Buckeye State Blog - District 18

Thank you Rep. Zach Space

paper ballots now — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:31:12 -0700

Bumped from the forums. Everyone in DC is surprised the Democrats had a spine on this one, too. -Jerid

Rep. Space voted to protect our security and civil liberties by supporting H.R. 3773, the Conyers and Reyes Admendment. My understanding is that the Admendment strips retro-active immunity for Telecoms related to domestic spying from a House bill.

The Democratic Leadership showed courage standing up to President Bush and special interests to bring this Admendment to a vote. Ohio's House members voted along Party lines. Thank you House Dems for standing up for the rule of law and civil liberties.

See the House vote here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2008-144

In a January letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, 21 Blue Dog Coalition members made it known they supported granting immunity to the telecoms, and urged Pelosi to move quickly to pass the Senate version of the bill. Rep. Zach Space was one of the Blue Dogs to sign this letter.

Thank you Rep. Space for your vote and please continue to stand strong with the Democratic House Leadership on this important issue.

Zack Space Might Appear On "The Colbert Report"

dpotts — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 22:39:42 -0700

(Also posted at Left of Ohio)

According to the Chillicothe Gazette newly elected 18th District Rep. Zack Space recently recorded an interview with Steven Colbert for his Comedy Central show "The Colbert Report". The interview, a part of Colbert's "Better Know A District" series, is scheduled to air on Wednesday, February the 7th at 11:30 P.M., with reruns the next day.

It's the ECONOMY stupid!

Westervillain — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 10:07:35 -0700

From October 27 business news reports:

Economic growth slowed to a crawl in the third quarter, advancing at a pace of just 1.6 percent, the worst in more than three years.

Over the last 12 months, inflation was 2.4 percent, the largest annual increase since 1995.

While the Dow average of 30 "blue chip" stocks is at record highs, the broader S&P 500 and NASDAQ averages are far below their 2001 levels.

Chevron Corp's third-quarter profit surged 40 percent to $5.02 billion; Exxon Mobil Corp. reported that its third-quarter earnings rose to $10.49 billion, putting the company on track to break the record it already holds for annual corporate profits.

Meanwhile, back in Southeast Ohio -- How the heck are YOU doing under the Bush economy?

Padgett, "Life Just Ain't Fair"

redenemy — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:12:49 -0700

Poor Joy Padgett, her life is so hard. First, she has to deal with the fact that her old Buddy Bob Ney had to step down from his seat. Well, Joy just took those lemons and made lemonade; Joy's buddy Bob asked her to run and she stepped up to the plate.

But sadly, those mean old Democrats, they keep attacking Joy because she couldn't pay one measly loan. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer,

Joy Padgett's debt, and the personal bankruptcy she and her husband, Donald, filed on June 15, promise to rise as a campaign issue as her party promotes fiscal responsibility.

Their U.S. Bankruptcy Court filings list $1.16 million in debts against $202,143 in assets.

You would think that Joy, as the treasurer of that business would have to take full responsibility here. But hold on; it's not her fault, it's the economy stupid!

Padgett says most of the debt comes from Main Office Supply Co., which her husband ran for three decades until "the multiple missiles of the economy just kept hitting and hitting." Joy Padgett, a state senator from Coshocton, was company treasurer.

Well Joy and her fellow Republicans might know something about how bad the economy is. According to the Akron Beacon Journal since the Republican Party has taken over, Ohio leads the nation in job loss.

The 217,000 jobs that vanished from all of Ohio's goods-producing industries between 1997 and last year -- along with their $9.3 billion in average annual wages -- were the biggest losses of any state in the nation. The state's 15.7 percent decline in total average annual wages also ranked Ohio dead last.

Clearly, Joy was just a victim of the times. And as she points out, It makes her one of the common people!

"But that's OK. It's OK because it's real. And I can understand this in a way that maybe other people don't understand."

She's someone you could have a beer with! Joy Padgett feels your pain Ohio. Of course Joy, might have had some special insight... As State Senator, she happens to sit on a couple of committees, including Finance and Financial Institutions. As part of that Committee, Joy has lots of time to deal with Ohio's money, including the loans the state gives out:

The Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee focuses on bills, policies and issues that directly impact the expenditure of state funds and the regulation of financial institutions, including banks, credit unions and savings & loans. The committee is responsible for balancing the state's operating and capital (construction) budgets. In addition, the committee also makes recommendations to the full Senate for the advice and consent of governor's appointments to financial boards, commissions, and university trustees.

Ohio is lucky to have Joy Padgett around to balance our books. It looks like Joy's going to have help with that balancing to recover from that nasty bankruptcy. Given the nature of her loan,

The federal government may have to pick up some of that ($1 million in personal and business debt) because of a Small Business Administration loan guarantee.

But for poor Joy, things just keep getting worse. From the same Cleveland Plain Dealer story:

"I know of many other business people who have gone through the same thing," she said. "Fortunately, they didn't have to have it on the front page of a newspaper."

It must be tough Joy, watching all this water under the bridge be talked about time and again, and on the front pages of the newspaper no less. You know, there might be someone who could sympathize with seeing their personal pain be spread all across the front pages of the local paper... Terry Anderson. When Terry ran for Ohio State Senate someone sent out mailers claiming that Terry Anderson, who was held hostage in Lebanon for 7 years, was soft on terror. From Wikipedia:

(The mailers) accused Anderson of being a member of the "Blame America crowd", and campaign fliers showed a photograph of Anderson in a meeting with a leader of Hezbollah. In response, Anderson said, "He and his brothers were the ones who kidnapped me, chained me, blindfolded me and beat me. My political opponent uses a picture of that interview to try to win an election."

Now who would that be Joy? Oh, that's right, it was you.

Man Joy, you're right; Life Just Ain't Fair...

(Crossposted at dkos)��

Padgett Bankruptcy to Become Campaign Issue?

redenemy — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 12:02:50 -0700

Zack Space is the luckiest guy on the planet LOL - staff

Dirty Joy Padgett's run for congress just continues to get more interesting...

first her old friend AG Petro had to "clear the air" on some questions of whether she could run or not, now it appears that Dirty Joy is currently in Bankruptcy Court.

According to YDS...

on June 15, 2006, Padgett filed for personal bankruptcy, listing over $1,000,000 of estimated debts and at least 17 creditors, including the State of Ohio and the City of Coshocton.

This is made even more laughable because Padgett sits on the Ohio Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee. Apparently the best Ohio Republican's can come up with is a woman who can't even figure out how to pay herself back.

Reason 3: Zack Space thinks Congress should live within its means

eastohioman — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 13:10:52 -0700

Our campaign is facing a critical fundraising deadline on June 30th. With your contribution today, we will show Bob Ney and the Washington insiders that the heat is on. During the next 10 days our campaign website will feature the top 10 reasons why we need a change in Washington.

http://contribute.zackspace.org

Reason 3: Zack Space thinks Congress should live within its means

A report released by the non-partisan National Taxpayers Union Foundation indicated that Bob Ney voted to increase spending by more than $315 billion while voting to cut just 2% of that increase. The final tab for taxpayers: A more that $309 billion increase in government spending during the most recent congressional session.

This increased spending has helped cause deficits to skyrocket and our national debt has nearly swelled to a whopping $9 trillion. Ney may tell Ohio families that he is a fiscal conservative, but the truth is, his reckless spending habits have created a real cost to the families he represents.

"Bob Ney has become a genuine Washington insider -- jetting off on lavish golf and gambling trips with lobbyists while families in the 18th district struggle to make ends meet. His starring role in the culture of corruption comes at a high cost for working families. Big companies are getting tax breaks to send jobs overseas, families can't afford good health insurance, and gas prices continue to rise," said Zack Space. "Bob Ney talks a good game about fiscal discipline, but the numbers don't lie. At a time when working families are being forced to do more with less, Bob Ney needs to learn that government must do the same.

It's time for a fresh start with Zack Space. A Congressman we can be proud of. Contribute TODAY and send a clear message to Bob Ney and Washington's culture of corruption that it's time for a change.

http://contribute.zackspace.org

Reason 6: Having a diabetic son, Zack Space understands the need for stem cell research

eastohioman — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 11:53:35 -0700

Zack Space for Congress:�� Our campaign is facing a critical fundraising deadline on June 30th. With your contribution today, we will show Bob Ney and the Washington insiders that the heat is on. During the next 10 days our campaign website will feature the top 10 reasons why we need a change in Washington.

http://contribute.zackspace.org

Reason 6: Having a diabetic son, Zack Space understands the need for stem cell research

At age 6, Zack Space's son was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. Like so many others that must deal with this dreadful disease, Zack's family has struggled with the fears, concerns, and frustrations associated with diabetes. It is this struggle that has played an important role in developing his strong advocacy for embryonic stem cell research.

Stem cell research holds the promise of ending the suffering of millions of Americans. Our government has an obligation to regulate research facilities to ensure that embryonic stem cells are handled in a dignified, responsible, and ethical manner. However, chronic, and often times fatal conditions such as juvenile diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer may realistically be cured through this research.

On May 24, 2005, Bob Ney voted against expanded funding for stem cell research [RC 204].

For those millions of Americans who are afflicted by these conditions, or who have a loved one so afflicted, stem cell research offers the only hope of a cure in their lifetimes. Our government should promote rather than inhibit this technology that will end so much needless anguish. This nation can, and should lead the way in this pioneering researching.

It's time for a fresh start with Zack Space. A Congressman we can be proud of. Contribute TODAY and send a clear message to Bob Ney and Washington's culture of corruption that it's time for a change.

http://contribute.zackspace.org

Past Reasons:
10. Zack Space is not golfing buddies with Jack Abramoff and David Safavian
�� 9. Zack Space will get the hogs out of the creek
�� 8. Being the son of Socrates, Zack Space knows a thing or two about ethics
�� 7. Zack Space will fight to protect Social Security

Number 7: Zack Space will fight to protect Social Security.

eastohioman — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 10:33:23 -0700

Number 7: Zack Space will fight to protect Social Security.

"Earlier in this campaign, I pledged to not accept contributions from lobbyists as well as other perks like gifts, trips and meals, because we need to change the culture in Washington and put the people's interests ahead of the special interests. I also pledge to fight tooth and nail against the corporate interests and those in Congress who wish to privatize Social Security." - Zack Space

Throughout his career, Bob Ney has gone to great lengths to avoid taking a clear stand on this vital issue, but he owes it to working families to state in no uncertain terms whether or not he will protect their retirement security.

Where Does Bob Ney Stand?

Rep. Bob Ney said he needed to see more details about Bush's Social Security plan before he could offer his full support. [Columbus Dispatch, 2/6/05]
"Rep. Bob Ney... sees nothing wrong with individual retirement accounts to give people some control how the money is invested. Ney wouldn't let all of a person's Social Security money be invested in a private account, and he wouldn't let contributors spend any of the money until retirement. However, 'a small amount of individual control is only right,' Ney said. 'A small percentage is not going to hurt the collective whole.'" [Columbus Dispatch, 7/7/98]
Ney said he was willing to consider individual accounts. He added that he did not want to cut benefits or change the retirement age. [Copley News Service, 2/11/05]
Since 2000, Ney has taken $13,000 in campaign contributions from privatization point man Jim McCrery. [Source: Center for Responsive Politics, http://opensecrets.org]

It's time for a fresh start with Zack Space. A Congressman we can be proud of. Contribute TODAY and send a clear message to Bob Ney and Washington's culture of corruption that it's time for a change.

http://contribute.zackspace.org

Past Reasons:
10. Zack Space is not golfing buddies with Jack Abramoff and David Safavian
�� 9. Zack Space will get the hogs out of the creek
�� 8. Being the son of Socrates, Zack Space knows a thing or two about ethics

Number 8: Being the son of Socrates, Zack Space knows a thing or two about ethics.

eastohioman — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 08:08:31 -0700

Zack Space for Congress: Our campaign is facing a critical fundraising deadline on June 30th. With your contribution today, we will show Bob Ney and the Washington insiders that the heat is on. During the next 10 days our campaign website will feature the top 10 reasons why we need a change in Washington.

http://contribute.zackspace.org

Number 8: Being the son of Socrates, Zack Space knows a thing or two about ethics.

Our government in Washington, DC is broken. Politicians and their lobbyist friends are looking out for themselves at the expense of working families. The circle of deceit between corrupt politicians, lobbyists and special interests must be broken if this country is to address the concerns of working families.

That's why Zack Space has pledged that as a member of Congress he will accept no gifts from lobbyists, no trips from lobbyists, no meals from lobbyists and will never put corporate interests ahead of the people. Zack invites you to show your support for his Ethics Pledge by signing your name to the pledge. Click here to sign the pledge.

In our hometowns, wages are falling and jobs are going overseas. In Washington, big companies are getting tax breaks to send jobs overseas.

In our hometowns, quality health care isn't affordable. In Washington, our representatives get fancy meals and vacations paid for by lobbyists.

In our hometowns, gas prices are out of control. In Washington, oil companies get special favors.

It's time for a fresh start with Zack Space. A Congressman we can be proud of. Contribute TODAY and send a clear message to Bob Ney and Washington's culture of corruption that it's time for a change.

http://contribute.zackspace.org

Past Reasons:
10. Zack Space is not golfing buddies with Jack Abramoff and David Safavian
9. Zack Space will get the hogs out of the creek

Number 9: Zack Space will get the hogs out of the creek

eastohioman — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 10:14:37 -0700

http://contribute.zackspace.org

Number 9: Zack Space will get the hogs out of the creek.

"There is a saying that 'you can't clean up the water until you get the hogs out of the creek.' To clean up Washington, we have to rid the Congress of ethically challenged politicians like Bob Ney." - Zack Space

Zack Space is running for the House of Representatives in Ohio��s 18th Congressional District against Bob Ney, who is widely considered the most vulnerable incumbent in the nation.

Stuart Rothenberg named Ney the most endangered House incumbent saying he'll "be surprised if Ney hasn��t been indicted by the time Election Day rolls around." Since Zack Space��s primary win, this race has been climbing in the pundit��s weekly ratings. The race is currently rated by the Washington Post's Chris Cillizza as the 4th best chance for a November pick up and 3rd by the House Race Hotline. This speaks volumes about Zack Space as a candidate and his ability to win the district.

With your help, we can take the first step towards clearing Washington��s creeks of corruption by removing the dirtiest hog, Bob Ney. This is a race where your contribution will make an immediate impact and send a powerful message to Bob Ney and the Washington's culture of corruption

Zack Space needs your help. Any amount you are able to contribute TODAY will provide Zack with the money necessary to win this race.

Please consider donating whatever you can TODAY to the Zack Space for Congress campaign. We look forward to reading your comments.

http://contribute.zackspace.org

Past reasons:
10. Zack Space is not golfing buddies with Jack Abramoff and David Safavian

18th District Rep Bob Ney feels your pain!

midwestmom — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 09:48:31 -0700

Representative Bob Ney (18th Congressional District) was in Mt. Vernon Friday, bemoaning crippling cuts in local government programs for the needy while avoiding questions about why he's voted billions of dollars in tax giveaways to the richest Americans.

Rep.Ney, also known as "Representative #1" in the federal investigation into Congressional bribery, was supposedly in Knox County to assess the damage from deep and continuing cuts by the Bush administration in Community Development Block Grants to central Ohio counties, cities and villages.

According to Rep. Ney, these grants – used by local governments for everything from storm sewers to sidewalks to housing rehab for the poor, elderly and disabled – have been cut 35 percent over the last two years. More double-digit cuts are proposed in Bush's 2007 fiscal budget. "President Bush's FY07 budget proposal raises some interesting and serious questions about what role community development should play in helping local and state governments provide safe and affordable housing to its constituents," said Ney in his opening statement.

At the same time, Rep.Ney's own legislative record – and the way he stage-managed the grant program in Mt. Vernon – raise interesting and serious questions about Rep. Ney's commitment to the citizens of the 18th Congressional District. Across the district's 16 counties, people are seeing local government services sharply curtailed as local communities pay the price for runaway deficit spending by Bush and the GOP-led Congress.

ITEM: Rep. Ney says he's against the cuts in local government grants, but didn't mention his consistent votes in support of billions of dollars worth of tax cuts for the wealthy. Most recently, in December, he voted to extend for another five years tax cuts on capital gains and stock dividends, at a cost to the treasury of $56 BILLION.

By comparison, full funding for the community development block grant program would only be about $4.5 billion nationwide.

You can't starve the government of resources and then – at election time – say you oppose the resulting budget cuts in your own district.

ITEM: Friday morning, , Rep. Ney took nearly two hours of testimony from invited local government officials but ended the session abruptly when I, as a Licking County resident, raised my hand to ask a question. Committee staffers later explained public testimony wasn't allowed because I and others without proper credentials hadn't been screened nor had we filled out the necessary "disclosure" forms.

A dozen such "nobodies" from Knox and Licking County were outside picketing through a snow squall. They carried signs protesting Rep. Ney's re-election campaign in the face of damning testimony against Ney by indicted lobbyist "Casino Jack" Abramoff.

This was the only way their concerns were to be heard, given the tiny room selected for the hearing, Rep. Ney's refusal to entertain questions from the public and his hurried arrival and departure out a back door.

Discounting the local officials pleading their case, there were actually more everyday citizens on the picket line than in the 30 to 40-seat hearing room.

This continues a trend, noted previously in this space in regard to Rep. Pat Tiberi, of Republicans emulating President Bush by carefully stage-managing so-called public appearances to keep their critics at bay.

The official testimony, however, did reveal how the Bush administration's $9 TRILLION deficit budget is gutting vital programs in local communities so as to reduce taxes on the wealthy and continue Bush's ill-conceived war in Iraq. Just in the grants program, the Bush administration cuts have forced local governments across central Ohio to spend less money on things like rehabilitating homes for the elderly poor and establishing shelters for victims of domestic abuse. Grants are also being reduced for removing toxic lead paint from homes where children live and making available job training and accessible public buildings to the disabled.

David Calhoun, community development director for Newark, said housing assistance is critical in Licking County, given that 51 percent of city residents are of low and moderate income. And across Licking County, he said, there was over a 500 percent increase in home mortgage foreclosures between 1994 and 2004. "Additional cuts will be devastating for Newark," he said.

Calhoun was asked after the hearing whether the grants program should have been put in the context of the overall federal budget train wreck.

Calhoun conceded that was the larger issue, but said local government officials in such hearings have to focus on salvaging whatever they can get.

"If you open it up to larger issues, you never get to the specifics of what the program does and how it affects the community," Calhoun said. "But yes, you're right."

posted by Midwestmom for (Gray Hunter)

Mt Vernon News report on OH-18 meet-the-candidates affair

pdh — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 06:24:40 -0700

Mt Vernon News has an article here summarizing the recent meet-the-candidates night in Mt Vernon sponsored by the Knox County Democratic Women��s Club.

Nothing elaborate ... a short summary of each candidate's position & what they emphasized, plus the responses to questions that the reporter found interesting.

huge problem with the zack space campaign?

oudem — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 21:14:03 -0700

i read this over at mydd:

Space's willingness to accept money and other forms of support from the very people that make decisions regarding election results leads me to question his ability to truly represent the people in this district and more importantly his ability to win a campaign that will most surely focus on ethics.

Socrates Space is a member of the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections, Zack's father, and a campaign supporter.

Gregory Bender is a member of the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections, and has given at least $1,000 to Zack's campaign.

Susan is the Chairwoman of the Athens County Board of Elections, and has given Zack's campaign the maximum contribution permissible.

Jacqueline Neuhart, the director of the Guernsey County Board of Elections, is actively campaigning for Zacck at events throughout the district as well as circulating petitions prior to the filing deadline.

Zack Space seems to lack the same moral conviction as the man whose seat he is running to fill. It might be time to support someone else, who truly wants to serve the people of Ohio.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/2/25/211710/682

Joe Sulzer Launches New Website

SulzerForCongress — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 19:07:31 -0700

Team Sulzer Welcomes You To Our New Web Site Joe Sulzer for Congress We would love to hear your opinions on the site so please post comments on the Team Sulzer Blog, or Email Me

Need money? ... Get indicted!

pdh — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 07:20:24 -0700

Bloomberg has this article up about how Ney, DeLay, Burns, etc are seeing increased campaign donations after being tied to the Abramoff scandals.

Ney, 51, a six-term lawmaker, took in almost 80 percent more money in 2005 than in 2003. He faces a challenge from Democrats in the November election after winning 66 percent of the vote in the 2004 election. Abramoff and Scanlon said they offered Ney a golf trip and campaign cash in exchange for help on legislation benefiting their clients, the Justice Department says. Ney's legal problems didn't stop five executives of Houston-based Stanford Financial Group from donating $14,200 to his campaign committee in the last three months of 2005. In September, Ney took to the floor of Congress to praise the company's chairman, R. Allen Stanford, for his work in promoting better ties among countries in the Western Hemisphere. Stanford employees were Ney's biggest campaign donors in 2005. Ney flew on a Stanford jet in 2003 to a meeting in Antigua, where Stanford's offshore banking business is headquartered.