HeightsMom

DeWine pulls ad

2006-07-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

Good. I hope it costs them alot of money to remake it.

Sen. Mike DeWine has pulled an image of a burning World Trade Center from a campaign commercial attacking Rep. Sherrod Brown's record on national security because the image was a fake, a campaign spokesman said Wednesday night.

Instead, the 30-second ad, which began airing Friday, will show a picture of the World Trade Center before the attacks, DeWine spokesman Brian Seitchik said....

"Mike DeWine distorts images like he distorts Sherrod's record," said Brown's spokeswoman, Joanna Kuebler. "Instead of being honest, he is exploiting an American tragedy and now we come to find out he is using shameful, fake images."

Minimum Wage and Business Growth

2006-07-17T07:02:00.000-07:00

A lot has been said about the social justices and moral issues behind the campaign to raise the minimum wage. Let Justice Roll and others are promoting the minimum wage during thier Faith in Action week. This Sunday, Churches and people of faith will be talking about the importance of raising the wage, passing around petitions and holding rallys in support of raising the minimum wage to $6.85 all over Ohio. They’ll quote Martin Luther King and the prophet Amos stating that the minimum wage law is just the “right thing to do”.

They are probably right - the Minimum Wage raise does seem like the right thing to do morally but what will be the eventual consequenses on businesses and the already devasted Ohio economy? Well - A recent study found that:

States with higher minimum wages have generally performed as well or better economically than states with lower minimums since 1997. This is in keeping with most recent empirical research on the minimum wage. A higher minimum wage will help 719,000 Ohio workers better support themselves and their families, and is unlikely to lead to aggregate employment loss, payroll loss or establishment closure among small business. A high minimum wage is consistent with a thriving economy that works better for all Ohioans.

Which does seem to make sense. Why wouldn’t the economy grow? Workers who earn more spend more on the goods and services that grow the economy and make the community successful. This hold especially true when you consider that a 1999 study found that a minimum wage raise has spill over effects to higher paying jobs while having little effect on the basic cost of rent and other necessities.

Perhaps these studies were performed in 20 states that are already well performing and Ohio won’t have the growth effect that these studies claim. I doubt it. But, while noone can see the future - These studies do seem to point in a positive direction and makes the minimum wage opponents claims of “certain economic ruin” seem preposterous.

Sometimes the “right thing to do” benefits everyone in the community - including the business owner.

More facts and bullet points from the study at AsOhioGoes:

Tags:[minimum wage], [economic growth], [dayton]

AsOhioGoes.com

2006-07-17T06:21:00.000-07:00

I will be posting most of my political stuff at the community blogging site AsOhioGoes.com.

From the site:
Everyone is welcome to participate, all you need to do is register and you will be able to post diaries.

Whether it is a simple press release, event annoucement or a news article you'd like to pass on, detailed anaylsis of a recent poll, your opinion on an issue, legislation or politician, or a report from an event or grassroots activity - We'd be happy to read it.

And as you read - remember - Ohio has voted for the winner of every presidential election, with only one exception, since World War II. Hence - As Ohio Goes, So Goes the Nation.

I hope you will join me there. Thanks!

Tags:[Cleveland], [Columbus], [Cincinnati]

Al Gore Couture - Al Gore is so hot right now

2006-07-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

Marc Jacobs new clothing line features Al Gore. The line includes t-shirts, tote bags, and trucker hats.

They are about $20 a t-shirt. You can see the line at MarcJacobs.com. Unfortunately, I do not think we have a MarcJacobs store in Cleveland and they are not for sale online :-(

Tags:[Al Gore], [Fashion], [Save Us Al]

Hackett and Brown together

2006-07-10T05:36:00.000-07:00

REP. SHERROD BROWN AND PAUL HACKETT CO-HOST CINCINNATI RALLY

CINCINNATI - Congressman Sherrod Brown and Iraq War veteran and activist
Paul Hackett will co-host a Democratic Unity Rally in Cincinnati at 3 p.m.
Monday, July 10, 2006 at Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park
at 1101 Eastern Avenue, Cincinnati.

This event is open to the media.

TIME: 3 p.m.
DATE: Monday, July 10, 2006
PLACE: Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park at 1101 Eastern
Avenue, Cincinnati.

Tags:[Sherrod Brown], [Paul Hackett], [Cincinnati]

Frances Strickland @ OD Women's Caucus w/ Slideshow

2006-07-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

The 2nd Meeting of the Cuyahoga County Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus went well. A big crowd (a little under 100) attended to hear guest speakers Frances Strickland and Lew Katz.

Debbie Klien spoke about the Prevention First Initiative (teen pregnancy prevention, sex eductaion funding). She noted that 250 women had traveled to Columbus to testify against HB228. HB228 is the horrible abortion ban legisation that would make it illegal to have an abortion even if the life of the mother was at stake -taking the decision out of the hands of the family and into the hands of government.

Jane Shapiro spoke about the Voter Action Initiative by Ohioans for Democratic Values. An effort to encourage and enable citizens to talk to thier friends and neighbors about the democratic candidates they are voting for and why. This is like the Neighbor to Neighbor canvass we did during the primary. It is a fun way to get out the word and get to know your neighbors.

The Minimum Wage Petition went around the room. If you haven't signed it already, please do. I have a petition if you need to sign it - just email me.

Lew Katz from the 14th District gave a great speech. He is very inspiring and will make a wonderful congressman. The 14th current Congressman, Steve LaTourette, continues to betray the citizens of the 14th district by voting for legislation that hurts the regions families, workers and students. Lew Katz would help the 14th and the rest of Ohio by putting Ohioans needs ahead of Washingtons wants. Visit his website for more info. I'll try to get his speech up - which is so much better than anything I could say.

The highlight of the evening was Frances Strickand. She just seems like the nicest most genuine woman - I am happy she is on our side. She presented a slideshow on "A Million Voices for Change". Which seems to be a more structured style of a word of mouth campaign. I am excited to learn more about this and see how it grows.

Frances kind of reminds me of that gentle but fun teacher in junior high. Her presentation was filled with smiles and humor. She played the guitar for us again (here is video of the Strickland Bio Song), this time she played a new song called "Who ya gonna vote for Republican?"

She also talked about the mud slinging tactics of her husbands opponent and the Republican party in general. She said, She and Ted would stand up to any negative campaign ads and would not be "swiftboated". It is unfortunate that Ken Blackwell and his ilk have to delve into such nastiness to garner attention. At the sight of the first ugly campaign ad against the Stricklands, we should all speak out on how unnesccessary and dispicable his tactics are. Politics doesn't have to be that ugly. It just pushes everyone away.

She also said that the Culture of Corruption the Republicans have created, hurts the Dems more than it helps them, by alienating people from all politicians. Democrats have to stand up and show themselves for the honest, everyday people that they are, not just the issues and policies they believe in and stand up for.

Here is the slideshow from the meeting:

The next meeting is August 3rd. I hope more of you can make it.

Tags:[Frances Strickland], [Democratic Women], [Lew Katz], [Cleveland]

Blackwell's Anti-Voting tirades will be challenged

2006-07-06T06:40:00.000-07:00

From The Plain Dealer -

The suit will request an injunction, claiming a reform law passed by the General Assembly last year, followed by rules Blackwell's office drafted, have all but ended the groups' voter-registration activities in Ohio.

"At this point, the effects are chilling," said Donita Judge, a staff attorney at the Advancement Project, a Washington-based voter-education group, and co-counsel in the suit being filed in Cleveland. "It's just killed voter registration," she added, resulting in an all-but-certain "dilution of the minority vote." ...

The lawsuit will claim that the registration and training requirements violate the free-speech rights of low-paid registrars by burdening them with the responsibility of personally returning registration cards and imposing potential felony penalties for failing to do so.

It also will claim that Ohio's attempt to impose an "anti-bundling" policy violates the intent of the National Voter Registration Act, which was to increase voter participation.

Judge said the effects of the law and rules disproportionately affect voter-registration drives in minority communities, where many residents don't have transportation, lack the technological skills to register on-line and are, in some cases, "functionally illiterate."

Tags:[Ken Blackwell], [Voting Rights], [Columbus]

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes

2006-07-06T06:34:00.000-07:00

Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate.
-- Barnett Brickner

Well, I really think he shatters the myth of white supremacy once and for all.
-- Charles Rangel, African American congressman on President Bush

It is not moderation that redresses the great injustices.
-- Anna Quindlen

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [Charles Rangel], [cleveland],

Free Bumperstickers "Grand Oil Party"

2006-07-06T06:16:00.000-07:00

MoveOn.org is giving away bumperstickers.

What will putting these stickers on your car do? Marketing experts call it "counterbranding"—taking a well-known name and giving it a negative association. Together, we'll remind folks everywhere that the Republican party is tied to big oil companies—and that's part of the reason that gas prices are so high and it's why we're not doing anything about global warming.

If thousands of us post them (and give some to our friends) we'll be able to keep our message in front of millions of people on the road all over the country. Can you help out by ordering a free sticker—or a 10- or 100-pack to give out to your friends and neighbors?

Click here to get yours.

Democratic Events in NE Ohio

2006-07-06T04:35:00.000-07:00

ODWC - Thursday, July 6, 2006: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m

Ohio Democratic Women’s Caucus

Frances Strickland

Lew Katz

Meet the Candidates - Sunday, July 9, 2006: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Tags:[ted strickland], [Sherrod Brown], [Cleveland]

Fiscal Accountability, Performance Based Budgeting and the Ohio Dems

2006-06-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

By now, we all know that Republicans are not fiscally conservative. But - what are the democrats doing to further solidify the reputation of "Fiscally Responsible" started by the Clinton Administrations balanced budgets.

In Ohio, House Democrats recently offered admendments to eliminate government waste and help officials make wise choices.

The first admendment, Senate Bill 321 would require performance audits and a system of performance budgeting for every state agency. Performance based budgeting, would require state government to develop performance measures and benchmarks so policy makers are better equipped to determine whether programs are actually producing results. The concept has yielded hundreds of millions of dollars in other states, such as Washington. Budgets based on performance? Too sensible for Ohio Republicans, whom voted down the admendment.

Another admendment, HB 61, would immediately sunset existing tax expenditures (which currently cost Ohio taxpayers $6.3 billion each year), and require all new tax loopholes in the future to be renewed every five years.

“It’s time we get beyond election year gimmickry and start offering real fiscal discipline here in Columbus,” Driehaus said. “These are two common sense proposals that could save state government money without deep cuts to education or health care. They deserve to be taken seriously”...“Being a wise steward of taxpayers’ dollars means concentrating our resources on efforts that truly will move Ohio forward,” Strahorn said. “It means making tough, intelligent decisions – a trait that’s been short supply here lately.”...“If these tax breaks are accomplishing a legitimate public purpose, then by all means, let’s renew them,” Driehaus said. “But we are talking about some enormous holes in the tax code. We have a responsibility to at least take a look at them.”

In a state as economically depressed as Ohio, we rely on our lawmakers to be responsible. Investing in coins and creating loopholes for thier campaign donors is what the corrupt Ohio Republicans have given us instead of responsibility. It is time Democrats take firm grasp of the term "Fiscally Responsible" and make sure every voter realizes that Republicans are no longer the party of balanced budgets and a tightly run government - But the Democrats are. It is thoughtful and responsible Democratic iniatives that will Turn Around Ohio and the nation.

Tags:[ted strickland], [columbus], [performance based budget]

Fox news continues slide to bottom

2006-06-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

From Broadcasting and Cable Magazine

So far during the second quarter, the No. 1 cable news channel’s primetime schedule has dropped 22% in its core 25-54 demo and 8% in total viewers. The first quarter was even worse.

Apparently, they are looking for new "talent".

Exactly.

2006-06-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs

2006-06-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

It is summer and a lot of people are busy with family stuff but that isn't stopping Ohioans from doing some excellent blogging -

The underhanded tactics of the Learn and Earn petition drive to allow gambling in Ohio has made it into many Ohio diaries as more and more bloggers have negative experiences with the underhanded practices of these petitioners. See "Big Money Campaigns Seek to Hijack Blogs", "Casino Backers Still Using Underhanded Tactics" "More fun with Learn and Earn", "Burning My Cookies", "Learn and Earn Campaign Dishonestly Circulating Petitions" "Blogosphere and Credibility" "More Hardball in Ohio" "The Proposed Gambling Amendment is an Abomination" and numerous comments on other blogs to get a sense of the how widespread the deception is.

Corrupt, Self-Serving, Republican, Congressman Bob Ney scandal updates here.

I would have liked to have met this guy.

Should universities be able to control their student’s access to the internet?

Feagler = CrustyOld Man.

Those cut-and-run Republicans can't make up thier mind on Iraq. On Thursday, they voted to stay the course rejecting Democratic proposals on withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, (at the same time they didn't vote to condemn granting amnesty to terrorist that kill soldiers), and then yesterday they adopted the democrats exit strategy as their own. What changed in two days?

It is God, Guns and Gays in Ohio but this week it was mostly guns, guns and guns.

Bush admistration cronyism at Dept. of Labor - Heckuvajob Chao!

Thanks Everyone. Enjoy the day.

Tags:[Gambling], [Bob Ney], [Cincinnati]

85-100 Iraqis abducted

2006-06-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

Via BBC

Gunmen have abducted at least 80 Iraqi factory workers from a fleet of buses just north of Baghdad, officials say.

The abduction took place at a state-owned factory complex at Taji where dozens of insurgents commandeered buses taking employees home after work.

A source quoted by Reuters news agency said the number of those kidnapped was at least 100 and possibly many more.

It is the latest of a series of mass abductions of workers in Iraq, many of whom have been ransomed or killed.

In other developments on Wednesday:

* The US marines were set to announce murder and other charges against seven marines and a navy sailor over the killing of an Iraqi civilian in April, US officials said

* One of the main lawyers defending former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, Khamis al-Obeidi, is abducted from his home and shot dead

* Two people are killed and six wounded when a car bomb explodes in a crowded Baghdad market

* Iraqi and US forces announce the capture of Noori Abu Hayder al-Oqabi, described as a high-level insurgent and leader of a Baghdad "assassination cell"

* Insurgents in Iraq announce their intention to kill four Russian diplomats being held hostage, according to an internet posting.

Complete story here and here.

You just can't keep up with all of the bad news coming out of Iraq. So much for Al Zarqawi capture changing everything :-(

Tags:[iraq war], [zarqawi], [al queda]

Bob Ney's Unfortunate Ad Placement

2006-06-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

Saw this on DU.

Tags:[Bob Ney], [Jack Abramoff], [Ohio Corruption]

Cats that look like Hitler

2006-06-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

What happens if you spend too much time on flickr - A whole blog devoted to the phenomenon of Hitler Cats.

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs

2006-06-20T05:57:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

I was up alot with the little ones last night. One was gassy and the other was a little jealous of the attention the newborn was getting. So - I am a bit tired but still happy to have some free time to check out the Ohio blogosphere.

Here we go..

This MDAC submission is the "must read" so far this week. It is from a reader who testified in Columbus on the proposed Ohio anti-abortion bill.

The Progressive Toledo blog has really grown. They now have over 20 writers conributing to the site.

John at WorkingWithWords takes a look at Washingtons Lobbying Culture in a four part series.

Nascar and whiffle ball at PsychobillyDem.

Admission of illegal torture tactics from the military makes ClarkStreet mad, mad at the administration and mad at the media.

Sutton is up in the polls and Cheney is a dick at the ChiefSource.

Lisa reminds us of those soldiers captured and Missing In Action over in Iraq.

Andrew looks at the 2nd Amendment, "it may be the murkiest water in the Bill of Rights".

More Ohio Corruption.

We need to put the brakes on... "Yesterday, a federal judge in New York ruled that the government could detain non-citizens purely on the basis of their race, religion, or country of origin, and hold them indefinitely without explanation."

Remember when Lord Blackwell decided what he really wanted was power,so he broke his oaths and turned on the other Jedi?

Thanks Everyone. Enjoy the day.

Tags:[Ted Strickland], [Ken Blackwell], [Toledo]

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes (extended dance mix)

2006-06-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

The current administration could turn the most milquetoast moderate
into a radical.
-- Dana Spiotta

Silence is not a winning strategy.
-- People For the American Way

A nation that increases spending on war and reduces investment in
education, a nation that rolls back taxes on the wealthy and cuts
back help for the elderly, the disabled, the impoverished, is a
nation that has lost its way.
-- Rev. Jesse Jackson

A job should keep you out of poverty, not keep you in it.
-- Holly Sklar and Rev. Paul Sherry

Nukes breed nukes. As long as some nations continue to insist that
nuclear weapons are essential to their security, other nations will
want them.
-- Mohammed ElBaradei, 2005 Nobel Peace Prize winner

No group is enjoying a greater high right now than the nation's
testocrats, as students across the land finish up another year of
test-driven education.
-- Colman McCarthy

We are meaning-seeking creatures. Dogs, as far as I know, do not
agonize about the canine condition.
-- Karen Armstrong

Virtually every federal agency is now captive to the corporate
interests it is supposed to regulate.
-- Russ Baker

We are in our sixth year of government by gonads.
-- Francis Wilkinson

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [jesse jackson], [cleveland],

Womens Rights deteriorating in Iraq - worse than "Iran at it's most conservative"

2006-06-19T07:37:00.000-07:00

The Iraqi women have substantially less freedom today than before we invaded.

From the official report from the US embassy in Iraq.

Let's see , women can not drive cars or use cell phones and they should expect to be threatened if they are not wearing full abaya and a veil. Sounds more like Afganistan under the Taliban than Iraq. How could the Bush adminstration fail to plan and protect these women?

The report has a lot more information on a variety of topics including male dress restrictions, people getting thrown out of thier homes because they are the "wrong" religion, only 4 hours of power a day in 116 degree weather, Fuel Shortages (12 hour line for gasoline), Kidnappings, Security forces (being paid by the US) misusing thier power to expose and threaten those working with the embassy, Iraqis working with the embassy have to keep thier employment secret even from thier families for fear of thier lives.

Another interesting revelation in the report is that the US is perceived as just like Saddam by the majority of the population.

It is just depressing. And it is not getting any better.

This week, the Iraqi government pushed a proposal to pardon insurgents who have killed U.S. troops. Ohio Senator, Mike DeWine failed to condem the proposal.

Where is the accountability? When can we bring our troops home? What is the plan?

Hattip BSB

Tags:[Iraq], [Mike DeWine], [Womens Rights]

Brown Pushes Progressive Vision

2006-06-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Via CQPolitics

... Thinking Globally, Aiming Locally: Brown addressed a panel entitled “The Global Deficit: Good Jobs in a Global Economy.” That was fitting for Brown, who is best known in Congress for his staunch opposition to trade pacts that he says have sent Americans’ jobs overseas, battered the nation’s manufacturing sector and worsened the trade deficit.

More generally, Brown said that “progressives” should take definite stands rather than blurring differences with GOP opponents on policy issues. Brown dismissed that as “Republican lite,” and instead exhorted liberals to highlight their differences with their opponents. “Make the sharp contrast between what they have done and a bold, progressive version of what progressives can do,” Brown said.

This is not a risk-free pronouncement for Brown, who is running for the Senate in a swing state that narrowly favored President Bush in the 2004 election. The National Republican Senatorial Committee, in a statement Wednesday, said that Brown “must feel right at home with the liberal elites at the conference” but that his “liberal credentials” would not play well in Ohio.

Brown argued, though, that his views on a host of issues — supporting an increase in the minimum wage, overhauling the Medicare prescription drug program and opposing the Iraq war — actually are in the mainstream of political thought.

“On issue after issue after issue, I’m exactly as progressives are, exactly where the public is,” Brown said

Tags:[sherrod brown], [iraq], [cleveland]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs (Wednesday)

2006-06-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

Just a quick one today, we are pretty busy.

What does Ken Blackwell stand for??? Flip flops on CAT, TEL and now abortion.

Truth, for a change links to a very funny video commenting on the Bush Administration and the current crop of self serving Republicans.

Lack of disclosure takes away from real issues

Pho posts on the problems of the current abortion ban, and the Prevention First Bill.

On Blackwell, Strickland andhttp://psychobillydem.blogspot.com/

Rove Attacks Rep. Murtha and Sen. Kerry

Johns book reviews are in the CSMonitor.

The 'Gun Lobby' Dilemma.

Prissy links and comments on the My Take on The Rove Announcement by emptywheel.

BWC probe expands into pensions

I am going to publish this and then enjoy my day. I am thinking about going to the Produce Auction in Homerville. They should have lots of Strawberries!

Here is a new photo of our new little bug. He is doing very well.

Thanks Everyone!

Tags:[Ted Strickland], [Ken Blackwell], [cleveland]

Ohio Poll Numbers - Looking good, Brown takes lead

2006-06-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

Via WKYC:

A state-wide poll shows Democrats Ted Strickland and Sherrod Brown leading in their races against Republicans Ken Blackwell and incumbent Mike DeWine.

In an election for Governor of Ohio today, June 13, Democrat Ted Strickland defeats Republican Ken Blackwell, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted for WCPO-TV Cincinnati, WKYC-TV Cleveland, and WYTV-TV Youngstown.

Strickland, currently representing Ohio's 6th District in Congress, gets 53%. Blackwell, currently Ohio Secretary of State, gets 37%.

Strickland gets 89% of Democrat votes. Blackwell gets 72% of Republican votes. 20% of Republicans cross over and vote for the Democrat.

Independents prefer Democrat Strickland by 19 points. Strickland leads by 4 among men and by 27 among women, a 23-point Gender Gap. Blackwell runs even with Strickland among voters under age 35, and in Western Ohio. Incumbent Republican Governor Bob Taft is term-limited. The election is in 5 months, on 11/8/06.

In an election for United States Senator from Ohio today, June 13, Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown ousts Republican incumbent Mike DeWine, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted for WCPO-TV Cincinnati, WKYC-TV Cleveland, and WYTV-TV Youngstown.

Brown, who represents Ohio's 13th District in Congress, wins by 9 points, 48% to 39%. Brown gets 85% of Democrat votes. DeWine gets 73% of Republican votes. Brown wins by 14 points among Independents. Brown wins by 2:1 in Eastern Ohio. DeWine leads in Western and Central Ohio. Brown leads by 21 points among low-income voters. Other income groups are tied. DeWine leads by 13 among the youngest voters. Brown leads by 22 among the oldest voters.

The election is in five months, on November 8, 2006.

Survey questions

1 If the election for Governor of Ohio were today, and you were standing in the voting booth right now, who would you vote for? Republican Ken Blackwell? Democrat Ted Strickland? Green Party candidate Bob Fitrakis? Libertarian Bill Peirce? Or some other candidate?

37% Blackwell (R)
53% Strickland (D)
1% Fitrakis (G)
2% Peirce (L)
4% Other
2% Undecided

Asked of 507 Likely Voters

Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 4.4%

2 If the election for United States Senator were today, and you were standing in the voting booth right now, who would you vote for? Republican Mike Dewine? Democrat Sherrod Brown? Or some other candidate?

39% DeWine (R)
48% Brown (D)
11% Other
2% Undecided

Asked of 507 Likely Voters

Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 4.4%

Sponsoring News Organizations: WCPO-TV Cincinnati, WKYC-TV Cleveland, WYTV-TV Youngstown

Filtering: 1,000 Ohio adults were interviewed 6/10/06 - 6/12/06. Of them, 844 were registered to vote. Of them, 507 were judged to be "likely" voters. Crosstabs reflect Likely Voters.

Tags:[strickland], [blackwell], [dewine]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs

2006-06-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

On to the Ohio Blogs....

I Miss Bill, too

If you grow meat (muscle fiber) in a lab - can Vegetarians eat it since no animals are harmed???

Truth, for a Change gets some fan mail from the right - "blogs" are just a bunch of little spineless butt-nuggets"

Watch the video of Bill Bennett getting crushed by Jon Stewart in a gay marriage debate.

A little Toledo history a little Newark history.
Grandpaboy runs for office...
Some things you do not just for self-interest. You act from your heart. That's how I feel about my house and my neighborhood. I want to join the commission to work for the Hilltop and continue the work you all have begun.

Blackwell's Draconian Voter Registration Restrictions Draw Fire

There are some people you don't like but you'd shake their hand. And then there are others to whom you'd love to be able to say, "Sir/Madam, I do not shake hands with your ilk." Here is a short list.

This blog never pulls any punches

Bush admits to mistakes?

House Bill 228 (criminalize all abortion – whether to save the life of the woman or to end pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.) is pandering to the base - not governing.

Mike Turners Bull**** on expanding jobs in Dayton exposed.

Ann Coulter, plagiarist?

State Representatives Must Answer to God.

Chaos Theory, revisted... We can’t wait until October to start beating the drums and flapping our wings –- we must start now to build the momentum and the depth of effort needed to win big this fall. Send a candidate some money!

Tags:[cleveland], [ann coulter], [ken blackwell]

Ohio State Senate Dem Pick up Opportunities

2006-06-12T15:58:00.001-07:00

From micha1976 on Dailykos

...Ohio has 33 senate seats, currently occupied by 22 Republicans and 11 Democrats, so it would take a 6-seat-swing for a Democratic majority. That would be difficult enough, but it's even worse as in every election only half of the senate seats are up for reelection for a 4-year-term. In 2006 the odd-numbered senate seats are up, 9 Republicans and 7 Democrats. Every senator is term-limited to 2 terms.

I consider the following competitive:

13th district:
Our best pick-up opportunity is without a doubt the 13th senate district. Sen. Armbruster is term-limited, so this is an open seat. In 2002 he ran for reelection as an incumbant against nurse and SEIU leader Susan Morano and won with 50,2%/49,8% with exactly 372 votes.

This year Susan Morano - runs again, this time against Ohio Board of Education member Martha Wise. In the primary, Martha Wise was unopposed and received 14.464 votes. Susan Morano ran in a contentious primary and received 19.885 votes, her primary opponent received 8.257 votes, a combined 28.142 Democratic votes. Of course a contentious primary leads to higher turnout, but you have to consider, that the major primary race was the race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. The Democratic races were far less competitive.

The 13th district combines Huron and Lorain Counties as well as the eastern parts of Seneca county. The Ohio SoS website (yes, Blackwell...) doesn't provide information about election results for the Presidential election in a legislative district or even cracked down to precincts, so I only have county-wide results. Bush won Huron County 58,0%/41,3% and Seneca County with 58,9%/40,6%, but the most populous county in the district in Lorain County, which was carried by Kerry with 56,1%/43,5%. I don't exactly know, how much of Seneca county is part of this district, but I think it's fair to say that Kerry carried the 13th district.

Lorain County is the home county of Sherrod Brown, so it's his base for the competitive senate race, which should boost Democratic turnout. Part of Lorain belongs to his 13th congressional district, that (open) race is at least semi-competitive. The rest of Lorain county belongs to the 9th CD of Rep. Kaptur (D), Huron and Seneca counties belong to the 5th CD of Rep. Gilmor (R).

The last fundraising report showed a cash-on-hand advantage for Sue Morano, she had 72.155,62 $ CoH, Martha Wise 1.523,03 $. Sue should win this hands-down.

27th district:
The 27th senate district is represented by Rep. Kevin Coughlin (R). He won in 2002 with 52,9%/47,1%. In the primary however, he was unopposed and got 17.151 votes. His opponent will be college instructor Judy Hanna (D), who got 15.527 votes in the Democratic primary. Judy Hanna - had an opponent in a contentious primary, who got 11.667 votes. A combined 27.194 Democratic votes. Also in this race, some more Democratic votes are understandable, as the primary was competitive, but there were almost twice as many Democratic votes as vote for the incumbant. Not that bad, I would say.

The 27th senate district contains the northwestern part of Summit County, which went 56,7%/42,9% for John Kerry (here no district-wide information either). Those parts of Summit County belong in smaller parts to the 17th CD of Rep. LaTourette, who has only token opposition, and to the 17th district of Rep. Ryan, who is totally unopposed. The biggest part once more belongs to the open 13th district, which Betty Sutton should retain from Sherrod Brown.

It seems to be extremely difficult to fundraise on a state level against an incumbant, as all challengers have great disadvantages in CoH, Sen. Coughlin has 45.554,31 $, Judy Hanna has 3.575,99 $.

29th district:
The next possibly competitive district is the 29th district currently held by Sen. Kirk Schuring (R). He won in 2002 with 57,8%/42,2%. In the primary he was unopposed and got 24.839 votes. His opponent will be Thomas West (no HP!), who gott 23.397 votes in another unopposed primary race. As I said the primaries were largely overshadowed by the gubernatorial race between SoS Blackwell and AG Petro for the Republican nomination without a counterpart on the democratic side. I think that numbers bode well for the general election.

The 29th district contains most of Stark County which Kerry won with 50,6%/48,9%. Stark County belongs to the 16th districts of Rep. Regula (R). He doesn't face serious opposition in november. Turnout relies on the statewide races for Gov. and Sen., hopefully Democrats will try to turn-out their base in Stark County.

Without a website or any other information about Thomas West it's extremely difficult to decide whether he is a serious candidate, but the number of his votes in the primary seems to indicate he is. Moneywise, Sen. Schuring has 35.507,46 $ CoH, Thoas West has 2.199,38 $.

3rd district:
Another possible pick-up is the race in the 3rd SD held by Sen. David Goodman (R). He won in 2002 with 56,8%/43,2%. In the primary, he got 20.860 votes unopposed. His Democratic opponent is Emily Kreider, who was unopposed as well and got 14.014 votes. Emily Kreider - is a business woman in the social services sector. She is pro-life and has some links to the chamber of commerce, on the other hand has lots of union support. I think her resume sounds pretty impressive, even if her website looks less so.

The 3rd SD contains the eastern part of Franklin County, which went for John Kerry with 54,5%/45,2%. The district mostly belongs to the 12th congressional district held by Rep. Tiberi. While Rep. Tiberi himself doesn't face an all that strong challenge, Franklin County is the home of County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy, who runs against Rep. Pryce in one of the most watched congressional races in Ohio in the 15th CD. Next to that, the Democratic candidates for statewide races should heavily rely on turnout in Franklin County (Columbus).

Sen. Goodman has 36.624,02 $ CoH, Emily Kreider has 2.802,22 $.

17th district:
Only marginally competitive and a possible pick-up only in the case of a huge Democratic wave seems to be the 17th SD of Sen. John Carey Jr. (R). He won in 2002 with 53,9%/46,1%. In the primary he was unopposed and got 20.195 votes. His opponent will be April Howland, who got 12.043 votes in an uncontested primary. April Howland doesn't have a website, all I know is that she is from Chillicothe in Ross County.

The 17th SD contains of the eatern part of Lawrence County, the western parts of Pickaway County and Clinton, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Pike, Ross and Vinton Counties. Bush won Lawrence County with 55,8%/43,7%, Pickaway with 62,0%/37,5% and the rest of the district with 60,3%/39%. So this should be solid Republican territory. Parts of the district belong to the 2nd CD of Rep. Schmidt (you know her), the 3rd CD of Rep. Turner and the 7th CD of Rep. Hobson. Other parts belong to the in 2006 highly competitive 6th and 18th CD of Rep. Strickland, who runs for Governor, and Rep. Ney (you know him as well). These races and Sen. Carey's moderate winning margin in 2002 are the only reasons this race is listed here.

Moneywise, it seems to become a blowout, Sen. Carey has 107.498,01 $, no information about April Howland. Sen. Carey comes from Jackson County, which is part of Bob Ney's district. Perhaps his coming successor?

5th district:
Even in what seems to become a Democratic year, we have to play defense as well. The only district that seems to be competitive on the Democratic side is the 5th SD currently held by Sen. Tom Roberts. He won in 2002 with 52,5%/47,5%. In the uncontested primary, the Assistant Minority Whip got 11.473 votes. His opponent Trotwood Mayor Donald McLaurin (R) got 11.185 votes. Both candidates are african-american, the city of Tretwood, where both candidates reside, is >80% african-american.

The 5th SD contains of Miami County (Bush 65,7%/34%), the southeastern part of Darke County (Bush 69,5%/29,8%) and the northeatern part of Montgomery County (Kerry 50,6%/49,0%). Obviously Montgomery county is the base for Sen. Roberts, the Republicans found a candidate who could cut into that base. The 5th SD belongs to the 8th CD of Majority Leader Boehner.

Moneywise, Sen. Roberts has 84.145,62 $ CoH, I have no information about Mayor McLaurin.

Given the current political climate esp. in Ohio, we should win at least one seante seats from the Republicans. Three to four other seats are in play. We won't take the Ohio state senate in this general election, but with a good performance this year, we could do it in 2008, when there are 13 Republican and only 4 Democratic seats in play.
But our candidates are in serious need for money. Most are almost broke where 10k $ should make them competitive.

Go Emily!

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Tags:[ohio], [lorain], [Emily Kreider]