Politics Extra: Dem, GOP strike deal

Friday, January 04, 2008

Dem, GOP strike deal - sorry, voters

Howard Wilkinson and Sherry Coolidge have the story here

The choice for Hamilton County voters for the two county commission seats up for election this year will be no choice at all, thanks to an unprecedented last-minute deal between the county’s Republican and Democratic parties.

Republican sources say that Democrat county commissioner Todd Portune will have no Republican-endorsed opponent this fall; and that the Republicans’ choice to replace Pat DeWine as county commissioner, current clerk of courts Greg Hartmann, will be given a free pass by the Democrats.

46 Comments:

at 1:41 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

As a Republican I have to say this is total BS. Why negotiate to stay in the minority? I guess if the Republican "leadership" doesn't care anymore, neither do I. I will vote a TOTAL Democratic ticket this fall. First time I will be voting for the Democrats.

at 1:59 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

Amen.

I am a member of the Hamilton County Central Committee. There will not be a single Republican sign in my yard this year. I probably should go ahead and resign, but we never meet anyway so what's the point?

Hmmmm... a Portune sign or a Wulsin sign might look good in my yard.

George Vincent just waved the white flag. Is he part-French or something?

at 2:07 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

We wanted to get PORTUNE off of County Commission, why was the GOP thinking? OR Did the GOP not have a strong enough player to run against PORTUNE? Just do not understand this bargaining.

We wanted a REPUBLICAN majority not a REPUBLICAN minority. Want not ask Leslie Ghiz-Aziz to run for she could whip Mr. Portune's rear-end. Has she ever considered or been asked to run for higher office? What a wonderful candidate she would be!

Congratulations to Greg Hartmann! Who will take his spot as Clerk of Courts?

Run LEIS versus PORTUNE. Then, have him win, step down and appoint another REPUBLICAN. The democrats play this type of politics all the time. I certainly hope a unendorsed REPUBLICAN can run against PORTUNE and beat him.

God bless Hamilton County! We know Pepper and Hartmann will do well together. But ... PORTUNE is not the answer for the other seat that he was just handed.

at 2:27 PM, January 04, 2008

usefullidiot said...

HEY LIEBARRYGIRL........

Is now the time for me to get involved??????????

at 2:38 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

I love the title of this story, "Dem, GOP strike a deal - sorry, voters." What irony...

I don't feel sorry for the voters at all. If the voters continue to elect these "leaders" who would rather cut a deal than run an election based on the merits of the candidates, then the voters deserve exactly what they get...deals that keep the same do-nothings in leadership.

Sorry voters, indeed.

at 2:54 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

PEACE IN OUR TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

at 3:12 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

The Republican party supports Portune. Why not? They supported the social services (plus a jail) tax he pushed. This news is as filthy as it gets.
Please, please, someone other than that addlepated Hyde Park dude needs to run against Portune.

at 3:32 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

This is just another example of the powerful getting what they want and the working people of the county getting screwed again. How can change occur in a town when there is no one to choose from. We will have the same commission that does nothing but mess with county jobs, employees livelihoods and public services, they will just have new faces. County employees and public services will once again bear the brunt of the cuts and choices made by a few people behind closed doors who pull the strings. Those are the people with 6 figure incomes, members of their families all in jobs that were handed to them and no sense of what it means to try and survive with a low paying county job, no raises, increased cost of living, and decreased public services. It is an OUTRAGE.

at 3:47 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

Not surprising when it appeared that all
George Vincent had to take on Portune was the anti-tax zealot Rothenberg, the
long-ago-has-been Wilke and two-time
loser Winburn. No wonder he threw in
the towel!

at 3:51 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

After watching the same 9 incumbents get re-elected (by the voters, no less) to Cincinnati City Council, I am convinced that both Portune and DeWine would have easily won. (Remember the polls showing Winburn and Bates on Council in October?)

DeWine was too insecure to run. Guess he forgot the polls showing him as the early favorite in the primary. Things change.

DeWine was on the winning side of the jail tax. Yes, it won in Republican areas-- all 5 of them. It won in Green Twp, the Village of North Bend, Indian Hill, Wyoming, and Terrace Park. The margins were narrow enough that they were more than canceled out by the margin of defeat for the tax in Anderson Township alone.

Contrary to what an earlier poster said, it didn't win in Cheviot, Delhi, or the West Side wards.

That said, it will be nice to see the 3 City Council Alumni not campaigning against each other for once. They went at each other lat year over the jail tax. They went at each other in 2006 with Heimlich on the ballot and control of the commission at stake. You had Heimlich stabbing Dowlin in the back in 2004, creating nearly a year of a lame-ducker having to deal with the guy in his own party who sold him down the river.

Really, only one of the last 4 years, 2005, did not have intense politicking interfering with the work of the commissioners.

I am hopeful, not realistic, that they will be able to be a little more cooperative and productive this year and work on solving some of the County's serious problems.

at 5:05 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

The facts are somehow being ignored for conspiracy theory. Hartmann and Portune are extremely hard to beat and no one wants to waste the money. Did the republicans and democrats talk? Probably. But the fact remains that there are few if any democrats who would cross parties over the jail issue and vote against Portune. He also picked up several Republicans because he had the balls to do what he thought was right by attempting to solve a 20 year problem ignored by republicans past. Good luck boys.

at 5:17 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

well, either Greg Harris is finished in politics for participating in this charade, or he's cemented his appointment to either Cranley's or Crowley's Council seat.

Still lots of opportunity for independents to get in. I hope the Republicans' animus toward Todd is now silenced, and Democrats' toward Republicans. Y'all are now officially "one and the same."

at 5:55 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

Why the shock?

The money isn't there to knock an incumbent like Portune off -- it would take someone with favorable name recognition and capital to win at this point, and nobody in the Republican party is positioned for that right now.

Same reason nobody is running against Deters for county prosecutor -- it's tough to get someone to sign on for a losing cause when their own political capital is at stake.

at 6:40 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

This is why I haven't embraced the Dems after seeing how profoundly and thoroughly the Repugnicants ruined everything they touch. no reason to believe 2008 would be anything other than anothermassive blue tide as ordnary Americans finish the job of removing the corrupt repugnant Gang of Pedophiles. Dems could have swept every office in the county.

at 8:09 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

The HC Republican Party leadership are nothing more than a bunch of defeatists. The George "if you can't beat them join them" Vincent wing of the party is firmly in control. Values be damned.

at 9:02 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

I am a Democrat. I supported Portune, until today.

He should have the courage to participate in a real election and explain why he has supported the things he has.

Little by little we lose power over our democracy. The decisions are made by the political bosses (Burke should be removed) and business interests.

We are left out, and we do NOTHING.

I guess we get what we deserve. They are smiling at party headquarters and in the board rooms.

But we have been sold out.

If anyone files against any of these candidates, VOTE FOR THEM.

Show the world who owns the government.

at 9:05 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

What Burke did was not only elect Hartman, but the County Recorder and Treasurer as well, not to mention 10 judges, at least half of whom deserve to lose.

Thanks Tim.

at 9:16 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

Portune = Menace

at 10:21 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

Harris will run as an Independent. Because now he knows he got the shaft by his own party. Watch also for Tim Burke to be replaced...his own party will finally take out the trash. There's more deals going on behind the scenes.

at 11:13 PM, January 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

I hope at least one brave independent Democrat steps forward to run against Hartmann. This will be a year for Democrats to win on all levels - local and nationally. It wouldn't even take a lot of money - just "Democrat" after the candidate's name. Hartmann is, after all, a carpetbagger from Texas, not a known entity to most Hamilton county voters.

The national Party wants Democrats to compete on all levels. That is how name recognition grows and prepares elected officials for the next level. No wonder this area is so poorly represented in leadership positions on the state level, when the Democrats cede elections and the best SW Ohio can offer is a Bob Taft. Remember when Mike Allen had to resign and the Dems had no official opposition and Rucker nearly won as a write-in? If he or some other had had the gumption to run on the Dem. ticket, he would have been a shoe-in that year.

at 10:17 AM, January 05, 2008

Quimbob said...

This shouldn't be much of a surprise. Look at the deals the corporate parties make on the national level. When was the last time we had a real presidential debate ? If these clowns want to run unopposed, fine, just don't vote for 'em.

at 10:47 AM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

OFF THE SUBJECT.
Did you know that Whittier School (Price Hill) is soon to be demolished with all the desks and furniture and everything in it. What waste. And you thought that the new Cincinnati Board of Education would be different. And soon they will ask for MORE tax money.

at 10:58 AM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

Two words:

Mike Allen, and don't think it could not happen again. Hartman...well, you know. He could match Allen next week!

at 11:55 AM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

"I am a member of the Hamilton County Central Committee. There will not be a single Republican sign in my yard this year. I probably should go ahead and resign, but we never meet anyway so what's the point?

Hmmmm... a Portune sign or a Wulsin sign might look good in my yard.

George Vincent just waved the white flag. Is he part-French or something?"

This makes no sense. You are mad for not running someone against portune so you are going to support portune?

at 12:04 PM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

.

We can only hope that an independent will file !

Hello, JEFFRE, GARRY, fisher of men ?

We will vote for that independent no matter who they oppose !

We think we now know why the auditor has never had an opponent !

It may pay to be 'freinds of dusty' !

Looks like the joint merger into the one NAZI party (tnp) have picked their favored 'Blue-Eyed Blondie's' !

PATHETIC !

Where is: WE DEMAND A VOTE ?

.

at 12:36 PM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

PORTUNE IS BEHIND THIS WHOLE THING!!!

at 1:50 PM, January 05, 2008

usefullidiot said...

“Where is: WE DEMAND A VOTE ?”

Legitimate question……….. While the HCRC does a cost/benefit analyses for their CBC mega-tax loser puppet masters, the voters are ordered to the back of the bus.

The concept of an independent running on a shoestring is not inconceivable. The “WE DEMAND A VOTE” campaign proved the power that the rank and file citizen has.

I don’t care if this person has repub, democrat, green, or NAACP ties as long as this person embraces the concepts of life, liberty, justice, and small government, fair taxation. The 27 campaign proved this. The mojo is still hanging in the air.

WE NEED THESE PUNK-A** PARTY bLEADERS LIKE WE NEED A 800M TAX HIKE!!!

at 4:45 PM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

This deal was a great move for the republicans because they would have gone down hard this fall. For all those who worry about the minority there would have been no republicans on commission this year fall if not for this deal. It also protects a lot more of our other elected officials. Moral of this story, don't leap before you look.

at 7:30 PM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

.
"...WE NEED THESE PUNK-A** PARTY bLEADERS LIKE WE NEED A 800M TAX HIKE!!! 1:50 PM, January 05, 2008"

Agreed !

at 7:58 PM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

Heck yeah, PORTUNE is behind this whole ordeal. He could have been beaten this round so his Democratic Party was scared and worked out this deal.

Again,come join the Republicans when the President remains Republicans along with most Hamilton County elected officials.

Hats off to the Republicans!!! The only thing that makes me angry is that The Republican Party gave into the minority Commission for Hamilton County. We need to get PORTUNE out of office. The Hamilton and its departments are a mess. We need Republican leadership!!!!!!!!!!!!

at 7:59 PM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

This reminds me of the post on 11/19/07 Courts: You're not my boss.

Some person had this stupidity to submit:

at 3:08 PM, November 21, 2007 Anonymous said...
How do you vote intelligently for judges?

You go down to the courthouse several times and actually sit in the courtrooms. You hear how a judge conducts their court. You see what type of sentences they hand out. Are they "stern" or "sweetypies"?
Talk to the bailiff in the courtroom.
Talk to the prosecutors and the defense lawyers.
Talk to the Court Watch volunteers.

Then you can make an informed choice.

Informed choice? Huh? All we're going to be doing is making a citizens ceremonial appointment. Same as it's been done for decades. The party bosses & their cronies decide in the back room over brandy, cigars, & hired women for the evening who our Judges will be.

I'd like to know where this comment contributor has been for at least the past 25 years. We haven't voted intelligently for Judges in decades. We haven't voted for Judges period.

at 10:13 PM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

For once, I think I understand Usefull's post and agree!

Please remember all these _______ when you're voting >> Deters, Portune, Leis, Garbageman, etc.
Right now, they don't have opponents but just wait..

This is power politics at it's very worst. Oppose everything they try to do.

Go fly your helicopter, Simple.

at 10:16 PM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

At least Pepper has enough sense to lay low in the mess

at 10:48 PM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

Tim Burke sold out the Democrats in this county for a nominal majority.

The Republicans weren't going to endorse Rothenberg anyway. So we got nothing there.

The farce he pulled in order to get Berding endorsed was enough to turn me against him forever. So this doesn't do anything but solidify my disdain for the way he manages the Democratic party in Hamilton County.

at 10:50 PM, January 05, 2008

Anonymous said...

ABOUT OFF THE TOPIC

All schools host an auction opportunity to buy the school equipment; Whittier will be no different.

at 9:48 AM, January 06, 2008

Anonymous said...

The latest Streicher scandal proves why there should be candidates. Do we really expect Deters to investigate a possible crime that took place? He won't investigate his buddy. At least if he had an opponent we might get questions asked.

They were all over Twitty for lying about a little fender bender. How about an intentional misappropriation of public funds (police salaries) and then lying about that?

Streicher has said lying=firing. Does that apply to him.

Will Deters investigate? Doubt it.

at 4:56 PM, January 06, 2008

Anonymous said...

Portune STINKS

at 8:40 PM, January 06, 2008

Anonymous said...

TO THE "OFF THE TOPIC" PEOPLE (above): Whittier School is filled with school desks, tables, etc. and the wrecking machinery is in the front yard looking like demolition is ready to go. When was the above mentioned auction ? And there are rural schools, not far from here, in need of furniture that Whittier School is discarding...

at 9:33 PM, January 06, 2008

Anonymous said...

Will someone please describe the mechanism necessary to get rid of Tim Burke as chair of the Hamilton Co. Dem. Party?

Yes, I know it's been a thanklesss job all these years and likely no one else wanted it, but now that Ham. Co. is becoming more and more Dem. we could use someone with the enthusiasm of Howard Dean who has encouraged a 50 state strategy to build the Dems from the ground up.
It's obvious Tim Burke never got the message or is too entrenched and worn down to even make the effort to recruit viable candidates for some of the offices which could better represent the people of Ham. Co., than what we have now.

at 12:27 AM, January 07, 2008

Anonymous said...

Burke should've at least run his daughter as a candidate !

Maybe the foot-tappin italics blogger could run ??

at 8:32 AM, January 07, 2008

Anonymous said...

Vote Ed Rothenberg for County Commissioner! Portune and the Democrats should be taught a lesson about attempting to protect him from defending his position on Issue 27 and other issues. We don't need the Republican party's endorsement of Rothenberg to vote for him and get Portune out. Hamilton County citizens should send a clear message that we won't be controlled by parties and that we are independent in our thinking.

at 9:14 AM, January 07, 2008

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
This reminds me of the post on 11/19/07 Courts: You're not my boss...

...The party bosses & their cronies decide in the back room over brandy, cigars, & hired women for the evening who our Judges will be."

How can I become part of this club? I like brandy, cigars and women. Sign me up!

at 10:35 AM, January 07, 2008

Anonymous said...

This should be put to a vote. Everything else our politicians do is second-guessed, so why not this as well? Where are the outraged taxpayers who refused to pay an extra half-cent so that we could have a safer city? Where are the breathless press conferences denouncing this action as politicians refusing to listen to the will of the people? Where is the self-righteous indignation against politicians daring to do their jobs without letting the people have a voice?

Oh, wait - I know. It is not there because a majority of people in Cincinnati are uninformed hypocrites who vote based on sound-bites and misinformation.

at 11:11 AM, January 07, 2008

usefullidiot said...

"How can I become part of this club? I like brandy, cigars and women. Sign me up!

9:14 AM, January 07, 2008"

ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

at least untill I pi** them off and they throw me out!!!!!!!!!!

at 1:31 PM, January 07, 2008

Anonymous said...

.
"...Maybe the foot-tappin italics blogger could run ?? 12:27 AM, January 07, 2008.."

WE ARE GIVING IT SERIOUS CONSIDERATION !

We would need 2900 valid signatures by March 4, 2008 to run as an Independent !

If there were support, we would run making a citizen statement against either candidate, PERIOD !

Unfortunately, our bluntness is non-unifying !

We, certainly, would have complete transparency and our first order of business would be to demand an audit of the auditor !

We would ask how a private gulf club (Camargo Club) of est. 465 members qualifies as a commercial farm and receive tax-breaks under Current Agricultural Usage Value (CAUV) ?

How could the blue-collar citizens be expected to absorb a sales tax when 128 parcels valued at $181,717,590 in Indian Hill alone receive a reduction under (CAUV) to $63,601,460 ?

Why has 'bold endeavors' been the only requester of the public records regarding this issue ?

Unfortunately, once in the public arena, and exposed, 'bold endeavors' would become the target rather than the message !

Where do you think 'bold endeavors' voice should be heard, if at all ?

VOTE HERE !

PATHETIC !

HAD ENOUGH, VOTE 'BOLD ENDEAVORS' COUNTY COMMISSION !
(Stop foot-tapping around the Issues)

.

at 2:02 PM, January 07, 2008

Anonymous said...

They were all over Twitty for lying about a little fender bender.

Wow, Anon 1/6/08 9:48 AM, you'd help yourself if you could locate better sources of info. It wasn't a little fender bender that caused the confusion. Get to the root of what exactly Twitty was lying about & covering up. Then you'll understand why everyone was all over him like flies at a union employees picnic. You'll then understand why he took retirement & has just about vanished.

Previous Posts

Friday, January 04, 2008

Dem, GOP strike deal - sorry, voters

46 Comments: