Primary Analysis

Kind of a mixed bag, really...

The Good

Dennis Kucinich can now return to his home planet a loser

In Butler County, Mary Swain crushed Cindy Carpenter: The Next Generation by a score of 60 - 40

Over in Brown County, Doug Green wins for State Rep. Nick Owens ran a great campaign, is a young guy, and will be back.

73rd OHD: Jarrod Martin is done. Would have preferred Eric Spicer for the win, but Rick Perales will have to do

The Bad

Multiple opponents wasn't enough to keep Chuck Furmon as Commissioner in Butler County

Peggy Lehner defeated her primary opponent for State Senate.

The Ugly

USA Brad defeats Jean Schmidt in OH-02. Let's hope he gets to take on David Krikorian in the general. COAST won't know who to endorse......

Mitt Romney. Looks like I'll be voting AGAINST Obama, but not FOR the Republican...again. *()&$%$)&*^&%^#@

Archie Wilson, Clermont County Tea Party, and..... Brad Wenstrup?

WMD received an email from a source with some commentary regarding this FOX19 article about the latest fiasco dealing with Republicans Behaving Badly (and yes we have a new label/tag for this sort of thing)...

In the 2010 race for County Commissioner, it was Archie Wilson and the Tea Party against incumbent Commissioner Scott Croswell and "the establishment". The race became pretty vicious, especially when Archie and the Tea Party spread rumors that Scott Croswell had cheated on his wife, which makes these current allegations all that more ironic. (The woman in question turned out to be...his wife..)

The Clermont County Tea Party (who are much more extreme than any other local Tea Party) did everything they could to support Archie Wilson, and it will be interesting to see what affect that has on their credibility. From the folks I've talked to, there certainly appears to be some outrage towards the Clermont County Tea Party for being so blinded by hate that their judgement became so clouded. Will the Tea Party attempt to sweep this under the rug or will they take responsibility and apologize to the constituents of Clermont County who were convinced Archie was a true Conservative?

An additional interesting note is that Archie Wilson was Brad Wenstrup's biggest supporter in Clermont County. Brad was Archie's guest at a number of Republican events last year and Archie had been doing everything he could to help get Brad elected. There is still some question about how Archie managed to obtain the prescription pain medication, and if Brad is in anyway roped into this scandal, it's fair to say his political career is over (if it wasn't over before he become entrenched in COAST).

There are still more shocking details about this story that will come out soon, but the citizens of Clermont County ought to be outraged that they were led to believe Archie was a Conservative. It appears he was anything but.

This is BAD all over...and as our correspondent said, there will be MORE to this story as it develops.

COAST Chooses Hypocrisy over Values in Helping Wenstrup Raise Cash

COASTers host fundraiser to help Dr. Brad Wenstrup's congressional campaign

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When so-called “liberal” democrats voted to approve funding of Planned Parenthood to the tune of $26,000, COAST said it was a “misuse of tax funds”. But when Brad Wenstrup voted to give Planned Parenthood $85,000 of tax funds, you didn’t hear a peep out of Chris Finney’s group COAST. Instead they turned a blind eye to the misuse of taxpayer funds. The COAST motto seems to be: Do as we say, not as we do.

Despite a claimed fiscal crisis, on Monday of this week liberal democrats Todd Portune and David Pepper voted to approve funding of Planned Parenthood to the tune of $26,255. COAST joined Cincinnati Right to Life and Citizens for Community Values in e-mailing their members against this misuse of tax funds. An outcry from more than 1,500 residents nearly closed down business in the County administrative offices with calls and e-mails.

Posted by COAST at 10/24/2008 07:01:00 AM

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The Cincinnati Board of Health voted unanimously to give a sub-grant of up to $85,000 to the Planned Parenthood abortion business in the area, Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio. This is the same abortion business that was caught covering up a case of sexual abuse of a minor. The members of the Board of Health present at the time of the meeting approving the funding were Joyce Kinley, Dr. Jeff Lange, Dr. Wael Safi, Dr. Richard Schwen, Dr. Donna Shambley-Ebron and Dr. Brad Wenstrup.

So, COAST is supporting the guy who gave money to Planned Parenthood on the Board of Health, even though they called the allocation a waste of taxpayer dollars? They are supporting and raising money for the guy who so mismanaged the board of health a gratn in place for 30 years was removed?

Funny, I thought COAST was about conservative values and fiscal responsibility. It seems in OH-2 it is all about hating Jean Schmidt....Is it because she is successful? Is it because she is a woman? Or both? Or is it just because they beat COAST favorite Tom Brinkman and it is vendetta time?

Whichever way, don't support their spending candidate. Whichever way, how can you believe they stand for what they claim to, when they support a candidate who was such a poor steward of tax dollars?

COAST Chooses Vendetta over Its Own Principles...

But then again, don't they always? What am I talking about? The primary battle between incumbent US Congresswoman of the 2nd District Jean Schmidt, versus her abortion supporting but yet proclaimed pro-life challenger "Dr." Brad Wenstrup. COAST hates Jean Schmidt because she is a woman and they so wanted Tom Brinkman in the US Congress. COAST supposedly stands against wasteful spending by governments and government agencies. By this very nature, they should oppose Dr. Wenstrup. To wit:

The Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes criticized “liberal democrats” on the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners who voted to approve $26,000 in funding to Planned Parenthood in 2008.
The “policy of funding the abortion provider (is) a misuse of tax funds,” COAST said.

So what does COAST think about the $85,000 in taxpayer money that Dr. Brad Wenstrup and the rest of the Cincinnati Health Board recently gave to the same Planned Parenthood?:

Wenstrup’s board specified that the tax money is to be used “strictly for HIV/AIDS testing and prevention.”

Can you say cop out, boys and girls? I thought you could. COAST just hates Jean Schmidt, they don't care about funding. They just want somebody to take her down.

Planned Parenthood said the tax money also will go for outreach to what it called the “men who have sex with men” population – including those in local jails.
Does that make it less of “misuse of tax funds”?


COAST has shown time and again that except when it comes to defeating school levies, they don't much care about their principles, especially if it means getting rid of their hated enemy Jean Schmidt. Yes, the very same Jean Schmidt who knows that supporting Planned Parenthood with tax dollars is not pro life. The same Jean Schmidt rated the 6th most conservative member of the entire US House! Somehow Dr. Wenstrup thinks supporting an institution that covers up Child Rape as Planned Parenthood sought to do (previously reported on WMD) is being pro life!


We all know that a taxpayer dollar into Planned Parenthood's front pocket allows for a dollar out of their back pocket to fund another abortion. Evidently, the good doctor Wenstrup does not...or he doesn't care....AND NEITHER DOES COAST.

Jean Schmidt may not be perfect, but she has worked hard to serve the people of her district and at least she seems to understand what the meaning of pro life is.

COAST statement:
http://coast-usa.blogspot.com/2008/10/pepper-portune-back-planned-parenthood.html

Planned Parenthood newsletter:
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/swoh/images/SouthwestOhioRegion/PPSWO_Newsletter_Fall2011_final2-lores.pdf

Board of Health minutes:
http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/health/downloads/health_pdf43057.pdf

BUTLER COUNTY: Fairfield Board of Education Update

Can I PLEASE get a candidate for school board that has a clue and actually doesn't act like clown? Is that too much to ask??? Apparently so... Oh, and look, COASTers are involved too.....color me shocked and surprised...

Cincy Public Schools Are STILL Indoctrinating Students for Democrats

An email from COAST:

As of Monday, the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers has resumed mis-using school property and personnel for partisan political purposes, aimed at securing the election of liberal democrats Congressman Steve Driehaus and Governor Ted Strickland.

COAST is sending a letter to Steve Driehaus and Governor Strickland today asking that they demand the electioneering inside Cincinnati Public Schools on their behalf cease immediately.
Many folks have commented to COAST that the CPS voting scandal is so outrageous that they would not believe the facts if COAST's attorneys had not established an iron-clad case in Court. After all, why would largely honest public servants allow this abuse of tax resources to be used for political purposes?
Thus, imagine COAST's surprise Tuesday morning when CPS's attorney announced to COAST about new campaign activities of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers using the property of Cincinnati Public Schools:

We learned that the CFT through its building representative placed in the mailboxes of its members at Western Hills High School the attached material that you may regard as a political advertisement within the scope of the 2002 Agreement. We are told that the material is paid for and prepared by AFT/OFT/CFT.
A copy of the attachment to the e-mail is here. You really will not believe it. It is overt electioneering on behalf of democrats Steve Driehaus and Ted Strickland. COASTers may recall that the activists taking three van loads of CPS students to the Board of Elections to vote democrat were wearing Driehaus campaign stickers and handing out democrat sample ballots.
COAST attorneys then inquired whether the abuse of school property for political purposes was going to spread to all CPS schools. CPS' attorney responded:

CFT counsel confirms today that the materials at Western Hills Engineering were to be delivered by CFT building reps to all CPS schools for distribution to teachers through the mailbox. While we have not polled every school, we have no reason at this time to think that is not the case. Let me know if your client would like to reciprocate.

We know COASTers are speechless in reading this. We were speechless when our attorneys forwarded us these messages as well.

After a week of withering criticism in the media and from the public about the ice-cream-for-votes scandal, CFT and CPS are again shamelessly mis-using government property for partisan political purposes. And the center of that political activity seems to be Congressman Steve Driehaus.
There appears to be no way to stop the use of CPS property before the election for political purposes. Rather than educate our children, CPS appears hopelessly dedicated to advancing the agenda of the ideological left -- and to use our tax dollars in doing so.
So, Congressman Driehaus and Governr Strickland, please instruct your minions to stop the abuse - and stop it now!

Public schools should not be used for indoctrination...but they are...and this is further evidence of it.

ORP SCC "Endorsements": The Lawsuit

Thanks to the folks at COAST for publishing this...

Thea Shoemake v, Ohio Rep. Party

COAST Endorses Morgan for Auditor

Release:

Huber Heights, Ohio - COAST, an anti-tax grassroots organization in Cincinnati, today endorsed Seth Morgan, CPA for Auditor of State.

COAST's announcement stated "Like the outgoing State Auditor, Mary Taylor, Seth Morgan is a Certified Public Accountant, the only one in the race so qualified. He also owns and operates a small business in the Dayton area."

"The COAST endorsement is an acknowledgement that Seth Morgan is the people's candidate and more qualified to Ohio's next Auditor of State than anyone from either party," said Rob Scott, Communications Director for Friends of Seth Morgan. "COAST is a grassroots powerhouse in Southwest Ohio. This organization being behind Seth is huge."

COAST exists to limit the rate of taxes and spending at the federal, state, and local level to within the rate of inflation and to stop the abuse of power by government officials.

COAST advances this cause by consistent and principled adherence to limited government and lower taxes in fighting legislation and ballot initiatives that increase taxes and spending beyond the rate of inflation, and by supporting candidates for public office who advance these principles.

Buckeye Institute Moves to Stop City of Cincinnati from Harassment of Trolley Petitioners

Release:

COLUMBUS – The Buckeye Institute, a Columbus-based think tank, today filed, in Federal Court, a motion to restrain the City of Cincinnati and its agents from harassing citizens who are demanding that the City put its $200 million trolley project to a vote. The Motion argues the City consistently threatens petitioners who gather signatures for causes with which the City disagrees, and that the Court must immediately stop this interference.

Over the last month, the City of Cincinnati, through various police officer and other government agents, has escalated its interference with trolley project petitioners, ordering them to stop collecting signatures on Fountain Square, Findlay Market, and on public sidewalks, and in several cases, threatening to arrest petitioners for “circulating petitions without a license.” The Motion notes that no license or prior approval is needed to gather signatures on public property.

“The political class of Cincinnati clearly feels threatened by the idea that the citizens, and not they, would get to have the final word on whether to implement this abysmally expensive pork project.” Maurice Thompson, Director of the Buckeye Institute's 1851 Center for Constitutional Law said.

The Institute, who is partnering with the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes on this case, expects that the U.S. District Court will immediately grant a Temporary Restraining Order prohibiting the City and its agents from interfering with petitioner's collection of signatures.

“In Ohio and nationwide, Courts recognize the ballot initiative as the ‘zenith of political speech,' and accorded the utmost protection under the First Amendment,” said Thompson. “Given our state Constitution's acknowledgment that ‘all political power is inherent in the people,' that the City would interfere with this clearly-recognized right in such a haphazard manner is dumbfounding.”

The City's interference and harassment coincides with COAST petitioners reaching the halfway point on their way to the the 6,150 valid signatures that need to be submitted by September 4 to place the issue on the ballot.

The One Where I Agree with COAST

The Hamilton County Commission recently gave the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Film Commission a nice fat check for $75,000. At a time when you have the commission attempting to force a tax increase onto a constituency that already voted down an increase for a new jail, this sort of spending is just not demonstrative of fiscal responsibility.

Enter COASTers Tom Brinkman and Mark Miller... They are suing the county and the City of Cincinnati saying that the payoff was illegal. The Cincinnati Enquirer picks up the story from here:

They say law allows the money be spent only on construction, promotion or operation of a convention center or to pay off the convention center’s debt. The Film Commission is a non-profit organization that markets Greater Cincinnati to makers of movies, commercials, music videos and other such productions.

“I do not believe, after several readings of the law, that the Film Commission fits the tourism and promotion aspect” of the law, Brinkman said. “This is another example of our county commissioners wasting money as opposed to being good stewards of our tax dollars.”

As you might expect, Commissioner Todd Portune doesn't agree:

“The Film Commission, in addition to bringing in in films and projects, books a lot of hotel rooms and restaurants,” he said. “They spend a lot of effort to bring that to Hamilton County. That is squarely within the legal confines.”

Whether or not it is legal, it doesn't feel right. Here is how the Enquirer describes where this money came from and how it is supposed to be used:

In 2002 the city and county raised the hotel-motel tax to 6.5 percent to generate money for the expansion of the Duke Energy Center downtown. The county’s portion of the tax exceeded expectations last year, generating $5.65 million – $1.67 million of which was surplus. In February the county amended the agreement to allow some of the surplus to go to the Northern Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau for the expansion of the Sharonville Convention Center. The agreement noted that the CVB could allot up to $75,000 of that to the Film Commission.

You can put me down as standing with COAST on this one.

COASTer Update

I'm sure many of you regulars areound the Ohiosphere have seen various commenters state that Tom Brinkiman is no longer connected to the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes, an organization which he founded and, I argue, still has tremendous influence. To further that point, I present to you this excerpt from the Cincinnati Enquirer article on a proposed 10-mill school levy for Cincinnati:

State Rep. Tom Brinkman, R-Mount Lookout, founder of the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes, said the area’s anti-tax groups are staying on the sidelines of a Cincinnati levy for now. He said the district’s own infighting and mismanagement is a good anti-levy campaign on its own.

“There’s an age-old political axiom,” Brinkman said before Thursday’s meeting. “When your opponent’s killing themselves, stand back out of the way.”

Why would the reporter go to Brinkman for this quote? Doesn't COAST have a leader and/or spokesman?

And isn't it interesting that COAST is going to sit this one out. A 10-mill levy is $306 dollars added to a tax bill for a $100,000 home. I don't know about what the average COASTer thinks, but that sounds like a lot of additional taxing and spending to me.

I remain critical of COAST, not for their mission, but for their tactics. This story continues to illustrate that COAST is incapable of presenting a positive message on this critical issue. If COAST wants to stand on the sidelines for this one; fine, say so. But there is no need to go beyond that. If I were representing COAST and was asked about this issue, I would say that the organizations was carefully reviewing the situation and would take a position when the dust settles and the facts can be examined. Period. End of story. No need to be negative here. Of course, I'm looking at this story after it has been written and I have no idea how the question was posed to Brinkman; but knowing the COASTers the way I do, this is how they operate. Attack. Attack. Attack. Always on offense. And there is something to be said for that approach. But if an organization wants to have lasting, long term impact, "nagativity" is not the way to go.

I am not saying that COAST should surrender its principles. Quite the opposite, actually. What I am saying is that the message needs to packaged better than it currently is being presented. If you were to take a poll of the southwestern Ohio, you would discover two things that might seem at odds with each other... 1) COAST has a low approval rating. And, 2) the principles for which COAST stands for do not. What causes that dichotomy? COAST does not have an effective PR machine. COAST is its own worst enemy...

As for the financial problems experienced by the Cincinnati Public School system, I would suggest that if the students are not being sufficiently served by a budget of $428 million, someone ought to take a look at the salaries and expenses associated with personnel not in the classrooms. I am quite sure there is a narrative that could be constructed there that would better paint the picture of why yet another tax increase would do nothing more than pour more gasoline on the fire that is public education in the city of Cincinnati.

COAST Returns From the Darkness - At Least on This Issue

Allow me to echo Bizzy's comments that it is nice to see the good old boys from COAST back on topic and fighting the good fight.

When the citizens vote down a tax increase, it is not right that politicians impose one anyway...