Strickland ready to stump for Clinton in Indiana, Kentucky

Gov. Ted Strickland said he's ready to campaign for Sen. Hillary Clinton during the two weeks leading up to Indiana's May 6 presidential primary election as well as before the May 20 primary in Kentucky.

"I've been asked to go to Indiana,'' Strickland said today. "If she needs me, I'll try to help her."

Strickland stumped for the New York senator Sunday in Pennsylvania, where she beat Sen. Barack Obama by 10 percentage points Tuesday.

"I'm very excited about the win,'' Strickland said.

Political parties squabble over who's dirtier

Today's visit by President Bush to the U.S. Air Force's National Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base today triggered a flurry of accusations from state officials in both major political parties about who has accepted more tainted campaign contributions.

Bush was guest at a fund-raising lunch sponsored by the Ohio Republican Party -- after his Air Base speech -- at the Bellbrook home of Lisa and Marty Grunder.

Ohio GOP spokesman John McClelland said state Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern “is apparently all twisted up this week about a fundraiser we're hosting. . . Unfortunately, the Democrat Party boss would rather point fingers at everyone else than clean up his own house. The hypocrisy continues.”

Today’s fund-raising event was sponsored by the Ohio Republican Party. The Victory 2008 reception raised money for the state GOP's federal fund, which could help Arizona Sen. John McCain, the Republican Party’s likely presidential nominee.

The private GOP reception and photo opportunity with the president cost $10,000. A $1,000 campaign donation covered lunch only.

Redfern was critical that one of today’s fund-raising co-chairs was convicted of three misdemeanor money-laundering charges and fined $30,000 in 1993. Another owns a company that outsources jobs overseas.

“This speaks to the priorities of President Bush,” Redfern said in a statement. “George Bush comes to Ohio, not to address the faltering national economy or the foreclosure crisis, but to raise money from a job exporter and a money launderer on behalf of his protégé, John McCain.”

McClelland counterpunched by saying Redfern said nothing when Ohio Senate Democratic Leader Ray Miller of Columbus was fined for multiple campaign finance violations or it was revealed Gov. Ted Strickland received $10,000 in campaign cash from former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Strickland donated the money to charity after Republicans called on him to return it.

Read more about President Bush's visit here, and in Friday's Enquirer.

Iran Mobile plans stops in Cincinnati

Democrats drove this "Iran Mobile" outside Barack Obama's rally in Westerville on Sunday.

Monday, they plan to drive the replica of a missile carrying Republican Sen. John McCain past at least two events in Cincinnati as part of a statewide tour sponsored by ProgressOhio.org and NotAnotherWar.org. (That ugly yellow car pulling the "rocket" has green Vermont plates.)

Brian Rothenberg of ProgressOhio said the activist groups want to bring attention to McCain's hawkish misstatements including: "That old Beach Boys' song 'Bomb Iran. Bomb, bomb, bomb'. . .last April here:

Monday's stops include a noon "get-out-the-vote" rally at McMicken Hall, University of Cincinnati, and 4:45 p.m. "honk and wave" event near the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. (Time updated.)

Hardball needs to spend more time in Ohio

Does Chris Matthews sound naive, or what?

First, he doubts Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern when he insists Ohioans care more about jobs and economic security than the war in Iraq.

Then, the Hardball host rants about the popularity of radio talk show host Bill Cunningham and his presumably tongue-in-cheek endorsement of Hillary Clinton after John McCain "threw me under the bus" for his anti-Obama comments at today's rally.

"Why would anybody listen to that guy?" Matthews said of Cunningham shortly before tonight's 20th Democratic debate.

Matthews and Keith Olbermann of MSNBC Countdown keep saying this "may be the final debate of the campaign."

What do you think?

What Libertarians think. . .

As we warm up for tonight's Democratic Party debate, here's a news release from the Libertarian Party, lamenting the deteroriation of major party politics:

"Drama steals focus from real issues in race for president"

"While soldiers die and the economy slows, Republicans and Democrats bicker over nonsense"

Quick Quotes:
Shane Cory, Executive Director, Libertarian Party
• "While our soldiers are dying overseas and our economy is grinding to a halt, Republicans and Democrats would rather debate fashion and relationships. Reading the Drudge Report has become like reading a supermarket tabloid."
• "The surge of muckraking in the presidential campaigns of the two major parties is an embarrassment and disservice to our country."

Andrew Davis, National Media Coordinator, Libertarian Party
• "If the Republicans and Democrats won't talk about how to fix this country, then the Libertarian Party will."

Washington, D.C. - The recent explosion of muckraking among Republicans and Democrats in the race for president is a national disgrace, says the Libertarian Party. "The surge of muckraking in the presidential campaigns of the two major parties is an embarrassment and disservice to our country," says Libertarian Party Executive Director Shane Cory.

"While our soldiers are dying overseas and our economy is grinding to a halt, Republicans and Democrats would rather debate fashion and relationships," says Cory. "Reading the Drudge Report has become like reading a supermarket tabloid. Aren't there more important issues to discuss rather than what Obama wears or John McCain's private life? It's time to focus on real issues that impact the everyday lives of Americans, and get over this pathetic locker-room drama."

The Libertarian Party calls for a return back to the political issues, and urges candidates to avoid distractions that do nothing to better the nation. The Party refers to the photos circulated by Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign that show rival-candidate Barack Obama dressed in traditional Somali attire during a 2006 visit to Kenya, and the debate over John McCain's alleged relationship with a female lobbyist.

"If the Republicans and Democrats won't talk about how to fix this country, then the Libertarian Party will," says Libertarian Party National Media Coordinator Andrew Davis. "America deserves better than muckraking and personal smear-campaigns. Perhaps if Republicans and Democrats focused on policy and not theatrics, our economy would be booming and our troops would be home from Iraq."

The Libertarian Party is America's third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. More information on the Libertarian Party can be found at www.lp.org.

Blackwell letter to Congress

Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell released this letter to Congress today, shortly after the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties postponed its oversight hearing on voter suppression.

House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers Jr. and Subcommittee Chairman Jerrold Nadler had asked Blackwell to testify.

In the letter sent Tuesday, Blackwell suggests the subcommittee seek input from two officials in the Ohio Secretary of State's office who also had worked for the Cincinnati Republican.

Blackwell could be subpoenaed

Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell has been asked to testify next Friday in Washington, D.C., by the House Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

The topic: "Voter Suppression," according to this letter sent Tuesday to Blackwell, who now works for the Family Research Council, Buckeye Institute and other conservative policy groups.

The House Judiciary Committee, chaired by U.S. Rep. John Conyers Jr., a Michigan Democrat, is investigating election irregularities, including long lines and challenges to voter registrations.

Blackwell, a Republican from Cincinnati, said he received the invitation, "however, my schedule will not permit me to attend the hearings."

Jonathan Godfrey, a Conyers spokesman, said Blackwell has not responded and could be subpoenaed if he doesn't appear voluntarily.

"I don't think it's unlikely," Godfrey said today of a subpoena.

But it would take a majority vote of committee members to issue a subpoena, probably delaying the day Blackwell would be asked to appear, according to Godfrey.

"As we look forward to the 2008 Presidential Election, the Committee seeks to explore policies that should be implemented to avoid future voting problems and ensure that every American can exercise their right to vote," Conyers and Subcommittee Chairman Jerrold Nadler wrote in their invitation to Blackwell.

Blackwell said, "For a better understanding of Ohio’s voting performance during the 2004 election, I recommend Chairmen Conyers and Nadler review the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2004 post-election analysis."

The Census Bureau found Ohio experienced record voter turnout among both African-American voters and those between the ages of 18 to 24, he said.

"In addition, voter registration rolls grew by one million new voters from the year before and voter turnout increased by one million more voters from the previous presidential election," Blackwell said.

Legislative Black Caucus endorses Obama

The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus today announced its endorsement of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for president. The organization voted last week to support and assist the Illinois senator in his effort to win Ohio's Democratic primary election March 4.

The caucus, made up of 17 African-American members of the Ohio General Assembly, believes Obama is highly qualified with a superior educational and public service background, according to a news statement. The caucus called him "a powerful and timely voice for change in America." It cited Sen. Obama’s commitment to fight for the issues important to working class and minority citizens in Ohio, and across the nation. Economic empowerment, better education, reformation of the criminal justice system and expanded health-care coverage are concerns that the caucus shares with Obama.

"Senator Barack Obama has the vision and character to make an excellent president of the United States,'' said state Rep. Tyrone K. Yates. "No one can doubt that he has the background, experience, judgment and skill to lead the American people. . .It's just really, really exciting. He will be president."

Yates, a Democrat from Evanston/East Walnut Hills, is president of the Legislative Black Caucus.

"Senator Obama clearly represents the direction of the future of our nation," Yates said. "For states and cities that have suffered for decades through policy neglect, Senator Obama's deep knowledge and experience as a community organizer with urban issues will advance the (black caucus') urban policy agenda."

The caucus promised to provide its organizational resources and experience to the "Obama for America" campaign to aggressively reach out to Ohio voters. These resources include, but are not limited to, use of mailing and phone lists, volunteers, fundraising and campaign consultation. "It is going to be a very hectic year," Yates said. "It is exciting."

Yates would not disclose the vote tally.

Denise Driehaus officially in

Denise Driehaus officially announced her candidacy today as a Democrat running for the 31st House District seat held by her brother, Steve, who is running for the 1st Congressional District seat.

She filed her candidacy paperwork at the Hamilton County Board of Elections.

Driehaus, a lifelong resident of the West Side, currently resides in West Price Hill where she and her husband, Zeek Childers, co-own two businesses -- the Front Porch Coffeehouse and Philipps Swim Club.

Driehaus is president of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission where she has served as a board member for the past 16 years. She also is on the board of the Price Hill Civic Club and is a founding member and the vice president of the West Price Hill Merchant's Association.

Driehaus, a graduate of Miami University, has two children, Sarah and Andrew Childers.

The 31st District includes about 110,000 residents of western Cincinnati including Camp Washington, Sayler Park, South Fairmount, Price Hill, Westwood, and Addyston, Cheviot, Cleves and North Bend. The annual base salary is $60,584.

Scott Gehring plans to run as a Republican candidate in the 31st District.

Thompson announces Ohio slate of delegates

Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson announced his Ohio delegate team during a news conference in Columbus today.

"I thank these folks for their dedication to our campaign and its message of consistent conservatism," Thompson said in a statement.

The delegates have committed to represent the state of Ohio and Thompson at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis on Sept. 1-4. Ohio’s presidential primary is March 4, with a total of 88 delegates at stake.

Thompson's delegates from Southwest Ohio:

Bob Boehner of Reading, Dan Brake of Lebanon, Amy Brewer of Lebanon, Rick Bryan of Blue Ash, Christa Criddle of Cincinnati, Scott Gilliam of West Chester, Jennifer Green of Wyoming, Heather Harlow of Colerain Township, Bob Harper of Cincinnati, Bill Herdman of Fayetteville, Russ Jackson of Anderson Township, Richard Jones of Liberty Township, Pat Lapple of Reading, Virgil Lovitt of Sharonville, Lara Mastin of Sharonville, Daniel McDonald of Lebanon, Tim McDonald of Harrison, Charles Mitchell of Cincinnati, Thea Shoemake of Union Township, State Rep. Joe Uecker of Loveland, Mariah Votel of Hamersville and Pat Williams of Cincinnati.

Driehaus gives up leadership post during Congressional run

State Rep. Steve Driehaus, a Democrat from Price Hill, announced today that he had stepped down from his position as House Minority Whip because he is running for Congress in the 2008 election.

Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, said. "He is one of the most intelligent and dedicated public servants I know. His ability to grasp complex public policy issues quickly and help other members understand their ramifications has been invaluable to us and our success."

The third-ranking minority leadership post paid Driehaus an extra $10,301 this year above his base Ohio House member salary of $58,933.

House Democratic Caucus members chose State Rep. Fred Strahorn of Dayton, who previously served as Assistant Minority Whip, to take over as new House Minority Whip.

With Democrats needing to win a net seven of the 99 seats to gain control of the Ohio House, Beatty said she looks "forward to working closely with our entire leadership team as we seek to increase our numbers in the Ohio House."

Strahorn’s selection requires formal approval of the full House.

Ex-Pepper manager appointed to governor's job

Greg Landsman, campaign manager to David Pepper during the Hamilton County commissioner's 2005 race for Cincinnati mayor, has been appointed to a state job by Gov. Ted Strickland.

Landsman, 30, of Wilmington is the new director of the Governor's Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives, a job that pays $75,000 annually.

Landsman, a native of Cincinnati and one-time congressional aide to Strickland and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, most recently worked as director of special projects with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

Landsman, a former teacher who got his master's degree from Harvard Divinity School in 2004, replaces Eric McFadden, who took a job as volunteers administrator with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Shortly after McFadden's February appointment as director, he noticed unusual expenditures in the Office of Faith Based Initiatives, which resulted in an audit and Inspector General's investigation.

More details about Landsman can be found here:

Hagan: If Libby's free, why not Traficant, too?

State Rep. Bob Hagan, a Democrat from Youngstown, asked President Bush today to commute the prison time remaining on the eight-year sentence of former U.S. Congressman James A. Traficant Jr., in light of Bush’s recent commutation of convicted former White House aide Lewis “Scooter” Libby.

“If the President is going to coddle criminals in his Administration because he believes they have suffered enough, the least he can do is apply equal justice and release all of those whose crimes had far less impact on the public good than Libby’s,” Hagan said in a press statement.

Traficant, 66, was sent to prison in August 2002 for bribery, racketeering and corruption. With credit for good behavior, he's due to be released from prison in 2009, followed by three years of probation. His fans operate a web site here. And his prison artwork can be found here.

The nine-term Ohio representative became only the second member of Congress kicked out since the Civil War after his House colleagues voted 420-1 to expel him.

Hagan, who ran against Traficant in 2001, said Libby’s actions had more serious consequences than anything the former Youngstown congressman did.

“Libby lied to the FBI and a grand jury about the Valerie Plame cover-up, which undermined the nation’s intelligence operations,” Hagan said. “Add to that his role as Vice President Cheney’s chief of staff in promoting false reasons for going to war in Iraq – and it all outweighs anything Mr. Traficant has done.

“Libby is the first sitting White House official to be indicted in 130 years, and yet he walks away without paying his deserved debt to society.”

Hagan also expressed surprise in what he called "the President’s sudden fit of compassion. . .Is this the same Mr. Bush who touted his record in executing criminals in Texas?”

Hagan sent a letter to Bush, seeking the commutation of Traficant’s sentence.

Strickland joins governors' plea for gas price relief

Gov. Ted Strickland joined Democratic governors from 16 states in a letter sent Tuesday to President Bush urging him to help relieve escalating gas prices.

“We are calling on the president to stand up for consumers and help alleviate the heavy burdens facing Americans at the pump,” Strickland said. “I join my fellow governors in urging the president to act on our concerns and begin working with Congress and pressing oil companies to find a long-term solution to this issue.”

The governors’ letter comes as gas prices in Ohio and across the nation reach record highs.

In the letter, the 17 governors called on Bush to work with Congress to relieve gas prices by supporting federal legislation that penalizes gas price gouging and ordering the administration’s agencies to pursue anti-trust and commodities violations.

The governors urged the president to press oil companies to invest their profits to improve refinery capacity.

Nobody suggested eliminating taxes on gas, however.

In addition to Strickland, the 16 governors who signed the letter are Govs. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, Jon Corzine of New Jersey, Jennifer Granholm of Michigan, Edward Rendell of Pennsylvania, Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Mike Beebe of Arkansas, Janet Napolitano of Arizona, Ruth Ann Minner of Delaware, Rod Blagojevich of Illinois, Chet Culver of Iowa, Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana, Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, Ted Kulongoski of Oregon, Phil Bredesen of Tennessee and Jim Doyle of Wisconsin.

"Here in Ohio I am committed to making Ohio the epicenter of alternative and advanced energy production, innovation and research," Strickland said. "The more energy we produce right here at home, the less dependent we will be on foreign oil and the more likely our energy prices are to remain stable and balanced."

Sen. Clinton to speak at Wilberforce commencement

U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will speak at Wilberforce University's May 5 graduation ceremony, the Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake, university president, said this week.

Commencement begins at 2 p.m. at nearby Wright State University's Nutter Center.

"Senator Hillary Clinton brings to our commencement ceremony dignity, hope, stature and a heightened sense of history," said Flake, a Democratic congressman from Queens, N.Y., from 1987 to 1997. "She is the finest possible choice for the honor of sending off our next generation of leaders. . .Rest assured her time with us and our time with her will prove to be invaluable."

Last June, then-Secretary of State Ken Blackwell named Flake as campaign co-chairman of his gubernatorial campaign, as reported here.

In addition to Sen. Clinton, a Democrat from New York, Bishop T.D. Jakes, pastor of the 30,000-member Potter's House Church in Dallas, Texas, will deliver the university's Baccalaureate sermon at 10:30 a.m.

Flake said the visit by Clinton and Jakes "will make this the most historic commencement in the history of the university, and quite possibly the nation."

Wilberforce is a historically black university founded in 1856 and located about 15 miles east of Dayton. Its 2006 fall enrollment was 875.

The following Saturday, May 12, in Columbus, Clinton will deliver the keynote address at the Ohio Democratic Party's annual fund-raising dinner at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.

Clinton is the first presidential candidate to commit to speaking at the $150-a-head fund-raiser, although an invitation has been extended to others, said state party spokesman Randy Borntrager.

Last June, two other presidential candidates, U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden, spoke at the Ohio Democratic Party's annual dinner in downtown Columbus.

Vice President Portman?

What do you think?

It's still more than a year from the 2008 presidential primary elections, after which the winning candidate typically chooses their vice presidential candidate.

But the buzz surrounding Terrace Park's Rob Portman, the White House budget director and a former area congressman, has already started.

Last Tuesday, Portman and his wife, Jane, were in Washington to attend the annual Bryce Harlow Foundation dinner, during which Portman was honored with the Bryce Harlow Award.

This award is given each year to a "distinguished public official who has contributed to the building of strong business-government relations." Previous honorees include Minority Leader John Boehner of West Chester (2005) and Vice President Dick Cheney (1992).

At the dinner, Portman was introduced by Louisiana Rep. Jim McCrery, the top Republican on the powerful tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, who couldn't help throwing out publicly what many on the Hill have been saying privately:

"He'd be a great next vice presidential candidate," McCrery said - to much applause.

Should Schmidt apologize?

That's the question the Ohio Democratic Party is asking in its latest newsletter.

This is what the ODP thinks Rep. Jean Schmidt should apologize for.

Read our previous blog posts HERE and read the stories in the Enquirer on this issue HERE and HERE.

Stan's house vs. the White House

Former President Bill Clinton was in the hood tonight.

Actually he's still here. Over in Indian Hill at the 28-bedroom house of class-action lawyer and big-time Democratic fundraiser Stan Chesley...

The fundraiser for Clinton's wife started at 5:30 p.m. and was still going strong two hours later.

Who was there? Other than the co-hosts, we hear that Cincinnati City Council member John Cranley, who lost a bid for the 1st Congressional District seat, was there - along with Dr. Victoria Wells Wulsin of Indian Hill, who lost her bid for the 2nd Congressional District seat.

We also hear that former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro was there.

UPDATE: Current Attorney General Marc Dann was also there.

Apparently Clinton spoke for 45 minutes, took a bunch of pictures with people and chatted it up with a crowd of about 75-100 guests.

UPDATE: The former president also presented Chesley's grandaughter with a 13th birthday cake! And he gave Indian Hill Mayor Tom Rink a U.S. flag, apparently a custom at Chesley fundraisers.

So what did the former president have to say about Chesley's new home?

"Stan, this is the first time I've been in your new house and I gotta tell you, your house makes the White House look like public housing!"

Or something like that.

***

Read Howard Wilkinson's story about Clinton's visit in today's Enquirer HERE.

DeWine makes a pitch for McCain

Former Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine of Cedarville has found a way to spend his leftover campaign funds: On his good friend, Sen. John McCain, the front-runner for the GOP nomination for president in 2008.

DeWine supported McCain's bid for the presidency over that of President Bush in 2000. He's also heading up McCain's campaign team in Ohio.

In an e-mail letter sent to supporters today, DeWine explained why he's supporting McCain:

"I have known John McCain for almost 25 years. We both were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982. I worked closely with him during our years together in the House and during my 12 years in the U.S. Senate. No one is more qualified to be our next President. While our Party is truly fortunate to have such a strong field of qualified candidates, I believe that John McCain has what it takes - the experience, knowledge, and foresight - to lead our Nation. He is decisive. He has guts. And, he leaves no room for ambiguity or uncertainty in his reasoned policy decisions.

"I don't agree with John McCain on every issue. But, I do know that when we elect a President, we elect the Commander-in-Chief. We elect someone who is going to be making life and death decisions every single day. There is only one person I want making those decisions - and that person is John McCain.

"The fact is that the future and security of this country hinges on next year's election. The Presidency requires a person of sound judgment, with an extraordinary grasp of foreign and military affairs - someone who can navigate our country through very dangerous and unchartered waters. Again, that person is John McCain.

"Over and over, John has proven his leadership. He was right about Iraq and the need for more troops. He was also right way back in the fall of 1983. I remember John giving a courageous speech in the House against extending our military presence in Lebanon. He believed our presence would not be sufficient to keep the peace, nor were we prepared to exercise our full military capabilities. Less than one month later, 241 U.S. military personnel lost their lives in Lebanon.

"John McCain, like he has so many times, stepped forward. He didn't sit back. He didn't cower. He knows both the strengths and limits of our military forces. That kind of understanding is vital if a President is to exercise measured judgment on when and where to use our military to defend and protect our country and our interests.

"The bottom line is this: I've watched John McCain for years. I know him, and I'm for him. Please join me with your support. Whether it is through a financial contribution or your volunteer efforts, John needs your help. Visit www.JohnMcCain.com to join the team.

The e-mail included a link so people could donate online to the McCain campaign. It also contained this disclaimer: Paid for by Mike DeWine for U.S. Senate and authorized by John McCain 2008.

Who's hosting Bill Clinton tonight?

Other than class-action lawyer and big-time Democratic fundraiser Stan Chesley, whose home the fundraiser for Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential bid is taking place at, here are the other co-hosts:

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory
Former Cincinnati Mayor Dwight Tillery
Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune
Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper
Deborah & Jim Cummins
Richard Lawrence
Francie Pepper

According to a copy of the invitation obtained by The Enquirer, the event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. and ticket prices start at $2,300 per person.

Checks should be made payable to "Hillary Clinton for President Exploratory Committee." They are NOT tax deductible.