Bortz overture has GOP buzzing

What was Chris Bortz -- the Charterite candidate for City Council -- doing meeting with Republican Party Chairman George H. Vincent this morning? Is there a cross-endorsement in the works?

Both sides confirm the meeting took place, but wouldn't say what they talked about.

"It sure is a small town!" Bortz said by e-mail after word of the meeting leaked out. "I did meet with George Vincent this morning. The purpose of the meeting was essentially a candidate's opportunity to get to know the Republican leadership in Cincinnati, and vice-versa. I would refer you to George for further comment. Of course, I also intend to meet with (Democratic Party Chairman) Tim Burke. Non-partisan cooperation is essential to an effective City Hall."

He concluded the same way he ends his stump speeches, with a paraphrase of the late New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia: "There is no Republican way to fix a pothole, no Democratic way to collect the garbage."

Here's the account of the meeting from GOP executive director Brad Greenberg: "George and I met with Chris Bortz this morning at Republican headquarters. We talked about a number of issues with him. I don't want to divulge the content of the conversations we had with him, but I think Chris Bortz is a good candidate for City Council, and we are just trying to talk to him and discuss a number of things with him."

Bortz campaign manager Jeff Cramerding -- who's also executive director of the Charter Committee -- pooh-poohed a cross-endorsement. "At this juncture, there's much ado about nothing. We have this discussion every two years, with three parties in the system."

Cross-endorsements are a rare feat. The last to pull it off was Tyrone K. Yates, a former Democrat-Charterite vice mayor who is now a Democratic state representative.

Bortz, nephew of former Charterite Mayor Arn Bortz, comes from a conservative wing of the Charter Committee formerly thought to be extinct.

Word of the meeting quickly got Republicans around town buzzing. Peter G. Witte of Price Hill dashed off an e-mail to Vincent saying that if the GOP endorses Bortz, Charter should reciprocate by endorsing Republican Chris Monzel.

"Anything less, and we will only hurt ourselves," Witte said. "Monzel is in a tight spot. If they don't give us something then no way. Please don't hurt Monzel to promote Bortz.

"Let me add, I like the cross-endorsement. Chris Bortz is a Republican. He and I have met on several occasions and I like him. He is a Right-minded individual."