

(I wish the EC&P would expand the comment box's limit to 10k characters, 3k isn't enough!!)

The NRCC and DRCC have spent thousands on ugly ads full of lies and half-truths. Each candidate’s local ads, however, make nice points, but don't say much. I don't read any substance from the EC&P. You can’t get information from television. Cable news has deteriorated into 10 second sound bytes and tabloid type shows that are an insult to intelligence. I REFUSE to make decisions based on tabloid crap. So how is a person supposed to make an informed decision between John and Brad? I use Google a lot, or as Dubya calls it, "the Google." I know John's and Brad's records. Neither is a person I would completely agree or socialize with, so I pick the one that's closest to my views when weighed against my dislikes.

Yet this election is about more than the 8th district. It’s about something bigger. It’s about a corrupt, lazy congress and an Administration that has been privately signing away YOUR rights in the name of safety; it’s a trick out of the Fascist’s playbook. The absolute arrogance of this administration and Congress has destroyed the system of checks and balances built into government to safeguard against abuses by any of the 3 branches of our government. For 6 years this administration has abused its power, lied about Iraq, and has committed countless impeachable offenses, but without a proper system of checks and balances and congressional oversight, the abuses have gone unchecked. I want my country back. This isn't the one I signed up for. I want the old USA back, you remember it don't you? The one with apple pie, Chevrolet, mailing post cards from the Grand Canyon, noodle salad, family reunions and when a man’s word was his bond: trust. This sick, corrupted government can't provide an environment for persons to pursue happiness. The framers of the constitution are turning over in their graves over what this administration has become; most certainly John Adams is looking down at us and screaming his damn head off about how we’ve screwed up everything. It will take decades to recover the damage the administration has done.

I read dozens of news and blogs sites every morning. I scan each one for news and information with and without left or right spin. I’ve found quite a few sites full of GREAT info, but comes closer than any. Its article at strikes a nerve worse than a botched root canal. It’s helped shape my vote this year. If all I cared about was the 8th district it would be easy. But you have to care about something bigger than yourself and the 8th District; you have to cure the cancer before the rest of the body can feel good. To me, fixing the obscenities created by the Bush administration are priority one. That means restoring checks and balances. I want my country back. My vote is to clean house, starting with Congress. It’s that or impeachment.

cpg59 writes:

to tatalley:

you make some excellent points. john really has taken some difficult stands while in congress. that impresses me, and i wish some of his character would rub off on the rest of the congress, but there's 435 congressman and 100 senators, and they're all in desperate need of an ethics class. sadly, it's time to clean house in congress. we need nancy pelosi and a clean house because the system of checks and balances has been lost under republican rule. our government will disolve into fascism unless its restored.

i take it you're against gay marriage?

i don't have a problem with it for 2 reasons.

1) it will encourage them to get into lasting monogamous relationships. and afterall, isn't that a good idea? they're human beings with hopes and dreams and want the same things everyone else has but currently cannot have. Is that fair under the spirit of the Constitution? Is it not hateful and discriminatory to think otherwise? if you want to shove them off the street and be unseen, what better way to do it, but as long as they don't move next door, right? it sounds a lot like the civil rights issues of the 50s/60s/70s doesn't it?


2) The way the heterosexual hypcrites have abused marriage by legalizing divorce, I doubt the homosexuals could do any worse job.

Perhaps divorce should be illegal! Maybe heterosexuals might learn that a lifetime commitment means just that.

jlmkkreed#5280 writes:

While I have never voted for Hostettler (he is too far out there on the right for me and at times, he comes across as arrogant and self-righteous, along with some of his supporters), I do have to tip my hat to him for his vote on the hurricane relief. It has already been proven to have been another government waste and corruption dump. The problem is, no one in Congress is speaking out and calling for investigations into who is spending what and calling them into account. There are times when I (as much as I hate to admit) agree with a stand that Hostettler has taken. I still will not vote for him, but I do think he has been pretty consistent to his principles and I cannot fault him for that. I also think the newspaper article was well done and the HOSTILE-erites should recognize it as such and get over their self-righteousness that accuses everyone who does not go along with them of being a part of some vast LEFT-wing conspiracy. They don't sound any different than someone they love to hate named Hillary Clinton. By the way, I noticed the Indianapolis Star (a very conservative newspaper and one that usually endorses Republicans) has endorsed Brad Ellsworth over Hostettler.

2ufrmme#2817 writes:

Legalizing gay marriage will not make homosexuals stay together. If fact, the percentage of monogomous relationships among gays is around 20%.
Do you really think a piece of paper will change that? There was a LOT more committment among heterosexuals prior to "no fault" divorces (worst legislation ever handed down in my opinion) and
just see what has happened in recent years to that resolve. Two wrongs don't make a right. Not now, not ever. There will be a huge price to pay in this country if that legalization ever comes about. Check your history books and see what the common factor of destruction has been in past civilizations.

This election should NOT be about political parties, it SHOULD be about who cares most about bringing this country back to the views of our Founding Fathers. THEY understood what it took for a country to survive. THEY knew that without GOD, this country would never be great.
Even the pilgrims that came to this country knew
to thank God for their existence and for taking care of them in a new country, filled with dangers
and problems. Don't ask God to bless America if
your going to elect people who continue to force him out of this country. It just doesn't work that way.

Anonymous (Inactive) writes:

cpg59, If you can remember the "old USA" then how can you conveniently forget the Clinton Years? Did that administration lie? Sure they did, Clinton was impeached for lying, under oath! Your partisanism is drowning out your argument.

Did Clinton's administration ignore warnings from the CIA about bin Laden? They sure did, and 9/11/01 was the price WE paid for it. This president will not let that happen again. He is taking the fight to THEIR part of the world. Basing decision upon faulty information is not a lie. But lies or not, I would rather be killing them over there than being killed over here!

Did Clinton turn chicken when public opinion polls turned against him for blowing up an aspirin factory? Sure did. I don't want another lame duck president whose hands are tied because some partisans are bent on seeing him impeached for trying to protect us. (Compare that to Clinton lying to protect HIMself and his pie-in-the-sky legacy!)

You will NEVER see the old USA again. When faced with a challenge you must adapt and overcome. People like you who look to the past are DOOMED to repeat the mistakes of history.

You cannot sit down and discuss your differences with these radical people. The luxury of the Cold War has gone away. Talking will not change their minds. Bin Laden is quoted as saying, "Death is better than living on this earth with the unbelievers among us." Our president has said, "It is foolish to think that you can negotiate with them."

This election is about keeping people in the congress who will protect us and our way of life. No other issue matters if we the people are stupid enough to let bitter partisans control the congress who oppose the president. They would give indirect comfort to the radical islamofacists by weakening the moral of our troops. They would most certainly make us all less safe.

You can whine and complain about the checks and balances of the government and your RIGHTS all you want. They don't matter when your country is invaded because you were too polite to act in the years prior. Your rights will not exist under islamofacist rule.

USA wake up! Your precious old USA has been invaded. Your old USA is no longer because you have been so concerned about RIGHTS that you forgot about borders, language and culture.

jones writes:

Congressman Hostettler repeatedly refused to increase Minimum Wage. With the Katrina Vote when Americans were dying, he failed to realize that fraud could be prosecuted and that waste could be exposed.

His actions are speaking way louder than his empty words… we need to see compassion in action … such as increasing Minimum Wage and assisting others in need (Katrina).

He calls Katrina Vote ‘compulsion’ and states none of us are paying for that…. Well, neither are we paying for IRAQ War or the border wall around southern border that was approved last week.

We need a Congressman that seems the broader picture and has true compassion for all folks especially those working Minimum Wage jobs.

tspo writes:

Thanks to the CP for running to even handed articles about both Hostettler and Ellsworth.

mudfox#40608 writes:

Hey, where is old Indiana enoch, surely he needs to chime in on this article. Doggone C/P, gonna get old HOS elected again.

cpg59 writes:

Mr/Ms Anoymous (nice name, by the way) haha

It’s my understanding that Clinton did not ignore the warnings about Bin Laden, that he tried and was unable to kill him. You might want to check your facts on that and correct me if I'm wrong. He has said it over and over again, including in the Chris Wallace interview. I know full well he lied under oath, and lied to the American people. So has Dubya. I highly suspect most people have lied a few times in their life. There’s no way I can address all your points in the limited space here, but we have differences and we can respect those differences. That’s the difference between the “old America” and the neo-conservative view of America. For the neo-conservatives, there is no right or wrong. They leave no room for disagreement. Either you’re with them or against them. I honestly don’t believe that is what the founding fathers had in mind when they started this country. When I write that I want the “old” America back, I’m using that as a metaphor for the differences between traditional conservatism and the neo-conservatism of the Bush/Cheney variety. They are two very different animals.

I honestly believe you can't sit down like adults and discuss differences with Islamic fundamentalists any more than you can with Christian fundamentalists. In my book, there’s very little difference between them; only the religion and method of delivery is different. In my view, the Christian fundamentalists have too much control and power in driving American foreign policy. The two religions are extremist fringes of peace-oriented religions. I’m no foreign policy guru, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that if those two butt heads trouble is probably afoot. I don’t know if there’s an answer, but I want to believe there is one. However, I’m convinced we’re part of the problem, ergo we’re part of the solution.

It worries me to watch people sit idly by while Bush shreds the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. People have bought into the whole fear-mongering paradigm Bush/Rove/Cheney, et al., espouse every chance they get. It’s a pessimistic view. Reality isn't what Rush Limbaugh says on his radio show or the Bill O'Reilly arrogance-fest.

As a point of order, I’d suggest to the C&P that the 3,000 character limit is too small. To give these issues the attention they deserve, they need to up it to 10,000 or more.

mmnelson writes:

I just wonder what any of you might say or not say if you had to write these comments under your real name, address and include a photo of yourself. It seems this is like the group in the south many years ago that did and said awful things but hid behind white sheets. At least letters to the editor require a real name and phone number to be submitted to the paper. If you people want to argue among yourselves just exchange emails and leave the public out of it. I wonder how the paper thinks this is a good thing. If it is why don't they apply this same policy to printed letters in the paper.

cpg59 writes:


all i hear you say is your party's line. i wish you'd think for yourself instead of letting others think for you. i KNOW you're intelligent and you've overcome great obstacles to get where you are, and that impresses me greatly. use that knoggin up there! =)

i'd love to stay and write this morning, but i have a company to run and a family that seems to think my presense is required. ha!

cpg59 writes:


for my response to my view of old america, please read my last comment to Mr/Ms Anonymous... there I explain its meaning. That should clear it up -- i hope.

organic writes:

katrina - no

halliburton - yes

campassion - no

hypocrite - yes

rooster73 writes:

"King, whom Hostettler calls one of his closest friends in Congress, said Hostettler decides what he thinks is right and then acts without regard to political consequences." This is why I'm voting for Ellsworth, its not about what Hostettler thinks is right or wrong, he is supposed to be voting as OUR representative and should be accountable to us by caring about the political consequences. I dont feel I have representation in congress with him.

32_Adam_1 writes:

John Hostettler (R) and John Kerry (D)are equals in their thoughts or is it lack of, Don Imus said it right just a few minutes on Imus in the Morning on MSNBC, 30% of the votes John Kerry were not for votes for Kerry they we votes against G.W. Bush I wonder how many votes Ho. will get that same way as in the voters who don't like the Democrat canidate.

I also wonder how many pissed off voters that were going to vote for the Democrats were inflamed by John Kerry's comments yesterday it may have been a slip of the tongue but you would think Kerry would be smart enough to re-read his speaches before he publicly make a jackass out of the Democrats, I also wonder how many will walk in and vote republican because of those remarks this could really help John Ho. and could be the end of the campaign trail for the Sheriff.

Support our Troops

Perplexed1 writes:

Well its nice to see the C&P finally provide a good article on John. I commend the C&P for this. I think the article on Brad yesterday was a little to cheezy. We all know both Brad and John are good men, and good leaders. The local voting public will make the decision next Tuesday.

I wish the winner in this race the best of luck! One thing is for sure the likely voters are ticked off at "BOTH PARTIES" for lack of moral judgement, division by gridlock, illegal immigrants, and not supporting victory over enemies that want to destroy the US.

John Hostettler has always stood on principles. That is the way this government was supposed to operate.

Still the bloody eigth! Let the final games begin!

mudfox#40608 writes:

Well, whoever wins this was fun. On November 8th we will be fine regardless of who wins. Both HOS and ELLS are good people and I wish them both the best of luck. To mmnelson; lighten up a little bit, this is not a bad thing. I see a group of people who mean well but just see things differently. Better to communicate than not at all.Besides , did you ever try to get a letter published in C/P. and can you imagine how their phone rings off the hook after they do?

Anonymous (Inactive) writes:

John Kerry speaking is the Republican's biggest October Surprise. Kerry's mouth is Rove's secret weapon.

Thank you, Mr. Kerry for reminding us what you elitist leftists really think. Your remarks are an injection of epinephrine into the fading soul of America. A grateful country thanks you for your service!

evill_finest writes:

Hostettler "Thinking about the Future"
I think he wants us to foret about his past.

Hostettler 'man of principle'
For enough money he can have your principles also.

He should just wear shirts like athletes do. That way we know who his sponsers are. Shell logo on the front and Halliburton on the back. It would make the election process so much eaiser.

cpg59 writes:

enoch, obvously we're on different wavelengths, so there's no use in wasting each others' time.

childish? ok. you are totally unalbe to comprehend anything i write. i realize you have a reading disability, but c'mon, you've taken everything out of context and made a ton of assumptions out of thin air. to be blunt, your level of reading comprehension needs a lot of work.

go back to promise keepers. they're more your level.

GollyGeeBuffaloBob writes:

I'm only concerned about Evansville and Vanderburgh County elections. We have to straighten out local government before worrying about anything else.

Tiger91 writes:

Anonymous Coward wrote: "If you can remember the 'old USA' then how can you conveniently forget the Clinton Years? Did that administration lie? Sure they did, Clinton was impeached for lying, under oath! "

The things I remember about the Clinton Years were one foreign terrorist attack on our soil for which the perpetrators were caught, tried, found guilty and imprisoned.

I remember a balanced budget and the greatest economic expansion in US history.

I remember crime declining, the number of abortions declining, and the number of people below the poverty line declining.

I remember a mideast peace accord and a Northern Ireland peace accord. I don't remember any huge mideast crises (there weren't any). I remember working with NATO to resolve the ethnic cleansing and humanitarian crisis in Kosovo. I remember patrolling the no-fly zone over Iraq, and bombing facilities which seem to have contained his chemical weapons arsenal.

How quaint.

Tiger91 writes:

Anoymous Coward wrote: "Did Clinton's administration ignore warnings from the CIA about bin Laden? They sure did, and 9/11/01 was the price WE paid for it."

Name something Bush did to fight terrorism between taking office and 9/11. Name something he did in reaction to the August 6 PDB. Name something Condi did in reaction to hearing Tenet and Black say "This is a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10". Then tell me again that it's Clinton's fault.


How many of the 9/11 terrorists were Iraqi? Zero.

HoosierVoter writes:

John is a great man! I do not "Know" him well. I have visited his office in DC and have visited him at home once. But he has always been available when called upon!

His votes in congress have been right!

He is a man who is setting principles and standards - given the chance lets see if Ell$worthle$$ would reject the retirement plan, no way! I would love for someone to a$k him that!

Let's see if he would sleep in his office to save American tax payers money?

John is truly a great guy, Now JOHN if you or your office read this start taking the money get a nice place to sleep you deserve it you have done more for America than the others who are up there!

Tiger91 writes:

Anonymous Coward wrote: "Basing decision upon faulty information is not a lie."

Selectively reporting information from faulty information to disproportionately support your decision which had ulterior motives is a lie.

"But lies or not, I would rather be killing them over there than being killed over here!"

Yeah, good point. As long as we're killing somebody, we're all set. How many of the 655,000 Iraqis that have been killed in this conflict were terrorists?

Tiger91 writes:


That's hilarious. You are using the adage that "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it" to argue that we must forget the past!!


This is irrelevant because no American wants to negotiate with bin Laden. If you disagree, NAME ONE. With a first-hand quote.

Tiger91 writes:

Anonymous Coward: "This election is about keeping people in the congress who will protect us and our way of life."

I agree. The way of life when we where the world's only superpower and most respected country in the world. When we used war as a last resort to achieve security and not for financial or oedipal reasons.

"No other issue matters if we the people are stupid enough to let bitter partisans control the congress"

Do you mean the bitter partisans who don't let the opposition party offer amendments to bills? Or take part in the conference committees? Or propose their own legislation? I agree that the simple-minded partisanship of the Republican majority is anathema to real government.

Tiger91 writes:

Anonymous Coward: "Your rights will not exist under islamofacist rule."

Your rights do not exist now. Since the Military Commissions Act of 2006, you are not in jail by the grace of the president. I know you trust the president, but do you trust all future presidents? Would you trust President Hillary Clinton (shriek!)? That's the whole point. We used to be a government of laws, not men.

"Your old USA is no longer because you have been so concerned about RIGHTS..."

That about sums it up. What is special about the USA if it's not our rights and freedoms? Isn't that what the terrorists hate us for?

GollyGeeBuffaloBob writes:

Mudfox you are correct. I know both of them and like both of them. I have trouble determining which of them is the Democrat and the Republican, they are really so much alike.

mrstiny1990#174082 writes:

Has everyone forgotten these are politicians?They lie and tell you what they think you want to hear.They each have there own agendas in Congress.I have never been a Hostetler supporter and I beleive he has served long enough maybe someone should take the seat and see what they can do for Indiana.The Katrina aide was a good decision after the fact when we got to see the lies and deceit of some of the victims,not all of them just some.But I still say its time to give someone else a chance in the 8th district.

Anonymous (Inactive) writes:

Tiger91 said,

You mean the democrats didn't do the exact same thing before 1994? How short your memory is!

Anonymous (Inactive) writes:

Tiger91 said, "How many of the 9/11 terrorists were Iraqi? Zero."
Are you a military man? Do you understand the difference between "part of the world" and Iraq? Iraq is an ideal geographical outpost for taking the fight to them. If you can't understand that then you are blind.

Solomon writes:

The main issue that bothers me is INTELLIGENCE. John Hostetler has an engineering degree. He must be quite intelligent. However Brad Ellsworth stated I quote, "I know the dangers of under age drinking...we did let our daughter drink while she was in Mexico". I ask, is drinking in Mexico safer? I am sure Brad is a nice guy, and yes he is good looking. I even hear that he sings quite well. Some casino Aztar workers had told me that he has sung there on various occasions and sounds like Frank Sinatra. John can hold his own. Brad will be eaten alive by the National democrat party. If you really like Mr. Ellsworth, don't vote for him. I really feel this will ruin his life. GOOD LUCK TO BOTH YOU MEN IN THE FUTURE.

sslaysey#66198 writes:

Are you supporters aware that a few years ago dear Hostetler "killed out" our home health care programs (like VNA for instance). What is the bad part of this is that he personally met with the administrative staff of places and personally agreed to NOT vote against the home health agencies. Much to their shock, he did and they went under fast. I believe the dark haired good looking gentleman wears two faces and always will. He certainly has a smile that grabs you......but kills you in the end.

HoosierVoter writes:

streetscam if you think for one minute that ell$worthle$$ will be able to work better in DC than Hostettler, I have some land for you to buy with Ell$worthle$$ bad money!

DEMOCRATS only back ell$worthle$$ for the controll, once they have it, E;;$worthless will have no influence in DC.

I like Hostettler, the longer he is there, the more right he becomes, and now with all republicans in trouble they are taking a closer look at how they should be more like John Hostettler!

By the way John Kerry thinks all service people are dumb! WOW Kerry, I am so thrilled you are NOT MY PRESIDENT - that is the best the dem's had to offer us, they have a long way to go!

Anonymous (Inactive) writes:

Tiger91 and other lefties,

History did not begin on January 20th, 2001 - things happened even before President Bush took office. One of the things which happened is the finding - by a Democratic administration - that Saddam was in material breech of various UN resolutions, most especially those related to Weapons of Mass Destruction. It was because of these material breeches that Congress passed, and President Clinton signed, the Iraq Liberation Act which, among other things, authorized the President to support armed groups in overthrowing Saddam's regime EIGHT YEARS AGO! This would be an act of war, except for the fact that we weren't at peace with Iraq - we merely had a cease fire in 1991, which Saddam routinely violated and thus voided.

This is indisputable proof that those on the left have disgustingly made a political issue out of something vital to our national security. This is a problem which didn't magically appear when Bush took office, and it won't disappear when he leaves. These issues of terrorism, tyranny and WMD proliferation are serious issues which patriotic Americans must remain united. Saying that Bush lied just doesn't hold water.

Political_Insider writes:

Courier, nice job on this article!

mike#89576 writes:

I find it hard to believe that there are just a few comments that don’t make some sort of derogatory remark to either candidate or the author of another comment.

Let’s try this – make your case without petty snide comments. Focus your comments on FACTS (the whole not just snippets that suit your argument).

For all those that cry out “Halliburton” – check your facts first. Find out what type of services their company performs and how many other companies around the WORLD do what they do. Next find out how long they have been receiving government contracts. After all that - then make your own decision.

For those of you that say we need to have a nice discussion with the Muslim extremists – it is time for you to review your world history. Spend an hour researching their culture starting 2000 years ago. When you see their history of war and what it was based upon – then make your own decision.

My last research project for the class – research all the “Great” civilizations of the past. Define your search to civilizations that lasted at least 400 years. Yeah – it is kind of funny to think about great empires and civilizations from a historical perspective when our own civilization and culture is less than 250 years old. Find out what caused the downfall of the great civilizations such as the Roman Empire, the Incas, Aztecs, Egypt ect. The fall of every great civilization was essentially the same reason. I’ll give you a hint – each and every civilization lost touch with what brought it to power and why they came to power.

This is an example “With this downfall of the five thousand year old religion, the native or Egyptian Egypt ceased to exist. Aryans and Semites brushed aside the last shred of Hamitic influence. Egypt had first surrendered her culture for that of the Greeks, to whom she herself had given their earliest instruction centuries before. Next she had perforce given up her empire to the Romans, a race of whom her mightier Pharaohs had never heard, even as barbarians. Now she lost also her religious faith, abandoning it for that sprung from the Hebrews who had been her despised servants, her slaves before the "exodus." Thus, with the decree of Theodosius, the great and remarkable civilization created by the Hamitic race lost the last shadow of its national existence.” The real details are more interesting.

This is what we need to focus on – What made AMERICA great and how many things are destroying our culture.”

bigmommasuz writes:

I cannot believe I am about to write this.....
I AGREE WITH INDY ENO!!!!! LOL I think we should all have a get together after next Tuesday! C/P???
Anyway...kudos to Promise Keepers..they are definately a level "above" by trying to be better fathers, husbands, Christians, etc.
CPG...I am not sure where Promise Keepers comes into play and why you would seem to critisize them? Just curious.

HoosierVoter writes:

Ell$worthle$$ need$ to come out like Democrat hopeful Ford did in TN. and denounce what Kerry said and ask for an apology!

Let's see right now while Ell$worthle$$ has a chance if he will speak for the 8th district or for the Democrats in DC

Ellsworth heres your chance denounce what Kerry said !

factotum writes:


Good for you. I completely agree with every word you wrote. Thanks.

JD_Green writes:

If it wasn't for the Democrats wanting control of the house, Brad Ellsworth would likely be ignored. He acts too Republican for the Deomcratic party to support.

If he is elected, he will be required to dance the Democratic dance. His views and opinions won't be heard by anyone in Washington. If he were to stand up to his party in his first term, they will sit him down on the bench for the rest of the game and in two years he will be gone.

I wonder if all the "we got to change Washington" voters will have the same beliefs when Senator Bayh is up for re-election? Seems he has been part of the problem for quite some time now.

Both John and Brad are good men. One has a proven track record, and in my book he isn't part of what is broken. Forget the partisan politics. We need to keep our good congressmen. There are alot of them that need to go, but John isn' one of them.

mudfox#40608 writes:

I don't know if this group is ready for coffee quite yet, but if there were more like you than we would have a 100% voter turnout and that is what it is all about.

livias_mom writes:

Throughout the course of this campaign, and the comments listed above, I have heard over and over again how Mr. Hostettler did not vote to increase minimum wage. This is a great tool for the democrats...who have very little faith in the intelligence of their followers. It’s time someone informed them of the secret behind a minimum wage increase…let this working mother from a "working family" break the news. The impact of a minimum wage increase is that, we, the “working families” will pay for it!

Companies, if forced to increase minimum wage, the base for many pay structures, will pass the cost on to the consumer. How much of an increase will that be? Little to none. And folks who did not benefit from the increase will pay for it.

Some thing to ask your self when looking at this issue is who makes minimum wage anymore as a trained worker? (Notice I am not saying educated, only trained to do their job and been employed over 6 months with the same company) It is certainly not the union workers! Talk to any introductory union employee and they aren’t making minimum wage! It is not the fast-food 15 year old didn't even start out at minimum wage at her job! It's not the Wal-mart, Target, or CVS workers, who normally get pay increases after 6 months on the job, lifting them past the minimum wage, if they even started there to begin with.

Who are these people? I'm not talking about the sad looking folks on the commercials, being used to trigger emotions. You should want to know whose pay increase, that the democrats want so bad, you will be paying….and do those individuals deserve it. Are they out there, probably, are they the extremely small minority of unskilled workers, definitively!

Mr. Hostettler has supported the working families of the 8th District, by looking past the instant “kudos” of voting for a popular cause, and looking at the long term impact to us and all Americans…sounds like Katrina, don’t you think?

c5335sg writes:

Ellsworthless=Pelosi= your pay lo?.."si" Kerry=idiot... put a spin on that.
