CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Republican candidate for governor of Ohio has diagnosed the mental condition of his own political party. John Kasich says it has an insane batch of officeholders. His actual words are "some Republicans lost their minds." He pinpointed the insanity bout as starting in 2002. He did not offer any names of those afflicted, but said those who lost their minds wrecked the economy. Kasich rendered his opinion in November during a campaign swing in Marietta, and liked it so much he has posted it on his blog. This is the link: http://blog.kasichforohio.com/?p=1024 In case it disappears, the Bellwether will print the verbatim text:
Kasich pointed to his service as chairman of the U.S. House Budget Committee in the mid-1990s as an example of the fiscal leadership he has provided.
“We balanced the budget in 1995 (Fiscal 1996), with a large surplus,” he said. “And between 1995 and 2002, before some Republicans lost their minds, the country was pretty prosperous, people had money to spend.”
He said that changed when politicians began spending the surplus monies on pet projects for their own districts.
Kasich's flub was to blame the Republicans for the fact that the country isn't prosperous these days, and that the party's fiscal insanity is the true reason for the economic mess Ohio and the nation are facing. As he runs for Ohio governor in the months ahead, how can Kasich possibly pin responsibility on Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, who was elected in 2006? Kasich says he knows the cause -- Republicans who lost their minds. He should start revealing the names. One is led to wonder: Could Rob Portman be among them? Portman is running for the GOP U.S. Senate nomination in Ohio, and served in the House until 2005 representing OH-02 near Cincinnati. Portman gave up the OH-02 seat to join the George W. Bush Administration as trade rep and budget director.
Showing posts with label Cincinnati Republicans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cincinnati Republicans. Show all posts
Friday, January 08, 2010
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Cincy GOP Councilwoman: Caught With Her Shirt On And Ethics Off
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- People have their Irish up at Cincinnati Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz over her vote to close down a popular East Side watering hole where she recently spent a day campaigning and raising funds for the American Cancer Society.
The Republican -- a lawyer who is seeking reelection this fall -- has been accused of wearing a "Vote Ghiz" shirt on the premises she now finds offensive to the Hyde Park neighborhood. The bar is R.P. McMurphy's and faces the loss of its liquor license.
Humorists have e-mailed The Daily Bellwether saying Ghiz shouldn't have worn a shirt at all -- then there really would be reason to vote to close the bar.
Ghiz has campaigned on a theme of "trust and accountability" but Jennifer McGuire found her woefully lacking in those qualities in a letter to the editor published in today's Cincinnati Enquirer, a letter that captured the views of many who see the councilwoman as something of a hypocrite.
"Less that a month ago, R.P's held a benefit for the American Cancer Society and raised $15,000 for the cause. And Ghiz spent the whole day there in her 'Vote Ghiz' t-shirt campaigning to the patrons of the very bar she is now voting to shut down. I supported Ghiz when she ran for council the first time. Her hypocrisy has cost her that support."
The full-text of the letter is HERE. There are nine Cincinnati City Council seats with only two held by Republicans. Ghiz has been active in portraying herself as someone who wants to make government accountable and the municipal environs as crime free as possible. She says,
"Trust and accountability are very important qualities to me . . . I have worked very hard to put Cincinnati first. And we have had some great successes. Things don't always move as quickly as I would like, but if you keep fighting the good fight, the City wins in the end. I have focused my efforts on the safety of our citizens and fiscal responsibility, and will continue to do so."
Her campaign website has a lot more information, including biographical data about the Capital University law school grad. Ghiz is going to catch serious flak over her soiree at the Irish pub.
The Republican -- a lawyer who is seeking reelection this fall -- has been accused of wearing a "Vote Ghiz" shirt on the premises she now finds offensive to the Hyde Park neighborhood. The bar is R.P. McMurphy's and faces the loss of its liquor license.
Humorists have e-mailed The Daily Bellwether saying Ghiz shouldn't have worn a shirt at all -- then there really would be reason to vote to close the bar.
Ghiz has campaigned on a theme of "trust and accountability" but Jennifer McGuire found her woefully lacking in those qualities in a letter to the editor published in today's Cincinnati Enquirer, a letter that captured the views of many who see the councilwoman as something of a hypocrite.
"Less that a month ago, R.P's held a benefit for the American Cancer Society and raised $15,000 for the cause. And Ghiz spent the whole day there in her 'Vote Ghiz' t-shirt campaigning to the patrons of the very bar she is now voting to shut down. I supported Ghiz when she ran for council the first time. Her hypocrisy has cost her that support."
The full-text of the letter is HERE. There are nine Cincinnati City Council seats with only two held by Republicans. Ghiz has been active in portraying herself as someone who wants to make government accountable and the municipal environs as crime free as possible. She says,
"Trust and accountability are very important qualities to me . . . I have worked very hard to put Cincinnati first. And we have had some great successes. Things don't always move as quickly as I would like, but if you keep fighting the good fight, the City wins in the end. I have focused my efforts on the safety of our citizens and fiscal responsibility, and will continue to do so."
Her campaign website has a lot more information, including biographical data about the Capital University law school grad. Ghiz is going to catch serious flak over her soiree at the Irish pub.
Monday, July 30, 2007
How Pure Are Ohio's Greens? Next Door In Pa. It's Been The Green-O-P
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Cincinnati NAACP president Chris Smitherman has stirred up a firestorm with his plans to run for a City Council seat on the Green Party ticket. All of the debate has focused on whether or not he has a conflict with the NAACP, which tends to discourage local chapter leaders from running for elective offices.
But there has not been much aired about efforts in Pennsylvania to use the Green Party as a front. There have been hijack attempts by Republicans, a tactic designed to siphon progressive votes away from Democrats. Some Greens clearly are concerned that anybody who shows up is welcome. And they are not exactly enthused about poseurs financing and entering their party. Last year, there was an uproar when a when the Green Party's U.S. Senate candidate in the contest involving Rick Santorum's reelection bid wound up being funded by Santorum's backers. Nearly all the money for Green Party nominee Carl Romanelli came from GOP sources -- almost turning it into the Green-Old-Party.
This month, another GOP official in Pennsylvania briefly declared himself a Green. Again, it looked like a strategic move rather than a true political conversion.
Some Greens have argued that their party is the victim of both the major parties. However, they also contend the party has opened itself to abuse by outside political operatives and people who just show up and declare themselves true-blue Greens.
"Part of the reason for its bad decision is that the GP or PA is part of the GPUS. GPUS models itself on the corporate parties by refusing to have a defined membership. Since it does not base itself on a dues paid membership, GPUS must look to other sources . . .
"Not all Green Party activists accept the corporate structure of GPUS and the GP of PA. The original Green Party, the GPUSA, is based on a dues-paying membership. It is this defined membership, not anyone who shows up, who makes policy, including what money to accept and from where. GPUSA has never knowingly accepted money."
But there has not been much aired about efforts in Pennsylvania to use the Green Party as a front. There have been hijack attempts by Republicans, a tactic designed to siphon progressive votes away from Democrats. Some Greens clearly are concerned that anybody who shows up is welcome. And they are not exactly enthused about poseurs financing and entering their party. Last year, there was an uproar when a when the Green Party's U.S. Senate candidate in the contest involving Rick Santorum's reelection bid wound up being funded by Santorum's backers. Nearly all the money for Green Party nominee Carl Romanelli came from GOP sources -- almost turning it into the Green-Old-Party.
This month, another GOP official in Pennsylvania briefly declared himself a Green. Again, it looked like a strategic move rather than a true political conversion.
Some Greens have argued that their party is the victim of both the major parties. However, they also contend the party has opened itself to abuse by outside political operatives and people who just show up and declare themselves true-blue Greens.
"Part of the reason for its bad decision is that the GP or PA is part of the GPUS. GPUS models itself on the corporate parties by refusing to have a defined membership. Since it does not base itself on a dues paid membership, GPUS must look to other sources . . .
"Not all Green Party activists accept the corporate structure of GPUS and the GP of PA. The original Green Party, the GPUSA, is based on a dues-paying membership. It is this defined membership, not anyone who shows up, who makes policy, including what money to accept and from where. GPUSA has never knowingly accepted money."
Friday, July 20, 2007
If Bogus, Cincy Blog Allegedly By GOP Chair May Be 'Invasion of Privacy'
COLUMBUS (TDB) -- An Ohio Supreme Court ruling last month for the first time recognized in the state a right to seek damages in cases where publicity portrays the person in a "false light." The case might have a bearing on a satirical blog called AngryGeorge, which is purportedly written by Hamilton County GOP Chairman George Vincent. Among other things, it has described him as using drugs.
The Bellwether reported Thursday that AngryGeorge was up and running. In a 5-2 decision June 6, the Ohio Supreme Court said it was concerned about the First Amendment, but said privacy rights were important, too.
"In Ohio, we have already recognized that a claim for invasion of privacy can arise when true private details of a person's life are publicized. The right to privacy naturally extends to the ability to control false statements made about oneself. Without false light, the right to privacy is not whole, as it is not fully protected by defamation laws."
Justice Paul Pfeiffer, who wrote the decision, also said:
"In Ohio, one who gives publicity to a matter concerning another that placed the other before the public in a false light is subject to the other for invasion of privacy if (a) the false light in which the other was placed would be highly offensive to a reasonable person, and (b) the actor had knowledge of or acted in reckless disregard as to the falsity of the publicized matter and the false light in which the other would be placed."
Libel and defamation are difficult for anyone to prove. But they are virtually impossible cases for public officials and public figures to win, and GOP chairman Vincent would probably fall into both categories. However, false light might give him a door to step through if he chooses to take legal action. So far, there's been no public indication of his thinking. (All this is predicated on one fact: Vincent is not really AngryGeorge.)
Many legal scholars have warned the blogosphere -- which by nature has been rough-and-tumble with anonymous snark and unrestrained speech -- might be ripe for lawsuits that challenge its Wild West frontier nature. Consider this: Could a blog that is found taking liberties with the identity of its become the scene of a legal shootout at the OK Corral, could its appearance end up taming the Wild West?
The full-text of the Ohio Supreme Court ruling is available HERE (pdf) and grew out of a particularly nasty neighborhood feud in Stark County. One set of neighbors posted handbills at a school and job site accusing the others of vandalism. There was more to it than that, of course, but the allegations of criminal conduct were major parts of the false light claims.
The Bellwether reported Thursday that AngryGeorge was up and running. In a 5-2 decision June 6, the Ohio Supreme Court said it was concerned about the First Amendment, but said privacy rights were important, too.
"In Ohio, we have already recognized that a claim for invasion of privacy can arise when true private details of a person's life are publicized. The right to privacy naturally extends to the ability to control false statements made about oneself. Without false light, the right to privacy is not whole, as it is not fully protected by defamation laws."
Justice Paul Pfeiffer, who wrote the decision, also said:
"In Ohio, one who gives publicity to a matter concerning another that placed the other before the public in a false light is subject to the other for invasion of privacy if (a) the false light in which the other was placed would be highly offensive to a reasonable person, and (b) the actor had knowledge of or acted in reckless disregard as to the falsity of the publicized matter and the false light in which the other would be placed."
Libel and defamation are difficult for anyone to prove. But they are virtually impossible cases for public officials and public figures to win, and GOP chairman Vincent would probably fall into both categories. However, false light might give him a door to step through if he chooses to take legal action. So far, there's been no public indication of his thinking. (All this is predicated on one fact: Vincent is not really AngryGeorge.)
Many legal scholars have warned the blogosphere -- which by nature has been rough-and-tumble with anonymous snark and unrestrained speech -- might be ripe for lawsuits that challenge its Wild West frontier nature. Consider this: Could a blog that is found taking liberties with the identity of its become the scene of a legal shootout at the OK Corral, could its appearance end up taming the Wild West?
The full-text of the Ohio Supreme Court ruling is available HERE (pdf) and grew out of a particularly nasty neighborhood feud in Stark County. One set of neighbors posted handbills at a school and job site accusing the others of vandalism. There was more to it than that, of course, but the allegations of criminal conduct were major parts of the false light claims.
Friday, March 23, 2007
2008 GOP Ohio Senate Primary: Seitz vs. Clancy May Be Coming
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Tiny story in this morning's Enquirer with big political news that shows how term limits are changing politics. State Rep. Bill Seitz appears to be making plans to run for an Ohio Senate seat now held by Patty Clancy. Both are Republicans. But Seitz must find another job if he wants to stay in the Statehouse because he is term-limited out of office in 2008.
Clancy's 8th District seat covers a western chunk of Hamilton County, and she faces a run for re-election next year. She told the Enquirer she plans to stay in the Senate. Seitz indicates he intends to move up, and she is blocking his path. Collision ahead.
Seitz is a conservative and leader in the House. Outside Cincinnati, he may be best known as an advocate for opening the state to casino style gambling and slots.
The Enquirer squib is HERE. In a different era, Republicans didn't have primaries or try to chase each other out of office. But term limits have elected officials looking for new slots when they have to move on. State. Rep. Tom Brinkman is probably going to run for the OH-02 congressional seat now held by Rep. Jean Schmidt, which starts on the East Side of Cincy and head upstream on the Ohio River all the way to Portsmouth. Seitz is testing the water on the West Side. He is a PARTNER at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, one of the largest law firms in Ohio, and would have no problem raising money for a race against Clancy.
Inquiring minds are wondering: Will Clancy be squeezed out before the primary to make room for Seitz? He's a political bigfoot, and she does not quite match his legislative reputation. Over the years, however, the GOP has been dogged by concerns it is too much an old boys club that has been slow to welcome women into the ranks. Clancy's gender could become an issue if the notion that that Republicans are less than enthusiastic about supporting women candidates is fanned. Clancy, whose father was a congressman, would benefit and might even have the skills to turn events to her advantage if she is forced to become aggressive. Still, Seitz would probably have more money to spend on a primary.
Clancy's 8th District seat covers a western chunk of Hamilton County, and she faces a run for re-election next year. She told the Enquirer she plans to stay in the Senate. Seitz indicates he intends to move up, and she is blocking his path. Collision ahead.
Seitz is a conservative and leader in the House. Outside Cincinnati, he may be best known as an advocate for opening the state to casino style gambling and slots.
The Enquirer squib is HERE. In a different era, Republicans didn't have primaries or try to chase each other out of office. But term limits have elected officials looking for new slots when they have to move on. State. Rep. Tom Brinkman is probably going to run for the OH-02 congressional seat now held by Rep. Jean Schmidt, which starts on the East Side of Cincy and head upstream on the Ohio River all the way to Portsmouth. Seitz is testing the water on the West Side. He is a PARTNER at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, one of the largest law firms in Ohio, and would have no problem raising money for a race against Clancy.
Inquiring minds are wondering: Will Clancy be squeezed out before the primary to make room for Seitz? He's a political bigfoot, and she does not quite match his legislative reputation. Over the years, however, the GOP has been dogged by concerns it is too much an old boys club that has been slow to welcome women into the ranks. Clancy's gender could become an issue if the notion that that Republicans are less than enthusiastic about supporting women candidates is fanned. Clancy, whose father was a congressman, would benefit and might even have the skills to turn events to her advantage if she is forced to become aggressive. Still, Seitz would probably have more money to spend on a primary.
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