Bill Oesterle as Governor or GOP Savior? No, Hell No

Bill Oesterle, CEO, Angie's List

The Gannett Star is jumping at the chance to promote departing Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle as a primary challenger to Governor Mike Pence, or if not, at least a force to rebrand Indiana's Republican Party.  Oesterle, of course, was one of the outspoken opponents of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and supposedly withdrew his plans for downtown Indianapolis expansion (and turned down $18.5 million in tax dollars) because of the law.  Of course, nobody except a few reporters seriously believes Oesterle's claim that his decision had anything to do with RFRA.  Almost certainly it was because of the strong possibility that the $18.5 million subsidy that would help fund the expansion wouldn't have passed the council and that there will be an attempt to sell the company.  Oesterle's resignation only highlights that speculation, especially in light of Amazon's expansion into Angie's List territory.

The notion that the Indiana GOP is in turmoil and has to be "saved" by Oesterle is absurd.  The GOP has every statewide office, except one U.S. Senate seat, and has supermajorities in the Senate and House.   Yet the media can't help themselves in asserting that Indiana Republicans are on the wrong track and need a new governor and/or a savior.

Up steps Bill Oesterle.

Oesterle for Governor?  Give me a break.  He wouldn't get any of the social conservative vote in a Republican Party primary, which is a significant chunk of the GOP electorate.  As far as fiscal conservatives go, why would they vote for the CEO of a company who in 20 years never was able to turn a profit?  Not only that, Oesterle's has twice in the last four years come forward demanding that state and local officials give his company tens of millions of dollars.  Oesterle expected taxpayers to subsidize his failures as CEO.

Of course, you also have the pending shareholder and consumer fraud lawsuits against Oesterle.  Warnings have exited for years about Angie's List business model, not only that it was hopelessly outdated, but that it relies on shaking down contractors for money.  Certainly fingers are pointing at Oesterle in those lawsuits. 

Oesterle has no chance whatsoever to beat Governor Mike Pence in a primary.  We are more likely to get a snowstorm in July.  What is the point of being able to raise money if you have no voters to attract?

I'm sure Republicans will welcome Oesterle to be part of the always ongoing debate about the future of the GOP.   Republicans are, after all, a welcoming bunch.  But Oesterle as Governor or savior of the party?  No, hell no.