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Enquirer reporters give the scoop on what your politicians are doing


Jessica Brown,
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Jane Prendergast,
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Malia Rulon,
Enquirer Washington bureau


Carl Weiser,
Blog editor


Howard Wilkinson,
politics reporter

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Saturday, February 18, 2006

McEwen wins pancake poll

Rep. Jean Schmidt might as well have stayed home Saturday.

Schmidt got up early Saturday morning, ran six miles in the snow near her Clermont County home, showed up early at the Northeast Hamilton County Republican Club's annual pancake breakfast at the Sharonvnille Conventionn Center, shook hands with folks at the gun and knife show going on upstairs, walked among the pancake-eating Republicans in a red apron, serving coffee -- and still lost the straw poll.

Former congressman Bob McEwen might not have been such a whirling dervish early Saturday morning, but he walked away from the convention center with the kind of prize any challenger to a sitting incumbent dreams of to jump-start his campaign - a early straw poll vote among party faithful that might show signs of trouble for the incumbent.

McEwen didn't win by much - he took 86 votes to 76 for Schmidt, a 53% to 47% split, but it was enough to give him bragging rights and a bit of what the 41st president of the United States used to call "Big Mo.''

The straw poll is an annual feature of the Northeast GOP club's pancake breakfast - that is, in years where there are actual contested primary fights on the Republican side.

This year, there are some doozies - the 2nd District contest between Schmidt and McEwen and the Ohio GOP gubernatorial tussle between Ken Blackwell and Jim Petro.

Petro and Blackwell were both at the Sharonville Convention Center working the crowd. For Petro, though, it was a suicide mission - he had to have known full well that Blackwell wasn't going to lose a straw poll in his home county. In the end, 64% of the pancake-eaters cast a straw poll vote for Blackwell.

The voters are all Republicans from heavily-populated northeast quandrant of Hamilton County - places like Blue Ash, Montgomery, Sharonville, Madeira, Indian Hill. All places where their are not only lots of Republican primary voters, but lots of Republican campaign dollars to be had.

Based on the special primary election last June in which Schmidt prevailed by rolling up big numbers in her home county of Clermont, everybody knew that McEwen was strong in the small town, rural areas of the 2nd District.

Then, the former congressman won the counties of Warren, Brown, Adams, Scioto and Pike, with the Hamilton County portion of the district - which makes up about one-third of the total GOP registration in the 2nd - going to Schmidt by a small margin.

In an 11-candidate field last June, she won Hamilton County, but took only about one of every four votes in the GOP primary.

If the straw poll Saturday is any indication, Schmidt may have her work cut out for her winning those other three this time around.


45 Comments:

at 8:20 PM, February 18, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm glad that the Enquirer actually reported the amount of votes McEwen recieved. Unlike his campaign site which hints at a huge victory. It's not a surprise he barely pulled it off though, considering all those unknown McEwen supporters and their children. At least the people that flew in from Florida for the event were friendly.

 
at 8:36 PM, February 18, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

That straw vote between Blackwell and Petro was such a farce. They had everyone vote BEFORE they spoke. Petro gave a great speech, Blackwell went on a random tirade about how Petro wasn't as conservative and how he'd been married longer. Petro came up with real ideas. Many who saw them both speak left feeling more drawn to Petro and his ideas and turned off by Blackwell and his most recent turn to unsubstantiated negativity.

 
at 8:47 PM, February 18, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bob McEwen's speech was moving and articulate; it was the best speech I have heard an area candidate make in a very long time. Afterward, the applause was deafening and the excitement he generated was visceral and impassioned. In the conclusion, Schmidt supporters were overwhelmed; adding to the fervent applause.

 
at 9:06 PM, February 18, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

An incumbent lost in a poll by 6 percentage points! Those are Jimmy Carter numbers. All the backstabbing and scheming seems to have finally caught up with Jean. I only wish the poll was taken after the speakers addressed the crowd. Bob would have won in a landslide, I am talking 12 to 15 percent.

 
at 9:17 PM, February 18, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Big Bob is on a roll. Schmidt should just save us all a lot of headache and grief by conceding this election to the man and his machine.

 
at 9:19 PM, February 18, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

I came to the event undecided and after hearing the difference between McEwen and Schmidt, I am undecided no longer. Bob's speech was emotional and sincere; while Jean repeated the same speech I have heard her recite on a number of occasions. Wow, Bob excited the crowd with his enthusiasm!

 
at 11:14 PM, February 18, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

I walked in to the Sharonville Convention Center at the same moment that about 15 people already wearing Schmidt stickers arrived. Then I watched Jean and her sister pay for all of them at once. If anyone trucked in supporters from the outside, it was Mean Jean.

 
at 12:00 AM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, I am so thrilled to hear how well Bob McEwen's speech went... There must have been another speech this morning because I was in attendance when McEwen spoke.

The speech I heard was nothing but a discussion of Republican fundamentals. Well, except for the one piece about how McEwen discussed the importance of him becoming a lobbyist for a foreign nation. None of the previous posts thought to mention that.

Also, more truthful reporting.... Jean Schmidt's speech was interrupted 6 times to McEwen's 2.

There was also no mention of McEwen's supporters in the room being heavily from out of the district. They actually came from Columbus this time and not Washington. Bob McEwen and his victory in the straw poll is just testament of buying more pancake breakfasts than the Schmidt Campaign.

 
at 1:10 AM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

yes, bob's speech was incredible!!! who knew he single handedly helped us win the war (err..'issue' as he called it..) in afghanistan? i guess the ambassador of uzbekistan also received bad checks from bob and thats why we were kicked out months later? bobby: one word of advice. leave the botoxing for liz.

 
at 8:38 AM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

If Bob McEwen is so enthusiastic, why has he been ignoring this?

Jim Parker Wants to Talk About Healthcare, the Economy and the War in Iraq. Jean Schmidt and Bob McEwen DO NOT...

 
at 9:33 AM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

The straw vote is the weigh-in for a very important bout. In one corner, Bob McEwen professinal, versus Jean Schmidt. May the competition begin with no low blows and may the best competitor win! Congratualtions Bob!

From the Eastgate Watch..

 
at 12:02 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

I hope people like me are mean Jean's worst nightmare. I am not a Republican but when the primary comes up I will ask for a Republican ballot just so I can vote against Jean. The probability of a Democrat winning in that district is next to zero so I will do my part to hopefully make Jean a LOSER!

 
at 1:55 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Howard...c'mon.

Here's are the truths to that farce of an event:

1. When people got their tickets to this [Sharonville] event, there was a yellow stub on bottom which had to be turned in to vote.

Candidate stickers were handed out before getting those stubs, and if you did not hear the [McEwen] person in front of you being told this info, a Schmidt supporter was not directly told to vote.

2. The original straw poll only included the gubernatorial race. The 2nd Congressional race vote was only made aware to the Schmidt campaign at 9 pm the night before the event (Friday).

4. One person serving asked each table where they were from and 3 tables were from the Ohio Restoration Project in Columbus, OH and were told to come down and vote against Jean and for Blackwell. That's roughly 24 people.

5. At least 20 more people from the same group in Columbus came in only to cast their votes against Jean and immediately leave. Voting was shut down as soon as those Columbus people left (before candidates were allowed to speak).

6. Elected officials got in free, ergo did not get a vote...most elected officials there were Schmidt supporters not allowed to vote for her.

So barring the elected officials and the children who voted, that's [at least] 44 illegitimate votes to take away from the 162 (not to mention the kids they let vote), so Schmidt wins %64 - 36%.

Mayor Daley from Chicago would have been proud of the NE Hamilton County Republican Club and the Ohio Restoration Project.

 
at 2:05 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bob was moving and articulate? Bowel moving perhaps because he is so full of sh#$^*.

Howard, why no mention of Blackwell AND Petro slamming McEwen during their speeches?

Howard, why no mention of those voting being from Columbus (and were told specifically to come down here and vote against Jean Schmidt)?

 
at 2:47 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tess, Do you seriously expect anyone to believe what you are saying? Elected officials got in free, and did not vote? There were 30 elected officials there-- at least! Jean Schmidt is an elected official. I personally witnessed her paying (for a bunch of other people too) and voting. And yes, I can tell her and her twin apart. It's not that difficult when they are next to each other.

Furthermore, McEwen's people, for reasons known only to them, did not hand out stickers until the thing was about to start. Schmidt's people were stationed at the door with their stick-first-ask-later policy (this is the third time in ten days they stuck one on me without asking first).

The idea that Schmidt's people only found out about the straw poll at 9pm Friday night is laughable. Jean Schmidt herself mentioned it at the Sharonville Republican Club meeting last month.

 
at 3:04 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's absolutely hilarious to read the comments from the pathetic Schmidt campaign staffers as they make up excuses as to why Bob McEwen trounced the so-called "incumbent."

I read above where one guy claims that the Schmidt Campaign didn't know about the straw poll until the night before.

That's false. First, it's a tradition at this event. The straw poll happens every year.

Second, the straw poll was detailed in at least two issues of the Whistleblower leading into the week.

And don't tell us the Schmidt campaign doesn't read the Whistleblower - we know that's a lie because they used a copyrighted picture from the Whistleblower in a press release earlier this week when they tried to denounce Tom Brinkman's endorsement of Schmidt...

That photo hasn't appeared anywhere else.

Face the facts, Schmidt staffers - you got whupped at the Pancake breakfast because your candidate just isn't that great.

What self-respecting Republican would send a person to Congress that voted in favor of raising our taxes and increasing state spending anyway?

The primary election outcome is going to be 64%-31% McEwen over Schmidt, with 5% voting for Deborah Kraus out of Clermont County.

 
at 3:10 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

So Tom Brinkman got in for free and didn't vote?

Puh-lease.

I swear Jennifer Black herself posted one of the entries above...

Sounds just like the excuses I heard her spreading shortly after they lost.

 
at 3:17 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

There was no slamming of anyone during the Blackwell and Petro speeches - except in the warped minds of Jean Schmidt and her sister Jennifer Black.

Blackwell is a longtime friend of Bob McEwen, despite Jean desperately trying to suck up to him.

The entire Schmidt campaign is based on one thing: Destroy Bob McEwen any way possible.

The McEwen campaign, so far at least, appears to based on two things:

1) Restoring a repsectable leader to the Second District

and

2) Electing a fiscal conservative to the seat.

Listen to every word out of Schmidt's mouth:

On one hand, she says she's only been in office for 145 days (or some small number like that).

On the other hand, when talking about her record on taxes, she ONLY refers to her 145 days in Congress.

The point is that she IGNORES her abysmal record in Columbus, where she voted to raise sales taxes, gas taxes, taxes on goods and services, and where she increased spending in the state budget by BILLIONS of dollars.

But "never mind that" she begs. Just look at how conservative she's acting now...

 
at 4:45 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Don't you just love to see Republicans arguing among themselves about fair elections?

 
at 5:12 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Problem is, republicans care more about fair straw polls at pancake breakfasts than actual fair elections. And even then, it sounds like they can't even do those fairly, what with Bouncing Bob's ringers from Columbus, and Mean Jean paying everyone's entrance into the breakfast.

 
at 5:13 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

February 19, 2006
Atlanta, Georgia

To the various contributors: I have endured this petty bickering showcasing Jean Schmidt and Bob McEwen and it suggests intellectual paralysis. If you as I are used to reading dignified journalistic accounts and coincidentally stumble into political miscreants of this magnitude, a compelling case is made for Lucifer's misdeeds in the Garden of Eden. We should all be aware of the horrific half truth the devil perpetrated on Eve which resulted in the life of indignities all people have been forced to endure since the beginning of time. My point is that anyone who attaches a scintilla of validity to these bogus claims is hopelessly languishing in a fog, groping every step of the way for any kind of visual reprieve which would present some measure of appreciation that would portend something; anything objective. What you can be sure of is that the spin doctors are up and running. I have noted since 1998 that I could win the Second District, but wouldn't you know the nay sayers poured cold water on the topic. A forced dialogue and deplorable performing economy remains the main core ingredent which marked the difference in the special election in which I was dismissed by bottom feeders whose professional credentials are at best challenged. I am running for Congress in Ohio's Third District because I have something to offer, not for Charles Sanders but for each and every American who has ever placed any confidence in a vested pension system or relied on established benefit packages to sustain their families while gainfully employed. One may point out that not every job site made these provisions available and they would be right, but why not? The right U.S. Representative with a real zeal and passion for change will provide that connection with constituents District wide to generate a ground swell movement to protest the obvious economic assault on working families. As I leave these terse waters of the blogosphere, I respectfully ask that conscious thinking voters cast their votes for Charles W. Sanders in the Third District which includes; Highland, Clinton, and parts of Montgomery and Warren Counties.

CHARLES W. SANDERS
PROUD DEMOCRAT AND VETERAN ALSO CURRENT CANDIDATE FOR OHIO'S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

 
at 5:34 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

There is the way you want things to be and then there's the truth as it happened.

And you are right...the Schmidt campaign wasn't told about the straw poll at 9pm on Friday night...it was 9:30pm on Friday night. The truth is there if you care to seek it out.

You people would vote for OBL over Jean Schmidt because like him, all you do is hate. You don't care who you lie down with (abortionists at Frontier PAC), or who promote (pornographic bloggers and Paul Hackett), all do is run on is hate and resentment.

BTW I am not a Schmidt staffer, but would be proud to be one...and the more you people divide this district, the more you damage both gubernatorial candidates and any presidential candidate in 2008.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hos 4:6

 
at 6:04 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm still wondering why Carpetbagging Bob McEwen, a resident of Fairfax Station, Virginia, is running in Ohio. Does he honestly expect anybody to believe that a $105,000 apartment in Anderson is his home when he has an $862,000 mansion in the DC suburbs? Carpetbagging Bob should have moved to Ted Strickland's district if he wanted to try again for Congress. Perhaps he was too busy lobbying for foreign governments to think that through.

 
at 7:33 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

A positive note after reading so many negative ones...

Our home school community was divided during last year's primary. But it wasn't b/w Bob McEwen & Rep. Schmidt, it was b/w two others and Rep. Schmidt. We all agreed on two things: that there weren't substantial enough differences b/w the candidates to divide ourselves over, and Mr. McEwen hasn't been here long enough to have earned our votes.

So, one month after she took office, our home-school community invited Rep. Schmidt to a coffee sit down. We expressed to her our concerns about leveling the playing field for our kids as they reach college age, and asked her to look into the HoNDA bill sponsored by Rep. Musgrave (CO) and co-sponsored by John Boehner, to make sure there were no hidden funding issues (taxes) attached before we actively promoted it, and then asked her to co-sponsor. She did and she has. This has happened on many issues and demonstrates true representation.

Now, I understand that people cannot get over the idea that "their guy" lost. But think about this. While you are out there attacking her over a tough decision she made 3 years ago, Rep. Schmidt is actively listening and working for the constituents in this district, and for anyone to say that is a bad thing, is simply wrong.

A calm and peaceful week to all...

 
at 8:00 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

One question Jobless McEwen staffers? Describe Jean's voting record in Washington. Not once have I seen a post on it from the McEwen camp. Why? Because a rock solid voting record doesn't help their case.

If she was so bad at voting for taxes in the Statehouse why didn't she win this convient Brinkman award in 2004? Why because McEwen and Brinkman never thought the hard-working woman from Clermont County would clean their clocks in an upcoming race. Isn't it ironic how these awards conviently work!!!!!!

 
at 10:05 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

While sitting near Tom Brinkman my disgust for that man grew Saturday morning. When McEwen proudly proclaimed in his speech that his son was a Marine and how he was scared for his safety everday, Brinkman had a smirk and whisper to his friend behind him. "Yea, he's a Marine in Morocco, he's scared." I was proud to wear my Schmidt shirt at that moment because she hasn't recieved the endorsement from this disgusting man. Not only is he the most rude politician our party has seen in a long time, he also has his priorities and morals way off. Go ahead Mr. Brinkman, cut the head of a Congresswoman on a cake off and disgrace a Marine's service behind the candidate you endorsed back, but just realize if you ever try to represent us at a national level, you will come in last place again and again. De-lect Brinkman '06.

 
at 11:09 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

I see that Mean Jean's minions are out tonight in full force.

 
at 11:42 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jean's voting record in Washington is a product of her toeing the line because she's known since her pathetic showing last August that she would have a primary challenger.

But what idiot would only consider a political record of just 150 days or so?

Is there some reason we shouldn't consider Jean Schmidt's vote to raise the sales tax?

Is there some reason we should just forget that she voted to raise the gas tax?

Is there some reason for us to give her a free pass on the undeniable fact that she voted to increase spending by BILLIONS in Ohio?

All I see from the Schmidt camp are personal attacks on McEwen, and the attacks from McEwen against Schmidt are based purely on her RECORD.

That's not to say there isn't plenty to attack Schmidt about personally - we all know there is. But McEwen is too classy to stoop that low.

 
at 11:49 PM, February 19, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Those Schmidt supporters who bash McEwen while blindly ignoring Schmidt's obvious flaws are in for a big surprise if they think that's what will put her over the top.

This district has long loathed negative campaigning. Schmidt would do well to stick to the issues and avoid slinging mud, especially since there are buckets full of the stuff with her name on them.

Those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. You'd think she would have learned that after getting beaten by Tom Niehaus, especially after she outspent him 3-1...

 
at 4:57 AM, February 20, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

A legit question for Tom Paige, Mr. Sharonville, Tess, and others:

Sunday's print edition article on Page A1 said"

"Only members of the club, though, cast ballots."

He also said 220 attended. The vote counts in the two races were 162 and 160.

Does any of this have any impact on what any of you claim about either candidate stacking the deck with their own people?

Or is Howard wrong about who got to vote?

If he is wrong, could you name people who voted who weren't members?

Or was it a matter of "instant membership" to anyone who showed up and paid a few bucks?

 
at 7:16 AM, February 20, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

* She voted for the Congressional pay increase.
* She abused the franking privelege.
* She embarassed the district on the floor of the House and was lampooned for it on Saturday Night Live.
* She proposed limiting First Amendment Rights with phone solicitation and then made unsolicited calls into my home.
Do you want me to go on?

 
at 7:33 AM, February 20, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

My name is Jim Parker and I am running for Congress in the Ohio 2nd District.

I cannot wait until May the 3rd. (The day after the primary.) If I win, the people of Southern Ohio get a REAL candidate on the Democratic side of the ticket. I am a person with ideas that will be taken seriously by Democrats AND Republicans throughout the next several months.

People are looking for solutions to America's problems. Neither Jean nor Bob have any realistic solutions or ideas to offer.

I have been offering ideas about the healthcare system in America, the Southern Ohio (and American) economy, and the war in Iraq.

If I lose, I get my life back... You see, I gave my life to the people of Southern Ohio last September. Every morning between 4:30 and 5:00 am the work begins. Then I go to my real job and work to support my family. Then I either drive 100 miles to a meeting or knock on family's doors asking them to vote for me. If I'm not doing that, I'm speaking with a group of people or talking with a representative of the media. Then, after the day is done, I spend what small amount of time (if any) is left with any members of my family who are still awake. Then I get up the next day and do it all over again. I have knocked on the doors of more than 1,000 families who voted in last year's primary.

I am giving this time and effort to you, the people of Southern Ohio. Unlike Bob and Jean, this election is not about me... It's about you. It's about your children's future. It's about your family, your healthcare and your economy.

I am going to win this election for the baby boom generation, for the middle class and for the 100 million Americans who need Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. I look forward to running against either Bob or Jean. Both candidates are lacking in ideas and solutions. That's what happens when you've been a politician too long... Your brain stops thinking and you become robotic. You offer the same speech everywhere you go. (After you comb your hair for the cameras. Sorry Bob.) Ideas disappear. Proposed solutions become nothing more than rhetoric and rubber stamp party line lingo. People's problems continue... And you, in a rubber stamp way, offer nothing...

I am offering you (the people of Southern Ohio) a real option in this election. I am a MODERATE Democrat who has spent his entire career in healthcare management. I can win the hearts of Democrats and Republicans. The only Democrat who can win the election in Southern Ohio is a person who can relate to ALL people - the Union President and the CEO, the Catholic family and people who are non-religious, the poor and the rich, the employees and the employers, the taxpayers and the politicians in Washington who wrecklessly spend their money, the people who work the night shift in healthcare and the patients that they serve. The politicians in Washington, in the back of their minds, want to make America better. They just don't know how because the system is badly broken. Solving such problems is my specialty...

I am asking for your support. Thank you.

Jim Parker
Democratic Candidate for US Congress
Southern Ohio - 2nd District - 2006

Jim PARKER for YOU - the Candidate who Represents the Middle of America

 
at 8:24 AM, February 20, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello all blogging junkies. I want to let you all know, as the "home school" writer did, you do not represent the public. It is sad to see the hate that spews from the McEwen side of this race. Tom brinkman, the Whistleblower, Rick Bryan, Russ Jackson. Their behavior will most certainly turn off the voters. All white-male Hamilton Countians.

Have him (McEwen) if you will. I think the 2nd District will suffer for it. He does not know us and will not take the time to know us once elected. I still recommend that we stick with someone who knows us, is one of us, and will take the time to truly represent us.

 
at 8:25 AM, February 20, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello all blogging junkies. I want to let you all know, as the "home school" writer did, you do not represent the public. It is sad to see the hate that spews from the McEwen side of this race. Tom brinkman, the Whistleblower, Rick Bryan, Russ Jackson. Their behavior will most certainly turn off the voters. All white-male Hamilton Countians.

Have him (McEwen) if you will. I think the 2nd District will suffer for it. He does not know us and will not take the time to know us once elected. I still recommend that we stick with someone who knows us, is one of us, and will take the time to truly represent us.

 
at 9:38 AM, February 20, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Cowards cut and run, Marines never do." Those seven words cemented my support for Jean Schmidt. In the special election primary, I worked my tail off for my friend, Tom Brinkman. Thanks to me, Tom had more signs in my hometown of Madeira than any other candidate. I was very upset when Tom placed third in the race, as I was sure that he was going to win.

Later, I got to know Jean Shmidt. I was thrilled with her support of the President when John Murtha wanted a resolution to pull the troops right now. I'm also a firearms and concealed carry instructor, licensed by the Utah Department of Public Safety and by the National Rifle Association. Congresswoman Schmidt and her husband, Peter, attended a class I taught back in October. During that class, I spent about 13 hours with the Schmidts. I came away very impressed. Jean Schmidt was very humble in the class. She took instruction very well, and followed instructions immediately. She also repeatedly practiced what she was taught, and was not satisfied until she had the skills firmly in grasp. She had a firm grasp of the legislative issues that interested me, providing answers and insight promptly. Basically, I came away convinced that Jean Schmidt is a real conservative and should be in Congress.

Now, you may be asking if that means that I no longer support Tom Brinkman. Well, I do. I think that Tom Brinkman is wrong for his attacks on Jean Schmidt. I think that he is wrong for supporting Carpetbagging Bob McEwen (from the DC suburbs) over a local officeholder. However, I also think that Tom Brinkman is one hell of a conservative. I'm also a bit selfish, I don't want Tom in the Ohio House or Senate or Congress. I want him in a place where he could help Hamilton County the most...the County Commission.

To sum it up, I believe in Jean Schmidt. I believe that her support of the President is what we need. I believe that her unequaled credentials and convictions as a pro-life activist are what we need in Congress. I believe that her pro-gun owner mentality is spot on with what we need in Congress. I believe that the fact that she lives here is important. I believe that her tough stance on illegal immigration is what we need in Congress. In her short time in office, Congresswoman Jean Schmidt has proven herself to me.

 
at 12:15 PM, February 20, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Sir:

Murtha should be commended for his service as a decorated military veteran and marine. I believe that Mr. Charles W. Sanders - Democrat in Ohio's 3rd district, Jim Parker - Democrat in Ohio's 2nd district, and Jeff Sinnard - Democrat in Ohio's 2nd district - agree on this point. All these gentleman have strongly reiterated their support for Murtha's service as a decorated veteran and marine.

Anyone of the 4 democrats currently running for US Congress in Ohio's 2nd District, Gaby Downey, Jim Parker, Jeff Sinnard, Dr. Victoria Wulsin would make a good congressman in Ohio's 2nd District. In my heart of hearts, I believe all of the above 4 candidates agree that Mr. Murtha's service to his country as a veteran and marine should be honored.

Sanjay

 
at 6:52 PM, February 20, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ding dong, the witch is dead.

The wicked witch, the mean old witch.

Ding dong the wicked witch is dead!

 
at 6:55 PM, February 20, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you.

The number one reason that Jack Murtha wanted to redelopy the American troops to the perimeter was because, in his expert military opinion, we do not have enough troops in place to accomplish the objectives. Actually, our government hasn't really stated the specific objectives other than to stay the course.

Murtha would never abandon an American soldier. He has the war wounds to prove it.

20 years ago, I voted for Jack Murtha. I lived in his Congressional District. He was a solid supporter of the American military.

Has Bob McEwen ever served in the American military? What is Bob McEwen's position on his former cohort Congressman John P. Murtha, Colonel US Marines? His supporters should be asking him this question. What is Bob McEwen's plan to bring the war in Iraq to an end? Or is it acceptable to the people of Southern Ohio to allow political candidates to spend hundrededs of thousands (if not millions) of dollars on campaigns that offer nothing?

Just curious...

Since Jean and Bob won't respond to me. I am about ready to take my issues right to them.

The Second District of Southern Ohio doesn't just go to the highest bidder... Not this year!

Jim Parker

 
at 12:39 PM, February 21, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jim,

Thanks for your latest post. You are more qualified in my opinion than Bob McEwen on issues regarding budgetary policy (balancing budgets) and more qualified than Jean Schmidt on national security issues. It is without question in my opinion that you are more qualified on health care issues than the 2 Republican candidates I listed above. It is my humble opinion that Murtha is more qualified than Schmidt on defense policy since Murtha was a former marine and since he shows much greater diplomacy than Schmidt when discussing these issues.

I predict Bob McEwen will be victorious in a close election over Jean Schmidt in the Republican Primary and that it will be a competitive race in the general election. Either yourself, Dr. Wulsin, Gaby Downey, Thor Jacobs, or Jeff Sinnard would make a good representative in US Congress based on knowledge of issues and would be better for the district than the current incumbent Congresswoman Jean Schmidt. Since many observers in both parties have represented this viewpoint, it is feasible that McEwen will be the Republican nominee since he has previously served in US Congress (6th district).

Any of the 5 democrats running which includes Parker, Sinnard, Wulsin, Downey, and Jacobs would do well in a battle of ideas with McEwen or Schmidt on policy issues regarding budgetary priorities (balancing budgets), health care, national defense, entitlement reform, education, etc.

Parker, I do appreciate your strong viewpoints in support of Murtha.

Sanjay

 
at 12:40 PM, February 21, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am Deborah kraus candidate for Oh 2nd district. I would hope that I would pull more than 5% of the vote,but one never knows. I wish the media would give me some time to explain why I am running. I held a press conference friday 2/17 and no one came. It will be their loss when everyone starts talking about me. I am going to stand back and let Jean and Bob fling the mud. Then I will step in to clean the mess. I am a honest, hard working citizen that wants to bring government back to what it should be, "a government of the people, by the people, for the people." Give me a chance.

 
at 4:00 PM, February 21, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Collin, you're saying that you'll ignore Jean Schmidt's record as a Taft-and-spend liberal as long she lobs personal attacks from the House floor? I never knew that those kind of personal attacks were admirable to begin with, but I'm real surprised to hear anyone say that they wipe out a horrific public record.

 
at 8:01 PM, February 21, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jeff, I have no idea where you are getting the bizzare notino of a horrific public record. The record I've seen in Congress is phenomenal. As far as "cowards cut and run" that is a statement of fact. So, Jeff, what do you think of Bob McEwen's carpetbagging? Do you believe that a tiny apartment in Anderson is his home when he has an $862,000 mansion in the DC suburbs?

 
at 5:28 AM, February 22, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

A hint for Jean Schmidt - the question that you should be asking is where did Bob McEwen list as his primary place of residence on his "2004 AND 2005" federal income tax returns?

The 2004 federal tax return is important because it is a year (without an election). This should tell the world where Bob REALLY lives.

The 2005 federal tax return is important because there only a short period of time from when Rob Portman resigned and the election began. This should, by all means, say Virginia (Not Ohio). If it says Ohio... It is a federal requirement that the 1040 be completed accurately.

Jim Parker

 
at 12:39 PM, February 22, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pretty sad when Dem candidates are trolling for votes directly on blogs...please cover me, please listen, I CARE....holy crap that sounds desperate.

Memo to campaign managers of respective candidates: Don't let candidates blog without supervision.

 
at 1:22 PM, February 23, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

It appears that the majority of mud slinging and distortion of facts in this blog is coming from Jean Schmidt supporters which is unfortunate because it only convinces the undecided that you are reflecting Jean Schmidt's mentality. Keep up the good work. Bob McEwen is going to win!

The Eastgate Watch

 
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