WAGNER: Politics without purpose is no fun
Like so many of my friends, I just can’t find much joy in mindlessly hurling insults to advance an agenda—if there even is one—that helps no one.
Jennifer Wagner Chartier/ Special to IBJ
Articles
WAGNER: Dems need clear ideas to fill Pence leadership void
I have some strategic advice for my fellow Hoosier Democrats who’ve signed up to be on the ballot: It’s time for us to stop talking about the lack of Republican leadership on big issues and instead begin providing Democratic leadership on big issues.
WAGNER: Come November, Hillary could win Hoosiers’ hearts
Hillary Clinton is running a solid state-by-state campaign to be our next president, but she’s not center stage. The Republican circus side show has occupied that space.
WAGNER: It’s harder to hold people to truthiness standards
Chuck Todd was visibly annoyed by his guest on “Meet the Press” a few Sunday mornings ago.
WAGNER: Deep gratitude for an under-appreciated public office
With the exception of the happy task of issuing marriage licenses, the Marion County clerk oversees a panoply of important but not particularly uplifting duties: collecting child support, administering court filings, maintaining old records and running our local elections.
WAGNER: Female politicians face double standard on the trail
“I don’t want to sound mean or insulting,” the message began. He continued to ask whether I’d ever considered having plastic surgery to correct the dark circles around my eyes.
WAGNER: The long and winding road to recruit candidates
A few weeks ago, I received an email from a conservative special-interest group. It opened with four paragraphs about a Statehouse issue along with a list of House members the group wanted its supporters to call and email. But that’s not what caught my eye.
WAGNER: It’s a brave new world in the suburbs
Earlier this year, I wrote for this publication about the rise of a new Hoosier swing voter, women my age who live in the doughnut counties around Indianapolis.
WAGNER: Indiana Dems need branding makeover
I spent a large chunk of the last eight years as the spokeswoman for the Indiana Democratic Party. It was the best of times (big wins in 2006, 2008 and 2012), it was the worst of times (it sure would be nice to forget about 2010 and some stinging losses at the local level).
WAGNER: Take the opportunity to live elsewhere
I never imagined I’d be writing this column, and I want to preface it with a blanket statement that will never change: I’m a proud Hoosier, and I love my hometown of Indianapolis.
WAGNER: Age has little to do with moral virtues
Reggie Walton and Mark Zuckerberg have one thing in common.
WAGNER: The rise of a new Hoosier swing voter
Quick, describe a Hoosier swing voter. White, married, middle-class male from southern Indiana, somewhere between 35 and 55 years old, right?
WAGNER: Shake up higher education, thoughtfully
Last November, I received an e-mail from Indiana University asking me for input on a branding campaign for prospective students. Intentionally or not, the survey focused on creative elements for the School of Journalism.
WAGNER: Pence could learn from Daniels’ style
Here are six words I never imagined stringing together: I’m going to miss Mitch Daniels.
WAGNER: Political ads filtered by a 4-year-old
We don’t watch a lot of television in our house, but when it’s on, it’s almost always tuned to a news station or show.
WAGNER: Why the undecideds seem indecisive
I’ll bet you’re not an undecided voter. How do I know? Because you’re reading this opinion piece in this political publication that resides within a larger publication that’s focused on a narrow set of issues. In other words, you’re engaged.
WAGNER: Local politics transcend partisanship
Everyone loves to say that all politics is local, and it’s largely true that people get the most riled up about things they see or that affect them on a daily basis.
WAGNER: More than ever, what was he thinking?
Which makes you wonder why they continue to do, say and write such dumb stuff.
WAGNER: Merit in helping others tug on bootstraps
The safety net works, but it requires a bit more compassion alongside today’s version of conservatism.
WAGNER: More of a woman’s touch needed in politics
It would be nice to see a little more thoughtfulness and a little less brute force.