Posted on 01/11/2009 6:15:32 PM PST by Comparative Advantage
Sen. George V. Voinovich is expected to announce Monday morning that he will not seek a third-term next year, The Dispatch has learned.
Although Voinovich spokesman Chris Paulitz declined comment, Voinovich is scheduled Monday to reveal his decision in a conference call with his most loyal supporters and fundraisers.
Voinovich's expected decision would end one of the most storied political careers in Ohio history. During his more than 40 years in politics, the 72-year-old Republican has held the offices of governor, senator, lieutenant governor and mayor of Cleveland.
The Dispatch reported Thursday that Voinovich, 72, was reconsidering his longtime stance that he would run in 2010. Until last week, Voinovich had publicly insisted he would seek re-election and had nearly $3 million in his campaign treasury.
Voinovich apparently had a change of heart in the past few days or weeks that led him to at least reconsider running. Robert T. Bennett, chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, told The Dispatch Thursday that Voinovich told him during a Dec. 23 meeting that he was a candidate for re-election.
Tonight, Bennett said that he didn't know what Voinovich had decided. But Bennett said he would not be surprised if Voinovich has indeed decided to forgo a third term.
"He may be having second thoughts," Bennett said. "I think George is looking at eight years, when he will be 81 and Janet will be 85. He's a family man."
Former Republican congressman Rob Portman of Cincinnati has indicated in the past that he would be interested in running for the Senate if Voinovich decided not to run. Portman, who served as U.S. trade representative and director of the Office of Management of Budget for President Bush, would be a formidable fundraiser.
>>Never gonna happen. Even the other RINOs in charge of the party (Bob Bennett comes to mind) know that he's a loser.
DeWine had a 70% negative rating within the party before he got whacked by Brown.<<
Hopefully he won't be back.
I was sick and tired of getting his Christmas cards and Fran's recipes.
After that sad Gang of 14 fiasco, I called his office and demanded they remove me from his mailing list...they never did.
“What is a Voinovich?”
He is a former Ohio governor who won in 1994 74-26 while Ken Blackwell who ran in 1994 for state treasurer, won 56-44.
If you look at EVERY STATEWIDE RACE BLACKWELL HAS EVER RUN.
He has been either last or next to last in percentage, among all statewide republican candidates in that year.
Blackwell means loser in Ohio.
2006 Ohio statewide results
Governor
Strickland D 60%
Blackwell R 37%
US Senate
Brown D 56%
Dewine R 44%
Treasurer
Cordray D 58%
OBrian R 42%
State auditor
Sykes D 49%
TAYLOR R 51%
Attorney General
Dann D 53%
Montgomery R 47%
Just reporting what was on the local news in Columbus.
The latest has Portman as the leading GOP candidate. Said that he has been making the calls and has a nice campaign pot.
On the Democrat side they mention Lee Fisher and Jennifer Brunner. I think Brunner is in trouble though. Alot of people were upset about her actions during the election (early voting & absentee phase).
I believe it will be between Portman & Fisher. Just a matter of what Party is in deep crap or considered positive at that time.
GOOD RIDDANCE TO ANOTHER F'N RINO
Does no one remember his responsibilities and actions regarding Bolton and Shamnesty?
Another name for CRYBABY!
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