Burton opponent quits, then flip flops

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Congressional Candidate Tim Crawford announced plans to resign over the weekend. But the Democratic challenger to GOP Congressman Dan Burton in the 5th District reversed his decision Monday and party leaders are disappointed by the change of heart.

A couple of weeks ago we reported how Tim Crawford has no support in the Democratic Party, even though he won the Democratic nomination in the 5th District. That lack of support has now turned into open opposition.

Members of the Hamilton County Democratic Womens' Club had difficulty containing themselves as they watched a videotape of the weekend meeting where they quizzed congressional candidate Tim Crawford. They also gave him some advice. One woman at the meeting told him, "You have to know what you're talking about!"

Club President Mary Ray says Crawford's appearance helped her reach a conclusion. "You don't think he's a Democrat?" asked 24 Hour News 8's Jim Shella. "Absolutely not," responded Ray. "There's no way."

In fact Crawford told the Women's club he was quitting the race after they accused they of being a Republican. "How can you justify being on the Democratic ticket?" asked one woman on the videotape. "There's not much I agree with them." said Crawford. "That's why I think they need to come a little closer.." "Well then why didn't you run as a Republican," interrupted another woman, "if you don't agree with the Democrats?"

Said Crawford today, "I, you know, was so enraged with everything going on that I, you know, pretty much just said for you guys I'll, you know, step out of the race."

"I thought good, he's not the type of person we need on the ballot," said Mary Ray.

But today, when we found Crawford at his Noblesville home, he said his mother convinced him to stay on the ballot. "So I said, you know what, I got to man up and fulfill what I was set to do."

Mary Ray says she's disappointed. "I would like to have a good candidate on the ballot to vote for, someone we could be proud of."

Now Democrats will seek to wider distribution of a videotape that, they believe, shows a candidate out of touch with their views.

If Tim Crawford did step down, Democrats could replace him on the ballot with Nasser Hanna, the party-backed candidate who lost the primary to Crawford. Either way Democrats have little chance of taking out Republican incumbent Dan Burton.