Petro v. Mongtomery in the showdown of LISTS!!!

The campaign team of Republican gubernatorial candidate Betty Montgomery reached new heights this week with the unparalleled growth of her grassroots leadership team. Montgomery’s achievements come while opponent Jim Petro struggles to match her success.

Montgomery traveled to Nelsonville Wednesday and was met by a crowd of nearly 100 supporters who joined her on the historic Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad for a fundraising event. At the event, Montgomery noted that her campaign now has over 1000 public endorsements. This can be compared to just 747 public endorsements from Petro’s release yesterday. Montgomery’s base of support statewide is broader with only 4% of her total supporters coming from her home county (Wood) while 21% of Petro’s support comes from his home county (Cuyahoga).

Montgomery is outpacing Petro by hundreds of supporters.
“Jim Petro is desperately trying to play catch up,” Montgomery Campaign Manager Shane Ostrowski said. “The Montgomery campaign announced its regional and county leadership seven months ago.”

Ohhhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhh……

HERE it is!

Very impressive list.

Today the Petro-Heimlich campaign announced its statewide organization and the support of hundreds of party leaders and activists.The Petro-Heimlich campaign has built a first class grassroots organization in each of Ohio’s 88 counties.

The campaign is continuing to build a political organization that currently includes 205 elected officials and hundreds of campaign activists. “Jim Petro has assembled the largest grassroots organization in the 2006 campaign for governor. In addition to building that organization, he has secured the endorsement of four county Republican parties; more than both of his Republican opponents combined,” said Rep. Pat Tiberi, Member of Congress. ”

Clearly Jim Petro is the candidate for governor that is winning the support of the same leaders, activists and volunteers that delivered an Ohio victory for President George W. Bush.” “Jim Petro is a strong defender of conservative values,” said Phil Heimlich, candidate for Lt. Governor. “Jim is the only candidate for governor with a record as a true fiscal conservative.

While some candidates talk about saving taxpayer dollars, only Jim Petro has returned more than $40 million to the people of Ohio.”In July, the Petro-Heimlich campaign achieved another measure of success by earning the title of top fundraiser of any candidate for governor in either party.

The campaign finance report filed by the Citizens for Jim Petro Committee showed an on-hand balance of $3,082,785.52. This amount was a record for any Republican candidate for governor at that point in an election.

From the Ohioans for Concealed Carry site….

A little more than 50 people crowded into the Old Firehouse in Avon Lake to hear the Secretary of State talk about his bid for the Ohio governor’s office.

During his introduction, Blackwell’s platform of lower taxes and economic growth was outlined. In part, Blackwell intends to accomplish these goals by decreasing the size and expenses of Ohio’s government, eliminating the estate tax, and repealing the sales tax increase past by Bob Taft. Also on his agenda as governor would be to work to ensure that the graduates of Ohio’s schools remain in Ohio to spur economic growth.
The crowd was reminded that he is a certified government financial officer, a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, and an avid sportsman. After the introduction, Blackwell took the stage amidst rousing applause.
Secretary Blackwell outlined his views on how to fix Ohio’s long downhill slide after the state fell into the hands of politicians who “campaign like Ronald Reagan, but govern like Dick Celeste.” Ken offered a “prescription for what ails us,” a promise to return to the fundamental beliefs and basic principles of the Republican party. He stressed a need for sound economic policies, including guardrails to control runaway state spending, and vowed to find more efficient ways of spending your tax dollars.
He also vowed to dedicate himself to protecting individual rights, and warned that a continued erosion of Second Amendment and property rights is a slide to socialism. During a question and answer session afterwards, Ken answered questions directly and to the point.
Ken made it clear that he is against abortion, against casino gambling; and when asked about Issues 1-5, he said to remember the words of Nancy Reagan and Just Say No.

This group also likes Jim Petro as well.

It doesn’t look like it’s going to happen but a Cleveland native Justice Maura D. Corrigan who’s currently on the Michigan Supreme Court was rumored to be in the running for Day’s seat. Read about her HERE.

“There is one newspaper in Ohio that has propelled itself head and shoulders above the competition statewide during the past year. And there is one newspaper in Ohio that understands better than any other the culture of corruption permeating Columbus. That newspaper is the Toledo Blade, and today, the Blade endorsed State Issues 3, 4, and 5-better known as Reform Ohio Now.” Read the rest HERE at GrowOhio.org.

Ahhhhh the Blade, what a paper.

Who Knows but we’ll see….

The Columbus Dispatch wrote today, ‘Voters should reject all four. … State Issues 2, 3, 4 and 5 either are unnecessary, unclear in their consequences or likely to push the state backward instead of forward.’ (Editorial, 10/30/05)
The Lorain Mourning Journal says, ‘Don’t be fooled into thinking these are noble, good-government election reforms. They’re partisan ploys to help the chronically hapless, winless Ohio Democratic Party gain some advantage.’ (Editorial, 10/25/05)
The Cleveland Plain Dealer says of Issues 3, 4 & 5, ‘As is often the case when politicians try to disguise themselves as reforms, the devil is in the details.’ (Editorial, 10/23/05)
Dozens more editorials have come out in recent weeks encouraging Ohioans to vote NO on State Issues 2, 3, 4 & 5.

While a former Republican operative and fund-raiser is now facing a federal indictment for alleged improper campaign donations, the party itself is turning its focus to Ohio’s statewide issues that will be on the ballot November 8th. The issues seek to reform absentee ballots, campaign finance, redistricting and elections commissions, and some say they will take the power away from the voters, and give it to bureaucrats.

Saturday night, a Lucas County Republican Party phone bank urged a “no” vote on the four state issues. “[The issues put] control into the hands of appointed boards and bureaucrats,” said Doug Haynam, interim chairman of the Lucas County GOP. Local Republicans believe issues 2, 3, 4, and 5 are a desperate attempt by outsiders to dismantle a decade of Republican control in Ohio. “They are branding themselves as Ohioans trying to reform Ohio, covering corruption with corruption,” said Alexandra Hertel, from Ohio First, a group opposing the amendments. Read the rest HERE.

I forgot to fill out my absentee ballot and showed up on Election Day - and the poll workers politely explained that I was not allowed to vote twice. They said I could deliver my absentee ballot personally to the board of elections.

“I suppose you’re gonna write a column about this,” one of the poll workers remarked, as if predicting the likelihood of bread falling butter-side-down and dogs barking at cats.
Yup. Here it is: THERE OUGHTA BE A LAW …

No, scratch that. They did everything they could to accommodate my Floriduh stupidity. Voting is already Sesame Street-simple. You can get an absentee ballot with nearly any excuse, including “aliens kidnapped me.” But once you do, you can’t vote again in person.
That makes sense. We don’t need a law that lets us vote twice.

So put me down as an enthusiastic “NO!!!” on Issue 2. In fact, let’s make it easy. I may be Florida stupid, but I’m not Key West crazy. I’m voting “NO WAY” on Issues 1 through 5. Read the rest HERE.

Great piece, read it all the way through.

Angela Orso, 49, is an assistant to the career coordinator at Hamilton High School.

She took a break from her job to try the new machines at a demonstration last month.

Orso said she was a little apprehensive. “I’m so used to punching the holes,” she said.
But after she tried the touch screen, Orso said: “It really was simple, much more than I expected.” Read the rest HERE.

So what they are saying is if you have a problem voting then you are dumb.

Ohio State Sen. Jim Jordan is a candidate to be a running mate for Republican Gubernatorial candidate Kenneth Blackwell next year.

Jordan, R-Urbana, and a spokesman for Blackwell's campaign both confirmed that Jordan is under consideration. ”�“It's speculation at this point. Ken and I have talked about it a couple of times, and I am supporting Ken for governor,”? Jordan said.

”�“There's no decision that's been made, and they're on their time frame, and if they would ask me, I would certainly be interested.”? Read the rest HERE.

He wants it.

The time has come and the process has begun. Pete Draganic is currently engaged in considerations for a suitable running mate and hopes to have his selection finalized by the New Year.

When asked what he seeks in a Lieutenant Governor, Draganic said that he seeks someone that has the same passion for Ohio that he does. He wants someone who believes deeply in family and values, hard work, ethics and proactive leadership. Draganic seeks someone with backbone.

”�“Whenever I think about all of the great things that the right leader can accomplish here in Ohio, I get excited,”? says Draganic. ”�“I want someone that shares that excitement, that passion”?.

Draganic has no leading choices at this point. ”�“It does take a special kind of person,”? says Draganic. ”�“I need someone with a good head on their shoulders, a good heart and a strong work ethic. I need someone that believes that we can do great things for Ohio”?.

Wow what an offer!

Washington County Republicans celebrated Reagan Day Dinner with a special guest speaker Thursday night.

Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro addressed a capacity crowd Thursday night at the Shrine Club.

Petro had high praise for the new bypass around Lancaster when he arrived in Marietta. “It actually saved 15 minutes off my drive to Athens tonight,” reports the Attorney General. “So it’s a real time saver.”

Petro says transportation is the key to economic development in Southeast Ohio.
He says he’s looking forward to the construction of the proposed Nelsonville Bypass to complete the corridor to Parkersburg. Read the rest HERE.

From the Washington Post

Ohio — OPEN: Gov. Bob Taft (R) is term-limited. A perfect storm seems to be forming in Ohio that threatens to wash away Republicans’ long hold on the statehouse. Taft is easily the least popular governor in the country (15 percent job approval in a poll last month), and his taint is trickling down to the candidates running to replace him. All three are current statewide officeholders and, therefore, are not in the best position to distance themselves from Taft. Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell seems the frontrunner for the GOP nomination, but at this point it may not be worth having. Rep. Ted Strickland is the Democrats’ frontrunner but is being challenged in the primary by Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman. This is the Democrats’ race to lose.

Good.

Instead of complaining, buy stock in the company!

Mayor Michael Coleman’s tested leadership and positive working relationship with organized labor helped earn him the endorsement from Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 189 in his race to become the next governor of Ohio.

“We feel that the State of Ohio is desperately in need of the leadership skills that you have displayed in keeping Columbus growing over the past six years as our Mayor during the most difficult economic times this country and our state has ever experienced,” said Fred Scolieri, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 189 business manager.

Coleman will bring his proven record of success in growing the job base to the governor’s office. His work to incorporate labor leadership into the key decision-making efforts of Central Ohio has help make the community stronger.

Don’t Know much about the union scene, but this can’t hurt.

From an e-mailer….

“U.S. District Judge Lesley Brooks Wells, 68, plans to invoke “senior status,” allowing her to take a reduced caseload and creating an opening on the federal bench that the White House must fill. Early names being floated as replacements: Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judges Kenneth Callahan and Kathleen Sutula, Ohio Appeals Court Judges Sheila Farmer (5th District) and Michael Corrigan (8th District), U.S. Magistrate Nancy Vecchiarelli and U.S. Attorney Greg White.”

The last several Republican appointments in the Northern District, even going back to Bush 41, have all been males. Supposedly this is DeWine’s pick. Rumor has it that DeWine, anticipating a Republican primary, not to mention having a general election contest against either Sherrod Brown or Paul Hackett, may consider going with a Republican who has won multiple elections in order to enhance his own electability, which makes sense considering the confirmation process for whoever is appointed should be wrapping up right around the time of the primary.

If he is considering electability then the choice would be Sutula as she has won in ‘92 and ‘94 (against two Sweeney’s) and in 2000 (against an O’Donnell). What’s important to note is that two of those elections were presidential years, and in 2000 she actually had more votes in Cleveland than her Democratic opponent.

The other candidates mentioned in the PD, with the possible exception of Greg White, don’t match this. Callahan won in ‘96 and ‘02, but doesn’t provide the same name recognition and didn’t run against as tough of competition; Vechiarelli, as a federal magistrate, has never been an active participant in the political process; Corrigan has lost two elections, including his last one in ‘04; and while Sheila Farmer has won several elections down in Stark County, she will also be 60-years old by the end of year, which is pretty old for an appointment to the federal bench.

Just some food for thought, as it will be interesting to see whether or not DeWine continues to go with the old boys’ network (Callahan or Corrigan) or does try to make a play to attract voters by recommending an established Republican female.

Gubernatorial hopeful, Pete Draganic, voices his opposition to the upcoming ballot issues 1-5.

Draganic states ”�“Issue 1 is essentially the state government telling us that they do not collect enough of our money in taxes so they wish to put us further in debt”?. ”�“Mind you”? continues Draganic ”�“that Ohio currently has the fourth highest tax burden of any state in the nation and now they want more”?.

Pete Draganic feels that if the state were more responsible in its spending and economic planning, we would have the money for these projects instead of turning to borrowing money from the people. ”�“Quit wasting money and spend it responsibly in the first place,”? says Draganic.

With regard to issues 2 through 5 Draganic is quick to point out that these issues are almost entirely funded by out-of-state interests with a huge political agenda. Draganic also notes that there is little support of these issues even from Ohio democrats, which should be a huge indicator of problems.

Issue 2 loosens the restrictions on absentee ballots, which subsequently opens the door to fraud. We've all heard stories of Mary Poppins registering to vote or van-loads of homeless people being shuffled to numerous polling locations in other states to vote again and again in exchange for a pack of cigarettes or worse. Issue 2 exposes Ohio to that same predicament of fraudulent abuse. Every time someone is able to pull off a falsified vote, an honest vote is cancelled out.

Issue 3 reduces the ability of citizens to express their political voice through campaign contributions while at the same time gives great power to a select few. This essentially puts the power of elections into the hands of financially powerful individuals and only certain well-funded groups. Elections will be bought and sold under Issue 3.

Issue 4 Introduces a purely mathematical system for the apportionment of legislative districts but absolutely neglects any consideration of commonality between the people in such districting. It is based on a scoring system that as a higher score is achieved, the districting naturally becomes more convoluted, eventually to the point of absurdity. The state must accept the highest legitimately scoring map submitted and use it or devise and use their own map within 2 points of that score, no matter how problematic it is. Furthermore, absolutely anyone from anywhere can submit a proposal of a map for consideration. This is a plan of divide, re-divide, subdivide and conquer. Beware.

Issue 5 is quite possibly the worst of all RON's proposals in that it does the most to steal the voice of the people. Currently your elected leaders comprise a commission that apportions legislative districts. If we don't like the job they do, we can vote them out of office every four years. Under the Issue 5 proposal we are subjected to the control of a specially appointed board for redistricting that remains in power for 9 years at a time. We have no voice in who stays or goes. If we don't like the job they do, too bad.

There is a lot of bad news on the upcoming ballot. Pete Draganic says, ”�“Just say no”?.

From Cleveland Ubel Alles….

So, if one is to believe Campbell or her supporters’ version of the demographic breakdown of the city she represents, then it’s an even split, 50-50 between blacks and whites. Not only is this claim demonstrably false, with whites representing 41.5% of the city’s population and minorities representing the other 58.5%, it also suggests that in pursuit of Campbell retaining the privilege of representing this majority minority city, she or her supporters are willing to engage in the worse kind of race baiting, as in, “You can’t trust a poll that weights its sample with respondents from the east (i.e. blacks) and samples too many blacks. Don’t you worry, Campbell supporters, White Cleveland (most of which is old, ready to die in its little crackerbox homes on the far West Side) will come out and save you from the black menace of a Jackson administration.” This is ugly stuff-the sort of subtle racist spinning that usually gets Republicans elected-and Cleveland Uber Alles condemns it for it is. Read the rest HERE.

It’s heating up.

Anyone else who was at last night’s debate can confirm, the race for Cleveland Mayor came alive last night during the first debate. After months of campaign by silence, the two candidates came out swinging in last night’s debate. Campbell attacked Jackson for blocking development and not improving his own ward, Jackson attacked Campbell for not being a good leader and worrying too much about her political image. The debate was lively and energetic, and there are more to come.

Watch The Debate To Be Re-Played On WKYC Here - DEBATE VIDEO

Read The Plain Dealer Article Here - FIRST DEBATE INJECTS LIFE INTO MAYORAL RACE

Read Local Politics With Mark Naymik Here - CAMPBELL COMES OUT SWINGING

Cleveland Councilman Zack Reed, Chairman of the Public Saftey Committee, wanted to know first hand how the new taser guns would work on the citizens of Cleveland. Last night at the committee meeting the Councilman asked to be tasered with one of the new taser guns that will soon be in the hands of many of Cleveland’s police officers.

So what was the conclusion?

“Still a little wheezy, my knees are a little shaky, but overall, it’s much better than getting shot and killed,” said Reed.

See The NewNet5 Video Here