As we get ready to go to the polls in Ohio to replace Rob Portman, here is my final rundown of the Candidates for the Republican Nomination:
Pat DeWine--former Cincinnati City Councilman, currently Hamilton County Commissioner just recently elected. Known as someone who claims to be a "proven conservative." Son of Mike "RINO" DeWine, one of Ohio's two useless Senators. Known for finding wasteful spending and cutting it. Known for wanting to cut taxes. Has a good pro-life stance. However, on the flip side, this man has not been fully honest with the people. He was asked point blank when he was running for commissioner if he would seek Portman's seat if it became available, and he stated then: no. When the seat became available, he decided to go for it. Well connected politically and financed by some heavy hitters. Claims to be more conservative than his father, but is financed by some of the same people. His tardiness in distancing himself from his father's betrayal of the Constitution hurt him, along with his decision to go negative first in ads. Has the problem of marital infidelity hanging over his head, which has caused some religious conservatives to stay away, including Football Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz.
Bob McEwen--former Representative in US Congress. Was part of Reagan revolution. Solid conservative past, to a point. Voted with some democrats to repeal some of the Reagan tax cuts. Also, was implicated in the House Check Bouncing Scandal, but the validity of such chargesare nebulous, as evidenced by the Dayton Daily News articles as well as other sources I have close to the candidates. Helped bring the William H. Harsha Bridge to Southern Ohio to help stimulate commerce with Kentucky and improve travel. On the flip side, when he lost to Portman in the primaries for this very seat he now seeks, he left Ohio politics to work in VA as a lobbyist. Ran a very expensive office as Congressman.
Has political experience in Washington. Backed by some prominent folks, including Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, Dr. James Dobson, and very popular former district rep to Ohio's Gen. Assembly Rose Vesper. He has also been endorsed by Brown County Republican Party Chair Paul Hall and Brown County Bush/Cheney Chair Mr. Bill Herdmann. Ethics and loyalty could be questions.
DeWine and McEwen decided to sling mud and allowed the next two folks to sneak into contention, when they should never have been anything other than 2nd tier.
Jean Schmidt--former Rep to Ohio's General Assembly. Heavy hitter in Clermont County Politics. Known as Mean Jean for her past vicious attacks against opponents and her singleminded, almost dogmatic devotion to her own vision. Claims to be for lowering taxes and being pro-development, but caved and voted for the increased state taxes in Ohio that have driven businesses and population away.
Claims to be for conservative honest values, but ran a very questionable campaign against Tom Niehaus in the primary for State Senator. Used alliance with former Speaker Householder to get extra campaign funds (Householder told those special interests who supported him that if they gave to Niehaus, they would lose access; they had to give to Schmidt), which is highly questionable. Uses deceptive campaign material which portrays her as having the endorsement of Rob Portman. Also used a conversation with State Rep. Danny Bubp as a claim she had his endorsement when he issued no such endorsement. Later bragged to party officials how she pulled one over on people for making it look like Bubp endorsed her. Now seeks to run so she can challenge Pelosi, Clinton, Boxer, and the other women of Washington. Blindly ambitious, and will do anything to win. Is known for attempting last minute charges which cannot be substantiated by the election. Sounded like AlGore when she lost to Niehaus after mandatory recount. Many disillusioned by her tactics, despite her attempts to soften image.
Tom Brinkman--General Assemblyman. Lifelong resident of the area. Local businessman. Known as a taxcutter. Known for slashing taxes and voting against high spending. Negatively--he is against the Patriot Act. He is against the death penalty for terrorists. Has some interesting ideas about taxation and spending, but his stance on national security disqualifies him in my view.
The other candidates on the Republican side are just there to get their names out and will not be factors.
I originally saw this as a race between McEwen and DeWine, and I still think it will come down to that. Both have their "issues" shall we say, but Schmidt's poor reputation outside of her home county dooms her, unless the two front runners' negative attacks turn people off to both of them. Going into this race, DeWine had the best organiztation and money, but McEwen came on fast. I don't much care for any of these candidates, as all seem to like to come up with "phantom endorsements" and make rather misleading statements, but I believe come election day, it will be a close race between DeWine and McEwen. I am still undecided, but right now, as I turn in, my vote is hedging toward McEwen. Check out their websites before you vote, check out their backgrounds and beliefs, then decide for yourself.
And on the Democratic Side, the two front runners are Paul Hackett of Milford and Charles Sanders of Waynesville. The state party tried to get Sanders to not run, as he has been pasted three different times by Portman and is considered a loser in the District, so to speak. Hackett presents, on the surface, some interesting developments. He is an Army reservist, who has had some time in Iraq, where he says he helped bring freedom (didn't he read the party handbook, we can't be saying the war brought freedom--because Bush is EVIL(tm)!) He served on city council in Milford and says he is against higher taxes. However, when you look at many of his supporters and some of his other views, you can see the true liberal coming out. He even, according to one report, inflated the number of wounded in Iraq, just to please his largely partisan audience. Sanders is a nonstarter. Hackett has the veneer of a conservative democrat, but beneath the surface, he is a liberal. A frugal liberal, but a lib nonetheless.
Neither of these two Ds will be able to beat a DeWine or McEwen, but they could seriously hammer Schmidt or Brinkman.
That is the handicapping of the candidates as I see it. Now get out and vote in the primaries. Turnout will be low, and the winner in both parties will be the one who gets their workers out to get out the vote and beat some doors to draw out voters....
