Others' Thoughts on Qualls

Pretty much everybody interested in Cincinnati politics was talking today about Roxanne Qualls' appointment and entrance into the race to be one of nine in November. Here's what a few had to say:



Charlie Winburn, Republican former councilman running again: No question Qualls will win. "She is strong. I think she did a pretty good job as mayor."


Councilman Chris Monzel, also a Republican: "I welcome her to City Hall."


Charter Committee President Michael Goldman: "Roxanne Qualls is a long time Charter supporter and that she will be assuming a seat on council held for 25 years by Bobbie Sterne and for 9 years by Jim Tarbell."


Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz, who’s pleased to have a third woman on council: "I’m looking forward to learning from her. It’ll be fun to see the experience she brings. She called me today and left me just the nicest message."



Pete Witte, president of the Price Hill Civic Club and organizer of the West Side POWR PAC, was hoping Charter would give the seat to Melanie Bates. His group endorsed incumbents Ghiz, Jeff Berding, Chris Bortz, Chris Monzel, Cecil Thomas, John Cranley and challengers John Eby and Bates.



"Roxanne wasn’t all that well connected to the West Side when she was on council and when she was running for Congress,’’ he said. "That’s why she never did that well on this side of town."



Told that Qualls did mention the West Side and the importance of it several times in her announcement speech today, he joked that he'd believe her - as soon as she eats a Landmark at Price Hill Chili.