CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Is there a connection between campaign contributions and access to a Cincinnati-area Ohio congresswoman and the U.S. House of Representatives? The text of Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt's May 22 remarks about the celebration of a national holiday in Turkey, which she called a "very significant day," are as follows:
"SPEECH OF HON. JEAN SCHMIDT OF OHIO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2008
Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate May 19 as a very significant day in the history of our dear friend the Republic of Turkey. In Turkey, May 19 is celebrated as the commemoration of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of the Republic of Turkey.
It was May 19 in the year 1919 when Mustafa Kemal landed in the Black Sea port of Samsun and the war of independence began. Under his leadership less than a year later the Turkish Grand National Assembly was established and a few years later the Republic of Turkey was born a new nation. Ataturk had a vision for Turkey and he set about reforming her. His vision of a pro-western, secular, and democratic state under the rule of law quickly became reality.
President John F. Kennedy said, 'The name Ataturk reminds mankind of the historical accomplishments of one of the greatest men of this century. His leadership gave inspiration to the Turkish nation, farsightedness in the understanding of the modern world, and courage and power as a military leader.'
It was in 1934 that Ataturk demonstrated his commitment to the rights of women by giving them full political rights. He understood that a country can only flourish when it's people are truly free. My hero, General Douglas MacArthur described Ataturk better than most could ever attempt. 'He was a soldier-statesman, one of the greatest leaders of our era. He ensured that Turkey got its rightful place among the most advanced nations of the world.' May 19 is a very important day when it all began. On this day a great leader began his journey, a vision became reality and a great nation was born. We should all learn a lesson from this man's life. A leader with a vision coupled with determination can lay the roots for a great future. Turkey's neighbors who today wrestle with their own beginnings should take note."
If you follow this link from Matt Hurley's Weapons of Mass Discussion blog you will see Schmidt's latest report of campaign contributions filed with the Federal Elections Commission. Hurley says of the OH-02 Republican, "Schmidt has done a pretty good job of fundraising in what has been a difficult climate." The data in the Federal Election Commission report reveals these contributions from the Turkish lobby:
"Turkish American Heritage PAC613 Rancho Bauer Dr. Houston, Texas 770796821
06/11/2008
1500.00
2500.00
Receipt
Turkish Coalition USA-PAC1025 Connecticut Ave. NW Ste 1000 Washington, DC 20036
06/11/2008
1500.00
5700.00
Receipt
Turkish Coalition USA-PAC1025 Connecticut Ave. NW Ste 1000 Washington, DC 20036
06/22/2008
1700.00
7400.00
Receipt"
Schmidt is getting praise from Turkish groups for her speech. And there is this in the Turkish Daily News, and this in the Turkish Journal. Census data from 2000 (the most recent count)shows there are 3,159 Ohioans of Turkish ancestry in the entire state. There were 136,498 Turkish-Americans in the U.S. Meanwhile, Ohio was preparing to honor Lima Company on May 23. Lima Company included U.S. Marines from the state who died in Iraq.
Showing posts with label Ohio's 2nd Congressional District. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ohio's 2nd Congressional District. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
OH-02 Republican Jean Schmidt: She Hasn't Even Co-Sponsored House GOP Bill Opening U.S. Coast To Drillers
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Mean Jean is missing in action even though the Republican leadership calls H.R. 3089 the No More Excuses Energy Act. And inquiring minds are wondering: Why hasn't Jean Schmidt signed up to support her own party's energy bill? The measure opens closed federal lands in Alaska, and also the Outer Continental Shelf in the Lower 48, to oil exploration and drilling. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-8 Butler County, is a co-sponsor along with Roy Blunt, the Republican Whip. So is U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis, a Republican who represents Cincinnati's suburbs on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. But OH-02's Schmidt, who made a speech on the House floor claiming Americans are desperate for cheaper gasoline (YouTUBE) while the Chinese are drilling off the coast of Florida, seems to have cut and run from her own party's "No More Excuses Energy Act."
In a press release issued earlier this month, Boehner -- who represents SW Ohio in a congressional district that abuts Schmidt's -- slammed House Democrats for refusing to back the bill:
“The Democratic Majority’s callous indifference as American families and small businesses struggle with $4 per gallon gasoline is both inexcusable and irresponsible. By flatly refusing to schedule votes on the House GOP plan to help reduce fuel costs and achieve energy independence, the Democrats in control of Congress are proving themselves complicit in our nation’s energy crisis, which is growing worse by the day on their watch.
“Where Democrats refuse to lead, Republicans will. Beginning today, House Republicans will offer a series of discharge petitions aimed at forcing the Democratic leadership to schedule several GOP-sponsored bills to increase production of American-made energy, reduce America’s costly dependence on foreign sources of energy, harness new alternative energy technologies, and lower gas prices. I thank Rep. Tim Walberg for offering the first discharge petition in this effort – one that seeks to force Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer to schedule Rep. Mac Thornberry’s No More Excuses Energy Act. The Thornberry bill will open new American oil refineries, invest in alternative energy sources, and increase environmentally-safe exploration of untapped oil resources in the United States.
“Rep. Walberg’s discharge petition provides rank-and-file Democrats an important opportunity to back up their rhetoric on gas prices with real action. By joining House Republicans in supporting it, they can send a long-overdue message to the Democratic leadership: American consumers are hurting, and this Congress has a responsibility to act on meaningful legislation aimed to bring down soaring prices at the pump.”
"NOTE: The No More Excuses Energy Act would help reduce the price of gasoline by opening new American oil refineries; investing in diverse energy sources such as wind, nuclear, and captured carbon dioxide; and making available more homegrown energy through environmentally-sensitive exploration of the Arctic coastal plain and in deep ocean energy resources. A recent Gallup survey indicated that 57 percent of Americans support increased production of American-made energy. For more information on the House GOP’s comprehensive plan for lower gas prices, please visit the House GOP’s “Real Energy Solutions” website at http://GOPLeader.gov/energy"
Meanwhile, the official CRS summary of the bill says:
"The following summary is provided by the Congressional Research Service, which is a nonpartisan government entity that serves Congress and is run by the Library of Congress. The summary is taken from the official website THOMAS.
7/18/2007--Introduced.
No More Excuses Energy Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations for the taxpayer election to expense the cost of certain refinery property not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow the issuance of tax exempt facility bonds for the financing of domestic use oil refinery facilities; (2) extend through 2018 the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities; and (3) allow tax credits for the production of electricity from nuclear energy, natural gas production, and carbon dioxide tertiary injectant processes.
Requires the President to designate at least 10 sites for oil or natural gas refineries on federal lands and make such sites available to the private sector for construction of refineries.
Prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from denying an application for nuclear waste disposal on the grounds of present or future insufficient capacity.
Terminates all existing federal laws prohibiting expenditures to conduct oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing activities in the Outer Continental Shelf.
American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program in the Coastal Plain of Alaska.
Repeals the prohibition against producing oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Sets forth requirements for the sale of oil and natural gas leases in the Coastal Plain, environmental protection, transportation easements, and royalty payments to Alaska.
Establishes in the Treasury the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund to assist Alaska jurisdictions that are directly impacted by oil and gas exploration and production in the Coastal Plain."
In a press release issued earlier this month, Boehner -- who represents SW Ohio in a congressional district that abuts Schmidt's -- slammed House Democrats for refusing to back the bill:
“The Democratic Majority’s callous indifference as American families and small businesses struggle with $4 per gallon gasoline is both inexcusable and irresponsible. By flatly refusing to schedule votes on the House GOP plan to help reduce fuel costs and achieve energy independence, the Democrats in control of Congress are proving themselves complicit in our nation’s energy crisis, which is growing worse by the day on their watch.
“Where Democrats refuse to lead, Republicans will. Beginning today, House Republicans will offer a series of discharge petitions aimed at forcing the Democratic leadership to schedule several GOP-sponsored bills to increase production of American-made energy, reduce America’s costly dependence on foreign sources of energy, harness new alternative energy technologies, and lower gas prices. I thank Rep. Tim Walberg for offering the first discharge petition in this effort – one that seeks to force Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer to schedule Rep. Mac Thornberry’s No More Excuses Energy Act. The Thornberry bill will open new American oil refineries, invest in alternative energy sources, and increase environmentally-safe exploration of untapped oil resources in the United States.
“Rep. Walberg’s discharge petition provides rank-and-file Democrats an important opportunity to back up their rhetoric on gas prices with real action. By joining House Republicans in supporting it, they can send a long-overdue message to the Democratic leadership: American consumers are hurting, and this Congress has a responsibility to act on meaningful legislation aimed to bring down soaring prices at the pump.”
"NOTE: The No More Excuses Energy Act would help reduce the price of gasoline by opening new American oil refineries; investing in diverse energy sources such as wind, nuclear, and captured carbon dioxide; and making available more homegrown energy through environmentally-sensitive exploration of the Arctic coastal plain and in deep ocean energy resources. A recent Gallup survey indicated that 57 percent of Americans support increased production of American-made energy. For more information on the House GOP’s comprehensive plan for lower gas prices, please visit the House GOP’s “Real Energy Solutions” website at http://GOPLeader.gov/energy"
Meanwhile, the official CRS summary of the bill says:
"The following summary is provided by the Congressional Research Service, which is a nonpartisan government entity that serves Congress and is run by the Library of Congress. The summary is taken from the official website THOMAS.
7/18/2007--Introduced.
No More Excuses Energy Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations for the taxpayer election to expense the cost of certain refinery property not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow the issuance of tax exempt facility bonds for the financing of domestic use oil refinery facilities; (2) extend through 2018 the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities; and (3) allow tax credits for the production of electricity from nuclear energy, natural gas production, and carbon dioxide tertiary injectant processes.
Requires the President to designate at least 10 sites for oil or natural gas refineries on federal lands and make such sites available to the private sector for construction of refineries.
Prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from denying an application for nuclear waste disposal on the grounds of present or future insufficient capacity.
Terminates all existing federal laws prohibiting expenditures to conduct oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing activities in the Outer Continental Shelf.
American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program in the Coastal Plain of Alaska.
Repeals the prohibition against producing oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Sets forth requirements for the sale of oil and natural gas leases in the Coastal Plain, environmental protection, transportation easements, and royalty payments to Alaska.
Establishes in the Treasury the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund to assist Alaska jurisdictions that are directly impacted by oil and gas exploration and production in the Coastal Plain."
And, the airline industry says the measure has merit. The industry's trade group has written House leaders urging action on the measure. As of this afternoon, Schmidt still hadn't signed on as a co-sponsor. The bill was filed last year, so she's had plenty of time to get aboard.
Monday, June 09, 2008
OH-02 GOP Mean Jean Schmidt: Another Missive From The Mistress Of Prevarication
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Republican U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, who is well known for spreading untruths (falsely claiming two college degrees and plagiarism) is again practicing her dark arts. This time, the Mistress of Prevarication is circulating a fundraising letter that claims her opponent's "contempt for the culture of life has even led her to participate in grotesque medical experiments." But that is not factual. It is a smear aimed at Democrat Vic Wulsin, the physician who opposes Schmidt in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District.
Wulsin has her critics. And Dr. Robert S. Baratz might be at the top of the list. His complaint of unethical practices was recently dismissed by the Ohio State Medical Board. In fact, Baratz was clear the experiments cited by Schmdit were conducted by Henry Heimlich. Repeat -- Henry Heimlich. Here's a portion of a press release Baratz issued earlier this year:
"The experiments were conducted in Africa by Henry Heimlich, MD (popularizer of the 'Heimlich Maneuver' for treating choking.) These experiments were either conceived, coordinated, devised, supervised, funded, or managed by Heimlich and/or The Heimlich Institute in Cincinnati."
Wulsin did do some consulting work for the Heimlich Institute. But Schmidt's fundraising letter falsely portrays Wulsin as a mad scientist: "Wulsin was paid for her work in medical 'studies' where victims of AIDS in Africa and China were, without their consent, injected with the malaria virus, all in the name of 'scientific inquiry'."
How can we prove Schmidt doesn't know what she is talking about? For starters, Schmidt's claim that victims in China and Africa were injected with the "malaria virus" is freighted with intent to deceive because a "malaria virus" does not exist. Malaria is caused by a parasite of the Plasmodium genus. And Baratz, who filed the medical board complaint, says Wulsin didn't inject anyone in China or Africa:
"In 2004, Heimlich engaged Dr. Wulsin to review his work on 'malariotherapy' and write a business plan for promoting it. Wulsin concluded "the preponderance of evidence indicates that neither malaria nor immunotherapy will cure HIV/AIDS and that the Heimlich Institute had been too secretive about its work. Despite claims by Heimlich that no active work on malariotherapy was being done, Wulsin's report shows that it was."
Baratz contends Wulsin should have condemned the Heimlich Institute's work and turned "in the individuals involved to regulatory and other authorities."
[UPDATE: Jeff Coryell has weighed in at Ohio Daily Blog and says Schmidt is engaged in a poltical smear. Meanwhile, Buckeye State Blog says Schmidt's tactics smack of desperation and notes that she made light of the horrendous conditions at Walter Reed Army Hospital as overblow by the media. And Tim Russo wonders why Schmidt is obsessed over experiments "nobody has ever heard of."]
[UPDATE: Does Schmidt have a motive to stretch the truth? Schmidt's fundraising letter does state that Democrats "are energized and united." It acknowledges she faces a fight to hang onto the Republican House seat. Schmidt says: "With this election likely to be so tight, we can't take any chances Vic Wulsin's campaign will be successful in fooling the voters. We desperately need to finance the highly expensive media campaign and get-out-the-vote efforts that will bring us victory."]
Wulsin has her critics. And Dr. Robert S. Baratz might be at the top of the list. His complaint of unethical practices was recently dismissed by the Ohio State Medical Board. In fact, Baratz was clear the experiments cited by Schmdit were conducted by Henry Heimlich. Repeat -- Henry Heimlich. Here's a portion of a press release Baratz issued earlier this year:
"The experiments were conducted in Africa by Henry Heimlich, MD (popularizer of the 'Heimlich Maneuver' for treating choking.) These experiments were either conceived, coordinated, devised, supervised, funded, or managed by Heimlich and/or The Heimlich Institute in Cincinnati."
Wulsin did do some consulting work for the Heimlich Institute. But Schmidt's fundraising letter falsely portrays Wulsin as a mad scientist: "Wulsin was paid for her work in medical 'studies' where victims of AIDS in Africa and China were, without their consent, injected with the malaria virus, all in the name of 'scientific inquiry'."
How can we prove Schmidt doesn't know what she is talking about? For starters, Schmidt's claim that victims in China and Africa were injected with the "malaria virus" is freighted with intent to deceive because a "malaria virus" does not exist. Malaria is caused by a parasite of the Plasmodium genus. And Baratz, who filed the medical board complaint, says Wulsin didn't inject anyone in China or Africa:
"In 2004, Heimlich engaged Dr. Wulsin to review his work on 'malariotherapy' and write a business plan for promoting it. Wulsin concluded "the preponderance of evidence indicates that neither malaria nor immunotherapy will cure HIV/AIDS and that the Heimlich Institute had been too secretive about its work. Despite claims by Heimlich that no active work on malariotherapy was being done, Wulsin's report shows that it was."
Baratz contends Wulsin should have condemned the Heimlich Institute's work and turned "in the individuals involved to regulatory and other authorities."
[UPDATE: Jeff Coryell has weighed in at Ohio Daily Blog and says Schmidt is engaged in a poltical smear. Meanwhile, Buckeye State Blog says Schmidt's tactics smack of desperation and notes that she made light of the horrendous conditions at Walter Reed Army Hospital as overblow by the media. And Tim Russo wonders why Schmidt is obsessed over experiments "nobody has ever heard of."]
[UPDATE: Does Schmidt have a motive to stretch the truth? Schmidt's fundraising letter does state that Democrats "are energized and united." It acknowledges she faces a fight to hang onto the Republican House seat. Schmidt says: "With this election likely to be so tight, we can't take any chances Vic Wulsin's campaign will be successful in fooling the voters. We desperately need to finance the highly expensive media campaign and get-out-the-vote efforts that will bring us victory."]
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
OH-02 GOP Jean Schmidt: As If America's Cops Weren't Already Busy Enough . . .
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt is co-sponsoring the inaptly named "Stop Adolescent Smoking Without Excessive Bureaucracy Act of 2008." But if HR 5513 ever becomes law, the conservative Republican could have the cops busier than ever. The measure says police agencies will have to inform parents whenever kids are spotted or suspected of having any kind of tobacco product. Which probably means more bureaucracy and more paperwork. And probably less time to fight serious crimes like rape, robbery, murder, burglary, larceny and all the other offenses already on the books. Not that smoking is a good thing. But maybe law enforcement agencies have other things to do than tell parents that Johnny or Janie might have been puffing on a Marlboro.
Schmidt's proposed federal law would make it illegal for anyone under 18 to "possess or attempt to possess a tobacco product in a public place." And the cops would have to deliver the news, even if the kids "allegedly" had tobacco. Section (C) of the Schmidt bill declares:
"A law enforcement agency, upon determining that an individual under 18 years of age allegedly purchased or received a tobacco product, or allegedly received a tobacco product in a public place, shall notify the individual's parent or parents, custodian, or guardian (if the name and address of a parent, guardian, or custodian is readily ascertainable) . . "
No arrest, no jail, no fine. But parental notification by the cops. Just a knock on the door. Or a letter. Or a phone call from the local gendarmes. Or maybe the FBI. Or maybe an entirely new law enforcement agency would have to be created to deliver the news -- the tobacco police.
Schmidt is one of eight cosponsors of the bill, which was filed Feb. 28. The measure -- which hasn't drawn much attention -- is intended to reduce youth usage of tobacco products. Schmidt, who hails from Clermont County and represents the section of the state where Ohio's tobacco industry is based, faces Democrat Vic Wulsin in the November general election. Wulsin is a public health physician.
Besides Schmidt, the others on the tobacco police bill -- all Republicans -- are Marsha Blackburn, TX; Howard Coble, NC; Mary Fallin, OK, Tom Feeney, FL; Trent Franks, AZ; Patrick McHenry, NC; Peter Sessions, TX; John Shadegg, AZ.
Schmidt's proposed federal law would make it illegal for anyone under 18 to "possess or attempt to possess a tobacco product in a public place." And the cops would have to deliver the news, even if the kids "allegedly" had tobacco. Section (C) of the Schmidt bill declares:
"A law enforcement agency, upon determining that an individual under 18 years of age allegedly purchased or received a tobacco product, or allegedly received a tobacco product in a public place, shall notify the individual's parent or parents, custodian, or guardian (if the name and address of a parent, guardian, or custodian is readily ascertainable) . . "
No arrest, no jail, no fine. But parental notification by the cops. Just a knock on the door. Or a letter. Or a phone call from the local gendarmes. Or maybe the FBI. Or maybe an entirely new law enforcement agency would have to be created to deliver the news -- the tobacco police.
Schmidt is one of eight cosponsors of the bill, which was filed Feb. 28. The measure -- which hasn't drawn much attention -- is intended to reduce youth usage of tobacco products. Schmidt, who hails from Clermont County and represents the section of the state where Ohio's tobacco industry is based, faces Democrat Vic Wulsin in the November general election. Wulsin is a public health physician.
Besides Schmidt, the others on the tobacco police bill -- all Republicans -- are Marsha Blackburn, TX; Howard Coble, NC; Mary Fallin, OK, Tom Feeney, FL; Trent Franks, AZ; Patrick McHenry, NC; Peter Sessions, TX; John Shadegg, AZ.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
OH-02 GOP Tom Brinkman: Ohio Christian Newspaper Declares Him 'Our Pick'
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Christian Citizen calls the March 4 primary "a critical time for conservatives and the Value Voters," and has picked State Rep. Tom Brinkman in the OH-o2 contest against U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt. The newspaper -- which appears irregularly and is distributed through evangelical churches in SW and southern Ohio -- quietly put out the word for Brinkman last week. It describes the suburban Cincinnati lawmaker as a "conservative's conservative" and seems to say that Schmidt is not a really a Republican.
The endorsement may gain the term-limited Brinkman some attention -- he is a serious underdog, seriously underfunded and widely considered headed for defeat barring a political comeback of epic proportions. Here's what the Christian publication said:
"The 2nd Congressional District race is another hotly contested race where Republicans are trying to take that district from incumbent Jean Schmitt (sic). . . However, our pick for that race is Tom Brinkman. Also a former Ohio State Representative, Brinkman stands for lower taxes and no abortions. He has taken a pledge to 'oppose any and all efforts to increase marginal tax rates for individuals and/or businesses and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." Brinkman is known as a conservative's conservative and he wants to win the primary in the 2nd Congressional District becauses he fears that district could be lost to the Democrats due to a weak showing of Congresswoman Schmidt."
It is not elegant prose. And there is an error -- Brinkman is not a former rep.
The endorsement may gain the term-limited Brinkman some attention -- he is a serious underdog, seriously underfunded and widely considered headed for defeat barring a political comeback of epic proportions. Here's what the Christian publication said:
"The 2nd Congressional District race is another hotly contested race where Republicans are trying to take that district from incumbent Jean Schmitt (sic). . . However, our pick for that race is Tom Brinkman. Also a former Ohio State Representative, Brinkman stands for lower taxes and no abortions. He has taken a pledge to 'oppose any and all efforts to increase marginal tax rates for individuals and/or businesses and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." Brinkman is known as a conservative's conservative and he wants to win the primary in the 2nd Congressional District becauses he fears that district could be lost to the Democrats due to a weak showing of Congresswoman Schmidt."
It is not elegant prose. And there is an error -- Brinkman is not a former rep.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
OH-02 Dem Vic Wulsin: 6 Unions Now Backing Her Quest For Renomination
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Democratic congressional candidate Vic Wulsin has received a major boost from six unions -- including the American Federation of Teachers, which represents Cincinnati's classroom teachers. The unions Wednesday publicly endorsed her bid to recapture the OH-02 Democratic nomination, and the big bloc of labor support means money and volunteer workers are on their way to Wulsin. She is a public health physician who faces a March primary against Steve Black, a lawyer who switched parties and is running a well-financed effort seeking the Democratic nomination. OH-02 covers seven southern Ohio counties. The seat is currently held by conservative Republican U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, who barely defeated Wulsin in 2006.
Black was endorsed last year by the United Food and Commercial Workers. Besides the teachers, Wulsin now has support from the United Auto Workers, the Service Employees International Union, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, the National Association of Letter Carriers and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, whose national headquarters is in Cleveland. Wulsin has more about the endorsements on her on her website.
Cincinnati Federation of Teachers President Tim Kraus pointed out that Wulsin's four sons all attended public schools. Democratic insiders know that was a shot at Wulsin's opponent. Black has been involved with The Seven Hills School, a pricey, private prep school where he served as board chairman. Said Kraus:
"Vic Wulsin knows the issues that Southern Ohio families face. Her four sons went to public school, and she's been on the front lines providing health care to people with no other options right here in Cincinnati."
All in all, a good day for Wulsin.
Black countered by accusing Wulsin of rejecting his call for seven debates across the district. He also said he would join Wulsin in refusing to accept Congressional health care benefits if elected. But at the same time, he described the pledges as hollow acts.
"These pledges do nothing to fix our broken health care system or help the hardworking people of this district who can't afford health care. If we're going to solve the problems facing Ohio families, we need an honest leader who will stand up for what is right and get results, not an individual who thinks feel-good pledges will solve the health care crisis or fix our broken system."
Inquiring minds are wondering: If the health care pledge is merely "feel good," rhetoric then why did Black opt to make it? Did Wulsin just maneuver Black into following her lead?
Black was endorsed last year by the United Food and Commercial Workers. Besides the teachers, Wulsin now has support from the United Auto Workers, the Service Employees International Union, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, the National Association of Letter Carriers and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, whose national headquarters is in Cleveland. Wulsin has more about the endorsements on her on her website.
Cincinnati Federation of Teachers President Tim Kraus pointed out that Wulsin's four sons all attended public schools. Democratic insiders know that was a shot at Wulsin's opponent. Black has been involved with The Seven Hills School, a pricey, private prep school where he served as board chairman. Said Kraus:
"Vic Wulsin knows the issues that Southern Ohio families face. Her four sons went to public school, and she's been on the front lines providing health care to people with no other options right here in Cincinnati."
All in all, a good day for Wulsin.
Black countered by accusing Wulsin of rejecting his call for seven debates across the district. He also said he would join Wulsin in refusing to accept Congressional health care benefits if elected. But at the same time, he described the pledges as hollow acts.
"These pledges do nothing to fix our broken health care system or help the hardworking people of this district who can't afford health care. If we're going to solve the problems facing Ohio families, we need an honest leader who will stand up for what is right and get results, not an individual who thinks feel-good pledges will solve the health care crisis or fix our broken system."
Inquiring minds are wondering: If the health care pledge is merely "feel good," rhetoric then why did Black opt to make it? Did Wulsin just maneuver Black into following her lead?
Thursday, October 04, 2007
OH-02 Democrat Vic Wulsin: Her New Campaign Chief Has History Of Taking GOP Seats
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Democrat Victoria Wulsin, who is running to grab a GOP congressional seat next year in Ohio's 2nd District, has hired a campaign manager who knows how to knock off Republicans. Josh Levin worked for Linda Holmes last year when the Democrat took a Chicago-area state senate seat that had long been held by a popular Republican, who retired to run for a judgeship. The Senate district, Illinois 42, is considered conservative territory, and includes suburbs and semi-rural communities.
Wulsin has to get by another Democrat, Steve Black, to win the nomination next March. She now has someone with experience on Republican turf in a critical post.
Levin also worked for U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda in 2004, a year when the anti-war Kansas Democrat lost. But Boyda made enough headway she won the House seat last fall -- an upset win in that most GOP of states. Levin 29, is a University of Wisconsin grad, who comes from the Chicago area. He told The Daily Bellwether "there is no perfect formula" that a Democrat can use to win in a Republican district like OH-02, which is now held by U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt.
"You have to have a good candidate. You have to have the issues," he said, quickly adding that Schmidt's vote against the Children's Health Insurance Program, CHIP, would become a play issue.
"It's a very big deal. It was a bad vote. Jean Schmidt voted against a bipartisan bill. It's an issue where Jean Schmidt turned her back on a lot of kids. CHIP is a program that covers working people who can't buy health care on their own."
Last year, Levin's candidate was Linda Holmes, a moderate Democrat. The
Illinois Review in 2006 looked at that state Senate contest and figured the GOP's candidate was pro-life, had union support, and was running in a conservative area. Everything looked rosy.
"The 42nd District is located in prominently-conservative and Republican Will County [also Kane]. While all Chicago's collar counties are undergoing demographic changes and a couple of key Will County offices slid into the Democratic column two years ago, the 42nd District's political base continues to lean Republican. Terri's (Wintermute) Democratic opponent serves on the Kane County Board and is diametrically opposed o Terri on most social issues. A practicing Catholic, Terri is pro-life and holds to traditional family values, reflecting the same as the majority in her district."
That sounds a lot like Jean Schmidt -- pro-life, family values and Catholic in a conservative district. But it wasn't a formula for victory. Linda Holmes won and Wulsin now has an experienced hand from Chicagoland on her payroll.
Wulsin has to get by another Democrat, Steve Black, to win the nomination next March. She now has someone with experience on Republican turf in a critical post.
Levin also worked for U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda in 2004, a year when the anti-war Kansas Democrat lost. But Boyda made enough headway she won the House seat last fall -- an upset win in that most GOP of states. Levin 29, is a University of Wisconsin grad, who comes from the Chicago area. He told The Daily Bellwether "there is no perfect formula" that a Democrat can use to win in a Republican district like OH-02, which is now held by U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt.
"You have to have a good candidate. You have to have the issues," he said, quickly adding that Schmidt's vote against the Children's Health Insurance Program, CHIP, would become a play issue.
"It's a very big deal. It was a bad vote. Jean Schmidt voted against a bipartisan bill. It's an issue where Jean Schmidt turned her back on a lot of kids. CHIP is a program that covers working people who can't buy health care on their own."
Last year, Levin's candidate was Linda Holmes, a moderate Democrat. The
Illinois Review in 2006 looked at that state Senate contest and figured the GOP's candidate was pro-life, had union support, and was running in a conservative area. Everything looked rosy.
"The 42nd District is located in prominently-conservative and Republican Will County [also Kane]. While all Chicago's collar counties are undergoing demographic changes and a couple of key Will County offices slid into the Democratic column two years ago, the 42nd District's political base continues to lean Republican. Terri's (Wintermute) Democratic opponent serves on the Kane County Board and is diametrically opposed o Terri on most social issues. A practicing Catholic, Terri is pro-life and holds to traditional family values, reflecting the same as the majority in her district."
That sounds a lot like Jean Schmidt -- pro-life, family values and Catholic in a conservative district. But it wasn't a formula for victory. Linda Holmes won and Wulsin now has an experienced hand from Chicagoland on her payroll.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
OH-02's Jean Schmidt: Plagiarizes Ohio Highway Patrol Chief's Column
COLUMBUS (TDB) -- U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt is out with her column today, a piece that urges school bus safety. The Daily Bellwether has read much of it before. In October 2005, the superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol wrote many of the identical words in identical phrases, which makes the Cincinnati-area's Schmidt look like a political Calamity Jean for the GOP. Col. Paul McClellan retired earlier this year, but his "Colonel's Columns" from his desk at the highway patrol are still around and Schmidt seems to have plagiarized his thoughts and work. Or an eerie coincidence has taken place. Or the conservative lawmaker was just too danged liberal in her borrowing.Schmidt's version is here, (and Weapons of Mass Discussion has a verbatim copy posted from Sept. 4) and The Daily Bellwether has discovered repeated uses of the retired law enforcement officer's text without any attribution or credit. Even punctuation marks were unchanged. Overall, it looks like an open and shut ethical relapse for Schmidt, who faced a plagiarism controversy last September. At that time, Schmidt was accused of filching her column for constituents from a press release issued by U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce, R-15, who was seeking reelection in Columbus. Excerpts from Schmidt's latest column and the Highway Patrol chief can easily be compared.
Col. McClellan in 2005:
. . . reminds motorists that they are required to stop for stopped school buses that are displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. Motorists approaching from either direction are required to stop at least 10 feet from a stopped school bus until the bus resumes motion. If a school bus is stopped on a road divided into four or more lanes, only traffic driving in the same direction as the bus must stop.
Schmidt, Sept. 4, 2007:
. . . reminds motorists that they are required to stop for stopped school buses that are displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, motors approaching a stopped school bus from either direction should stop at least 10 feet away and wait until the bus resumes motion. If a school bus is stopped on a road divided into four or more lanes, only traffic driving in the same direction as the bus must stop.
Col. McClellan, in 2005:
While waiting for the bus, they should stand at least three giant steps away from the curb, and line up away from the street. Before stepping into the bus, children should wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver gives permission.
Schmidt, Sept. 4, 2007:
While waiting for the bus, they should stand at least three giant steps away from the curb, and line up away from the street. Before stepping into the bus, children should wait until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver gives permission.
Col. McClellan, in 2005:
Parents should encourage their children to sit quietly in their seat and follow the driver's instructions on school bus safety. When exiting the bus, care should be taken to check that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps do not get caught in the handrails or doors. Additionally, students should never go back for anything left on the bus, and never bend down near or under the bus to pick something up that has fallen.
Schmidt, Sept. 4, 2007"
While on the bus, children should be encouraged to sit quietly in their seat and follow the driver's instructions on school bus safety. When exiting the bus, care should be taken to check that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps do not get caught in the handrails or doors. Additionally, students should never go back for anything left on the bus, and never bend down near or under the bus to pick something up that has fallen.
There is more. But you've probably seen enough.
Friday, August 17, 2007
OH-02 Steve Black: Cincy Dem Heavy Hitters Sign Fundraising Letters
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Three longtime local Democratic Party heavy hitters have endorsed Republican convert Steve Black's Oh-02 congressional campaign and are now raising funds for his primary contest against Dr. Victoria Wulsin, the party's 2006 nominee who is running again.
Barbara Gould, who sponsored a reception for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign at her Indian Hill home six months ago, is working for Black. She serves on the Ohio Arts Council, and was an early supporter of Gov. Ted Strickland, who rewarded her with the appointment.
John Weld Peck is a wealthy bond lawyer whose family has long been prominent in downstate politics. Peck serves on the finance committee of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. The federal building in downtown Cincinnati is named for one of his family members.
Former Cincinnati Councilman Pete Strauss, a lawyer who was term-limited out of office in the early 1990s, is also raising money for Black.
The trio's actions on behalf of Black are signs the lawyer has made some headway in convincing old line Democrats that his recent conversion from the Republican Party is legitimate. There are those who think Black is a johnny-come-lately with too many ties to big money interests -- that he is a wolf in sheep's clothing who only jumped into Oh-02 because he saw GOP incumbent U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt as weak and vulnerable. This camp holds that Black became a Democrat solely out of political ambition, not because he truly supports the Dems core issues.
Still, he has Gould, Strauss and Peck in his corner, and their party credentials are impeccable. Their fundraising letter this week touted him as a "proven leader" who can capture the district from the GOP for the first time in over three decades. It was no doubt the handiwork of Kimberly Wood, a financial consultant who worked last year for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown's campaign that turned Mike DeWine out of office. Wood has signed on with Black.
"Steve will win with the support of Democrats and Independents across the Second District's seven counties. As someone who will continue to vote his conscience, Steve has decided to run as a Democrat because he strongly believes that the Democratic Party has the superior vision for the future of our country. He will work hard to attract the votes of all who want a change of leadership for American and improvement that represents unity, progress and optimism."
Those last three words -- unity, progress and optimism -- could end up being the campaign's slogan. The letter from Gould, Peck and Strauss said Black wanted to "lead the change to positive thinking in Congress."
Short biographical sketches of Peck, Gould and Strauss are here, here and here.
Barbara Gould, who sponsored a reception for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign at her Indian Hill home six months ago, is working for Black. She serves on the Ohio Arts Council, and was an early supporter of Gov. Ted Strickland, who rewarded her with the appointment.
John Weld Peck is a wealthy bond lawyer whose family has long been prominent in downstate politics. Peck serves on the finance committee of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. The federal building in downtown Cincinnati is named for one of his family members.
Former Cincinnati Councilman Pete Strauss, a lawyer who was term-limited out of office in the early 1990s, is also raising money for Black.
The trio's actions on behalf of Black are signs the lawyer has made some headway in convincing old line Democrats that his recent conversion from the Republican Party is legitimate. There are those who think Black is a johnny-come-lately with too many ties to big money interests -- that he is a wolf in sheep's clothing who only jumped into Oh-02 because he saw GOP incumbent U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt as weak and vulnerable. This camp holds that Black became a Democrat solely out of political ambition, not because he truly supports the Dems core issues.
Still, he has Gould, Strauss and Peck in his corner, and their party credentials are impeccable. Their fundraising letter this week touted him as a "proven leader" who can capture the district from the GOP for the first time in over three decades. It was no doubt the handiwork of Kimberly Wood, a financial consultant who worked last year for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown's campaign that turned Mike DeWine out of office. Wood has signed on with Black.
"Steve will win with the support of Democrats and Independents across the Second District's seven counties. As someone who will continue to vote his conscience, Steve has decided to run as a Democrat because he strongly believes that the Democratic Party has the superior vision for the future of our country. He will work hard to attract the votes of all who want a change of leadership for American and improvement that represents unity, progress and optimism."
Those last three words -- unity, progress and optimism -- could end up being the campaign's slogan. The letter from Gould, Peck and Strauss said Black wanted to "lead the change to positive thinking in Congress."
Short biographical sketches of Peck, Gould and Strauss are here, here and here.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
OH-02's Republican Phil Heimlich: His New Web Presence Is Anti-Gay, Anti-Tax, Pro-Life
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Republican Phil Heimlich's campaign has its Website up and running. And don't be fooled by the soft blue background colors. He's running from the right side of U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, with Heimlich saying his entire career has been devoted to "sound conservative economic principles." Heimlich says nothing about the War in Iraq, terrorism or supporting President George Bush, the GOP chief executive whose poll numbers have sagged.
It is early, of course, but the former Hamilton County Commissioner obviously has moved to position himself with the evangelicals and social conservatives. While he's blanked out the Bush-Cheney years, Heimlich mentions Dr. John C. Willke, the Cincinnati physician who founded National Right to Life. And Heimlich says he has worked hand-in-hand with Citizens for Community Values -- the group headed by Phil Burress -- to "enact one of the toughest laws in the country keeping strips clubs and porn shops away from schools, homes and churches." That reference harkens back to a Cincinnati zoning ordinance that went on the books during Heimlich's years on the City Council.
About gays, Heimlich describes how he once:
"Served as spokesperson for (the) campaign to oppose special rights based on sexual orientation. When others tried to repeal the City's ban on special rights based on sexual orientation, Phil opposed this repeal and appeared in ads sponsored by Focus on the Family Cincinnati Committee. In these ads, Phil countered the arguments of those fighting to allow special rights." He also notes he, "Received the Citizens for Community Values Community Defender Award. This award reads that it is for Phil's 'commitment to upholding and defending our City's high community values."
For now, Heimlich is stuck in the past. He's not speaking directly about national issues that face Congress. Eventually he'll have to describe his stands on matters such as ethics, global warming, energy prices -- and the war. Overall, Heimlich probably did a poor job of introducing his Congressional campaign to Web audiences. He mouthed old themes about old subjects, and offered nothing new at all. Indeed, he doesn't sound significantly different than Schmidt -- except for one important fact. She's been loyal to the President, and has stuck with him during an increasingly unpopular war. That stand may aid her in the Republican primary because the polls consistently show a majority of party members agree with Bush. Heimlich's Website could hurt because he didn't say what his position was from the very beginning -- Schmidt's supporters can accuse him of dodging, weaving or testing the wind. Indeed, if you read Heimlich's Web site, you wouldn't even know there is a war going on.
It is early, of course, but the former Hamilton County Commissioner obviously has moved to position himself with the evangelicals and social conservatives. While he's blanked out the Bush-Cheney years, Heimlich mentions Dr. John C. Willke, the Cincinnati physician who founded National Right to Life. And Heimlich says he has worked hand-in-hand with Citizens for Community Values -- the group headed by Phil Burress -- to "enact one of the toughest laws in the country keeping strips clubs and porn shops away from schools, homes and churches." That reference harkens back to a Cincinnati zoning ordinance that went on the books during Heimlich's years on the City Council.
About gays, Heimlich describes how he once:
"Served as spokesperson for (the) campaign to oppose special rights based on sexual orientation. When others tried to repeal the City's ban on special rights based on sexual orientation, Phil opposed this repeal and appeared in ads sponsored by Focus on the Family Cincinnati Committee. In these ads, Phil countered the arguments of those fighting to allow special rights." He also notes he, "Received the Citizens for Community Values Community Defender Award. This award reads that it is for Phil's 'commitment to upholding and defending our City's high community values."
For now, Heimlich is stuck in the past. He's not speaking directly about national issues that face Congress. Eventually he'll have to describe his stands on matters such as ethics, global warming, energy prices -- and the war. Overall, Heimlich probably did a poor job of introducing his Congressional campaign to Web audiences. He mouthed old themes about old subjects, and offered nothing new at all. Indeed, he doesn't sound significantly different than Schmidt -- except for one important fact. She's been loyal to the President, and has stuck with him during an increasingly unpopular war. That stand may aid her in the Republican primary because the polls consistently show a majority of party members agree with Bush. Heimlich's Website could hurt because he didn't say what his position was from the very beginning -- Schmidt's supporters can accuse him of dodging, weaving or testing the wind. Indeed, if you read Heimlich's Web site, you wouldn't even know there is a war going on.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
OH-02: Vic Wulsin Gets Great Play Today In Dems' Official Party Blog
COLUMBUS (TDB) -- Vic Wulsin wrote a major anti-war post on the Ohio Democratic Party blog today. But there was no direct mention she is running in a contested primary for the party's nomination in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District, long a GOP redoubt that increasingly looks vulnerable to a swing.
The seat is held by U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, a Republican who has been an ardent supporter of President George W. Bush. Schmidt looks shaky for 2008, and faces a challenger from her own party.
Since the ODP blog is read primarily by political junkies and insiders, it probably didn't matter that Wulsin's candidacy wasn't directly promoted. Instead, it gave her a great forum to bash President George W. Bush's Iraq War strategy as an increasingly bloody failure. And her picture pops up -- which put her in company with Gov. Ted Strickland and the other statewide Dem leaders whose photos appear on the party weblog.
Here are some of Wulsin's words:
"I believe our soldiers have served honorably and with great success, however, the time for soldiering has ended. They have completed their mission. I support a reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq, beginning as soon as possible. Our gradual exit should be replaced by genuine international cooperation and increased responsibility for the independent Iraqi government."
Wulsin, a physician who lives in the Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill, said she trained at the VA hospital in Cleveland. "It was a pinnacle of health care. Every veteran deserves such treatment."
The seat is held by U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, a Republican who has been an ardent supporter of President George W. Bush. Schmidt looks shaky for 2008, and faces a challenger from her own party.
Since the ODP blog is read primarily by political junkies and insiders, it probably didn't matter that Wulsin's candidacy wasn't directly promoted. Instead, it gave her a great forum to bash President George W. Bush's Iraq War strategy as an increasingly bloody failure. And her picture pops up -- which put her in company with Gov. Ted Strickland and the other statewide Dem leaders whose photos appear on the party weblog.
Here are some of Wulsin's words:
"I believe our soldiers have served honorably and with great success, however, the time for soldiering has ended. They have completed their mission. I support a reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq, beginning as soon as possible. Our gradual exit should be replaced by genuine international cooperation and increased responsibility for the independent Iraqi government."
Wulsin, a physician who lives in the Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill, said she trained at the VA hospital in Cleveland. "It was a pinnacle of health care. Every veteran deserves such treatment."
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