Primary Night Recap

Obama Loses Votes in West Virginia...to a TEXAS inmate!

From the Daily Mail in the UK because the MSM doesn't want you to know....

Prisoner Keith Judd got 40% of vote in West Virginia to Obama's 60%
Inmate 11593-051 got on ballot by paying $2,500 fee and filing forms
Attracting 15% of vote normally qualifies candidate for a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Just how unpopular is President Obama in some parts of the country? Enough that a man in a Texas prison received four out of 10 votes in West Virginia's Democratic presidential primary.

Inmate Keith Judd, 53, is serving 17 years for extortion at the Beaumont Federal Correctional Institution. He was sentenced in 1999 for making threats against the University of New Mexico and is due to be released on June 24 next year.

With 93 per cent of precincts reporting, Obama was receiving just under 60 per cent of the vote to Judd's 40 per cent.

Obama's Favorite RINO Senator Gets Das Boot

We move to Indiana where Richard Mourdock beat Dick Lugar by 20 points. The latest polling data had Lugar losing by 10. This was a landslide of historic proportions. It was a Tea Party victory from top to bottom. Dick Lugar hasn't lived in Indiana for years. He's the senator from Indiana, and when he goes back there he has to stay in friends' homes or hotels. He does not have a home in the state that he represents. It's usually Democrats that do that. Also, Dick Lugar sent mailers to REPUBLICAN voters saying Mourdock was going to close the federal dept of Education, as if that were something bad. The guy became a liberal.

Scott Walker Fights Off Union Thuggery and Cashola, Earns More Votes than Dems Combined!

From Breitbart.com:

Scott Walker, facing no real competition, won over 600,000 votes in yesterday's primary. His vote total was just about equal to ALL the votes cast in the competitive Democrat primary. This shouldn't have happened. It suggests that, going into next month's recall vote, Walker has a solid base of support while Democrats face a serious enthusiasm gap. Looks like Big Labor wasted another few million of its members' money.

For those keeping score at home, let's recap: Big Labor spent millions to support their preferred candidate, Kathleen Falk, only to see her lose by 18 points. The winner of the Democrat primary, Tom Barrett, refused to participate in a 'unity rally' because he worried about being too associated with Big Labor. And, Big Labor's chief nemesis, Scott Walker, attracted at least as much support as all the Democrat candidates combined. Even though he wasn't in a competitive race.

Host State of Dem Convention Smacks Down Plank in Radical Liberal Agenda

The good people of North Carolina joined 31 other states in affirming that Marriage is between a man and a woman, a position that Candidate Obama had in 2008. However, since this man is so desperate and cannot run on his own economic record, he unleashes a hateful statement denouncing the state's citizens who voted for the traditional definition of marriage. His statement incorrectly (or libelously?) says that the amendment outlaws civil unions. He sent out Biden to put up trial balloons about marriage and all he got was his pathetic brooks brothers wearing spokesman to get laughed at as he said Obama's position was "evolving". What a joke. Now, this morning, feeling he can get some momentum with the far left, he says that "personally" he believes that gays should be allowed to marry. this man will say and do anything for power. Disturbing.

Polling Numbers

Rasmussen Tracking 5/6 - 5/8 1500 LV 44Obama 49Romney Romney +5
Gallup Tracking 5/2 - 5/8 2200 RV44Obama 47Romney Romney +3

You Probably Missed It: More See Big Government as Threat than Big Business"

You probably didn't read about that in your papers or on news blogs or see it on nightly news. However, it is true. More people fear big government than big business, and it isn't even close, folks. From cnsnews.com referencing Gallup:

While President Barack Obama has focused his rhetoric in recent weeks on depicting a reckless Wall Street and insufficiently taxed "millionaires and billionaires" as threats to the American middle class, a newly released Gallup poll indicates that Americans apparently have been coming to a different conclusion during Obama's presidency, with fewer people now seeing big business as the "biggest threat" to the country in the future and more seeing big government as the "biggest threat."

Over the last forty-five years, Gallup has periodically asked this question: "In your opinion, which of the following will be the biggest threat to the country in the future--big business, big labor, or big government?"

When Gallup asked the question in a survey conducted Dec. 4-7, 2008, a month after President Obama was elected but before he was inaugurated, 53 percent said big government was the biggest threat, 31 percent said big business was the biggest threat, and 11 percent said big labor.

Three months later, in a survey conducted March 27-29, 2009, 55 percent said big government was the biggest threat, 32 percent said big business, and 10 percent said big labor.

When Gallup asked the question again two weeks ago--in a survey conducted from Nov. 28-Dec. 1--the percentage saying big government would be the biggest threat to the country in the future had grown to 64 percent--an increase of 11 percentage points from December 2008.

At the same time, the percentage saying that big business would be the biggest threat had dropped to 26 percent--a decline of 5 percentage points from December 2008 and 6 percentage points from March 2009.

Wow, why isn't that being reported? Because the media loves them some statist, government power expanding Demosocialistcrats like Obama. But, how do these poll results rate historically? Glad you asked:

The belief that big government is a bigger threat to the country than big business or big labor hit an all-time high of 65 percent in Gallup polling in 1999 and 2000, in the seventh and eighth years of the Clinton administration. After three years of the Obama administration, at 64 percent, it has now almost reached that high again.

Interestingly, according to Gallup, fear of big business has been declining during the Obama years even among Democrats, while fear of big government has been climbing.

In 2009, according to Gallup, 52 percent of Democrats said big business would be the greatest threat to the future of the country. In 2011, only 44 percent of Democrats still say that,

In 2009, only 32 percent of Democrats said big government would be the greatest threat to the future of the country. Now, in 2011, 48 percent of Democrats say big government is the greatest threat to the future of the country.

In 2009, 80 percent of Republicans and 59 percent of Independents said they thought big government was the biggest threat to the future of the country. Now, in 2011, 82 percent of Republicans say that and 64 percent of Independents.

Even some dems know that Obama and his designs on dictatorship are just not good for the country. Government is doing and ruling too much. We need to breathe. But Obama and his prompter are sucking up all the oxygen. Time to change out.

ORC 124.57: Prohibition Against Partisan Political Activity

Quote:

(A) No officer or employee in the classified service of the state, the several counties, cities, and city school districts of the state, or the civil service townships of the state shall directly or indirectly, orally or by letter, solicit or receive, or be in any manner concerned in soliciting or receiving, any assessment, subscription, or contribution for any political party or for any candidate for public office; nor shall any person solicit directly or indirectly, orally or by letter, or be in any manner concerned in soliciting, any such assessment, contribution, or payment from any officer or employee in the classified service of the state , the several counties, cities, or city school districts of the state, or the civil service townships of the state; nor shall any officer or employee in the classified service of the state, the several counties, cities, and city school districts of the state, or the civil service townships of the state be an officer in any political organization or take part in politics other than to vote as the officer or employee pleases and to express freely political opinions.

(B)(1) Nothing in division (A) of this section prohibits an officer or employee described in that division from serving as a precinct election official under section 3501.22 of the Revised Code.

(2) Nothing in division (A) of this section prohibits an employee of the Ohio cooperative extension service whose position is transferred from the unclassified civil service to the classified civil service and who also holds the office of president of a city legislative authority from completing the existing term of office as president.

Effective Date: 09-16-1998; 05-07-2004

Only 3 in 10 Certain to Vote for Obama

You know what that means....Team Obama will have to get ten times as more dead people and illegal immigrants registered to offset this disenchantment with the worst President since Jimmy Carter. From Bloomberg:

Americans are growing more dissatisfied with President Barack Obama’s handling of the economy and say it will be hard to vote to re-elect him without seeing significant progress over the next year and a half.

By a margin of 61 percent to 37 percent, a Bloomberg National Poll conducted June 17-20 shows Americans say they believe that Obama will have had his chance to make the economy “substantially better” by the end of 2012.

Only 30 percent of respondents said they are certain to vote for the president and 36 percent said they definitely won’t. Among likely independent voters, only 23 percent said they will back his re-election, while 36 percent said they definitely will look for another candidate.

“As far as the economy goes, I don’t see that he has delivered on the change that he promised,” said Sharon Ortiz, a 38-year-old independent voter from Hampton, Virginia, who supported Obama in 2008. “The jobs that he promised -- I haven’t seen it.”

Wow, better start digging..Or wait, maybe we can get those birth and death panels Al and Obama have suggested started early. We can even rename them pre and post living Obama campaign registrars or something.....

Muslim Sues Teacher....For Discussing Ham

Coming soon to a school in the United States, probably in Michigan:

Consider the case of the student at the Menéndez Tolosa school in Cadiz who recently asked his geography teacher to stop discussing ham in class because it was disrespectful to him as a Muslim. It should be noted that the teacher, José Reyes Fernández, was not mocking the Koran’s prohibition against eating ham. What was so offensive to the student was Fernández’s use of the Granada town of Trevélez as an example of a cold mountain climate conducive to the curings of hams.

Fernández’s explanation to the student that he did not consider his pupils’ religious beliefs when creating his lesson plans apparently did not pass muster. The student’s parents immediately filed a complaint against the teacher with the National Police for psychological ill-treatment due to xenophobia and racism.

Fernández is a well-respected teacher with 20 years of experience and no history of problems with students. In a note to the media, he wrote that the incident has damaged “his honor [and] image.” Fortunately, it appears that the complaint will not also hurt his professional career: a local prosectuor on Tuesday announced plans to archive the case.

Gee, not taking any one person's views into account sounds fair to me, but what do I know? You think this is ridiculous, look at these examples from the same story:

In 2007, the “pressure of a select few” caused a UK school to take political correctness to a whole new level when it changed the name of its production of the “Three Little Pigs” to the “Three Little Puppies.” And earlier this year, French police banned “a street party whose organizers planned to serve alcoholic cocktails and pork sausages in a heavily Muslim neighborhood of Paris.” Robert Spencer of JihadWatch correctly noted at the time that the planned event was a provocation, but doubted that cops would have acted similarly “if a Muslim group in France had announced that it was going to do something in a non-Muslim area that many non-Muslims found offensive.”

You know, liberal stupidity is going to politically correct us right into sharia law someday.

What Do You Call a Moderate Democrat? Defections Have Answer

A REPUBLICAN! The losses just keep coming for Democrats. From Forbes:

At least 13 state lawmakers in five states have defected to Republican ranks since the Nov. 2 election, adding to already huge GOP gains in state legislatures. And that number could grow as next year's legislative sessions draw near.

The defections underscore dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party - particularly in the South - and will give Republicans a stronger hand in everything from pushing a conservative fiscal and social agenda to redrawing political maps.

In Alabama, four Democrats announced last week they were joining the GOP, giving Republicans a supermajority in the House that allows them to pass legislation without any support from the other party. The party switch of a Democratic lawmaker from New Orleans handed control of Louisiana's House to Republicans for the first time since Reconstruction.

In Georgia, six rural Democratic state legislators - five from the House and one in the Senate - have switched allegiance to the GOP since Nov. 2. In Maine, a House Democrat flipped; in South Dakota, a Democratic state senator.

Most of the party swaps are in the South, where GOP rule is becoming more entrenched and Democrats - many of them already more conservative than their counterparts elsewhere - are facing what looks like a long exile in the minority.

Well, Barry did promise change.....LOL

With All The Dems Have Done, They Claim Republicans Seditionist?

Well, if you read between the lines of a Dem Strategy memo, that is what they are saying:

This morning three Democratic Party strategists, Ed Kilgore, James Vega and J. P. Green, sent out a "strategy memo" that was titled, rather clumsily: "Beyond 'Sabotage' -- The Central Issue About the Growing Political Extremism of the Republican Party Is That It's Undermining Fundamental American Standards of Ethical Political Conduct and Behavior." That's quite a charge; what evidence do the authors offer in support of it?

They begin by referring to a Washington Monthly article in which a blogger named Steve Benen "gave voice to a growing and profoundly disturbing concern among Democrats--that Republicans may actually plan to embrace policies designed to deny Obama not only political victories but also the maximum possible economic growth during his term in order weaken Democratic prospects in the 2012 elections." This is a remarkably silly theory. If Republicans really wanted to retard economic growth, they would join with the Obama administration in raising taxes, increasing regulations and proceeding with the government takeover of medicine and destruction of small business. But they aren't doing that. Instead, Republicans are advocating the same policies they do when a Republican administration is in power: lower taxes, less regulation, a strong national defense. Democrats and Republicans disagree, of course, as to how economic growth can best be promoted. The disagreement that is now playing out in Washington is a continuation of the same debate we have witnessed for the past forty to fifty years.

Beyond that easily-dismissed charge, what do the authors have to say? They allege that Republicans have adopted a "politics as warfare" philosophy that is unprecedented in American history and amounts, really, to sedition:

There is a deep apprehension that fundamental American standards of proper political conduct and ethical political behavior are increasingly being violated.

The key feature that distinguishes the increasingly extremist perspective of today's Republican Party from the standards of political behavior we have traditionally considered proper in America is the view that politics is--quite literally, and not metaphorically--a kind of warfare and political opponents are literally "enemies."

Um...who was referring to political foes as "enemies?" Let's go back to the pre election speechifying of the One:

If Latinos sit out the election instead of, "we're going to punish our enemies and we're going to reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us" -- if they don't see that kind of upsurge in voting in this election, then I think it's going to be harder.

Gee, that isn't like warfare, punishing enemes and rewarding friends? Aren't we all Americans? Well, at least most of us. Who are the ones engaging in dirty tricks and turns of phrase now? But wait, they continue:

They continue:

This "politics as warfare" perspective has historically been the hallmark of many extremist political parties of both the ideological left and ideological right--parties ranging from the American Communist Party to the French National Front.

In the politics as warfare perspective extralegal measures, up to and including violence, are tacitly endorsed as a legitimate means to achieve a party's political aims if democratic means are insufficient to obtain its objectives.

* In the politics as warfare perspective all major social problems are caused by the deliberate, malevolent acts of powerful elites with nefarious motives. An evil "them" is the cause of all society's ills.

* In the politics as warfare perspective the political party's philosophy and basic strategy is inerrant--it cannot be wrong. The result is the creation of a closed system of ideologically controlled "news" that creates an alternative reality.

* In the politics as warfare perspective standard norms of honesty are irrelevant. Lying and the use of false propaganda are considered necessary and acceptable. The "truth" is what serves to advance the party's objectives.

* In the politics as warfare perspective the creation of contrived "incidents" or deliberate provocations are acceptable. Because the adherent of this view "knows" that his or her opponents are fundamentally evil, even concocted or staged incidents are still morally and ethically "true." The distinction between facts and distortions disappears.

OK, so where is the evidence that the GOP and conservatives have done such a thing? Here goes the great leap from reality to Oliver Stone fiction:

It is easy to see examples of the various politics as warfare- based views and tactics listed above directly reflected in the statements and actions of the extreme wing of Republican coalition--they range from Michelle Bachmann and Sharon Angle's winking at violence with references to "second amendment remedies"...

...to Andrew Breitbart's deliberate editing of a video to smear Shirley Sherrod...

...Fox News' tolerating attacks on Obama as equivalent to Hitler...

...and airing repeated suggestions that the miniscule New Black Panthers present a real and genuine national threat of stolen elections...

...and Grover Norquist's endorsement of a government shutdown over extending the debt limit, despite the genuine dangers this poses to international financial stability.

OK, where to begin?
1. While Sharon Angle did say something about "second amendment remedies, Bachmann never has.
2. Andrew Breitbart did no editing of his video on Sherrod.
3. Every Fox News host villifies those who say Obama is Hitler. I have seen them condemn those who use the Obama/Hitler meme.
4. We have a bunch of thugs threatening harm against people and standing with clubs outside a polling place, and this is laughed off and seen as an exaggerated threat? Child please!

What we see here is a new narrative they are forming. They are going to try to frame everything the GOP does as hyperpartisanship or "Politics as warfare." They are going to try to paint the GOP as evil power brokers even as the Powergrabber in chief steals more power from the other branches and rules by executive unchecked fiat. Disgraceful!

PPP on DE and Moderates vs. Conservatives in GOP

PPP talks about the Senate Primary in Delaware and lets loose a piece of analysis that describes what so many politicos get exactly WRONG:

If Castle is indeed defeated Tuesday night it will be yet another sign that conservatives have a strangle hold on the Republican Party and moderates may or may not be welcome anymore.

This is so wrong I can't stand it. 

If moderates lose their grip on the GOP in Delaware or anywhere else, they are still welcome.  "Moderates" just have to go along to get along much like they demanded conservatives to do when the moderates were running the show.

Unlike the radical professional Left, the groundswell of support for conservatism in the Republican party is a genuine grassroots movement that have had it with BOTH parties and the way they have screwed the country over at every opportunity.

SIDEBAR: Notice you never hear about how awful it is when the "progressives" hijack the Democratic Party and threw out the "moderates" on the left side of the aisle.

Granted, PPP is probably talking about the situation in Delaware specifically; but it is exactly this sort of thinking that causes the kind of over-reach that we've seen from both parties here in Ohio.

And, yes, I see that PPP says "may or may not" but the implication is clear as day: PPP and radical professional Left believe that the conservatives will drive the "moderates" out of the party.  They HOPE that is the case because that is the only way THEY can maintain grip on power anywhere.

I think they are misunderestimating the power of the Tea Party movement.  We'll see...

Portman discusses Cap and Tax

Check out the latest campaign ad from Team Portman:


It is nice to finally see Rob out there attacking issues and not just going boiler plate with talking points. Rob needs to continue to pound the message home that the Dems are job killers and that we need better leadership and more sound judgement; and that he is the guy to do it rather than a "jobs czar" who has watched as almost a half million jobs have left the state of Ohio.

So, the Establishment Wins...and Conservative Principles Lose...What do We Learn?

OK, here are a few things to take away from last night's primary.

1. The Ohio Tea Party Groups are not ready for prime time. Look, if turnout was only in the low 20s percentage, which I hear it was, then there are two explanations for why Seth Morgan did not fare better. A) the tea partiers maintained independence and just cast a primary vote on the issues; or B)the tea party movement in Ohio is not as strong as advertised or feared by the Chairman and his capos. In all likelihood, it is option B. It is not enough to show up to a rally and hang out. You have to choose a side and vote on it.

2. Endorsements by county parties don't matter unless you get out and work it with your constituencies. You cannot produce slate cards with every candidate and just put a star next to the endorsed one. You have to get out and tell why you are supporting someone.

3. The ORP can never again claim to be fiscally conservative. The sheer amount of money spent on State Central Committee candidates should infuriate anyone. I mean, we are talking about state central committee, for heaven's sake! Kay Reynolds alone sent my household six different mailers with her featured dominantly. Which begs the question...where was my John Becker mailer? Guess the ORP doesn't like him very much.

4. There is no conservative party in the state of Ohio anymore. In Ohio, Glenn Beck is right. There is little difference in the arrogant attitudes of those in power in the state parties.

5. Me--yep, I won my race for central committee in my county. And you better believe Hell's comin' with me!

OK, so now we pick some winners and losers:
Winners:
1. Kevin DeWine, Jason Mauk, et. al.--These shlubs who alienated the hardest working people in the party get to keep their jobs. Of course, they spent your hard earned money to do it.

2. Mike DeWine--His type of political expediency wins the day.

Losers:
1. Conservative voters in Ohio--you don't really have a choice anymore. You get slightly unethical or full goose bozo. Take your pick. Also, you need to quit talking the talk and walk the walk. Don't be afraid of the bozos in Columbus. They work for you, darnit!
2. The Ohio Republican Party--You spent craploads of cash in a PRIMARY! For State Central Committee People! And for an Auditor Candidate! Nice Job, Kev! Don't expect the voters to be willing to pony up for more cashola come the fall and the fun from Cordray and Co. Also, all those hardworking people who were fired up, now don't care a damn about you. Also, you grabbed alienation from the jaws of a winning coalition. You have alienated the tea partiers, who while not ready for prime time, at least they work very hard. Good luck getting small donors to give to your coffers. Better hope Cousin Mikey has very deep pockets.
3. John Kasich, Mary Taylor, Josh Mandel--These folks have to live with sponge spines like Yost and Husted on the ticket, as well as the gun grabber in NRA clothing, Mike DeWine. They also have to live with not a whole lot of help from the party, because the party spent all its cash protecting its rubber stamp central committee (John Becker excluded). If I were Kasich, Taylor, or Mandel, I would be p.o.ed about the spending the party levied in this past primary.
4. Me--I actually have to try and defend the nonsense the morons in Columbus have done recently and encourage, make that beg, people to trust the Republican party in Ohio again. Well, at least we have a good and honorable group in Brown County, for the most part.

So, Where Do We Go From Here?

Well, let me remind the ORP of something. The minutemen and tea partiers of another era did not win the initial victories in battle either. However, who won the war? Like Washington and the Continentals, we must stand firm and continue to defend and push back against the nuanced b.s. garbage of Kevin and Co., and continue to defend our values and take back our party.

I congratulate Dave Yost on his victory. I hope Dave realizes it was never personal in the sense I didn't think Dave wouldn't do a good job. It was personal in the sense that he sold out the voters for the mover and shakers, and the harumphers in the party.

So, you ask, what am I going to do? Well, let me first clarify that there is a difference between voting for someone and supporting them, in my opinion. Support to me means more because it is going out and working the phones, polls, walking the miles, etc. So, with that in mind:

I will support John Kasich and Mary Taylor.
I will support Rob Portman.
I will support Jean Schmidt.
I will support Danny Bubp.
I will support Josh Mandel (oh you better believe I will!)
I will support Rick Eagan.
I will support Doug Green.

I will vote for Dave Yost. I might have to send him a support brace for his spine, but I will vote for him.
I will vote for Jon Husted. I will get nauseated and throw up from the stench, but I will vote for him.
I will....for Mike DeWine. Yeah, not so sure about that one right now, I must say.

Last night was a battle for the heart and soul of the Ohio Republican Party. Unfortunately, the angels didn't win. Unfortunately, the country club blue bloods won and the working conservatives lost. However, as Rome wasn't built in a day, as Britain wasn't beaten in one battle, so too it goes for the state of things in Ohio.

In 2 of 3 Key Races, Brown County Tells Kevin DeWine and the ORP Establishment to Buzz Off

Kevin Dewine and the Jason Ochocincos and John Ochocincos thought they had it all figured out. Snow Dave Yost into giving Mike DeWine a clear path to the AG, and tell little Seth Morgan to know his place and wait his turn. Well, the people of Brown County told Kevin and Co. that they don't agree with backroom deals and trying to take away the choice of the people. Tonight in Georgetown, in 2 of 3 key races with Kevin DeWine's pawprints all over them, the people of Brown County started telling Columbus thanks but no thanks.

In Brown County, a candidate must receive 65% of the vote of the Central Committee to win endorsement. The party had to suspend the rules regarding the standard endorsement procedure to vote on the State Auditor's race, due to the late departure of Mary Taylor and the subsequent announcements of candidacy by Yost and Morgan.

I will run down the races beginning with US Congress 2nd District. Incumbent and frequent firebrand Jean Schmidt is opposed by Mike Kilburn of Warren County and Debbie Allsfelder (sp?) of Mariemont.

US Congress, 2nd District

Mike Kilburn was first to speak. Mike has served the good people of Warren County for over 20+years as a Warren County Commissioner. In his tenure, the County went from being broke to having 180 million in the bank. He spoke of his dedication to fiscal conservatism, and his record on cutting costs and being pro growth are testaments to that. He spoke of his belief in capitalism and low taxes on entrepeneurs and businesses, as well as all people. Mr. Kilburn has an impressive record as a Commissioner of one of Ohio's biggest and fastest growing counties, and the story of Warren County is one to be lauded. He would bring fiscal conservatism and common sense to Washington. He made news and appeared on the Glenn Beck show for standing up and saying "we don't need Obama's filthy stinking stimulus money" for Warren County. He is pro 2nd Amendment, a gun owner, and is a solid social conservative as well. He gave a very informational speech and his record speaks volumes about his conservative credentials. Two big lines from his talk: God only asks for 10%, why should we give government so much more?" and he is a big flat tax advocate.
Debbie Allsfelder is originally from Clinton County and currently resides in Mariemont. She is a CPA and a lawyer, and her three sons all attended West Point. Her oldest is getting ready to start his 2nd deployment and her 2nd son is getting ready to be deployed. Her 45h child is a little 10 year old girl. She is very active in her community. She is in favor of term limits, as well as a strict constructionist view of Constitution. She said she would have a 3 part test for bills that came to her desk: 1. is it constitutional? 2. Can we afford it? 3. Do we need it? One of her biggest assets is that she is not a career politician and doesn't want to be one. She wants to serve her country like her boys are. She says she is conservative across the board and talked in general about strong defense, lessening size of government, and cutting spending and taxes.
Jean Schmidt is the sometimes controversial incumbent. She said you know where she stands and has fought for the district. She is mad at the direction the country is going and was appalled last week when the Democrats applauded after getting the votes to raise the debt ceiling for the 5th time in 14 months. She said she is solidly conservative, pro gun, pro life, pro traditional marriage. She talked of her assistance to crisis pregnancy centers, as well as her role in helping Perry twp. with water troubles. She also talked about how President Obama has not kept his promise to Ohio to send money and business to the Piketon plant, money which is now going to go to Iowa and a French company, our tax dollars going to the French. She urged people to call the White House Switchboard and tell the President to honor his promises and also to express dissatisfaction with his myopic focus on side issues like healthcare, cap and trade, etc. when the main issue is jobs. That number is
(202)456-1414. Jean faced a very deft question from Mt. Orab resident Dennis Wright, who asked her about her stance on the stimulus and bailouts. Jean said she voted for TARP I because local businesspeople were telling her they would not be able to survive if she didn't. She did say she voted against TARP II and is opposed to the Stimulus. She said she voted for TARP I because it would help loosen credit, however, as most people can tell, that hasn't happened.

2nd District US Congress Results

Jean Schimdt won the endorsement with 81% of the vote. All three candidates have some impressive credentials and would be great in public service, but the Central Committee in Brown County felt Jean Schmidt should get the endorsement and return to Washington.

US Senate

Tom Ganley had no representation. A rep from Portman's campaign spoke and discussed Rob's ties with the district, his record, etc. They discussed his solid NRA rating as well as right to life rating of 100 percent. They also said they were advancing in the new media aspect, including text updates you can get by texting "rob" to
46262. 9000 donors have given Portman a bank account of over 6 million as of the end of 2009.
RESULT: Rob Portman received 94% of the vote and won the endorsement of the county central committee.

Judge, 12th District Court of Appeals

Rachel Hutzel, prosecutor of Warren County and WMD contributor, won endorsement for one of the seats on the court with 94% of the vote. She spoke of her solid record as a prosecutor and her conservative credentials.
Robin Piper, prosecutor of Butler County, won endorsement for the other seat on the court with 89% of the vote.

88th District, State House of Representatives

Danny Bubp is seeking one last term before being term limited. He spoke of his solid conservative record on guns and life and such, as well as detailing the horrible actions by the current speaker in regards to the essay contest winner discussed earlier here at WMD. Danny Bubp won endorsement with 88% of the vote.

County Commissioner

Rick Eagan, two time former candidate, is seeking to run again, despite his debilitating car accident detailed previously on WMD. His daughter spoke for him as he is continuing his recovery. She gave an impassioned plea to the central committee, citing Rick's love for the area and his service in many different facets. Rick won endorsement with 75% of the vote.

State Central Committee, Male

Incumbent John Becker, who keeps everyone in his area informed through appearing at tea parties, rallies, and committee meetings, as well as the Becker report, fell two votes shy of the 65% needed for endorsement, but did have a majority of the votes. He has represented us well and I was disappointed for John. He votes how the people tell him and is willing to take unpopular stands. I wish him the best and hope he continues to fight hard for SW Ohio.

State Treasurer

Josh Mandel is an up and comer on the Ohio political scene. Danny Bubp spoke on his behalf. He won endorsement with 89% of the vote.

Secretary of State

Unfortunately, the establishment won this one. Jon Husted won endorsement with 83% of the vote, despite being a State senator who represents Montgomery County but lives in Columbus. Despite bringing this up, I was unable to get people to vote against him. He did not show up himself, but sent a representative who deflected the residency question by saying the Ohio Supremes voted unanimously for Husted, but not detailing it was all Repubs and that the questions remain. He said he voted for lower taxes but did not discuss the CAT tax. Ugh. One win for team ORP.

Governor of Ohio

Brown County spoke with one voice in saying we want a New Day and a New Way by voting 100% to endorse John Kasich and Mary Taylor. Danny Bubp spoke on John's behalf, who will be the keynote speaker at Brown County's Lincoln Day dinner, March 13th, at the Eagle's Hall in Georgetown. Check out the Brown County GOP's website for further details or hit them up on facebook.

County Auditor

The popular Doug Green won endorsement with 88% of the vote. He has served the county for 12 years, I do believe, and has headed up the State County Auditor's association, also, I think.

And now, for the kick in Team ORP's behind....

State Attorney General

Mike DeWine carried Brown County solidly in his failed reelection to the US Senate vs. Sherrod Brown. I guess he thought he didn't need to show up to speak to us hicks, because he sent campaign staffer John Hall to speak to us. Mr. Hall spoke about how DeWine wanted to improve efficiency in the crime lab, and how DeWine wanted to stop suing businesses in Ohio like Cordray has done. Well, the fit hit the shan when it was opened up to questions. Doug Sikking asked how dewine wanted to improve the efficiency in the crime lab and picked apart Mr. Hall's answer, saying it wouldn't make much difference. Mr. Hall was also asked how Mike DeWine could claim to be pro 2nd Amendment when the NRA gives him an F as does the Buckeye Firearms folks and how he could be pro traditional marriage when he was opposed to Ohio's DOMA and was endorsed by a gay activist group. Mr. Hall gave the standard DeWine dodge that he believes in the right to bear arms and will seek more reciprocity for conceal/carry and that he thought Ohio's DOMA was vague. Mr. Dewine failed by double digit percentage points to win the endorsement, despite his 2nd cousin clearing the field for him. Wonder what Dave Yost was thinking as he prepared to discuss the auditor's race?

State Attorney General Results

The central committee of Brown County rejected backroom deals and nepotism by REJECTING Mike DeWine. No endorsement awarded by double percentage points.

State Auditor

First, let me say that I really like Dave Yost. I admire his record as a prosecutor and as an auditor, and he writes a great blog. He is a man of deep moral beliefs and has conservative values. He is a great guy who has promoted our blog and reads it regularly. He sai some very gracious things to my party chairman Paul Hall regarding our work here and how much he appreciates what we do. That being said, I was disappointed in Dave's decision but was resigned to possibly supporting him for State Auditor. Dave discussed his record as a prosecutor and county auditor, having won a certificate of excellence as auditor 4 times in a row. He received awards as auditor from both Jim Petro and Betty Montgomery. He says he is the only candidate who has been a county auditor and who has headed an executive agency. He discussed how the only jobs Obama has created are in NJ, VA, and MA. Dave gave a good presentation. One central committee member asked Dave why he switched races and he said it was because that the state apportionment board is important and that he was asked by people around the state because he brought experience, no offense to his primary challenger Seth Morgan. He said he mulled it over and thought it was best for the party that he switch.

Seth Morgan took the podium and was electric. He discussed his humble beginnings as an outsider council member in Huber Heights and how he fought against incumbents and worked his way to the Ohio Statehouse. He talked about how he stood for what was right above party as he discussed taking on the party on several key votes, including standing up for conservative House Republican leader Batchhelder against the establishment pick of Matt "the tool" Dolan. He is a CPA and a small businessman. He said the key to beating the Daddy Bigbucks campaign of David Pepper is to have a candidate who presents a clear choice to the people. He said Ohioans were fed up with the establishment and politics as usual and that his recor has shown that no bureaucrat or party is too big for him to take on. While Dave Yost discussed experience as an auditor, Seth Morgan said he has experience standing up under pressure and doing what is right, and that is what Ohio need more than someone who could be charged with bowing to political pressures on backroom dealing. He discussed how he forced transparency in education in Ohio as well as taking on his own party to do not what was safe, but what is right, adn that we need more transparency and someone who will not bend to political pressure and his record has shown that.

State Auditor Results

Seth Morgan won the endorsement with 75% of the vote, while Dave Yost garnered 13%. I felt really bad for Dave Yost. He got screwed over by Kevin DeWine and the establishment ORP. He fell prey to the calls for unity and doing what is best for the Dewines, er, I mean the ORP. Instead of standing on principle, Dave went for making friends in the party. While that may win him some cash and some invites, these people are not his friends. They played Dave to clear the field for Mike DeWine as well as trying to keep an outsider like Seth Morgan from stepping out of line and daring to buck the elite. Dave Yost is a good man who agonized over this decision, but I think he chose wrongly. People were turned off that Yost gave up on his original goal, especially after winning endorsement after endorsement. The cash would have come as things heated up, especially in the general. But, Dave was seduced by the forked tongue of Kevin DeWine, who has engineered this whole thing. If this is his leadership, I don't think we should be impressed by 13 percent. Dave Yost went all in for the party, and he got screwed. A good man was humbled tonight, but another good man was given momentum in a vote that shocked many of the political class in the room. However, this should be a bellwether to Team ORP. Stop the politics as usual. Let the people's voice be heard, and quit the mindgames and manipulation. Or, continue on the path of expediency and continue to wander in the wilderness. For a wrinkly old fossil of a second cousin, Kevin DeWine sacrificed the political future of Dave Yost, who lost credibility when he switched, even though he did so for what he felt were the right reasons. I hope it was worth it Kevin, and I hope other county parties continue to send the message that the Ohio Republican Party should stand for something other than expediency and backroom dealing.

More Politics As Usual

This has been bugging me all week and now that it has played out exactly as I knew it would, I figure I might as well get it out of my system by writing about it...

Political operatives think they are the smartest guys in any room, but when you get them in to a "war room" environment that arrogance gets ramped up big time. I don't know which political operative was responsible for this particular play, but it is one of the most tiresome "politics as usual" gambits in the book.

It goes like this: Something happens on the national stage. Office Holder A doesn't do or say anything about it right away. Candidate B's team decides to issue a "recommendation" to Office Holder A in which Candidate B takes the only logical position. When Office Holder A takes that same position, the Team Candidate B says, "Aha! Office Holder A took our advice! Candidate B is a good guy and deserves attention." It's what political operatives call a "win-win" because if the Office Holder doesn't do the right thing, Candidate B can make an even bigger issue out if it.

Mike DeWine "hit" Dick Cordray "hard" on the Nebraska exemption in the Government Take-Over Health Care bill and issued a "recommendation" that Cordray join a lawsuit on the matter. The statement made its rounds on Twitter and Facebook through all the usual suspects. There was much chest bumping and high-fiving when Cordray actually did his job and joined the suit.

That's right, sports fans, Team DeWine was thrilled that Dick Cordray did his job.

Is this still looking like a win-win?

More politics as usual from the guy that brought us Senator Sherrod Brown.....

UPDATE: Don't Blame Me, I Voted for PIERCE.

Another Reason NOT to back Mike DeWine for Attorney General

He is George Voinovich's protege. Remember, it was Voinovich who named him Lt. Governor. It was Voinvoich who brought Mike into the being Lt. governor. It was Voinovich who helped get Mikey elected to Senate. Well, do you want someone who learned at the foot of this guy to be in charge of law enforcement, especially where the 2nd Amendment is concerned:

Sen. John Thune sponsored an amendment to the defense authorization bill allowing concealed carry permit holders to carry their weapons across state lines as long as they abided by other states’ CCW rules and regulations.

The Senate just voted down the measure by 58-39, falling two short of the 60-vote threshhold needed to block a filibuster.

Several Democrats voted for the amendment, including Sens. Feingold, Dorgan, Bayh, and Webb.

Sen. Pryor switched his vote from “nay” to “aye” at the last minute.

GOP Sens. Lugar and Voinovich voted “nay.”

George was more concerned with eradicating "real" terrorists like zebra mussels or something, I guess. Do we want a guy like Mike DeWine who hangs out with gun grabbers like these? Do we want a guy like Mike DeWine who refused to vote to drill in ANWR because his daughter bought the lies about global warming and harming the polar bears? Do we want a guy like Mike DeWine who joined the gang of 14? Do we want a guy like Mike DeWine the people of Ohio have already resoundingly rejected for office? Do we want a guy like Mike DeWine who lost to Sherrod Brown, for heaven's sake?

I sure as hell don't. That is why I am for Dave Yost, who is supported by Ohio's prosecutors for Attorney General. And you should be for Dave Yost, too, if you love the 2nd Amendment and believe in the justice system.

While More Americans Say No to Global Warming and Higher Taxes, Pelosi Tightens Grip and Seeks More of Your Cash...

Bad week for liberals in public opinion....From Rasmussen:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 32% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-three percent (33%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -1 (see trends). On the Generic Congressional Ballot, Republicans now have a two-point edge.


Americans are evenly divided on the climate change bill passed by the House last week—37% favor it and 41% are opposed. Forty-two percent (42%) believe it will hurt the economy and 19% believe it will help. Most (56%) are not willing to pay more in taxes and utility costs to fight Global Warming.


The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates also available on Twitter.

You would think with info like this, maybe the crazy loons in Congress would rethink their positions. Nope, in fact, the power grabbing is in high gear....check this out:

At her press briefing on Thursday, Pelosi was asked whether the health-care bill would be handled differently than the stimulus bill, which came up in February. The 1,071-page final text of that bill was posted on the House Appropriations Committee’s Web site late on a Thursday night and then voted on the next day.

“When the stimulus bill came out earlier this year, members and citizens had less than two days to review the final version that came out of the conference committee before it was voted on,” CNSNews.com asked Pelosi on Thursday. “Will you commit to giving Americans at least a week to review the full conference version of the health care bill before it is voted on? And also will you commit to submitting the final version to the CBO [Congressional Budget Office] so that they can report the cost to the public?”

Pelosi would not commit to giving the public a week to review the bill, and did not respond to the question of having the CBO report on the cost of the final bill."

OK, so is President Obama going to get mad and demand that the Speaker do what he promised would be done and allow the American people to review proposed laws before they are brought up for vote? I doubt it. This congress is the most dictatorial, anti-democratic, anti-liberty congress we have ever had. Where is the transparency that was promised? The only thing that is transparent were there promises of ethics, which are obviously just velva sheen, under which is a depth of corruption and power grabbing not seen since the Reign of Terror.

Get ready to be bent over again, America. First, the stimulus....then Cap and Trade...next, Health Care....When are we going to say enough is enough?

Dr. Thomas Sowell, a Black Man, Gets it Right about the State of Race...

Dr. Thomas Sowell knocks it out of the part in this article from National Review. It tells the truth about Barry Obama and why blacks should not trust the "good intentions" of the liberal elite....

Years ago, when Jack Greenberg left the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to become a professor at Columbia University, he announced that he was going to make it a point to hire a black secretary at Columbia.

This would of course make whomever he hired be seen as a token black, rather than as someone selected on the basis of competence.

This reminded me of the first time I went to Milton Friedman’s office when I was a graduate student at the University of Chicago back in 1960, and I noticed that he had a black secretary. This was four years before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and there was no such thing as affirmative action.

It so happened that Milton Friedman had another black secretary decades later, at the Hoover Institution — and she was respected as one of the best secretaries around.

When I mentioned to someone at the Hoover Institution that I was having a hard time finding a secretary who could handle a tough job in my absence, I was told that I needed someone like Milton Friedman’s secretary — and that there were not many like her.

At no time in all these years did I hear Milton Friedman say, either publicly or privately, that he had a black secretary.

William F. Buckley’s wife once mentioned in passing, at dinner in her home, that she had been involved for years in working with a school in Harlem. But I never heard her or Bill Buckley ever say that publicly.

Nor do conservatives who were in the civil-rights marches in the south, back when that was dangerous, make that a big deal.

For people on the Left, however, blacks are trophies or mascots, and must therefore be put on display. Nowhere is that more true than in politics.

The problem with being a mascot is that you are a symbol of someone else’s significance or virtue. The actual well-being of a mascot is not the point.

Liberals all across the country have not hesitated to destroy black neighborhoods in the name of “urban renewal,” often replacing working-class neighborhoods with upscale homes and pricey businesses — neither of which the former residents can afford.

In academia, lower admissions standards for black students is about having them as a visible presence, even if mismatching them with the particular college or university produces high dropout rates.

The black students who don’t make it are replaced by others, and when many of them don’t make it, there are still more others.

The point is to have black faces on campus, as mascots symbolizing what great people there are running the college or university.

Go and Read the whole thing....

But wait, I get it...he is just an Uncle Tom who was not down with the struggle, right? He must be a sellout...

No, he is just an honest man concerned about the mascotification of his heritage....

Ohio Polling Showing a Big Mac Attack?

Yep, it is way early. However, there is polling out there to show John Sydney McCain has a decent lead over Barack "Barry" Hussein Obama AND Hillary Clinton. From Rasputin Rasmussen (didn't he pitch for the Reds in the 80s?):

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Ohio shows John McCain leading both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama by identical 46% to 40% margins. In the last poll conducted before the hard fought Democratic Primary, McCain had a statistically insignificant one-point lead over Obama and a three-point edge over Clinton...

Nationally, the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll shows McCain in a very competitive race with both Clinton and Obama. While the Democratic Nomination contest grinds on and gets nastier, Michigan and Pennsylvania have also shifted slightly in McCain's direction...

It must be all those "crackers" in the United States of KKK America, right, Rev. Wright?

Brown County Update: Heating Up in Recorder's Race

Previously on WMD, we had mentioned the race for Brown County Recorder.  In that race, we mentioned the race was being run above board and with little acrimony and vitriol.  We mentioned that we could not endorse in that race because both women are qualified and have great accomplishments.  Mark himself had previously said it would be a toss-up.  It is shaping up to be a close race, and last day mailers are beginning to heat up.

 

In this mailer, there are two pictures...one, a color, posed studio pic of Mariah Votel with her name in bold and saying "local Businesswoman".  The other pic is a blurry, black and white photo of Amy Jo DeClaire with her name not bolded but her position as "Clermont County Govt. Employee" bolded. 

 

The implication here is that Amy Jo DeClaire is some carpetbagger and is really a Clermont County plant.  That is not true.  She, like Mariah, is a native Brown Countian who has spent most of her life in the county.  Why resort to this type of insinuation?  Amy Jo quit her job as a Clermont County employee to run for this office. 

 

Next, we have a compare and contrast again with Ms. Votel's name in bold and Ms. DeClaire's not.  Ms. Votel's name is checked for all the following statements and Ms. DeClaire's is not:

Endorsed by the Brown County Republican party

Elected President fo the Brown County Republican Club

Elected as a Republican Central Committee Member

Century Member of the Brown County Republican Club (financial contribution)

Represents BROWN COUNTY's Interests

OK, the first four statements are provable and correct.  The last one is a cheap shot, again insinuating that because Amy Jo worked in Clermont County she doesn't have Brown County's best interests at heart.  Well, if that is the case, one might question Ms. Votel as she only recently, once she had decided to run, became a local businesswoman.  Before that, she worked out of town in Cincinnati for a company.  Does that mean she didn't have Brown County's best interests at heart until she wanted to run for office?  We could go further to ask if Mariah thinks giving money to the party means she is owed the office?  I don't think this way and I don't think Mariah does.  Do you see what I am saying about these type of lowball assessments of character?  It is just not helpful and I have yet to see anything resembling this level of character hitting from the DeClaire campaign.

 

Look, I understand.  This is politics.  It is hardball.  However, we are supposed at the end of the day to be on the same side.  Warren Wagner and Connie Patrick in the Treasurer's race haven't sunk to this level, and neither has Rick Eagan in his race for Commissioner vs. Randy Fulton.  I haven't seen Dwayne Wenninger put out a mailer like this in his race vs. Don Newman.  I think the tactics here for a primary in a county race where there should have been little acrimony are a little much and resemble juvenile name calling and casting aspersions on character that are not necessary.  I think this was in poor taste and these type of tactics are just not kosher.

The Audacity of Hype, Empty Suit Lead in California, according to Polls

But of course, the only poll that will matter will be on Super Tuesday.
From C-Span/al-Reuters/Zogby:

Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama opened narrow leads on Hillary Clinton in California and Missouri one day before crucial "Super Tuesday" nominating contests in 24 states, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Monday.

In the Republican race, Arizona Sen. John McCain solidified his double-digit leads over Mitt Romney in New York and New Jersey, but Romney expanded his lead in California, the biggest prize on "Super Tuesday."

Obama and Clinton were deadlocked in New Jersey, and Obama enjoyed a double-digit advantage over Clinton in Georgia in two other Democratic contests on the biggest single day of voting ever in a U.S. presidential nominating campaign.

Obama, an Illinois senator, and Clinton, a New York senator, have waged a bitter duel for the Democratic presidential nomination, competing for votes from coast to coast after splitting the first four significant contests.

"The momentum is with Obama," said pollster John Zogby. "If this trend continues it could be a very big night for him."

Californians will go for something Hollywood--empty, little substance, but long on hype and money. So you have Romney and Obama leading. Not surprising....

Mark's Early Take On Iowa

Much ado about nothing. Though it tells me Iowans are pretty shallow, as they voted for two of the most shallow candidates in either field, Mike Huckabee and Barry Obama. These two are great for speechifying, but their ideas are short on substance. Huckabee is passing out Jesus Juice and Obama is trying to take dance lessons form Ellen DeGeneres and not honoring the flag when the Colors are displayed.

Look for Huckabee to fade as more people read this blog and others detailing his malfeascance and lack of real positions. Look for Mrs. Clinton to still win the nomination and be christened the Comeback Kid part 2, to make her vulnerable. If Huckabee wins the nomination for the GOP, it is a Democrat victory in November.
Not good news for Rudy or Fred, but if people see Huck for what he is and quit drinking the tainted kool aid, they could gain ground.

I havent seen the full breakdowns, as I just got out of the Brown County Endorsement meetings. Just my early impressions.

MATT'S CHAT: What did I do last night during the caucus. Oddly enough, I did exactly what he did...and had a similar reaction.

The "Semi-Official GOP Voice of Ohio" Report

Since WMD is "turning into the semi-official GOP voice of Ohio" (and thanks for the praise, Bill!), I thought I'd take a moment to index the hot stories and update a few of the stories we've been covering lately...

OH-02: Jean Schmidt has captured the endorsements of three county parties already.

Tom Brinkman has announced his candidacy amid rumors that Phil Heimlich may be getting out of the race.

OH-05: Bob Latta wins. Post game analysis here and here.

OH-18: Jeanette Moll made her candidacy official recently. She trails in the money race, but is a strong candidate. Fred Dailey's campaign may have the cash, but I'm not hearing any buzz. Paul Phillips is a veteran, but his campaign doesn't seem to advancing anywhere at the moment. OH-18 sources can feel free to email me...

Zack Space analysis and updates here and here.

35th District - Ohio House: Ron Maag recently announced his candidacy amid rumors that Eric Minamyer may be asked by local party officials to step aside. John Rabenhold still holds the money crown, but there is speculation that yet another name may be thrown in to this race soon...Phil Heimlich.

Local Stuff: Check out the latest Brown County GOP news here. And Butler County GOP endorsements here, here, and here including some insight in to the 12th District Court of Appeals here and here.

Columbus Stuff: We've been a bit thin on stuff coming from Columbus lately...but we've got some stuff brewing that I can't spill just yet.

Congressional Stuff: Check out a brief recap of a conference call with two Republican leaders here. Revelations about Democrats and waterboarding here.

Tons of stuff from Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- can be found right here.

Conservative Ideas: Read my views on Tax Cuts and Revenue Increases here. (I actually really like this sort of thing...and it is more in line with the stuff we used to write on WMD more often back in the old days...)

Tips? Comments? Concerns? Please, please, please...keep the communications coming! Email address, for those who wish to remain anonymous or just don't want to air stuff in the open directly, is: wmdtvmatt -- at -- yahoo -- dot -- com

Thank you all for your continued support and readership!