Bauer: Dems should focus on election, not change

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SOUTH BEND – House Minority Leader Pat Bauer says he believes Democrats will make a mistake if they try to oust him.

Democrats unhappy with Bauer's leadership style are expected to gather Thursday in Lafayette in a meeting that could lead to a vote to try to replace him. The meeting comes as outnumbered Democrats try to shore up their position heading into the November elections.

Bauer has led Indiana's House Democrats for a decade and spent most of that time as House speaker. But bruising losses in 2010 gave Republicans control of the House, and some in his caucus are unhappy over how he is handling campaign fundraising and spending heading into November.

Bauer acknowledges the frustration among Democrats but says a change in leadership now would be divisive.