October 08, 2006
Plain Dealer endorses Ted Strickland
The Plain Dealer is starting to announce their endorsements for the November Election. To read the full endorsement read it at the Plain Dealer. It is accurately critical of Strickland, but has scathing criticisms of Blackwell. Here are some highlights from the article:
Blackwell reeks of recklessness. His long record in public office suggests that he would freely engage in the exploration of potentially destructive ideas, even as he uses the governorship to make political mischief and sow social division on a grander scale than ever.
We believe Strickland has a better chance to accomplish good things for Ohio because he and his running mate, Lee Fisher, understand the state's needs better than their Republican opponents. Fisher is an urban Democrat from Greater Cleveland who has long championed the needs of cities and knows the challenges of job creation. Strickland, a product of Appalachia, has lived the struggles of rural Ohio and grasps the troubles of the poor.
The question before Ohioans is, which candidate for governor is best equipped to carry the state forward without dropping it. The only answer, then, is Ted Strickland.
The other two latest endorsements by the Plain Dealer are for issues 4 and 5, both which focus on making Ohio Smoke Free, one would be a constitutional amendment, the other would not be - and therefore be more flexible.
Read about the differenes here
Posted by ear14 at 07:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 28, 2006
Rally in Youngstown
Friday, September 1st, 4:00 PM
Party on the Plaza
Federal Square
Youngstown, Ohio
Join special guests
MULTIPLATINUM RECORDING ARTISTS
BOYZ II MEN
NFL HALL OF FAMER
JIM BROWN
CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
JOHN LEWIS
YOUNGSTOWN MAYOR
JAY WILLIAMS
at a rally to Turnaround Ohio!
Posted by ear14 at 11:53 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
August 25, 2006
Details on the Gubernatorial Debates
From the Strickland for Governor Newswire, here's the latest on the Gubernatorial debates:
The Ohioans for Blackwell and Strickland for Governor campaigns today officially released more details about the four debates they will conduct between now and the general election.
The four debates are as follows:
Sept 5 @ Noon in Youngstown hosted by Youngstown Vindicator & WFMJ-TV. It will be open topic.
Sept 20 @ Noon in Cleveland hosted by WEWS-TV, Call & Post. The topic will be Education. October 4 @ 7PM hosted by Cincinnati Chamber & Debate USA Alliance. The topic will be the Economy.
October 16 @ 7PM in Columbus. The hosts will be announced later & it will also be an open topic debate.
Each debate will have a moderator and either media or citizen questioners.
All debates will be 60 minutes in length, using a format similar to recent Presidential debates, with three minute opening statements from each candidate, then questions answered via 90-second responses, 60-second rebuttals and 30-second clarifications, if necessary. Each candidate will then have a two-minute closing statement.
Media credentialing will be conducted by the sponsoring organizations. On-site ticketing for each event will be limited, using guidelines negotiated by the two campaigns.
All events will offer live pool feeds for other interested media outlets.
More specifics will be available as details are concluded between each event sponsor and the campaigns.
Posted by ear14 at 08:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 03, 2006
Cuy. County Strickland for Governor Orientation
There are fewer than 100 days until the election, and we need your help! Come learn about the campaign strategy in Cuyahoga County and how you can help Ted Strickland and Lee Fisher.
Thursday, August 10 @ 7:00 PM
Ted Strickland for Governor Shaker Square Office
13119 Shaker Square (NW Quadrant)
Cleveland, OH 44120
RSVP to 216-696-2006
OR
Ted Strickland for Governor Lakewood Office
14414 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, OH 44107
RSVP to 216-221-9244
**VOTER OUTREACH**
The best way to get people to vote for Ted and Lee is to call them on the phone or knock on their door.
Shaker Square Office Opportunities
(call 216-696-2006 to sign up)
Phone Banks
Monday – Thursday: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Friday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Canvassing
Wednesdays @ 6 PM
Saturdays @ 10 AM
Lakewood Office Opportunities
(call 216-221-9244 to sign up)
Phone Banks
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 10 AM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Canvassing
Wednesdays @ 6 PM
Saturdays @ 10 AM
We need your help now in order to contact voters early. Please call now to sign up.
Posted by ear14 at 10:52 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
On the (Toll) Road Again
The Anonymous Chocolatier, who hasn't been active really since before the Primary, seems to have released a nice political parody of the song "On the Road Again" if it were done by Ken Blackwell. It focuses on the fact that he's avoided paying tolls, as well as, his decision to privatize toll roads.
Listen to the track via the Buckeye State Blog
or via More Left Turns
read the Plain Dealer's write-up
Posted by ear14 at 09:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 31, 2006
Ted Strickland Retiring from Congress
Just a heads up, the word is that Ted Strickland retired from Congress this past Saturday. While it does mean that there is one less Democrat on the Hill, it also means he'll now have more time to focus on his campaign and get out to visit all parts of the state.
Posted by ear14 at 09:47 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 26, 2006
More Bad News for Blackwell in Cuy. Co.
It seems that race really will become a big issue with this upcoming election. As both sides are trying to woo the African-American vote, generally Democratic, there have been at least two groups here in Cuyahoga County that are coming up against Blackwell and for Strickland. The first is organized by many community leaders, including our own US Rep (and Colbert Favorite) Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Cleveland's Newest Mayor, Frank Jackson, was also at the groups latest meetin for support. This organization is working with the Strickland Campaign. Most likely they are trying to make sure the Congressman knows what the concerns of their communities are and to make sure he is aware of the problems that need to be fixed.
The other group, which is being organized independantly, calls itself "Blacks Against Blackwell" and is portraying the message that Blackwell is no different from President Bush or Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. It's a bit more upfront about their dislike of Blackwell, and their views about his policy.
To read the write-up go to the Plain Dealer
Posted by ear14 at 09:43 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
July 25, 2006
Holy Toledo!
So someone alerted me to this New Yorker article about Blackwell and the role of the religious right in the upcoming Gubernatorial election. It's obviously very well written and points out just how strong of a race Blackwell could present come November 2nd.
Here's just a quote that stuck out for me from the article.
He [Russell Johnson of Fairfield Christian Church]also said that Roe v. Wade had led to the crisis in Social Security: “Abortion is also an economic issue. It has killed millions of American consumers.”
With whatever truth that correlation shows, when I told that passage to a friend they also mentioned the frightening connection of global temperature and pirates. Enjoy those bits of food for thought
Pick up a copy of the latest New Yorker (dated 7/31/06) or read the article online
Posted by ear14 at 10:00 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Blackwell's Stereotypical Appeal isn't Appealing
The Plain Dealer again has a pretty interesting opinion article regarding the latest Gubernatorial development. This time it is over the recently criticized flyer, which you can see in an earlier post. Anyways, the column focuses on the recipients confusion at the flyer. What was the message supposed to be? Is it intentionally offensive? etc., etc. It's worth checking out.
Read the opinion article at the Plain Dealer
Posted by ear14 at 03:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 21, 2006
Ted Strickland wants to be your MySpace Friend
So... I can't believe I'm going to say this, but apparently Ted Strickland's got a my space account. Ok, its true, it is primarily a campaign-run account. And actually, props to him and his campaign for updating it regularly and keeping kids informed. Actually looking at his top 8, I'm surprised Case Dems isn't there, if only because as of yet Case Dems doesn't have a MySpace profile (which I am a bit proud of).
Forgive me for my cold MySpace reception, I guess facebook will always win me over. Regardless, I've already friended him. Come on, it's my democratic duty to support Strickland through MySpace, isn't it?
Anyways here are the reactions on the two fronts about said MySpace news:
“We made a concerted effort to utilize the Web because Ted understands the importance of it,” Baker said, defending the campaign’s use of Myspace.com and other social networking sites. “The idea of writing off an on-line community with millions of people who share opinions and ideas and listen closely to their peers in this network seems short sighted. We will embrace it and if people come across his page – we are happy to have their support.”
Blackwell’s campaign advertises and posts information on political blogs but does not use MySpace.com or similar sites.
“We are not running for junior high president,” Blackwell spokesman Carlo LoParo said. “We would consider it, if we were 17 again.”
Excuse me Blackwell, but way to hate on the young voters. I don't think their campaign realizes how much of an asset we can be.
Be Ted's Friend Here: http://www.myspace.com/tedstrickland
Posted by ear14 at 12:25 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
July 20, 2006
Wait... Does Strickland Really Hate Black People?
That seems to be the message the Blackwell campaign is trying to spread. Ok, obviously hate is the wrong word, but it does remind me of some other political figure...
Anyways, check out what the Blackwell Campaign started distributing on the East Side of Cleveland this week:
Source: Ken Blackwell for Governor campaign
Yeah...
Here's what the Plain Dealer had to say about it:
Black voters should be afraid of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland, who is white.
That’s the implied message of a glossy new piece of campaign literature being distributed by Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell, who is black.
It features an image of a black man, dressed in a T-shirt and baggy sweatpants, who looks as if he’d just seen a ghost, mouth agape and hands up. The image is also distorted, which makes the man’s head as big as his torso. The headline reads: “Strickland for Governor? NO WAY!”
Residents in Cleveland’s East Side suburbs, which is home to more blacks than Cleveland’s West Side suburbs, received the flyer.
The flyer also cites numerous Strickland votes that Blackwell believes make him “wrong on education, wrong on religious freedom, wrong on crime, wrong on marriage rights and wrong on small business.”
Blackwell spokesman Carlo LoParo took umbrage with the assertion that the campaign literature has any racial overtones.
“We didn’t make Ted Strickland white and or Ken Blackwell black,” he said.
He said the flyer is simply “humorous and informative.”
LoParo said Blackwell’s campaign volunteers are distributing it across the state. Asked why the flyer is showing up in only East Side neighborhoods, LoParo said, “that’s where our volunteers are right now.”
Strickland’s campaign would not comment on the flyer's image. But spokesman Isaac Baker disputed the literature's spin on Strickland's voting record.
It notes, for instance, that Strickland voted against a 1998 amendment that, according to the flyer, “stated that no individual shall be excluded from any program or activity authorized by the Higher Education Act of 1965, or any provision of this act on the basis of race or religion.”
Baker said the amendment, which failed, would have eliminated affirmative action programs used by universities during the admissions process.
“It’s just another example of Blackwell’s dishonesty,” Baker said. “Ted supports affirmative action programs."
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While noone chose what race the candidates would be, someone did make a decision about those flyers. What do you think about Blackwell's decision to bring race into this ..well.. gubernatorial race? Can it backfire? Is it an area Blackwell could win over? Also, seeing how the Ohio Republican Party keeps charging that Ted Strickland is a bleeding heart liberal, would he really be against civil rights and minority rights?
Anyways discuss amongst yourselves, I'm just getting antsy to see where this race is going to go.
Posted by ear14 at 08:25 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
July 18, 2006
Sam Fulwood on Blackwell's Vote Suppression
For those of you who don't know Sam Fulwood III has been a SAGES professor at Case, as well as a highly respected columnist and author who writes for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He writes a pretty good editorial summarizing his feelings on Blackwell's attention to minority voters. Be sure to read his article entitled Adding up facts on Blackwell action from Tuesday, July 18, 2006.
Posted by ear14 at 11:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Privatizing Turnpike=Higher Tolls
Columbus, Ohio –Following news last week that millionaire and Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell is taking free rides on the same Ohio Turnpike he wants to privatize, the Associated Press reported over the weekend that such lease efforts usually involve selling off roadways to foreign companies who increase tolls.
“Expert analysis of other toll-road privatization schemes confirm what we’ve feared all along—leasing off our Turnpike will increase tolls, plain and simple,” said lieutenant governor candidate Lee Fisher. “Selling off one of our state’s most valuable assets that was built by Ohioans and has been run by Ohioans to a foreign company and tying our hands for the next 99 years is incredibly short-sighted. It’s just one more of Mr. Blackwell’s quick-fix, short-sighted political gimmicks.”
The AP reported that after Illinois sold a 99-year lease to the Chicago Skyway, the foreign operators raised tolls 50 cents to $2.50 and said that by 2017 tolls will reach $5.
In fact, Mr. Blackwell’s friends at the conservative think tank Reason Foundation told the AP that “private investors can raise more money than politicians to build new roads because these kind of owners are willing to raise tolls.”
Orange County provides a disturbing example of such misguided privatization schemes. Seven years after a partly French-owned toll-road was built and operated for $130 million, the county faced massive traffic congestion. But its hands were tied because of the lease, which included a provision forbidding the county from building other roads. According to the AP, Orange County was forced to buy back the lease for $207.5 million and a massive loss.
According to news sources across Ohio, when the Ohio Turnpike raised tolls recently, truckers left the Turnpike in droves taking state highways and local roads instead. That led to safety and traffic concerns in local communities, and the Commission eventually rolled back the toll increases.
from: www.tedstrickland.com
Posted by ear14 at 12:07 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
July 14, 2006
Strickland's "Hypocritical" Religious Stance in Terms of the Ohio Republican Party
The following comes from the latest Ohio Republican Party e-mail (I have my sources)against Strickland's "religious" stance.
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So where does Strickland really stand on religious issues? This is what you probably won't hear on Christian radio anytime soon:
AGAINST a constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage.
AGAINST a measure that permitted the public display of the Ten Commandments on government property. (Vote 221 6/17/99)
AGAINST a constitutional amendment to guarantee every citizen's right to pray and express their religious beliefs on public property, including schools. (Vote 201 6/4/98)
AGAINST allowing faith-based organizations to compete for federal housing grants. (Vote 109 4/6/00)
AGAINST allowing government-funded religious organizations to consider religion as a factor in hiring. (Vote 175 5/8/03)
AGAINST an amendment prohibiting the extension of government benefits to unmarried domestic partners. (Vote 352 9/25/01)
AGAINST amendments to require more funding for abstinence education programs. (Vote 157 5/1/03, Vote 379 10/11/01)
AGAINST a law creating criminal penalties for harming an unborn baby during the commission of a crime (now known as Lacy's Law). (Vote 465 9/30/99, Vote 89 4/26/01, Vote 31 2/26/04)
FOR taxpayer-funded abortions and the taxpayer-funded development of an abortion pill. (Vote 136, 5/10/06-Vote 216, 5/25/05-Vote 362, 7/15/03-Vote 115, 5/16/01-Vote 292, 7/16/98-Vote 373, 7/10/2000-Vote 173, 6/8/1999-Vote 260, 6/24/1998)
FOR continued funding of the following National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants: "Mood Arousal and Sexual Risk Taking," "Study on Sexual Habits of Older Men," "Study on San Francisco's Asian Prostitutes/Masseuses," and "Study on American Indian Transgender Research." (Vote 352, 7/10/03)
FOR gay civil unions
Let's keep Ted Strickland accountable and expose his deceptive rhetoric and record.
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I could have a lot of comments on that passage, but I will keep it brief. It seems that many of the concerns over Strickland's records are based on his beliefs FOR separation of Church & State, AGAINST restrictive & discriminatory policies regarding same-sex relationships (or even nontraditional relationships), and FOR more comprehensive sex education (or at least health research).
If nothing else, I find it interesting that the Ohio Republican Party pointed out that Strickland voted Against an amendment to the NIH's appropriations bill bannning funding to the NIH for 5 specific programs (the one not mentioned above was about a study on development in Pandas in China -- how controversial). To see the complete voting tallys on the amendment click here. For the Record, the amendment failed 210 to 212. Alas, Panda (and sexual arousal in older men)research went on to see another day.
Feel Free to Discuss.
Posted by ear14 at 01:43 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Candidate pushing plan to lease Turnpike rode it for free
JULIE CARR SMYTH
COLUMBUS, Ohio - On a trip last week promoting the moneymaking potential of the Ohio Turnpike, gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell paid no tolls.
The State Highway Patrol, which drove Blackwell on the two-city tour July 6, asked for and got permission to travel the road for free, Turnpike records show. Two staffers who accompanied Blackwell in their own vehicles paid the $3.70 it cost to ride from Cleveland to Toledo.
Continue reading via the Associated Press
Posted by ear14 at 12:46 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 13, 2006
Strickland Events This Weekend Around Ohio
Following is the Strickland for Governor campaign schedule for
Friday, July 14th through Sunday, July 16th, 2006.
Friday, July 14th
TUSCARAWAS COUNTY
WHAT: New Philadelphia Turnaround Ohio Rally
WHO: Gubernatorial Candidate Congressman Ted Strickland
WHEN: 2:00 PM
WHERE: Daily Grind Coffee Shop
153 W. High Ave.
New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663
WAYNE COUNTY
WHAT: Wooster Turnaround Ohio Rally
WHO: Gubernatorial Candidate Congressman Ted Strickland
WHEN: 4:00 PM
WHERE: Wooster Public Square Gazebo
Corner of Market Street and Liberty Street
Wooster, Ohio 44691
Saturday, July 15th
Saturday, July 15th
MADISON COUNTY
WHAT: London Turnaround Ohio Rally
WHO: Gubernatorial Candidate Congressman Ted Strickland
WHEN: 9:30 AM
WHERE: Cowling Park
Corner of Park and Main Streets
London, Ohio 43140
DELAWARE COUNTY
WHAT: Delaware Turnaround Ohio Rally
WHO: Gubernatorial Candidate Congressman Ted Strickland
WHEN: 11:00 AM
WHERE: Banks Farmers Market
304 London Road
Delaware, Ohio 43015
LICKING COUNTY
WHAT: Heath Turnaround Ohio Rally
WHO: Gubernatorial Candidate Congressman Ted Strickland
WHEN: 12:30 PM
WHERE: United Steelworkers Hall
2100 James Parkway
Heath, Ohio 43056
Sunday, July 16th
STARK COUNTY
WHAT: Canton Turnaround Ohio Rally
WHO: Gubernatorial Candidate Congressman Ted Strickland
WHEN: 10:30 AM
WHERE: Strickland/Fisher Stark County Headquarters
4220 12th Street NW
Canton, Ohio 44708
TRUMBULL COUNTY
WHAT: Warren Turnaround Ohio Rally/Trumbull County HQ Opening
WHO: Gubernatorial Candidate Congressman Ted Strickland
WHEN: 12:30 PM
WHERE: Trumbull County Headquarters
523 E. Market Street
Warren, Ohio 44481
SUMMIT COUNTY
WHAT: Hudson Turnaround Ohio Rally
WHO: Gubernatorial Candidate Congressman Ted Strickland
WHEN: 2:30 PM
WHERE: Hudson Springs Park
7095 Stow Road
Hudson, Ohio 44236
MEDINA COUNTY
WHAT: Brunswick Turnaround Ohio Rally
WHO: Gubernatorial Candidate Congressman Ted Strickland
WHEN: 4:00 PM
WHERE: Brunswick Recreation Center
3637 Center Road
Brunswick, OH 44212
CUYAHOGA COUNTY
WHAT: Lakewood Turnaround Ohio Rally
WHO: Gubernatorial Candidate Congressman Ted Strickland
WHEN: 6:30 PM
WHERE: Horace Mann Middle School
1215 West Clifton Blvd.
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
Posted by ear14 at 06:11 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
President Bush to visit Cleveland
According to AP reports, President Bush is visiting Ohio for the 6th time this year to help campaign and fundraise for Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell. Specifically, President Bush will be here in Suburban Cleveland (insert dramatic music).
The fundraiser, billed as a "country reception," will be at the Kirtland Hills home of businessman Ed Crawford. Tickets cost $1,000 per person or $1,500 per couple, and guests can get a photo with Bush for $10,000.
As quoted from the Akron Beacon Journal.
While not directly Democratic news, it's always a good idea to pay attention to the competition.
Posted by ear14 at 11:35 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 11, 2006
Hilary Clinton on Ohio's Elections
Without naming Blackwell, Clinton said, "One of the people running for high office is actually running the election. That should not be permitted. It's a conflict of interest. ... We've got to take back our democracy."
Photo from: Acorn.org
You may or may not know of Hilary Clinton's visit to Columbus this week in regards to the national conference for ACORN ( the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), which has been focusing this year on raising the minimum wage. Hilary, along with Sherrod Brown, addressed a crowd of 2,500 after a march that led to the State Capitol. At this rally, the Cincinnati Enquirer quotes Senator Clinton as saying the following:Referring to presidential races, Clinton said, "This country deserves to have an electoral system that has integrity. I know there's been a problem here in Ohio, and I hope everybody from Ohio is watching this election like a hawk. Don't let them pull anything over your eyes again."
Suffice to say, there has been a lot of attention on Blackwell's dual role as Secretary of State and Gubernatorial Candidate, that is only going to heat up as we get closer to November.
Quote from:
"Clinton feeds theory of Ohio vote tampering"
By Jon Craig and Allison D'Aurora
July 11, 2006
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Posted by ear14 at 04:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack