The Interview That’s Breaking Up the Band: Modern Esquire Quits BSB

Friends, if you haven’t figured it out, political and news blogging is a deadly serious business.  I’m not talking about the age old question – “Are bloggers journalists?” (They’re not, journalists are journalists and some of them blog.)

I’m talking about the gnashing of teeth going on over at the Buckeye State Blog between the forces of our fair maiden Secretary of State Brunner and the Deadly Machine Politics of Lt. Gov. Fisher.

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Jennnifer Brunner: “… all you will see is my dust.”

Wow, great line.  Watch Secretary of State Brunner’s 14 minute interview on her U.S. Senate campaign with WKYC’s Tom Beres:

Ohio Sunday Papers – Ill winds beginning to blow on Cap Square

• Governor’s doubters grow – Columbus Dispatch
• Foreclosure crisis everywhere in Cleveland – The Plain Dealer
• 1933 eviction riots in Cleveland bear similarities to today – The Plain Dealer
• Plummeting stock prices rock four venerable Toledo firms – The Toledo Blade
• Op-Ed, Joe Hallett: Brunner v. Fisher could be Dem nightmare – Columbus Dispatch
• Op-Ed, Dennis Willard: Ohio legislators divided and evasive – Akron Beacon Journal
• Op-Ed, Aaron Marshall: Ohio House Republicans ready to fight – The Plain Dealer
• Op-Ed, Jonathan Riskind: Voinovich far from being lame duck – Columbus Dispatch
• Editorial: Ohio Auditor has waited long enough for data – The Plain Dealer
• Editorial: Stimulus should focus on fixing what’s broken – Columbus Dispatch
• Editorial: Passenger rail – waiting at the station – Akron Beacon Journal
• Some Lucas County agency heads get raises – The Toledo Blade
• Use of furloughs for workers on the rise – The Plain Dealer
• Personal bailouts sought on Ohio site – Akron Beacon Journal
• Where will the local stimulus dollars go? – Akron Beacon Journal
• Ohio stimulus proposals point out crumbling infrastructure – The Plain Dealer
• Fragile mental health safety net – Columbus Dispatch
• Ohio mental health facts – Columbus Dispatch
• Traficant could be back in Ohio soon – Youngstown Vindicator
• Dettelbach rises to top of U.S. Atty list – The Plain Dealer

Ohio Sunday Papers – Waiting to be Stimulated

• Experienced lobbyists have advantage due to changes in Ohio legislature – The Plain Dealer
• Editorial: Lt. Gov. Fisher could get chance to keep pledge – Youngstown Vindicator
• Editorial: Assault on Education (Charter Schools) – Columbus Dispatch
• Editorial: Brunner should sidestep the conflict – Columbus Dispatch
• Editorial: Triage for a sick economy – Toledo Blade
• Op-Ed, Thomas Suddes: The bumps in Strickland’s road – The Plain Dealer
• Op-Ed, Dennis Willard: Legislators need some backbone – Akron Beacon Journal
• Donations v. Impartiality on docket – Columbus Dispatch
• School funding formula criticized – Associated Press
• Strickland plan would slash online school funding – Columbus Dispatch
• Stimulus requests rolling in to state government – Dayton Daily News
• How Clevelanders would spend stimulus – The Plain Dealer
• Path to stimulus money hazy – Columbus Dispatch
• Ohioans tuned into state’s history – Columbus Dispatch
• Hospitals object to fees for Medicaid – Columbus Dispatch

Candisky Predicts Brunner Will Be Nominee, Butland Says She May Pull a Mary Ellen Withrow

Notes from Columbus On the Record:

• Dale Butland, during the conversation about the Dem Senate primary race said Brunner benefits right now being the only woman in a field with several men.  He said she could do what Mary Ellen Withrow did and take in the bulk of female voters while the guys divide the male vote.
• Cathy Candisky of the Columbus Dispatch predicted a Brunner win in the “Off the Record” segment.
• Butland, in the same segment, seemed to discount his previous comment and said there will only be three viable candidates and it will come down to who can raise $10-12 million.  (This is actually what everyone says, he should have stuck with first theory.
• Republican talking head predicted that state pols are up shit creek come May — there won’t be many capital gains reported in this year’s tax haul.

Jon Husted’s Profile in Public Fraud May End Up A Chance for A Jennifer Brunner Profile In Courage

The Dayton Daily News is reporting tonight that the Montgomery County Board of Elections cast a tie vote along party lines, punting to Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to make the final determination on how big a fraud State Sen. Jon Husted, R-Upper Arlington, really is.

Progress Ohio, a public interest group based in Columbus, filed the original complaint in Montgomery County against Husted.  By Ohio law, state representatives and state senators must live in their districts.  Husted claims to be “R-Kettering,” but is actually “R-Upper Arlington.”  He was elected to be “R-Kettering,” but since he has been “R-Upper Arlington” for so long he is illegitimate.  Some have even speculated that he is “A-Upper Arlington.” (“A” is for asshole, party of one – him.)

In a bit of drama tonight, Progress Ohio beseeched Brunner to live up to her Profile in Courage Award by officially declaring Slick Jonny irrelevant.  At any rate, it’s the stated editorial opinion of this blog that Jon Husted should be banned in 38 states and all the provinces of Canada.

What follows is real, from the Dayton Daily News:

Husted testified at his hearing that he is at his Kettering home weekly, but declined to say how often he or his family sleep there. He and his family are rarely seen in Kettering, according to neighbors and Dayton Daily News spot checks. A review of water records show very low water usage at the house, with bills for three quarters in 2007 and 2008 showing less than 750 gallons used.

Twenty-two spots checks of his home since Jan. 5 showed no sign of Husted or a vehicle at various times through the day and night. Newspapers stayed on the driveway for days and sometimes there were no tire tracks in snow on his driveway or indication that it had been shoveled. At night there is usually the same light and television on in the house.

On Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. there was no sign of lights or TV but a package blocked the front door. Two hours later, the same package blocked the door, but the television could be seen flickering through the blinds. The next morning at 10 a.m., the same package was still blocking the door.

Husted denies using a timer to control the television and he refused to say where he parks when he is home. He declined to answer further questions.

Ohio Sunday Papers – It’s the Economy and Education with a smattering of Fisher, Brunner

• Editorial: Lawmakers must stop Strickland from killing charter schools – The Plain Dealer
• Editorial: Governor needs to tweek how he pays for education reform – Akron Beacon Journal
• Editorial: No Stimulus for Teardown – Toledo Blade
• Op-Ed, William Hershey: Ohio Dems Face Likely ‘Family Fued’ – Dayton Daily News
• Op-Ed, Thomas Suddes: Will Ohio House Dems Hold Together on Budget? – The Plain Dealer
• Op-Ed, Joe Hallett: Governor Sinned a Bit in Securing Manna from Washington – Columbus Dispatch
• Welfare rolls soaring in Ohio – Columbus Dispatch
• Toledo aid agencies fear what’s over horizon – Toledo Blade
• Late bill payments cost state – Columbus Dispatch
• Big repairs needed for U.S. automakers – Toledo Blade
• How would you spend $500 million taxpayer dollars? – The Plain Dealer
• Dems’ fight a cost of success – Cincinnati Enquirer
• Op-Ed, Dennis Willard: Race crucial for Fisher, Brunner – Akron Beacon Journal
• Brunner: Senate bid not a conflict – Columubus Dispatch
• Ohio tries to clean up payday lending one more time – The Plain Dealer
• Op-Ed, Jonathan Riskind: Obama’s economic plans leave some edgy, angry – Columbus Dispatch
• Development board’s City Center planning only quasi-public – Columbus Dispatch
• Farmland disappearing – Columbus Dispatch
• Preservationists hope to see some stimulus – Columbus Dispatch
• Ohio businesses must file sales taxes electronically for first time this year – The Plain Dealer
• Ohio officials OK new workers compensation program – Dayton Daily News\
• KELLY PAVLIK COVERAGE – The Youngstown Vindicator

First Coverage: Brunner, Fisher Race – Tonight’s Clips

• Brunner, Fisher announce candidacies – Columbus Dispatch
• 2 top Ohio Dems running for U.S. Senate – Associated Press
• Secy of State Jennifer Brunner, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher to run for U.S. Senate – The Plain Dealer
• Democrats line up for U.S. Senate seat – Dayton Daily News
• Ohio U.S. Senate Race Taking Shape – Politics Nation

Didn’t Look Like an Ohio Democratic Party Divided at Fisher’s Presser

Governor Strickland Didn’t Feed the Notion Either

“My support for Lee does not mean I do not respect Secretary Brunner,” said Gov. Ted Strickland.

That was how Strickland answered a reporter’s question tonight regarding his early support for one statewide elected official – Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher – over another – Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner – in an early start to a U.S. Senate primary campaign.

Strickland was also asked whether or not Brunner’s entry into the race leaves a hole in Democratic ranks for retaining the Secretary of State’s office and its seat on Ohio’s Apportionment Board.

Strickland said, “life rolls on” and that the job of political leaders is to be prepared for any eventuality and make wise decisions at the right time.

Strickland said it should be no surprise that he would support Fisher, who has been his partner since 2006.  He said that when it became apparent that there would be a real race for Senate in 2010 he encouraged Fisher and made a commitment to support him out of the gates.

In a room filled with many members of the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses, Strickland said, “There is no (party) split.”

Under the Radar Slime Tactics Used Against SoS Brunner

One commenter from a single IP address in the early hours of Sunday a.m. forced me to do something I haven’t yet done in the this blog’s short history – I deleted their comments.

Commenting as “Melissa,” “Janice,” and “Tom,” someone surfing from 65.24.113.218 posted nasty things about Ohio Secy of State Jennifer Brunner and her family.  You have to have one comment approved here before you can comment without your statement going to moderation.

The rules for comments are pretty simple here, you can exercise your right to free speech.  I’ve never deleted a comment because I don’t agree with someone’s view that may differ from my own.  What you can’t do is use this blog to get personal, especially if you’re anonymous and do not make a case for why someone’s personal life has a bearing on their public duties or aspirations.

Jennifer Brunner for U.S. Senate?

Tonight on Columbus on the Record, Joe Hallet’s “Off the Record” comment was that there’s a good chance Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner will run against U.S. Sen. George Voinovich in 2010.

She’s a capable public servant who has had a big target painted on her back because her position as chief elections official leaves every decision she makes open to cries of partisanship.  During the 2008 election cycle there were so many spurrious legal actions taken against her office (none of them stuck) they created a smoke screen of doubt around her oversight of the elections process.  It’s been pointed out in many quarters – both Democratic and in the non-partisan media — that this cloud of smoke laid over the 2008 elections was little more than Republicans trying to create doubt and prep the Secretary of State race battlefield for 2010.  Everyone knows that what’s at stake is not the office so much as the Secretary of State’s seat on the next Apportionment Board.

Well, think about it.  Jennifer Brunner would be a great candidate for Senate.  If there is still smoke on the field of the battle in the Secretary of State race, it clears with fresh Democratic candidate for that office.  Brunner as U.S. Senator and hanging on to the Secretary of State’s office with another Democratic up and comer is a win-win … for everyone but Lee Fisher : )

Ohio Newsbreak – End of the Week

Strickland, Stivers, Kilroy, Keno, Provisional Ballots, Unemployment, and more …

• Bill readied to prevent ‘Joe the Plumber’ snoops - Dayton Daily News
• Election results pointing to new religious coalition - Toledo Blade
• Strickland prods Congress for help - Toledo Blade
• Next casino effort will be multi-city - The Plain Dealer
• Brunner orders statewide election audit - Associated Press
• Chunk of Strickland’s Year Spent on Elections – Columbus Dispatch
• 27,000 ballots on hold - Columbus Dispatch
• Stivers leading Kilroy by less than 400 votes (Friday) - Associated Press

• Provisional ballot use increasing - Columbus Dispatch
• Lottery vendor not disclosed at Keno hearing - Associated Press
• Unemployment fund likely broke by end of year - Columbus Dispatch
• Cafaro to lead Ohio Senate Dems - The Plain Dealer
• Batchelder will lead Ohio House Republicans - Columbus Dispatch
• More workers accused of politicking on state time - Columbus Dispatch
• No state records show database checks before ‘Joe’ - Columbus Dispatch

Ohio Election Wrap: Day After Clips from Ohio’s Newspapers

Presidential Coverage

• Obama Sweeps to victory as first black president
  – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Obama, American voters make history
  – The Plain Dealer
  
• Win restores blacks’ faith
  – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Analysis: How Obama Won Ohio
  – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Impressive showing but no Ohio turnout record
  – The Plain Dealer
  
• Editorial: Obama presidency is break from the past
  – Canton Repository
  
• Editorial: President Obama is change to cheer
  – Dayton Daily News
  
• Editorial: Making History
  – Akron Beacon Journal
  
• Voters rejoice at Obama’s election – Cincinnati Enquirer
  

• Obama wins Ohio, Michigan – Presidency in Landslide
  – Toledo Blade
  
• ‘Joe the Plumber’ will take his politics online
  – Toledo Blade
  
• Editorial: The View Forward
  – Toledo Blade
  
• Editorial: Now time to unite behind message of hope
  – The Plain Dealer
  
• Editorial: Not the day to be cynical
  – Dayton Daily News
  
• Editorial: Election brings change to America
  – Cincinnati Enquirer
  
• Election Problems? Not in Ohio
  – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Day smoother than expected despite some glitches
  – Columbus Dispatch
  

Ohio Candidates and Issues

• Dems wrest back control of Ohio House
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Stivers, Kilroy winner likely not know for 10 days
  - Columbus Dispatch
• Boccieri to replace Regula
  – Canton Repository
• Driehaus ousts Chabot
  – Cincinnati Enquirer
• Democrats reclaim Ohio House
  – Associated Press
• Cordray rolls to big win
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Editorial:
  Payday Lenders Lose Big in Ohio – The Plain Dealer
• Montgomery County results still being counted – Dayton Daily News
• Boehner will seek return to House leadership
  – The Plain Dealer
• Dems expand majorities in Congress but Ohio races up for grabs
  – The Plain Dealer
• Husted winning State Senate seat
  – Dayton Daily News
• Dems close to regaining control of Ohio House
  – The Plain Dealer
• Fudge, LaTourette, Kucinich win – The Plain Dealer
• Casino, Payday Lenders denied
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Voters choose no on casino – The Plain Dealer
• Payday lenders defeated at polls
  – The Plain Dealer
• Ohio defeats gambling, keeps lending limits – Associated Press
• Paper ballots hold up counts in Ohio counties
  – Associated Press
• Editorial: Ohioans wisely say no to casino
  – Canton Repository

Ohio Election News – 4:30 p.m. – Election Day

4:30 p.m.

Marion County ballot handling raises concern – Columbus Dispatch

Ohio reports heavy turnout; some confusion over provisional ballots – Columbus Dispatch

Ohio Republican Party questions OSU students’ intentions
–Columbus Dispatch

Ready for prime time
– Columbus Dispatch

Calm before evening storm?
– Columbus Dispatch

Official thinks rush is over
– Dayton Daily News

Warren County elections website down, expects to be back up tonight
– Dayton Daily News

Ohio: big lines but no big problems
– Associated Press

Longest waits in Lucas County – Toledo Blade

Secy of State: Last voter rush expected – WHIO

Heavy early voting may lead to record turnout
– Cincinnati Enquirer

Ohio GOP presents more complaints about Brunner – Wall Street Journal

Ohio Sunday Papers October 26 – Politics, Elections

Politics & Elections News

• Endorsement: Obama better choice to lead U.S. – Youngstown Vindicator
• Ohio Dems outspend Republicans in Ohio House races – The Plain Dealer
• $1 million bail set in Brunner death threat – Columbus Dispatch
• Is Ohio doomed to elections battles?
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Ballot dispute history
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Changes proposed to state’s constitution – Toledo Blade
• Obama, McCain must commit to job creation in NE Ohio
  – The Plain Dealer
• War fades as voters’ central issue
  – Dayton Daily News
• Op-Ed, Thomas Suddes: Handicapping the next Ohio House
  – The Plain Dealer
• Strickland stumps for Ohio House race – Cincinnati Enquirer
• Op-Ed, Dennis Willard – Bigotry, hate polarizing Americans
  - Akron Beacon-Journal
• Op-Ed, Jonathan Riskind: Big victory could could quell cries of election fraud – Columbus Dispatch
• Op-Ed, Joe Frolik: Obama is battered but not bruised – The Plain Dealer
• Op-Ed, Joe Hallett: McCain’s gamble on Palin looking like iffy bet in Ohio – Columbus Dispatch
• Op-Ed, David Skolnick: Republicans brace for political thrashing – Youngstown Vindicator
• Campaigns plan presence at polls
  – Columbus Dispatch
• McCain slams Ohio snooping on ‘Joe’ – Columbus Dispatch
• It only feels like candidates visit daily
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Odds against no tax casinos
  – Columbus Dispatch
• D.C. Dispatches
  – Columbus Dispatches
• Voters weigh limits for payday lenders – Toledo Blade
• Endorsement: Vote to keep curbs on payday lenders – Columbus Dispatch
• Endorsement: McCain for President – Warren Tribune-Chronicle

 

Other News

• Op-Ed, Mike Curtin: Ohio leads in state government fiscal restraint – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Ohio leads service effort
  – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Toledo Mayor proposes 3-day government shutdown
  – Toledo Blade

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