Posted on 06/17/2005 3:49:21 PM PDT by Columbus Dawg
I agree. From the beginning, I had a major beef with Schmidt, especially regarding taxes. In the 2004 primaries, she basically said she voted for it to help the disadvantaged. The past couple of weeks, it was now a provision to eliminate Planned Parenthood funding. Well, what is it Jean? Why did you vote for it?
I think it is a certainty that Hackett will bring up the tax issue and the Householder connection to attack Schmidt. If there are indictments in the Householder investigation (as Bennett and others said, they could be forthcoming), then Schmidt and others will definitely hear it.
As far as Bob Bennett is concerned, there is only so much he can do. If he rips Taft or anyone else publicly, he is gone and a big s---storm starts. I bet deep down he is mad as hell at some of the people who have screwed up. The problem has been that these people know they can get away with stuff without being accountable. Bob Bennett could complain about it, but people weren't going to follow Bennett. Unfortunately, normal Ohio voter does not give a crap.
Taft is pretty far from a winner... His budget that he pushed through (with the help of a majority of Republicans in the legislature) is a disaster waiting to happen. The school district I'm in is going to lose 30% of its funding because of the new budget, and some poor districts are losing up to 50%.
So I'm getting a 21% cut in state income tax, and state sales taxes are dropping from 6% to 5.5% (though it was scheduled to change to 5% previously). But then the Corporate Activities Tax will result in that sales tax change being nullified (as the corporations will just pass on the cost). So while my income taxes drop about $600, I'm being told my property taxes could increase a bare minimum of $1200 per year, up to about $3200 per year. At $3200 per year increase, you've just doubled my property taxes all so that the school district (which has been doing an excellent job budget-wise and performance-wise) can just maintain the status quo.
We'll just ignore the fact that the budget is a clear violation of Ohio Supreme Court rulings on school funding.
Yeah, he's a winner, alright...
I think you're right. My sense is that people here are ready to change. We've had Republican governors going back to 1990 and with the scandals and economic downturn my guess is that voters will give a candidate like Strickland a much closer look than they would otherwise.
Ted Strickland is more than a "viable" candidate. I think he has a decent shot at winning. He has won elections from a semi-rural district, is not a Cleveland or Toledo 'Rat (but will win sizable majorities from those areas), and could blunt some of the downstate strength that Republican candidates have to show in order to win.
"Interesting comments about DeWine and Voinovich."
Has anyone said anything specific about attacking DeWine in the primary? Though I'm not from Ohio, I would support such an effort.
"I'm backing Blackwell for Governor. Montgomery would be a disaster, and I don't think Petro would be as good as Blackwell on the issues important to me: abortion, gun ownership, and taxes."
Ditto here in Champaign County.
I do not see DeWine getting a strong primary opponent. John Kasich's name has been bounced around, but I do not see him running. Some people have hinted that Bob McEwen may have a score to settle with the DeWine family after the recent congressional primary. It would be a tough race for him in the primary and an even tougher one in the general. There are reports (I have not seen anything in the media, just on blogs) that Ken Blackwell has endorsed Mike DeWine for re-election. This was supposedly at DeWine's big public social event last weekend at his farm. Blackwell, the conservative candidate, was the only Republican gubernatorial hopeful there. This will probably cause some consternation among some people on this board at Blackwell, but I think he had no choice. A conservative primary opponent for DeWine would have hurt Blackwell, who is already struggling for money and would like to have the human resources at his disposal. Plus, it cuts out any potential DeWine support for Petro and Montgomery, Blackwell's opponents in the primary.
In the end, someone will take a crack at DeWine, but it will be nobody strong. DeWine at last check had around $2.5 million in the bank. In Ohio, a state with many media markets (even some that creep into states with expensive races next year), that will be tough to beat. Plus, given the current crap that is engulfing the Ohio GOP (and more crap probably on the way), I would predict that the last thing Bob Bennett and the leadership want is a fight for the Senate seat. While DeWine's actions are on the minds of many in Ohio, the recent activities of the Ohio GOP leadership in the news are now starting to get more attention and concern.
"I do not see DeWine getting a strong primary opponent."
Thanks much for your reality check. I want to do something in 2006 to "send a message" about the Fillibuster Sellout. But supporting a hopeless candidate is not what I had in mind.
Many conservatives (as I am) are likewise unhappy with Santorum for his support of Specter. But here in PA, I am starting to realize that there will be no credible primary challenge to him.
Whose the other of the Seven Dwarfs (aside from DeWine) up for re-election in 2006? Chaffee? I'm pretty sure there are 2.
Chafee and Olympia Snowe are the others.
DeWine got a message loud in clear when his son, who had a huge name I.D. and financial advantage, got obliterated in the 2nd District Congressional Primary. He finished 4th, not even close to 3rd place. I think Senator DeWine got that message and it probably hurt a lot.
DeWine is not out of the woods on re-election. All of this crap hitting the papers in Ohio is giving the Republican brand a bad name in Ohio. Taft only has a 19% approval rating (before the rare coin mess and MDL losses). He has his own ethics problems, along with past aides. Then you have a former House Speaker and his aides under federal and state investigation.
I think that DeWine will prevail in the end. I can't say the same for the rest of the Republican candidates running for statewide office.
There's a rumor floating around that former Congressman John Kasich might challenge DeWine. Whatever Kasich's faults, he's definitely more conservative than DeWine (and by a lot) and the only viable choice I can think of that can actually defeat DeWine. Kasich has the experience, very telegenic appeal, and ability to raise money that just might give DeWine a real challenge.
"DeWine is not out of the woods on re-election."
OK, but let me be clear on what you are saying. You mean he has a significant chance to lose to the Democrat in the general election, right?
But that does not connect to me personally, since I wouldn't work for that. Even though I'm glad the guy is getting some damage, one way or the other. The signal I want to be part of is a primary defeat for one of the Dwarfs. That, to me, would be an action to take back the Republican Party.
"can actually defeat DeWine."
Yes, I've heard a little about Kasich. So far there seems to be mixed opinion on whether he'll run and whether he'll have a chance. If he decides to go and has a viable campaign, I will try to get some "outside Ohio" support going.
Because really, there is nothing I would rather do, politically, in 2006, than beat DeWine in the primary. I can't think of anything better for the national Republican Party. In 2004 (here in PA), there was national conservative support for Toomey against Specter in the primary. Despite heavy support from Santorum and 2 visits from Bush, sharing the podium with Specter, Toomey only lost 51% to 49%.
Ken Blackwell for Governor
What I mean is if the Democrat opponent is solid and the current scandals engulfing the Ohio GOP continue to unravel the way they are, then DeWine (or anyother Republican nominee) could have a serious dogfight on his hands. Personally, I would bet on DeWine being re-elected, but the environment for Republicans in Ohio is not good right now.
"Kasich has the experience, very telegenic appeal, and ability to raise money that just might give DeWine a real challenge."
Sounds good. I will be tracking this situation.
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