From the PD

Blackwell, who as secretary of state oversees elections in Ohio, has raised about 25 percent of his $6.1 million from out-of-state donors, according to a Plain Dealer analysis of campaign finance reports.

Meanwhile, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland received about 15 percent of his $6.3 million from out-of-state donors. Thanks to his contacts as a congressman and support from national unions, the largest chunk of out-of-state money flows from Washington, D.C.

From the tribune-chronicle

‘‘To reduce poverty in America, there has to be some systemic changes, but there also has to be changes in personal decisions,’’ he said.

‘‘I understood since I was 10 years old that the flip side of poverty is wealth. And if you in fact want to radically reduce poverty, you have to have a strategy about how you create wealth in our community,’’ he said.

To do that will require knocking down barriers that stop people from starting businesses and creating jobs, changes in the system require lowering taxes, stopping the abuse of lawsuits and cutting government red tape.

Blackwell’s market-based plan also involves ‘‘moral discipline and personal decisions’’ — building strong traditional families and abstinence programs for teens.

Saying out-of-wedlock births have doubled for blacks and whites since the war on poverty began 40 years ago, he said, ‘‘You don’t have to be a rocket scientists to know you’re more likely to break out of the cycle of poverty if you’re in a two-income family.

From Openers

Auditor Betty Montgomery resumed a part-time work schedule this week after being hospitalized in mid-May for treatment of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves.

"She would like to work full time but her family and doctor are urging her to take it easy and gradually move back to a full time schedule," said campaign adviser Mark Weaver.

Wednesday was her first day in the office, he said, and she attended a few meetings, made calls and met with senior staff.

Glad to hear this.

In The Toledo Blade

"It's true for a lot of people - your life takes a course," Mrs. Strickland said. "There's a thing of timing. Things work out, things don't work out. ... By the time that we made the decision to get married, it was just past the time when either one of us thought we'd be good for having children."

The question is an intrusion for anyone - well, why didn't you? - and for Mr. Strickland, an attack to parry in a half-dozen House races. In a 1994 debate, he recalls, his Republican opponent suggested Mr. Strickland could not understand families because he had not fathered children.

"The most effective way to campaign now is to identify your opponent's strengths and try to destroy those strengths," Mr. Strickland said.

His Democratic primary opponent already tried: Bryan Flannery, a former state representative, criticized Mr. Strickland for vacationing in Italy with a male political "protg" who had been convicted of indecent exposure; Mr. Flannery noted in the press release that he and his running mate both had children.

"Everybody wants to put the traditional kind of family situation out there, and ours is not traditional," she said. "But a lot of people would say their family is not traditional now."

Add the faaaaaar left Dayton Daily News to the growing list of publications who have debunked the ravings of Robert Kennedy Jr. and the "Ohio was stolen" crowd.

from the Cleveland fish wrapper

When Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland finishes a rally scheduled for 4 p.m. today in the capital city's Goodale Park, he won't be whisked away quickly.

Instead, Strickland will be moseying across the street in one of Columbus' most gay-friendly neighborhoods for a rainbow-flagged fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Freshwater House, 114 Buttles Avenue.

The fundraiser, sponsored by the Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio and several other gay advocacy groups, has organizers expecting to raise $50,000 or $60,000 in one night for Strickland. Tickets start at $100.

The gays love Ted!

Louisiana Gov. Blanco Orders National Guard to Patrol New Orleans Upon Mayor's Request

Monday , June 19, 2006

NEW ORLEANS — Acting at the mayor's request, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco said she would send National Guard troops and state police to patrol the streets of New Orleans after a bloody weekend in which six people were killed.

"The situation is urgent," Blanco said Monday. "Things like this should never happen, and I am going to do all I can to stop it."

The governor did not specify how many troops and officers she planned to deploy. Earlier Monday, Mayor Ray Nagin asked for as many as 300 National Guardsmen and 60 state police officers.

Well the NEA School Teacher and Bozo the Clown are back in the headlines. Remember you get what you vote for.

Brian Duffy

From the Blade

Mr. Blackwell said voters should not consider Mr. Strickland's fatherhood decision an issue: "Some of my most adored, most respected leaders are not parents. Pope John Paul II was not a parent."

Still, Mr. Strickland said he believes the question will surface as part of a larger attack on his character - which Mr. Strickland pitches heavily on the campaign trail, through his up-from-poverty personal story and the biblical quotes that underscore his Methodist ordination. "The most effective way to campaign now is to identify your opponent's strengths and try to destroy those strengths," Mr. Strickland said.

His Democratic primary opponent already tried: Bryan Flannery, a former state representative, criticized Mr. Strickland for vacationing in Italy with a male political "protg" who had been convicted of indecent exposure; Mr. Flannery noted in the press release that he and his running mate both had children.

Hmmmmmmm.