Politics Extra: McEwen monologue

Monday, March 27, 2006

McEwen monologue

Howard Wilkinson reports in Tuesday's Enquirer:

The Anderson Township Republican Club’s scheduled April 19 debate between 2nd District congressional candidates Bob McEwen and Jean Schmidt looks more like a monologue, now that Schmidt’s campaign has pulled out, claiming the deck was stacked against her.

“Why would I march my candidate happily into that room?” said Schmidt campaign manager Allen Freeman. “I’m not interested in having her be set up.”

Schmidt and Freeman say the Anderson Township Republican Club is top-heavy with supporters of McEwen, the former southern Ohio congressman who is trying to up-end incumbent Schmidt in the May 2 GOP primary.

Not so, said Duffy Beischel, a McEwen supporter and club member who was scheduled to moderate the April 19 debate at Mercy Healthplex.

Beischel said Schmidt supporters who are members of the club were involved in the planning of the debate. “I don’t know why she would be so afraid to debate Bob in Anderson,” Beischel said in an e-mail. “Are Republicans in Anderson more threatening than Democrats in the House? I don’t think so.”

Last week, Schmidt wrote a letter to McEwen saying she would only agree to debates “at neutral sites, hosted by neutral organizers.”

“I would not expect you to agree to debate me in front of my Republican club and I won’t debate in front of yours,” Schmidt wrote.

Freeman said Schmidt has accepted a joint appearance with McEwen on the WKRC Channel 12 “Newsmakers’’ show that will air April 30. It was accepted, Freeman said, “because it is a neutral setting with a neutral host.”

Michael Harlow, a spokesman for the McEwen campaign, said McEwen is willing to debate Schmidt “anytime or anyplace,” including Clermont County’s Miami Township, Schmidt’s home township.

“A representative can’t pick and choose which constituents she talks to and which she doesn’t,” Harlow said.

Beischel said that he hopes Schmidt will change her mind. If she doesn’t, he said, the meeting will go forward with McEwen as the only speaker.

27 Comments:

at 6:20 PM, March 27, 2006

Anonymous said...

Hey Jean, only cowards cut and run.

at 6:58 PM, March 27, 2006

Anonymous said...

OH poor Jean you might have to face a group of people who are ALL not for you. Oh poor Jean you would have to anwser questions and have a debate when the deck is not stacked 100% for you. Sounds like you are your campaign are afraid of the truth. If you debate Bob and are forced to speak and of course you will say something stupid.Bob will wipe the floor with you.

Bob says he will debate anywhere, anytime!!!

What do we get from you and your supporters. Lies and insults. Such as Bob stole office supplies from Warren County, or Nancy Z. the lame president of UC is supporting Bob. Each week you come up with lame lies and name calling.

We all see through this. Jean has embarrassed us all in the 2nd District and we are through with her. All her people can do is throw out insults and lies.

Of course they will not debate Bob. We will hear more excusses from her staff but what does this really tell you.

I don't want someone in Congress to debate on a National stage if they are afraid to debate in Anderson. Think about it, won't debate in Anderson and we want her to Debate in Washington. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

Lets get rid of Jean.

at 7:39 PM, March 27, 2006

Anonymous said...

The "cut and run" comment is entirely appropriate.

Jean: What lies do you have to hide?

at 9:46 PM, March 27, 2006

Anonymous said...

When you're in the lead against weaker competition, you don't need to debate anyone. Ask Ken Blackwell.

at 10:10 PM, March 27, 2006

Anonymous said...

Jean Schmidt, a Republican candidate running in the Republican Primary, is refusing to appear at a large Republican Club in her own district?

Mean Jean was right about one thing - cowards cut and run. Mean Jean is a coward.

at 11:22 PM, March 27, 2006

Anonymous said...

__

ONLY COWARDS CUT AND RUN !

lol, lol,lol,lol,lol

you guys are killing me.

__

at 11:50 PM, March 27, 2006

Anonymous said...

Good grief! As one who votes Republican, I'd like to hear what each of the candidates has to say. If Congressperson Schmidt is unable to present herself, her qualifications and her opinions under the same conditions and circumstances as her opponent, is it because some Republicans are more equal than others in her eyes? Or are they less equal? Are you saying you can speak your piece in front of a bunch of Democrats, but not to a group of Republican neighbors?

Jean, to quote Donald Trump, "You're fired!"

at 4:28 AM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

Jim Parker volunteered to take Jean Schmidt's place at the debate. The Republican Party will never allow that to happen. Parker would win in November and it scares them.

at 8:08 AM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

Maybe since Schmidt is passing on the debate we can bring this Parker Clown in to provide entertainment. I heard he has a wicked jelly bean act.

at 8:19 AM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

The following was sent this morning to Allen Freeman:

Allen,

I was surprised and a bit confused by your remarks that appeared in this morning's Cincinnati Enquirer. Surprised because it seems I finally have a straight answer as to why Jean refuses to debate in Anderson. Confused because your concerns could have been easily addressed.

Let me start with your concern over the location. You made a comment recently (just the other day) to one of your supporters in the Anderson Township Republican Club that it looks like Jean has 50% of the vote in Anderson, and that you expected to receive another 25% of the undecided votes. Now if I add that up correctly, you expect to receive 75% of the vote in Anderson by May 2. If that is the case, you are correct, Anderson is not a neutral site. It heavily favors Jean Schmidt. Second, I would like to remind you that the Anderson Township Republican Club voted Jean Schmidt as "Qualified" to serve in the House of Representatives when a vote was taken after the first primary debate. Does that sound like the club is stacked with McEwen supporters? Hardly, it appears that there is a strong base of support for Jean in the club.

You cannot get a more neutral site than a Catholic Hospital. If you want a "neutral" host instead of me, not a problem. Who do you suggest and are they available on April 19? Would Howard Wilkinson agree to moderate the debate? I don't care, suggest someone.

As for making the setting neutral that night. We will allocate half of the seats for your supporters. I don't know off-hand how many people the Mercy Healthplex will seat, but you can have half of those seats for your supporters. McEwen can have the other half.

We will still have both camps pre-screening the questions to make sure they are fair and not intentionally embarrassing to either candidate. I am not committing that the questions will not be difficult, just fair as judged by both campaigns.

What else can we do to make you comfortable with the situation? After all, we did move the date at your campaign's request to accommodate Jean's schedule. We are willing, and have always been willing, to make the site (we are not moving from Mercy Healthplex but we will make that site neutral for you), moderator, and attendance equal for both campaigns. You just never asked. We expect Jean to live up to her campaign's original commitment to be there. And finally, with 75% of the Anderson voters supporting Jean Schmidt according to your own campaign analysis, Jean Schmidt owes it to Anderson to come here and address her constituents along with Bob McEwen.
I hope to hear from you soon.

Duffy Beischel

at 9:58 AM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

It sure seems like the Anderson GOP club is bending over backwards for Jean! Most candidates don't have to be asked twice to speak in front of a group....

at 10:17 AM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

It's interesting that an incumbent would feel threatened to debate a member of her own party, anywhere in the district he/she represents.

Quite frankly, the onus is on her to meet her challengers, not the other
way 'round. As a 2nd district constituent, I would like to have someone with good character and a bit of intestinal fortitude and backbone as our Congressman or Congresswoman (or person, if you prefer). If she's
going to cut and run from a primary debate, do I really want her representing me in Congress, where the issues are only more difficult
and are much more important than softball questions likely posed during a primary debate?

Would you?

at 10:48 AM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

Scruffy Duffy,

The full of "Schmidt" campaign refuses to read this blog.

It seems they feel it is unfavorably balance against their candidate mean jean.

I don't know why they feel that way, we only try to tell the truth about her over zealous votes for taft, her ties to deters the coin dealer cheater, her lies on the senate floor, her embarrassment to the country, her losing her head over a celebration cake, her cheesy snacks at the montgomery inn, her desperate trip to Iraq, her running her campaign out of congressional office, her obscene dancing with Charles Foster Cain, her under-taxed clermont county property and the fact that she doesn't have enough clot to get her pizza delivered on time !

Now, why won't she show her two- face and address the voters !

I just don't understand this "Schmidt" !

at 12:33 PM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't it be funny if the Anderson Township Republicans were now trying to get Rachel Dratch to play the part of Jean Schmidt during the debate as a back-up plan to Jean's refusal to face the voters?

at 12:57 PM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

"Jim Parker volunteered to take Jean Schmidt's place at the debate. The Republican Party will never allow that to happen. Parker would win in November and it scares them."

Um, they probably don't know who you are Jim (as if anyone else would've written this email).

at 1:25 PM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

"I don't want someone in Congress to debate on a National stage if they are afraid to debate in Anderson. Think about it, won't debate in Anderson and we want her to Debate in Washington. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!"

I will deal with whomever wins this race, but I've got to vote for Schmidt because I don't want someone in Congress who absolutely refuses to answer questions about where he has been and what he has been doing for the last 13 years.

What about Bob's AMWAY involvement at the very top of the pyramid? What about Freedom Quest International and all of those "tools and tapes" sent to "downline" distributors? What about the foreign nations he took money from in a "public relations" capacity when they clearly didn't have the best interests of the US at hand?

You can attack Schmidt by calling her every name in the book (which is what you've done), but facts are facts, and I'm not voting for someone who blatantly tries to cover up what he has been doing for the last 13 years and solicits himself by saying "I'm a CHRISTIAN, so you can vote for me!"

Howard, it is amusing that these same two people (Cincy Jeff & LS)making different comments over and over) were shouting rotten, personal slander about you, and who were just last year, calling Mr. McEwen "Botox Bob, Bouncing Bob, Amway Bob."

That tells me more about Mr. McEwen and his "supporters" than anything else. After reading this, the "mean" moniker is definitely misplaced.

at 1:27 PM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

If Jean Schmidt is unwilling to debate Bob McEwen then I am willing. I asked recently to be included and was told they were only interested in who they thought the top two finishers in the race would be. I told them they had the wrong female name. The name they needed is Deborah Kraus. I am still interested if Duffy is. Ask Bob I bet he would agree.

at 6:08 PM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

Yeah Bob, how about debating that lady who just challenged you or is this just a smoke and mirrors challenge so that you can say that Jean Schmidt won't show up... She is winning the primary by the way...

Nobody has responded to my request to speak in front of this group of Republicans. What do you have to lose? This is the most Conservative Congressional District in Ohio. Republicans outnumber Democrats 3 to 1. No Democrat has won the election in the Second District in the last 32 years. The ONLY Democrat who can possibly ever win this election is one who can stand in front of a group of Republicans and be able to survive. All I want to do is discuss my candidacy with ALL of the people of Southern Ohio. What's the harm? You do want to be a representative of ALL the people who live in Southern Ohio... Right???

At least respond with a yes or no. Is this a closed door meeting or are members of the public welcome to attend? Do you accept my offer to speak in front of this group? Yes or No...

Jim Parker

at 8:00 PM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

That tells me more about Mr. McEwen and his "supporters" than anything else.

Attn: DW
I find it offensive that you see yourself as an authority on judging who McEwen supporters are. I repeat why I am supporting Bob McEwen:
What is up with everyone on here who are self-described conservatives, yet seem to only pick and choose what standards and convictions will govern their thought processes. You are all blinded by politics. Bob McEwen is a statesman. I think Jean Schmidt is a good politician and can be kind/sincere, but our nation is at a crucial cross-road. The status quo of the Republican Party will only lead to its impotence in the future and its time we elect statesmen and legislators who will put America before politics and power!

~Aaron Hines

at 8:33 PM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

If Jean Schmidt had this race won we would be seeing a crdible poll shoving the numbers down our throat.
The fact is Jean does not have a poll since before Bob entered the race. Citizens were disgraced by her inappropriate behviour on the House floor when she violated House rules by calling another member of Congress, by name, out.Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike were disgraced.
Most of us agree with her sentiment that President Bush needs our support , publicly, about this war and for our troops.Bob McEwen agrees with that.
Bob McEwen never embarassed Ohio in 12 years in the house with such conduct. He found out how to get things done. He was a facilitator. Jean has burned bridges every where she has gone. She "created" two congressional endorsements and she out right lied about her eduction. She is known for being a vulgar state representative and her colleagues in the Ohio House held her in low esteem. They gag at the thought that she is due the title of "Honorable" forever.

Side by side, Bob McEwen stands taller not only in height but in the measure of qualities we want to represent us in Congress.Debbie Kraus, of UnionTwp. Clermont County at 4'6" stands taller than Jean Schmidt.
One has an obligation to not5 lie about their qualifications when running for public office.I live in Clermont VCounty and Jean Schmidt has not carried a majority of her party in her county in the last two primary elections. I expect she will fail to get a majority again.
Tax Killer Tom Brinkman and Bob McEwen will see to carrying Anderson, where the Republicans are fair, honest hard working,tax paying, Republican voters.
I live

at 9:24 PM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

Jim,

This is a Republican debate. You are welcome to attend as an audience member and listen to what Bob (or Jean if she shows up) has to say. But you are not invited to participate because it is a debate for the REPUBLICAN PRIMARY with the MAJOR CANDIDATES ONLY. We are finished with the David Smiths of the world taking time from real strong candidates, who can raise money for campaigns and get a large number of votes. I would suggest you spend this time garnering support within your own party. Then once the candidates for the general election are firm, as in after the primary, I will be happy to schedule a date and time for you to debate the Republican candidate in Anderson Township. My only concern is that if the candidate is Jean, she won't attend because it's not neutral, she won't like the paint color of the room, there will be too many Protestants, or not enough Catholics, or the color of the moderator's hair will be all wrong, or Anderson is against her, or the Republican Club is stacked with Democrats, or someone will bake a cake to cut her head off...God only knows. I mean you no disrespect as I don't know you, but there is a time for the Democrats and the Republicans to debate, and that time is not now. We have to select our candidate first.

Duffy Beischel

at 10:38 PM, March 28, 2006

Anonymous said...

Jim, I second what Duffy said. Win your primary in your own party first, then talk about debating McEwen or whomever.

This is a classic example of what in the sports world is known as "looking ahead." Win the first match, then talk about the second. You debating in Anderson next month is like the Seahawks showing up in Denver demanding to play the Broncos and Steelers before they beat the teams they needed to beat.

Call the Republican winner on May 3rd, congratulate the nominee, and ask for a debate. Assuming you win your nomination first, that is.

at 1:35 AM, March 29, 2006

Anonymous said...

Hey DW

Wow you made it sound like Bob had been a criminal for the last 13 years. First you throw out things that may or may not be true. Seems that most of the things thrown out by the Jean supporters have not been true. But it seems to me that Bob was involved in some business and motivational speaking over the years. And oh wow he sold some tapes of his motivational speaches. Lets see he was working, earning money, and supporting his family. Sounds pretty bad to me. Would never want someone like that in congress now would we. Based on your comments(someone who had a business and made money) not many should run for congress.

Now we see it once agian throw out, a lot of lies, exaggerations or just statements about Bob that don't have anything to do with getting to congress.

Don't talk about issues.

Now we could talk about issues at a Debate but Jean will not show. So this is what we get. I think instead of a smoke screen about jobs and such(we would never mention the millions that Jean has)
we should see the canidates talk issues.

Too bad Jean is scared to show up because we would see a Statesman wipe the floor with Jean. The voters will figure this out and vote her out and Bob in.

at 7:18 AM, March 29, 2006

Anonymous said...

Duffy,

Thank you for your response.

Jim Parker

at 8:50 PM, March 29, 2006

Anonymous said...

DW, what the heck are you talking about???

Howard, it is amusing that these same two people (Cincy Jeff & LS)making different comments over and over) were shouting rotten, personal slander about you, and who were just last year, calling Mr. McEwen "Botox Bob, Bouncing Bob, Amway Bob."

Me? Shouting slander about Wilkinson? And denigrating McEwen last year?

Did you bump your head this morning? I'm confused...or maybe you are...

at 9:49 AM, March 30, 2006

Anonymous said...

The 8:50PM Anon proved that the anti-Schmidt commentary comes from only a couple of people, since by responding, he admitted to being either Jeff or LS - though he had signed neither of those names.

at 11:55 AM, March 30, 2006

Anonymous said...

Lawshark here...that was my post and it was not intended to be anonymous...when I switched the "identity" from blogger (which I'm not) my name disappeared and I did not realize it.

I have not gone off half-cocked against Jeannie...you're simply expressing sour grapes over the rough rough rough patch she's been in this last month. I was questioning DW who was accusing me of things that simply haven't happened.

Previous Posts

Monday, March 27, 2006

McEwen monologue

27 Comments: