Political Cause.

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: LaTourette / O'Neill, Ohio, Scandalous, Strickland
• Date: Oct 28,2008

Columbus Dispatch: Ohio’s inspector general is investigating why a state agency director approved checking the state child-support computer system for information on “Joe the Plumber.” Helen Jones-Kelly, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, confirmed today that she OK’d the check on Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher following the Oct. 15 presidential debate. She said there were no political reasons for the check on the sudden presidential campaign fixture though the Support Enforcement Tracking System. Amid questions from the media and others about “Joe the Plumber,” Jones-Kelley said she approved a check to determine if he was current on any ordered child-support payments.

Democrats won't care about this at all – which was also at least the 4th time state computers were used to access his information. To them, the fact that Joe was just asking a question and might hurt their Lord in his run to the White House means that he is to be torn down and smeared right away. The means are justified. They are just doing us a public service. That is really how they think. By the way, as we know by now, Joe's kid lives with him. So who would he owe money to? Himself?

Oh, and Helen Jones-Kelley has maxed out to Obama. Governor Strickland, according to his spokesman, is "satisfied that there are no political overtures to the check on Wurzelbacher (Joe)." Yep. Sure. Move along, nothing to see here.

Joe the Plumber may turn into Joe the Litigant. Jones-Kelley will probably get a promotion to another department when the election is over. Or maybe a position with HHS in an Obama Administration.

Did this happen in Cuyahoga County too?

Unrelated: What is Bill O'Neill talking about? Last time I checked, Steve LaTourette voted against the bailout. Twice. Bill O'Neill was for it. The bailout money in part was used to buy National City Bank and kill Cleveland jobs. I don't get how his own press release in any way helps O'Neill.

Strickland: GOP Using "Scare Tactics"

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: Ohio 2008, Strickland
• Date: Oct 20,2008

While I was gone, this story was front and center, so I know I missed the boat. Anyhow…

AP: Ohio Republicans are trying to scare newly registered voters by filing lawsuits that question their eligibility, the state's Democratic governor said today.

Gov. Ted Strickland also accused the GOP of trying to distract voters from real issues.

"In the last few days the Republicans have tried to instill fear in Ohio voters about whether their registrations to vote will be challenged and whether they will be able to cast a ballot," Strickland said at a news conference with other Democratic leaders, including U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman.

I can't speak for anyone but myself, it would be great if everyone voted. It is actually kind of sickening that so many people don't. Truly. I also don't see what the big deal is about making sure registered voters who live in Ohio (and everywhere) and vote are actually eligible to legally vote. Is it really "scare tactics?" About 200,000 of the 666,000 who have registered this year have some sort of discrepancy. It is not unreasonable to look into that.

If you are a legal voter, you shouldn't be scared to show up and vote. Democrats could not make me "fearful" of showing up no matter what they did. You should be fearful of showing up if you are participating in some sort of scam. Like these people. What is wrong with verification of the votes? I would guess most legitimate voters wouldn't want their vote canceled led out by a false one. I don't so much worry about people who shouldn't showing up on Nov. 4 to vote, but I do worry about them requesting absentee ballots and voting that way.

ORP statement here.

Speaking of Ted, he will be (according to BSB) in Florida tomorrow at some sort of fake economic conference tomorrow with Obama. Also there will be Michigan's Jennifer Granholm. Those are two people who have shown how to create jobs right there.

The Funeral of Stephanie Tubbs Jones

• Author: Kyle Kutuchief
• Filed under: Obama, Ohio 2008, Strickland
• Date: Aug 31,2008

The funeral of Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was a who's who of Ohio and national Democratic Politics who came to pay tribute to a woman they all clearly knew in a very personal way. The list of dignitaries who spoke included Governor Strickland, Senator Brown, President Clinton, Senator Clinton, Senator Obama, Senator Biden, Congressman Ryan, and Congressman Louis Stokes among others. Senators Clinton and Obama sat next to each other on stage and the C-span cameras would catch casual moments of conversation between the two. It was some insight into the healing that has happened since the primary and how much last week's convention has brought our party together. President Clinton had the room in the palm of his hand as he spoke and told a few personal stories. Senator Clinton teared up as she spoke of her friendship. It was clear there was a close personal friendship between their families and gave insight into why Tubbs Jones supported Clinton in the primary.

Congressman Louis Stokes had appointed Tubbs Jones to fill his Congressional seat and before he gave his remarks he took a moment to say that he thought he would never see the day when the nominee of his party for president would be an African-American. The room stood to applaud. It was such a powerful moment and complimented the tribute that Congressman Stokes went on to give about how Tubbs Jones had broken down so many barriers in her own career.

The whole event was like a highlight reel for a class in public speaking. The tributes were short and very sincere. I was thankful to get to listen through C-span and learn about a historic career and the legacy left behind.

Bracing for the Worst

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: Obama, Strickland
• Date: Aug 25,2008

(updated, 5:15PM)

A couple more VP notes, then I am done talking about this whole subject until Friday (or Thursday if leaked) when we know McCain's running mate. Can McCain still pick Romney? I argue the Biden pick makes it less likely it will be Romney but who knows – he still has a decent shot. I also thought Obama would pick Clinton. Bill Kristol still making the push for Lieberman, something I am fine with, which isn't the case of most right wing bloggers. After thinking about it last night, if not Clinton, Obama's best pick would have been Jack Reed of Rhode Island.

Okay. I am nervous. Despite our recent comeback in the polls, these two convention weeks have scared me for the last few months. Now they are here. Who knows what kind of bounce Obama is going to get, but we all assume it will be bigger than Kerry's, which was none. I'll let you in on a not so secret secret: We are bracing for a huge Obama bump this week, one that hopefully does not come to fruition. Hillary's speech is a key, though I am skeptical that anything she says will move some of her die hard supporters towards Obama. Tough spot for her; clearly wants Obama to lose but can't be seen as being against him. The ones that are going to "come home" will start showing up in the polls with their reluctant support for Obama in the next couple of weeks. After that, I have long argued the true undecideds will break for McCain in surprising numbers. If you haven't decided to vote for Obama by the middle of September, chances are you won't. McCain just has to stay within striking distance headed into the debates.

Possible silver lining: Obama playing right into the celebrity charge by giving his acceptance speech at the stadium between performances by Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. The coverage will be embarrassing. The public reaction will be interesting, and there will be some backlash to the fawning coronation coverage. The question is how much.

The GOP Convention is the one that really scares me. That is next week. But now it is show time in Denver. On paper, things look good for the Democrats. They usually do.

Free advice to Democratic Convention attendees: Because of the high altitude in Denver, be sure to exercise caution when consuming alcoholic beverages. It will hit you quicker than you think.

Update. Washington Post: Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is the latest supporter of Hillary Clinton to accuse the media of bias in its coverage of the Democratic nomination battle.

At a dinner with Washington Post reporters and editors, Strickland called the coverage "almost shocking at times" and unfair it the treatment of both candidate Clinton and her husband, the former president.

Hmmm. Well, certainly it is true.

Strickland Surprise

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: Ohio 2008, Strickland
• Date: Aug 22,2008

Governor Strickland announces he is opposed to Issue 4, aka "The Healthy Families Act." First saw this tonight at Glass City Jungle. PD has it as well.

Gov. Ted Strickland and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher said they will not back the sick days mandate that has been pushed to the November ballot by one of their major union supporters, the SEIU.

“We cannot support the paid sick-day ballot initiative,” they said in a joint statement. “While we would hope that all Ohio businesses would make paid sick days available to their employees whenever possible, we believe that this initiative is unworkable, unwieldy and would be detrimental to Ohio's economy, and we will be opposing it and asking Ohioans to oppose it as a result.”

If Strickland and Fisher (Lt. Gov. / Director of Development / Future Statewide candidate, office unknown) cannot reach a compromise with their allies on this one, then that tells you a lot. Voters will be asked this November to approve Issue 4. Basically, the ballot issue will force companies with 25+ employees to give all their employees seven days of paid sick leave each year.

This is a big vote. By many accounts it would not be helpful to the already struggling Ohio economy. Common sense would tell you the same thing. Issue 4 is a ballot initiative also in part to drive up Democratic turnout. That is how the game is played, so I can't complain. We did the same thing in 2004 with the gay marriage stuff on the ballot.

The Governor's decision was a surprise, at least to me. Strickland seems to be putting the best interest of the state above politics, upsetting unions and many other of his supporters who want this passed – with his backing. Of course, he also agrees (based on his statement) with those who feel it would be a job killer and he wants to be able to say "I opposed Issue 4" if it passes and Ohioans turn against it. 2010 is not too far off. A required seven paid sick day policy for all of Ohio businesses with more than 25 employees is probably not helpful at this time and Governor Ted wants to be on what he feels will be the right side of the record.
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Strickland In Hudson To Campaign For Moran

• Author: Kyle Kutuchief
• Filed under: Moran / Nero, Strickland
• Date: Aug 5,2008

This past Saturday, Governor Ted Strickland was in Hudson to campaign for State Rep. Candidate Mike Moran (OH-42). The event included speeches by Moran and Strickland, a walk around the farmer's market, and some canvassing. Strickland is such an asset to Democrats everywhere and he was great with Moran. I really enjoy watching Strickland interact with strangers. I see a lot of his experience as a minister come across in his sincerity as a retail politician. He looks people in the eye, asks them their name, and leaves such a positive impression. Moran is a candidate worthy of the Governor's attention who has been working hard to introduce himself to the voters of the district. OH-42 is going to be a race to watch this fall.



Yes, Governor Strickland did throw a couple of Corn Hole bags as he made his way to the farmer's market. Pretty good arc on his toss if you ask me.