TIB All Stars - 013109 - Live Blog

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Here are some of the items up for bid, er, uh...things we are going to talk about:

The GOP and the Future?
The GOP Has a New Leader...God Help Him....
Barone on Steele
Reagan is the Way to Go, Mike.....UH, DUH!!!! But what does that mean?

Old Boss Same As The New Boss? Hope and Change? Uh...No...
Geitner,
Now Daschle? Does Obama Love the Tax Cheats or What?
Blumer on Voinovich and Daschle....So What Now George?
Blumer discusses Daschle and has links to newsbusters....

Blumer on the 4th Q GDP.....WE BLAME OBAMA!!!

REMEMBER THE ALAMO!!!!
Check out this lesson learned with blood, courtesy of Glenn Beck....
Do We Detect a Spine in the House? The House Repubs, under John Boehner, Matt's Congressman AND a Great American, tell Dems that they own the Crap Sandwich of the Stimulus, not the GOP
Also, the real bipartisan vote is with the NAYS....11 Dems voted with the Repubs...

In other news.....
Obama Arrested for Pot.....Unfortunately, this guy's high crimes and misdemeanors don't lead to impeachment....

NOTE TO MR. RIEHL OF RIEHL WORLD VIEW:
If you read the Constitution of the United States of America, you will find that the House of Representatives has NOTHING to do with approving Presidential Appointments. Therefore, your assertion that because if Daschle passes Boehner must go is not only ludicrious, it is ignorant, misinformed, and does a grave disservice to the conservative movement and conservative bloggers.

Daschle: Does Obama Love Tax Cheats Or What?

First, there was Geithner...and of course, the Senate approved a tax cheat to head Treasury, which contains the IRS. Now, another tax deferrer has been nominated to head Obama's healthcare efforts, that being the mortuary director, former Senator Tom Daschle. Check this out:

Former Sen. Tom Daschle, picked by President Barack Obama to lead his health reform efforts, recently filed amended tax returns to report $128,203 in back taxes and $11,964 in interest, according to a Senate document obtained by The Associated Press.

The White House acknowledged Friday that "some tax issues" had emerged in connection with the nomination, but a spokesman said the president is confident the former Senate Democratic leader will be confirmed as the new health secretary.

Daschle filed amended tax returns for 2005, 2006 and 2007 to reflect additional income for consulting work, the use of a car service and reduced deductions for charitable contributions.

Don't think there is something fishy? Here is the kicker:

He filed the returns after Obama announced he intended to nominate Daschle to head the Health and Human Services Department.

Of course, Obama knows all about obfuscating finance laws. He nominated Geithner, who was a tax cheat. Now he nominates Daschle. And, of course, he circumvented campaign finance law by using his website for donations and encouraging small donations from unreportable donors.

Do we really want this type of administration during a time when we are discussing how to clean up finances?

Just askin'.

Portman Update

What exactly is the nature of Rob Portman's concerns with NAFTA and Bush administration trade policy? Details and specifics are needed in order to evaluate the implications and assess any damage or benefit.

We'll try to dig in to it and report back on what we learn.

VIDEO: Behind the Scenes with House GOP

I LOVE this kind of thing and I hop that Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- keeps doing this stuff!

Mary Taylor on State of the State

Release:

Columbus, Ohio- Almost 28 years ago, President Ronald Reagan faced a lagging economy, similar to the challenges we are experiencing today. As he delivered his first Inaugural address, Reagan expressed what so many Republicans still believe when he said: "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem."

Governor Strickland is pinning his hopes on balancing this state budget with one-time federal bailout money to avoid making the tough decisions necessary to get Ohio back on the right track. This is not the leadership Ohioans deserve. Governing is about making tough decisions.

We need strong leadership with a long-term vision to make Ohio a better place to live, work and raise our families. We have already seen one budget from this Governor that avoided these tough decisions and, in fact, resulted in a structural deficit of $1 billion. This was six months before the current recession began.
Governor Strickland owns this crisis and we must demand that he live within the means the taxpayers of Ohio are willing to pay. He must provide real tax relief for you and Ohio's businesses so that when our children graduate from high school and college, they can find good paying jobs and raise their families right here in Ohio.
You have made tough decisions around your kitchen tables, choosing between what you need and what you want - now it's time for Ohio to make those same tough decisions.
We need a state government that is accountable to its citizens, efficient and effective. We can no longer afford to pay for programs that don't work.

Ohio needs spending discipline, tax relief and tough-minded principled leadership.
Please join me and demand that Governor Strickland stick to his campaign promise to "turn around Ohio."

Voinovich's View: "The Founding Fathers Know Best"

Article:

I have long been regarded by my colleagues as one of the U.S. Senate’s top “debt hawks.” My more than 44 years in public office have been empowered by the mantra: Gone are the days when public officials are measured by how much they spend on a problem. The new realities dictate that public officials are now judged on whether they can work harder and smarter, and do more with less.

My experiences tackling budget crises at the local and state levels have given me a keen understanding that America’s fiscal situation is dire and is getting worse by the day. The federal government continues to spend more than it brings in and cannot sustain itself working this way forever.

The burden has grown from $5.6 trillion when I first came to Washington in 1999 to a staggering $9.85 trillion today – an increase of nearly 76 percent in ten years. And this does not include the economic stimulus proposals that are currently before the Senate. I am committed to ensuring that any proposal agreed upon by Congress is targeted, timely and temporary. It must be fiscally responsible and contribute to our long-term economic prosperity.

I believe that Congress can be a true steward of the taxpayer dollar through transparency and prioritization. With this responsibility in mind, I am pleased to have been appointed to the powerful Senate Committee on Appropriations. I promise to bring the common sense, hard-nosed fiscal approach from my days as mayor of Cleveland and governor of Ohio to the appropriations process. In this new role I will forcefully advocate greater oversight, tougher standards and the setting of real priorities.

My appointment is all the more important because over the last two years, Ohio has lost three of its appropriators – Mike DeWine, Ralph Regula and Dave Hobson. I could not in good conscience turn down the opportunity to serve the people of Ohio on this vitally important committee during such perilous times.

As a new member of the Committee on Appropriations, I look forward to spending the next two years working with all the members of the committee in a bipartisan basis to set priorities and make the tough choices necessary to help steer our great nation through these difficult times. I also want to work daily with my Ohio colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee, Marcy Kaptur and Tim Ryan, who were most recently joined by Steve LaTourette. We must make investments that will lay the foundation of future prosperity, so that our children and grandchildren may enjoy the standard of living and quality of life we have enjoyed.

I hope to be able to help Ohio in a way that is fiscally responsible while pushing Congress to work harder and smarter. And I hope to keep my colleagues on schedule for a change. In 27 of the past 30 years, Congress has failed to enact all the appropriations bills by the start of the fiscal year. This irresponsible fiscal policy affects our economy, interferes with our ability to maintain and improve our infrastructure, hurts our ability to fight the War on Terror, and impedes efforts to enhance our education system. This is irresponsible management and it has to stop.

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” And George Washington warned, “Likewise avoid the accumulation of debt.”

The wise words of our founding fathers highlight how fiscal discipline was ingrained in American society from its birth. Unfortunately, that foundation has eroded as a growing habit of uncontrollable spending has put us in the position of putting the costs of today on the backs of our children and grandchildren. I look forward to using my seat on the Committee on Appropriations to develop proposals that will create jobs, stop the tide of foreclosures, increase home values and restore our credit markets so we can jump-start the recovery of the American economy and ensure a better future for ourselves, our children and grandchildren.

Voinovich Supports GOP Alternative for SCHIP

Release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) today voted in favor of an alternative to the pending State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) expansion legislation that will ensure all children currently enrolled in the program maintain their coverage and that provides additional funding for states to find other currently eligible children who are not enrolled in the program. The alternative failed and a final vote is expected to occur this week.

“As governor of Ohio, we were leaders in providing coverage for our children. In fact, Time Magazine declared our plan ‘one of the most intelligent in the nation,’” Sen. Voinovich said. “During our current fiscal crisis, expanding this already massive program that the federal government cannot pay for in its current state is irresponsible. And to do so with an unreliable tobacco tax is not realistic.”

Sen. Voinovich added that the underlying bill would expand coverage to children living in families early up to $62,000 a year in Ohio and over $88,000 a year in states like New York. This would encourage families who already have their own private coverage to drop it and rely on the federal government for their health care.

“Many of our social service programs such as Medicaid – called automatic stabilizers – are designed to automatically draw additional federal funding when the economy slows down. These programs are built to provide additional government support to those in need without legislative action. As these programs grow to provide much-needed services for those living at or near the poverty line, I am very concerned about expanding eligibility for the S-CHIP program.

“We are already having trouble paying for coverage for children living in families up to 200 percent of the poverty level. In fact, outside of the S-CHIP program, Congress is debating the need to increase federal spending in Medicaid,” Sen. Voinovich said. “Federal spending under Medicaid has increased 49 percent over the last five years and, frankly, states can’t keep up with the services currently in place.

“We cannot continue to piecemeal heath care reform. We need to design a system where all Americans have health insurance as well as true ownership of a portable policy that they can take from job to job. People shouldn’t have to worry about how they’re going to care for their families when facing the loss of a job or in making the decision to pursue another job.”

Sen. Voinovich explained that, as a nation, we are already spending roughly $2 trillion a year on health care – more than any country in the world and 16 percent of our GDP. Our results, however, are average at best, with 47 million Americans still uninsured. Consequently, he continues to push for passage of his bi-partisan, bi-cameral Health Partnership Act (HPA).

HPA would authorize grants to individual states, groups of states, Indian tribes and organizations to carry out a broad range of strategies to increase health care coverage, ensure patients receive high-quality appropriate care, improve the efficiency of health spending and use Information Technology (IT) to improve infrastructure and reduce costs.

The Republican alternative included:

The failed alternative included a nearly five-year reauthorization of the S-CHIP program that would: protect coverage for all children currently enrolled in the S-CHIP program; provide funding for states to improve outreach and enroll the children already eligible for S-CHIP but not enrolled in the program understanding that more funding may be needed in the future; and eliminate coverage for adults that have been added to the program in some states.

Sen. Voinovich has for years called for an overhaul of our entitlement programs so we can work harder and smarter and do more with less. The senator’s Securing America’s Future Economy (SAFE) Commission Act would establish a national commission to examine our nation’s tax code and entitlement systems and present long-term solutions to place the United States on a fiscally sustainable course and ensure the solvency of entitlement programs for future generations. He also hopes President Obama will support such a commission.

The national debt now stands at $9.8 trillion. CBO estimates that the federal government finished the 2008 Fiscal Year with a budget deficit of $455 billion – the largest deficit in our nation’s history, with the next three largest deficits occurring in 2003, 2004 and 2005. This figure, however, does not include borrowing from the Social Security Trust Fund and other trust funds to the tune of $186 billion. This makes the real operating deficit $641 billion – almost three times the $219 billion deficit projected at the start of 2008. And once the economic stimulus bill Congress is working on is finished, which currently is over $800 billion, the deficit will explode even further.

Latta on Porkulus

Statement:

WASHINGTON- Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) made the following statement after voting against H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“Stimulating our nation’s economy cannot come from pork barrel spending. The Democrat majority have littered H.R. 1 with wasteful government spending that only puts our country further into debt with no real effect on our economy in the immediate future. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office projects that 60 percent of the discretionary spending in this bill will occur after 2010.

Our economy needs fast and immediate relief, and unfortunately, spending $50 million on the National Endowment for the Arts, $600 million for new cars for federal government employees, $1 billion for the census, and $194 million for repairs to the Department of Agriculture headquarters and the Smithsonian Institute, do nothing to quickly pull our country out of recession. Furthermore, members of Congress have asked repeatedly for numbers showing how many jobs will be created with this package. To date, we have yet to see any statistics that prove this package will work in terms of job creation or reducing the growing unemployment rate. I, along with my Republican colleagues in the House, believe that the fastest way to recover from this recession is immediate tax relief for small businesses and incentives to promote job growth. The private sector, not the Federal government, is best suited to stimulate the economy and this can be done through tax relief which will put money directly in the hands of American families and businesses- where it deserves to be.

The Republican alternative reduces the lowest individual income tax rate from 15% to 10% and 10% to 5% which will put an average of $500 and $1200 respectively back into the pockets of American taxpayers. This plan would also save married couples up to $3,200 per year as well. This package allows businesses to take an (up to) 20% deduction on their income which will allow them to put our neighbors and friends back to work. People in the housing market with 5% down would receive a $7,500 tax credit for new home purchases. By drastically reducing the size of the spending package, including much needed tax relief and an extension of unemployment benefits, our package is far better suited for both short and long-term economic growth.

With our national debt at a staggering $10 trillion, the American people, along with House Republicans, know that we as a country cannot borrow and spend our way out of this recession. Americans already owe foreign governments $3 trillion, with China owning $683 billion of that alone. With the final price tag of H.R. 1 being over $1 trillion, we cannot in good faith continue to drive our national debt higher and place future generations of Americans in peril by enacting a plan that is little more than a “shot in the dark.”

Buckeye Institute on State of the State

Release:

COLUMBUS - Buckeye Institute President David Hansen today offered a free-market response to the education proposals contained in Gov. Ted Strickland's third State of the State address.

Hansen made the following comments:

School District Performance Audits
"If the governor intended to increase school district accountability by allowing the Ohio Department of Education to conduct performance audits, he missed the mark. That is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house. The State Auditor currently does a good job of making school districts accountable through comprehensive performance audits. The governor should not take away the State Auditor's authority or add another layer of bureaucracy to the current performance audit process. A better move would be to expand the State Auditor's performance audit responsibility."

Teacher Merit Pay
"We had hoped the governor would address needed education reforms such as teacher merit pay. Merit pay works because it injects quality into the teacher pay system. Better teachers will earn more, and bad teachers are weeded out."

Dropout Recovery Charter Schools
"While the governor seemed to soften his opposition to charter schools, he was wrong to attack dropout recovery schools run by for-profit operators. These recovery schools salvage lives because they take in students traditional public schools fail to nurture and teach. These schools put students back on a path to learning and future economic prosperity.

"The governor instead signaled his intention to limit the effectiveness of these schools. Children who have been failed by traditional public schools need more options, not less. If for-profit charter schools can accomplish the task, why not let them?"

The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions is a nonpartisan research and educational institute devoted to individual liberty, economic freedom, personal responsibility and limited government in Ohio.

Kasich on State of the State

Kasich Responds to State of the State Jan28

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

Coughlin on State of the State

Release:

COLUMBUS-State Senator Kevin Coughlin (R-Cuyahoga Falls) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Ted Strickland's State of the State address:

"Two years and three State of the State addresses into Governor Ted Strickland's term and Ohio shows no signs of turning around. The state is adrift and nothing in today's speech gave Ohioans reason to believe that will change anytime soon.

"The governor's address was long on promises and devoid of details, particularly on how his promises will be paid for and who will pay.

"Most troubling, the governor's speech almost ignored the single most pressing issue facing Ohio's families and businesses - the downward spiraling of our economy. Ted Strickland must come to grips with this reality: It is simply too expensive for employers to create and keep jobs in Ohio."


Sen. Coughlin's comments on specific proposals:

Budget Balancing - "The governor proposes to balance the state budget by paying for ongoing expenses with a mammoth amount of one time money including a handout from the federal government. While some one-time money may be necessary, his proposal will create a huge structural imbalance in the state government and set the table for massive tax increases should he be reelected to a second term."

Medicaid Expansion - "Despite tight revenues, the governor continues his quest to get the middle class hooked on government-controlled health care. I look forward to the debate in the coming months and believe that once government gets control of your health care, it controls your life.

"The governor's Medicaid buy-in program for children has been a complete failure, with only two children enrolled. Yet, he proposes to cut state coverage to critically ill children under the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps. This is a misplaced priority."

Higher Education - "If the governor wants students to aspire to attend college, he should propose something for them to work toward and make it meaningful. In the coming days, I will introduce a scholarship plan that, if enacted, will be Ohio's most sweeping financial assistance program in history."

K-12 Education - "This portion of the speech was a severe let down from every angle. The curriculum and teacher improvement proposals represent nothing new. No indication was given as to how all day kindergarten would be paid for. And the sole offering on school funding was a proposal that will have absolutely no benefit to property taxpayers. In fact, under the Strickland proposal, homeowners will pay more as their property taxes are raised without a vote of the people. In addition, the proposal will widen the disparity between the rich and poor school districts, something we have worked hard to erase.

"Ohio's families are already paying too much for everything. The last thing they need is Ted Strickland and school districts rummaging through their pockets for more money."

Krikorian Update

So David "The Angry Armenian" Krikorian shows up at the Madeira Republican Club last week. As some of you may know, the guest speaker that night was Chairman Alex Triantafilou, who came to talk about the future of the Republican party.

Sources tell WMD that Alex deviated from the topic at hand and broached the subject of how Krikorian isn't a Republican and is a dirty campaigner. Reader's Digest version of the story goes like this: through all this Krikorian starts screaming at Alex and is taken out the door and to his car by (State Central Committeewoman) Mary Anne Christie because he wouldn't calm down.

We don't have a transcript, but through the power of WMD, we can reconstruct what a transcript MIGHT look like...

ALEX: David Krikorian is NOT a Republican.

KRIKORIAN: 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It's good to see that some things don't change.....

Photo Credit: ANCA.org

TIB All Stars-012409-Live Blog

The TIB All-Stars are on the Air at 7PM Eastern..... Click the link to listen; participate in the live blog...





Listen Now!

Click the "Listen Now!" text above to listen to TIB RADIO.

Here are some of the topics and links up for discussion....
Ohio Politics
Jon Husted is Cah-RAZY!!!!---Seriously, Jonny, the numbers don't lie...but you might.
First Taylor feeling no love, now Couglin Wants to be Talked Down from Guvna and Begged for Treasurer? Anyone else? Is there something in the water up there?
Ohio Thinking of Mileage Tax?--Yeah, turn around Ohio by discouraging travel to the state, deliveries to and from the state....Brilliant!
ODOT Head Beasley Retiring--The moron is returning to Brown County, after lasting long enough to get a FAT pension....

The Nation
Geithner Should Go Away, Ten Reasons Why--Blumer Lays it Out for You....Check out this link as well.

Maybe Kevin DeWine is Ahead of the GOP's self Destruction?--Mr. Bond Says P*$$ off to those who love babies, the 2nd Amendment, and the entire South....

Obama: Image, Reality, and Facts--Definitely a Reptile of Some Kind....
They Told Me If I Voted For Bush, Dissent Would be Squelched and Villages Would be Bombed...--Funny that the guy doing it is Barack Obama!
Bush's War Over and Looking Back--Thank You Mr. President, God bless.
So Much for Ending Partisanship as Usual--I Won so Nyahh! This is Change? Rush fires back Today!

Hillary's State Department

I just caught this in today's recap of today's State Department briefing:

MR. WOOD: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the briefing. If you like, I’d run down – I’ll run down some of the Secretary’s calls that she’s had over the last couple of days. Okay, let me start. Well, first we’ll start in the Middle East. She’s spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert, Israeli Foreign Minister Livni, Israeli Defense Minister Barak, Egyptian Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit, the Jordanian King Abdullah, Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Fayyad, and Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faysal.

We’ll go over to Europe. She’s spoken with UK Foreign Secretary Miliband, French Foreign Minister Kouchner, German Foreign Minister Steinmeier, Czech Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg – Czechoslovakia holds the EU presidency, as I think most of you know.

QUESTION: Except that, I’m sorry, Czechoslovakia hasn’t existed for a while.

MR. WOOD: Did I say – excuse me, the Czech Republic. It’s just one of those things.

QUESTION: First day jitters, eh?

MR. WOOD: No, no, no. (Laughter.) You know, that is – that would be a good little story.

Anybody hear about Hillary chatting it up with a country that doesn't exist? Care to guess what the odds would have been if this were McCain't (or still Bush's) administration?

Coughlin Update

There must be something in the water up there in Summit County...

First we had Mary Taylor hints that she wanted some love, now we have Kevin Coughlin getting in on the act.

Apparently he wants the party to come to him and talk him down from a primary for Governor and gave him a consolation prize: the nomination for Treasurer.

The problem with that is State Rep. Shannon Jones who has also expressed interest in the position.

Exit Question: Doesn't ANYBODY want to be John Kasich's running mate?

UPDATE: Don't get me wrong, folks, I like Coughlin and I think his taking on of Arshinkoff is/was God's work. It is just that with an unknown new Dem treasurer, the first CPA Republican Auditor, Brunner's hack partisanship at the SoS office, a policy wonk like Portman running for Senate, and Kasich running for gov we should have a great statewide ticket, the only thing that's going to hold us back is this sort of thing.

Rep. Schmidt to Serve in Leadership Role on House Agriculture Subcommittee

Release:

Schmidt Named Ranking Member of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture

Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (OH-02) has been named the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture for the 111th Congress.

The House Agriculture Committee oversees an extensive assortment of agriculture and rural development issues, including renewable energy, disaster assistance, nutrition, conservation, international trade; futures market regulation, agricultural research, bioterrorism, and forestry.

“I am very excited by the opportunity to further my fight on the importance of nutrition and the consumption of fruits and vegetables in this new leadership role,” said Congresswoman Schmidt. “Agriculture and international trade plays a vital role in my district and our national economy. This subcommittee will allow me to positively influence these important areas,” Schmidt added.

Specific commodities under the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction are fruits and vegetables, organic agriculture, horticulture and viticulture (the production of wine) and a variety of other issues.

“Agriculture is vital to our nation and our world,” Schmidt said. “My work on the Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture will allow me to continue to promote U.S. agriculture around the world.”

Pro-Life Update

Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-04):



Rep. Jordan reflects on eve of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, 1/21/09

Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05):

WASHINGTON- Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) made the following statement today after addressing the March for Life on the National Mall and meeting with pro-life groups from the Fifth District today who traveled to Washington, D.C.

“Throughout my tenure of public service, I have been proud to stand with the pro-life community and work to protect the rights of the unborn. On solemn days such as today, it is important to recognize the efforts made by all who stand for the sanctity of life. Today’s March of Life on the National Mall is just one of many ways the pro-life community is active in advocating for life, and I was honored to address them today.”

Congressman Latta was one of over eighty members of the House Republican Conference to sign a letter to President Obama asking him to withdraw his pledge to sign the Freedom of Choice Act. He is also an original co-sponsor of the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act introduced by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act introduced by Jim Jordan (R-OH).

Sen. George Voinovich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) spoke to a group of pro-life supporters who came to Washington, D.C. to participate in the 36th Annual March for Life on the National Mall. Sen. Voinovich joined U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-4) to address Ohioans, reassuring them of his support of pro-life issues.

Sen. Voinovich came to the Senate with a long history of defending life. While he was governor, Ohio passed legislation on informed consent, parental notification and the woman’s right to know, which imposed a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking an abortion and required abortion providers to share information about fetal development and abortion alternatives. Ohio was also one of the first states in the country to pass a ban on partial birth abortion. And, in June 1996, Ohio passed the Unborn Victims of Violence bill, making it a crime to injure or kill an unborn child who could survive on his or her own outside the mother’s womb. As a member of the United States Senate, Sen. Voinovich continues to fight for life. Sen. Voinovich has emerged as a leader fighting additional funding for embryonic stem cell research and has vowed to fight the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA).

Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- and House Republicans:

Led by House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH), a total of 105 House Republican Members of Congress have sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking that he withdraw his pledge to sign the so-called “Freedom of Choice” Act (FOCA), which would overturn hundreds of state laws nationwide protecting the sanctity of unborn human life. During the 2008 presidential campaign, then-candidate Obama vowed that the “first thing” he would do as president is sign FOCA. Leader Boehner and other Republicans note that enactment of FOCA would increase abortions and divide the country. The request by House GOP legislators coincides with the 36th anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.

FOCA_Letter01-21-09

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

Kasich Update

I saw this the other day and didn't get a chance to unload on the Columbus Dispatch for thier hackery. Fortunately, Dan Riehl picked up my slack... Read the whole thing and explore all of the links in order to fully understand just how lame this attack on Kasich really is...

Voinovich Update

Two items...

Release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH), regarded by many of his colleagues as the Senate’s top “debt hawk,” today was appointed to the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Upon being appointed, Sen. Voinovich promised to bring the common sense, hard-nosed fiscal approach from his days as mayor of Cleveland and governor of Ohio to the appropriations process. In this new role he will forcefully advocate greater oversight, tougher standards and the setting of real priorities. Due to Senate rules, this new committee assignment will bring Sen. Voinovich’s tenure on the Foreign Relations Committee to an end. He will continue to serve on the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.



“America’s fiscal situation is dire and is getting worse by the day. The federal government continues to spend more than it brings in and cannot sustain itself working this way forever. I believe that Congress can be a true steward of the taxpayer dollar through transparency and prioritization. Over the last two years, Ohio has lost three of its appropriators – Mike DeWine, Ralph Regula and Dave Hobson. While foreign affairs has always been and will continue to be one of my top priorities, I could not in good conscience turn down the opportunity to serve the people of Ohio on this vitally important committee during such perilous times. I hope to be able to help Ohio in a way that is fiscally responsible while pushing Congress to work harder and smarter. And I hope to keep Congress on time for a change. In 27 of the past 30 years, Congress has failed to enact all the appropriations bills by the start of the fiscal year. This irresponsible fiscal policy affects our economy, interferes with our ability to maintain and improve our infrastructure, hurts our ability to fight the War on Terror and impedes efforts to enhance our education system. This is irresponsible management and it has to stop.”

He'll do less damage on Approps than on Foreign Relations, so this is GREAT NEWS!

Item #2: Voinovich will join Senators Joe Lieberman, Susan Collins, and Daniel Akaka with GAO Acting Comptroller Gene Dodaro in a press conference at noon today to release GAO’s list of agencies at high risk of waste, fraud, and abuse.

Boehner on Gitmo

Release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement after the Obama Administration circulated a draft executive order calling for the closure of the terrorist detainee facility at Guantanamo Bay and halting all trials at the facility:

“Republicans want to work with our President to protect our troops on the battlefield and keep America safe, but there are important questions that must be answered before the terrorist detainee facility at Guantanamo Bay can be closed.

“The key question is where do you put these terrorists? Do you bring them inside our borders? Do you release them back into the battlefield? Is it really necessary to suspend the trial of Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the avowed mastermind of the September 11 plot, even though he has objected to the delay? If there is a better solution, we’re open to hearing it. But most communities around America don’t want dangerous terrorists imported into their neighborhoods, and I can’t blame them. As long as it is necessary to protect our national security interests, the terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo Bay should remain open.”

NOTE: The Associated Press recently reported that detainees who have been held but released from Guantanamo Bay are “increasingly returning to the fight against the United States and its allies.” The report says 61 terrorist detainees released have rejoined the fight.

This should come as a surprise to absolutely nobody who reads this site regularly but I agree with Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner.

House Republicans Ask President Obama to Withdraw Pledge to Sign So-Called “Freedom of Choice” Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Led by House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH), more than 80 House Republican legislators today called on President Obama to withdraw his pledge to sign the so-called “Freedom of Choice” Act (FOCA), legislation that would overturn virtually all pro-life laws nationwide. The request by House GOP legislators comes on the eve of the 36th anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.

A letter signed by more than 80 members of the House Republican Conference – including Boehner, Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN), Policy Committee Chairman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), Conference Vice-Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), and others – will be formally sent to the President later today.

“Americans from all walks of life have been touched by your pledge to govern from the center, and by your vow to be a president for all Americans,” the House GOP legislators said. “[We] respectfully urge you to build on this foundation by withdrawing your pledge to sign the so-named Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), which would in one tragic act overturn virtually all pro-life laws nationwide, and by refusing to support legislation that incrementally enacts the FOCA agenda by rescinding or weakening existing pro-life laws piece by piece.

“You have expressed a desire to be a president for all Americans, and to use your presidency to promote initiatives that bring Americans together, rather than drive them apart. We recognize it will not always be easy for you to do this. However, too much is at stake for this divisive and destructive legislation to move forward and life-saving laws to be rolled back. We respectfully urge you to withdraw your pledge to sign FOCA, and that you pledge not to sign legislation that incrementally enacts FOCA by rescinding existing pro-life laws and legal protections.”

Here is the full text of the letter, along with a list of signers.

January 21, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

Since the beginning of your presidential transition, Americans from all walks of life have been touched by your pledge to govern from the center, and by your vow to be a president for all Americans. We are writing to respectfully urge you to build on this foundation by withdrawing your pledge to sign the so-named Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), which would in one tragic act overturn virtually all pro-life laws nationwide, and by refusing to support legislation that incrementally enacts the FOCA agenda by rescinding or weakening existing pro-life laws piece by piece.

On January 22, our nation will mark the 36th anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. Since Roe v. Wade, many laws – including laws to prevent federal taxpayer funding for abortion – have been enacted to mitigate the effects of the decision on unborn babies and their mothers. We hope that you would support the continuation of these laws and would oppose initiatives such as FOCA, which is more radical than the Roe v. Wade decision.

Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, recently warned FOCA "would deprive the American people in all fifty states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry, [and] coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars." It would "have lethal consequences for prenatal human life [and] an equally destructive effect on the freedom of conscience of doctors, nurses and health care workers whose personal convictions do not permit them to cooperate in the private killing of unborn children," threatening health care institutions and charities throughout the country, he noted. Enacting FOCA or overturning existing policies would have the same effect. We ask that you reject this divisive agenda.

During the campaign you talked about reducing abortions. The Freedom of Choice Act would do the opposite. By overturning laws that require parental notification or consent before a minor girl obtains an abortion, the abortion rate will increase. A recent study by Dr. Michael J. New showed that when a state enacts a parental involvement law, the minor abortion rate falls by 19 to 31 percent.

Also, advocates on both sides of the abortion debate agree that longstanding provisions that restrict funding for abortions reduce the number of abortions dramatically. A recent study by Heather D. Boonstra appearing in the Guttmacher Policy Review showed that 18 to 35 percent of Medicaid patients who would have had an abortion carry their babies to term when Medicaid will not pay for their abortion. Restrictions on funding for abortion save lives and protect the consciences of millions of Americans who do not want their tax dollars to be used to destroy innocent human life.

You have expressed a desire to be a president for all Americans, and to use your presidency to promote initiatives that bring Americans together, rather than drive them apart. We recognize it will not always be easy for you to do this. However, too much is at stake for this divisive and destructive legislation to move forward and life-saving laws to be rolled back. We respectfully urge you to withdraw your pledge to sign FOCA, and that you pledge not to sign legislation that incrementally enacts FOCA by rescinding existing pro-life laws and legal protections.

Sincerely,

Rep. John Boehner (R-OH)
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)
Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN)
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI)
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX)
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA)
Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Rep. Tom Price (R-GA)
Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO)
Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH)
Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-IL)
Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT)
Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA)
Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ)
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI)
Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA)
Rep. Thomas Rooney (R-FL)
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN)
Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC)
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)
Rep. Timothy V. Johnson (R-IL)
Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN)
Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS)
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL)
Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL)
Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO)
Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL)
Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX)
Rep. Bob Inglis (R-SC)
Rep. Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL)
Rep. Patrick Tiberi (R-OH)
Rep. David Roe (R-TN)
Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO)
Rep. Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC)
Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE)
Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA)
Rep. Steve Austria (R-OH)
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA)
Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX)
Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY)
Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI)
Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-OH)
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI)
Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX)
Rep. Blaine Leutkemeyer (R-MO)
Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA)
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE)
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH)
Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS)
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA)
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC)
Rep. Robert Latta (R-OH)
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA)
Rep. John Campbell (R-CA)
Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ)
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC)
Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI)
Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA)
Rep. John Kline (R-MN)
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
Rep. Gary Miller (R-CA)
Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO)
Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-LA)
Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA)
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)
Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL)
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO)
Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL))
Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE)
Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX)
Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)
Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA)
Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN)

Jon Husted is Officially Crazy

Over at his blog, former Speaker/now State Senator, Jon Husted has finally jumped the shark Big Time. He claims, with no link, that some organization puts Ohio at #14 in the US in Business Tax Climate. Unfortunately for Jon, the National Tax Foundation does not agree with him.

According to the 2009 State Business Tax Climate Index (PDF), Ohio STILL ranks #47 in the United States of America.



He has the nerve to say this...

Recently, these tax reforms have been attacked by groups who are seeking higher taxes and more spending on government programs. And, while the economy is not producing jobs at the moment, this study serves as a reminder that when the economy recovers and new investments grow businesses and create jobs, that Ohio is better positioned to succeed.

...knowing full well that taxes were raised on his watch and spending increased during his tenure.

Lord knows, we all hope that Ohio is "better positioned to succeed" it sure didn't have a thing to do with Jon Husted or the Republicans in the Ohio House the last few years.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I give you Prosecution Exhibit A:



Mr. Husted, please stop the insanity. Please stick to the truth...it will be easier to remember.

On Obama, JFK, FDR, Lincoln, and Image

Remember when the media was all abuzz about comparing Obama to John F. Kennedy? It was look, he's young, he's fresh, he's handsome. He has small children and a not unattractive wife. This could be Camelot all over again. See here and here for examples. You can google some more. It was all about the image. The sheen of the new. Then, the economic crisis hit. Then, the media were falling all over themselves to equate Obama with FDR, who despite the facts showing he lengthened and worsened the Depression by 7 years, is hailed as some type of economic messiah. Here are some comparisons I found here, here, and here. Google some more. Then, as the Left begins saying, let's heal the divide (because they won; where was the magnaminousness over the last 8 years?); Obama gets compared to Lincoln. See here, here, here. For a legitimate, critical comparison see here. Obama himself has used Lincoln to launch and end his campaigns, plagiarizing his words and those of other great leaders at serious turns.

We have arrived at a fundamental point in our history. Presidents come to power with their own character. I like Ike, let Reagan be Reagan, etc. We know their characters, their background, their ideals, their persona. With Obama, we STILL DON'T know. All we have is an amalgamation of differing comparisons, tossed away at certain times and reacquired at others. We don't know this guy. We don't know about his formative years except from an autobiography. We have been told we cannot question that self authored history. We cannot look at his moral beliefs through the prism of his church leadership, as that is not fair to him as an individual. We have not been allowed to see what he organized in the community beyond a failed gazebo. We have been told to stay out of looking at who Obama really is. Sure, we get a flowery portrayal of his love for hoops in Sports Illustrated, but beyond that, we don't know a whole lot. There is not a record of written materials beyond a smattering, aside from his own brushed and reairbrushed histories. All we are told is he is like these other guys. For many, it appears, this assurance by the media is enough. In fact, that has been the goal all along.

Take up the mantle of JFK, Lincoln, and FDR and seek to end all questioning. These are some of the most revered presidents in history. Say you are like them and people immediately feel better about you. In fact, this entire campaign was about feeling over substance, on both sides. McCain sought to make you afraid, and Obama sought to sugar you to death with candy treats from his Christmas tree of handouts and platitudes. We are being fed this imagery to end the questioning. But the questions remain unanswered, and they are important ones. Who is this guy? What is his real background? What was he teaching in some of those classes? What did he do with ACORN? What about that birth certificate and some of the other papers? No other candidate in our history has risen with so little left unanswered, and seemingly left to be unanswered. This is an effort to wall us off from examination, but if we do that all we are left with is feelings, and no rationality. Does Obama have core beliefs? I am sure he does, but what are they beyond a platitude and a reference to the Constitution that makes little sense, or a referencing to Lincoln's "better angels" or "having skin in the game"?

All we are left with then, even from his inaugural speech and his pre-inaugural appearances, then, is I still have no idea who this guy is and what he is going to do, but boy can he speak well and he makes me feel good. Should that really be enough for us? Can we really survive on good feelings and what I am sure are the best of intentions on Mr. Obama's part? How can we know what his core values are if they are hidden? I am sure Obama knows who he is; but we don't. The voters don't. They know he said he was like JFK. They know people said he was like FDR. But who is Obama? What is he going to do? And will it really help us, or is it designed to make us feel better, at the cost of our own being down the road? Maybe it will turn out ok, but isn't anyone else just a little worried that we have elected a guy who picks up and sheds personas so much and we don't know alot about who he really is and what he really thinks?

Shouldn't this degree of willful and blind obedience and allegiance and adoration when he has been on the job for 36 hours be a bit worrisome? Shouldn't this degree of groupthink that we must all come together and stop asking questions concern some people? That type of mentality has led to tragedies and atrocities here and abroad. What is he going to do? Usually you have some guide from writings or policies or position papers or previous experience...here we have a tabula rasa for the general public, with their expectations, and no one except Obama knowing who he is or what he really thinks or believes about this country beyond some flowery words that have little substance.

I saw this type of blind orgasmic reaction at work yesterday. Some people were watching Obama's speech on the TV during noon, and I happened by. There was crying and clapping among some. I asked them what made them cry and be so emotional. Well, he is going to change things. I probed further: how? They said they didn't know, just that he made them feel good and comfortable and that he knows what is best for the country. SAY WHAT? Whatever happened to a little bit of responsibility? What ever happened to asking some serious questions? This is not about feeling good, this is about the future of the country. And all these people want to hear is about how years ago this wouldn't have seemed possible but here it is? What about making sure our country exists in 40 more years and what you are going to do about it? I asked many of those who watched, and they couldn't identify anything, ANYTHING, they knew he was going to do, just that they trusted Obama to change things. Trusting government.....yeah, how's that bailout working? How is Frannie and Freddie doing? Seriously. If we all fall prey to this type of thinking, how are we going to be able to make decisions on if he is right or wrong? That type of blind, trusting allegiance leads to tyranny. Whether it be a beneficial or dictatorial tyrant, tyranny is tyranny. And tyranny is the opposite of what we as a country should be and have been: a free republic.

Oh, and note to Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, et.al. in the racebaiting for profit business: You can all shut up now.

But seriously, he was used as JFK to infuse youth and vigor. He was used as FDR to get economic street cred. He is being used as Lincoln to heal the wounds of the masses. Tell me, will it be much of a stretch to see him compared to Washington to father in a new country, a country based on whatever it is (socialism?) that he believes? If we continue to not be critical and instead just stand by, we may be watching the descent into tyranny, albeit with the willful support of many of the masses. I don't want to know how Obama is like these other guys, I want to know who Obama is and what he believes, and these comparisons hide the gaps in that knowledge and try to assauge the doubts we should have.

Strickland's "Infrastructure Czar"

...is NOT the head of Ohio Department of Transportation.

For some reason, Gov. T-Shirt Ted decided to bring in somebody else to run the show when it comes to allocating the billions and billions of dollars that T-Shirt's buddy Rahm Emmanuel is going to secure for his re-election plan latest plan to Turn Around Ohio.

Anybody else think this is a bad idea?

At least the guy isn't getting paid! Which usually means that the taxpayers get what they pay for...

Holy $#|+ Update

It's been awhile since I've had one of these stories hit my radar. I was kinda hoping we'd be done with these. Check out the category tag if you really need to have this explained...I'm pretty sure I explained why I highlight these at some point in WMD's history.

Today's sacreligious moron is Father Frederick Lloyd of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus.

Mike Fox Update

Intrepid Reporter Josh is back with a vengeance! He has two stories over at his place worth chatting about...

The first is a recap of a Mike Fox appearance on Bill Cunningham's radio show in which Mr. Fox continues to state that he did no wrong. If I had a nickel for every dirty politician who claimed absolute innocence, I would not feel compelled to write this blog for "extra" money...

The second is the best recap I've seen yet on the subject of Mike Fox and his many troubles.

As usual, we are left with many questions...

The FBI has been at this for about two years now, just how much more dirt can they dig up on this guy?

When will justice be served?

Will Kay Rogers ever see the inside of a jail cell?

Has anyone gotten around to asking Sheriff Jones if he'll have his deputies enforce the court-ordered foreclosure on Mr. Fox's home?

Energy on Tuesday

I have a few items regarding the opening of some areas for oil and natural gas exploration that I want to pass on to you...

Awhile back, I encouraged readers to send letters in support of offshore drilling to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) a few months ago Well, it appears that your efforts made a difference!

The (MMS) released its 2010-2015 five-year leasing plan this morning, and it proposes to open new offshore areas to oil and natural gas development. In Appendix A (page 132) the plan also notes that it received 152,000 letters from the general public and 53 percent supported increased offshore oil and natural gas production.

American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack Gerard today issued the following statement on the new Interior Department five-year oil and natural gas leasing plan, which proposes lease sales in recently opened areas off the Atlantic, Pacific and Eastern Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf:

“American consumers have been demanding access to the oil and natural gas located off our coasts and the draft proposed five-year plan, with its inclusion of areas that had been off-limits for more than 20 years, is a good step in the right direction. Developing our domestic resources is crucial to getting our nation’s economy back on its feet and getting more Americans back to work in well-paying jobs. A recent study showed that developing the oil and natural gas resources that had been off-limits for decades could bring in nearly two trillion dollars in revenue to federal, state and local governments, which could be used to fund schools, hospitals and other critical services. The study also showed that 160,000 new jobs could be created by 2030 if these resources were developed.

“America’s oil and natural gas companies have proven they can develop resources in an environmentally safe way. It is imperative Congress and the Obama administration allow this plan to move forward so our industry can do what it does best – supply the energy America needs.”

Thomas J. Pyle, president of the Institute for Energy Research, issued this statement:

“With the release of this outline today, the federal government is actively positioning itself to confront the failures of the past and take its first meaningful steps toward delivering our country and its people a secure, affordable energy future. As lawmakers on Capitol Hill continue to work on a government-directed, ‘green jobs’ plan to stimulate our economy, today’s announcement presents our country with two very different choices: either we can spend massive amounts of taxpayer money on energy that’s less reliable, less affordable, and less powerful, or we can generate massive new revenues for the taxpayer by producing energy that’s more reliable, much more affordable, and significantly more powerful.

“Today’s news is long overdue, but it hardly could have come at a better time for an economy that’s hemorrhaging jobs, searching for revenue, and in desperate need of a long-term energy strategy. Each one of these crises could be confronted and neutralized if we were to put in motion a serious plan to develop even a portion of America ’s abundant offshore energy resources. Today, the outlines of such a plan were finally revealed. It’s now up to the new Congress and incoming administration to see this plan through completion.”

Of course, a lot can happen before any of these areas are opened to energy exploration and production. Only time will tell whether this nation has the will to produce more of its own domestic energy resources. But you certainly can take credit for helping to move the process in the right direction for all Americans.

RELATED:

IER: "Drill, Drill, Drill Helps, Helps, Helps"

IER: "Lifting the Offshore Ban Gave Immediate Price Relief"

IER Report: "Speculators Not to Blame for High Oil Prices"

Western Bowl To Close -- OH NO!

In this morning's Enquirer it is being reported that Western Bowl, a mainstay on the west side of Cincinnat is going to close on May 1, 2009. Of course, the reason given for the closure is the smoking ban and the economy with most of it blame being shifted on the smokers. Of course, it didn't indicate that management of the facility or location issues weren't factored enter into it. I posted some comments in the paper:

"It has very little to do with the smoking ban despite all the belly aching by those who didn't even cast a freaking vote on the issue. At the time, I was a smoker, since then, been able to quit for almost a year. My attitude towards smokers and their right to smoke hasn't changed, I am just loving the extra coin in my pocket and the ability to breath better! I think it has more to do with the economy and the changing attitude about bowling in general. Having been a league bowler for almost thirty years, I can assure you that times have changed, but I still love going to the bowling alley two nights a week. I never would have imagined in 1977, being able to listen to music while I bowl and while many of the other 'old timers' grumble, I actually enjoy the music, the light shows and the camraderie. Perhaps it is the economy stupid, but I think it really comes down to marketing the game and getting young people involved in it, building for the future, if you want leagues in the future."

While you hate to see an old established business, and the location of our first date for the wife and I, you really hate to see it close. I enjoyed bowling there and wish them nothing but the best for the future.

TIB All Stars - 011709 - Live Blog

Listen Now!

Click the "Listen Now!" text above to listen to TIB RADIO.

Join us for the TIB All-Stars Show at 7PM Eastern.

Mark is back from his suspension to join forces with Matt and Tom to bring you three-plus hours of internet radio greatness all live and direct from the battleground state of Ohio.

LINKS AND TOPICS:

OhioGOP Update -- Bob Bennett, Kevin DeWine, George Voinovich, Rob Portman, and Mary Taylor.

Bob Bennett--See ya, Wouldn't Want to be ya....We give Bobby the kiss-off Send-off He Deserves....
Boehner On Bennett

Kevin DeWine, It's Now Your Party...Please Don't Cry If You Want To...
DeWine Elected Unanimously
DeWine's Inartful Post-election stuff
DeWine's Plan for the Ohio GOP--but is it a plan or just identifying problems?

Speaking of Crying, One Less Tear Jerker in the Senate Soon...George Voinovich Says Goodbye....
The Press Release
The Soundbites
Our Slate of Reax from Political Types

Portman for Senate 2010?
The Announcement
DeWine on Portman
Latta Endorses Portman
Boehner Endorses Portman
Schmidt Endorses Portman (duh!)
College Republicans on Portman (and the Crying Man)
Portman's Official Site

But Wait, Rob, The Diva is Getting Jealous...Mary Taylor upset she isn't getting more love?
Matt's Story on What he is Hearing About Taylor

Ohio and the Nation
What a Load of BullSCHIP!
Boehner on the Crap that is SChip
Blumer on the Excrement Cracker known as SChip
Malkin on the Poo on the Sole of Your Shoe Known as SChip
Malkin LiveBlogging the Debate on the Sewer Sludge that is SChip

National Stuff
President Bush's Farewell Radio Address
Obama's Pick for Head of Treasury Wants You to Pay Your Taxes, but He Can Forget
AP excuses Geithner
Blumer Says Geithner Must Go
Tax Goof Update
Geithner Update
Glossover Treatment
Back to Ohio.....
Strickland loves the gambling, his faith-based guy loves the hookers...hey, he was turning around Ohio one hooker at a time....

Thoughts on W...
Lincoln Like Greatness
Krauthammer on the rehabbing of W
Move Aside Detroit, Cincy Reigns as Suckalicious.....