OH-2: Even More Examples of Bennett Playing Politics

dpotts — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:00:37 -0700

After my post yesterday on Jean Schmidt's Chief of Staff, I decided to to run his name through Google.

It turns out that Barry has quite a record of making political statements from his office. Here's some highlights of what I've found...

The Hill:

Schmidt Chief of Staff Barry Bennett said Heimlich is not much of a threat and cited his county commission reelection loss to a Democrat in 2006. Hamilton County is a Republican stronghold.

“That’d be great if they both ran,” Bennett said. “Phil Heimlich is just not a candidate that people will be able to unite behind. He’s unemployed and unpopular. And he wants to run. Well, we welcome him to the race.”

Project Logic (quoting news story):

The campaign staff of Wulsin, Schmidt's Democratic opponent in the 2nd Congressional District, sent out a press release Friday headlined "Finally, the First Debate." It said the two would be going head-to-head Monday night before the Adams County Business and Professional Women organization in West Union.

Barry Bennett, Schmidt's chief of staff, said he understood that the event would be a "candidates' night" with Ohio legislative and Adams County candidates invited as well, one where every candidate gets a few minutes to get up and make his or her pitch.

Whatever it is, it's not a debate," said Bennett.

Besides, Bennett said, Schmidt can't attend because she will be at an ecumenical church service in Cincinnati commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"It's not really right to be doing partisan political events on the anniversary of that day," Bennett said.

Plain Dealer:

The Republican National Committee stays out of primary fights, said campaign manager Barry Bennett.

He described Schmidt as having a "huge, insurmountable lead" in the primary against two opponents, including naysaying state Rep. Tom Brinkman.

Cincinnati Enquirer:

Still, Schmidt chief of staff Barry Bennett defended the letter, and its contents.

"She did a peer review of experiments, so she was a participant. No one is accusing her of doing the injections or anything else," Bennett said, adding that the letter was "100 percent factual" and contained "carefully chosen words."

Columbus Dispatch:

Barry Bennett, an adviser to Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Cincinnati, said Murtha's plan would present political problems for Space and Wilson, Democrats who serve in conservative districts. As much as voters in those districts dislike the war, they might be cool to the idea of congressionally imposed limits on how to fight the war.

"Zack Space can vote for that at his peril," Bennett said. He called Murtha's plan "the gift we've been waiting for."

Columbus Dispatch:

After McEwen's formal announcement of a rematch Wednesday at an Anderson Township hospital, Barry Bennett, Schmidt's chief of staff, said Schmidt would point out the failures in McEwen's 12 years in the U.S. House.

"It's appropos McEwen made his announcement from a hospital because his campaign is in critical condition," Bennett said. "This is all about Bob, this is about Bob's ego, and we'll make it about his record, and it's less than stellar."

Cincinnati Enquirer:

(on OH-2 making the "Red to Blue" list in '06)

Barry Bennett, Schmidt's chief of staff, said making the committee's list "is no big deal.''

"It looks to me like they put all districts held by freshmen on it,'' Bennett said. "We're not worried.''

Politicker OH:

Schmidt chief of staff Barry Bennett said he found it interesting the Wulsin campaign would release a poll showing them down eight points.

"Her own release says that only 48 percent of the poll would ‘even consider' replacing Jean," Bennett said. "I guess 52 would not. If they believe their numbers I assume they are working on their withdraw speech."

Congress Daily (via BSB, as it requires a subscription):

"We are not saying she was involved in human testing. But she wrote the report, she reviewed all the data and she took their money — their dirty money — and put it in her bank account."

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OH-2: Even More Examples of Bennett Playing Politics