Politics Extra: Politics open thread

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Politics open thread

There's a lot of political news in the Sunday Enquirer today. Post any comments here on

The death of Kabaka Oba

Bob McEwen's residency

The challenge to Cincinnati's new pot law.

51 Comments:

at 8:19 AM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

We tend to identify ourselves with those we love. We try to enter into their own souls and become waht they are, thinking as they think, feeling as they feel, and experiencing what they experience.

But there is no true intimacy between souls who do not know how to respect one another's solitude. I cannot be united in love with a person whose very personality my love tends to obscure, to absorb, and to destroy. Nor can I awaken true love in a person who is invited, by my love, to be drowned in the act of drowning me with love.

-Thomas Merton-

P.S. Just thinking of Kabaka... may his soul find eternal peace.

at 10:41 AM, April 16, 2006

Hyde Park Democrat said...

Concerning Mr. McEwen's residency: Wow! This article certainly gives the Schmidt folks (and Democrats,too)...some real red meat to chew on.

Sorry to mix metaphors, but isn't this sort of a knock-out punch for Bob?

at 11:13 AM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

No specific comment on the stories, just a thank-you to editors for starting the open thread. I hope it's a regular feature.

at 11:24 AM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

They are serving kool-aid at the McEwen headquarters today.

at 11:28 AM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Poor Bob McEwen after spending all his money on this race he won't be able to pay his mortgage on his million dollar mansion in Northern Virginia.

at 12:13 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Happy Easter to all!!

In the spirit of the Easter Holiday I will refrain from any comments about Bob"s residency other than to thank the Enquirer for finally pointing this out to the public!
I hope all Ohioans are enjoying their holiday with family and friends and I hope Mr. McEwen and family, and friends are enjoying their holiday in Virginia!

at 12:27 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Has anyone seen recent survey data on the Cranley v Chabot race. The most recent poll (as far as I know) had Cranley at 40%, which isn't bad considering how early it was.

I found this on Roll Call as a link from www.johncranley.com

"A new Democratic poll taken in the 1st district race showed Rep. Steve Chabot (R) leading Cincinnati City Councilman John Cranley (D) by a margin of 49 percent to 40 percent.

The poll, which was taken for Cranley’s campaign, also found that 46 percent of respondents said they would vote to re-elect Chabot, while 44 percent said they favored someone new.

The survey of 500 likely voters was conducted by Montgomery, Ala.- based Anzalone Liszt Research. It was taken March 1-5 and had a 4 percent margin of error.

This year, Chabot could face his toughest re-election race since 1998, when he defeated Cincinnati Mayor Roxanne Qualls (D) 53 percent to 47 percent in one of the hardest-fought contests of the cycle.

Cranley, then 26, challenged Chabot in 2000 and held the incumbent to 53 percent of the vote, although the contest did not garner much national attention or money.
Since that time, the Cincinnati-based district was redrawn to favor the GOP, and Chabot faced nominal opposition in 2002 and 2004, winning with 65 percent and 60 percent respectively."

at 12:43 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

When is the Enquirer going to report on the issues instead of these side show arguments? Yes, Bob McEwen was a lobbyist and his clients included foreign govts, including Uzbekistan, which btw provided assistance to us in our war against the Taliban. Perhaps Bob's efforts helped us there.

I'd rather talk about issues that actually affect us. We could discuss Bob McEwen's votes for Ronald Reagan's tax cuts and Jean Schmidt's votes for Bob Taft's tax hikes. We could talk about McEwen's consistent pro-life views, while Jean Schmidt flip flops on the issue like a John Kerry. There's a starting point.

at 12:54 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Another poll out there that is making waves is the one showing how vulnerable Phi Heimlich is. As the Post reported several months ago, a poll of 400 likely Hamilton County voters found that only 40% said the County was moving in the right direction, and ONLY 28% said they wanted to reelect Phil Heimlich to the County COmmission.

That's about as bad as it gets for an incumbent.

at 1:19 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Councilman David Crowley published this thoughtful commentary over at the Beacon on the problems with the marijiana legislation. Several follow-up comments invited council members who voted in favor of the legislation to post articles expressing why they voted for the law.

To Cecil Thomas and you others who passed this one. Here's your chance to step up to the plate. We're waiting!

at 1:30 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Bob should run in Virginia. Not OHIO. Go Jeanie and kick some Bob butt!!!

K.O. to McEwen!!!

at 1:54 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Nice to see the media/schmidt complex working like normal right before the election.

at 2:02 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

To say that John Boy Cranley didn't get national attention in his first, failed, attempt to unseat Congressman Chabot is either ignorant or forgetful of the past. Cranley was featured in an MTV "Choose or Lose" television documentary about his 2000 race.

Google Search for John Cranley and MTV

at 2:08 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

McEwen will become a major problem for the Blackwell campaign. Blackwell has been with McEwen at many of the church/political events. Petro will be all over this one. If Blackwell were smart he would cut and run from McEwen.

at 2:42 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Wow, oh boy...MTV. That's roughly the same as getting money and help from the DCCC.

at 4:20 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Wow, looks like Carpetbagging Bob is through. I wonder how Finney, Urling, and Shifrin will try to spin this. Tough luck, Bob. Go back to Virginia, I'm sure being a lobbyist will pay you more, anyway. While you are at it, maybe you should register to vote where you really live. You may want to hire a defense attorney also. I hope, for your sake, that no indictments your way come.

at 4:42 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Clermont,
If your idea of a leader is a check bouncing carpetbagger then you voted for the right person. The last I looked Schmidt doesn't live in the Milford school district. So whats your point? But unlike McEwen she has been a life long resident of the congressional district. Bob & Liz are going to be facing many felony charges. The McEwens are nothing but con artists and they sucked you in.

at 5:14 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Believe it or not, there's a large constituency out here that wouldn't vote for McEwen or Schmidt, and is looking for more definitive information on the Democrats running in the May primary. These people believe that neither of the above two is a worthy candidate and that we can do better, and help our nation achieve a better balanced government. I see that there will be a TV debate between McEwen and Schmidt; will there also be a broadcast debate between the Democratic candidates? Now that absentee ballots are available to all, we need that information further in advance than previously.

at 6:09 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Maggie and Malia:

I am in the know about what you have chosen to report and what you have chosen to spike.

Your decisions are despicable yellow journalism, trying more to influence the outcome of the election than report the news.

In all my years reading the Enquirer, I never remember them stooping to this level.

You own the ink and you own the paper, so there is little we can do to stop you or fight you, but you know what you have done and will have to live with it.

My gripe is not what you report, but more importantly what you refuse to report. And the slant on the few things about Jean that you do in fact report.

Cincinnati and America are seriously on the wrong track precisely because of the truth not getting to the voters.

You must live with what you have done.

at 8:25 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

I wonder if it was crowded in the two bedroom condo the McEwen's shared with 2 women?

at 8:35 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

I have been reading these blogs for a couple of days and find it amazing. So what is the big deal about where Bob lived and when? What is the big deal that he earned money while working in the private sector?? I mean are you people really upset that someone earns money while doing a job. I thought this was America, the home of capitalism and the American Dream. Lets see Bob earned a good living, bought a house and put his kids through school. You think if he was really worried about money he would run for Congress and take a pay cut. I have many friends who left Cincinnati for jobs to help better their lives and some have come home. Many came back because it was the right time for them and their family. Sounds like Bob is that person. He is Ohio born and bred and want to serve us. And yes believe it or not a congressman works in DC. Guess who knows DC better than Jean does. BOB!!! I could care less when someone lived where. We all move around in out lives. I lived away from Cincy but moved back. Glad I was not told to get out because I left for a while. What I care about is not a Check writing investigation that Bob was full exonerated from. Thats right he was investigated and found to have done nothing wrong. I am sure you all would feel it fair if you were told in public that you had done something that you were not gulity of. That is just plain not fair and sad that some of you stick to something that happened 14 years ago and Bob was found to have no fault in.

What I care about is who will best represent us. Jean embarrassed us all. SHe has lied on several occasions. Claimed endorsements that she did not get. She has pulled stunts that are just plain sad. She is that laughing stock of the congress. She will have no power for us. If you want to vote for a congressperson who can't get anything done and will not be taken seriously by those in congress vote for Jean.
Jean has made us a laughing stock and proven to have terrible judgement. Bob will get things done and will do things with grace and poise.

at 8:39 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 5:14 You level a very cogent question here. Alternatives. I suggest you log onto www.wulsinforcongress.com
and read both background on Victoria, and her commitment over the years to people on many levels. Her work on so many levels with medicine make her no stranger to well thought out and decisive solutions. Call her headquarters and ask to get with her for an informal conversation. Better yet, if you are unhappy we will bet that many of your friends and neighbors are, too. Ask her to come visit and speak to a group of you. Coordinate! Get to know.
This vote is dramatically important to the health, welfare and forward progress of the whole 2nd Congressional. You do not have to swallow a bitter pill again, get THE RIGHT PRESCRIPTION,
call Victoria. -----Kay and Lucian Wilbanks

at 9:08 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

McEwen residency = old news.

There isn't a single shred of new information in that story that ACTUALLY MATTERS.

I challenge any of the idiot Schmidt-heads to tell me why McEwen's former addresses have any bearing whatsoever on this election.

And for extra credit, those same people should also explain why Schmidt's resume lie ISN'T a big deal.

Once you limp your way through those two questions, try these:

Why hasn't Jean Schmidt spoken publicly about her education?

Why is residency important to the Enquirer, while integrity and education are not?

at 9:15 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Chabot's term limit pledge.
Chabot's junkets.
Chabot's stooging for Bush and DeLay.

Chabot, what happened????

at 10:05 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

I'm quite amused by those who claim that McEwen's residency and (probable?) vote fraud don't matter.

at 10:13 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Chabot=Liar. Lied about term limits, lied about ties to Abramoff, lied about ethics reforms.

Schmidt=Liar. Lied about her resume, lied about being a "true conservative" (whatever the hell that means), lied about her shoot-from-the-hip mouth ("Young Republicans=Nazis," "I hate Elizabeth Dole," etc.).

McEwen=Liar. Lied about where he lives. Lied when Strickland called him out for using Congressional computers for campaign purposes and was foolish enough to leave evidence for him to see. Lied about his rubber checks.

Bush=Liar. Lied about weapons of mass destruction. Lied about wanted to get to the bottom of the CIA leak. Lied about NSA illegal spying on American citizens. Lied about his National Guard service. Lied about wanting to resolve Iraq diplomatically before going to war. Lied about his own ties to Abramoff. Lied about John Kerry's heroic war record. Lied about Max Cleland's heroic war record.

Anyone else sensing a pattern here?

VOTE DEMOCRATIC IN 2006!

at 10:36 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

Re Schmidt's claim of a degree in education: Normally when one completes the necessary credit hours to earn a degree at any given college or university, one then applies to that institution for a degree. The college or university then determines if all is in order, and, if so, grants the degree. As far as I know, it is not up to an individual to declare that he/she has a degree when the required courses have been passed. It's not a matter of "picking it up" - as though the diploma is automatically awarded when courses are completed.

at 11:19 PM, April 16, 2006

Anonymous said...

The Enquirer believes in recycling old news.

This same McEwen residency story ran last year too. I guess I don't see what the big deal is.

As someone who's only been in Ohio for the past three years, I place exactly ZERO value on a Congresswoman who claims to have lived in Ohio her whole life.

But I do place a value on that person's integrity. Schmidt obviously has none, or she would have proven that she really did earn that degree by now, like she's been saying.

Bottom line, I'm voting for the candidate I can trust.

I can trust someone who owns property in Virginia.

I can't trust someone who has been lying about her education for her entire political career.

at 8:25 AM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

The biggest Racist in Cincinnati, Kabaka Aba, is now roasting in hell.

Doesn't the air smell so much cleaner today? Ahhhhhhh!

at 8:27 AM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

VOTE DEMOCRATIC

IT'S EASIER THAN WORKING

at 8:49 AM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

Wonder why Bob wants to go back to congress??
Lets see...
Goes to congress first time, gets the boot, lobbies for foreign governments, makes millions (lots more than congressional salary).
Also still has really nice house in Virginia plus a (temporary?)apartment in Anderson.

Now if he goes back to congress, gets reestablished(most of his old cronies are gone) gets the boot again, goes back to lobbying.
He should be worth lots more to those foreign governments as a more current congressman. Or maybe he will still be working for those foreign governments while he is in congress. Seems that it would be really easy to double dip while in congress, or maybe his son could take over his lobbying efforts.
Keep it all in the family, foreigners pay son, son lobbies dad, dad supports sons interests!!!

IS THIS HOW OUR GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK??

Sure seems to be the established way in DC.

I'm voting for someone who lives here, went to school here, goes to church here, comes home on the weekends, shops here, supports local people and local business, and tries her best to represent the issues that are important to Ohio second district.

at 9:28 AM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

$15,000.00 per month to Bob from a foreign government?? WOW!!

I think thats a lot more than Jean made as a Miami Township Trustee!!

at 9:45 AM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

bob mcewen is a huckster and a crook.

plain and simple.

at 9:58 AM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

It's too bad a petty racist with no influence or respect like Nate Livingston is the one challenging Cincinnati's extremist marijuana possession law. The law really needs a serious challenge, and Nate isn't up to the work.

at 10:42 AM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

Sooooo, Bob's website is down... does "Residency Gate" really have him pulling out?

That's the word on the street... anyone have any info on that?

Interesting to see VA-Bob cutting and running when the chips fall.

at 11:12 AM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

TB It's too bad a petty racist with no influence or respect like Nate Livingston is the one challenging Cincinnati's extremist marijuana possession law. The law really needs a serious challenge, and Nate isn't up to the work.

But that's the beauty of the legal system, TB, something that apparently escapes your comprehension. Justice is blind. It doesn't matter what you or anyone thinks of a plaintiff's personality or philosophy. If Nate (or anyone else) can hire an attorney and that attorney can make a good case, then the law may be challenged and/or overturned.

It's not "too bad" that someone you disagree with has access to the legal system. It's the saving grace of the system. Welcome to democracy.

at 11:43 AM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

How many felony's will McEwen's be charged with. Lying to the US Justice Department on his foreign lobbying documents is a big time violation. Could there be jail time for Bob and Liz?

at 12:05 PM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

I'm just saying it would be nice if someone who hasn't had dozens of lawsuits thrown out of court had filed suit against this law. Nate was also barred at one point from filing lawsuits until he paid filing fees because he had taken advantage of a clause that allows impoverished citizens to file without paying one too many times. Nate's lawsuits rarely go anywhere, because every judge in the region knows he's a lunatic (also because he's usually wrong). Yes, justice is blind, as it should be. But nobody, certainly no judge, takes Livingston seriously. He is a laughing-stock, and will be treated as such.

http://www.citybeat.com/2003-12-03/porkopolis.shtml

at 12:19 PM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know anything about a new listing of an apartment for sale on Ridgepoint Drive in Anderson???

at 12:41 PM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

So if he says he never received the letter from the Highland County Board of Elections telling him he should vote in Virginia, how did he know that he should go try his luck with the Hamilton County officials?

If he didn't get the letter, wouldn't he have just shown up at the polls in Highland County not knowing any better?

at 12:57 PM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

Geez, what a joke of an open thread...don't you Schmidt campaign people have anything better to do than to post and repost here "anonymously"?

Your candidate's a super-nasty hag, you've got work to do. And this is from someone who won't be voting for any Republicans.

at 1:00 PM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

Also of note:
The first quarter campaign financing reports were due to the FEC on Friday. Last quarter, McEwen had almost nothing in the bank.

Wonder what the new reports will show?

at 1:07 PM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

I don't see how Schmidt can say Bob is not a resident. Wasn't just three weeks or so ago that Schmidt sent McEwen saying she would not debate McEwen in front of the Anderson Township Republican Club because it was McEwen's "home club?" Now it seems to be that for the club to be McEwen's "home club" he has to be a long-time member and resident of the area. So by Schmidt's own admission in writing, he must be a resident.

Also, how is it the Willis Gradison had a house in Washington D.C. and lived there, but could also claim Ohio as his state of residence?

I conclude what McEwen did was legal or Willis Gradison could never have done the same thing.

at 1:42 PM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

If you are in public service, military, political or whichever, while you are in service your residency remains where you came from. When you are no longer in service, you must return to the area or establish residency in your new home.
14 years away makes Bob a proud Virginian not a loyal Ohioan!!!

at 2:26 PM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

If usefullidiot and you other anonymous voters want an honest republican that has no dirty history look at me Deborah Kraus I have been interviewed by the enquirer with the other two and was told I held my own pretty good. I am talking real issues like tax reform my husband and I had to pay big money today. Illegal immagration is on my web site as well as the other sound bite topics. Go to deborahkrausforcongress.org and see what a candidate for congress should really be about.

at 4:23 PM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

Some 1 shud tell deborah kraus that run on sentences improper speeling and nothing that resembles punctuation probably makes a bad umpression on votrs. And maybe jim parker coud hold a klas on blogging for canidates and can teech them all how to yoos magik beens in thair stump speeches.

at 4:23 PM, April 17, 2006

Anonymous said...

"I have been interviewed by the enquirer with the other two and was told I held my own pretty good"

debbie, your husband was just being supportive.

at 11:20 PM, April 17, 2006

Nathaniel Livingston Jr. said...

I love the internet!!! It gives fools like TB a place to share their opinions, even if their opinions are based on lies.

TB claims I've "had dozens of lawsuits thrown out of court". This is a lie and easy to verify. I've only filed suits in Hamilton County and the U.S. District Court. These cases are all public record. I challenge TB to prove his claim. It'll never happen, because the claim isn't true.

The truth is, I've won many more cases than I've lost. Those court victories have led to changes in the way things are done in this city.

TB claims that I was "barred at one point from filing lawsuits until [I] paid filing fees because [I] had taken advantage of a clause that allows impoverished citizens to file without paying one too many times." Another lie.

Here's what really happened. (This is supported by the CityBeat article linked to by TB. I guess TB never read the story.) I filed a poverty affidavit because, at the time, I was legally poor. When I arrived at court, the judge, known for grandstanding, didn't want to rule against the city so he refused to accept the information contained in the affidavit. As I recall, the judge essentially said that I couldn't possibly be impoverished because I was dressed nicely in a suit and tie. That's ridiculous.

at 11:23 PM, April 17, 2006

Nathaniel Livingston Jr. said...

The Enquirer apparently doesn't want people to know that signatures are being collected to place the city's new marijuana law on the November ballot. This step is in addition to the lawsuit filed last week.

at 9:55 AM, April 18, 2006

Anonymous said...

Can you provide us with a link, Nate. A search of your name would take too much time to see which cases you've won when most of what's on the Clerk of Courts website details lawsuits against you, and your very lengthy arrest record.

at 4:22 PM, April 18, 2006

Anonymous said...

On today’s Enquirer web page announcing that Rob Portman, TROTUS will soon become the new White House Budget Director, I couldn’t help but notice his resume states that he was a DC lobbyist for two years, and then later for the White House for the two years immediately preceding his first election to Congress. However, it’s widely known that Rob always voted in Ohio.

Isn’t it curious that Schmidt supporters aren’t also accusing Portman of being a criminal as they have the McEwens? They’d better be careful. They wouldn’t want to falsely accuse Cincinnati’s favorite son, a high ranking cabinet member, of being a criminal (as they have Bob and Liz). And if Rob is to be labeled a criminal by the Schmidt camp, shouldn’t Portman’s half-sincere endorsement be immediately removed from her website? What about Rob being one of those sleazy lobbyist, as Schmidt often refers to them?

And how many of you (yes, including you Ds who are surely salivating by now) were too lazy or ignorant to change your voting address when you attended college? In most states, if you reside more than half the year outside your precinct and returned to vote in it (or voted absentee), you may have committed the same crime you’ve accused the McEwen’s of committing. Should we check your voting record and sentence you to the same penalty many of you are calling for the McEwen’s?

How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite!

What about those of you who moved just prior to an election? With all that packing and unpacking, perhaps you forgot to change your address at the BOE before the deadline, and decided, “What the heck, I can vote in my old precinct just this one last time. I’ll simply change my address later. Know one will ever know.” If you did, you voted in a precinct in which you did not reside. Was that a violation of the law?

Finally, how about all those corporate employees and their spouses who are transferred to a foreign country for years, but still vote in their home precincts? Are they violating the law as you have falsely accused the McEwen’s?

Such things are done all the time, some with malice and some out of just plain ignorance. Is it illegal? In some cases perhaps, in others, no. Is it something that should prevent you or someone else from ever running for office? Doubtful to most voters.

The truth is, it probably depends on whose ox is being gored. Do you like the candidate? Then it’s okay. Do you hate the candidate? Then no way!

One thing about this story is indisputable. The timing smacks of desperation by Schmidt/Buchanan to maintain estrogen in the 2nd District that anyone with even an once of objectivity can see right through.

Buchanan’s dominatrix rule at the Enquirer (just ask all the men with seniority she replaced with less experienced women as soon as she was named Editor) forbids any factual reporting on Schmidt. And they're ordered to resurrect old negative stories about McEwen. It’s a very sad day for journalism in Cincinnati.

Oh, I almost forgot, Buchanan’s selective journalists did report about the time Schmidt traveled to Afghanistan on the taxpayer dime and the only thing we received in return was Jean’s highly informative statement, “I just loved the pink and gold upholstery in their palaces!”

That’s the hangover we get from an overdose of estrogen for estrogen's sake. If a woman has what it takes to represent the people in any political or corporate office, I’ll be the first to stand up for her God given right to be there. But when Schmidt tells women to support her solely because she’s the only woman in the race, she deeply offends all intelligent, hard working women in this country. As one that fits that description, that’s the day she lost my respect (I was there).

Previous Posts

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Politics open thread

51 Comments: