The Des Moines Register's take

Clinton: Bill advises me whenever he can
By JENNIFER JACOBS
The Des Moines Register

Hillary Clinton said she is bringing the leader of a key swing state with her to Saturday's Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Des Moines.

Clinton wants Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, who endorsed her Friday, to experience "one of the great political events that we have in America," she told reporters on a conference call announcing the endorsement this morning.

She said she wants Strickland to see "9,000 active Democrats being whipped up to get ready for the caucuses on Jan. 3."

The dinner, sponsored by the Iowa Democratic Party, is sold out.

Clinton pointed out that Strickland is a popular in Ohio. His approval rating was 69 percent during an Ohio Poll in May. Among Democratic voters, 75 percent like the governor's performance; 65 percent of Republican voters agreed.

Strickland said "these are very serious times for our nation," and Clinton has the best understanding of the problems and is the best prepared to lead.

"The road to the White House goes through Ohio," Clinton said, adding that she's proud to have Strickland traveling that road with her.

Schmidt at Vietnan Veterans Memorial

From the Schmidt office:

Congresswoman Jean Schmidt participates in the Reading of the Names, a ceremony to honor the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, also know as The Wall.

Congresswoman Schmidt read names at The Wall on Thursday November 8, 2007 as part of a 65 hour vigil over a four day period to read aloud the more than 58,000 names inscribed on it.

The Reading of the Names has taken place in Washington, D.C. just three other times, in 1982, 1992, and 2002 as parts of a National Salute to Vietnam Veterans, and The Wall’s 10th and 20th anniversary commemorations, respectively

Strickland endorses Clinton

Howard Wilkinson has the story here

Election 2007 is SO over...

So we have this about Election 2008...


And this about Election 2010 - or 2012!

Schneider, Jones promoted in House GOP majority

State Reps. Michelle Schneider and Shannon Jones have been promoted to majority leadership positions by Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted.

It's the first time in the history of the Ohio House that two women have served in majority leadership positions.

Husted, R-Kettering, announced the changes Wednesday.

Schneider, a Republican from Madeira, had been serving as assistant majority whip, the fifth-ranked GOP post behind Husted. She becomes majority whip, a post recently left vacant by former Rep. Bill Seitz' appointment to the Ohio Senate.

Jones, a Republican from Springboro, was chosen to fill Schneider's spot as assistant majority whip.

"This is a significant day for Representative Schneider, Representative Jones and for our caucus," Husted said in a news statement. "I have no doubt that the two – in conjunction with our entire leadership team – will continue to provide strong leadership for the members of this chamber. I’m proud of them both and am looking forward to the work we’ll accomplish in the days and months ahead."

"I am honored to carry this responsibility during the remainder of this General Assembly," Schneider said.

Jones said, "I have a lot to learn and a lot to share and I’m looking forward to the opportunity and the work we can accomplish together."

F.O.P. Election

We mentioned last week the race for Cincinnati's police union presidency, which seems like it will put incumbent Kathy Harrell, the first woman ever to hold the position, against challenger Don Meece.


Meece said he would be elevating the level of campaigning, but we didn't quite expect this: http://www.donmeeceforfoppresident.com/.


It's a professional campaign Web site hosted by http://www.campaignsecrets.com/. Among the clients: the Republican parties of Colorado, Texas, Tennessee; North Carolina, Georgia and Delaware.


The site gives candidates tips on fund-raising, Web site development and communication. Even dealing with the media.


(We don't much care for this piece of advice on dealing with media: "One of the most common mistakes candidates make during interviews is allowing reporters to control the topic, tone, and pace of the interview. Reporters accomplish this with all kinds of tricks like speeding up, slowing down, addressing random topics, interrupting, acting upset, disagreeing, and that’s just the beginning.") Tricks?


Nominations happen later this month, with officers voting Dec. 17.

Backers Taking Credit Today

Now that all 332 Cincinnati precincts have been found and counted, those who supported the winners are calling attention to their good fortune:



First, Pete Witte, of Price Hill Civic Club and POWR PAC, which saw seven of its nine endorsees elected: "I think this council can get things done, and no learning curves or excuses."



Then, from Scott Seidewitz, whose Seidewitz Group helped three of the top four vote-getters - Roxanne Qualls, Vice Mayor David Crowley and Cecil Thomas:



For Qualls, the agency used an extensive direct mail campaign, he says, that included pieces targeting African American voters and voters who had registered in Cincinnati since 1997, Qualls’ last year on the City Council ballot.

This is the fourth consecutive election in which The Seidewitz Group served as media and strategy consultant for Crowley, beginning with his upset victory as an unknown first-time Council candidate in 2001.

Thomas surprised many pundits by improving his finish from ninth in 2005 to fourth this year. The Seidewitz Group developed the campaign’s message strategy and a targeted direct mail campaign that helped Thomas significantly increase his vote total in African American precincts.
Seidewitz also helped unsuccessful people and causes: direct mail for Joan Kaup and for the Yes on Issue 27 campaign.

We apologize

Blogger seems to be having some hiccups today. If you want to talk about the election, I'd suggest the discussion board at Enquirer.com

If you need to a provisional ballot

From Hamilton County Board of Elections:

Casting a Provisional Ballot - Is Easy as 1-2-3

Provisional Voting is available for Ohio voters who have moved and/or
changed their names and did not change their address with the Board of Elections
or the Ohio Secretary of State by the October 9, 2007 voter registration
deadline for the upcoming November 6, 2007 General Election
If you are registered to vote and moved within Hamilton County, or registered
to vote in Ohio and moved from another county in Ohio or changed your
name:

On Election Day—November 6th

You can go to the Hamilton County Board of Elections Office at 824 Broadway,
2nd Floor in downtown Cincinnati or to the polling place in the precinct
where your new voting address is located and
a) Submit a change of address or change of name form
b) Compete a Provisional Affirmation Envelope
c) Vote a Provisional Ballot for your new voting address

Where's Leslie?

From the Ghiz campaign:

ELECTION DAY SCHEDULE FOR COUNCILWOMAN LESLIE GHIZ / CITY-WIDE GRASSROOTS TOUR

Cincinnati City Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz will be traveling to Cincinnati polling places on Election Day November 6, 2007. During the last 10 days of the campaign Leslie Ghiz and her dedicated Elect Leslie Ghiz volunteers from every part of the city walked door to door in 94 Cincinnati precincts. On Election Day Ms. Ghiz will continue this grassroots campaign reaching out to voters with her message that safer streets will make Cincinnati a better place to live, work and play.

To arrange interviews or comments from Councilwoman Ghiz, or schedule updates, please contact Ted Jackson at (513) 378-8424. A schedule of her city-wide tour is below, and Leslie Ghiz will be voting at her polling place, North Avondale Community Center at approximately 6:45 am to 7:00 am.

Stop #
Region
LOCATION
ADDRESS
7:30 AM-1PM, STOPS ARE SCHEDULED FOR 20 MINUTES EACH WITH 10 MIN TRAVEL TIME ACCOUNTED FOR BETWEEN STOPS
1
CENTRAL
NORTH AVONDALE COMM CTR
617 CLINTON SPRINGS
2
EAST
KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
3400 MICHIGAN AV
3
EAST
THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER
2944 ERIE AV
4
EAST
HYDE PARK BETHLEHEM METHD
3799 HYDE PARK & MADISON
5
EAST
HYDE PARK COMM UNITED METH CH
1345 GRACE AV
6
EAST
AULT PARK PAVILION
5090 OBSERVATORY CIRCLE
8
EAST
MT WASHINGTON PRESBY CHURCH
6474 BEECHMONT AV
8
EAST
MT WASHINGTON BAPTIST CH
2021 SUTTON AV
9
EAST
AMERICAN LEGION POST #484
1837 SUTTON AV
10
EAST
CAMBRIDGE ARMS COMMUNITY
3751 EASTERN HILLS LN
11
EAST
CROSSROADS COMMUNITY CHURCH
3500 MADISON RD
12
CENTRAL
PLEASANT RIDGE COMM CTR
5915 RIDGE AV
12
CENTRAL
NATIVITY SCHOOL CAFETERIA
5936 RIDGE AV
4:00PM-7:30 pm, STOPS ARE SCHEDLUED FOR 10-15 MINUTES EACH WITH 10 MIN TRAVEL TIME ACCOUNTED FOR BETWEEN STOPS
1
CENTRAL
COLLEGE HILL RECREATION CENTER
5545 BELMONT AV
2
CENTRAL
MT AIRY UNITED METHODIST
2645 NORTH BEND RD
3
WEST
WESTWOOD LIBRARY
3345 EPWORTH AV
4
WEST
WESTWOOD 1ST PRESBY CH
3011 HARRISON AV
5
WEST
WESTWOOD U M CHURCH
3460 EPWORTH AV & URWILER
6
WEST
WESTWOOD TOWN HALL
3017 HARRISON AV
7
WEST
CENTRAL CHURCH OF CHRIST
3501 CHEVIOT AV
8
WEST
CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
2559 MONTANA AV
9
WEST
ST TERESA CHUR-AVILA HALL
1175 OVERLOOK AV
10
WEST
ST LAWRENCE CHURCH
3680 WARSAW AV
11
WEST
PRICE HILL CHURCH OF CHRIST
4430 WEST EIGHTH ST
12
WEST
ST WILLIAMS CHURCH MTG RM
4108 W EIGHTH ST

Streicher endorses Issue 27?

UPDATE:

Jane Prendergast reports:


Chief Tom Streicher said he has always been supportive of the plan, but had tried to stay out of the politics of it to avoid any conflict with council members' opinions of it. But when he heard Leis on the radio Monday with Bill Cunningham, he decided to call in an add his thoughts.

"I've always said there is a need for additional jail space," he said, "and a comprehensive plan to address people who are involved in criminal activity in the county."

His view is different from that of the Fraternal Order of Police, which urged people to vote against the tax. The chief said the union is entitled to its opinion, but "I think that this is something that speaks about the greater good."



The campaign for Issue 27 (the sales tax increase to build a new jail and fund public safety programs) says Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher voiced his support on the radio Monday. Here's the press release:

Cincinnati Chief Streicher Endorses Issue 27


This afternoon, Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher called into WLW's
Bill Cunningham show to announce his support for Issue 27. He called
during an interview with Sheriff Simon Leis.


Streicher said safety affects everyone in the city and county, and
agreed with Sheriff Leis that the plan was desperately needed to address
the early release of criminals that have occurred for years due to jail
overcrowding. Streicher, pointing out that a sales tax means that much
of the cost of Issue 27 will paid by those who live outside Hamilton
County, called Issue 27 a "no lose proposition."


Streicher joins a broad coalition of organizations and leaders who have
endorsed Issue 27, including the Hamilton County Police Chiefs
Association. To view the full list visit www.safercommunity.org.

NAACP candidate report card

The NAACP graded Cincinnati City Council members and doled out a whopping five F's, two D's, one C and one B. Find out who got what.

view report card

Christopher Smitherman urges members to review it before voting..

The NAACP Report card is a tool for tomorrow's election. I encourage you to read the report card closely prior to voting. If you would like you certainly can take the report card with you to the polls tomorrow instead of being handed information as you walk through the doors. We encourage you to share the report card with your family and friends and encourage them if they are not members to join the NAACP.

With just 2000 strategic votes the entire outcome of the City Council Election can change. Remember to power vote tomorrow, which means you do not have to vote for 9 people for council. Power voting allows all of the NAACP member ballots to make a stronger impact on the election.

As the President of the NAACP I can not endorse candidates but I can provide you with a report card. VOTE SMART and VOTE NO ON ISSUE 27.

President Christopher Smitherman
Cincinnati NAACP Branch

CPS beat notes

Some notes from the Cincinnati Public Schools beat about 14 hours before polls open:

A single piece of campaign literature for the team of school board challengers Michael Flannery, Chris Nelms and Eve Bolton sat on a table inside CPS' district offices today. Those three enjoy the strong support of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers.

Its placement was a clear violation of district policy, confirmed district spokeswoman Janet Walsh. According to elections laws, the district would probably be required to give equal time to Rick Williams, the incumbent candidate trying to win another term tomorrow. (Williams did not immediately return a phone call today.)

"We don't allow any kind of campaign materials, be they be candidates or issues on CPS property," Walsh said. "Occasionally something gets by our notice; we remove them."

Walsh said it would be difficult to determine who placed the document there.

The 8.5-by-11 piece of paper read "Dear Supporters: Please assist "The Team" via e-mail by forwarding the following message to family, friends and colleagues. Encourage them to do the following: Vote for the Team: Bolton (Eve), Nelms (Chris), Flannery (Michael).

The document sat in public view on a table in the district's front hallway for at least three hours on Monday, from at least 12:45 p.m. to about 3:45 p.m., when public relations employee Dawn Grady confiscated the document after the Enquirer asked about it.

Also, Fairview German Language School in University Heights took down a pro-tax levy item on its Web site today after the Enquirer asked about it. Principal Karen Mulligan said she was unaware of the item until today, and promptly removed it. Here's a screen shot of the Web site before the item was removed. The school-run Web site advocated a "yes" vote on Issue 22, in violation of state laws and a 2002 out-of-court agreement with Citizens Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes that prevent public resources from being used for political purposes.

Meanwhile, the Pro-Issue 22 people are in the midst of a last-minute campaign blitz, holding a Honk-In today at about 10 intersections across the city during rush hour. This weekend, CPS board member John Gilligan lent his voice to 65,000 robocalls advocating a "yes" vote as well, said campaign manager Theresa Lubic, following up 45,000 from Superintendent Rosa Blackwell. Lubic said the campaign is expecting another $20,000 in last-minute contributions from businesses.

When's election day?

Evendale resident Poul Pederson tells the Enquirer that he received a strange call today on Issue 27, the sales tax increase to fund a new jail and public safety programs. Either the caller was misinformed and also looking at the wrong calendar, or was being deceptive, said Pederson.

Pederson said the caller gave a statement in support of Issue 27, then asked if she could count on Pederson's support "Tuesday next week."

"I said you mean tomorrow night, right?" Pederson said. "She said 'No, Tuesday the 13th.'"

Pederson said he initially thought she was rattling off a message that was supposed to have gone out a week ago. So he called the Issue 27 campaign and asked what was going on. The campaign said it is placing no live calls today whatsoever, let alone calls giving the wrong election date.
Commissioner David Pepper confirmed this.

So where did the mysterious call come from?

No one knows.

The Issue 27 opponents say it wasn't them.

"We are not putting false information out there," said campaign spokesman Jason Gloyd. Voters may recieve a robo-call from State Rep. Tom Brinkman, but no live callers, and no phony dates, he said.

Bike Trail Supporters: Vote for These 3

Jeff Schloemer, a downtown lawyer who's been working for years to get a bike trail into downtown, sent out an e-mail today to bike-trail supporters, urging them to vote for the three Cincinnati City Council members he says have been most helpful: Jeff Berding, John Cranley and Chris Monzel.


"Other Council Members certainly provided their support," he writes, "but these three worked behind the scenes and led on this project to ensure that real progress was made."

Sheriff's workers don pro-tax t-shirts

Some civilian employees at the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office wore pro-Issue 27 t-shirts to work today. But it wasn't at the request (or order) of the sheriff, Simon Leis, according to sheriff's office spokesman Steve Barnett.

Barnett didn't know how many workers donned the t-shirts today, but said most sheriff's office workers support the sales tax. Issue 27 would build a new jail and fund public safety programs. About a third of the sheriff's office's 1,060 employees are civilian (meaning they aren't in uniform and therefore have leeway on their dress).

Oh, and Barnett made sure to note the t-shirts were not paid for by the sheriff's office either. Leis, an avid Issue 27 supporter, was sued for allowing letters to be sent and e-mailed to county workers urging them to support the tax. He later allowed anti-sales tax letters to be sent to workers too as part of a settlement.

Barnett said he saw no workers wearing anti-sales tax t-shirts.

CincyPac: Don't Forget To Vote

The young professionals PAC today reminds people to vote for these seven people the group says "have the vision and know-how to make our city inviting and appealing to young professionals."

Jeff Berding
Chris Bortz
Laketa Cole
John Cranley
Pat Fischer
Greg Harris
Roxanne Qualls

http://www.cincypac.com/

You Honk, Garry Waves

See Brian Garry today, 5 p.m., at the corner of Clifton Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr.

He'll be waving to passersby.


From his campaign today: "We must focus on living wage jobs, affordable housing and health care as well as providing alternatives to street life like keeping our pools and recreation centers open. I'm proud to bring these issues to our political table and I see my role as bringing good jobs to people to provide them with the opportunity necessary to lift themselves up out of unfortunate conditions. While building new developments is critical to our future we must also help people build their lives."

Pepper urges Yes vote on Issue 27

Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper makes a final request to those on his e-mail list to vote Yes on issue 27-- the sales tax increase to build a new jail and fund public safety programs.

Dear friends:

Tuesday is a critical day for Hamilton County. There are many important issues and races on the ballot, so please be sure to vote to have your voice heard on all those races.

As you vote, I respectfully ask for your vote on Issue 27.

At the County, we have worked hard to put together a plan that, finally, addresses our safety and criminal justice needs in a responsible way. Unlike past approaches, we have reached across party lines to craft a bipartisan solution--one that balances the need for more effective enforcement with the equally important need for more effective prevention, intervention and rehabilitation. Issue 27 addresses a short-term crisis of jailspace, while putting into place long-term, proactive reforms that will keep such crises from reemerging in the future, while creating a far more effective and efficient system.

Our goal is that the Comprehensive Safety Plan will not only make our community safer in the short- and long-term, but will create a national model of how to bring safety to a community in a thoughtful, comprehensive way--and not just through the same costly band-aids and political slogans that we've seen fail for too long. And a comprehensive approach is far more cost-effective, in the end, than the desperate jail-only bandaids that some continue to push for.

We are honored that as individuals and groups have come to understand our plan, they have overwhelmingly endorsed it. The Democratic Party. The Republican Party. The Charter Committee. Law enforcement leaders. Civil rights leaders. Religious and business leaders and groups. Even groups that initially opposed it have now lined up in favor of it. And, just yesterday, the Enquirer joining the Post. It is a remarkable coming together on such a difficult subject. Click to read their endorsements: Enquirer and Post.

Before voting, if you have any final questions about Issue 27, we answer almost every question imagineable at the website, www.safercommunity.org. Feel free to call the campaign if you have any more after that.

Tuesday is a great opportunity to change from a failing status quo--a status quo of high crime, high recidivism, and millions being wasted propping up a system that is not working.

Tuesday is a great opportunity to build a safer community, in the right way.

Again, I ask for your vote on Issue 27.

Thank you.

David

PS -- Feel free to come by LeBoxx Cafe at 819 Vine Street, beginning at 7 p.m. to watch election returns.

NAACP: Yes on schools, no on sales tax

Local NAACP president Christopher Smitherman thinks companies should have donated more money to the campaign to pass the Cincinnati Public Schools levy. But instead, it appears they donated it to support issue 27, the sales tax increase to fund a new jail and public safety programs. Smitherman's not happy about it and lets his membership know in an e-mail. He also urges a Yes vote on the schools, and No vote on sales tax.

Here's the e-mail:
Dear Membership,

I would like to share with you the public records on who is giving big money to support the jail tax in Cincinnati. These same contributors are not giving big money to support Yes on 22 which is the school levy for our public schools. I am not sure if members are aware that 70% of the children that are in public schools are African Americans. However, disproportionally the number of people filling our jails are African Americans. When you have been listening to the different ads by African American citizens trying to convince you that jails are the answer I just wanted you to know who was funding them and behind their voice. The message from these corporations and wealthy citizens is clear. I think that the message is let's over invest in jails and under invest in education.

What is most chilling is the $15,000 contribution from Children's Hospital to support the building of a new jail. I wonder if Children's Hospital's Board is aware that their hospital is out funding a jail. Also, I want you to know that the infant mortality rates in Hamilton County for African American babies is 20.4 per thousand. The infant mortality rates in Hamilton County for White babies is 6.2 per thousand. The difference in infant mortality between African American babies and White babies in Hamilton County is over 300% higher. This is why I found it particularly chilling to see Children's Hospital while facing Third World Country infant mortality rates in Hamilton County supporting a jail. The Cincinnati Branch of the NAACP continues to urge its members to VOTE NO on ISSUE 27 and VOTE YES on ISSUE 22.

--President Smitherman
Cincinnati NAACP Branch

Jeffre, Salsa, Pizza and The Stomp

Cincinnati City Council candidate Justin Jeffre's celebrating early - tonight, 7-10 p.m., at The Mad Frog, 1 E. McMillan, Mount Auburn. Free salsa lessons starting at 9 p.m., before the band Tropicoso starts at 10 p.m.

We know Jeffre can move, being that he used to be in the band 98 Degrees. So this might be pretty interesting - the party announcement says he'll unveil a new dance called the Jail Tax Stomp. As he has campaigned for council, he also has been urging voters to oppose the tax increase that would build a new Hamilton County jail.

We'll get back to you on what time the Stomp is actually happening.

Xavier student pundits

From Xavier University:

For the third year in a row, more than a dozen Xavier University students will be on the front lines when they will help anchor election night coverage for CitiCable on Tuesday, November 6. CitiCable, cable channel 23, is the government access channel for the City of Cincinnati.

The students, who are sophomores in the Philosophy, Politics and the Public (PPP) honors program, will do live reports and analysis from the Hamilton County Board of Elections during CitiCable’s election night coverage from 8:00-11:00 p.m. The coverage is part of the students’ assignment for a “Mass Media & Politics” class.

In addition to reporting election night numbers, the students will also provide analysis on Cincinnati’s city council race and key citywide ballot issues. They will also take a broader look at election campaigns and how they function.

“The students provide a detailed look at registered voters and how wards and precincts can play key roles in campaign strategy,” explains Gene Beaupre, director for government relations and PPP professor.

Roxanne and her new friend, Chris

The Charter Committee sent out an interesting mail piece last week - one that features two of their candidates, Roxanne Qualls and Chris Bortz, who are, as they say, "working together for Cincinnati's Future."

This joint campaign piece by one candidate who is assumed to be a sure winner (Qualls) and one who is fighting hard to win a second term (Bortz) may well be about settling a debt. Qualls doesn't particularly need to team up with Bortz to win, but Bortz will take all the help he can get.

And Qualls may owe him one.

After all, it was her appointment to council two months ago that, inadvertently, cost Bortz a cross-endorsement from the Republican Party.

When Jim Tarbell announced he was leaving council early, he made it clear he wanted Qualls, the former mayor who had always run as a Democrat with Charter support, to be his successor.

The way it works at city hall is that every council member, at the beginning of his or her term, files a "successor designate" form, in which he or she names the council member or council members who appoint his or her replacement in case of death or resignation.

Tarbell had designated Bortz, his fellow Charterite; and Bortz was bound by a pledge to Tarbell and Charter to appoint whoever they wanted to fill the vacancy.

Of course, that turned out to be Qualls.

When the appointment was made, Bortz was only a few days away from a meeting with Republican party leaders on the question of whether or not they would endorse his re-election bid. It seemed, at the time, pretty certain that they would.

Then, when he had to do his duty and appoint Qualls, the GOP dropped the idea of a cross-endorsement. After all, Qualls' presence on the ballot made it that much harder for Republican candidates to break through and win. The cross-endorsement was shelved.

Under the circumstances, a joint mail piece is the least Qualls could do for Bortz.

Crowley's anti-Iraq war message

Here's a campaign mail piece that had to be pretty carefully targeted, we're guessing:

Democratic incumbent David Crowley sent one out last week that deals not with crime, or neighborhood, or even the Banks project, but the war in Iraq.

The cover features a close-up shot of Crowley supporter Jody Grundy of Clifton, the mother of Major David Grundy, an emergency medicine physician who, as a U.S. Army reservist, is about to do his third deployment in Iraq.

"Our whole family believes strongly in service, including military service when necessary,'' Jody Grundy says in the mailer. "We are grateful for the service of our troops and we support them. But endless war and repeated deployments do not support our troops."

Crowley, she says, is the "one local official (who) has had the courage to speak out strongly against the war from the very start."

Crowley, a U.S. Navy veteran, caused a stir in city hall when he introduced a resolution to put council on record as being opposed to the troop surge in Iraq. It passed on a 5-4 vote.

"I served my country in the Navy and I support military men and women like David Grundy,'' Crowley says in the mail piece. "But I also recognize that war comes at a great price to local communities. In addition to the tragedy of losing young men and women, wars redirect federal resources away from local priorities. Social services, infrastructure investment and local law enforcement all suffer."