CLEVELAND – Ohio Republican State Central Commiteeman David H. Gunning II (21st State Senate District) has given the maximum campaign contribution allowable under federal finance law to District 10 Democratic congressional candidate Joe Cimperman. This is a betrayal of the local and state Republicans that Gunning claims to represent and furthermore, is obliged to promote effectively and exclusively.

Federal Elections Commission Form 3, Schedule A, Reference #28930297185 reveals on December 16, 2007 that Cimperman received the aforementioned maximum contribution of $2,300 from Gunning.

Hmmmm. I guess you can support whoever you want, but I wouldn't be too happy about this if I was a Cuyahoga County Republican. This David Gunning probably has an out because he could always just claim he really wants Kucinich out of office, thus the donations to Cimperman. That would be a plausible excuse – though maybe instead of helping Democrats he could, I don't know, donate to Republicans. The county GOP endorsed Gunning over his primary opponent, Burrell Jackson.

So there you have it. An elected official of the Cuyahoga County GOP supports Democrats in the county with monetary donations, and not just with a token contribution either.

If he is going to be complaining that he can't get into debates, maybe instead of doing this, he should be out actually campaigning to raise his numbers so he could get into a debate. Actually, if more people heard him his numbers would probably go down if that was possible. But I digress. Today in the House:

Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich caused a stink on the House of Representatives floor this morning during a speech where he announced he'll introduce articles of impeachment against President Bush on Monday, Jan. 28, the day Bush delivers his State of the Union speech.

"We already know the State of the Union," Kucinich says in his speech. "It's a lie."

Not too much after his statement, Dennis slinked back to the House floor to withdraw his "offending words." He had to know that it was going to happen that way, but again, he doesn't care. As long as he gets noticed, all is good on Planet Dennis.

That is it. I am not mentioning Kucinich anymore. For a guy at 2% at most in the polls, he takes up too much print everywhere. As long as he is front and center, then in his mind he is a winner. If the people of the 10th Congressional District can get united behind another candidate in the Democratic primary on March 4, they can end this charade and get a real congressman and beam Kucinich out of office. By getting rid of Kucinich, voters of the 10th can get rid of a symbol of Cleveland futility at the same time.

Hey Dennis, how is your recount in New Hampshire going? Pick up any more votes? Did you actually win?

Also: For a wide variety of view across the Ohio Blogosphere, check out the latest Carnival of Ohio Politics. It is published weekly, typically on Wednesday. Bloggers send in some of their posts about political news from our state and it is a good way to catch up on what you may have missed.

I have to give Dennis Kucinich credit. For a man who hovers at 2% in the polls, he sure can generate headlines for himself. Here is the latest example:

Kucinich asked federal authorities to investigate one of his primary opponents, Joe Cimperman, after Cimperman delivered a "missing" poster to Dennis's Lakewood office. The poster referred to the reputation that Kucinich is building for himself – that of absentee congressman. My opinion of Kucinich has always been clear – he is in it only for himself – but if the people of Ohio's 10th District want to keep sending an embarrassment to Washington, that is their choice. I just don't want to hear them complain about how he is never around. Oh sure, he might show up when a small grocery store closes to preen for the cameras and say he will fight for people, but then he will get on the next plane (or maybe a UFO) to New Hampshire to continue his recount.

In 2006, Dennis Kucinich gave a speech saying that stated the government needs to rein in police powers. In 2008 when he feels the heat at home, things change and he runs to the authorities as a publicity stunt. His change of heart is kind of like how Kucinich was always pro-life but became pro-choice when he decided to "run for president" in 2004.

On the local front, Dennis was finally shamed and pressured into having a debate with his opponents here for the March 4 primary for his congressional seat. He resisted as long as possible this year after refusing to debate his Republican opponent in 2006. We shall see if he actually follows through and shows up.