Ohio State Sen. John Carey's Newspaper Guest Column Today: GOP Lawmaker Caught Plagiarizing From Colorado?

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Ohio State Sen. John Carey -- who hails from Coal Country in Southeast Ohio -- is in today's Cincinnati Enquirer with a "Guest Column" talking up John McCain's energy policy. But much of what Carey writes today also appears under the name of Colorado State Rep. Kevin Lundberg, whose "Guest Editorial" happens to be on the on the same topic for the Craig Daily Press in that state. Coincidence or political coordination? Both officials -- one in Appalachia the other in the Rocky Mountains -- somehow have claimed authorship of articles that use mirror-like phrasing.

Here's a sample of Carey today in the Cincinnati Enquirer:

"Obama and Washington extremists believe coal is a 'dirty energy' that ought to be taxed. Obama has said "what we need to tax is dirty energy, like coal, and to a lesser extent, natural gas," and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has echoed that sentiment in saying 'coal makes us sick. Oil makes us sick.' This 'dirty energy' that 'makes us sick' also happens to put food on the tables and roofs over the heads of many hard-working Ohio families. Not to mention that coal provides 90 percent of our state's electricity."

And here's a chunk of Lundberg's guest editorial from the Colorado publication:

"Obama and his Congres­sional Democrat supporters believe coal is a 'dirty energy' that ought to be taxed. Obama has said 'what we need to tax is dirty energy, like coal, and to a lesser extent, natural gas,' and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has echoed that sentiment in saying 'coal makes us sick. Oil makes us sick.' What Harry Reid calls 'dirty energy' that 'makes us sick' also happens to put food on the tables and roofs over the heads of many hardworking Colorado families. Not to mention that coal provides seven-tenths of our state’s electricity. In 2006, Colorado produced 36,000 short tons of coal and consumed 19,707 to generate electricity."

Here's Carey in Ohio:

"With half of our country's electricity produced from coal, our energy portfolio moving forward must include coal as a large component. The U.S. Department of Energy says our 267 billion short tons of coal reserves comprise 27 percent of the world total. We depend on this resource, especially here in Ohio, and we need a president who understands that."

Here's Lundberg in Colorado:

"Considering half our country’s electricity is coal-produced, moving forward with our energy portfolio must include a large component of coal. The U.S. Department of Energy says our 267 billion short tons of coal reserves comprise 27 percent of the world total. We depend on this resource, especially here in Colorado, and we need a president who will work for our best interests."

War Hero David Hackworth Had Low Opinion Of John McCain: Saw Ohio's John Glenn As Greater Figure

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Some veterans are doubtful about Sen. John McCain's status as a war hero. And David Hackworth -- who died in 2005 -- was among the sharpest critics. Hackworth received several awards for valor in Korea and Vietnam, and is considered one of the nation's greatest warriors. Before his death, he wrote that McCain is not in the same league as former Democratic Sen. John Glenn, a Marine pilot from Ohio who became the first American to orbit the earth:

"John McCain is being hailed in the press as a 'genuine war hero.' But is he a war hero in the conventional sense like Audie Murphy and John Glenn?"

Hackworth went on to answer the question in a column. Bottomline: He found McCain lacking, and noted the Republican presidential candidate actually spent less than 20 hours over the battlefields of Vietnam. McCain, of course, was held for more than five years as a POW in the Hanoi Hilton prison camp. Hackworth was unimpressed. His words -- and other criticisms of McCain -- are turning up on a low-budget Web site called Vietnam Veterans Against McCain. It appeared earlier this year as the creation of a former supporter of the Swiftboat Veterans For Truth, a group that attacked John Kerry's service in Vietnam. That group formally disbanded and shut down its online portal five weeks ago.

So far, the Vietnam Veterans Against McCain haven't attracted much attention. And at the moment they are little more than a fringe organization. Can they metastasize? Or become influential? At this point, it looks like they will be fighting a losing battle. McCain's status as a war hero is a fixture in the popular imagination. His POW years and service as a naval aviator are key to his image and powerful during a time of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. But some former soldiers and sailors clearly seem determined to seize upon and carve up McCain's role in Vietnam, which they contend has been made grander than reality. Even though Hackworth is gone, his words live on. And it looks like some vets who agree with him are signing up to enlist in the Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain.

McCain's Colombia Visit Marred By Cincinnati Fundraiser? Huffpo Hits Terror Ties To Chiquita Banana

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The payments from Cincinnati-based Chiquita to Colombian paramilitaries are emerging today as an issue in the 2008 presidential contest. GOP candidate John McCain last week attended a fundraiser hosted by Carl Lindner, who controlled the banana company. The Huffington Post outlines the McCain-Lindner-Chiquita connection. It says the company financed death squads.

Should Dem Swiftboaters Target McCain? Russo Says Its Time To Attack His Military Record

CLEVELAND (TDB) -- Democratic blogger Tim Russo says Vietnam War POW John McCain's military record is fair game for political attack and he is urging an offensive ahead of the Republican convention. He doesn't believe McCain is a hero. Russo doesn't use the words Swiftboat McCain -- meaning the kind of pounding that John Kerry took in 2004 over his Vietnam service. But he suggests that the Arizona senator should get the same kind of treatment over his service as a Naval aviator, meaning "getting dirty:"

"Time to go on offense. And that means going after John McCain's so-called patriotism. His so-called heroism. And his so-called 'maverick'ness. John McCain is no maverick. He's a self-serving politician who will do anything to be elected president . . .

"Yet another way can be to have the folks who don't mind getting dirty (MoveOn. DNC, us bloggers) to go after McCain's military record. Go after his super-rich wife, who McCain left his crippled first wife to chase. Go after it all."

John McCain Tells Xavier University Audience: Ohioans Are 'Hurting'

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain told about 200 uncommitted voters that he plans to spend a lot of time in Ohio heading up to election day: "John F. Kennedy was the last person to successfully win the presidency and not carry the State of Ohio. I'll spend a lot of time here because the people in Ohio and the U.S. are hurting." A few hours after he spoke on the Xavier University campus in Cincinnati, McCain was in the suburbs at a $50,000 per couple dinner, a fundraiser hosted by one of Ohio's richest citizens.

You can read more about McCain's Xavier appearance here. The Arizona senator's passion for "hurting" Ohioans is probably sincere. But he's said other things along the campaign trail that leave questions. In the past, he called the George W. Bush years "a pretty good prosperous time." He's portrayed NAFTA as "a great thing for America." And he's admitted his grasp of economics is weak -- "economics is not something as well as I should."

Hamilton County Republican Chairman Alex Triantafilou sees McCain's trip into SW Ohio as energizng local Republicans, and adds "but I am very energized by the incredibly strong financial support the Senator is getting in our county. Sen. McCain will do very well at his fundraiser tonight!"

Want Dinner With John McCain In Cincinnati? $50,000 Gets You A Seat At The Table

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Republican presidential candidate's June 26 fundraiser is co-chaired by former Cincinnati Reds owner Carl Lindner, one of Ohio's richest citizens. A ticket for the dinner goes for $50,000 per couple according to the invitation available on McCain's campaign Web site. A prominent Ohio lobbyist is on the host committee. Although McCain has tried to distance himself from the influence of lobbyists, a Lindner lobbyist with Republican ties is helping with the event. Just so the details don't get lost as time passes, here's what the McCain site shows:

"John McCain returns to Ohio for a finance reception and dinner in Cincinnati on Thursday, June 26, 2008.

"Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m.; a photo opportunity begins at 6:00 p.m.; and the main reception begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are available to individuals or couples who raise or contribute $50,000; Individuals or couples who raise or contribute $10,000 are invited to the photo opportunity and VIP reception. Tickets to the main reception are $2,300 per person. Business attire is requested."

There's another link available at the moment that shows the names of the host committee. The hosts include Bob Castellini, who owns the Reds, and Bill DeWitt, who owns the St. Louis Cardinals. Cincinnati Bell CEO Jack Cassidy is on the list, as is Charles H. Gearhardt III, the lobbyist:

"Cynthia & Edmund Adams, Bettye & Tom Arington, Eileen & John Barrett, Ruth Ann & Robert T. Bennett, Mary & Ron Beshear, Jack Cassidy, Susie & Bob Castellini, Jared Davis, Leslee & Lon Deckard, Kelle & Kevin DeWine, Kathy & Bill DeWitt, Nancy & Steve Donovan, Jim Evans, Joyce & Dick Farmer, Charles H. Gerhardt III, Margie & Mark Hauser, Louise & Joe Head, Sandy & Bob Heimann, Kevin Kabat"

Ike's Granddaughter Bolts GOP: An Eisenhower Who Likes Obama

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Lifelong GOP voter Susan Eisenhower tells the San Francisco Chronicle that she's crossing party lines to support Democrat Barack Obama this November: "The war issue is a strong one . . . as lower-income, middle-American families are taking a disproportionate share of the burden . . . It really touches the lives of women who are left behind while their husbands are deployed overseas and families have lost a loved one." Eisenhower's comments appeared in a news story about GOP presidential candidate John McCain's efforts to attract women voters, a key bloc seen as in play after Obama's defeat of Hillary Clinton in the Dem nomination contest. But the story suggests McCain's efforts are failing, and that women are breaking for Obama. Eisenhower says Obama has shown more understanding about the issues that effect women. Her grandfather, Dwight D. Eisenhower, headed the Allied armies in Europe that defeated Hitler's forces on the Western front in World War II. President Eisenhower, a Republican, served two terms in the White House from 1953 until 1961.

GOP's John McCain: Drops 'Roosevelt Republican' Rhetoric On Foreclosures

CLEVELAND (TDB) -- The Plain Dealer's political reporter Mark Naymik reports that he's caught GOP presidential candidate John McCain on tape in full waffle mode. Last month, as McCain campaigned and looked for support in foreclosure-wracked Ohio, the Arizona Sen. portrayed himself as a "Roosevelt Republican" of the FDR variety who would offer relief to homeowners facing adjustable rate mortgage increases. Naymik says that McCain's words in a California speech Tuesday struck a noticeably different tone, and "suggested homeowners facing foreclosure have only themselves to blame."

[UPDATE: 4:17 PM -- The Ohio Democratic Party has noticed and says McCain's "conflicting takes on the foreclosure crisis constitute the latest in an ongoing series of economic policy stumbles."]

So what did the Roosevelt Republican say to a group of California business leaders that was at odds with what he told Ohioans? Here's McCain in what some have called his Herbert Hoover persona:

"I have always been committed to the principle that it is not the duty of government to bail out and reward those who act irresponsibly, whether they are big banks or small borrowers. Government assistance to the banking system should be based only on preventing economic risk that would endanger the entire financial system and the economy."

Bill Cunningham's Talk Radio Ruse: Voted Republican In Ohio, Faked Hillary Support

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Righty radio talker Bill Cunningham got the national publicity he wanted -- he was all over FOX News and the cable channels the week before Ohio's presidential primary. But Hillary Clinton didn't get his vote.

The Daily Bellwether today checked precinct records from Ohio's March 4 presidential primary and discovered Cunningham's much ballyhooed endorsement of the Democratic New York senator turned out to be pure poppycock. Or a ratings ploy. Or a political stunt. Cunningham was not among the thousands of crossovers last week. The conservative talk show host pulled a Republican ballot in Sycamore "W," when he voted at the St.Paul United Methodist Church in suburban Cincinnati. His feud with GOP presidential candidate John McCain now has the aroma of a hoax.

Cunningham on Feb. 26 warmed up a crowd for a McCain rally in Cincinnati and used language that accused Democrat Barack Obama of being tied to Chicago corruption. He also repeatedly used the Illinois senator's full name -- Barack Hussein Obama. McCain apologized for Cunningham's behavior. The talk show host then was all over the airwaves ripping McCain and proclaiming his support for Clinton. On Hannity & Colmes, Cunningham said:

"I'm going to follow the lead of Ann Coulter. I've had it with John McCain. I'm going to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for president because she would do a better job in the Oval Office, I think, than the liberal John McCain. I'm done with him."

On his own WLW-AM, 700 talk show, Cunningham said of McCain:

"He just threw me under the bus to the national media. I've had it with McCain. I'm going to endorse Hillary Clinton. I'm going to throw my support behind Hillary Clinton."

On CNN:

"McCain should lose this election and let the Democrats win. . . I've had it with John McCain. He's off the list. I'm joining Ann Coulter and supporting Hillary Rodham Clinton."

There's more here about his fervor for Hillary ahead of primary day. But the whole thing now looks fake. Immediately after McCain apologized last month, there was speculation that the olive branch for Cunningham's conduct was feigned. There was suspicion it was a staged event to portray the Arizona senator as a principled candidate who wanted to take the high road as he campaigned for president. McCain may have meant what he said. But it seems clear from the voting records that Cunningham was just hustling headlines and attention for himself.

DNC Enlists Ohio Vet To Slam John McCain: Went From Factory Floor To Army Rangers

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Former Army ranger Roger Martinez delivered today's Democratic radio address, and the Ohio vet who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan wasn't saluting GOP presidential candidate John McCain. He sees the Arizona senator continuing the policies of George Bush and described him as totally out of touch with the economic struggles of working families. Martinez did three separate deployments with the 1st Ranger Battalion and says U.S. troops are "fighting valiantly in Iraq" but cannot overcome that nation's political problems.

The complete text of his radio address is here. While much of it is about the war, Martinez also speaks about his days in an Ohio factory alongside his father and brother, and how the veterans on the shop floor encouraged him to enlist. Unfortunately, the plant's location isn't mentioned. Here's Martinez, now a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio, about his time in Ohio:

"Before I joined the U.S. Army, I worked with my father and older brother in a factory in Ohio and have many friends still working in those same factories. It was on that factory floor where veterans from all eras of the military encouraged me to serve my country and to see the world. But it was my brother joining the Army Reserves that really opened my eyes to the great opportunities that military service can provide. I am so thankful that I followed their advice. But it was also on that factory floor that I learned that all the hard work in the world isn't enough for so many working families, when Washington is more interested in helping the ultra-rich than the working families.

"After working in Washington for 25 years, and admitting that he does not understand the economy, John McCain is out of touch with the struggles of American families like mine. He says the economy is strong, but how can he not see that families just like mine are struggling to pay for out of control health care costs, home heating bills, gasoline, and college tuition? He hasn't even put out a plan to address the mortgage crisis."

A military-related blog called VetVoice could have some interesting comments later today about Martinez and his partisan take on the McCain candidacy. VetVoice generally is opposed to the war.

Ohio Presidential Primary Election Results: Obama/Clinton, Huckabee/McCain, Congressional And Legislative Contests

COLUMBUS (TDB) -- Click here to the see the voting results in Ohio as they are tallied by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. She will begin posting results after the polls close March 4. The numbers available on The Daily Bellwether via the link to Brunner's office include the Democratic primary between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and the Republican contest between Mike Huckabee and John McCain. There will be totals for the congressional races and statehouse nominating contests.

Ohio GOPers Getting Calls From Ken Blackwell: McCain Is A Reagan Republican

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Ken Blackwell is now working the phones for John McCain. The robo calling -- in the wake of the dust up with Bill Cunningham -- pits a genuine Cincinnati social conservative, Blackwell, against the publicity addicted radio talk show host. Blackwell is urging Republicans to "please join me in voting for John McCain" on primary day, March 4. Cunningham says that he won't vote for the Arizona senator, who apologized publicly Tuesday for Cunningham's bombast at a Cincinnati campaign rally.

[UPDATE: 2/28/08 7:20 a.m -- A Republican I know well and see often just sent an e-mail: "Bill, what the heck does the "J." in J. Kenneth Blackwell stand for. Is he hiding something?" Of course, the note was was meant tongue-in-cheek to play off the Barack "Hussein" Obama flap. But what the heck does Blackwell's first initial stand for -- Jeb, John, Jehosophat, Jesus, Joshua, Janice, Jill? In nearly 30 years of covering the guy, I have to confess I have no idea.]

Blackwell says McCain represents the values of Ronald Reagan. Here's the script:

"Hello, this is Ken Blackwell calling for my friend John McCain with a special message for all Ohio Republicans. On Tuesday March 4, please join me in voting for John McCain. Like me, you want a president who is a solid Ronald Reagan conservative who will cut taxes and eliminate wasteful spending, who supports our values and has the military and national security experience to best lead our country in the war against radical Islam. John McCain is that man. He will never waiver in his commitment to conservative principles. His character, honor, and integrity are unmatched. Join me and thousands of other Republicans in voting for John McCain."

The campaign paid for the Blackwell calls. No mention of Cunningham, but the timing should help McCain neutralize any damage that the righty talker could inflict. Blackwell, who served two terms as Ohio's Secretary of State, was the GOP gubernatorial candidate in 2006. He is out of office but serves in conservative and religious right think tanks.

The Push-Button Brain Of Bill Cunningham: Will Rant For Money

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain, an Annapolis graduate, is an officer and a gentleman. Cincinnati talk show host Bill Cunningham is a mindless guttersnipe who is a savant at self-promotion. His political philosophy -- seen as glib in some GOP circles -- is actually redacted from the short phrases that are imprinted on bumper stickers. By now, the world knows that Cunningham warmed up a crowd at a McCain rally Tuesday and McCain apologized for the couthless idiot with the block-head and overactive mouth who appeared on his behalf. Just last year, Cunningham was apologizing for himself. He had witlessly remarked that Reds outfielder Adam Dunn was playing drunk. Cunningham had to eat those words, which were untrue.

Cunningham, of course, is not an original political thinker. He's a sock puppet, the Oliver J. Dragon who delivers his ventriloquist's talking points. He's famous for being an apologist for the powerful, and for being wrong; in 1989 he insisted there was no believable evidence Pete Rose bet on baseball, and consistently insisted Rose was innocent until Rose admitted guilt. Cunningham, thus, couldn't spot a lie when it was staring him in the face. His talk show philosophy, boiled down to its essence, is warmed over Rush and Hannity. He lacks originality and creativity. Like a cockroach, he picks up the conservative crumbs that drop from their plates. Even now, after McCain apologized for Cunningham's behavior, the Cincinnati talker could come up with nothing better than to say he would follow Ann Coulter's lead and vote for Hillary Clinton. In his snit, the conservative cockroach stayed true to form, that of an insect species which survives on detritus, and scurried to run off with a Coulter crumb. Cunningham again proved he was a follower -- this time behind Coulter -- because he lacks all ability to deliver an original thought. As the election year proceeds, WLW listeners can expect bumper sticker talk like this as Cunningham expounds on:

• Education: Ten Commandments, Barack Hussein Obama.
• Crime: Willie Horton, Barack Hussein Obama.
• Iraq War: Support the Troops, Barack Hussein Obama.
• Trade and Globalization: Wal-Mart, Barack Hussein Obama.
• Marriage: Gays, Barack Hussein Obama.
• Mean Jean Schmidt: Nancy Pelosi, Barack Hussein Obama.
• Capital Punishment: Guillotine, Barack Hussein Obama.
• Taxes: Welfare queens, Barack Hussein Obama.
• John McCain: Swiftboats, Barack Hussein Obama.

Amen, Gawker: On McCain Story, The New York Times Let Everyone Down

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Big Apple blog Gawker says the Times sat on the story about John McCain and the lady lobbyist for two months. The wait cheated primary voters who may have wanted to hear more and dig deeper before McCain won the GOP championship. And the story was weak when it appeared -- hardly worth a long delay. Says Gawker:

"There is nothing noble or redeeming about this morning's New York Times story on John McCain's alleged improprieties with a young female lobbyist, nothing remotely cunning, nothing but tragedy. The story is too late for Republican primary voters, too weak to be remembered in the general election, and worst of all, a sad illustration of how the Times regularly squanders its money and reputation dilly-dallying on its biggest stories."

U.S. State Dept. Obama Bio: Boils His Campaign Platform Down To A Single Sentence

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- And it doesn't describe anything that has been central to the Illinois Democrat's run for the White House. Here's the entire passage: "Obama has proposed legislation that would create a new employment eligibility system for companies to verify if their employees are legal residents." That summary of what Obama stands for comes from the U.S. Elections Guide that the State Department is circulating around the world. It appears on the government Web site created to promote American life and culture, a shop that Bush pr master Karen Hughes once headed. Somehow, the State Department seems to completely miss the point of Obama's campaign -- his call to change the political culture of Washington. Instead, he's minimized as a lowly immigration reformer targeting a side issue in the overall immigration debate.

Hillary gets two sentences, and they do get straight to the heart of her top issue: "Hillary Clinton, in 1993, headed a task force that developed proposed legislation to provide universal health care to all Americans. That legislation ultimately was not passed, but she continues to make universal health care one of her top political goals."

What about John McCain, the likely Republican nominee? The Arizona senator gets a quote and even more about some of his platform: "McCain was also a presidential candidate in 2000. He has called for a 'greater military commitment to Iraq, saying that more troops are necessary to rebuild the nation and prevent sectarian violence. McCain supports immigration reform legislation that would provide ilegal immigrants a path of citizenship and establish a temporary guest worker program."

The Web site is produced by the department's Bureau of International Information. Besides short-shrifting Obama, The Daily Bellwether found one factual error in a candidate bio on the government Web site. It said Mitt Romney -- who has withdrawn and is now backing McCain -- was born in Michigan in 1947 when his dad was the governor of that state. George Romney, however, became Michigan's governor in the 1960s. Kim Sigler was the governor of Michigan when Mitt was born.

Nosing Around The Campaign Trail: No, Obama Didn't Dig For Gold

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- A producer at Chicago's CBS affiliate -- WBBM-TV, Channel 2 -- has created an online slideshow of 26 candid shots of candidates on the 2008 campaign trail. You can see it by clicking here.

Hillary At Ohio GM Plant: McCain, Bush, Cheney Turn Backs On Blue Collar Workers

WARREN, Ohio (TDB) -- Hillary's knock on the Republicans: "They think America doesn't need to make anything anymore." She campaigned at the giant GM auto complex in Trumbull County today and ripped the Bush Administration over the loss of 3 million U.S. factory jobs. Ohio's share of the toll: Nearly 200,000. She said the GOP's likely nominee John McCain favors trade policies that will continue shipping American manufacturing jobs overseas to cheap labor nations.

"Let's be honest about something. When President Bush and Vice President Cheney say the economy is booming even though 3 million manufacturing jobs have been lost; when they promise to cut the Manufacturing Extension Partnership; when they cut assistance to small manufacturers; when Sen. McCain tells you business as usual on trade is just fine and tells neighboring Michigan workers that we can't bring new manufacturing jobs back to the United States -- they are sending you a clear message: They do not believe America needs a strong manufacturing base.

"They think America doesn't need to make anything anymore. They think those of us who remember how our manufacturers helped defend our freedoms in the great wars are just quaint and nostalgic. They think it would be just fine if every plane, every piece of machinery, every computer, every car were made somewhere else.

"Well let me be clear: I believe manufacturing matters. I believe we should be restoring the Manufacturing Extension Partnership -- not cutting it. I believe a strong America needs a strong manufacturing base -- and I intend to fight for one as president. Some may call this the 'rust belt' but that's not what I see. I see some of the hardest workers in the world. I see great universities and strong communites. I see a 21st century manufacturing belt. An innovation belt. An opportunity belt."

The complete text of her prepared remarks at the NE Ohio manufacturing complex is available here. Trade policy, globalization, NAFTA reform and the disappearance of Ohio's factories promise to to be recurring themes of both Obama and Clinton from now to March 4. Later today she's speaking about the foreclosure crisis. In Ohio, it's the economy, stupid.

GOP Shenanigans In Washington State? Huckabee Wants All Votes Counted

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Huckabee campagn seems to smell a rat. The Republican presidential candidate (23.9%) was barely trailing John McCain (25.7%) in Washington's Saturday GOP caucus when party officials suspended counting ballots. [Ed. Note: I'm moving this to the top of the blog all day.]

[UPDATE: 6:55 a.m 2/11/08 -- Huckabee has lawyers en route to Washington and his campaign spokesman and volunteers were expressing outrage over irregularities. Spokesman James P. Pinkerton told the Seattle Times for a story published this morning: "This clearly requires a full excavation as to what happened. The political impact of calling an election before all the votes are counted is pretty seismic." Huckabee's campaign manager Ed Rollins said in a statement: "The Huckabee campaign is deeply disturbed by the obvious irregularities in Washington State Republican precinct caucuses . . . Our cause is just. We must reemphasize the sacred American principle that all ballots be counted in a free, fair, and transparent manner." The latest from the Seattle Times is here.]

That decision with the race too close to call prompted a pledge today from Huckabee to get to the bottom of the decision:

"The Washington State GOP, with 87.2 percent reporting, discontinued the counting process. We are looking into the matter. We are committed to making certain every vote is counted. We will keep you posted."

Seattle's Slog suspects that the counting stopped because GOP officials in that state hoped to protect McCain from a damaging trifecta -- the Arizona senator lost two other contests Saturday to Huckabee.

"Ha. ha. Last week afer McCain won most Super Tuesday states and Romney dropped out, Republicans were crowing about the advantage they now held over the Democrats. The GOP was uniting behind McCain, their presumptive nominee, while the Democrats were going to slug it out all the way to the convention, Hillary and Barack bloodying each other up for months, while the GOP prepared to take on the wounded Dem nominee in Novembers general election. But the GOP isn't uniting behind McCain . . ."

[UPDATE: 4:10 pm -- Here's more from the Seattle Times, which indicates the story is picking up steam. Huckabee may have been handed an issue -- a suspicion insiders are pulling strings -- that he can run with. In 2008, everyone is acutely sensitive about election misconduct.]

Huckabee's Top Staffers: Memo Declares Faith In Ohio GOP Conservatives

COLUMBUS (TDB) -- Feistiest line in the memo -- don't let the media pick the GOP candidate. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's top aides issued the document aimed at rallying the troops and informed campaign workers that no surrender is anticipated. Ed Rollins and Chip Saltsman foresee a GOP presidential primary race against John McCain in Ohio, and portray Huckabee's refusal to quit as a positive "because vigorous discussion will keep all the media 'oxygen' from migrating over to the Democratic contest." In other words, Obama and Hillary won't get all the headlines.

The complete text of the memo is available here on Nuke Gingrich. The pertinent part for Ohioans:

"So don't let anyone tell you that it's over. In fact, as of today, no fewer than 27 states, districts and territories have not had a chance to vote. That includes such big states as Texas (Chuck Norris' home state, 'nuff said), Ohio and Pennsylvania. All the Republicans and Republican minded independents in those states want to be part of the process, too, and they deserve to have a choice put before them. Folks don't want the Republican Establishment to pick the nominee for them through a premature rush to judgment, and they sure as heck don't want the media to pick the nominee."

Rob Portman Surfaces In GOP Veepstakes: Sitting On $1.5 Million From OH-02 Days

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Rob Portman -- the former White House budget director who left the Bush Administration last summer -- is still sitting on campaign contributions raised before he quit the House in early 2005. He has nearly $1.5 million left over from his days representing Ohio's 2nd Congressional district, a huge financial nestegg that could hatch his political future. Portman has recently let it be known he thinks John McCain would be the Republican Party's strongest candidate in the nation's most important swing state. He also may be dreaming about landing on the national ticket with McCain.

First, the money. Portman, 52, has saved his unspent campaign contributions since early 2005, when he resigned a safe House seat he won in 1993. U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Clermont County, replaced Portman. Federal Election Commission reports filed last week by the moribund Portman for Congress Committee show it didn't donate any money to Republicans last year from the stash. The money pile totaled $1,497,650.51 on Dec. 31, 2007.

Portman reportedly has been thinking about a race for Senate or governor in 2010. To get to the Senate, he'd have to beat George Voinovich in a primary because Voinovich says he's running for another term that year. He could use the unspent funds in a Senate race. He would not be able to transfer the stash to a gubernatorial race.

But the 2008 veepstakes could beckon. If he does get on the ticket, he could give everything in his money bags to the party -- and raise even more from the corporate set. He was George Bush's trade rep before becoming budget director.

The Plain Dealer's Elizabeth Auster talked to Portman last week and found he was definitely interested in the vice presidency:

"While Portman was quick to say he doesn't expect to be anyone's running mate, he tellingly didn't deny that he would have a hard time turning down such an invitation."

And:

"For now, Portman can only sit and watch. But his signal is clear: If he gets the call he'll be ready."

Auster's column ran under a headline saying Portman shouldn't be counted out of the veepstakes. She noted his biggest asset would be an ability to help deliver Ohio in November, an insight that several other political insiders share.

[UPDATE: 8:37 A.M. 2/7/08 -- More on Portman from The Columbus Dispatch, where he continues to talk up McCain but not deliver a formal endorsement. An e-mailer contends Portman is holding back because he's afraid of Rush and the righty radio talkers. Interesting theory implying that Portman is the kind of cautious politician who puts self-preservation ahead of his personal views. He said Portman is not a RINO but a ROHO -- a Republican Out for Himself Only.]

[UPDATE: 8:55 AM 2/7/08 -- Matt Hurley at Weapons of Mass Discussion scolds The Bellwether for dipping into the Ohioan for Veep talk that always percolates in presidential election years -- and always leads nowhere. He pretty much writes it off as a waste of time, and his commenters suggest that Portman might be better positioned as the GOP's 2010 candidate for Ohio Attorney General against Democratic AG Dann.]