More Inane Commentary from Columbus Tea Party Organizer

Meet Justin Higgins, a 19 year-old Ohio State University college Republican who’s got things all figured out.  I mean if it weren’t for Constitutional provisions against one so young holding the nation’s highest office, we could put young Justin there in the White House, hold him in high esteem like a young Dalai Llama and he could point us all along the path to political and economic enlightenment.

For now, though, we’ll have to settle for Saturday, March 14 at the Statehouse in Columbus where Higgins will be the master of ceremonies for The Columbus Tea Party.  The party begins at 11 a.m. and is sponsored by College Republicans and Americans for Prosperity.  (Do you know any Americans who are not for prosperity?)

Higgins and others are wigging out over the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, aka the Stimulus Bill.  The notion that the need for this bill rests in part on the unregulated economic behavior of most of the world’s major banks, investment houses and insurers is completely lost on them.  While Justin no doubt luxuriates in his college boy lifestyle subsidized by Mom and Dad, he’s got the time for contemplation to say stupid things like this on 610-WTVN radio today:

We’re going to protest and basically tell Governor Strickland that we don’t want him taking this stimulus money because the last thing we need is more unfunded mandates and more ridiculous spending on the state level.

When these funds run out, we have to pay for it.

Allow me to get right to the point with young master Higgins:  What the hell are you talking about?

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Proof That Columbus Tea Party Organizer Is Republican Drone

Out getting the garden ready for some spring lettuce and hit the record button on 610 WTVN when they began talking Columbus Tea Party next weekend.  If Russo’s video didn’t show what a bunch of drones these people are, listen to the clip below.  Here at Clips and Comment we have advanced audio electronics which can filter out the fake, human sounding voices of YAF’ers and Young Republicans to their soulless, pre-programmed core:

Click Here for Tea Party Drone

Go Here for More on the Columbus Tea Party

Slick Jonny Husted: How the Hell Did I Miss This Gem?

So, I asked a friend tonight, “Whatever happened to Jon Husted’s residency question over there in Montgomery County? Is he still in office?”

“Yeah, he’s still in office, but I don’t know how — the guy doesn’t even show any water usage wherever the hell it is he says he lives,” they answered.

“Huh?” I thought. “How’s that work?”

Roll Tape! Courtesy of Progress Ohio … at least someone in Columbus is watching.

Sen. Coughlin Tilting at Windmills or Just Building the Name Rec?

He Can’t Really Be Running for Governor

Question: What distinguishes State Sen. Kevin Coughlin from any other Republican in Columbus?

Answer: Nothing.

What is this all about if it’s not about ego?  Coughlin is running for Governor?  Yep.

This quote from the Dispatch article takes the cake:

Promising to change “the smallness of our politics and our government,” Coughlin said, “We have to make sure we are focused on issues that are really important to Ohioans and there is nothing more important than reviving our economy and bringing jobs to this state and retaining jobs.”

The only “smallness” in Ohio politics and government has come from two places over the past six or seven years:

1. Ohio Republicans
2. Marc Dann

The only adults in the room at any given time on Capital Square are Ted Strickland and sometimes Sen. Harris.  It appears that Strickland has put forth something the Republicans couldn’t do in sixteen years of being in charge – a plan for reforming Ohio’s education system.  I also seem to remember that last year the Governor dragged the Republican House and Senate through the Energy bill.  Without Ted Strickland’s leadership, Ohioans would be paying more to heat and light their homes and Ohio businesses wouldn’t be able to count on stable energy costs.  Republicans came along, but only at the Governor’s urging.

Republicans have done a lot of small talk over the years when it comes to state regulatory reform – Strickland has done something about it.  An Associated Press article that got more treatment around the country than it did in Ohio reported a couple of weeks ago about the weeks of time businesses are being saved in their dealings with Bureau of Workers Compensation.  Not too long ago Strickland had ODNR, Ohio EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers all in one room for a week to fix the problems with some coal mining permit processes.

The “biggest” thing that’s happened to Ohio politics and its positive impact on people since the bygone era of Vernal G. Riffe and Jimmy Rhodes is Ted Strickland.

When Coughlin talks of  “smallness” in state leadership he need only look at his own Ohio Republican Party for the best contemporary example.

Ohio Sunday Papers | January 18, 2009 | Ohio Tuskegee Airman, Kevin Boyce, Casinos, Strickland, Ohio Economy, Cuyahoga Corruption, Fingerhut, OCSEA, Hobson, Voinovich, Taxes

• Toledo Tuskegee Airman savors inauguration – Toledo Blade
• State Treasurer fought obstacles on way to success – Dayton Daily News
• Op-Ed, Thomas Suddes: Don’t bet on Casino cure for budget woes – The Plain Dealer
• Editorial: Don’t just give it away – Columbus Dispatch
• Op-Ed, Joe Hallett: Voinovich look back – Columbus Dispatch
• Op-Ed, Dennis Willard: Tax Overhaul Needs Revisit - Akron Beacon Journal
• Demise of big city Republicans hurts GOP – Dayton Daily News
• Valley car dealers keep close watch on economy – Youngstown Vindicator
• Strickland working through clemency decisions – Columbus Dispatch
• Dark days for retail – Columbus Dispatch
• Prisons, drugs: A daily war – Columbus Dispatch
• FBI looking at Cleveland suburb – Associated Press
• Hobson to join Vorys, Sater – Columbus Dispatch
• U.S. Supreme Court to review Ohio case – Columbus Dispatch
• $1 billion in worker givebacks sought by state – Columbus Dispatch
• Editorial: Fingerhut clear about higher-ed priorities – Youngstown Vindicator
• State employees stunned by concession requests – The Plain Dealer

Who I Like Tonight for 2010 U.S. Senate Race in Ohio

So long, George.

At any rate, the Ohio Republican Party is going to be fun to watch.  What does Mr. Recharge Ohio, John Kasich do now?  Sure, there a couple of things here or there to quibble with Gov. Ted Strickland over in a gubernatorial campaign, but state government under this Democratic governor – with a focus on efficiency, transparency and accountability – will measure well against the fast times and loose ethics of what Republicans brought Ohioans for 16 years.  Kasich might want to recharge his plans and run for Senate.  Rob Portman — Rob who?  Portman may want to work a deal with Kasich.  It goes like this: Portman runs the sacrificial lamb race against Strickland and gets his name out there statewide, to run for an open Governor’s office in 2014, Kasich runs for Senate.  They don’t beat on eachother in a primary.  How about Slick Jon Husted?  U.S. Senator is an office for a person with a bit more gravitas.  It would be a true shame for America if Ohio sent another made-for-TV Republican empty suit to the World’s Greatest Deliberative Body, but it could happen.  Husted and Kasich could come down to money.  Mary Taylor, irrelevant.  Jim Petro and Betty Montgomery, too old guard.  Ken Blackwell will hopefully be unavailable as he will be occupied driving the Republican Party’s bus off a cliff as RNC Chairman.  Dark Horses: Mike Dewine, John Boehner, Bill Cunningham.

There’s only one person who stands out for various reasons among the Ohio Democratic Party set: Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher.  Fisher is smart, experienced, plugged in to the Strickland 88 county operation, he’s been a trooper, and the Senate would be a great place for him to champion causes.  Rich Cordray may have to be medicated in order not to give in to the impulse to run, but he’s probably found himself a home he will be happy in as AG.  Some  have said Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner would be a great U.S. Senator and I agree.  I think the inside race to the primary  favors Fisher, and Brunner will run for a second term.  If Fisher decides he wants to be Governor someday, Brunner then looks like the best candidate.  At this point, I don’t think it matters who the dark horses could be.  The curent Democratic statewide office holders are such solid people and great pols that this won’t be the cycle to jump from obscurity.  All of you Democratic members of Congress out there should think about all of the tough votes you’re going to have over the next 12 to 18 months.  You need to be focused on one thing, protecting your homebase for now.  2010 is not going to be the year for launches from obscurity statewide.  Protect what you’ve (what we’ve) got.

Ohio Republican Party to Appeal to Youth Vote

In a story in today’s Columbus Dispatch, new Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine said:

“The number of voters between the ages of 18 and 29 who look at the Republican Party as a party of choice for them is gone. Those voters 18 to 29 simply don’t look at the Republican Party as a viable solution to the problems that they’re facing so we as a party have to figure out how do we connect with them and how do we connect with them with a message that resonates and shows to them that the party has something to offer them.”

Introducing the Team That Will Bring in the Voters of Tomorrow:

Uhh, I’m seeing like one dude here that is under sixty.  I mean come on, is that Bob Bennett or Boss Hogg?  This looks more like the Republican Party that brought us Jimmy Rhodes.

Will Kevin DeWine be first ORP Chairman to Switch Parties?

Kevin DeWine sounded for one day like he might be a Democrat.

In a surprisingly frank, candid interview with Joe Hallett of the Columbus Dispatch, DeWine, soon to take the helm as Ohio Republican Party chairman, nailed the reasons for Republican decline right on the head. In fact, if you were to turn around the issues he blames on GOP demise, you might end up with the current-day Democratic Party.

DeWine’s comments are the first intellectual honesty I’ve heard from any prominent Republican, locally or nationally, for months. Here’s a list to sum up what he said are the reasons the Ohio and national GOP are ailing:

• The party has become distracted and fixated on social issues.
• The GOP has drifted away from its core conservative message of fiscal responsibility and limited government.
• Republicans aren’t talking about issues that matter in people’s everyday lives.
• A tired message has turned off younger voters, ages 18-29.
• The party is not leveraging new media and fundraising opportunities on the Internet.
• Then there’s Iraq, ethics concerns and an unpopular Republican president.

Then DeWine gets to the heart of the matter:

“We have to exchange a fiscal message and economic message in for a social message that has dominated the messaging of this party for the last decade. We have to re-engage the middle class, step up with an agenda that solves problems and puts people first.”

An “agenda that solves problems and puts people first” — Hmmm, sounds like Bill Clinton, Ted Strickland or Barack Obama.

I’d like to introduce Mr. DeWine to some friends of mine I’ll just call the Democratic Party. We’re not fixated on social issues; we prefer to stay out of folks’ bedrooms and uteri. Recent history shows that the last president in a generation to achieve a budget surplus was a Democrat. Here in Ohio, Governor Ted Strickland has brought accountability and efficiency to state government through regulatory reform, procurement reform and the strongest ethics policies of any governor. As for party organization and leveraging the World Wide Web for communication and fundraising, Barack Obama just finished what Howard Dean started – a new standard has been set.

If Kevin DeWine and the Ohio Republican Party are about good stewardship of public resources and putting people first in an agenda to solve problems, I’d suggest they just join the Democrats – we’re already there.

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 Republicans Overwhelmed by Unprecedented Democratic Effort

At a Republican meeting in Northeast Ohio this past weekend party operatives had to decide whether or not to continue to pour resources into a particular Ohio House race which just weeks ago was considered a toss-up. Their decision was to pull out and try to shore up another candidate. There’s enough cross-talk among party pros from both sides that within two days Democratic field operatives knew about the meeting and knew which race would not be as hotly contested. Their reaction? Keep pouring it on. Read more

Ohio News Update – Lots of Work for Jennifer Brunner, Marc Dann still paying piper for being unethical, More on State budget cuts, Obama and Ohio

Brunner Makes Most News 

• Republicans reject Brunner’s proposal on disputed absentee ballots – Cleveland Plain Dealer
• Ohio GOP sues to block early voting – Toledo Blade
• Republicans file suit against Ohio Secy State – Dayton Daily News
• Brunner faces GOP suit; payday lending issues – Columbus Dispatch
• GOP Chief, Brunner clash over ballots – Columbus Dispatch
• Brunner may toss signatures on payday lending ballot issue – Columbus Dispatch
• State to go after former legislator – Columbus Dispatch
• Dann told to payback campaign for funds used on home – Cleveland Plain Dealer
• Dann must pay campaign $40k – Columbus Dispatch
• Ash borer adds Licking County to its domain – Columbus Dispatch

• Editorial: Needless Nitpicking – Columbus Dispatch
• Federal housing program causes tension in SW Ohio – Dayton Daily News

• Local programs will feel state cuts – Dayton Daily News
• Obama’s economic focus credited with lead in Ohio poll – Dayton Daily News
• Officials monitor Scioto River for parasite – Canton Repository
• Op-Ed, David Skolnick: Reach out and touch a political spinner – Youngstown Vindicator

Thursday A.M. Read – Sick Days, Dimora, Uninsured, Brunner, Marc Dann!, Russia v. Georgia, Rice, McCain, Energy Policy

Ohio News

• Editorial: Sick Leave Fight May Require a Power Play by Strickland – Cleveland Plain Dealer
• Number of uninsured in Ohio may be higher than report shows – Cleveland Plain Dealer
• Political party leaders spar over election rule – Cleveland Plain Dealer
• Prominent Dems want Dimora out – Cleveland Plain Dealer
• By 2042, minorities to be majority – Columbus Dispatch
• Anniversary: Largest blackout in US history – Columbus Dispatch
• Dann had rejected favorite for Academy – Columbus Dispatch
• GOP Fear: Voting too soon – Columbus Dispatch
• GOP pushes Cordray to return money – Columbus Dispatch
• Editorial: Full Accounting on Factory Farms – Columbus Dispatch

National/International News

• Russian forces begin pullout from Gori – VOA
• Rice says Russia faces isolation – BBC
• Bush squares up to Putin – Times of London
• Russia rejects West’s call to recognize Georgian sovereignty – The Guardian
• Op-Ed, John McCain: We are all Georgian – Wall Street Journal
• Now is the key time for energy in presidential race – NY Magazine
• Insurgency’s scars mar Afghan main road – New York Times
• GOP in House at risk in NE – New York Times

Ohio GOP: Worst Day May Have Been Today

If the terminal patient - Ohio’s Republican Party - could take a turn for the worse it happened today.

First, amidst very little fanfare, Gongwer Ohio and the Columbus Dispatch reported around lunchtime that the elephants finally got themselves a candidate for Ohio Attorney General, D. Michael Crites. Crites, a former U.S. Attorney for Presidents Reagan and Bush 41 has not been heard from since about the early 1990s. His claim to fame is taking down Charlie Hustle on tax evasion charges.

That was his claim to fame until Plunderbund unearthed Crites’ own cronyism tinged with adultery scandal earlier this evening. You can read all about it here.

State Republican leaders would not confirm Crites’ appointment nor did he return calls from the Associated Press today. I’m wondering if this doesn’t go swirling down the drain with every other potential GOP candidacy. Tonight, given the revelations unearthed by Plunderbund, the GOP may be wishing they would’ve vetted this guy.

Crites wasn’t the only bad news for the GOP today. Governor Ted Strickland single-handedly won two Ohio House races today. If this wasn’t enough to fire up the Democratic faithful, then I don’t know what else Uncle Ted can do. He certainly proved that there is still some adult supervision of our beloved party. The last thing we heard from Boy Wonder was that we had a House Speaker before we had the House. I don’t believe Vernal G. Riffe (may peace be upon him) ever pulled one of those.

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