Buckeye State Blog - Governor's Race

A Good Sign

zygela — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 08:16:13 -0700

What a dick, Part II

J-Dog — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 07:11:08 -0700

Lord Blackwell, as expected, says he is not responsible for the thumping Ted Strickland administered on November 7. Moreover, it's all Bob Taft's fault, and Blackwell was the sacrificial lamb, and says he refused to attack Taft.

I report - You decide. The following Associated Press article appears on the Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune's front page today (12/6/2006):

AP Interview: BLACKWELL LEFT TAFT ATTACKS TO OTHERS COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Long a critic of Gov. Bob Taft, Ken Blackwell said Tuesday that he rejected advice to go negative on the Taft administration during his losing campaign for governor for the sake of the Republican Party.

In an Associated Press interview, Blackwell named that as one of myriad factors that contributed to his loss — including government scandal, Ohio’s economy and masterful use by Gov.-elect Ted Strickland of his own pro-religion, pro-gun, anti-Taft message.

‘‘You make decisions. Here I am the titular head of the party at the top of the ticket. I’ve successfully gotten the rank and file to make me their nominee. So, do I continue to run against Republicans?’’ reflected Blackwell, Ohio’s two-term secretary of state. ‘‘The strategist said, for seven years, you’ve been a chief critic of the administration, so you should just play that out. I chose to run a more issue-oriented campaign.’’

Democrats and Republicans who ran ads attacking Taft — whose unpopularity with Ohioans grew after he pleaded no contest to ethics violations last year — were largely successful on Election Day. They included GOP Auditor-elect Mary Taylor, who linked her opponent to a Taft-backed tax increase.

Blackwell said he decided on another course, much as he opted not to run ads attacking then-President George H.W. Bush’s reversal on raising taxes — after the famous ‘‘read my lips’’ pledge — in his unsuccessful 1990 congressional campaign.

Taft spokesman Mark Rickel was unconvinced that Blackwell had not followed an anti-Taft game plan. ‘‘Perhaps Mr. Blackwell should go back and watch the tapes of the debates.’’

Taft, who leaves office next month due to term limits, was not entirely spared Blackwell’s campaign attacks. In the first gubernatorial debate, Blackwell painted Strickland as someone who would support Taft-like tax increases. Blackwell also said improving the state’s economy would take bolder leadership.

‘‘That doesn’t take business as usual, that doesn’t take an extension of the philosophy of Bob Taft, which this gentleman represents,’’ Blackwell said of Strickland that day.

Blackwell stopped short, however, of spending any of his campaign millions on TV ads attacking Taft. The bitter primary he and Attorney General Jim Petro waged for the nomination — which cost him $5.6 million — had already divided the party, Blackwell said, and piling on over the Taft record did not seem constructive.

‘‘It really doesn’t take a rocket scientist or detailed analysis to see there was a real tidal wave push for change and to give the other guys a chance,’’ he said. ‘‘They (Democrats) effectively said, ’We’re not them’ — so whether it was me who had been a major critic of the Taft administration, or (Republican) folks who were more aligned with them philosophically, it was the same outcome.’’

Blackwell said he believes the drive for change trumped all other factors on Election Day. He doesn’t believe the fact that he is black played much of role in the outcome, for example, noting that he had won four previous statewide elections.

He said other black candidates also lost races this year — incumbent treasurer Jennette Bradley, a fellow Republican, in the primary; Ohio Supreme Court candidate Ben Espy; and Democratic auditor candidate Barbara Sykes — and their losses could be traced more to the money they raised or the campaigns they ran than to their race.

In his own case, Blackwell saw his political stands as pivotal.

‘‘I wasn’t about to change who I am: I am a pro-life, Christian moralist supply-sider. That’s the ticket that got me to the party and got me several dances, and that wasn’t going to change,’’ he said. ‘‘But I think the heavy turnout among Independents and Democrats who were looking for change clearly saw me as not their cup of tea in terms of political philosophy.’’

He doesn’t view the grief he took in the national press over his handling of the 2004 election as ultimately doing him damage with the voters.

‘‘For every detractor I had about 2004, I had three people who thought we did it right,’’ he said.

Blackwell said previous secretaries of state in Ohio also served as honorary co-chairs to presidential campaigns, as he did for Bush’s, and that media accounts of his controversial public declarations and election directives overlooked strains that existed between his office and the White House heading into the 2004 election.

Among them, Blackwell said, were his support of the Steve Forbes presidential campaign in 2000; his bumping of Ralph Nader from the 2004 Ohio ballot, removing his potential to divide the Democratic vote; and his opposition to GOP requests for a second layer of election observers.

‘‘When you look at it in retrospect, the President could have been saying here’s a guy who’s been an independent voice that hasn’t followed the script, and now my presidency might turn on how he counts the vote,’’ Blackwell said.

He noted, with a laugh, that Bush is quoted in reporter Bob Woodward’s latest book referring to Blackwell as ‘‘a nut’’ as the state’s count remained incomplete on Election Night 2004.

Blackwell, 58, said he has not yet contemplated where life will take him after he leaves office at the end of the year — but it will probably be a continuation of his public service.

‘‘Next year, it will be 32 years that I’ve been in and out of public office. I’ve won 10 or 11 races, and lost four,’’ he said. ‘‘You learn over that 32-year period to pick yourself up off the canvas, dust yourself off, shake the cobwebs out of your head and move on with your career.’’

Blackwell, a multimillionaire, said he is ‘‘in a good position of being able to look for work but not needing a job.’’

‘‘There is plenty of work to be done,’’ he said. ‘‘I have the luxury of being able to sort things out and find the right fit.’’

Blackwell leads in new poll

ds022b — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 08:28:03 -0700

...amongst his base, Dispatch readers aged 12 and under. "According to the votes received, J. Kenneth Blackwell is the leading candidate with 67 votes; Ted Strickland has 57 votes." Clearly, he'll be positioned well to run against Sherrod for the Senate in 2012, when his lone remaining supporters start turning 18.

Blackwell's October Surprise?

Westervillain — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 11:43:18 -0700

A lame campaign ad featuring Rudy Giuliani! I guess Jerry Springer can count on Rudy's future support, since he too was Cincinnati mayor.

Why do World Net Daily's Jerome Corsi and BizzyBlog's Tom Blumer hate law enforcement and want to hinder its ability to protect

MLM Liberal — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 00:00:21 -0700

Corsi photo from Progressive Convergence. Blumer photo from his website.

Jerome Corsi of World Net Daily and Cincinnati-area CPA Tom Blumer of BizzyBlog continue a campaign to smear Ted Strickland because a former campaign staffer was charged in 1994 with public indecency for exposing himself to a minor--a fourth-degree misdemeanor. The record of the staffer's conviction was expunged in 2002 because the staffer, who was in college when he committed the crime, successfully completed psychological treatment.

Here is what employees for the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) want you to know about Strickland's opponent, Ken Blackwell, and what Corsi and Blumer won't tell you.

A criminal background check done by employees of ODPS' Ohio Computer Center discovered an arrest record for an employee of Ken Blackwell, Michael Toomer, who would admit to sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl over a 7-year period. Much of the abuse occurred during the time he was employed by Blackwell.

The Strickland staffer "controversy" was one of two attacks made by Blackwell in his final debate against Strickland on October 16. The other was regarding a 1999 vote in Congress to which Blackwell made the comments which can be heard here:

The source for the attack material leading to Blackwell's comments about the North American Man-Boy Love Association was BizzyBlog's Tom Blumer, who posted an extensive commentary on the subject at his blog just days earlier. Blumer's blog indicates it has received praise from the likes of the National Review and conservative commentator Michelle Malkin.

A 10-year employee of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Sean Gilbow, was threatened and intimidated by members of Blumer's blog alliance for staging a counterattack. A blogger himself during his off hours, Gilbow was promoted twice in the last year and currently works as a Customer Service Assistant for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. He previously worked for ODPS Administration in Data Services and Revenue Management, where he also assisted employees of Ohio Homeland Security in its Private Investigator/Security Guard section.

In defending his co-workers at ODPS, which includes the State Highway Patrol, Gilbow wrote Blumer's blogger friends who were ridiculing him, one at a time, and made clear where his co-workers stand while he cited how his co-workers discovered the felony sex offender employed by Ken Blackwell:

In a membership poll, 89 percent of the 1,600 members of the Ohio Troopers Association support Ted Strickland--thus resulting in the endorsement of the union representing Ohio's Highway Patrol troopers. Strickland has also been endorsed by the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police and Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters.

That's in addition to the endorsement of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, which represents most ODPS employees outside of the Highway Patrol.

In a comment to one blogger regarding the story on how ODPS employees discoverd the sex offender employed by Ken Blackwll, Gilbow said:

(One of your buddies) calls (the article) gutter politics. That's my co-workers doing their jobs. And the fact that you, (blogger name removed), blurted out in the blogosphere that I was threatening your alliance when one of your fellow bloggers was threatening me is not sitting well with some of my co-workers.

You...Tom Blumer and the other militants of your alliance are determined to get the wrath of some of the state's top law-enforcement officers and the people who back them.

So let me put another analogy to you, (blogger name removed)....

You say when we oppose the war, we oppose or even hate our troops, according to (another of your blog buddies).

89 percent of the 1,600 members of the Ohio Troopers Association support Ted Strickland, thus getting the association's endorsement, as well as the Fraternal Order of Police.

So based on your logic, or lack thereof...because you oppose Ted Strickland, you oppose our law-enforcement officers.

I want to see you try to spin that one. My co-workers with guns and badges will be greatly amused.

----------
That blogger and his ridiculing buddies got the message. Now it's time for you to show you support for local and state law enforcement officers and support personnel behind the scenes. Write to Tom Blumer and Jerome Corsi and ask them why they oppose law enforcement and its efforts to protect citizens from child sexual predators like Ken Blackwell's former employee.

UPDATE - Racist Radio Ads and Blackwell's Ties

ds022b — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:45:00 -0700

A well-funded group, fronted by Blackwell's friend is running vulgar, racist ads on his behalf in Ohio targetting black voters.

* Ad Examples: "If you make a little mistake with one of your 'hos,' you'll want to dispose of that problem tout suite, no questions asked," one of the men says.
"That's too cold. I don't snuff my own seed," the other replies. "Maybe you do have a reason to vote Republican," the first man says.

& "I can understand why a Ku Klux Klan cracker like David Duke makes nice with the terrorists... what I want to know is why so many of the Democrat politicians I helped elect are on the same side of the Iraq war as David Duke." (ads available online at http://www.voteourvalues.com/ )

*�� The ad campaign is called Vote Our Values and is funded by America's PAC. This is a massive ad campaign - they claim to have already spent over a million dollars to buy�� 17,000 plays.

* Herman Cain is both the spokesman for VOV (http://www.nysun.com/pf.php?id=41648) and the voice in the ads. Cain and Blackwell were co-chairs of Steve Forbes presidential campaign.�� Additionally, he is listed on Blackwell's endorsement page, donated to Blackwell's campaign and stumped with him in Ohio. Cain also does the voices in the ad . Fox News interviewed Cain this week and he stated the purpose of the ads is to help Blackwell:

"They`re playing in approximately 10 to 12 markets, markets that have been targeted, quite frankly, based upon some of the races that are going on. For example, in Ohio, Ken Blackwell, a Republican candidate for governor in Ohio, is running a very good race. And he has a very good chance of winning. Now, Ken Blackwell, for example, has already attracted a large percentage of the black vote. But the idea is to get other black voters, who have traditionally voted black -- voted for Democrats, to take a look at Ken Blackwell, as well as all of the other Republican candidates. (OUR WORLD WITH NEIL CAVUTO 4:33 PM EST October 17, 2006 Tuesday)

* This is the second group with huge Blackwell ties to run appalling, slanderous ads designed to help Blackwell.�� In September The National Black Republican Association ran an ad that stated Democrats started the KKK. The group listed Blackwell as a founding advisor. Blackwell's campaign said "We find the advertisements inappropriate and distasteful. I don't understand the purpose that an ad of this type would serve." (Governor candidate denies association with group airing KKK ads The Associated Press State & Local Wire September 22, 2006 ).

* Fact: Ken Blackwell himself has run radio ads that were called "racist." Running against Barbara Sykes in 94 he ran the following ad:
"They are going to try and trick you into thinking that a vote for Ken Blackwell is bad. They think that we are dumb enough to fall for that. They don't think we know they are upset because finally, after 199 years, Ken Blackwell, an African-American, holds a constitutional office. We must not let them control us."

"Democrats charged on Thursday that the ad is meant to intentionally mislead listeners into thinking that Blackwell is running against a white opponent to draw black votes away from Sykes."It's a cheap, racist trick on their part, trying to make it look like whitie is after blackie," said state Democratic Party Chairman Harry Meshel. "Where in the hell do they get off saying 'they are trying to trick us' and 'we must not let them control us?' Well, who in the hell are 'them'?" Meshel asked. ( DEMS VOICE IRE;BLACKWELL'S BLACK-FOCUSED AD CALLED RACIST, TRUTH-SKEWED Dayton Daily News (Ohio) October 21, 1994)

* Fact: Blackwell sent a racially insulting mailing to black voters earlier this year which trashed Strickland.
�� Philip Morris, an African-American columnist at The Plain Dealer said, "The problem with this particular appeal �Ķ is its tone-deaf delivery. It unnecessarily mines a caricature so unappealing that it borders on stereotype. It's a problem I've noticed with Blackwell in the past. He has appeared challenged to find the right pitch when appealing to African-American voters."

Is it any wonder Blackwell polls at 3% amongst blacks in Lucas County? (http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061015/NEWS09/61015009)

This Is Really Good News

Muffet — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 11:23:30 -0700

A friend, a lawyer, who shares space in our office, is a very conservative Republican.�� She even voted for Blackwell in the primary.�� She is voting for Strickland!�� She can't stand Blackwell's slimy tactics in the last few days.�� She is also thinking of voting for Wulsin.�� There really are miracles.�� Let's have more.

I went to a fundraiser for Wulsin last Thursday evening.�� The hostess was a Republican.�� There were lots of Republicans there who plan to vote for Vic.�� Hoorah!

Pay Up Staff

Ohio2nd — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 20:42:36 -0700

Enquirer Endorses Blackwell

Five bucks please :-D

Warning. This is satire from the Cincinnati Dealer.

Muffet — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 07:43:37 -0700

Ken Blackwell: Nut or Whore? By David Akadjian | Dealer staff writer �� Tue, Oct 17, 2006
��

COLUMBUS - Ken Blackwell spoke with the Dealer about recent comments from President Bush and Nikki Giovanni.

Dealer: In his recent book State of Denial, Bob Woodward quotes President Bush calling you a "nut." Are you a nut?

Blackwell: I'm like a dog in heat, a freak without warning. I have an appetite for sex cuz me so horny. You tell that to Mister Big-eared Honky Monkey.

Dealer: What about Nikki Giovanni's comments at the Fountain Square dedication? She said that you are a "political whore jumping from bed to bed to see who will stroke your knee."

Blackwell: She can stroke my knee any day.

Dealer: Mr. Blackwell

Blackwell: ��There once was a poet named Nikki who couldn't keep her mouth off my dickie. I dipped it in spice, she said isn't that nice, and now Blackie is sportin' a thickie. Now who's the poet?

Dealer: So you're not a political whore? ��

Blackwell: Bitch you don't know, you ain't heard. Fuckin' with me you're gonna get served. We all gotta price baby. From Nikki G. to Kenny B. Some of us just take more than Lincolns in back-alley parking lots.

Dealer: She also mentioned that she wasn't a "son of a bitch" like you.

Blackwell: Sticks and stones. Ass and clit. You know how I like that freaky shit. Yeah pop that high-brow coochie on over here baby girl.

Dealer: Thank you, Mr. Blackwell.

Comment (1) ��

Heads-up to people of faith for Strickland

Renee in Ohio — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:10:30 -0700

It might be nice to have a counterpresence for this...

Columbus, OH �� On October 18 Christians for Social Justice, an Ohio based organization, will educate voters that ��Strickland is Wrong�� on moral issues at the ��Turnaround Ohio�� Rally for Ted Strickland.
Ted��s Truth Truck along with handheld signs and banners will be used to expose Ted Strickland��s record on abortion and homosexual unions. Ted��s Truth Truck has visited several cities in Ohio since its launch on Sept. 28. Dozens of Christians will make the point that Ted Strickland��s votes and public statements on key social justice issues are contrary to the views of most of Ohio��s faith community.

Christians for Social Justice's wes (sic) site, TruthAboutTed.com is designed to compare some of Ted Strickland's votes, positions, and statements to the Biblical Christianity.

The ��Strickland is Wrong�� Voter Education Outreach will present a billboard truck, banners, and handheld signs displaying Strickland��s record on abortion and homosexual unions at Lifestyle Communities Pavilion (formerly PromoWest), 405 Neil Avenue in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday Oct. 18, 2006 from 5 - 7 PM

Appropriating "social justice" for a narrow conservative agenda...the mind boggles.

PD Endorses Strickland

MarkJablonski — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 07:22:58 -0700

Ted Strickland has the temperament, the understanding and the supporting cast to move Ohio toward wise goals

Sunday, October 08, 2006

At a time when Ohio's eco nomic fortunes and job- generating capacities are fearfully diminished, voters are presented with two starkly different candidates in the race for governor:

Democrat Ted Strickland projects steadiness, but often appears stunningly free of vision.

Republican Ken Blackwell practically hemorrhages ideas, yet seems unencumbered by quality control.

Ohio doesn't need a caretaker in charge, so Strickland's apparent passivity is cause for concern. But even less does Ohio need a governor who would burn down state government in order to save it. Blackwell's history gives every indication that he could take that course.

Blackwell reeks of recklessness. His long record in public office suggests that he would freely engage in the exploration of potentially destructive ideas, even as he uses the governorship to make political mischief and sow social division on a grander scale than ever.

As governor, Blackwell might be a disaster. For all the lack of boldness Strickland has shown in this campaign, he wouldn't be that.

The deep contrasts in their temperaments and level of political maturity should make Strickland's election a fairly easy call. Besides, the ideas Strickland has been willing to advance so far are solid, and we are relatively confident he will continue to surround himself with smart people who can help him implement and expand upon them.

The same cannot be said of Blackwell.

The Republican candidate has long proclaimed himself a tax-cutter and, true to form, he promises to cut taxes until Ohio prospers. There's nothing necessarily wrong with lowering taxes. But Blackwell's ill-fated Tax Expenditure Limitation amendment proposal, a millstone removed from his neck - and Ohio's - by Republican legislators, proved that there is no tax gimmick too rash for him to entertain.

His calls for sweeping privatization of government through the leasing of the Ohio Turnpike and other state services are intriguing debating points, but hardly represent the sort of thoughtful plans that will re-establish Ohio as a center of national commerce.

Strickland, on the other hand, has at least properly identified Ohio's strengths - the foundation on which he would attempt to build. What he hasn't done is deliver a convincing vision that includes the type of creativity that can separate winners from losers in a global marketplace.

As articulated by the candidate, Strickland's eco nomic rescue plan - known as Turn Around Ohio - strikes us as a compilation of sensible ideas that lack the sense of urgency to deal with Ohio's gloomy economic climate. Strickland must make clear to the public that he's thinking bigger, aiming higher and pushing harder than Bob Taft ever did. He must grasp the power of the governorship and use it as a catalyst for change.

Strickland recognizes the importance of an educated work force in any strategy to revive Ohio's economy. What he has not done is offer enough short-term bridges leading toward that elusive, long-term goal. His Knowledge Bank idea and his pledge to focus on improved classroom instruction are noble goals, but a state that exports too much of its best young talent is looking for stronger signs of life from its governorship's atrophied muscles.

For one thing, he needs to hit the ground running with workable plans to make a university education more affordable to more Ohioans right away.

We believe Strickland has a better chance to accomplish good things for Ohio because he and his running mate, Lee Fisher, understand the state's needs better than their Republican opponents. Fisher is an urban Democrat from Greater Cleveland who has long championed the needs of cities and knows the challenges of job creation. Strickland, a product of Appalachia, has lived the struggles of rural Ohio and grasps the troubles of the poor.

Together, these men have a chance to take the helm of a state that has become known for too many of the wrong economic indicators. Doing so will require active political imagination, keen economic vision - and a certain amount of care.

The question before Ohioans is, which candidate for governor is best equipped to carry the state forward without dropping it. The only answer, then, is Ted Strickland.

DISPATCH Guv Endorsement to Strickland

J-Dog — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 06:46:16 -0700

One more domino falls: The Columbus Dispatch today endorses Ted Strickland for Governor.

Ohio is falling behind in jobs, education and optimism. It has been riven by bitter and closely decided presidential elections. More than anything, the next governor of Ohio must be someone who can bridge political gulfs and enlist the help of all Ohioans to make the state a national leader again. For this reason, The Dispatch urges voters to elect Democrat Ted Strickland on Nov. 7.

Though Ohio government has been dominated by Republicans for 12 years, the narrow 100,000-vote margin between George Bush and Democratic opponent Sen. John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election illustrated that Ohio is neither a red state nor a blue one. It is purple.

Such a state requires a governor who can work with red and blue Ohioans, who can cool the fever of partisanship with moderation and common sense. Between Strickland, who currently represents Ohio's 6th Congressional District, and Republican candidate and Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, Strickland is the one who has exhibited these qualities to a much greater degree.

Blackwell has proclaimed that he is the candidate of bold ideas. That's true. But his ideas alarm a significant portion of the electorate, including many in his own party. Boldness is not the test of leadership; sound judgment is.

The Dispatch goes on to rip Blackwell over his TEL flip-flops and 65 per cent "plan"...

...Because this plan was not a careful, thoughtful piece of work, it calls into question the thoughtfulness and care of its creator. Blackwell's suport for the so-called 65 percent solution, which proposes to fix problems in the state's schools by ordering every district to devote 65 percent of its budget to classroom instruction, is a similar big idea that simply brushes aside the details, such as the myriad differences in need among more than 600 Ohio school districts.

The Dispatch also tips its hat to Strickland's bipartisan abilities:

...Of course, anything the next governor proposes will require the cooperation of the General Assembly, and on that score, too, Strickland has the edge. Blackwell is a polarizing figure, even within his own party, and his bull-in-the-china-shop approach to politics is as likely to alienate the legislature as win it over. Strickland's moderation and consensus-building style are more likely to be effective regardless of the legislature's political makeup.

The editorial gives an unwarranted, gratuitous tip of the hat to Tommy-Gun Raga:

...Strickland also has the superior running mate. Lee Fisher, who served well as Ohio attorney general, state senator and 1998 Democratic nominee for governor, is experienced and knowledgeable. Tom Raga, Blackwell's running mate, is a third-term state representative who is bright and promising but untested at this level.

Bottom line:

Ohio's future will be built one brick at a time and will require all hands. Strickland is best equipped to lead the state forward.

Gov Debate -- Live Blogging at Paint Ohio Blue

Todd Hoffman — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 17:21:15 -0700

Cross posted at www.paintohioblue.com

Gubernatorial Debate -- Live Blogging Part 1

Ken Blackwell gives the first opening remarks. All about tax and spend. Mr. Blackwell have you seen the recent Ohio Poll? It says Ohioans trust Democrats more than Republican when it comes to handing tax policy. Also, Ken maybe a bit more education might be to your benefit. The General Assembly controls tax policy. Get over this old worn-out argument.

Ken plays games with word, runaround not a turnaround, yuck that bite of sound has no substance. Blackwell attempts to answer a question about jobs, but Strickland in rebuttal points out that Ohio job growth has been under the national average under the Republican controlled government.

Ken still stuck on taxes. Does he have any other ideas?

Strickland calls TEL ��nutty�� -- boy he��s being nice. Ohio needs stability and predictability in tax code, as suggested by the Ohio Business Roundtable. Strickland wants to invest in education and job training. Yes, businesses are looking for skilled workers �� that��s what draws in more business.

��Your flat tax proposal will give a tax cut to the richest Ohioans, but raise the taxes on the middle class,�� said Strickland. Way to call it like it is Ted.

Strickland on TEL: Business leaders of the state overwhelming objected to this idea.

��Legislature tried to save Mr. Blackwell from himself�Ķtried to cover that Mr. Blackwell flip-flopped on the issue.��

High Tech economy - education question:

Strickland: Wants to invest $50 million in early childhood education. Invest in public schools instead of charter schools, many of which are for profit. College tuition rates are out of hand.

Part 2 to come...

Gubernatorial Debate �� Live Blogging Part 2

Ken tries to defend flat tax as if it would not hurt the middle class, not very convincing. Strickland points out that flat tax will raise middle class taxes.

What portions of the budget would Ken cut for tax breaks?

Blackwell talks about spending cap by General Assembly.

Strickland says Ken can��t have it both ways. Ohio has disinvested in education. ��Mr. Blackwell has a plan that simply lacks creditability�Ķjust doesn��t make since.��

Question to Strickland on health insurance:

Strickland says his plan will result in half of 1.3 million uninsured Ohioans being insured and offer affordable health care to the rest. Many people could be enrolled in existing programs.

Blackwell wants to raise the age of children who can stay on their parent��s insurance from 21 to 29. Strickland seems to agree with this point.

Question about the Ohio poll: More faith in Democrats on economy than Republicans.

Ken says he is a Republican ��for a change��, sure, Ken did you forget you are part of the current ��Taft Culture of Corruption�� government?

Ken jabs on Ted for being a psychologist again�ĶI think Ken may need one. He looks a but stressed.

Strickland is proud to be a psychologist �� he should be. He has had many academic and career achievements.

Strickland �� all the Mayors supporting him. He wants to address urban sprawl. Tax credits for rehab of urban facilities, government building in urban areas, cannot abandon our cities.

Blackwell says he will protect property of farmers �� wait the question was about urban areas �� way to go off subject for brownie points Ken.

Strickland redirects to the actual question.

Question: What does a middle class vote look like to you?

Blackwell talks about brother who is a barber and money for education. Strickland has grown up in the middle class, went in to government to fight for middle class.

Closing statements:

Blackwell:

Blackwell talks about giving more money to the rich through a not so well worded analogy. Wants an economic renewal, wants to prevent brain drain in Ohio.

Strickland:

Ohio is a great state, great human and natural resources. Ohio is not doing as well as it could be, Ohio needs a turnaround. Ohioans want economic security, health care, education. These are the important ��kitchen table�� issues that moms and dads talk about.

��I believe Ohio can have better days, our families can have better futures,�� says Strickland.

Anonymous Campaign Funds Nothing New for William Todd

aberrant equation — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:17:11 -0700

(from The Toledo Blade)

Tax reformists get cash infusion
Anonymous funds back Blackwell group

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2005

COLUMBUS - A newly created nonprofit group has anonymously funneled nearly a quarter million dollars into an initiative seeking a constitutional amendment to restrict state spending.

Citizens for Tax Reform, the ballot initiative fronted by Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, has received five contributions totaling $225,000 from Ohioans for Responsible Government, incorporated in March by a pair of lobbyists and an attorney in Columbus.

The contributions represent 75 percent of the total $304,584 received by Tax Reform during the first six months of the year, according to a campaign expense report filed Friday with Mr. Blackwell's office.

Incorporation documents filed with the secretary of state's office list the three directors of the new Ohioans for Responsible Government as Tom Whatman, lobbyist and former executive director of the Ohio Republican Party; lobbyist Tom Needles; and attorney William Todd.

Among Mr. Needles' clients is industrialist and charter school magnate David Brennan's White Hat Management.

Mr. Todd previously represented Citizens for a Strong Ohio and Informed Citizens of Ohio, the business-backed groups that anonymously financed TV ads supporting Republican candidates for Ohio Supreme Court in 2000 and 2002. One of the co-founders of the latter group was Mr. Brennan.

Mr. Brennan's name is also one of four appearing on petitions being circulated in support of the proposed Tax and Expenditure Limitation Amendment.

"This is a very small organization of engaged citizens who are interested in various education and public policy issues," said Mr. Needles. He declined to discuss the major financial backers of the organization.

When asked specifically about Mr. Brennan, he said, "Mr. Brennan has long been involved in public policy issues. He's well aware of the [Tax Reform] organization and supports its work."

The Blackwell group plans to file petitions before the Aug. 10 deadline to place the proposed amendment on the Nov. 8 ballot. If approved, it would, short of an emergency declaration, limit annual state spending growth to the rate of inflation plus an adjustment for population growth.

The controversial ballot issue has divided the General Assembly and is opposed as too restrictive by Gov. Bob Taft. It's being pushed by Mr. Blackwell and conservative lawmakers who've challenged spending growth and accompanying tax increases in recent years, particularly a temporary penny-sales tax surcharge, half of which lawmakers recently made permanent.

"A ballot issue committee may accept unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, labor unions, and nonprofit associations," said Blackwell spokesman Carlo LoParo.

He noted Tax Reform voluntarily disclosed its contributions at this stage. Normally such an organization would not be mandated to disclose until after the filing deadline.

But Responsible Government, which has received tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, does not have to report the sources of its revenue, at least not until well after the election.

Catherine Turcer, of government watchdog Ohio Citizen Action, said it's disingenuous to suggest Tax Reform has voluntarily disclosed when the origins of 75 percent of its money remain unknown.

"They have voluntarily given us enough information to know that we have no information," she said. "That makes us more suspicious."

Tax Reform spokesman Gene Pierce said he has no way of knowing the sources of Responsible Government's money.

"Ken is committed to full disclosure," said Mr. Pierce. "He has advocated in the General Assembly that everyone should disclose where they get their money. Are you going to punish us for putting the information out there?"

He noted that the Coalition for Ohio's Future, groups opposing the ballot initiative, has not been required to report anything on its efforts and won't have to until after the issue is approved for the ballot.

"They could spend $1 million before the filing date, and the public will never know," he said.

Coalition spokesman Jenny Camper said the organization will fully disclose when the reporting deadline arrives.

Contact Jim Provance at: jprovance@theblade.com or 614-221-0496.

Ohio Turnpike proposed for latest acquisition by foreign firm

aberrant equation — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 20:27:28 -0700

http://ipcommunications.tmcnet.com/news/2006/09/15/204559.htmOhio Turnpike proposed for latest acquisition by foreign firm(Copley News Service Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) COLUMBUS, Ohio - A foreign business consortium that controls the Indiana Toll Road and the Chicago Skyway is eyeing the Ohio Turnpike in what could become a 406-mile monopoly of East-West transportation.

Macquarie-Cintra, an Australian-Spanish consortium, has asked for and received 20 years of traffic and revenue data from the Ohio Turnpike Commission, according to Gary Suhadolnik, the commission's executive director. J. Kenneth Blackwell, the Republican candidate for governor, has included leasing the 241-mile turnpike as part of his economic development plan for Ohio. He said bids could bring $6 billion or more, and the money would pay for other infrastructure projects, such as highways and sewers, across the state.

His opponent, Democrat Ted Strickland, knocked the turnpike lease as a "bad idea" because it would likely put the highway into foreign hands and tolls would increase.

A nonprofit organization called Road to Work Ohio - headed by the former executive director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission - was formed last week to advocate for the turnpike lease. Although the group is made up of businesspeople with Republican ties, James Seney said the group is not affiliated with any campaign or political party.

POLITICAL PLUS OR MINUS?

The issue is clearly Blackwell's. He has campaigned using the 75-year lease of the Indiana Toll Road, negotiated by Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels, as a model. Blackwell said Ohio would get more than the $3.85 billion Indiana got for its shorter 157-mile road. Democrat-controlled Chicago got $1.8 billion for the 7.8 mile Skyway.

Daniels' popularity, however, plummeted so much after the Indiana deal went through that fellow Republicans, including congressional candidates, are not asking him to campaign for them. In fact, one of Daniels' few campaign appearances this year was for Blackwell last month in Columbus.

"It's interesting that he's campaigning in Ohio and not Indiana," said Robert Schmuhl, a political analyst and professor at the University of Notre Dame. "A number of Republican candidates are fearful about what might happen in November because of the lingering animosity that Gov. Daniels has attracted."

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO TOLLS AND SIDE ROADS?

Those who watched the Indiana deal urged caution about the details in an Ohio turnpike lease. For example, tolls in Indiana will nearly double for the next four years and then increase more after that. All of Indiana's money, which is generating $500,000 in interest per day, will be gone in 10 years. And the new private operator of the Indiana Toll Road, without notifying authorities, put barriers in all of the highway's emergency turnarounds, preventing rescue vehicles from getting to crashes.

Analysts also say traffic will increase on the Ohio Turnpike's parallel roads - state Route 2, U.S. Route 20 and possibly U.S. Routes 30 and 224 and Interstates 76 and 70 - as truckers and others avoid increased tolls. And if a no-compete clause appears in the lease contract, as it does in Indiana, the state might be prevented from improving those roads to handle the increased traffic.

Any lease deal likely would mean the state would have to use its share to pay off the turnpike's debt, which is $700 million. A private operator also would get control of service plazas, including concessions and advertising. The annual $113.5 million in taxes from fuel used by drivers on the turnpike that now goes to the state's general revenue funds could disappear.

"We're concerned about selling it," said Larry Davis, who represents the Ohio Trucking Association, "but we're more concerned about how the money will be used."

Should the lease become a reality, he said truckers prefer the state use the money for highway projects and not "sewers in Youngstown."

'SELLING OF AMERICA'S INFRASTRUCTURE'

All of Indiana's money from the lease is allocated strictly for highway projects, many of which have been on the drawing board for years. But that doesn't please everyone, either. Residents in southwest Indiana are upset that a new Interstate 69 extension from Evansville to Indianapolis will be a private toll road. And northern Hoosiers are fuming that the lease money will not stay in their part of the state.

"There is a sense of loss of a state asset to a foreign company," Schmuhl said.

"I'm one of those who has a hard time with selling off America's infrastructure," said Jennifer Duffy, a political analyst in Washington, D.C. "It's quick cash. It's probably a temporary fix to a problem. A lot depends on how the deal is cut."

Duffy called leasing highways "politically risky because it is not going to be wholeheartedly embraced by voters. It ultimately costs them money, if only in higher tolls. (They) do not believe the distant promise."

Schmuhl wondered what happens after Indiana spends its lease money.

"Does it buy the Republican administration four more years because of all the road projects?" he said. "If the majority of the money is going to be spent over the next decade, one wonders about the six-plus other decades (in the lease)."

The fact that a foreign company manages the Indiana Toll Road is a minor issue, according to Bill Blomquist, a political science professor at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.

"(That) was an effort by folks who wanted to oppose it in the Legislature to try to justify their opposition," he said. "They haven't packed up the Chicago Skyway and spirited it off in the middle of the night to Australia or Spain."

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Reach Paul E. Kostyu at 614-222-8901 or e-mail paul.kostyu@cantonrep.com.

SIDEBAR TO TURNPIKE PART OF SUNDAY PACKAGE

By Paul E. Kostyu

Copley News Service

COLUMBUS, Ohio - You've arrived at an airport, waited for your bags to be unloaded and now you need a cart to haul your luggage to your car. In the United States, there's a good chance you're going to use a cart from Smarte Carte Corp.

While visiting friends in New England, you used water provided by Aquarion, one of the 10 largest privately owned utilities in the United States.

And if you stopped in Michigan and flipped on a light, the power likely came through the Michigan Electric Transmission Co.

All three companies are owned in whole or part by Macquarie Bank, a massive Australian firm with hundreds of billions of dollars in assets in 19 countries.

And it is eyeing the lease and management of the Ohio Turnpike.

WHO ARE THESE GUYS?

Macquarie and Cintra, a Spanish company, formed a consortium that paid $1.83 billion to lease the Chicago Skyway and $3.85 billion for the Indiana Toll Road. The consortium has received 20 years' worth of traffic and revenue data about the Ohio Turnpike as a step toward bidding on the highway.

Such a proposal is a keystone to the gubernatorial campaign of GOP candidate Ken Blackwell.

The two companies are not new to infrastructure investment. Macquarie has investments in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia - from the Hakone Turnpike in Japan to Cardinal Power in Canada and South East Water in the United Kingdom. Its investments include broadband communications, broadcast facilities, energy delivery, tunnels, bridges, airports, parking and real estate.

Its January purchase of Smarte Carte Corp. added to its portfolio the world's leading concessionaire of baggage carts, lockers and stroller services in airports, train stations, bus terminals, shopping centers and entertainment facilities.

In addition to the Skyway and Indiana toll roads, Macquarie operates the Dulles Greenway in Virginia, the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and the South Bay Expressway, a 10-mile toll road from San Diego to Mexico. The latter is California's first road built as a public-private partnership.

12.5 PERCENT RETURN

Cintra, which predicts a 12.5 percent return on its Indiana investment, operates toll roads and parking lots. It has a stake in 23 roads in Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Chile, Canada and the United States.

Cintra is designing and planning the $36 billion Trans-Texas Corridor, a 50-year plan for a multiuse, statewide network of transportation routes incorporating existing and new highways, freight and high-speed commuter railways and infrastructure for water, oil, gas, electric, broadband and telecommunication services.

Cintra, a subsidiary of Ferrovial, has parking operations in 141 cities in Spain, Andorra and Puerto Rico. It manages seven airports in the United Kingdom, and Ferrovial has ownership interest in airports in Europe, Australia and the United States.

On the Internet:

www.macquarie.com.au

www.cintra.es

www.ferrovial.com

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Reach Paul E. Kostyu at 614-222-8901 or e-mail paul.kostyu@cantonrep.com.

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3 SETS OF INFO FOR INFO BOXES. GO WITH TURNPIKE STORIES

BOX 1

Comparison of toll roads

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Chicago Skyway

Miles: 7.8

Lease Company: Macquarie-Cintra

Amount: $1.83 billion

Years: 99

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Indiana Toll Road

Miles: 157

Lease Company: Macquarie-Cintra

Amount: $3.85 billion

Years: 75

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Ohio Turnpike

Miles: 241

Lease Company: Macquarie-Cintra (interested)

Amount: $6 billion or more (expected)

Years: Unknown

- Copley News Service

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BOX 2

Toll Rates in cents per mile as of July 2006

OHIO

Passenger car: 3.7 (4.2, proposed 2007)

Empty rig (30,000 lbs.): 8.9 (10, proposed 2007)

Full rig (80,000 lbs.): 12.9 (13.9, proposed 2007)

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ILLINOIS

Passenger car: 5.5

Empty rig (30,000 lbs.): 27.6

Full rig (80,000 lbs.): 27.6

-

PENNSYLVANIA

Passenger car: 6

Empty rig (30,000 lbs): 12.8

Full rig (80,000 lbs): 32.5

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NEW JERSEY

Passenger car: 5.7

Empty rig (30,000 lbs): 20.5

Full rig (80,000 lbs): 20.5

NEW YORK Passenger car: 3.7

Empty rig (30,000 lbs): 21

Full rig (80,000 lbs): 21

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INDIANA

Passenger car: 3

Empty rig (30,000 lbs): 11.4

Full rig (80,000 lbs): 11.4

INDIANA with lease agreement

Vehicle 2006 2007 2008 2009

Passenger car 3 3 5.1 5.1

Empty rig (30,000 lbs) 11.4 14.4 17.4 20.4

Full rig (80,000 lbs) 11.4 14.4 17.4 20.4

Source: Ohio Turnpike Commission

- Copley News Service

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BOX 3

FUEL ON THE TURNPIKE (Based on miles driven in 2005)

The Ohio Turnpike Commission gets 5 cents per gallon in taxes for every gallon of fuel sold on the turnpike. The state tax is 28 cents per gallon. The federal tax is 18.4 cents per gallon. The commission does not get money from fuel taxes generated by miles driven on the turnpike. Those Ohio taxes go to the state's general revenue.

Gallons used: 87.1 million, gasoline; 139.5 million, diesel; 226.6 million total

Gallons sold: 38.3 million, gasoline; 17 million, diesel; 55.4 million total

Fuel taxes from miles driven on turnpike: $40.4 million, gasoline; $73.1 million, diesel; $113.5 million, total

Fuel taxes from fuel sold on turnpike: $17.8 million, gasoline; $8.9 million, diesel; $26.7 million, total

Fuel taxes received by Turnpike Commission: $1.9 million, gasoline; $853,609, diesel; $2.7 million, total

Source: Ohio Turnpike Commission

- Copley News Service

Copyright 2006 Copley News Service