OH-18: WMD Endorses Paul Phillips

The editors of "Weapons of Mass Discussion" are pleased to announce our endorsement of Paul Phillips for the Republican nomination to Ohio's Eighteenth District seat of the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Phillips has demonstrated remarkable insight and experience in foreign affairs and national security, two areas that the editors of this website believe are crucial skills for Members of Congress at this time. Additionally, Mr. Phillips has expressed views on domestic policy that are conservative, positive, and reflect the values of the district.

Mrs. Moll scores high on domestic policy and social conservative values, but falls behind Mr. Phillips in key areas that quite simply there was no comparison between the two candidates. While Jeanette Moll would be an acceptable candidate for this office, we found Paul Phillips to have presented a greater depth of knowledge and understanding not only of the district and its challenges but also of the obstacles facing the nation at this critical time.

Furthermore, we believe that Paul Phillips represents the Republican Party's best chance for defeating the incumbent. A significant number of sources in the business have contacted us with their opinion that Phillips is the candidate that the establishment believes in and supports. We concur with that assessment having asked Mr. Phillips twenty-five questions ourselves and wading through the plethora of information that the campaign has provided to various members of the State of Ohio Blogger Alliance.

For these reasons, we the editors of "Weapons of Mass Discussion" support and endorse Paul Phillips for the Ohio Eighteenth District seat of the United States House of Representatives.

OH-18: Much Anticipated Email Q&A with Paul Phillips

This is an WMD EXCLUSIVE Q&A with OH-18 candidate Paul Phillips:

General:

Will you personally read each and every bill that you vote on? Yes. This is what we are paid to do. The voters didn't elect staffers to review and advise us on how to vote. They elected me.

Are you planning to self-impose term limits if elected? I think this is a good idea, but I haven't given it enough thought to definitely give a term. It is important for other great candidates to get the opportunity to impart their ideas, and as difficult as it is to defeat a sitting member of congress, the system is adversely impacted. On the other hand, experience is important for job performance. I think 10 years is probably a ballpark number.

What is the greatest threat, foreign or domestic, facing the nation today? I think the strength of our economy is vital for future security. It determines our ability to create a strong military, influence other countries through economic pressure and validate our form of government and society to other nations. Militarily speaking, the threat of nuclear proliferation, as well as chemical, biological and radiological threats is growing and difficult to stem without adequate resources, including human intelligence (HUMINT). China and India are working hard to establish military parity and have had many successes. Iran's nuclear capability changes the dynamics in the Middle East and now involves European defense interest. We've got many security challenges that need attention, but I think the "least common denominator" is a strong economy.

What is the biggest challenge for the 18th district? Jobs. I believe well-paying jobs will do the most to address many of the problems, from schools, to health care, to infrastructure, to crime. We need to turn around the steady decline we've been on for decades.

Should it be a requirement that Members of Congress have served in the United States military? No, but it is definitely important. Ultimately, the voters need to decide what qualifications they feel are important and not the government, but I believe this background is crucial. Congress has the power of the purse and makes decisions not only related to war, but also weapons procurement and if they don't have any experience in the massive world of the military industrial complex, they are likely to not make wise decisions.

National Defense:

Was the Surge a success? Yes. Perhaps mainly from the psychological impact of sending the message that we aren't backing down, in fact we are ramping up. The numerous Sunnie factions that joined us probably realized "if we can't beat'em, join 'em. The surge was a huge success.

When should our troops come home from Iraq? Combat forces should come home over the next year or two, but it is the long-standing and wise policy of our country to foster continued military engagements with all friendly countries. I have friends stationed all over the world on assignments to various military schools to advisory roles to liaisons and more. It encourages and fosters understanding and cooperation with other nation's militaries. The pressure to leave Iraq is because of the continued casualties. But our determination will continue to reduce these until they are a thing of the past. As the security increases, we can continue to bring our combat forces home, until finally, we have a relationship as we do in peaceful countries with military exchanges and relationships.

Should we send more troops to Afghanistan? If determined by the leadership. As a former strategist for Iraq, it is important to let the field leadership make these decisions.

If we should get solid intelligence that proves Osama bin Laden is in Pakistan, should the United States military go after him? Yes.

What, if anything, should be done about Hugo Chavez? Chavez will self-destruct and his rhetoric will wear thin in his country. His main objective is a world stage to trick his citizens into thinking he is a powerful world leader. They know better. I had a friend who had a two-year exchange tour to their military school and he tells me the citizens see through his game. We should monitor him carefully to be sure, but not fuel his fire...it will burn out.

Homeland Security:

Should the United States build and maintain a border fence? Yes. It will not be physical in all locations, but will take advantage of virtual technology such as sensors, satellites and the most important element - adequate "force response times"...or people in place to respond to incursions.

What are your views on the state of port and coastal defense? We need to have better awareness of shipping. It's much too big of a problem to examine every box that comes in, but we can greatly reduce risk by regulating the companies and the procedures through which we receive imports.

What is your position on wiretapping and the current FISA law? Needed. When I lived in Europe, my German friends in the mid-90s were livid with our "Echelon" program, which allowed us to monitor communications within Europe. I explained to them we could care less about the Germans but were worried about their extremist from other countries. Public pressure in Europe won and Echelon went away. We all know the rest of the story with the Hamburg Cell responsible for 9/11.

Do you support amnesty and/or benefits for illegal immigrants? No. Work Permits are not the answer either. My little village in Germany was populated mostly with Turks on work permits to work at the Mercedes factory. They had 5 years to figure out how to cheat the system and stay - and they did. There was a perpetual ethnic tension due to their second-class status and inability to ever become citizens. This is a bad idea.

How important is the Second Amendment? Very important as we see from the startling Supreme Court case involving the rights of citizens in DC to own guns. We've got to keep our guard up to protect this right as the judicial system may try to establish law on its own as it often does.

Economy and Jobs:

Are we in a recession? Recession is a technical economic term defined by two consecutive quarters of decline. The technical answer today is no....but it is becoming more likely.

Should the Bush tax cuts be made permanent? Yes

Should Congress establish a moratorium on earmarking? Yes. This is government at its worst.

You have proposed a defense industry jobs program that I tagged as an “earmarking” or “pork” project, would you explain how I am wrong and detail your proposal? Every year the military asks congress for a defense budget that includes maintaining, manufacturing and developing new weapon systems. When congress approves the military request. usually much less than what was asked for...this money now goes out to the companies who win the contracts. My goal is to bring those contracts and companies here rather than have them go to some other district. It is not like more money is being spent...I just want what is going to be spent anyway, to be spent here. It is enormous job opportunity that passes us by every year because our leadership is unaware.

How should the 18th district compete in the global economy? More higher education opportunities are critical for our workforce. Infrastructure improvement is crucial in the area of broadband, cell reception, ground transportation (highway access), and air transportation. We can't ask for the world initially, but we have to continue to work on making our district attractive. We've already got the great quality of life, natural beauty and workforce potential. We need to market this aggressively.

Domestic/Other Issues:

What types of alternative energy do you support? Clean burning coal technology offers tremendous potential to revive this industry in our district. The oil companies have an interest in this, as one of the by-products is CO2 which can be used to recover about 40 billion barrels of oil existing in the wells of our country. Geothermal energy is very simple and cheap...my German friends all use it to help heat their homes. Solar and wind energy are also under pursued.

Should the United States drill in ANWR? Yes

Is global warming fact or fiction? To early to say, but there does appear to be a connection and there is logic in the greenhouse effect of pollutants. But, global weather patterns take 1000s of years to develop and have over the history of our planet.

Do you support the advancement of gay rights? No

What is your view on abortion? I oppose, with the slim exception of the health of the mother.

OH-18: Paul Phillips Responds to a WMD Reader Question

Previously on WMD, we published a response from Paul Phillips to a release issued by the Moll campaign. A female reader asked this question in response:

I agree that race and gender should be a non-issue but to ignore the intrensic differences between men and women is rediculous. I wouldn't think of going to a political "Smoker" nor would my husband intertain any thoughts of going to the "Tea" on Sat afternoon co-sponsered by Joy Padgett and Grace Drake for Jeanette Moll.

While his wife disdained belonging to the Officers Wives Club, did Mr Phillips also refrain from belonging to the Officer's Club, a predominitly "MALE" Club?

We received an answer to the question from Paul Phillips:

"I know this is a sensitive topic because I understand there still are people that are cause for concern, but as the father of a young daughter I am willing to discuss it to help move into the future of more equality. Yes, I did belong to the officers, as did all officers. While it is true that there are more men in the military than women, there is definitely not a "male culture" instilled. My favorite memories from officers clubs are times spent with my wife and the families of many of my female superior officers, peers and subordinates. "Top Gun" was Hollywood, it isn't like that. The female commander of Wright Patterson Air Force Base that recently retired is a great leadership example for both genders to follow. Thank you for your question."

WMD...connecting voters questions and candidates answers one at a time...

OH-18: Phillips on Race, Gender, and Republican Politics

In response to this release published on WMD yesterday regarding a Jeanette Moll event, her opponent Paul Phillips says "I look forward to the day when Republicans can be blind to race and gender and simply support the best qualified candidate. My wife, a hard working mother and professsional, is also a minority (Asian). She is perhaps the most ardent opponent of any racial or gender preferences you will meet. I remember her looking at me with that "I don't think so" look when I first told her about the Offficer's Wives Club. She asked properly, "is there an Officer's Husbands Club"? She is also not a member of our county's Womens Republican Club. She will tell you she's happy being simply a Republican. Morgan Freeman said it well on a 60 Minutes interview when he was describing why he disliked Black History Month..it went something like this...."If you want to make race (or gender) a non-issue, don't make race (or gender) an issue."

Exit Question: I have to ask...has Joy Padgett endorsed Jeanette Moll? If not, why not?

Tuscarawas County Medical Society Endorses Paul Phillips

This was announced yesterday, but with the wall-to-wall Kay Rogers coverage, I'm just getting to it now...

The Tuscarawas County Medical Society, which represents both Union Hospital’s and Tuscarawas County’s physicians, is proudly supporting Paul Phillips for Congress. Given Paul’s background, platform, and real world experience, he is clearly the finest Republican nominee.

“I’m honored to be recognized by the Medical Society, as a leader who can improve their ability to provide quality health care for residents of Tuscarawas County and the surrounding area,” Phillips said.

Union Hospital, Tuscarawas County’s largest employer, was founded in 1908. Since 1996, Union Hospital has undergone three expansions, most recently adding Boulevard South and the Tuscarawas County Ambulatory Surgery Center. Union Hospital is a tribute to initiative, innovation, and vision. They have cemented themselves as one of the eighteenth district’s premiere assets.

“It is a privilege to endorse Paul Phillips as the Republican nominee for the 18th Congressional District,” said Tuscarawas County Medical Society President Jim Moore. “He is a quality leader that will work to improve the health care and the economics of our area and the nation.”

An Attorney, Small Business Owner, and retired Air Force B-1 Bomber Pilot, Paul can understand and will improve the lives of eighteenth district residents. State Senator John Carey, Newark Mayor Bob Diebold, Major Blog, and now the Tuscarawas County Medical Society’s endorsements underscore both Paul’s electability and necessity during this uncertain period.

Why is this important? Well, the TCMS represents the largest employer in the county...that's why.

WMD Blast: Magnificent Monday Edition

Here are a few items that I wanted to pass on, but don't have time to develop in to full fledged posts:

The Ohio Right to Life PAC has endorsed Jean Schmidt for the Second Congressional District.

I am VERY close to having a side by side contrasting of issues, and an evaluation of the GOP primary, in OH-16.

The latest "Why Support Jeanette?" from the e-newsltter:

This week Republicans in Congress attempted to put a stop to earmarks. Those efforts were rebuked by the same democrats who said they wanted to "clean up government" and "change Washington" in 2006. Zack Space was among those voting against the measure that would have created a commission to set rules for earmarks while stopping them entirely until those rules could be implemented.

Space ran to change Washington, but today he's running away from changing Washington. Once again voting in lock-step with San Francisco liberal Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Space reminds us that his campaign was all talk and no reform.

Earmark reform needs to happen now. Jeanette Moll enthusiastically supports fellow Ohioan Republican Leader John Boehner in the fight to stop earmarks cold. No more secretive funding for bridges to nowhere, Woodstock concert museums and cowgirl museums (yes, those are all real recipients of our hard earned tax dollars).

Projects should be debated and those found worthy should receive consideration by Congress, but that's just it - they should be debated openly and with names of sponsors attached. Zack Space doesn't understand that Ohioans don't want back room secret line items or anonymous slush funds for pet projects.

Jeanette Moll's position is clear on earmarks - she wants them stopped now. With a war on terror to fund and an economic stimulus package being debated, we must make sure our domestic spending isn't subject to millions of dollars in secret pork spending.

And in other OH-18 news, Paul Phillips scored the endorsement of State Senator John Carey:

On Friday, February 1, 2008, State Senator John Carey announced his support for Paul Phillips, a Republican candidate for US Congress in Ohio's 18th District.

Senator Carey stated, "I'm proud to endorse Paul Phillips to represent us in Ohio's 18th US Congressional District. A native to our area, Paul has a true understanding of what we value and a proven track record of successful leadership. A former Air Force pilot and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Paul came home to practice law and raise his family. He is strongly focused on increasing our employment opportunities and will fight to bring new jobs to our area. He is also a strong advocate for lowering taxes on families and small business, stopping illegal immigration, affordable health care, and strong national security. I will be voting for Paul Phillips and encourage you to do the same."

OH-18: Phillips on Eminent Domain

Previously on WMD, we received the views of Jeanette Moll on the subject and I asked that Paul Phillips to get on the record as well. Here is his reply:

“To WMD, I greatly appreciate your interest in my response. I’ll try to provide your readers with a more substantive answer than Ms Molls emotionally appealing but otherwise, uninformative explanation.

You are absolutely correct, eminent domain is a huge issue in our district and is frequently addressed in Ohio Farm Bureau meetings which I attend but have yet to see my opponents. At the annual Tuscarawas meeting, again at which I was the only candidate, a great explanation of Ohio ’s current law was provided. It goes something like this:

In 2005, the US Supreme Court in “Kelo v City of New London ” ruled in a 5-4 decision that economic development is a legitimate public use. This meant that the taking of private property in order to give it to another private entity for economic development is permissible. However, and this is key, the Court noted that individual states were free to enact legislation to be more restrictive.

In 2006, the Ohio Supreme Court, in “City of Norwood vs Horney”, ruled that while economic development in itself, may satisfy the Federal Constitution for public taking, it does not satisfy Ohio’s Constitution.. The Court focused on the term “blighted property” (used as an exception to this rule) which it said was too vague, as it included property that was merely deteriorating.

For your readers, the final piece of recent history is SB 7, signed into law last year which describes the current law in Ohio . A major piece of this bill is that agricultural land can not be deemed “blighted”, which was great news to Ohio farmers.

In summary, highway development, which Ms Moll advocates strongly in other venues, is a sensitive issue for people who value property for more than just it’s economic worth. Ohio property owners need to be wary, but should take comfort in knowing our laws are more sensitive to this issue and the US Supreme Court gives states the ability to act as they see fit.

So, I regret Dave Hall’s decision to base his support on a candidate’s response to a specific local issue in which she played an active role as a participant. I think if he had explored our overall understanding of Ohio Eminent Domain Law as it pertains to all of us, he might have had a different view of the candidates’ relative awareness. Dave Hall is highly respected and I hope he is successful as he’d be a great State Representative. I look forward to future opportunities to work with him on this and other issues.

Very Respectfully,

Paul Phillips

OH-18: A Reaction to Moll Conference Call Coverage

In reference to last night's conference call with Jeanette Moll, a Republican strategist with knowledge of OH-18 emails:

“It is reassuring that Jeanette Moll has discovered the internet. However, one conference call and a few press releases doesn’t constitute outreach. You look at a candidate, for example, Paul Phillips, he has two published interviews that I have seen and more that are apparently pending. That’s outreach.”

“You can't toss the bloggers table scraps and call that outreach. You have to serve them a complete meal. You have to air your views and respect them, just as you would provide your time to any newspaper or television outlet.”

“No one should be impressed with her prepping for one conference call. Where is her intricate command on the trail? She’s pro family? Who isn’t? She supports the troops? Who doesn’t? She supports the Fair Tax? Obviously, she caught a Mike Huckabee rally. Bottom line, momentary depth is meaningless. Daily, consistent issue discussion is what the district needs.”

I don't blame a campaign for not treating the blogosphere like media, especially when there aren't any established blogs in the district anymore...

I will say this: while Jeanette's knowledge of the district and its issues certainly is wide, I am not sure just how deep that knowledge is...but then again, I am not overly sure if the issues that face the district are as complex as some would make them either.

At the moment, I probably do lean in the direction of one candidate over the other but am not ready to divulge my preference just yet as I continue to gather information and evaluate what I am seeing and hearing. This is a hard choice, as both candidates bring unique qualities to the race that the other does not possess, but neither candidate has an Ace up their sleeve...at least, not that I have detected so far.

This much I can say with authority: Fred Dailey has a brilliant career ahead of him as a writer (I can see him becoming a Republican version of Garrison Keillor), but he ought to withdraw from this race. If all Fred has to say about the issues facing OH-18 are on display on his issues page, then Fred might as well hang 'em up and hit the hay.

UPDATE: Justin has a "high-ranking" Ohio Republican source who says, among some things that do actually make sense, this:

Ms Moll has no idea how to bring jobs to the area, nor has she (until now) recognized the need for it, but then someone neither born, nor raised in the district wouldn’t.”

Because you have to be born and/or raised in OH-18 in order to know how the economy works and how job creation works...or something.

Look, I get what this source is trying to say: that Moll is weaker on the jobs issue than Phillips; but there has GOT to be a better way of approaching that issue than this. The other day I approached this "residency" issue by saying this:

Paul Phillips is a veteran who was born in the district, but now works outside of the district and is on a "leave of absense" from that gig while he campaigns. Jeanette Moll is a legal eagle who wasn't born in the district, but has lived there for the last 15 years.

Let's call that one a draw...

I am actually offended by the notion that somebody who has lived somewhere for fifteen years is somehow incapable of understanding the district or its needs. If that is the case, I guess I had better resign my position on Central Committee in Butler County because I've "only" lived there for seven years.

A First Look at OH-18's Republican Primary

NOTE: I am still looking at both of these candidates and do not have a favorite at this point. Really, I'm just playing a little devil's advocate in a point-counterpoint style with Justin... No matter who wins the primary, that Republican WILL have my full support against Zack Space... Sometimes it is easy to take the eyes off the ball, but I'm not in a habit of doing that...

I see two serious candidates and a guy who wishes he hadn't bothered... Paul Phillips is a veteran who was born in the district, but now works outside of the district and is on a "leave of absense" from that gig while he campaigns. Jeanette Moll is a legal eagle who wasn't born in the district, but has lived there for the last 15 years.

Let's call that one a draw...

Jobs

Justin quotes a Paul Phillips interview:

“We can’t live in the past and have to adapt to a changing world. This isn’t bad, just new. Germany dealt with this problem when the wall fell, as cheap labor and manufacturing went east into Poland, Hungary and the rest of the former Soviet Union. The Germans adapted and changed to focus on jobs that they were well suited for, including precision manufacturing and high-tech. We must have the same philosophy. I like defense industries as these are not as easy to farm out to other countries (and I’m very familiar with this area). I like high-tech jobs that take advantage of our high quality of life in our rural, beautiful district, that will attract companies looking for low cost of living and a happy productive work force. Boise, Idaho and Jackson Hole, Wyoming are examples of growth areas based on a similar marketing approach. The telecommunications of today make this possible…(as long as the infrastructure is in place).”

Defense industries key to job growth -- I guess we'll be staying away from an earmarks debate in this race. I really think that real market-based solutions are the answer...not more government handouts...what I read Phillips as advocating here is corporate welfare...and I classify that as pork... Basically, Phillips is saying that he'll bring home the bacon...and don't we have enough of that in Congress already?

[SEE UPDATE 1 BELOW]

Social Issues

I've been hearing a some chatter about that ACLU press release that Moll issued (and WMD published and commented on).

This is a Republican primary. Jobs are vital, and Jeanette is talking about them, health care, illegal immigration, spending and taxes. But, this is a Republican primary... pro life, pro-gun, pro-traditional marriage and anti-bathroom sex are both policies and political stances that work in republican primaries. Look, there's another side to this... in the political environment of the GOP primary, it makes sense to be taking about the economy and the ACLU.

Social issues are important to Republicans. We can argue until we're blue in the face whether or not Jeanette's stand was an attempt to "scare gay-fearing conservatives" to the polls or if it was a serious attempt to illustrate her values and views. Either way, the discussion of the ACLU press release has generated has brought some light on an issue that otherwise may never have see nthe light of day in this campaign. Is there an epidemic of gay sex in the public restroom at an airport in the district? Not likely...but that isn't the point. The point is this candidate has declared a position on the subject.

NOTE: I am still looking at both of these candidates and do not have a favorite at this point. Really, I'm just playing a little devil's advocate in a point-counterpoint style with Justin... No matter who wins the primary, that Republican WILL have my full support against Zack Space... Sometimes it is easy to take the eyes off the ball, but I'm not in a habit of doing that...

UPDATE 1: It occured to me on my way home that I needed to clarify something... This post was constructed by patching together a few IM conversations and in the process, I missed an important piece... I am unable to discern whether or not Phillips is actually advocating for corporate welfare or earmarking; the clip that Justin gave us may not be the full context. However, based on what Justin gave us, I don't think that my conclusion is not unreasonable...

UPDATE 2: Justin updates his post with a link to my "devil's advocacy" and says, "I don't see that as the case at all, rather, that he's looking to make the district friendly to defense technologies." My response: Okay, then why didn't he say that. Also, what's his plan? Meaning, how does he plan to achieve this paradigm shift for the entire district while sitting in an office in DeeCee?

UPDATE 3: I would like to clarify why I'm engaging in devil's advocacy in this post. First of all, I think that a dialogue between the center-right blogs in Ohio is a good thing. Second, I think it is important that we get the best candidate possible for all of our races, including OH-18. Third, I view this sort of open conversation on the strengths and weaknesses of our candidates to be a good thing for our readers and for potential voters. Fourth, I am just as likely to shred Jeanette Moll today as I am anybody else... And lastly, I'm not in the business of shilling for candidates on this blog.