Ohio Governor's Race: Is Ted Strickland Writing John Kasich's Stuff?

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.

Ohio Governor's Mansion Set For $267,536 Garden Restroom: Five New Unisex Potties

COLUMBUS (TDB) -- Yes, multiple crappers. The state Controlling Board is scheduled to approve spending for the new bathroom Monday, and has the item on its March 9 agenda. The project has been in the works since 2007 and is an addition to an existing carriage house. But the timing of the final approval process might look bad for Gov. Ted Strickland. He's been begging for billions in stimulus funds from Washington, citing the state's lousy economy. He's also had to slash state spending while pink slipping and furloughing state workers. Also, Ohio has thousands of homes in foreclosure, and countless families face homelessness as the statewide unemployment rate heads toward 10 percent. So the construction of a new five-hole restroom in the garden of the Ohio governor's mansion in Bexley carries the risk of raising a bit of a stink. It has the air of the French monarchy when Marie Antoinette said, "No bread, let them eat cake."

Here's some of what the budget request on the Controlling Board's agenda has to say:

"Administrative Services requests Controlling Board approval to release $267,535.70 for the Governor's Residence Heritage Garden Education Center project, Bexley, Franklin County. (SAO Project NumberDAS-070013).

"The Governor's Residence was designed in 1923 by Columbus architect Robert Gilmore Hanford. Construction was completed in 1925 on three acres in the City of Bexley. The Residence is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"This project is an addition to the existing carriage house that will replace the current garden groundskeeper building. The new structure will include ADA-compliant restroom facilities for over 10,000 visitors annually and a gift shop where Ohio arts and crafts could be promoted and generate funds in support of the Residence and Heritage Garden. The goal of the project is to create a certified "green" building that will properly store flammables, support horticultural projects and the Heritage Garden, and utilize alternative energy sources, including solar panels and geothermal piping.

"On October 3, 2007, DAS received OBM Director approval to release funds to the State Architect's Office to hire an Associate Architect for the design of the education center.

"This request is for the construction of Phase One which entails modifications to the carriage house to add five new unisex ADA restrooms, a new geothermal heating system, new water and sanitary services, and new entrance doors. "

"ADA capital funds will be used for the cost of the General and Plumbing contractors because the construction of the restrooms and entrance doors will be ADA accessible and eligible for the use of these funds."

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland: Obama Is My Guy

COLUMBUS (TDB) -- With the primaries over and his gal Hillary finally out of the Democratic presidential race, Ohio's guv says that Barack Obama has his "wholehearted and and enthusiastic support" from today forward. Strickland comes late to the Barack bandwagon. He never deserted Clinton, his friend, until he was sure the New York senator was completely out of the race. The governor released his statement through the Ohio Democratic Party:

"Earlier today I talked with Sen. Hillary Clinton. I thanked her for her friendship and the strong effort she put forth in this historic campaign. I pledged wot work with her to unify the party and to make sure that Barack Obama wins the presidency. Ohioans have suffered as a result of the failed policies of the Bush Administration, including job loss as a result of rising fuel prices. Ohioans desperately want real, meaningful change. And I believe that Barack Obama will bring that change."

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland: Sees Bill Clinton As Future 'First Laddie' In White House

MARIETTA, Ohio (TDB) -- If a female wins the U.S. presidency, what the heck will be the courtesy term for her spouse? Ohio's governor seems to have an idea. He barnstormed around the state with Bill Clinton as the two tried to drum up support for Hillary ahead of the March 4 primary. And Ted Strickland is here on YouTUBE introducing the former president under a new title -- "First Laddie." It's a punster's play on words, of course. But it does raise a matter of linguistic uncertainty. For obvious reasons, First Lady wouldn't do the job. And phrases such as First Gentleman, First Hubby, First Spouse, First Old Man or First One just don't seem to have the right feel -- indeed "first one" opens the door to all kinds of problems. And gentleman has a double meaning in the English language. One is a person of good breeding; the other is a valet or butler or personal servant, as in "gentleman's gentleman."

Bill Clinton suggested "first laddie" last September when he was on Oprah's show. The former president was punning when he quipped:

"My Scottish friends say I should be called first laddie because it's the closest thing to first lady."

A lad is a boy or youth in England, and a laddie is a young man in Scotland. A lady is a woman of good standng or social position. In Great Britain, however, it is the proper title of a female whose husband is higher in rank than a knight or baronet, or a woman who has proprietary rights over a manor. Oliver Goldsmith, an English poet and dramatist who died in 1774, had this to say on the knack of being a gentleman:

"To make a fine gentleman, several trades are required, but chiefly a barber."

Ohio's Ex-Gov. Gilligan: Just Sit Right Back And You'll Hear A Tale

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Former Democratic Gov. John Gilligan, who served a single term in the 1970s and then came out of retirement to claim a seat on the Cincinnati School Board until this year, is the proud papa of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. She's making news today for delivering the Dems' response to W's final State of the Union -- and her impending endorsement of Barack Obama's presidential bid. Also in the headlines is Gilligan's grandson, John, who is peddling a $34.99 board game called "Don't Drop The Soap" out of the Kansas governor's mansion.

The game is about prison. The name is taken from an expression that means it is not a good idea to bend over and pick up the soap while naked in a penitentiary shower. The expression capsules the notion that male inmates are sexually deprived, there are no women, testosterone is flowing and a bare rump is a target of opportunity. Or something like that. In other words, the game is adult-themed and a promotion on the Web site marketing the game says:

"Fight you way through 6 different exciting locations in hopes of being granted parole, Escape prison riots in The Yard, slip glass into a mob boss' lasagna in the Cafeteria, steal painkillers from the nurse's desk in the infirmary, avoid being cornered by the Aryans in the Shower Room, fight off Latin Kings in Gang War, and try not to smoke your entire stash in the hole."

Kansas reporter Tim Hrenchir has the story in the Topeka Capital-Journal. The Associated Press is giving it a good ride nationally. Tokens to play the game include a bag of cocaine, a handgun and three humanoids.

Ohio Republican Party: Its Official GOP Blog Echoes Strickland's Iowa Caucus Concern

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Ohio's Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland has been catching flak over a comment that the Iowa caucuses make "no sense." There is speculation that the remark will go down as the governor's gaffe. Now the Ohio Republican Party -- no ally of Strickland -- has linked to a USA Today editorial that seems to share his sentiment that Iowa should not have such crucial power over the presidential selection process. A link to the Ohio GOP blog is here.

The USA Today editorial it cites raises concern that Iowa's voter participation is too low, the voting is too early, and the state is too tied to an agricultural economy to be any kind of stand-in for the rest of the nation when it comes to the serious job of picking a president. The Ohio GOP -- by giving that concern prominence on its partisan Web site -- seems to be saying it agrees with Democrat Strickland. Here's USA Today:

"It seems odd that candidates would spend months, and millions of dollars, in Iowa in pursuit of an election that would barely constitute a neighborhood in some large American cities. It should. Iowa is not tiny, 30th in population according to the Census, but its time-consuming caucus process means that only 8% of the population will participate."

The newspaper said that about 87,000 Republicans will caucus, according to predictions ahead of the voting -- that's not even a full house at a Washington Redskins game. For Ohioans: It's not even close to a full house at Ohio Stadium when the Buckeyes play; it's just a tad smaller than the population of Parma, Ohio.

OH-05: Gov. Strickland Says Weirauch Has Ohio Values In New Ad

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- Gov Ted Strickland appears in OH-05 Democrat Robin Weirauch's newest TV ad and praises her as "one of us, she is not a person of privilege." The 30-second spot is now on YouTUBE and can be viewed by clicking this link. Strickland steers clear of attacking Weirauch's opponent, GOP State Rep. Bob Latta. Instead, the governor emphasizes her NW Ohio roots and says she won't be the kind of politician who goes to the Capitol and takes on airs.

"This region of Ohio needs someone who will be an advocate for them, not someone who is going to go to Washington and forget where they are from. We all know Washington is broken."

Weirauch's biography is here, and Strickland's words mesh well with her campaign slogan, "Homegrown Values."

Strickland is extremely popular around the state and carried Ohio's 5th Congressional District in 2006 when he was elected governor. It was a feat because the district routinely votes Republican. If Weirauch wins the special election Tuesday, Dec. 11, she will be the first Democrat to hold the OH-05 House seat since 1938.

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland: Voluntarily Pays Full Cost Of Group Health Insurance

COLUMBUS (TDB) -- As a retired congressman, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland remains eligible for the Federal Health Benefit Program, which is the U.S. government's blue chip group health care plan. Uncle Sam covers about 72 percent of the average monthly premium, with the rest deducted from a worker's paycheck. Strickland did not shift his health insurance package to state coverage when he took office in January, and stayed with the federal program. But he voluntarily pays the full cost out of his own pocket -- $697 per month. The governor's spokesman, Keith Dailey, said his boss has never allowed Uncle Sam to cover its share of the premium.

"He reimburses the government for its share. He pays for his own health care out of pocket. He writes a check to the U.S. Treasury every month to reimburse what it spends on his health care."

Strickland's plan covers himself and Ohio's First Lady, Frances Strickland. He's been writing the checks since 1992, when he was first elected from OH-06, a southern Ohio congressional district that is mostly in Appalachia. Many residents of the region cannot afford health insurance, or lack coverage through their jobs. Strickland promised when he was running that he would not allow the government to pay for his insurance until everyone in his district had coverage. Of course, many still does not have coverage today and he has been living up to his promise.

"He had initially made that pledge, and maintains it now," Dailey said.

The Daily Bellwether brought up the topic of the governor's health care because he has been critical of Republicans in Congress who voted against S-CHIP, the government-subsidized health care plan for children that President Bush vetoed last month. But it is clear that Strickland has put his money where his mouth is, and won't taken benefits that all others cannot receive. The Federal Employee Health Benefit plan is operated by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which negotiates with several private insurers for lower group coverage rates.

Out of pure curiosity, I asked Dailey who pays the food bill at the governor's mansion. The taxpayers? He said there is a manager who runs the property and buys the groceries. Strickland reimburses the cost of $300 to $350 per month by writing a check every quarter. He doesn't pay if there is an official event -- either the sponsoring organization pays the cost, or a non-profit foundation that was set up years ago to pay costs at the executive residence covers the bill. Dailey said Strickland tries to be frugal. Often he makes his own lunch and brings it to work at his State House office.

"He brown bags. Sometimes he makes his lunch and brings it to work, and sometimes Frances does it. It's not really a bag, it's sort of a reuseable bag."

He said the governor doesn't carry a lunch pail or bucket to work.

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland: Tells Bellwether He's Slandered By Lying Radio Talkers

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- An irate Gov. Ted Strickland denounced XM radio for harboring liars after a radio talker portrayed the Ohio Democrat as a racist who wants the vice presidency. The governor has considered legal action, and said he consulted a lawyer after learning of the attack.

An XM talker claims Strickland told union members recently he should become his party's vice presidential choice over someone with a black "face" -- a slur aimed at Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Strickland told The Daily Bellwether righty talkshow host Jim Quinn's story was a "total, utter smear, it is a total, utter fabrication, it is totally, utterly untrue. I swear to God under threat of being struck by lightning that such thoughts have never been in my head or in my mouth."

Strickland raised his right hand as if he were taking an oath in a courtroom as he spoke. The governor called XM radio "unethical and dishonest" for airing the story and said he had been defamed, "Their consciences should be troubled if they have a conscience. There is something wrong with them, they don't have any character at all. They fabricate and make up stories."

Strickland added he wanted to take the radio chain to court for slander. He said he's been told by his lawyer that his chances of success as a public figure are slim because of court rulings that have given elected officials little protection against defamatory comments. "When you're a public figure it is almost impossible to protect yourself from this kind of garbage."

Strickland spoke with the Bellwether last night at a political rally for State Rep. Steve Driehaus, a Democrat who is seeking the OH-01 congressional seat.

Some rightwing and Republican bloggers have jumped on the XM radio talker's story and are using it to characterize Strickland as racist. The governor said the GOP right's allegation was launched against him because he leads a politically important state that looks to be shifting into the Democratic column. Some left leading bloggers have jumped in to accuse the Republicans of playing a race card. Strickland told Driehaus and people within earshot last night that, "When they get nervous, they get mean."

When he addressed the rally, Strickland said, "Can you imagine me saying such a thing? We are in a political climate where almost anything will be said, and done, to win elections."

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland: Helps OH-01's Driehaus During Cincy Visit

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is spending a big chunk of Wednesday and Thursday in Cincinnati, where he plans to attend the groundbreaking of a new performing arts school. Today he will help officially launch the congressional campaign of OH-01 Democrat Steve Driehaus. There are also questions about whether Strickland plans to show up at a major fundraiser for Hillary Clinton in Indian Hill tonight. A co-sponsor of that event is Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, who is Strickland's host and tour-guide in Cincinnati for much of the visit. The governor hasn't publicly revealed his preference in the 2008 presidential primaries. If he appears alongside Sen. Clinton does that mean he's tipped his hand?

As for Driehaus, the state rep says he plans to bill himself as a 'fiscal conservative' for the contest against Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, who has held the Cincinnati west side seat since the mid-1990s and looked unbeatable until 2006 when he edged City Councilman John Cranley, 52-48. In 2008, national Democrats see OH-01 as one of the most competitive races in the U.S., and national Republicans view Chabot as vulnerable. But strategists in both parties say the contest is likely to be affected by presidential campaign coattails -- a strong Demo national ticket might help sweep Chabot away. On the other hand, a ticket out of synch with Ohio would boost the incumbents chances. Conventional political wisdom holds that coattails aren't important anymore -- but OH-01 appears to defy conventional wisdom.

Driehaus is being term-limited out of the state House. Strickland can help him raise money and attract attention. The governor grew up near the Ohio River in Scioto County, about 110 miles upstream from Cincinnati, and often speaks of of his great affection and interest in the Queen City. Not long after he took office in January, the state' official Web site was changed to display a photo of Cincinnati's riverfront when the portal is opened. He plans to be an active supporter of the campaign.

The Hill, a newspaper that serves Capitol Hill, had a long take out about the OH-01 contest earlier this year. It pointed out that the Democrats have targeted the seat.

Gov. Strickland & Micah: He Has The Prophet's Words

COLUMBUS (TDB) -- At the end of last year, it was noted here Ohio's new governor believes elected officials should take very seriously the Old Testament Prophet Micah's injunction that leaders should be just, honest, kind and humble before God. Gov. Ted Strickland had Micah's words hanging in his congressional office for many years. Now we know he's placed them in the governor's office, which Strickland moved into today.

Micah 6:8 says: ''And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."

Here is a bit of TDB's original Dec. 31 post about the prophet:

"Micah is not considered one of the Old Testament's major prophets. Encyclopedia Brittanica says he 'attacked the corruption of those in high places and social injustice' and that the Book of Micah is the 6th of the Twelve Prophets. He lived about 800 B.C. and the essence of his message seems to be that he was looking forward to the era of freedom, when all of the people of earth could worship in peace and religious infighting would end. He was the 'swords into plowshares' prophet: 'And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation and they shall not learn war any more.'"

"Micah also said God didn't want people to make sacrifices for him -- 'burnt offerings.' He wanted lives of peace, justice and kindness. Micah was a social justice guy. Nowadays, he's pretty influential with what might be called the Christian Left as opposed to the Christian Right personified by Pat Robertson et al.

There are a myriad of Micah items for sale that display the biblical quotation now gracing Gov. Strickland's office.