RELEASE: ABC Endorses Widener

This just in...

SPRINGFIELD, OH (05/15/08) - Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio has added its name to the long list of organizations supporting Chris Widener, candidate for the Ohio State Senate.

"ABC is dedicated to creating a business climate of merit, allowing contractors to run their businesses on the fundamental principles framed by our nation's founding fathers," stated ABC of Ohio President Braden Black. Associated Builders and Contractors is the largest construction association devoted to the merit shop contractor.

"As a small business owner myself, I understand how intrusive government prevents job growth," Widener said. "As a State Representative I have worked to create a job friendly environment in Ohio. As a State Senator I will continue to fight to bring quality jobs to our area."

Widener is a licensed architect and has owned his own firm for 18 years. Prior to starting his own business he worked at Wright Patterson Air Force Base as a civil service architect and as the installations first full-time Historic Preservation Officer.

Widener currently represents Madison County and portions of Clark and Greene Counties in his fourth term as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. In his service, he passed a 21% income tax cut, provided much needed prescription drug coverage for 1.4 million Ohio seniors without any additional costs to taxpayers, and helped pass a state budget with the lowest growth in spending in nearly half a century.

RELEASE: Rep. Latta Statement Regarding Farm Bill

This just in...

WASHINGTON- Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) made the following statement after voting for H.R. 2419, The Food Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008- commonly referred to as the farm bill.

“It is a common misconception that this bill is exclusive to farmers and the agriculture industry. The truth is that only 20 percent of the funding within this legislation is devoted to farm programs (commodities 12%, crop insurance 8%), while nearly 70 percent goes to nutrition title programs. Since 2002, funding for farm programs has been cut 50 percent, now only comprising one quarter of one percent of the entire federal budget.”

“While the focus of this legislation has shifted away from the agriculture industry, many important components are now in place to allow hard-working farmers in Ohio and across the country to continue their work which drives our nation’s economy. America’s farmers ensure that we have affordable food and that we are independent of another country’s whims. This bill also promotes the production of alternative energy and new conservation programs that will benefit farmers as well as our nation’s energy market.”

UPDATE 1: AP News Alert

WASHINGTON (AP) Congress has approved a $290 billion farm and food bill with enough votes to override a veto.

Butler County Update: Commission and Department Reduces Size of Government -- Democrats TICKED!

Back in the day, the Butler County Commission asked the Department of Environmental Services to get a little leaner and increase efficiency in order to provide a reduction in water bills that county residents pay. At today's commissioner's meeting, a plan was revealed that would accomplish exactly that.

[Source: Cox Newspaper's fearless reporter Dave Greber]

Guess what the amazing part is? Apparently, the commissioners weren't expecting that their directives would be followed:

Commissioner Don Dixon’s first response: “Wow.”

“You followed our instructions (to reduce bills and streamline the department) specifically,” Dixon said.

I'd certainly hope that they did exactly what you instructed them to do, Commissioner.

Of course, our fearless reporter just has to ask whether or not a few bucks worth of savings to the residents is worth 22 jobs. The comments are a real hoot... The answer, Dave, is YES. Government isn't supposed to be a jobs program...it is supposed to provide efficient service. No more; no less.

Butler county is in pretty good shape considering the idiots we have running things in Columbus. If we had a media in this area that actually would report on the good things happening here, maybe people would start to notice that.

Visions of the End of McCain's First Term

Looking over the preview copy of remarks that John McCain will be delivering in about twenty minutes up in Columbus, I can say that John McCain has a bold vision for where he expects to see the nation at the end of his first term.

Foreign policy stuff: He'll be discussing Iraq, the war on terror, Afghanistan, counter-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and Darfur.

Domestic policy: return of a strong economy, reduction in corporate taxes, revision of the tax code so Americans have a choice, earmarks, reductions in government spending, education reform that includes charter and private schools, more accessible healthcare, and we will have begun construction of 20 new nuclear reactors.

All that and so much more at 10AM...

UPDATE 1: A web ad preview...



UPDATE 1A: I'm having trouble with the embed code for the web ad...I may have to add it back in later...

UPDATE 2: (10:20AM) McCain's remarks, as prepared for delivery:

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain will deliver the following remarks as prepared for delivery at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, in Columbus, OH, today at 10:00 a.m. EDT:

Thank you. The hectic but repetitive routine of presidential campaigns often seems to consist entirely of back and forth charges between candidates, punctuated by photo ops, debates and the occasional policy speech, followed by another barrage of accusations and counter accusations, formulated into the soundbites preferred by cable news producers. It is a little hypocritical for candidates or reporters to criticize these deficiencies. They are our creation. Campaigns and the media collaborated as architects of the modern presidential campaign, and we deserve equal blame for the regret we feel from time to time over its less than inspirational features. Voters, however, even in this revolutionary communications age, with its 24 hour news cycle, can be forgiven their uncertainty about what the candidates actually hope to achieve if they have the extraordinary privilege of being elected President of the United States . We spend too little time and offer too few specifics on that most important of questions. We make promises, of course, about what kind of policies we would pursue in office. But they often are obscured, mischaracterized and forgotten in the heat and fog of political battle.

Next January, the political leadership of the United States will change significantly. It is important that the candidates who seek to lead the country after the Bush Administration define their objectives and what they plan to achieve not with vague language but with clarity.

So, what I want to do today is take a little time to describe what I would hope to have achieved at the end of my first term as President. I cannot guarantee I will have achieved these things. I am presumptuous enough to think I would be a good President, but not so much that I believe I can govern by command. Should I forget that, Congress will, of course, hasten to remind me. The following are conditions I intend to achieve. And toward that end, I will focus all the powers of the office; every skill and strength I possess; and seize every opportunity to work with members of Congress who put the national interest ahead of partisanship, and any country in the world that shares our hopes for a more peaceful and prosperous world.

By January 2013, America has welcomed home most of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed terribly so that America might be secure in her freedom. The Iraq War has been won. Iraq is a functioning democracy, although still suffering from the lingering effects of decades of tyranny and centuries of sectarian tension. Violence still occurs, but it is spasmodic and much reduced. Civil war has been prevented; militias disbanded; the Iraqi Security Force is professional and competent; al Qaeda in Iraq has been defeated; and the Government of Iraq is capable of imposing its authority in every province of Iraq and defending the integrity of its borders. The United States maintains a military presence there, but a much smaller one, and it does not play a direct combat role.

The threat from a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan has been greatly reduced but not eliminated. U.S. and NATO forces remain there to help finish the job, and continue operations against the remnants of al Qaeda. The Government of Pakistan has cooperated with the U.S. in successfully adapting the counterinsurgency tactics that worked so well in Iraq and Afghanistan to its lawless tribal areas where al Qaeda fighters are based. The increase in actionable intelligence that the counterinsurgency produced led to the capture or death of Osama bin Laden, and his chief lieutenants. There is no longer any place in the world al Qaeda can consider a safe haven. Increased cooperation between the United States and its allies in the concerted use of military, diplomatic, and economic power and reforms in the intelligence capabilities of the United States has disrupted terrorist networks and exposed plots around the world. There still has not been a major terrorist attack in the United States since September 11, 2001.

The United States and its allies have made great progress in advancing nuclear security. Concerted action by the great democracies of the world has persuaded a reluctant Russia and China to cooperate in pressuring Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions, and North Korea to discontinue its own. The single greatest threat facing the West -- the prospect of nuclear materials in the hands of terrorists -- has been vastly diminished.

The size of the Army and Marine Corps has been significantly increased, and are now better equipped and trained to defend us. Long overdue reforms to the way we acquire weapons programs, including fixed price contracts, have created sufficient savings to pay for a larger military. A substantial increase in veterans educational benefits and improvements in their health care has aided recruitment and retention. The strain on the National Guard and reserve forces has been relieved.

After efforts to pressure the Government in Sudan over Darfur failed again in the U.N. Security Council, the United States, acting in concert with a newly formed League of Democracies, applied stiff diplomatic and economic pressure that caused the government of Sudan to agree to a multinational peacekeeping force, with NATO countries providing logistical and air support, to stop the genocide that had made a mockery of the world's repeated declaration that we would "never again" tolerant such inhumanity. Encouraged by the success, the League is now occupied with using the economic power and prestige of its member states to end other gross abuses of human rights such as the despicable crime of human trafficking.

The United States has experienced several years of robust economic growth, and Americans again have confidence in their economic future. A reduction in the corporate tax rate from the second highest in the world to one on par with our trading partners; the low rate on capital gains; allowing business to deduct in a single year investments in equipment and technology, while eliminating tax loopholes and ending corporate welfare, have spurred innovation and productivity, and encouraged companies to keep their operations and jobs in the United States. The Alternate Minimum Tax is being phased out, with relief provided first to middle income families. Doubling the size of the child exemption has put more disposable income in the hands of taxpayers, further stimulating growth.

Congress has just passed by a single up or down vote a tax reform proposal that offers Americans a choice of continuing to file under the rules of the current complicated and burdensome tax code or use a new, simpler, fairer and flatter tax, with two rates and a generous deduction. Millions of taxpayers are expected to file under the flat tax, and save billions in the cost of preparing their returns.

After exercising my veto several times in my first year in office, Congress has not sent me an appropriations bill containing earmarks for the last three years. A top to bottom review of every federal bureaucracy has yielded great reductions in government spending by identifying programs that serve no important purpose; and instigating far reaching reforms of procurement and operating policies that have for too long extravagantly wasted money for no better purpose than to increase federal payrolls.

New free trade agreements have been ratified and led to substantial increases in both exports and imports. The resulting growth in prosperity in countries from South America to Asia to Africa has greatly strengthened America 's security and the global progress of our political ideals. U.S. tariffs on agricultural imports have been eliminated and unneeded farm subsidies are being phased out. The world food crisis has ended, inflation is low, and the quality of life not only in our country, but in some of the most impoverished countries around the world is much improved.

Americans, who through no fault of their own, lost jobs in the global economy they once believed were theirs for life, are assisted by reformed unemployment insurance and worker retraining programs. Older workers who accept lower paying jobs while they acquire new skills are provided assistance to make up a good part of the income they have lost. Community colleges and technical schools all over the country have developed worker retraining programs suited to the specific economic opportunities available in their communities and are helping millions of workers who have lost a job that won't come back find a new one that won't go away.

Public education in the United States is much improved thanks to the competition provided by charter and private schools; the increase of quality teachers through incentives like merit pay and terrific programs that attract to the classroom enthusiastic and innovative teachers from many disciplines, like Teach for America and Troops to Teachers. Educational software and online teaching programs endorsed by qualified non profits are much more widely in use, bringing to the smallest classrooms in America some of the greatest math, English, and science teachers in the country. This revolution in teaching methods has especially benefited rural America . Test scores and graduation rates are rising everywhere in the country.

Health care has become more accessible to more Americans than at any other time in history. Reforms of the insurance market; putting the choice of health care into the hands of American families rather than exclusively with the government or employers; walk in clinics as alternatives to emergency room care; paying for outcome in the treatment of disease rather than individual procedures; and competition in the prescription drug market have begun to wring out the runaway inflation once endemic in our health care system. More small businesses offer their employees health plans. Schools have greatly improved their emphasis on physical education and nutritional content of meals offered in school cafeterias. Obesity rates among the young and the disease they engender are stabilized and beginning to decline. The federal government and states have cooperated in establishing backstop insurance pools that provide coverage to people hard pressed to find insurance elsewhere because of pre-existing illness.

The reduction in the growth of health care costs has begun to relieve some of the pressure on Medicare; encouraging Congress to act in a bipartisan way to extend its solvency for twenty-five years without increasing taxes and raising premiums only for upper income seniors. Their success encouraged a group of congressional leaders from both parties to work with my administration to fix Social Security as well, without reducing benefits to those near retirement. The reforms include some form of personal retirement accounts in safe and reliable index funds, such as have been available to government employees since their retirement plans were made solvent a quarter century ago.

The United States is well on the way to independence from foreign sources of oil; progress that has not only begun to alleviate the environmental threat posed from climate change, but has greatly improved our security as well. A cap and trade system has been implemented, spurring great innovation in the development of green technologies and alternative energy sources. Clean coal technology has advanced considerably with federal assistance. Construction has begun on twenty new nuclear reactors thanks to improved incentives and a streamlined regulatory process.

Scores of judges have been confirmed to the federal district and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, who understand that they were not sent there to write our laws but to enforce them and make sure they are consistent with the Constitution. They are judges of exceptional character and quality, who enforce and do not make laws, and who respect the values of the people whose rights, laws and property they are sworn to defend.

Border state governors have certified and the American people recognize that after tremendous improvements to border security infrastructure and increases in the border patrol, and vigorous prosecution of companies that employ illegal aliens, our southern border is now secure. Illegal immigrants who broke our laws after they came here have been arrested and deported. Illegal immigration has been finally brought under control, and the American people accepted the practical necessity to institute a temporary worker program and deal humanely with the millions of immigrants who have been in this country illegally.

Voluntary national service has grown in popularity in part because of the educational benefits used as incentives, as well as frequent appeals from the bully pulpit of the White House, but mostly because the young Americans, no less than earlier generations, understand that true happiness is much greater than the pursuit of pleasure, and can only be found by serving causes greater than self-interest. Scores of accomplished private sector leaders have joined the ranks of my administration for a dollar a year and have instituted some of the most innovative reforms of government programs ever known, often in partnership with willing private sector partners. A sense of community, a kinship of ideals, has invigorated public service again.

This is the progress I want us to achieve during my presidency. These are the changes I am running for President to make. I want to leave office knowing that America is safer, freer, and wealthier than when I was elected; that more Americans have more opportunities to pursue their dreams than at any other time in our history; that the world has become less threatening to our interests and more hospitable to our values; and that America has again, as she always has, chosen not to hide from history but to make history.

I am well aware I cannot make any of these changes alone. The powers of the presidency are rightly checked by the other branches of government, and I will not attempt to acquire powers our founders saw fit to grant Congress. I will exercise my veto if I believe legislation passed by Congress is not in the nation's best interests, but I will not subvert the purpose of legislation I have signed by making statements that indicate I will enforce only the parts of it I like. I will respect the responsibilities the Constitution and the American people have granted Congress, and will, as I often have in the past, work with anyone of either party to get things done for our country.

For too long, now, Washington has been consumed by a hyper-partisanship that treats every serious challenge facing us as an opportunity to trade insults; disparage each other's motives; and fight about the next election. For all the problems we face, if you ask Americans what frustrates them most about Washington , they will tell you they don't think we're capable of serving the public interest before our personal and partisan ambitions; that we fight for ourselves and not for them. Americans are sick of it, and they have every right to be. They are sick of the politics of selfishness, stalemate and delay. They despair when every election -- no matter who wins -- always seems to produce four more years of unkept promises and a government that is just a battleground for the next election. Their patience is at an end for politicians who value ambition over principle, and for partisanship that is less a contest of ide as than an uncivil brawl over the spoils of power. They want to change not only the policies and institutions that have failed the American people, but the political culture that produced them. They want to move this country forward and stake our claim on this century as we did in the last. And they want their government to care more about them than preserving the privileges of the powerful.

There are serious issues at stake in this election, and serious differences between the candidates. And we will argue about them, as we should. But it should remain an argument among friends; each of us struggling to hear our conscience, and heed its demands; each of us, despite our differences, united in our great cause, and respectful of the goodness in each other. That is how most Americans treat each other. And it is how they want the people they elect to office to treat each other.

If I am elected President, I will work with anyone who sincerely wants to get this country moving again. I will listen to any idea that is offered in good faith and intended to help solve our problems, not make them worse. I will seek the counsel of members of Congress from both parties in forming government policy before I ask them to support it. I will ask Democrats to serve in my administration. My administration will set a new standard for transparency and accountability. I will hold weekly press conferences. I will regularly brief the American people on the progress our policies have made and the setbacks we have encountered. When we make errors, I will confess them readily, and explain what we intend to do to correct them. I will ask Congress to grant me the privilege of coming before both houses to take questions, and address criticism, much the same as the Prime Minister of Great Britain appears regularly before the House of Commons.

We cannot again leave our problems for another unluckier generation of Americans to fix after they have become even harder to solve. I'm not interested in partisanship that serves no other purpose than to gain a temporary advantage over our opponents. This mindless, paralyzing rancor must come to an end. We belong to different parties, not different countries. We are rivals for the same power. But we are also compatriots. We are fellow Americans, and that shared distinction means more to me than any other association. I intend to prove myself worthy of the office; of our country; and of your respect. I won't judge myself by how many elections I've won. I won't spend one hour of my presidency worrying more about my re-election than keeping my promises to the American people. There is a time to campaign, and a time to govern. If I'm elected President, the era of the permanent campaign will end. The era of problem solving will begin. I promise you, from the day I am sworn into office until the last hour of my presidency, I will work with anyone, of either party, to make this country safe, prosperous and proud. And I won't care who gets the credit.

Thank you.

RELEASE: Space Misses the Boat

This just in...

Dailey Supports Efforts to Save the Historic Delta Queen

(Mt. Vernon) – Former State Agriculture Director and candidate for Congress in Ohio's 18th District Fred Dailey signaled his support for efforts to save the historic Delta Queen cruise liner.

On April 24th, Congressman Space and 207 other Federal legislators voted to end the Delta Queen exemption to the Safety at Sea Act. Since 1968, the Delta Queen had been given nine such exemptions by both Democrat and Republican controlled Congresses.

"The Delta Queen is a national treasure that has been cruising up and down the Ohio River for many decades," Fred Dailey said.

The Delta Queen was built in 1926 and the Department of the Interior declared it a National Historic Landmark in 1970. Currently, the Delta Queen is the only wooden superstructure cruise vessel still in operation.

"Beyond it's historical value, the Delta Queen brings much needed jobs and tourism revenue to economically challenged Southeast Ohio" Fred Dailey stated. "I am glad that members of the Ohio General Assembly have seen the need to save our history, our jobs, and another draw to our great state and I applaud their efforts."

The Delta Queen employs 120 people along with hundreds of jobs in the 10 port cities along the Ohio River. Delta Queen cruisers also spend tens of thousands of dollars as they see the sights along the cruise route.

Many reasons have been cited for the Delta Queen vote but the most prevalent reason seems to be that the cruise liner is a non-union vessel.

Dailey concluded his remarks by saying, "I can assure you that I won't be voting in favor of powerful special interest groups over the clear benefits of our region and Ohio as a whole."

Wow...nearly a month has gone by since this vote was taken...is this what they call "rapid response" in OH-18???

Rob Portman for Attorney General

Sources say that the first person that Kevin DeWine talked to about running for Attorney General was none other than Cincinnati's own Rob Portman. This means two things: 1) DeWine is on top of this one; and 2) Portman's profile has been sufficiently raised in other parts of the state that he becomes a viable candidate for "other things" down the road.

Portman seems bent on running for Governor in 2010, but I still think that Kasich has the lock on that particular race. I've been saying all along that I thought Portman should gear up for a run against Marc Dann, so you can put me down as being "in favor" of Portman running now.

UPDATE 1: My source has heard from Speaker Husted on this subject today...

[Husted] mentioned both DeWine and Portman as potential candidates.

These two appear to be the lead GOP candidates. On the Dem side, I've mostly heard Cordray...but I wouldn't be surprised to see Chandra, Hackett or Espy get some consideration.

Culture of Carousing Update: Cuyahoga County Style

Oh, them Ohio Democrats...they can't get Marc Dann off the front page fast enough and now they are going to have this to deal with on top of the Barrett thing.

These ads just write themselves...which is a good thing considering our friends in Columbus.

Silky Pony Endorses Obamessiah

This AP News Alert is just rich:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) John Edwards endorses Barack Obama, says he's "one man who knows in his heart that it is time to create one America, not two."

Uh-huh, John...and just how many states will be in it? Your boy doesn't know...

Mike DeWine for Attorney General?

This tidbit just hit my email box from a source I trust a bunch:

Mike DeWine may be coming back to run for AG. Right now, I think it's between DeWine and Betty Montgomery, and I have a good source saying that Montgomery is very inclined not to do it. I don't think any of the county prosecutors (O'Brien, Deters, Yost) will budge because it's an election year.

Well, it beats DeWine for Governor; but seriously Ohio GOP, I think we can do better than this. Ohio Democrats would just love to beat this guy again...

I think my source is right about the county prosecutors though...I don't see any of them moving in to this fight now...

UPDATE 1: Upon hearing this momentous news, Mark, the Whole D@*^ Show says, "Oh my God! We're going to lose again!"

Dancing Snoopy Time: Marc Dann Resigns

As everyone knows by now, Marc Dann has finally resigned as Attorney General of the Great State of Ohio. He says his highest priority now is "family." My favorite part of the Enquirer story is this quote from Gov. Strickland:

“Maturity,” Strickland said without hesitation, asked what qualities he would look for in a new attorney general.

If only Ohio Democrats had done that the first time...

So what happens now? Strickland gets to appoint a lame duck and we get a special election in November where Ohioans have an opportunity to correct their mistake.

Quick analysis: Dann's resignation was the best outcome for everybody... Dann gets to not be attorney general, the Democrats didn't have to go through the motions trying to convince people that they aren't corrupt, and the Republicans are prevented from taking yet another opportunity to blow it. All in all, it's Dancing Snoopy Time...so without further adieu...



Exit Question: Did Jon Husted hug the governor at the press conference?

UPDATE 1: The AP News Alert is pretty cool even if they didn't name his party...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Ohio AG resigns in face of possible impeachment, investigation into scandal-plagued office.

"Scandal-plagued"...I like the sound of that...maybe we'll hear more of that...

Impeachment Dannce: More Details on Dann's Deal

Jonathan Adler has some of the details of that deal that I haven't seen anywhere else...

1:20pm: A television news report on the Ohio News Network added some new details to the deal Dann sought yesterday. Specifically, the report claims Dann demanded another job and immunity from criminal prosecution in return for his resignation. To their credit, neither Democratic or Republican officeholders would contemplate such a deal.

That would be a dealbreaker. That Marc Dann sure has some nerve, eh?

OH-08: Art Contest Winners Announced

This is one of my favorite posts of the year...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today announced that Lyndsey Vu, a sophomore at Lakota West High School, is the first place winner of the 2008 8th Congressional District Art Competition.

“Congratulations to Lyndsey Vu and to all the students who submitted art work to the competition,” Boehner said. “This is a great opportunity to showcase the talents of our high school students, and I was pleased to see so many students participate this year.”

Lyndsey’s winning piece “Looking Up” was done with ink using her fingerprints. Her picture will hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year along with other district winners from around the country. The second- and third-place winners along with two pieces that took honorable mention will hang in Boehner’s West Chester and Troy offices where they may be viewed by the public. Currently, all art work is displayed in the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton through Tuesday, May 20.

This year’s contest was judged by Cathy Mayhugh, Fitton Center for the Arts; Sue Samoviski, City of Sculpture ; Laine Snyder, Fairfield Community Arts Center ; and Karen Connolly, a local artist.

The other winners are:

2nd Place: Tatum Berry , senior at Lakota West High School for “Floating Chair. Medium: NuPastel.

3rd Place: Kelsie Garrett, senior at Butler Technology Center for “ Hollywood .” Medium: watercolor/black acrylic paint.

Honorable Mention: Maggie Hinkle, junior at Monroe High School for “The Bird & The Bee.” Medium: Photography.

Honorable Mention: Chris Crabtree, senior at Butler Tech’s Options Academy – The Arts for “The Old Butler County Courthouse.” Medium: Digital Photography.

Here is a picture of Lyndsey and her magnificent piece of artwork:



UPDATE 1: Photos of all winners and art work submitted for the competition may be viewed in the Photo Gallery at www.johnboehner.house.gov.

Today's Local Stupid

For the record, Leslie Ghiz plans to have her baby and do her job all at the same time...just like a man would! My favorite part about this scream for "equality"? So glad you asked...its the last sentence:

When people learn to treat women equal to men, they will realize we, nine times out of 10, can run circles around them.

So, nine times out of ten, women are "superior" to men, but she wants to be equal...or something. I'll just file that one away...

Butler County Update: Now The Union is Ticked Off

Leave it to Cox Newspapers and their intrepid reporter Josh Sweigart to stir up a whole bunch of trouble and then sit back and feign surprise when the union gets ticked off that the commission did something about pay raises.

Josh and his friends in the Democratic Party shined a harsh spotlight on the subject of pay for county employees and subsequently, the commission decided to suspend pay raises and review the policies that are currently in place. As Josh puts it, maybe the union ought to be more afraid of their members losing their jobs as the county starts streamlining positions in order to run a more efficient government. The best part is that these unions typically are rotten with Democrats and so now they get to reap what they have sown. Of course, Josh and his friends will still try to pin all of this on Republicans, but we're used to that too...

RINOvich Wants to be Veep

This is downright funny stuff... The Hill asked all 97 members of the world's most debilitating body who are NOT running for POTUS what they would say if they were asked to be the Veep. Here is what The Crying Man had to say:

“Honestly, if John McCain came to me and said, ‘George, I think that you would help me and should be part of my team,’ I’d have to say, ‘Yes, I’d be glad to help.’ The fact of the matter is, I’m worried about our country. I’m really worried. And I want to run again for only one reason, that things are so screwed up, I’m just worried about my kids. So if somebody came to me and said, ‘We really think you could help us do this,’ I couldn’t say no because maybe it’s another way of serving my country and it’s maybe even more important than being a senator. The first question I’d ask is, ‘What role would you want me to play? If you want me to give a bunch of speeches, I’m not the guy. Get somebody else. If you want me to roll up the shirtsleeves, get up early in the morning, dot the I’s and cross the T’s, do substantive stuff? OK.’ ”

Of course, George, if you weren't undermining the nominee at every opportunity...or the current administration...or the conservative base...or Ohio Republicans...

Just remember folks, you do have a choice in 2010...vote Ham Sandwich for Senate, because let's face it, by 2010 Ham Sandwich will only be half as stale as George Voinovich is right now!

Bonds Charged

Here's an AP News Alert from last night that I just HAD to share...

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Barry Bonds charged by United States in new indictment with 14 counts of lying and one count of obstruction of justice.

No Hall of Fame for Barry...

Impeachment Dannce Update: Dann's Resignation Deal Refused

A couple of things worth noting in this Associated Press piece about Marc Dann's troubles...

First, is Dann's attempt to stall the investigation as a negotiating tactic:

Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, under pressure from both parties to resign over sexual harassment by an aide and his own extramarital affair, tried to cut a deal Tuesday to leave office but failed, according to lawmakers.

The Democrat offered to step down if lawmakers delayed a planned investigation into his scandal-plagued office by 90 days, Democratic Rep. Robert Hagan and a spokeswoman for Republican Senate President Bill Harris said.

I really fail to understand what Dann was expecting to get from that...and I really don't understand why the legislature would balk at that to get Dann out of office.

Second, the bill creating the investigation made it through both chambers and got signed by the governor...all in one day!

Third, if this is right, the Republicans blew it:

Earlier in the day, House Democrats also tried to start impeachment proceedings against Dann, only to be dismissed as moving too fast by the Republicans in power.

"Moving too fast"? Seriously??? Kevin DeWine has been hammering Marc Dann to resign for how long now? And the Demcorats are moving too fast to remove him??? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

As usual, Speaker Husted is "unknowingly" doing the bidding of Chris Redfern and the Democrats:

Democrats need backing from Republicans who control the Legislature in order to send the impeachment charges to the Senate for a trial, but Republican House Speaker Jon Husted ridiculed Democrats for what he called the "political act" of rashly filing impeachment articles to appear tough on a member of their own party. Both sides are maneuvering to take ownership of a process that Ohio hasn't used since 1820.

Republicans first want the assistance of the inspector general before proceeding with impeachment, while Democrats believe their impeachment proposal is sufficient to move forward immediately.

"It's shameful to use the Constitution for political ends, shameful to use the impeachment process for political ends, and I won't be part of it," Husted said. "We're going to make sure that what we do is going to be a process set forth that's going to stand the test of time."

So this becomes the narrative on how this all goes down no matter what happens now:

The Democrats' resolution, researched by three lawmakers, accused Dann of making misleading statements under oath and said he should have known his actions created a hostile work environment.

"We promised the people of Ohio to end a culture of corruption that existed in the past, and we are fulfilling that promise by cleaning our own house when events and circumstances warrant," the three lawmakers said in a statement.

Granted, this whole thing has become a lose/ lose proposition for Ohio Republicans, but I'm still not seeing evidence of "strategery" here...even though I have been assured that there is one. Apparently the strategy was to make the Democrats attempt to clean up their own mess, then back off, then submit articles of impeachment, and then have the Republicans put the brakes on the whole thing. As the Guiness beer guys might say, "Brilliant!"

McCain Returns to Ohio

This just in from the McCain campaign:

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that John McCain will deliver remarks in Columbus , Ohio on Thursday, May 15th.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

COLUMBUS, OHIO

WHO: John McCain

WHAT: Speech

WHEN: Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. EDT
Doors open for general public admission at 8:00 a.m. EDT

WHERE: Greater Columbus Convention Center
Terrace Ballroom 4
400 North High Street
Columbus , Ohio 43215

BREAKING: Articles of Impeachment Filed Against Marc Dann

Begun the Dann Wars have...

Yes, the Marc Dann Sunshine Express rolls on...to the Impeachment Dannce!

According to the Enquirer, the Demcorats have filed articles of impeachment against Marc Dann. They are charging Dann with nine counts of bad bahvior including obstructing an investigation, making misleading statements under oath and general misconduct.

Read the articles of impeachment HERE (PDF).

What will Speaker Husted do now?

Put me in the camp with NixGuy, I think Marc Dann is a scumbag and needs to get packing and the sooner the better. But I also think that our friends at RightRunner and Darke Blog make valid points. If there was an alternative that would force the Democrats to handle this themselves and immediately, I'd be all for it...

I assume that there will be an investigation...which will take months...while Marc Dann stays in office. Once the deadline passes for a Special Election, I can see Marc Dann stepping away and thus denying the people of the Great State of Ohio from having the opportunity of correcting their mistake from '06.

So, yeah...I see impeachment as a stalling tactic employed by the Democrats. Will it work? We'll just have to wait and see.

UPDATE 1: I had this flagged in my mailbox, but didn't get around to it and now I see that Bill Sloat has this one covered pretty good. The FBI has been asked to investigate whether or not Marc Dann has "connections" to "gambling interests"...which sounds like high quality Youngstown politics to me...

UPDATE 2: "VOTE NOW! VOTE NOW!"

UPDATE 3: Could Marc Dann actually be thinking about doing the right thing? The Cleveland Plain Dealer seems to think so (HT: RightRunner)... How sweet would it be for Dann to ruin the Ohio Dems plans?

UPDATE 3A: The Enquirer is now reporting this rumor as well.

Taxachusetts Looks to Tax Harvard

From our friends at GetLiberty.org:

The elite Ivy League colleges and universities – those bastions of self-proclaimed enlightenment providing much of the impetus for the expansion of government – are now under attack from their own creation

Rev. Harvard, meet Dr. Frankenstein.

Today, the ravenous monster of unbridled government is banging at the door of Harvard University and eight other Massachusetts institutes of higher learning. It seems that the monster has cast its greedy eye on imposing a 2.5 percent annual “assessment” (liberalspeak for “tax”) on colleges with endowments over $1 billion. Harvard currently has a $34 billion endowment – so its “contribution” (as the liberals like to call such things) would be a tidy, tasty $850,000,000.

And one can almost hear the monster salivating.

Now, let’s be clear at the outset here: Americans for Limited Government is adamantly against taxing “tax-exempt,” not-for-profit organizations. For the government of Massachusetts to even think of doing so is a shame and a sham. It is illegal, and should remain so. But, the real story here is the bite-the-feeding hand culture of Big Government, which these liberal institutions are in such large part responsible for creating.

It is, in fact, an irony that cannot be overstated. A 2006 survey of 1,269 college faculty members from 719 institutions from across the country found that college professors are disproportionably registered as Democrats, 46% to 32% for the general public. And they are disproportionably liberal, 48% to 22% for the general public.

That comes as no surprise, of course, to any parent who has ever sent little Johnny or Jane off to college only to have him or her return home spouting some economic balderdash only an ivy hall recluse could possibly believe. Fortunately, the youngsters’ subsequent entry into the real work-a-day world quickly disabuses him or her of such bleary-eyed econobabble.

So, to a large extent, we expect college faculty members and administrators to have only the vaguest notion of the damage they do with the vacuities they teach. But, alas, what happens when those vacuitious chickens come home to roost?

Enter Harvard University’s esteemed Associate Vice President for Government, Community, and Public Affairs, one Kevin Casey, who in response to the Massachusetts’ legislative proposal scrambled to the podium to breathlessly proclaim:

“You’d be taxing success here … Over time, this would put us at a real competitive disadvantage, which would drastically hurt the Commonwealth.”

Well, no kidding, Kevin! Ya think? To quote Winston Churchill, “Here, surely, is the world’s record in the domain of the ridiculous…” Suddenly, it has dawned upon the Harvard literati that onerous – yes, even ruinous – taxation puts those who are seeing their pockets picked on a daily basis at a “competitive disadvantage.”

What do Mr. Casey and his august colleagues think it has done to American business over the past several decades to see their success taxed at the second highest rate in the industrialized world? Do they think it might have put our struggling manufacturing base at a “competitive disadvantage”?

And how about the American family? Do Mr. Casey and his fellow “Havard” Peckniffian poohbahs ever stop to think of the “competitive disadvantage” it puts Mom and Dad at when they have to compete with their own government for the money to buy their children food, clothes, and the very roof over their heads?

Somehow, I doubt it. And, frankly, even if they did, I doubt they’d really care. Because, you see, up until now, the monster hadn’t fixed its covetous gaze upon them.

So, at least now, we can be thankful that Mr. Casey and his cronies have finally been forced to strike a blow for limited government and tax freedom at one of the nation’s most liberal institutions. But, if they truly want to make amends, then like their literary progenitor, “the agony of their feelings should allow [them] no respite.” In short, they have a lot of damage to help undo.

Assuming their sincerity, we have a few suggestions. First, perhaps they might want to drop the all-too-trendy course, “Economics of Climate Change,” and replace it with something a little more real-world – like “Taxing Success: Why It Is Stupid, Immoral, an Counterproductive.” What do you think, Kevin? You seem to have caught on to the concept; now maybe you teach the course to the Harvard students who have been led astray.

But, the making amends shouldn’t stop there. What about all of the illustrious alumni who didn’t get the message against “taxing success” before they went out to do the same to wretched excess? Guys like Ted Kennedy, Russ Feingold and Barack Obama? Maybe it’s time they returned to the Crimson for a little remediation. How about “Competitive Economics 101”?

After all these years of watching the deans and denizens of Harvard promote Big Government’s gargantuan appetite, it is remarkable to see them striking a blow for fiscal restraint – even if only in a transparent attempt to assure their own survival. Like the demented doctor of yore, the descendents of the good reverend are now looking into the “dull yellow eye of the creature” they helped create. Now, perhaps, having belatedly learned a lesson they failed to teach, they will finally help euthanize the monster of their own making before he devours us all.

ALG Editor’s Note: Interestingly, Mr. Casey served as the Boston office Chief of Staff for Congressman Edward Markey (D-MA), a big fan of tax increases. Where were Mr. Casey’s principles against “taxing success” then? Apparently, liberals are only in favor of progressive taxation when it does not apply to them. We get it.

Good times, I say... It is about time these liberal bastions start getting a taste of their own medicine. They've been preaching the anti-business rhetoric for decades and only now that Big Government is coming for them, do they realize that taxing the bejesus out of somebody is detrimental to growth.