Full Report: Ohio Inspector General Finds Fault With ‘Joe the Plumber’ Records Search by State Agency

Click here for full report from State of Ohio Inspector General, Re: Joe the Plumber Record Search.

Obama Transition: Obama Team Taking a Page From Strickland Playbook

Here in Ohio, Governor Ted Strickland made a statement in the opening hours of his term in January 2007. 

His first official act was not an executive order undoing some GOP policy an interest group was clamoring for; his first act was to make good on a promise made during the campaign to change the culture on Capitol Square.  President-elect Barack Obama’s transition is sounding a similar note this week in Chicago.

On January 8, 2007 - just hours after taking office - Strickland signed his first executive order which tightened ethics rules on his own administration.  Strickland had run a campaign to “Turnaround Ohio.” Part of that turn around was to run an administration which was grounded in service and the public’s interest.  This meant taking measures to set the tone to avoid the ethics issues and scandals of past state governments.  His rules are the tightest of any other Ohio governor and cover areas such as the ‘revolving door’ and gifts.

Two articles caught my eye this morning and had me thinking about those initial actions taken by Strickland. From the Washington Post is a piece about Obama’s efforts to control the influence of lobbyists during the transition. And Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Tribune focuses on the issue of transparency in how the Obama team will fund the transition. Read more

Full Text: President-Elect Barack Obama, Victory Speech, Grant Park, Chicago | November 4, 2008

(Source: Fox News)

PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA: If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

Its the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

Its the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America. Read more

Ohio Sunday Papers & Election News Updates – November 2 - PM

Columbus Dispatch 

Obama maintains lead in last Dispatch Poll

Dispatch Poll methodology

Click for Full Graphic

• Candidates can’t seem to stay out of Ohio
• Election Day lines should move faster
• Voter Guide: Nation Awaits Ohio’s Choice
• Obama draws 60,000 to Statehouse on Sunday
• Biden blasts McCain for name calling
• Op-Ed, Jonathan Riskind: Traditional GOP Ground Not Looking as Stable
• Op-Ed, Joe Hallett: Checks on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Out of Bounds

The Plain Dealer

• Obama and The Boss after Browns Game; Palin draws fewer in Canton
• Palin to Ohio: Do You Share Our Commitment?
• Endorsing faith – Not politcians
• Ohio’s out-of-state absentee voters could affect election
• Op-Ed, Connie Schultz: Intimidation can’t silence the voice of the people
• Op-Ed, Thomas Suddes: Ohioans mustn’t fall for payday lenders stealth campaign

Dayton Daily News

• Ohio still the political heartland
• Obama adviser visits rural areas
• McCain makes two day trip to Ohio
• Obama stirs crowd of 60k in Columbus

2 ½ Days: News Coverage of the Election from Ohio | November 1

Columbus Dispatch

• Long lines – yes; longer hours - maybe
  
• GOP gets earful for answers on survey
  
• Mailers are making the TV ads look lame
  
• Boehner demands monitors at polls
  
• GOP volunteers steer up votes
  
• Paper ballot must be offered if poll is busy
  
• Biden, Clinton visit Southern Ohio
  
• Governator stumps for McCain
  
• Worker who checked on ‘Joe’ speaks
  

The Plain Dealer

• McCain predicts comeback victory; Obama advisers skeptical
  
• Multiple absentee ballots sent to some Ohio voters
  
• Op-Ed, Joe Frolik: Election Day Primer
  
• Op-Ed, Kevin O’Brien: Obama a Socialist
  

(Editor’s Note: Op-Ed, Pelikan: Kevin O’Brien is a douche bag)

Youngstown Vindicator

• Most at YSU couldn’t see or hear McCain
  

Dayton Daily News

• Biden derides McCain in Kettering
  
• Boehner’s name-calling desperate: Obama Aide
  
• McCain keeps up attacks on Obama
  

Akron Beacon Journal

• Race to finish in search of votes
• Voters make up minds to try something new
• Editorial: Plumbing for Answers
• Editorial: Lying about his record
• Op-Ed, Steve Hoffman: Why wait for Tuesday? Here’s the deal …

Cincinnati Enquirer

• CT man voted here
  
• Political fliers at churches slammed
  
• Down to the wire, Obama, Palin coming
  

Toledo Blade

• MI woman heads south to door knock
  
• Bus tour rolls into Bowling Green
  
• Boehner appears in Perrysburg
  
• ‘Terminator’ Rallies McCain Faithful
  
• Biden denounces Bush legacy in Lima
  
• Op-Ed, Reg Henry: We’re all runners in this race

From the It Ain’t Over Department

Right-wing headline writer Matt Drudge is reporting tonight that Zogby one-day polling on Friday has McCain back within the margin of error in his race against Obama. From the Drudge Report:

ZOGBY SATURDAY: Republican John McCain has pulled back within the margin of error… McCain outpolled Obama 48% to 47% in Friday, one day, polling. He is beginning to cut into Obama’s lead among independents, is now leading among blue collar voters, has strengthened his lead among investors and among men, and is walloping Obama among NASCAR voters. Joe the Plumber may get his license after all…

Things have felt a little heady lately if you’re an Obama supporter in a state like Ohio.  Democratic organization, mirroring Obama’s own efficiently run campaign, is at a level many of us have never seen.  In conservative Indiana - which went for Bush in 2004 by 21 points - Obama may win.  Zogby’s poll is national, but remember we’re in 50 state contests.  Zogby’s polling is a reminder that we can’t let up until the last polls close on the West Coast on November 4.

Pour it On!

Campaign stays hot in Ohio: 2008 Elections Coverage by Ohio’s Major Dailies

Columbus Dispatch

• McCain camp sees gap tightening in battleground states
  
• Clinton talks up Obama in Youngstown
  
• In So. Ohio Hillary says Nation needs Obama
  
• Obama army blankets Ohio
  
• Editorial: Sex, Lies and Gifts
  
• The Arnold heading to Columbus
  
• GOP says sorry to House Democrat
  
• Obama likes Clinton vet to serve as CoS
  

Cleveland Plain Dealer

• Clinton, Strickland stump for Obama
  
• McCain ends bus trip with muscle
  
• Springsteen campaigns for Obama this weekend in Cleveland
  
• McCain’s third stop leaves open field
  
• McCain gives shout out to ‘Joe the Plumber’ relatives
  

Dayton Daily News

• Election Board to probe Husted’s Residency
  
• Boehner calls Obama barnyard name
  
• Biden calls McCain Bush’s Sidekick in Kettering
  
• McCain, ‘Joe the Plumber’ draw crowds across Ohio
  
• Judge throws out suit to take Obama off Ohio ballots

Ohio Politics and Elections Coverage: Five Days to Election Day

Recent Coverage by the Columbus Dispatch

• Clinton boosts Obama with Ohio appearances
  
• Obama dips but still has comfortable lead
  
• Down in polls, McCain tells Ohio crowd he’s coming back

• Feds won’t make Brunner reveal voter mismatches
• Schwarzenegger says McCain in uphill battle
• Palin revs up Chillicothe
• Local pastors emphasize duty to vote
• Agency head defends ‘Joe’ searches
  

Recent Coverage by Cleveland Plain Dealer

• Day of the Plumber
  
• FAQ on Casino question
  
• ‘Joe the Plumber’ joins McCain roadshow in Sandusky
  
• Secy State cancels cross-checking of Ohio’s voters
  
• McCain in Defiance, Ohio reverts to name calling
  

Recent Coverage by Toledo Blade

• McCain tells Defiance crowd he’ll cut taxes
  
• Rush Limbaugh blasts Kaptur
  
• Palin joins ‘Joe’ in Bowling Green
  
• Ohio elections chief: Scrap voter database
  

Recent Coverage by Dayton Daily News

• Ben Stiller ‘Rocks the Vote’ at UD
• Judge to rule Friday on Ohio man’s attempt to kick Obama off Ohio ballot
• Payday Lending pays over $3 million for signatures
• Joe the Plumber hires Nashville publicity team

Signs of a Landslide

Number 1: The Polls

1. The National Polls – All national polls have Obama up anywhere from 3 points (Battleground) to 15 points (Pew). Of course we’re not running a national election for president we’re running 50 state elections.
2. Selected G.W. Bush States – Virginia, Real Clear Politics Average (RCP) Obama by 7; Indiana, Toss Up, Bush won by 21 points in 2004; Ohio, RCP Obama by 6, Bush won by 2 points in ‘04; Florida, RCP Obama by 3.3; North Carolina, Toss Up, Bush won by 12 points in 2004; Missouri, Toss Up, Bush won by 7 points in 2004. One more thing about Indiana – this state hasn’t gone for a Democrat since 1964, it’s a rust belt state - is there any question that the economy trumps wedge issues – which generally find a happy home in the Hoosier state.

Ohio

We’ve heard it all before – Republicans don’t win the White House without Ohio. In the 1960s, 70s and 80s Ohio delivered solid double digit margins for Republican presidential candidates. Bill Clinton reclaimed the state for Democrats in the 90s. Bush II’s margins were slim – 4 points and 2 points. Here in Ohio, we’re not living in a red or a blue state – this state is up for grabs most elections.

What’s different this time in a state also known for a well-organized army of right-wing culture warriors? We’re (Dems) better organized all of a sudden. Word from Democratic insiders is that things are looking so good for taking back the Ohio House that some operatives are moving from targeted House campaigns to Team Obama for the stretch. This began over a week ago. Democrats have taken the Republican voter ID and GOTV playbooks and re-written them – better.

What we may be witnessing this year is the second step in turning Ohio into a blue state. The first step was Ted Strickland’s trouncing of Ken Blackwell and his bipartisan success as Governor. Step two, Obama wins Ohio this year by a thin margin. Step three is a return trip for Strickland. Step four is for Obama economic policies to net gains for the rust belt. Step five is for Obama, who will still be African-American in 2012, to win Ohio by double digits. If you don’t get the joke in the previous sentence, it’s aimed at the hand-wringing over whether blue dogs in Southern and Southeast Ohio will vote for a black man. If there really are people out there who otherwise agree with Obama on the issues – but are uncomfortable voting for a black person – maybe some peace and prosperity will beat the latent racism right out of them.

The Electoral College – It’s looking good in the projections.

Look at the maps below:

First is the Bush-Kerry Final Results Map:

 

Next is the Current RCP Analysis

Finally, the Clips & Comment Prediction

It’s the Economy Again, Stupid

Rather than cut and paste a bunch of great data into this post, do one thing for yourself – follow this link to the Congressional Joint Economic Committee. The link goes directly to several slides prepared by committee staff using data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census and the Bureau for Labor Statistics. If you’ve been feeling like things are more expensive, well paying jobs with benefits are scarce and you feel like you and your family aren’t getting any economic traction, these stats will help explain why. Regardless of the vagaries and complexity of which specific changes will be made to the tax code, financial regulations, energy policy, and industry and trade policies, don’t you want to begin with a party and a candidate who understand the problem? For John McCain, the fundamentals are sound. Barack Obama understands these numbers and that they need to move in the other direction.

Text: Sen. Barack Obama Speech in Canton, Ohio | ‘One Week’ | The Closing Argument – October 27, 2008

(Source: Obama for America) (Photo: The Plain Dealer)

As Prepared for Delivery

One week.

After decades of broken politics in Washington, eight years of failed policies from George Bush, and twenty-one months of a campaign that has taken us from the rocky coast of Maine to the sunshine of California, we are one week away from change in America.

In one week, you can turn the page on policies that have put the greed and irresponsibility of Wall Street before the hard work and sacrifice of folks on Main Street. Read more

Ted Stevens Guilty on All Counts in Ethics Trial - News Coverage

6 p.m.

• Alaska Senator is Convicted of Ethics Laws Violations - New York Times
• Sen. Stevens Guilty on all Counts - Washington Post
• Stevens conviction enhances Dems’ chances - Washington Post
• U.S. Senator Stevens found guilty - BBC
• Stevens guilty in corruption case - Associated Press
• Stevens guilty of concealing $250,000 in gifts - Bloomberg
• Stevens found guilty on all seven corruption counts - CQ Politics

Just When I Start to Like The Arnold …

According to WOSU this a.m. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California is going to help McCain and Co. pull a play out of the Bush 2004 playbook – appear in Columbus, probably this Friday, with John McCain. The Los Angeles Times confirms. I wonder if Sarah Palin will be there. According to a website called the California Chronicle, the Governator’s endorsement of Palin is less than ringing.

What’s to like about Arnold? Mainly it is his forward thinking on energy policy and the promise of investing in a “green” economy. From afar, California appears to be years ahead of the rest of the country in the laws, policy and investment which will help the U.S. kick the foreign oil habit and clean up the environment. At times, it’s seemed downright refreshing to imagine Schwarzenegger as somewhat of a – well – maverick in Republican circles.

If Schwarzenegger cares about fostering the moderate or even progressive reputation he’s earned on some issues, appearing with McCain, a politician with policies rooted in the 1980s, seems a bit counter intuitive.

Anchorage Daily News Endorses Obama - Alaska’s Largest Newspaper

Obama for president

Palin’s rise captivates us but nation needs a steady hand

Alaska enters its 50th-anniversary year in the glow of an improbable and highly memorable event: the nomination of Gov. Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential candidate. For the first time ever, an Alaskan is making a serious bid for national office, and in doing so she brings broad attention and recognition not only to herself, but also to the state she leads.

Alaska’s founders were optimistic people, but even the most farsighted might have been stretched to imagine this scenario. No matter the outcome in November, this election will mark a signal moment in the history of the 49th state. Many Alaskans are proud to see their governor, and their state, so prominent on the national stage. Gov. Palin’s nomination clearly alters the landscape for Alaskans as we survey this race for the presidency — but it does not overwhelm all other judgment. The election, after all is said and done, is not about Sarah Palin, and our sober view is that her running mate, Sen. John McCain, is the wrong choice for president at this critical time for our nation. Read more

Video: John McCain on Meet the Press | October 26 | 10 Days to Election

Transcript: John McCain on Meet the Press | October 26 | Ten Days to Election

(Source: NBC’s Meet the Press)

MR. TOM BROKAW:  Our issues this Sunday:  With just nine days to go, polls show Obama widening his lead over McCain while the Republican vice presidential nominee comes under increased criticism.  What will be McCain’s final message to undecided voters?  We’ll ask the candidate himself.  For the first time in nine months, our exclusive guest, Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain returns to MEET THE PRESS.

Then, insights and analysis on the presidential battleground states and the battle for congressional control, including a filibuster-proof U.S. Senate. Our political roundtable weighs in:  Charlie Cook, political analyst for the National Journal, editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report; Kelly O’Donnell, NBC News correspondent traveling with the McCain campaign; and Chuck Todd, political director of NBC News.

But first, we’re live here in Waterloo, Iowa, with the Republican nominee for president, John McCain.

Senator, welcome back to MEET THE PRESS. Read more

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