Smitherman, Smitherman, Smitherman
Chris Smitherman says he can be both NAACP president and city councilman.
Ben Fischer has the story in today's paper.
This didn't make the paper, but from the "strange bedfellows" department, here's some praise for Smitherman from COAST chairman Jim Urling, from an e-mail to Fischer:
"Chris Smitherman has shown this community tremendous courage and leadership in organizing the petition drive to repeal the sales tax increase forced upon us by Commissioners Pepper and Portune.
In the era of Bob Taft and Jean Schmidt, Todd Portune and David Pepper, who thoughtlessly embrace imposing burdens of ever higher taxes and spending upon the beleaguered citizenry, it is indeed rare that a politician from any political party shows the backbone to oppose the burden of oppressive taxation on our citizens.
COAST will consider Chris Smitherman's candidacy very warmly when it issues its endorsements for Council this fall. We all owe him a great debt of gratitude for his leadership at this critical time in our community. COAST will not soon forget his sacrifices at this important time."
Meanwhile, Greg Korte analyzes Smitherman's election loss on his Footnotes blog.
31 Comments:
at 9:33 AM, July 02, 2007 
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at 9:36 AM, July 02, 2007 
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at 9:48 AM, July 02, 2007 
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at 10:06 AM, July 02, 2007 
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at 10:08 AM, July 02, 2007 
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at 10:24 AM, July 02, 2007 
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at 10:54 AM, July 02, 2007 
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at 11:23 AM, July 02, 2007 
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at 11:35 AM, July 02, 2007 
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at 11:39 AM, July 02, 2007 
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at 12:38 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 12:49 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 2:59 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 4:21 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 4:30 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 5:14 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 5:43 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 6:08 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 6:22 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 6:34 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 6:56 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 7:33 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 10:18 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 11:02 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 11:48 PM, July 02, 2007 
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at 6:19 AM, July 03, 2007 
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at 7:09 AM, July 03, 2007 
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at 11:39 AM, July 03, 2007 
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at 4:36 PM, July 05, 2007 
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at 10:49 AM, July 10, 2007 
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Post a Comment*I guess Smitherman didn't get the hint when he failed to get re-elected that last time he ran. We have enough problems - he's the last thing this city needs.
I don't know that Smitherman deserves an endorsement based on the totality of his record, but I can admit he'd be a much better choice than anyone else on the left wing. At least Smitherman respects the role of the voters in the political process, which is a lot more than I can say for most Democrats and many Republicans.
It should also be noted that Smitherman is doing now what he didn't do on Council - look past race to build bridges with a diverse group of people. Is this a reformed Smitherman or just part of a Get Me Back on Council campaign? I'm keeping an open mind. Let the voters decide!
Should be great theater!
COAST and the green endorsement - sorry smithermen, that's the kiss of death for any political campaign.
Chris lost re-election largely due to his hostile treatment of Cincinnati police. Now he's organizing against the comprehensive safety plan. It's a pity that COAST likes crime and cop bashing more than taxes.
Finney, Smitherman and Jeffre. Team loser!
www.dumpdewine.com
Maybe DeWine will endorse him as well. Smitherman and DeWine have always been on the same page about opposing the police and efforts to make our City safe. They even agreed to try and keep the "Cops" show from filming in Cincinnati.
Smitherman is more qualified to sit on City Council than Minette Cooper, Brian Garry and Wendell Young, all endorsed Democratic candidates.
I'd trust Smitherman a lot more to be honest and act with integrity than Charlie Winburn or Sam Malone, two endorsed Republican candidates.
And Smitherman would do more in office than either Laketa Cole (D) or Chris Monzel (R), two "do-nothing" incumbents.
.
Has someone been kissing 'finney's fanny' !
PATHETIC !
HAD ENOUGH, VOTE DEMOCRAT 2007 !
Kudos to Smitherman!!!!
He has woken up and smelled the coffee. All of the nattering nayboobs that have an ax to grind with Finney and the greens can take a long walk on a short pier. If you haven’t cracked the code yet, it’s all about the money, and the chest-beating rights for being “tough on crime”. Could this need to build the MGM grand of jails have anything to do with Pepper’s grandstand pot law? A message to all political tax and spenders; the party is over. We have had enough. The shirtless masses shut down the runaway congress on this immigration thing, and this tax will not go un-noticed by the people. All who sees this travesty for what it is, another money grab from the gray-suited grafters, is fine with me.
Smitherman has shown the leadership to clean up the NAACP and double it's membership in just 90 days.
Smitherman built a coalition with AMOS and organized labor to get African American's on the Banks working group and bring inclusion to the table.
Now Smitherman's leading a broad coalition to give Hamilton County voters a voice and a choice on a regressive jail tax.
Smitherman is running again just like Winburn, Cooper, Malone and others. Smitherman is more qualified than the rest.
Smitherman now has broad support and the Enquirer won't be able to peg him as a divisive figure as they did in 2005.
WE'VE HAD ENOUGH!
VOTE GREEN 2007!
Smitherman for Council!
So he showed leadership at the NAACP, big deal. He didn't "clean up" city hall when he had the chance. How is Smitherman more qualified than others? Because he leads an organization that serves minorities?
Once again in Cincinnati, this election will be based on RACE!
What a joke.
Spencer & Judge Jones (who served as General Council for the NAACP from 1969 until 1989)are calling for him to resign, as it is a direct violation of their by laws.
The local NAACP is not incorporated in the State of Ohio, which means it falls under the National NAACP. The national organization has forced others to resign when running for public office in the past.
This is a fact: Smitherman fought for the job at the NAACP for his own benefit. If any of you think he wanted it for the good of the people... keep the wool over your eyes!
Will Cincinnatians ever elect those who have the City and it's future in mind? Cooper, Winbag, Malone, Smitherman have had their chance(s) to lead this city in the right direction. They didn't do much. Are they worth the sixty something thousand we pay our councilpersons?
VOTE November 6th!!!
Crowley
Monzel
Harris
Bortz
Check out their sites. They have the cities best interest in mind.
Let's make some changes Cincinnati!!
Didn't Harris used to be a liberal? His website emphasizes things like "streamlining government."
Citywatcher, you need to pay more attention. Nobody called for his resignation and he's not going to resign. Others have served as President of their local chapters and held public office at the same time.
The national might frown on it, but he doubled the membership of the local branch and that means more money is flowing to the national.
Smitherman's leading a coalition that is made up of mostly white people and you are unaware even though it's all over the news. Don't let your hate and racism get in the way of seeing reality.
What has Monzel, Bortz or Cranley done to clean up this city? Nothing!
Smitherman's recent coalition is to give Hamilton County voters a voice. It has nothing to do with race. It has to do with empowering the people of our county and city.
Smitherman will win again!
What is good for the NAACP is what matters most, and this is where the conflict becomes clear. It may help HIM to do both, but there are so many ways the organization might suffer.
- if fewer people go or give to the annual fund dinner because they don't like Smitherman's candidacy, the NAACP suffers BECAUSE of his candidacy
- if fewer people rally around the convention next year because he'll use it to showcase himself as a politician, then the NAACP suffers BECAUSE of his candidacy.
For the good of the NAACP, he should not do both.
Anon 5:14,
Could it be possible for Smitherman to conduct himself in the appropriate manner at the convention and check the politics of a city council run at the door? I think so.
After the public referendum sends this un-lawful money grab spiraling to the ground, It’s time for the NAACP to champion the greatest American equalizer ever; the abolishment of the tax code and a fair (HR24) tax installed.
Tell me where my conservative, lily-white ass can send a cheque.
Chris Smitherman has a strong track record as an environmental advocate. And if re-elected will once again regain the role as the strongest advocate on Cincinnati City Council for a broad range of progressive environmental causes including: reducing air pollution & its corresponding impact on human health, Environmental Justice, and expanding Cincinnati's network of bike trails, et al...
Howard M. Konicov
MSES/MPA
The Synthesis Foundation
No
Howard Konicov has a track record of being a nut.
Don't tell Smitherman what's good for the NAACP. He's doubled the membership in 90 days and the money is flowing in.
The Democrats are scared and they should be!
Smitherman's going to win again!
If nothing else he has sent all of the current council members into a real campaign freenzy. Many thought this election would be a walk in the park,now they have to really campaign.
It seems that during his off time he has learned how to play chess, this is an interesting position of power. Think about it, prior to running for the NAACP he was still viewed as radical 140 something votes and 90 days later he is a viable candidte for council again GREAT MOVE!!! Smitherman.
Smitherman likes to see his picture in the paper, likes power, and likes to preach to the crowd. For a group who wants a race blind society, they impose race at every junction.
Smitherman just flushed the credibility of the oldest civil rights organization in the country down the toilet, all for his own personal agenda.
Pretty pathetic.
You gotta feel bad for all the good people who supported his bid (the Slaters, the Spencers, Tyrone Yates, etc.). He sold them out.
Berding, Bortz, Ghiz and Cole love pictures, power, and to look down on the rabble that can't afford to pay for access.
Smitherman cares about the will of the voters. That's why he's leading the coalition to give Hamilton County voters. He's spending political capital, time and money for this effort.
What have you done anon?
Smitherman - Red, Blue, and now Green? He lacks the loyalty to forge a public service career, but he might have what it takes to be a politician. Shame on him.
And as to the Safety Plan - Smitherman's legacy to the black community will be more blacks helplessly and hopelessly entwined in the criminal justice system - do people even see that?
Chris Smitherman has a strong track record as an environmental advocate. And if re-elected will once again regain the role as the strongest advocate on Cincinnati City Council for a broad range of progressive environmental causes including: reducing air pollution & its corresponding impact on human health, Environmental Justice, and expanding Cincinnati's network of bike trails, et al...
Howard: what, specifically, did Smitherman accomplish vis-a-vis any of the above?
I advocate against drug use but I don't get off my butt and actually DO anything about it. I just say the right words. Will you support me?
What a clown. I really hope the nut wins because talk radio is never better when nuts like this are members of City Council. They do things that are a scream!!
Why did the President of the NAACP join the only all white political group (the green party) to run? Why didn't he run as an independant? Odd?
The Green Party isn't all white. Yossarian, you're a liar. The Green Party is the peace and social justice party.
The Democrats are pushing wars, jails and dracoian drug laws. The dixiecrats are in big trouble.
First let me say that Greg Korte's spatial analysis of election data is a thought provoking body of work and I for one value this contribution.
Next, one of the issues it highlights is the role of race and income level in Cincinnati politics. 42% of the City is African American, about 80% for the Environment and about 30%, as Pat Dewine's successful candidacies continue to demonstrate, ardently Anti Tax.
PAt Dewine, rhetoric aside, is the most consistent champion of the anti tax values. It is unfortunate though that as a marathon runner Mr. Dewine hasn't taken ANY initiatives on improving fine particulate pollution and its effect on the health of the some 1/2 million children, seniors, and outdoor athletes in Cincinnati and the surrounding region.
TO THE POINT: Race, the Quality of the Air we breath (and its corresponding effect on the quality of our health) and Fiscal Management, are not uniquely Republican or Democratic issues.
If memory serves me correctly, Lincoln was a Republican. The Republican Theodore Rosevelt started the Conservation movement at the beginning of the last century. And of course most recently it was the Democrat Bill Clinton and his Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin who managed the countries most responsible fiscal program in more than a generation.
I for one applaud Chris Smitherman, an articulate financial planner who now as President of the NAACP is clearly a leader in the African American community for leading on all of these issues.
I especially appreciate his continued leadership on the Environment.
Chris Smitherman has a strong track record as an environmental advocate. And if re-elected will once again regain the role as the strongest advocate on Cincinnati City Council for a broad range of progressive environmental causes including: reducing air pollution & its corresponding impact on human health, Environmental Justice, and expanding Cincinnati's network of bike trails, et al...
I think what Greg Korte's analysis best highlights is the divisive strategy that the racial, economic, & public health status quo used to smear Mr Smitherman among white voters in the 2005 City Council race. It's a divisive tactic that is likely to be repeated this year and it is a tactic Cincinnati voters are not as likely to condone the second time around..
Howard M. Konicov
MSES/MPA
The Synthesis Foundation
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