By Tony Mazur
It's an election year in the United States of America. And in Cleveland, Ohio, many loud, yellow 'Dennis!' signs sprout in front yards across the metropolitan area. Some Kucinich supporters planted their signs as early as October 2007, 13 months before the election.
People LOVE Dennis Kucinich, and I haven't the foggiest idea as to why. And I'm not just talking about the college-aged burnouts who support him because he's all about legalizing marijuana. I'm also not talking about the gays who agree with his stance on same-sex marriage. I'm talking about suburban white couples, roughly between the ages of 45-80.
If you're outside the Cleveland area, Dennis Kucinich represents the 10th District of Ohio in the House of Representatives. His district includes most of the west side of Cleveland, as well as Parma, Cleveland's largest suburb, and Cuyahoga Heights.
Every two years, Cleveland-area citizens continue to vote for this guy. These are the people who forgot about Dennis's early political career. After Kucinich's time in the Cleveland City Council and as the clerk of the municipal court, he was elected Mayor in 1977. As usual in local government, the leader typically appoints friends and acquaintances, particularly around his/her same age. That's what Dennis Kucinich did. However, since Dennis was considered "The Boy Mayor" (he was 31 year old), his entire cabinet was made up of inexperienced peers.
I could rip on his mayoral history for hours, but you can just read it here.
Dennis has been elected to the House five times since his run in 1996, and it appears that he will win yet again.
Just like many Democrats, they rarely show up for their votes. Barack Obama does not. Do you think he has the time to campaign for the presidency AND show up for work? Of course not! The same goes for Dennis. He pretends to care about the needs of the citizens, and they fall for it hook, line, and sinker. If Kucinich really cared, he'd take a break from campaigning and hanging out with Sean Penn and start showing up for his votes. As Joe Cimperman, Dennis's opponent, stated in one of his campaign commercials, "It is not time for a part-time congressman."
I mentioned earlier that Dennis supporters come in different shapes and sizes. Or in this case, from the other side of the spectrum. Gays love him (they think he's adorable), stoners dig him, minority groups think he really cares about those in dire need of help, but most of all, the unions support him. A janitor at Ford will make a ridiculous amount of money, thanks to the Democrats. I believe in capitalism, but the salaries for low-level jobs are too high, causing factories to cease operation or move overseas. And who is there criticizing the outsourcing? The Democrats, of course.
My hatred for Kucinich supporters is comparable to my disdain towards Ron Paul fans. But the outcome is bittersweet. I get a kick out of the fact that Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich do not have a shot in Hell at moving into the White House, but instead we'll have some other pea-brain reciting the Oath of Office.
Showing posts with label Dennis Kucinich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dennis Kucinich. Show all posts
Monday, February 18, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A Dignitary fights back
By Rick Morris
This time it's personal. One of The FDH Lounge Dignitaries is in a battle, but he's fighting back strongly.
Burrell Jackson, who has become, dare I say, a cult hero figure to listeners and viewers of our FDH Lounge program, is running for two positions this year under the Republican banner in Cuyahoga County here in Northeast Ohio. You can read about his situation below with his full press release. I want to offer a tip of the hat to Ben Keeler, who had the story first and chose to run a portion of the release with his commentary; you can check out his column at the Akron Beacon-Journal politics blog here. Our choice, since Burrell is part of the FDH family, is to run his entire press release.
I've got an additional quote from Burrell as well: "With the Cuyahoga County Republicans struggling to connect with voters to such an extent, their commitment to minority outreach will be revealed as a complete joke if an old boys' club mentality prevails here." Well said, my friend.
This situation is so completely, utterly ridiculous that it almost defies description. I hate to say this, but I hope Burrell isn't holding his breath waiting for the remedy that should be automatic. It won't happen, because I don't believe anyone in the inner sanctum cares that this guy is donating to Democrats while holding Republican office. From everything I've seen and heard over the years, it's probably even a laughing matter behind closed doors. I wonder if Republican congressional candidate Jim Trakas is laughing about an elected GOP official helping out a Democratic potential opponent. Probably not.
As the press release notes, the local Republican party recruited Burrell to run for county clerk of courts but closed ranks behind his opponent in this race; that's gratitude for ya. If he can't get that endorsement of his opponent reversed even after this egregious decision by his opponent, then the local party's attitude towards him will be forcibly revealed as (NOTE: my word, not his) TOKENISM of the worst sort. It's all well and good to recruit the young black businessman to contest a seat as an overwhelming underdog and in so doing fly the party flag in the minority community; apparently it's another thing altogether to endorse the same candidate in another race EVEN WHEN HE'S THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THE RACE NOT MAKING ANY CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, LET ALONG MAXIMUM ONES, TO DEMOCRATS!
This is everything people hate about politics right in one neat little bundle.
This time it's personal. One of The FDH Lounge Dignitaries is in a battle, but he's fighting back strongly.
Burrell Jackson, who has become, dare I say, a cult hero figure to listeners and viewers of our FDH Lounge program, is running for two positions this year under the Republican banner in Cuyahoga County here in Northeast Ohio. You can read about his situation below with his full press release. I want to offer a tip of the hat to Ben Keeler, who had the story first and chose to run a portion of the release with his commentary; you can check out his column at the Akron Beacon-Journal politics blog here. Our choice, since Burrell is part of the FDH family, is to run his entire press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SCANDAL: State GOP Official Donates Maximum Amount to Democratic Congressional Candidate Joe Cimperman (Dennis Kucinich opponent)
Gunning’s opponent for state central committee in the upcoming March 4 primary, Burrell Jackson, unearthed documents proving Gunning’s Democratic interloping. Specifically, Federal Elections Commission Form 3, Schedule A, Reference #28930297185 reveals on
“This is outrageous. Republicans at the grass-roots level are struggling to promote success county and state-wide, yet our elected state party officials are financially supporting the Democrats,”
“If selling out our Republican candidates isn’t grounds for repealing an endorsement, what would be?”
I've got an additional quote from Burrell as well: "With the Cuyahoga County Republicans struggling to connect with voters to such an extent, their commitment to minority outreach will be revealed as a complete joke if an old boys' club mentality prevails here." Well said, my friend.
This situation is so completely, utterly ridiculous that it almost defies description. I hate to say this, but I hope Burrell isn't holding his breath waiting for the remedy that should be automatic. It won't happen, because I don't believe anyone in the inner sanctum cares that this guy is donating to Democrats while holding Republican office. From everything I've seen and heard over the years, it's probably even a laughing matter behind closed doors. I wonder if Republican congressional candidate Jim Trakas is laughing about an elected GOP official helping out a Democratic potential opponent. Probably not.
As the press release notes, the local Republican party recruited Burrell to run for county clerk of courts but closed ranks behind his opponent in this race; that's gratitude for ya. If he can't get that endorsement of his opponent reversed even after this egregious decision by his opponent, then the local party's attitude towards him will be forcibly revealed as (NOTE: my word, not his) TOKENISM of the worst sort. It's all well and good to recruit the young black businessman to contest a seat as an overwhelming underdog and in so doing fly the party flag in the minority community; apparently it's another thing altogether to endorse the same candidate in another race EVEN WHEN HE'S THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THE RACE NOT MAKING ANY CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, LET ALONG MAXIMUM ONES, TO DEMOCRATS!
This is everything people hate about politics right in one neat little bundle.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
My Hatred Toward Ron Paul Supporters
By Tony Mazur
As Rick Morris stated in the post below, Ron Paul will withdraw from the presidential race. I know, I know, it's sad for us all, but I guess he didn't appeal to the majority of the people.
Ron Paul has been described as a Constitutionalist, libertarian, and, although I don't believe it, a conservative. Personally, I think he's a goof. There is no redeeming quality about Ron Paul.
However, I do not know what's more annoying, Ron Paul's political positions, or his idiotic supporters. When referring to the 2008 presidential race, I heard someone say that "Ron Paul is the only true conservative". As a fellow conservative, I am offended to be classified with this numskull. I support the War in Iraq. I greatly support the Patriot Act. How can you not support the Patriot Act? There are savages who want to kill us, and these dummies think our rights are being infringed upon.
Ron Paul backers are all the same, no matter what age they may be. He's quite popular among college students and ex-hippies. The typical supporter is usually a liberal or libertarian. He/she probably smokes a lot of pot, and believes in ridiculous conspiracies, like UFOs and the "bombing" of the World Trade Center on September 11th. That's kind of why there actually is a chunk of people who follow Dennis Kucinich. Chances are, they do a lot of internet blogging. Also, they are usually offended by anything remotely resembling criticism against Ron Paul. These are the people who shout to the world that they are moving to Canada if [insert Republican candidate] wins the election, but never follows through.
I'm already hearing phony conspiracies about how the government is keeping Ron Paul out of the public eye. He's not Ross Perot. Ron Paul cannot affect the outcome of this coming election, even if he ran as a third-party candidate. Unfortunately, it's going to be either McCain or Obama, two candidates I'm dreading to see in the White House. I wish a viable candidate can go up against them, but it won't be the case. And Ron Paul isn't the guy.
As Rick Morris stated in the post below, Ron Paul will withdraw from the presidential race. I know, I know, it's sad for us all, but I guess he didn't appeal to the majority of the people.
Ron Paul has been described as a Constitutionalist, libertarian, and, although I don't believe it, a conservative. Personally, I think he's a goof. There is no redeeming quality about Ron Paul.
However, I do not know what's more annoying, Ron Paul's political positions, or his idiotic supporters. When referring to the 2008 presidential race, I heard someone say that "Ron Paul is the only true conservative". As a fellow conservative, I am offended to be classified with this numskull. I support the War in Iraq. I greatly support the Patriot Act. How can you not support the Patriot Act? There are savages who want to kill us, and these dummies think our rights are being infringed upon.
Ron Paul backers are all the same, no matter what age they may be. He's quite popular among college students and ex-hippies. The typical supporter is usually a liberal or libertarian. He/she probably smokes a lot of pot, and believes in ridiculous conspiracies, like UFOs and the "bombing" of the World Trade Center on September 11th. That's kind of why there actually is a chunk of people who follow Dennis Kucinich. Chances are, they do a lot of internet blogging. Also, they are usually offended by anything remotely resembling criticism against Ron Paul. These are the people who shout to the world that they are moving to Canada if [insert Republican candidate] wins the election, but never follows through.
I'm already hearing phony conspiracies about how the government is keeping Ron Paul out of the public eye. He's not Ross Perot. Ron Paul cannot affect the outcome of this coming election, even if he ran as a third-party candidate. Unfortunately, it's going to be either McCain or Obama, two candidates I'm dreading to see in the White House. I wish a viable candidate can go up against them, but it won't be the case. And Ron Paul isn't the guy.
Ron Paul to withdraw from presidential race
By Rick Morris
UPDATE: This was published as a straight news story, devoid of any editorializing. However, in response to many of the know-nothing reactions that this story has engendered in many quarters, we have created an FAQ section so that people may at least choose to avail themselves of basic facts and not embarrass themselves with baseless assertions.
Troubled by internal polls showing insurgent challenger Chris Peden having pulled ahead shockingly in the Texas 14th congressional district, Congressman Ron Paul will be pulling out of the Republican presidential race in advance of his home state's March 4 primary, The FDH Lounge blog has learned. This news comes from a source with access to Paul's congressional campaign and it parallels a recent move on the Democratic side of the White House run as fellow party establishment irritant Dennis Kucinich was forced to abandon his efforts in order to focus on a threat to his congressional seat. The key difference? Longtime Kucinich ally North Olmsted mayor Thomas O'Grady entered the race to split the vote, while Paul's refusal to engage in such tactics has backfired on him.
Peden's lead is extremely surprising given the vast disparity in resources between the campaigns, a divide that will only grow as Paul is able to divert funds contributed by his large base of small contributors to his presidential race back into the House of Representatives campaign. Over the past year, Paul's libertarian-based platform struck the most fiscally conservative note of any of the Republican aspirants, but it also contained an isolationist streak that put him at odds with the party base -- and those foreign policy views are currently the biggest problem for Paul in an extraordinarily conservative district. The irony is that Paul positioned himself as a determined upstart out to topple the powerful national establishment, but he himself has been the Goliath of the Texas 14th until very recently -- when the district's David, Chris Peden, amazed the world by forcing an end to his crusade for the White House, dubbed by his followers The Ron Paul Revolution.
UPDATE: This was published as a straight news story, devoid of any editorializing. However, in response to many of the know-nothing reactions that this story has engendered in many quarters, we have created an FAQ section so that people may at least choose to avail themselves of basic facts and not embarrass themselves with baseless assertions.
Troubled by internal polls showing insurgent challenger Chris Peden having pulled ahead shockingly in the Texas 14th congressional district, Congressman Ron Paul will be pulling out of the Republican presidential race in advance of his home state's March 4 primary, The FDH Lounge blog has learned. This news comes from a source with access to Paul's congressional campaign and it parallels a recent move on the Democratic side of the White House run as fellow party establishment irritant Dennis Kucinich was forced to abandon his efforts in order to focus on a threat to his congressional seat. The key difference? Longtime Kucinich ally North Olmsted mayor Thomas O'Grady entered the race to split the vote, while Paul's refusal to engage in such tactics has backfired on him.
Peden's lead is extremely surprising given the vast disparity in resources between the campaigns, a divide that will only grow as Paul is able to divert funds contributed by his large base of small contributors to his presidential race back into the House of Representatives campaign. Over the past year, Paul's libertarian-based platform struck the most fiscally conservative note of any of the Republican aspirants, but it also contained an isolationist streak that put him at odds with the party base -- and those foreign policy views are currently the biggest problem for Paul in an extraordinarily conservative district. The irony is that Paul positioned himself as a determined upstart out to topple the powerful national establishment, but he himself has been the Goliath of the Texas 14th until very recently -- when the district's David, Chris Peden, amazed the world by forcing an end to his crusade for the White House, dubbed by his followers The Ron Paul Revolution.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
FDH Lounge Show #22: December 30, 2007
By Rick Morris
Tonight's 22nd edition of THE FDH LOUNGE (8-11 PM EST) on SportsTalkNetwork.com will feature our first-ever Presidential Fantasy Draft based on the game design and draft board on FantasyDrafthelp.com. This will be the focus for most of our first two hours of the program as we select various candidates for president based on point tallies for various levels of campaign achievement and then argue vigorously over the state of the race!
After our presidential focus is done towards the end of Hour Two, we turn our attention to a thorn in the side of one of the candidates: dark-horse folk hero Ron Paul, congressman from Texas who like his Democrat equivalent Dennis Kucinich is threatened by a tough primary challenge for his House seat. We'll talk to Chris Peden, who hopes to take down 2008's trendiest presidential candidate on his home turf.
In Hour Three, we deliver our takes on the Mitchell Report fallout before turning to The FDH Lounge Pigskin Report for an early preview of the NFL playoff picture and an assessment of the major bowl games in college.
As always when you join us, it's the widest array of talk anywhere on God's Green Earth: The FDH Lounge, only on SportsTalkNetwork.com!
Tonight's 22nd edition of THE FDH LOUNGE (8-11 PM EST) on SportsTalkNetwork.com will feature our first-ever Presidential Fantasy Draft based on the game design and draft board on FantasyDrafthelp.com. This will be the focus for most of our first two hours of the program as we select various candidates for president based on point tallies for various levels of campaign achievement and then argue vigorously over the state of the race!
After our presidential focus is done towards the end of Hour Two, we turn our attention to a thorn in the side of one of the candidates: dark-horse folk hero Ron Paul, congressman from Texas who like his Democrat equivalent Dennis Kucinich is threatened by a tough primary challenge for his House seat. We'll talk to Chris Peden, who hopes to take down 2008's trendiest presidential candidate on his home turf.
In Hour Three, we deliver our takes on the Mitchell Report fallout before turning to The FDH Lounge Pigskin Report for an early preview of the NFL playoff picture and an assessment of the major bowl games in college.
As always when you join us, it's the widest array of talk anywhere on God's Green Earth: The FDH Lounge, only on SportsTalkNetwork.com!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Presidential Race / NFL Playoff Push
by Jason Jones
Imagine for a moment, if you will, the Presidential nominees in an NFL style playoff run. Mind you, not in the playoffs, but a playoff run. As the landscape of the NFL begins to take shape, we start to realize not every team is worthy of a spot based on the competition ahead of them. The same can be said about the presidential nominees that have no place in this race (namely Ron Paul).
If we are to fairly examine both sides we must create a depth chart or power ranking of both the NFL and the presidential nominees. These are the rankings as I see them:
(Note my opinion does not reflect that of the FDH Lounge, FantasyDraftHelp.com or any of its subsidiaries)
NFL ------ Nominees
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Now for some explanations. Starting with the Nominees side, I am sure most of you are wondering why my power rankings in almost no way mimic that of the American public. Well, in short, people can be very smart, but groups of people are F@#!ing retarded!!! We will revisit this idea later.
- Starting at the top, Fred Thompson is the most well rounded perfect candidate on the docket. Consequently, this is where the first tier ends. If you do not agree you are entitled to your opinion like the stupid people are entitled to reproduce. This piece is not a debate over the candidates, maybe as we get closer we will do just that.
- Second is Rudy Guiliani, I am not especially riveted by this guy; especially when he mentions being in charge during 9-11. I do get the impression that he could do the job. He would be popular. Whether you like it or not, the average American doesn’t really care about the specific nature of the issues, it’s a feel thing. For some strange reason Rudy rubs people the right way.
- Third is John McCain, for those that know me, this one is probably a shock. There is on doubt, saying he has been underwhelming in the debates is a vast a polite understatement. Nixon looked more calm and collected versus JFK in the debate forum. Bottom line, John McCain knows how to play the game. I do not agree with even the vast majority of candidacy to this point, but he could do the job with a veteran savvy. This ends the second tier.
- Fourth is Barack Obama, the first Democrat on the list and believe me if I considered my party bias the first Democrat would probably come in around 9. He is very very green. This is where my confidence that the candidate is competent enough to do the job waivers. Obama is like a great top shelf minor league baseball player. He looks like he can play the part, his record looks good, and he’s confident that he can play with the big boys. Then he gets there and everyone wonders why his .385 batting average doesn’t translate literally to the majors. Some day Obama might be a great politician, but today is not that day. We need to send him back to the senate and let him work out the kinks for a while.
- Fifth is Mike Huckabee. Lets be honest, he just seems like a good guy. Do you remember that story about conservation? The one where he ride his bicycle to the grocery store to conserve on the gas he uses in his environmentally friendly car and his kids laugh at him for it? Do you remember that? I thought, “aw that’s sweet, what nice guy, a little HIPPY-ish for me, but a nice guy”. News flash, it should take more than
- Sixth is Tom Tancredo. First and foremost, Tom we get it. You don’t like foreigners. Maybe its just illegals from
- Seventh is Dennis Kucinich. Not a popular guy. In the Presidential Election ’08 made for tv movie, Kucinich would be played by D.J. Qualls (the skinny kid from Road Trip). Nobody likes creepy to greet you when you’re expecting another spine tingling episode of 24 and get D.J. Qualls addressing the nation. I cannot see Kucinich running the country, but I want to believe he is a good honest man when all is said and done. This concludes the third tier.
- Eighth is Bill Richardson. Let’s not sugar coat it. This is where the bottom falls out. I do not claim to know much about the rest of these with three exceptions. The truth is aside from hearing
- Ninth is Duncan Hunter. At least he is a Republican. He has no chance, which is a major part of this exercise.
- Tenth is Joe Biden. Again, I could see him doing the job. He has said a great deal of things that I do not agree with, but aside from Fred Thompson, there is not going to be a candidate I will agree with 95% of the time.
- Eleventh is Mike Gravel. Again, I have nothing. I have not heard much one way or the other. What I have heard has forced me to change the channel. While watching presidential debates, one must have an alternate channel to click to when the responses get unbearable. I recommend ESPN Classic or the Discovery Channel. Anything that resides on the other end of the spectrum from Politics.
- Twelfth is Chris Dodd. Insert previous statement here. Conclude tier four
- Thirteenth is Ron Paul. Strap in ladies and gentleman this one begins the tri-fecta of doom. Ron Paul is a hack! A phony, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I know he has somewhat of following, but so did Ross Perot. Ron Paul is not only bad for president, he’s bad for politics in general. He doesn’t play by the rules. I get it, Libertarian, Liberal Republican, Left Wing Republican, or whatever you want to call him. He should be running as an independent. At least that way the lobe of the American Human brain that tells us to almost disregard Independents because the math precludes them from winning, he would finally get the attention he deserves. Next to none. He’s is a hippie claiming to be the image that the Republican party should be. Believe me, I am not one to say that a single former President embodies every iota that oozes “Republican”. It just seems to me, if the entire party thinks Ronald Reagan is the Republican party, then Ron Paul is as far away from that as one can be without literally being a Democrat.
- Fourteenth is John Edwards. C’mon, are we serious. John Freaking Edwards. Has there ever been a Nominee that more exemplified the smelly kid who wanted to be cool? He’s the kid at the park who wants to be picked to play in the game and keeps getting passed over for kids who are busy doing other things (like 30 yards away on another part of the park). I also get the impression that if he were to be the next president, he is the kind of guy who would have the angle of, “fine, I’m taking my ball and going home, you guys suck!” Which is not really the attitude you want your president to have when dealing with foreign policy and cabinet meetings.
- Fifteenth is Mitt Romney. I really hope you have your seatbelt on for the next two. Plain and simple. Do not believe this devilish swindler. I bet that if I had a 60 inch High Definition television with all of the HD channels and watched a Republican Debate, I would clearly see the horns poke out through the skin on his forehead. Politically, Mitt Romney is the ANTI-CHRIST. The guy has one general thought process when he wants to get elected in
- Sixteenth is Hillary “Holy F#@K You Can’t Be Serious”
Now that we have addressed all of the candidates, it is time to bring the NFL into this discussion. The problem here is the
So, what does it all mean. All of the previous comes down to one concept. Who belongs and who doesn’t. In the NFL, just because 12 teams make the playoffs, doesn’t mean 12 teams are worthy of being in the playoffs. In the Presidential Race, 16 nominees is unacceptable. If
All in all, just be smart. Just because someone is literally in the race, doesn’t mean they have a legitimate shot at winning or have earned the right to waste your valuable time and energy listening to their s#@t.
Romney = Apocolypse
Ron Paul =
Fred Thompson = Top 10 President in History
Rudy Guiliani = Competent Politician
John McCain = Great Candidate 3, 5, 8 years ago
Pittsburgh Steelers, SuperBowl Champs = The books are cooked in Vegas
Green Bay Packers, SuperBowl Champs = I saw this movie before, it was more realistic in the 1990’s
Just be careful, and remember to think for yourselves. They are politicians after all.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Ohio GOP a stupid microcosm of national party
By Rick Morris
Ohio, considered the quintessential bellweather state in recent presidential elections, is often referred to as a microcosm of the nation. With its blend of urban and rural and representation from most of the country's major ethnic groups, the designation seems to fit.
Unfortunately for any folks with a rightist orientation such as myself, the complete incompetence and utter small-minded failure of imagination of Republican leaders in Ohio is mirrored by the national picture. Political observers everywhere are familiar with the lengthy bill of indictment against the national Republican party during the Bush years, from the arrogant pork-barrel spending in the "heady" days of one-party rule to the inability to carry out working governance in post-Katrina Louisiana or effective policies (prior to 2007) in Iraq to the overall tin-eared, ham-handed political machinations that have done nothing but empower Democrats and lead to a Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid.
But in Ohio, a sad similar inability to stop shooting itself in the foot afflicts the GOP.
Today's Cleveland Plain Dealer informs us of a plan, openly admitted to by the Einsteins at the Ohio Republican Party, to attempt to call the bluff of newly elected Democratic state officeholders with a mountain of public records requests and threaten lawsuits if the issues are not settled expeditiously. Also, in an editorial, the PD writes about the pathetic attempts by the barely-alive Cuyahoga County Republican Party to target Dennis Kucinich not in his next election -- but in a freaking recall!
As for the public records plot: if the too-clever-by-half dime-store Machiavellis who have been running this operation into the ground for over a decade can't figure out that they're only making martyrs of the Democrat officeholders with this stunt, then they're too stupid to live. And spare me the whining about how the "lib-rul media" is just trying to make the Republicans look bad on this. Yes, they most certainly are, but idiot Republicans don't have to keep handing them the ammunition to do so.
The party needs to realize that after years of governance by stiffs like Bob Taft, Betty Montgomery and George Voinovich, who all cared about nothing but polls and the politics of expediency, the public has no tolerance for the shenanigans of the GOP. Whether it be on a national or local level, the Republicans will NEVER NEVER NEVER beat the Democrats at their own game of shameless opportunism. The Columbus insiders who have aided and abetted the assassination of the Republican brand over the last decade need to realize that further alienating voters with political gamesmanship will not elevate the party back to power in the statewide offices and prevent what appears to be an inevitable loss of the House of Representatives next year. Winning with the superiority of public policy ideas will do that.
While I'm not a big fan of Newt Gingrich due to the fact that he talked a big game about government reform but accomplished little as Speaker back in the day, he is right that Nicolas Sarkozy had to overcome the enormous hurdle caused by Vichy French President Jacques Chirac's tarnishing of the UMP party label in his successful candidacy for President of France. Finally freed from the reign of the spineless and pathetic Governor Bob Taft, the Ohio Republican Party in 2007 needed to chart a new course, one built on demonstrating how conservative ideals of limited governance were the best means to carry the state forward. At every opportunity, however, the fools in charge never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. By not having the patience to wait out the honeymoon periods of Ohio's statewide officeholders, the party has played into their hands by making them sympathetic figures and has cast itself as a propagator of government waste as statewide employees scurry to carry out their tasks at the expense of actual duties. Well played!
And as for the recall of Kucinich, the Plain Dealer makes a good point (I can't believe I'm saying that, as Cleveland's Morning Mediocrity is not known for brilliant and pungent analysis) about how targeting the worst congressman in America with AN ACTUAL CANDIDATE AT THE BALLOT BOX is the way to demonstrate displeasure with his asinine antics. But why do that when you can grandstand with a recall campaign in the interim, then shirk into the default mode of dredging up an anonymous victim willing to play cannon fodder and collect 20% of the vote and no campaign contributions whatsoever against Kucinich next November?
For people like myself who don't like being governed by liberal ideas, these are the people who stand between us and that reality. God help us.
Ohio, considered the quintessential bellweather state in recent presidential elections, is often referred to as a microcosm of the nation. With its blend of urban and rural and representation from most of the country's major ethnic groups, the designation seems to fit.
Unfortunately for any folks with a rightist orientation such as myself, the complete incompetence and utter small-minded failure of imagination of Republican leaders in Ohio is mirrored by the national picture. Political observers everywhere are familiar with the lengthy bill of indictment against the national Republican party during the Bush years, from the arrogant pork-barrel spending in the "heady" days of one-party rule to the inability to carry out working governance in post-Katrina Louisiana or effective policies (prior to 2007) in Iraq to the overall tin-eared, ham-handed political machinations that have done nothing but empower Democrats and lead to a Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid.
But in Ohio, a sad similar inability to stop shooting itself in the foot afflicts the GOP.
Today's Cleveland Plain Dealer informs us of a plan, openly admitted to by the Einsteins at the Ohio Republican Party, to attempt to call the bluff of newly elected Democratic state officeholders with a mountain of public records requests and threaten lawsuits if the issues are not settled expeditiously. Also, in an editorial, the PD writes about the pathetic attempts by the barely-alive Cuyahoga County Republican Party to target Dennis Kucinich not in his next election -- but in a freaking recall!
As for the public records plot: if the too-clever-by-half dime-store Machiavellis who have been running this operation into the ground for over a decade can't figure out that they're only making martyrs of the Democrat officeholders with this stunt, then they're too stupid to live. And spare me the whining about how the "lib-rul media" is just trying to make the Republicans look bad on this. Yes, they most certainly are, but idiot Republicans don't have to keep handing them the ammunition to do so.
The party needs to realize that after years of governance by stiffs like Bob Taft, Betty Montgomery and George Voinovich, who all cared about nothing but polls and the politics of expediency, the public has no tolerance for the shenanigans of the GOP. Whether it be on a national or local level, the Republicans will NEVER NEVER NEVER beat the Democrats at their own game of shameless opportunism. The Columbus insiders who have aided and abetted the assassination of the Republican brand over the last decade need to realize that further alienating voters with political gamesmanship will not elevate the party back to power in the statewide offices and prevent what appears to be an inevitable loss of the House of Representatives next year. Winning with the superiority of public policy ideas will do that.
While I'm not a big fan of Newt Gingrich due to the fact that he talked a big game about government reform but accomplished little as Speaker back in the day, he is right that Nicolas Sarkozy had to overcome the enormous hurdle caused by Vichy French President Jacques Chirac's tarnishing of the UMP party label in his successful candidacy for President of France. Finally freed from the reign of the spineless and pathetic Governor Bob Taft, the Ohio Republican Party in 2007 needed to chart a new course, one built on demonstrating how conservative ideals of limited governance were the best means to carry the state forward. At every opportunity, however, the fools in charge never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. By not having the patience to wait out the honeymoon periods of Ohio's statewide officeholders, the party has played into their hands by making them sympathetic figures and has cast itself as a propagator of government waste as statewide employees scurry to carry out their tasks at the expense of actual duties. Well played!
And as for the recall of Kucinich, the Plain Dealer makes a good point (I can't believe I'm saying that, as Cleveland's Morning Mediocrity is not known for brilliant and pungent analysis) about how targeting the worst congressman in America with AN ACTUAL CANDIDATE AT THE BALLOT BOX is the way to demonstrate displeasure with his asinine antics. But why do that when you can grandstand with a recall campaign in the interim, then shirk into the default mode of dredging up an anonymous victim willing to play cannon fodder and collect 20% of the vote and no campaign contributions whatsoever against Kucinich next November?
For people like myself who don't like being governed by liberal ideas, these are the people who stand between us and that reality. God help us.
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