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Recall. (Or Recall?)
- Filed under: Local
- Date: Nov 18,2008
UPDATE: I spoke to Mendenhall today. Here are the basics: Throughout the Issue 9 campaign - he was involved in this along with Issue 8 - the hundreds of volunteers constantly heard from people who wanted to do something to change Akron leadership. The "special place in hell" comment was a last push to really get this effort going. Mendenhall and the other volunteers decided they could not run a successful recall campaign unless a couple of hundred people would work to collect signatures and campaign for change, and Mendenhall volunteered to create the website to determine if there is enough community interest to make this a possibility. That remains to be seen. He said that this was a group decision.
Joe Finley supports the recall effort and will probably be on the ballot in 2009 for one of the at-large council seats, Mendenhall said. He added that the numbers in the 2007 Democratic primary, and numbers from a recent poll show (I don't know anything about this or who it was conducted for) Democrats essentially split 50/50 on whether or not they would vote for Plusquellic. The poll did show that those who think Plusquellic has done a good job still dislike many of his personal qualities and that his positives are relatively weak. Additonally, about 150 Republicans contained within the sample of the poll. He said they were "100% opposed to Issue 8." (end update)
Local bombshell, Ohio.com: A local attorney who has been a constant adversary of Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic plans to launch an effort to have the mayor recalled.
Warner Mendenhall will start a Web site — www.changeakronnow.com — Tuesday morning to recruit volunteers for the recall effort. He wants to enlist about 200 people to gather the 3,000 signatures needed to put the recall on the ballot.
And also a PD Quote: "Half the city doesn't like him," Mendenhall said Monday. "We think it's essentially time to have a referendum to decide whether or not the people of Akron want him to continue to be mayor."
The group will have to collect just under 3200 signatures to force a special election. My guess is that it will get done….with lots and lots and lots of close scrutiny on every single name that appears from those who do the checking. If Mendenhall and Co. get enough valid signatures, there will be a simple up or down vote in a special election where turnout will be key and results hard to predict. As an FYI for those that don't know, Mendenhall was one of the leaders against the "Sewers for Scholarships" ballot issue that went up in flames on November 4. Oh, and estimated cost for the special election is around $160,000 for the always needing more money Summit County BOE. Fully expect that to be a major reason to try and convince people not to sign anything. The county wastes money everyday on dumb things and pet projects and is already massively in debt, so $160,000 isn't the end of the world. Anyhow, we just spent millions to update the state voting system to help elect and inexperienced socialist as President of the United States. But back to the topic at hand.
Shaming FDR and Mike Bloomberg, Plusquellic won reelection for his seemingly 3,481th consecutive term (actually first elected in 1987) last September, defeating Joe Finley in the Democratic primary 53-47%. 11% of eligible voters turned out. Akron pride! The narrow win was not considered a surprise, that would be an understatement - it was shockingly close. The general was then a mere formality, as the local Republicans decided it would be best to not run a candidate. Always a good strategy to win elections, guys! Don got just under 16,000 of the approx. 20,000 voters (quick math from the BOE site, someone may want to check that, it is late) who could have checked his name, even though no one was against him on the ballot. That is not very good. When Plusquellic won the primary, I wrote: The race was supposed to be a blowout by all accounts. Finley was massively outspent and faced constant ridicule in local media (including but not limited to the ABJ), including the blogs. He had almost no name recognition outside the ward he used to represent. Finley by most accounts did not run a good campaign, though I can not speak to that directly. Most analysts said Finley performed at an abysmal level in his head to head debates with Plusquellic. Yet he still got 47%. The majority of that 47% wasn't pro-Joe Finley. It was anti-The Don.
There are simply a ton of Akron residents - many of whom are Democrats - who just don't like Plusquellic. Certianly most parking attendants would be included in this group. The guy lost 47% of the vote from his own party in his most recent primary against Finley. That is why this is going to be fascinating to watch. Haven't heard anything yet from Finley on this, though my guess is that he isn't really involved but will probably come out and say he is for the recall and sign the petition. From what I hear, and this is all sketchy right now so take it with the proverbial grain of salt, is that this is Mendenhall going after Plusquellic, and there aren't any big names out there behind the curtain. I'll try and see what else I can dig up Tuesday.
Jumping way ahead, lets just say that all this comes to fruition and Plusquellic is booted. Would Alex Arshinkoff run a GOP candidate in the general? Could he even afford to, considering it would take some money to do so? Don't new campaign finance reports come out soon, BTW? This would be a great opportunity for a non-Alex Republican to make a mark. Of course now I am getting ahead of myself, but that is to be expected.
As of this hour, there is no word on whether or not the people who sign a petition to remove Plusquellic have a "special place in hell" reserved for them.
Our friends over at Psychobilly Democrat have some thoughts as well.
21 Responses for "Recall. (Or Recall?)"
Does this fruit Keeler actually think a Republican could win the Mayor of Akron????
Arshinkoff was criticized for striking a deal that would leave the county offices unchallenged. Greg Bachman would still be engineer if not for the NSR exposing the deal, but I guess they got what they want.
Instead of reading this drivel from Keeler, I would encourage all readers to peruse the latest posts by well-respected local Republican Ed Esposito.
As to be expected, because Esposito calls out the NSR for their paltry efforts in the coup attempt, and their paltry support of local candidates, he is now consdidered to be "in the bag" for Arshinkoff.
I for one cannot read this crap anymore from Keeler. I'm done with this blog.
The title to your name says it all "Clueless".
This was about Plusuellic not Arshinkoff, Clueless. You are the one who keeps dragging him up. You are probably happy with the status quo because you probably have a job that needs protected by the party.
Remember George Voinovich? he was a Republican and mayor of Cleveland.
Oh and they'll get the signatures - - but many people in the city who will want to sign wont be able to because if they're name is found on the recall petetion, watch out
Clueless, I dont think it would be easy for a Republican to win Mayor of Akron. It could be done under the right circumstances with the right candidate. It would be really uphill. Wasnt really the point of the post.
"Arshinkoff was criticized for striking a deal that would leave the county offices unchallenged. Greg Bachman would still be engineer if not for the NSR exposing the deal, but I guess they got what they want"
Bachman lost by 10%. He lost because it was a bad year, he didnt think he could lose, and he didnt really campaign until it was too late. You cant just throw up a bunch of green "Keep Bachman" signs around the county and expect it will be enough. Bachman was forced to buy ads on cable TV at the end - with his own money.
My life wont be affected because a Democrat is the engineer. Nor will most people. I do feel bad for the people who are losing good jobs there….I know a couple of them. I voted for Bachman. But I dont think there should be any "deals" where people go unopposed in either party.
Alex H, good 2nd point on the signatures. Some people simply wont be able to sign it even though they will want to.
The last good mayor in Akron was a Republican, Roy Ray. Alex had little to do with it. And, quite frankly, after Finley weakened Plusquelic a good candidate may have taken him out.
But alas, Arshinkoff couldn't, or wouldn't, find a good candidate.
Shouldn't a "special place in hell" be reserved for those who cheat on and then surreptitiously dump their spouses for a woman almost 30 years younger, after their spouses nurse them back from heart attacks??????
\
I mean to me that is much more morally decrepit then to oppose some misguided "scholarship" scheme…..
If Jesus Christ was a Republican he would never win in the city of Akron!
Besides Keeler and True Republicandouche, WHAT REPUBLICAN ARE YOU GOING TO GET TO RUN IN A 70% DEMOCRATIC INDEX CITY?????????????
ALL THIS TALK IS MEANINGLESS UNLESS YOU GET A REPUBLICAN TO RUN!!!!!!!
If I lived in Akron I;d vote him out
Look Folks–Alias Alex,
We have established:
1) you are an idiot, failure, and useful idiot to the Democrats.
2) If you hadnt been under the Democrats' control, Joe Finley could have won if you had strategically sent out a letter urging Akron's miniscule Republicans to vote for Finley, thus helping to eliminate Plusquellic for good.
3) No legitimate Republican Party exists in Summit County. The empty shell here cant raise money, doesnt elect candidates, and has no ideology–what is the purpose of this rump?
Big Al is no longer my Pal! Im joining the NSRs.
No the last good Republican Mayor in Akron was Ballard, not Roy Ray. I think Ray lives outside of Akron which says how much he really loves this city, remember when Ray's wife who is not a registered Republican called all the PC's for Alex? Speaking of Roy Ray I look at him as Alex's first political failure. Basically when Alex became chair of the party I believe in 1978, Ballard handed over Akron to Ray in 1979 with his blessing and endorsement and no help from Alex. Then in 1983 a little known State Representative named Tom Sawyer and a fresh DUI conviction that Alex sat on ran for mayor and won. Why Alex sat on the DUI conviction, don't know but alot of people know Alex you live a hidden lifestyle.
This strikes ma as a farce that is a waste of time and money.
A recall should be reserved for major incompetance or significant malfeasance.
Fred,
id call $800 million in debt with little to show for it malfeasance.
Keeler, I guess the New summit Republicans are going to move up and try and take over the Cuyahoga County Republican Party because they ALLOWED THIS DEMOCRAT TO RUN UNOPPOSED!!!OOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!!!
Ohio Democrat unopposed in special House election
Published on Tuesday Nov 18, 2008
An Ohio Democrat elected earlier this month to succeed the late U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones has also won a special congressional election in Cleveland to fill the final weeks of Tubbs Jones' unexpired term.
Warrensville Heights Mayor Marcia Fudge, a former aide to Tubbs Jones, was unopposed in Tuesday's election. She had won the full term on Nov. 4.
Entering the House early will give Fudge a seniority edge over the other newly elected members taking office in January. Fudge expects to take the oath of office at 1 p.m. Wednesday on the House floor.
The 58-year-old Tubbs Jones died Aug. 20 after suffering a brain hemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm.
From what I've seen when visiting Ohio cities like Dayton, Toledo, Youngstown and Canton that are comparable with Akron, it seems like Akron has done a much better job of reinventing itself over the last 20 years (i.e. the end of our manufacturing strength and death of out Rubber City distinction) and weathering the economic storm. It seems all the more impressive when I think about how Akron lost two major corporate tire company headquarters in the late 80s. Akron also seems healthier than Cleveland, one of Ohio's three major cities. From what I've read I also believe Akron has the lowest crime rate among Ohio's large cities. I'm not saying the Don deserves all the credit (the University of Akron, Dr. Proenza, Summit County Port Authority, Goodyear, Gojo, Infocision, Summa, and countless other business leaders and local politicians deserve credit). However, I am saying Akron is in better shape than its Ohio sister cities and some of that credit should go to the Don. Also, as a side note, it seems most good Mayors (e.g. Daly, Giuliani, Bloomberg) have personalities that rub people the wrong way. However, the flip side of that coin is their stubborn full steam ahead personalities also help get things done. With the bad also comes the good.
Hey moron you cant compare that disrrict - only one in Cuyahoga Co. and one that is majority black to Summit County.
Don't you just love the maturity that Alex shows?
Ah Ben, my brother in arms…these are really not the times to even think a Republican would stand a chance of finding even a special place in hell when it comes to big city Ohio.
Voinovich never won Cleveland as a Republican…he won because he was George. At one time the GOP at least held a respectable showing in Ohio cities but not even the 'burbs are for sure these days; no more in Canton, anyone remember when Columbus was a GOP lock and Cincinnati was a spot of blue in a sea of red? Ohio's big 8 is now solid blue…even in an environment such as Cuyahoga County, where the locals couldn't have paid for more negative publicity for the home party as FBI agents hauling stuff out of houses bigger than salaries should pay for did the GOP make any inroads.
This is what the desert looks like when you're on the outs, my Republican friends. If there would be any chance of a real recall (and I personally don't think there is; when push comes to shove Akron won't shove Plusquellic out just because they don't like his occasional outbursts) it certainly won't be a Republican to fill those shoes. Those days have long come and gone, fled to the suburbs where even now Democrats have no trouble lining up organizations to help work on behalf of their candidates.
Start from scratch: learn from Axelrod, pick the good out of Rovian strategy, listen to what Carville and Begala say and for goodness sake avoid candidates who think they don't have to work hard or can simply talk their way to the win. This is the opportunity the NSR-types should be working for: a chance to prove they can do it differently and still win. It just won't be in a major city for a long time…
Ed, I understand it would be very difficult for a Republican to win. I am saying that if the opportunity is there, one should run.
First DP then AA
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