Governor Ted's Top Ten Talking Points for DNC

Release:

COLUMBUS - Today Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett made the following statement on Governor Ted Strickland's keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention along with a list of ten talking points he might highlight from his four years as governor.

"The Democratic National Convention is apparently so desperate for speakers they actually have Ted Strickland on the schedule. Whoever decided to give a speaking role to a fired governor responsible for 400,000 lost jobs ought to have their head examined...but then again, I've been saying that about the Democrats for years," stated Bennett.

The following is a preview of what Ted might say in tonight's speech.

10. "After John Tester, Joe Manchin, Claire McCaskill, Bernie Sanders, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers declined invites to the Convention, the DNC was looking to fill-in. And since everyone from the speaker of the New York General Assembly to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee warned all their members to stay away, -- I'm honored you asked me to be here tonight!"

9. "Representative Betty Sutton is back home in Ohio tonight. She said she didn't come to the Convention because she has 'things to do'. Lucky for me, after the Ohio voters fired me, my schedule is wide open!"

8. "For those of you who don't know me, you may recognize me from the 'Shame on you Barack Obama' commercial!"

7. "It's good to see a decent crowd here in Charlotte tonight. I spoke at the Obama campaign kick-off in Columbus this year and that place was half empty!"

6. "Under Barack Obama, fewer Americans are working today than when he took office. I'm happy to report that I contributed 400,000 lost jobs to that effort!"

5. "You know, if I just keep taking credit for the economy during the last two years before I took office and the first two years of the Kasich administration, I can say I had a fantastic four years as Governor of Ohio!"

4. "Republicans claim John Kasich cleaned up the mess I left behind as Governor. But I'm here tonight to make the case that it was Barack Obama who cleaned up the mess I left behind as Governor!"

3. "John Kasich is no Barack Obama. Kasich balanced a budget, cut taxes, and had a laser-focus on job creation. Barack Obama hasn't done a single one of those things! He's nothing like John Kasich!"

2. "I'm glad the Democrats are refusing to answer 'are you better off today than you were four years ago?' I've learned a lot watching them dodge and duck that question, and claim it's the wrong question to ask. Where the hell were these guys when I needed them in 2010?"

1. "Mitt Romney is running a scary campaign. Like John Kasich two years ago he's

smearing his opponent by pointing out facts about his record. That's bad news folks -- because it usually works!"

Ted Strickland's Solyndra...And Biden Visited This Plant, too!

How about that Green Revolution, eh? How about the greatest Governor since ...well, anyone, Ted Strickland?

Seems Teddy didn't know much about choosing winners and losers, either. From the Toledo Blade:

Willard & Kelsey Solar Group LLC laid off about 40 people indefinitely at the beginning of January until changes to its production line are completed, a company official said Monday.

Michael Cicak, the company's chief executive officer and chairman of the board, would not say when the changes would be completed or when the laid-off employees could return to work.

"We have some technical people in here improving the efficiency of the assembly line," Mr. Cicak said, adding that the Perrysburg-based facility still has about 30 employees.

He said Willard & Kelsey has a little more than 80 employees when it's fully functional.

The start-up company has been plagued by a series of production and staffing delays since it was formed in 2008. It has received millions of dollars in government loans and tax breaks and has been toured by high-profile officials such as Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, and former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.

Mr. Cicak said last week that the facility was to reopen Monday after a period of adjusting its inventory. A voice mail message on the company's main phone line said the same thing.

Only 15 cars were in the parking lot at 1:30 p.m. Monday. The office was devoid of activity, and the rows of desks were empty.

A tour of the production line and the changes being made to it were not made available to The Blade. As of early 2011, the company had received a $5 million research and development loan from the Ohio Department of Development, a $10 million loan from the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, a $3.3 million job creation tax credit, and a $701,000 grant to provide training for 50 current and 250 new workers.

Attempts to reach state officials were unsuccessful because Monday was Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.

Mr. Cicak previously has made sweeping claims for how many people the 262,000-square-foot plant along State Rt. 25 could employ. In February, 2011, the company said it planned to have 250 employees by the end of 2011. At the same time, Mr. Cicak said the company could produce 600 to 700 jobs in the next to two years and up to 4,000 in five or six years.

That was yesterday. Today, state officials are looking over what has to be labelled as another one of Strickland's Follies:

State officials said Tuesday they will visit Willard & Kelsey Solar Group next month to check on the status of the Perrysburg company, which recently laid off about half its work force.

The company, which is partially funded by millions of dollars in state loans and grants, has reduced its payments on two loans provided by the state.

The start-up company has failed to live up to the production and staffing goals that its executive leadership set when it was formed in 2008. It laid off 40 employees this month.

In addition to the state loans, the company was conditionally approved for more than $3 million in state tax breaks, but it has not generated enough jobs to become eligible for those breaks, said Daryl Hennessy, assistant chief of the business services division at the state Department of Development.

“They created some jobs in their annual report but not at the level they said they were going to,” Mr. Hennessy said.

The company employs a little more than 80 people when it’s fully operational, said Michael Cicak, chief executive officer and chairman of the board. The company is privately held and does not release its financial information.

Mr. Cicak said Willard & Kelsey laid off employees because the company’s only assembly line is undergoing changes to produce more efficient solar panels.

Funding for that assembly line initially came from a $5 million loan from the state Office of Air Quality Development Authority. Officials from that department are arranging an inspection of the assembly line in February to ensure that money was well spent, said Todd Nein, interim executive director of the Office of Air Quality Development Authority.
The $5 million is part of a $10 million loan that was partially disbursed in July, 2010. The rest of that money is set aside for the construction of a second assembly line, Mr. Nein said.

The first part of the loan has a two-year repayment plan, and Willard & Kelsey has been making payments on it, Mr. Nein said. Those payments recently were reduced and the state is working with the company to defer payments or create a longer payment schedule, he added.

Mr. Nein said the state has confidence in the company because its executives have experience with First Solar, one of the largest solar companies in the country.

The company also has reduced its payments on a $5 million loan from the Ohio Department of Development. It is paying about $7,800 a month on the interest of the loan, Mr. Hennessy said. That loan has a five-year timetable for repayment.

Mr. Cicak said he’s looking into various financial options to fund the company’s operations.

“No, I’m not closing,” he said Tuesday. “I’m going to try and work my way out of it.”

The company also received a rapid outreach grant for $500,000 from the Department of Development in 2008. That money was slated for job creation and retention, Mr. Hennessy said.

So, Ted Strickland bought into the Green Revolution lie. He gave loans to this fly by night startup that has yet to bear any real fruit, and appears to be taking a Solyndra type nosedive. But, Ted Strickland was a great governor, right? Maybe, if Tom Blumer gets on the case, we could call him, like Newt Calls Obama's presidency, the best food stamp governor ever.....

Ohio Legislature Needs to Fix 128th-SB77

It is a pretty rare day when I agree with the ACLU of Ohio and the Cleveland Plain Dealer, but this is one situation where I think they are right...  In the 128th General Assembly, both the House and Senate passed SB 77 which when it became law with Ted Strickland's signature destroyed the Constitutional right to a presumption of innocence.  SB 77 required that DNA from anyone arrested -- not convicted, just arrested -- for a felony.

THAT needs to be fixed.  Pronto.

UPDATE:  As usual, Mike DeWine wants to add red tape as a solution...

Tom Stickrath, who heads the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, said he and Attorney General Mike DeWine are exploring their options that may include a process whereby people who are acquitted file a document with the trial court to have their DNA removed from the national crime database.

WRONG ANSWER, MIKEY...try again.

Strickland Stiffed Ohio

There are few people capable of saying that they trashed Bob Taft more than me, but even Bob Taft had the courtesy to make sure the bills were paid.  Ted Strickland?  Not so much.  Demonstrating, once again, why competence matters we have now learned that Team Strickland couldn't be bothered with the actual details of governing and failed to make sure that their bills got paid.  Just another mess Ted Strickland left in his wake and another black eye on Ohio...

Ohio's Own Jimmy Carter

Did T-Shirt Ted Start His Shop Already?

I thought T-Shirt Ted was going to open up his shop in Florida after he lost re-election...

There is nothing more sad and pathetic than a loser who doesn't realize that it is time to sit down and shut up.

What a loser...

One of Strickland's Saddest Days

Here is a quote from Governor Strickland that was in a Johnathan Riskand piece:

"Today is one of the saddest days during my four years as governor," Strickland said in a release.

Did he suddenly realise that 400,000 Ohioans lost their jobs under his watch?

Nope...

He's sad because all of the fat cash won't be wasted in Ohio on the Slow-Mo Choo-Choo.

This, liberals, is just one of the plethora of reasons why he lost.

SIDEBAR: If Chris Redfern were tracked down for a quote, he'd say: "(&%^%$%^$$#@*)#$*&"

Orszag to Citi? Hey Ted Strickland, Who are the Wall Street Insiders Now?

All during the campaign for Ohio governor, now defeated incumbent and head of the Ohio shadow government Ted Strickland talked about John Kasich as a Wall Street insider and in the pocket of big banks and business. Funny, but the facts show that Dems are the big gainers from financial donations from Wall Street as well as those who jump into positions with banks and financial firms. The latest evidence comes from the reveal that Peter Orszag, a former Obama adviser, is joining CitiBank:

Citigroup Inc., recovering from its $45 billion bailout in 2008, is in advanced talks to hire former White House Budget Director Peter Orszag, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Before joining the White House as director of the Office of Management and Budget, Orszag was director of the Congressional Budget Office and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

He previously served as economic adviser to President Bill Clinton and was a staff member of Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisers.

Orszag’s tenure at the Clinton White House overlapped with Citigroup’s former executive-committee chairman, Robert Rubin, who served as Treasury secretary from 1995 to 1999. In 2006, when Rubin, 72, helped to found an economic research group at the Brookings Institution called the Hamilton Project, Orszag was named its first director. Obama, then a senator from Illinois, spoke at the project’s unveiling.

Rubin, who in late 2007 helped oversee the search that led to the appointment of Vikram Pandit as chief executive officer, retired from Citigroup last year.

So Ted, who are the Wall Street Insiders and patsies now? Geithner and others came from Goldman Sachs and Lehman, and now Orszag is going to Citibank in the shoes of Robert Rubin. Sounds like you should look in your own house for corruption, Teddyboy.

Coming to Florida Real Soon...

Ted's Former Head of ODOT and Advocate of Garage Majal, defends Teddy

OK, this guy is a total clown and a political hack. I am not going to print out the whole letter, because it is fluff. However, Jim Beasley, a fellow resident of Brown County, tries to take me to task for citing....facts, with like sources that are reputable, in my editorial a few weeks back:

During this election we have seen a lot of statistics cited about the state's economy. Both sides are able to give statistics to make their point, per the old adage: you can make statistics say whatever you want. But they miss addressing the most important issues like how did we get into this economic recession and who is working to improve our daily lives?

This economic crisis is not a state crisis, it is a national crisis created at the national level. Ohio will only fully recover when the nation recovers. Because of Strickland's leadership, Ohio's economy has not experienced as severe a recession as it would have without him.

Yeah, a net loss of 150,000 jobs is great leadership. And, Mr. Beasley, sir, if the reason why we are suffering is all Bush, then why are other states with lower tax burdens on businesses and better climates for business actually doing better even in the recession?

Of course, Mr. Beasley enjoys spending other people's money:

I had the privilege of serving on the Governor's cabinet as the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation.

He also is the former Brown County Engineer who helped advocate and lobby for the boondoggle of the Engineer's palace, also known as the Garage Majal, on Rt. 68, where it is essentially a garage that looks like a castle. He also has inappropriately allowed homes to be built in floodplains during his tenure as county engineer, even in zoned areas. He turned blind eyes to this type of building, and there are court records to prove it. Should we trust this crony and clown of Ted Strickland who has "known him for 30 years?" I don't think so.

Here is what others have said about this genius, Beasley:

Previous ODOT Director James Beasley was lacking to say the least. Mr Beasley was previously a County Engineer in Southern Brown County. He had no Interstate Highways, no deepwater ports, and was not responsible for any rail service in his county. The whole county on the State Highway System, for which he was not responsible,may have 50 miles of four lane roadway. Mr. Beasley received a political favor appointment and at the end of three years when his average salary reached peak criteria for retiremnt he stepped aside.

The article commented on calls ODOT a den of Toxic Waste. Yep, we want to listen to the guy who was in charge of that. NOT!

Rasmussen's Ohio Polling Update

Rasmussen: Kasich 48 - Strickland 44

Rasmussen: Portman 57 - Fisher 33

These two polls are the ones that Mark was called for... And the results are about as I expected. I think Republicans for Strickland are about to be disappointed by their hero as any incumbent that can't make it to 50 this close is in dire trouble. Of course, anything can happen...this one is close enough, they could probably cheat.

They won't be able to cheat in the Senate race. Portman has run a fantastic political campaign and deserves to take the win. While I might have wished to hear more from Rob on what sort of Senator he would be, he clearly has done the work needed to win statewide. Plus, he was able to spread the wealth from his campaign war chest for down-ticket races as well. All around a pretty solid effort by Team Portman.

What? Governor Strickland Uses Office for Payoffs to Unions?

Color me shocked. A suit by the 1851 Center alleges the following:

n IOctober, the 1851 Center filed an action under the Ohio Corrupt Activities Act (Ohio RICO) to stop costly union-friendly public school building projects that result from a pattern of bribery and intimidation originating from Ohio School Facilities Commission Director Richard Murray, Governor Strickland, and powerful labor union interests, and filter down to the local level.

The complaint charges labor unions and Murray used bribery, intimidation, and obstruction of justice to further union financial interests, through projects funded by the OSFC, while the Strickland administration aided and abetted the conduct for its own political gain. The lawsuit seeks to prohibit future distribution of state tax dollars by the OSFC to fund union-friendly "Project Labor Agreements" (PLAs) and prevailing wage-only projects.

The complaint also details how Murray orchestrated secret meetings between labor union leaders and school superintendents. At the meetings, unions offered political support in facilitating passage of local school district tax levies for building school buildings in exchange for the superintendents' promises to use expensive union-only labor when later building those schools.

"It certainly appears as though union influence over the Strickland administration caused the firing of the prior OSFC director, and the hiring of Murray, with either the instructions or the implicit understanding that Murray would run rough-shod over taxpayers and school districts to benefit union allies," said 1851 Center Executive Director Maurice Thompson. "School districts are making construction decisions within this troublesome framework. This suit aims to clean up the process before additional tax dollars are wasted."

This fall, organized labor union interests in the construction industry have contributed $582,000 to Strickland's re-election and $463,000 to the Ohio Democratic Party.

Construction union contributions to help pass local school building levies are public records, and are available at your county board of elections.

Read the complaint here.

To quote a frenchie: "I am shocked...shocked..to find gambling going on in this establishment!"

Strickland and his administration have long been about payoffs for votes, from teacher unions to construction unions to allowing criminals to work in the mansion and peddle drugs under the governor's nose.

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.

Team Strickland Lies Again: This Time It's About Guns

Release:

Columbus – Today charges were filed with the Ohio Election Commission accusing Ted Strickland’s campaign of deliberately and knowingly lying about John Kasich’s record in support of gun owners’ rights and the Second Amendment. The charges were filed by Rep. Danny Bubp (R-West Union), a life member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) with an A+ rating who was endorsed by the NRA in this year’s election.

Specifically, the charges accuse the Strickland campaign of falsely stating that John Kasich has an “F” rating by the NRA when, in fact, he has a “B” rating.
Rep. Bubp issued the following statement:
“John Kasich is the most long-suffering man I know because he’s risen above more smears and attacks during this campaign than probably anybody in recent political history. I shared my frustration with him last week over the Strickland campaign’s lies about his gun record so when the campaign asked me to file this complaint on its behalf I did not hesitate.
“I’m a proud NRA member which is why I am outraged that Ted Strickland is lying about John Kasich’s NRA rating. The NRA’s ratings are deliberate and thorough and Ted Strickland does not have the authority to simply try to rewrite them to try to make himself look better. It not only amounts to an illegal act, but I believe it’s a slap in the face of the NRA and of gun owners. It’s time for Ted Strickland to be held accountable.
"John Kasich likes to say that he’s probably agreed with the NRA more than his wife. He’s a gun owner with a solid B rating and that’s nothing to sneeze at. John Kasich is a gun owner who understands the power and importance of the Second Amendment and who shares the same passion for it that I do. On top of that, he put his beliefs in action and selected a running mate with a strong "A" NRA rating—Mary Taylor. If Ted Strickland supports the Second Amendment so much why does he keep picking running mates who are avowed enemies of the Second Amendment? His current Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher was a member of the board of directors of Handgun Control, Inc. and his current running mate, Yvette McGee-Brown, has an “F” rating from the NRA.”
On Friday, October 22, in an email to reporters, Ted Strickland’s campaign urged reporters to attend Strickland’s schedule of public events on Sat., Oct. 23 by sending them an email that read:
“Strickland will contrast his record of creating jobs and protecting the rights of sportsmen and gun owners with Congressman John Kasich's record of supporting outsourcing and his 'F' rating from the National Rifle Association.”

John Kasich has a “B” rating from the National Rifle Association, which can be seen on the NRA’s website below and here: www.nrapvf.org/upcoming-elections/Ohio.aspx

If, upon reviewing the complaint, the Ohio Elections Commission decides that there is probable cause that the Strickland campaign has committed a crime, the Strickland campaign will be put on trial before the commission.

A copy of the complaint can be viewed here.

Strickland Raised Our Taxes

...but don't take my word for it, check out what PolitiFact has to say:

Those who owed the state after filing their 2009 taxes, owed a little bit extra thanks to Strickland’s tax freeze. Strickland’s decision cost a family of four earning $60,000 a year about $78 last year.

Strickland prides himself on having made tough decisions in rough economic times. One of those decisions was postponing the income tax cut which meant taking money out of the pockets of Ohioans.
But while the freeze is expected to be lifted next year, there are no guarantees that will happen in what is still a rough economic landscape for Ohio. And state taxpayers, who had to pay more in income taxes than what had been promised, may continue to pay at the higher rate.
We rate Kasich’s statement Mostly True.

Remember this the next time some liberal lies to you and says that Ted Strickland didn't raise your taxes because he most certainly did raise your taxes.

And, yes, he did it with the help of a few Senate RINOs like Harris and Niehaus...and their betrayal won't be forgotten either.

400 More Jobs Lost in Strickland's Economy

I blame Wall Street.

Avon is cutting 400 jobs and shipping them off to Illinois, New Jersey, China and Mexico but somehow all of this will be John Kasich's fault when we see Strickland's next ad.  Of course, the 527 Media in this state will go along toget along because Ohio hasn't suffered enough.

LEHMAN BROTHERS!!!

New RGA Ad: Huge

Ted Strickland has said he didn't raise taxes. So has his running mate, Yvette Brown. He has said he has created and saved jobs. Uh, no. This new commercial from the RGA lays it out there:



So, to again invoke the saying: Ted, Yvette, your pants are on fire!

Angry Ted Strickland's Running Mate Demeans Tea Partiers, Bends Truth

Yvette McGee Brown was actually allowed to be seen recently in Brown County. Ted Strickland's running mate spoke to Brown County Democrats and encouraged them to "run tell dat" whatever that means. What she wanted them to run and tell, was neither dat nor truthful (see my editorial soon to be published in the Brown County Press here at WMD). Here is the story from the News Democrat:

Yvette McGee Brown urged Brown County Democrats to "Run tell that" to those opposed to Ohio Governor Ted Strickland during the Brown County Democrat Dinner Friday, Sept. 24. Brown, who is running for Lt. Governor with Gov. Strickland, spoke at the annual dinner event.

Brown, the keynote speaker, was one of five speakers at the Democrat dinner, along with Ohio Congressional candidate Surya Yalamanchili; Brown County commissioner incumbent Margery Paeltz; Candice Hunter, who stumped for Ohio Auditor candidate David Pepper; and Charlie Green, who spoke in support of Ohio Attorney General candidate Richard Cordray. Brown said she disagreed with the rumor that Democrats did not have much enthusiasm for the upcoming election.

"I don't think there's an enthusiasm gap," Brown said. "And when I hear people talk about the Tea Party and about taking their country back, I pause for a minute and say 'take it back from whom? This is our country, we all have a right to be in it, and we're not taking it back from anybody. We're all going to vote and we're all going to vote for the people who represent our interests.

"I refuse to believe that a small, loud group of people are more energetic than we are."

Um, excuse me? What was that again?

"And when I hear people talk about the Tea Party and about taking their country back, I pause for a minute and say 'take it back from whom? This is our country, we all have a right to be in it, and we're not taking it back from anybody. We're all going to vote and we're all going to vote for the people who represent our interests.

"I refuse to believe that a small, loud group of people are more energetic than we are."

OK, wanted to make sure I got all that. OK, first of all, Yvette, the Tea Party is talking about taking their country back from career politicians like you and Ted and the liberal elite, as well as the ruling elite on the Republican side, because for far too long you have damaged our state and our country with ignorant proposals and poor judgement. We are taking our country back from those to whom we mistakenly trusted it to who have not served the interests of the people. And, note how she demeans tea partiers as small but loud? What is that? Arrogant lib.

But to those of my friends in Brown County who think it is OK to vote for Strickland and still be against Obama, Ms. Brown makes my point that it is not OK succinctly:

"If you want our president to have a second term, you need to vote in 2010. All those young people who think they just need to vote for president, you need to remind them the president isn't reelected if there isn't a Ted Strickland in Ohio.

"This president is going to need Ohio. Why do you think everyone's focused here? We are ground zero for the Republican party. They want to control the governor's office because so goes Ohio so goes the presidency."

Teddy loves him some Obama. Don't be fooled by the idiotic endorsement by the NRA or Ted talking about how is fighting for you. Don't be fooled by Ms. Brown's lame defenses of Ted's administration.

Ms. Brown needs someone to run tell dat we aren't going to take simple talking points anymore and we don't want her type of statism and big brother government in our state anymore.

And as far as your claims about Ohio's economy and financial health? Ms. Brown, quite simply, your pants are on fire!

Why Ted Strickland Needs to Go--Editorial to Appear in Brown County Press

The following is an editorial I wrote in response to a letter written by a Ripley resident who was singing the praises of Ted Strickland using fuzzy facts. Here is the text of the article, which will be appearing this weekend in the Brown County Press:

Dear Editor:
I guess I don’t live in the same Ohio that Ripley voter Kerrin Cushing is describing. My Ohio is in trouble, thanks to Ted Strickland. I have some problems with the talking points that Cushing got from Ted’s running mate at the Brown County Democrat Dinner, or from Ted’s website, or from the Democrat booth at the fair. Cushing says that Ohio has the 6th fastest growing economy. I found the study referred to. It is by a company called Reed Construction Data. This group says Michigan is the 2nd fastest growing economy. Does anyone believe that? And do you really want to brag about being behind Michigan if you buy the numbers to begin with?
Cushing goes on to talk about unemployment and tough decisions. Strickland will brag that unemployment has dropped five months in a row, but what he won’t tell you is this: Ohio’s unemployment rate has not fallen below double digits in the past 17 straight months. In fact, under Ted, Ohio reached ITS HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN A QUARTER CENTURY. Under Ted Strickland, 400,000 jobs have been lost in Ohio. Ted’s unemployment rate is 4 points higher than the peak of the previous administration.
Here are some other sobering facts from reputable sources:
According to Forbes, 4 of America’s fastest dying cities are in Ohio--Toledo, Cleveland, Dayton, and Youngstown. Also according to Forbes, Ohio is 47th in its prospects for growth in areas like job creation, income groth, and business openings. Ohio tops the country, according to ABC News, with the number of most “downsized” cities. Since Ted Strickland took office, according to the Ohio Department of Development, 22,920 businesses have disappeared. If the economy is growing so much, why are so many people leaving the state that we will lose two congressional seats at minimum? According to the Thomas Fordham Institute, 58% of Ohio college students are planning on leaving the state after graduating. Ohio lost 6,981 of our best and brightest between the ages of 25 and 34 in 2008 alone, according to the Columbus Dispatch. According to the Tax Foundation, Ohio is now 47th in business tax climate, causing businesses like NCR and others to leave after being here for decades. CNBC rates Ohio as 48th lowest in number of available workers and success of work training programs in the state. Yeah, the jobs candidate has done real well, hasn’t he? Look around in our own area at the shops and business closings on Ted’s watch. DHL, Ford, etc., and all the layoffs. Does this sound like growth to you?
And Taxes? As Ochocinco would say, “Child please.” Ohio has the 7th highest state and local tax burden, according to the Tax Foundation and is rated 49th in economic performance on the 2010 ALEC-LAFFER State economic competitiveness index. Ted Strickland the candidate said he viewed raising fees and license costs as taxes and would not do such a thing. Fees have risen almost every year since he has been governor. He also, along with the Ohio Senate, decided to retroactively raise our state income taxes. You can find that in the public record.
Then there are the scandals. His director of faith based initiatives was busted for sexual misconduct and prostitution felony charges. His administration lost the data of over a million Ohioans. He allowed drunken inmates running drugs to work in his home, and when these inmates were going to be arrested, his administration squashed the sting operation to arrest them, supposedly for the safety of the governor, or at least his reputation. And outsourcing? Ted Strickland knowingly went with a Texas company that outsourced jobs to El Salvador to handle the cash for appliances program. What about those Ohio jobs? Ted Strickland has screamed that people who disagree with him hate Ohio and the country. His running mate in Brown County said that people who want a better Ohio are just angry and loud. Ted Strickland has not turned around Ohio. He has spun it into the toilet. It is time for a new day and a new way. That’s why I will be voting for Kasich and Taylor in November.

"Republican" for Strickland Spends $17M for Plant in Mississippi

Oh, the irony...

Scotts Miracle-Gro is spending $17 million to open up a plant in...Mississippi.  There's 95 more full time jobs that Governor "T-Shirt" Ted Strickland has lost to another state.  At least Ted can say that he knows this guy's name...

What a maroon...

CHARTS: Ohio Governor Race

Source: Rasmussen Reports

September 27, 2010

50% -- John Kasich (R)

42%  -- Ted Strickland (D)

3%  -- Some Other Candidate

4%  -- Not Sure

September 13, 2010

50% -- John Kasich (R)

43% -- Ted Strickland (D)

2%  -- Some Other Candidate

5%  -- Not Sure

August 30, 2010

47% -- John Kasich (R)

39% -- Ted Strickland (D)

7%  -- Some Other Candidate

7%  -- Not Sure

August 16, 2010

48% -- John Kasich (R)

40% -- Ted Strickland (D)

6%  -- Some Other Candidate

7%  -- Not Sure

August 2, 2010

45% -- John Kasich (R)

42% -- Ted Strickland (D)

6%  -- Some Other Candidate

7%  -- Not Sure

July 19, 2010

48% -- John Kasich (R)

43% -- Ted Strickland (D)

3%  -- Some Other Candidate

5%  -- Not Sure

June 29, 2010

47% -- John Kasich (R)

40% -- Ted Strickland (D)

3%  -- Some Other Candidate

10%  -- Not Sure

June 3, 2010

47% -- John Kasich (R)

42% -- Ted Strickland (D)

4%  -- Some Other Candidate

8%  -- Not Sure

May 5, 2010

46% -- John Kasich (R)

45% -- Ted Strickland (D)

3%  -- Some Other Candidate

6%  -- Not Sure

March 30, 2010

46% -- John Kasich (R)

45% -- Ted Strickland (D)

2%  -- Some Other Candidate

7%  -- Not Sure

March 4, 2010

49% -- John Kasich (R)

38% -- Ted Strickland (D)

6%  -- Some Other Candidate

7%  -- Not Sure

February 5-6, 2010

47% -- John Kasich (R)

41% -- Ted Strickland (D)

5%  -- Some Other Candidate

8%  -- Not Sure

Favorables

Strickland

27% -- Very Favorable

19%  -- Somewhat Favorable

19% -- Somewhat Unfavorable

33% -- Very Unfavorable

3% -- Not sure


Kasich

32% -- Very Favorable

19%  -- Somewhat Favorable

13% -- Somewhat Unfavorable

24% -- Very Unfavorable

12% -- Not sure

Analysis:

Kasich has led this race all year long and the favorable numbers tell a similar story.  Kasich is liked by more folks and not liked by fewer numbers with more people not sure what to think about Kasich than Strickland.  Basically, there aren't enough voters who haven't made up their mind what they think about these two candidates to make that significant of a change in the numbers.

This is still a tight race and anything can happen on E-Day, but if I'm Team Kasich I have to feel pretty good about the likely outcome...