There was a quorum of the Brown County GOP executive committee tonight, but for seven, their spines were absent. In a ridiculous and foolhardy move, the executive committee forced through in a 7-6 vote, not to endorse any candidates for the May 2nd primary. Why? Well, according to the orchestrators of this lack of intestinal fortitude-Tina Meranda, county clerk of courts; Gail Declaire, county treasurer, and Warren Wagonner-it was to avoid "hurt feelings." Hurt feelings? Do you folks really want to know what hurts the voters? The crap candidates the Republican party has put up over the past few years, with nothing more than bankrolls behind them, with no substance. Bob Taft? Remember him? If only we would have "hurt a few more feelings" we could have had a real Republican as governor the past few years. So, then, Meranda and Gail Declaire engaged in asking confusing questions, so much so they confused themselves, about making a motion not to endorse anyone.
Here is the interesting thing: that was already an option for the central committee if the executive committee would have allowed voting to take place. You could have voted for one candidate or the other, or to vote not to endorse. Well, these three got four others to come along for their ride and took the vote out of the hands of the 32 members of the central committee. While it was a "democratic" vote, it left the choice in the hands of 13 members of the committee, with 6 dissenting against such a petulant and uneducated move. Well, there were ulterior motives behind the votes. At least four of those who voted not to endorse were diehard Danny Bubp supporters, and he was looking at losing the endorsement to Paul Hall in the 88th district State Rep race, so they decided to stage a slowdown. Also, Ms. Meranda works on Petro's campaign, and Blackwell looked to win the endorsement here, or to fare well enough to get highly qualified. Therefore, Ms. Meranda decided to throw a monkeywrench in the works. Politics as usual.
No wonder candidates ignore Brown County, they show themselves to be spineless, weak, and sheep in regards to making decisions. They show themselves to be dullards to the process, to leadership. Someone defended their action by saying, this is the way we always did it, to just let the primary play out. That's great, except our voice as a county is not heard in the GOP and the state simply takes us for granted. Then we get stuck with terrible candidates like Mike DeWine, Geroge Voinovich (Gail Declaire was his county campaign chair), and Bob Taft, and we the Republican leadership are left with egg on our face for not taking a stand against these morons. These seven folks show that there is a leadership vacuum in the county and it will be filled soon, most probably by Democrats who will make the hard decisions. I was ashamed to be a part of the organization. This was a podunk, airheaded, lamebrained, cowardly decision, and it only lets Columbus and the lobbyists continue to put up garbage candidates with big bankrolls. So much for grassroots.
Right now, I am working with some of those of the 32 central committee members who expressed extreme disgust for the decision to work to change the party. I know this, I will support whoever runs against Tina Meranda, she is part of the problem of party politics, not the solution. I will support anyone who runs against her, even if it may mean voting democratic. She endorsed and pushed for a move that took choice away from the central committee, and de facto, from the voters.
I mean, why not just say, rather than make it a binding motion, why not just say I would rather you not endorse. No, she would rather make a power play and take the decision from the people elected by the county republicans to lead the party. Shame on her, and shame on the other six folks who folded in a cowardly manner. And you wonder why Brown County has no push, you wonder why we are ignored? We don't take a stand. When you stand on nothing, you fall everytime.
Well, the candidates had wasted their time, but Gail DeClaire, in her infinite generosity, encouraged them to stay and give a talk. While we couldn't endorse them, at least people got to hear the candidates. Our chair, Paul Hall, said that the democratic process had worked. No, it did not. Power brokers who should never be in office and should continue pressing grapes made the decision, not the people directly elected by the citizens of Brown County.
US Senate
Mike DeWine didn't bother to send a representative, after all, because Brown County is too cowardly to take a stand, they might hurt some feelings. However, both Bill Pierce and David Smith were there. Mr. Pierce got there at about 7 pm and spoke to most of the people there. Mr. Smith didn't show up until 7:32pm and had his attache with him to talk to people. Pierce gave a common sense approach to his speech, and he raised the issue of carpetbagging about Smith. He did not do it maliciously or meanspiritedly, he did it in a way that raised the question. David Smith got up and channeled John Kerry. He basically intimated that how dare anyone question his allegiance to Ohio, and that moving around should not preclude anyone from running in a race (but seriously Dave, 3 races in 3 years, come on now!). He gave an angry speech that talked about Pierce and DeWine working together to step on him!?!?! His face grew contorted with rage as he said something about how they knew only he had the ability to win. Uh, hello? Anyway, he came off looking very angry.
edge to Bill Pierce
2nd District US Congress
Right after the nonendorsement binding recommendation of the executive committee, vice president of the Republican club Aaron Hines left in disgust, he came back after 10 minutes, with Bob McEwen, who drove to come to the meeting. Another wasted bunch of gas for Brown County, because you know, they can't endorse because someone's feelings might be hurt. Anyway, Jean Schmidt was unable to come, but she sent a young man to speak for her. He took up only 1min30 sec of his time, talking about what Jean had done and asking for support. It was a short speech, but it was poignant and had some very good persuasion to it.
Mr. McEwen got up and talked about things that happened 25 years ago back in the day, about Clermont County needing access to a lake and how he had stepped in, and how Brown county needed access and he got rt. 68 and 32 put in, and rambled on. He was very poised and impressed the crowd, but he didn't talk about much but the past. He said he would do that for us again, but I am not sure if he was the one to do it as in some cases he wasn't even in Congress yet. He was very smooth and said that he would walk in, if elected, with 7 terms of seniority under his belt which would get him some clout. I am not sure if they would apply, and I do not trust Bob enough to believe it, given his issues with making incorrect statements in violation of Ohio Election law (see Bizzyblog) in the past.
Edge: Bob McEwen. Despite some questionable facts being raised about him, people in Brown County believe him over Jean Schmidt. Jean may have burnt an irreparable bridge when she challenged the charater and intelligence of our county board of elections when she lost to Tom Niehaus. What should be questioned now is the intelligence and character of our clerk of courts.
Ohio Governor
Tina"Coward" Meranda spoke about Jim Petro. She offered little in the way of substance, just talking about "remember, we had Jim Petro out to speak a few years ago, and wasn't he nice?" type of b.s., the politics of image over substance. Then Ms. Too Much Makeup decided she would say he was focused on balancing the budget and minding our money (anyone hear of uh, his 'awesome' job managing the coingate issue?)and other things. No one spoke for Mr. Blackwell.
Edge to Blackwell: Unless they just believe the" he came to talk to us, that means he's qualified" airheaded rhetoric from Meranda, then I believe Blackwell still is the man to beat. With people like Meranda in his campaign, Petro deserves to lose.
US Attorney General
Tim Grendell did not make it to the meeting, but he sent a spokesperson, nice young man who handed out an endorsement letter from State Senator Tom Niehaus, as well as endorsements by the NRA. He spoke about how Grendell was prolife, had worked to get rid of ECheck, and had worked in favor of conceal and carry. The rep drew clear distinctions between Grendell and Montgomery, and I believe swayed the crowd.Ms. Montgomery was unable to attend, but party officer Roxanne Malone spoke on her behalf. She said that tomorrow there would be a Women for Montgomery day where lunches would be held all over the state for Betty. She said she had some literature and didn't want to take up too much time. She said she had been passing them out at local events. Roxanne is a good officer for the party, acting as Secretary, and doing a thankless job so well.
Edge: Despite Roxanne aquitting herself well, the edge goes to Grendell. His rep's speech (really reading a letter from Grendell) provided more information. Roxanne did well, but more people seemed to be interested in Grendell. In the election, I believe it will be a push in Brown County, as Betty is very popular, but many NRA and pro lifers will come out for Grendell, especially if he hammers Montgomery on her pro-choice stance. But, why should either candidate care about Brown County, because we don't endorse to avoid hurt feelings and to just stick our heads in the collective sand.
There were no other state candidates for auditor, treasurer, so we moved on to State Central Committee man and woman.
14th Senate District State Central Committee
In the race for female committeeperson, incumbent Kay Reynolds of Scioto County did not show up nor sent a representative. Her challenger, Connie Bear, head of Clermont County Bush/Cheney, did show and reiterated her committment to grassroots. I would encourage her if elected to seek to plant some spines in Brown County, in addition to those grassroots. She might especially want to plant some on the Meranda farm.
Edge: Bear--she showed. Even Paul Hall said he hadn't met with Kay or knew what she looked like. It looks like Brown County will vote the challenger in the fall. Of course, we could have endorsed someone to make clear we like being communicated with, but we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Tina Meranda might want to sell Mrs. Reynolds some wine from her soon to open winery.
In the race for State Committee Male, incumbent John Becker was present and spoke at length about how he had come to all the parades and events in Brown County. He highlighted the fact that the current Republican club county president, Michelle Jowers, had written some endorsing words, as had Bill Herdman, past county chair of the party and Becker's opponent last time around. Bill called him the best state committeeman we had had. Becker also publishes the Becker Report, highlighting news in the Ohio GOP, and a fine publication.
His opponent, Jim Bushman, got up and spoke about how he had worked at Cincinnati Milacron, and as a bailiff, and had helped out putting up signs in Brown County and for the county GOP. What he didn't tell you is that he is part of the party elite in Clermont County, his wife is auditor there. He sounded tired and did not speak very well, though he was polite enough.
Edge: Before I get to the edge, here is the other issue, Gail Declaire wants Bushman to beat Becker because she is friends with Linda Fraley, the CC auditor. I believe she thought Becker would persuade the party to vote with him, given his articulation as well as his volutary publishing of the Becker Report. I believe this is why she advocated against endorsement. I have known Gail since I was born, and this was the first time I can ever say I was angry and ashamed of her efforts.
Now, the edge goes to Becker in terms of workload and experience. However, Bushman is a good ole boy and that will carry some weight. Becker has a ton of endorsements. And really, if Gail were really thinking, why not advocate for Bushman to get him some momentum by gettin the endorsement? Instead, we look like sheepish bumpkin cowards. Way to represent the county, madam treasurer!
88th District State Rep
Danny Bubp got up and spoke in his carrying voice about how the democratic process had worked, even though he said he would have liked our endorsement. He looked like the cat that swallowed the canary, and I wondered why until I did some asking. Those who voted to not endorse anyone were Bubp supporters, whether vocal or not, and they knew that with Bill Herdman and others speaking for Paul, then Danny would likely not get the endorsement. This was couched as "not wanting to hurt feelings." BS!
Anyway, Danny got up and talked about how he was pro life, pro gun, and anti gay. He tried to impress people by dropping the carrot that he had heard he might be up to chair some of the committees he was on, and that he was one to watch. He talked about being from Brown County (but living and working in Adams county presently), and how he loved his job. He talked about how he had been taking some hits for his issues. He then said he had worked on a bill that would ban homosexuals from being able to adopt children. Then he said he had to go to avoid the white death every weatherman is predicting.
Danny left the room and Paul Hall began to speak. I like Paul, I really do. He is a good guy, even though he is a UK fan. I have gotten to know him as I have worked in the county party and for Bush/Cheney. He started off by answering a question I had asked nad many in the audience had on their lips: why take on Danny Bubp?
He said he had nothing against Danny, but that he felt that he was needed in the Statehouse because he felt the two most important issues were insurance and workmen's comp. This dovetailed into what most of us see as Ohio's flagging economy. He said that most state assemblymen listen to the lobbyists on insurance issues, who represent the insurance companies. He said agents feel differently, and that he would bring his expertise as an insurance agent and tax agent into the office. he impressed me with his understanding of how Ohio's poor business climate as far as insurance and comp has driven out business, heading instead to Alabama and the South. He made some good examples discussing how one of his clients now spends more on healthcare than on salaries.
He made the analogy to businesses streamlining in the past few years and becoming more efficient and better off. He then said, why does the government think it can be more efficient by growing bigger and more bloated? Very good points. He said that he was running to make a difference, not to run against an incumbent. He was very passionate in his tone, and he convinced me he is serious.
Edge: Paul won this debate. However he faces an extreme uphill battle against Bubp. He is a likeable person, and even though his supporters are underhanded and subvert the endorsement process, he seems squeaky clean. However, Paul seemed the more in-tune and focused candidate. I think Paul will win Brown County, but the race remains in question.
Ohio Supreme Court
A very attractive young lady from Columbus spoke about the Ohio Supreme Court. She mentioned that Justice O'Donnell was up for election again, and encouraged our support of him, as he was endorsed, so to speak, by the party. Then, she spoke about the open seat being vacated by Justice Resnick, you know, the one who got arrested for DUI, the Liberal Resnick. She mentioned Judge Bob Cupp as the person to support there. Those were the two candidates put up in the specific races with no challengers. See, Tina and Co., we could have supported these guys and not "hurt anyone's feelings."
The only other candidate to speak was Rick Egan, running for County Commissioner. He had been attacked in the paper by his opponent the incumbent for being too pro-Sheriff. The reason is that Egan works in the sheriff's dept. Egan said if elected he would slash the sheriff's budget, too, that we all needed to tighten the belt. He was very sincere and he has my vote. Of course, we could have lent some pull to his candidacy if we would have been allowed to endorse, but thanks to Tina "Wine" Meranda, we weren't allowed to.
