The 9th district is an ancestrally Democratic district based in Southern Indiana. Represented for many years by the legendary Lee Hamilton, the district has slowly became more competitive. Being an R leaning district, 5 term incumbent Baron Hill was unseated from office from tea party darling Todd Young in 2010. Republicans also grabbed control of the state house, and already controlled the state senate and governors mansion. Naturally given full control R's gerrymandered one of the most competitive districts in the nation to be slightly more Republican. So far fundraising for all candidates has been anemic, not coming close to matching Young. The general election will likely not be that competitive. However that did not stop the entrance of five candidates, many of impressive background.
Meet the Candidates
General Jonathan George
http://www.georgeforcongress.com/
Also read: http://www.georgeforcongress.com/...
Watch: http://www.youtube.com/...
Pros
What he lacks in speaking skill he certainly makes up for in real world experience and an amazing bio. A direct decedent of famed Comanche Chief Quanah Parker as a youth he lived out of his truck for a brief period while saving for his future. A retired Air Force General with over 30 years in the Air Force, George operated U-2 spy planes, worked for many Presidents, and had an operating budget of 3 billion dollars while commanding 12,000 soldiers and was the command pilot for the B-2 Stealth bomber. He was a top General in Afghanistan who directed the first military strike against the Al Qaeda after 9-11. In the later part of his career he served on President Obama's national security council, before turning down a major promotion to return to Indiana. He also has a masters from Harvard, and was a White House Fellow for Ronald Reagan. To be blunt that is one hell of a bio, and one that you can easily sell to Southern Indiana voters.
Cons
After reading the above you are probably wondering why on earth a primary is even going on. Well while his resume is by far the most impressive, he is not a great candidate in some senses. His public speaking is not on par with Yoder, his fundraising is atrocious, and he just doesn't seem to be giving it his all. He shouldn't have trouble in the primary, and should be a rising star, but he is looking to be in a fight just for the nomination. Simply put he needs to amp us his skills. For instance he didn't even seem to try to collect donations. No annoying fundraising emails, Facebook posts, or tweets. You had to want to give to him. He deserves a seat in Congress, and his campaign skills have improved somewhat, but it still makes some politicos hesitant to support him.
Robert Winningham
http://www.winningham4congress.com/
Watch(will probably make you yawn):http://www.winningham4congress.com/...
Pros
A former staffer to Lee Hamilton, with an impressive business background. The Hamilton name is still golden in this district for the most part, though some are upset of his Obama endorsement over Hillary. However he is still respected. Winningham can talk with a passion about the Clinton years, and make you think of the prosperity the district once had. He also has a great ground game, with many top tier organizers working for him. He raised the most money, and is more organized than Yoder or George.
Cons
He is unimpressive as far as public speaking goes, and I find him to be rather unpleasant one on one. I personally do not care for him much, and neither do fellow 9th District dems on Daily Kos Elections. As one user put it he is simply rude often times. I suggest reading SouthernINDem's comment on this http://www.dailykos.com/.... Also his speeches are the same old, same old. A fun drinking game would be to take a shot every time he says "Lee Hamilton." Actually it probably would not be that fun as you would be probable to get alcohol poising. Also while he has raised the most, it is still not enough at all. Fundraising is something lacking in all candidates.
Shelli Yoder
http://www.shelliyoderforcongress.com/...
Read and Watch:http://www.shelliyoderforcongress.com/...
Pros
Yoder knows how to run a campaign. Doesn't matter that she is a first time candidate. She has charisma and really thinks she can win. She can't, but she truly believes it, and that is something I like in a candidate. She has an impressive educational background, a strong Hoosier story and background, growing up in a working class family that faced struggles, including the loss of the family business. She worked her way up, becoming Miss Indiana in the 1990's and has a career dedicated to helping others. The skills she learned in her pageant days helped her learn how to work a room, and really connect to voters. She has worked hard, showing up to many events, fundraised like her life depended on it, and snagged many top tier endorsements none thought she could receive.
Cons
Liberal activist with limit resources, in a red district. Her campaign is run with a large focus on Monroe County. This will not win the general, will not get you close. She is not a good fit for the district, just isn't. Also despite fundraising hard, she still raised a paltry amount. More than she should have been able to considering, but not enough, and I have a feeling she will not be able to improve all that much in the GE. Simply put I think she would preform the weakest in the general election.
Others
http://www.TilfordForCongress.com/
http://www.anewcongress.com/
Also in the race is John Tilford, who is a very nice guy, but with no chance at all. He doesn't accept campaign donations and pledges to only serve a term. He knows he won't win, and is just running to make a point. Mainly he talks about VA issues, as he has much experience working with Vets. He is folksy and a great guy.
Then an occupy candidate John Griffin Miller, who will not get one percent of the vote.
Prediction
Hell, I don't know what will happen. Either George, Winnigham or Yoder could win. All have been frontrunners at various stages of this race. While I remain that anything could happen I suspect that George ultimately wins, though like I said, it is just an educated guess. We haven't seen any polling at all. I will say this, George is by far the only candidate who could prove competitive in the general election. It all depends on if he learned his lessons from the primary. And of course if he gets through the primary as well.
Update
You can watch the debate online here: http://meetingarchive.catstv.net/...