Matt Dolan Voted Against Removal of "Duty to Retreat" (Ohio SB 175)

H/T Buckeye Firearms. It looks like good ol' wishy washy Matt Dolan wants to represent Ohio in the U.S Senate. And he is explicitly stating that he will be "championing gun rights".

Dolan kicks off the listening tour Tuesday at a luncheon to be held at Lake County Republican Headquarters. Over the next two weeks, he’ll move on to Trumbull, Mahoning, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Lorain, Lucas, Wood, Ottawa and Ashland counties.

In a statement, Dolan said his agenda would include championing gun rights, school choice, religious freedom and being pro-life.

Well, Matt, champion is a Strong (cough, cough) word. Luckily for Ohioans, there is a simple way to find out if you are serious. Did you or did you not vote for removal of the ridiculous "duty to retreat"? After all, Governor Mike DeWine signed it. Yes, that Governor Mike DeWine, the one with the gun control agenda which he calls "Strong Ohio". If you voted "no" then you are to his left on gun rights and should probably quit posing as a champion.

Oh welp.

Matt Dolan is against gun rights. Matt Dolan is against your right to stand your ground and defend yourself. Matt Dolan does not understand the Second Amendment.

Honestly I would not vote for Dolan anyway since he purports to believe that something really extraordinarily terrible happened on January 6 in our nation's capital, which is nonsense. That is basically a disqualifier in my book. But it is good to point out that he is just a rich(*) poser on gun rights.

I'm supporting Josh Mandel for Ohio Senate; he is obviously the best in my book. But I guess a slap fight between rich boys Bernie Moreno and Matt Dolan would be entertaining.

(*) - His family owns the Cleveland Indians.

How bad was Ed FitzGerald's Historically Bad Loss to John Kasich?

Who voted for Ed FitzGerald? I did see some yard signs in his hometown of Lakewood, Ohio, but it turns out that these people were in the minority. Here's a map from that article.

Ed FitzGerald with a capital G didn't win CuyaHoga and he didn't win LakeWood. Furthermore, the article points out something amazing to me: Ed FitzGerald didn't even win his own neighborhood in LakeWood!

FitzGerald's neighbors in Lakewood Precinct 1H favored Gov. John Kasich, 249-140 on Tuesday.

It's not that the western Lakewood precinct is Democrat territory; voters there favored the Republican Kasich, 259-205, over Ted Strickland in 2010.

But FitzGerald's failure to pick up even 35 percent of the vote in his own neighborhood illustrates the depth of his loss.

So check this out: Kasich won FitzGerald's neighborhood in Lakewood with 64% which is the same percentage as he received in the state! He only got 55% when he was running against Strickland in 2010.

Later in the article there is a chart of the cities in the Greater Cleveland Area where Fitz won highlighted in blue. As one would expect, they are the places where you don't want to live or can't afford to. IOW, Democrat strongholds. Here is another illustration of the depth of FitzGerald's loss (from the AP):

It's nice to see Ohio red again. Man, are the Democrats mad. Go over to Fitz's Facebook page to check out some hilarious meltdowns.

Hilarious Political Cartoon

This is hilarious to me, especially the opening lines:

Governor John Kasich arrived for an endorsement interview with the NEOMG Editorial Board more underdressed than Ed FitzGerald.  But more overdressed than David Pepper in his attack ads against Mike DeWine.   Nonetheless,  Kasich ended up leaving with the board's endorsement in his blazer's pocket

Basically this article is an early wrap on the 2014 Ohio Gubernatorial election. I realize that yeah, yeah, anything can happen here and Hang On Sloopy, etc.

The article goes on to moan about how wouldn't it be nice if Strickland was running. Really. You mean the guy who lost last time? I'm no Kasich fan-boy, but the state just isn't in bad enough shape to jump back to an Obama fan-boy.

Nice handshake, by the way. This photo is not doctored. (Background)

Ed FitzGerald and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Amanda Bynes retweet

This latest episode finds Ohio Democrat Gubernatorial Ed FitzGerald descending further into punchline territory. Now Ed FitzGerald can belly up to the bar with Anthony Weiner and commiserate about how it was Twitter that wrecked their political career, not that thing swinging between their legs. Here's the really important paragraph:

One thing to keep in mind about Twitter and politics: The politicians themselves rarely control their Twitter accounts. Those accounts usually end up in the hands of aides, who often keep personal accounts, too.

Keep in mind also that everyone serious has left the FitzGerald campaign at this point and what is left is the B-team. So there was a B-team aide taking care of FitzGerald's twitter messaging and he/she decides to favorite a tweet by Amanda Bynes, but he/she accidentally faves it as Ed FitzGerald. What is the content of the tweet? Is it "Legalize pot NOW!"? Is it "My dad put a microchip in my brain"? No. Try "Help a n*gga out and hop off ma d*ck". So that fits in perfectly with the booty call theme of the Ed FitzGerald campaign. (Nota: Amanda Bynes is rich white woman, but I suppose because she's a rapper she gets to be an honorary n*gga as well as use the word with impunity. I suppose she gets a honorary d*ck, too, as part of the deal....)

I hereby offer $10 to anyone who can identify this B-team re-tweeter. I'd love to do an interview, or at least go to their house and peak in the windows.* Maybe I'll do some real journalism a la Jason Matera.

Tom Suddes wrote today that "This could be the year Ohio Democrats hit bottom". But this is the modern-day Democrat party, Tom. I don't think there is a bottom.

______
* - Not really.

Ed Fitzgerald is "Abortion Ken"

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fitzgerald is a "pro-abortion Catholic", a Souper Candidate as my friend Dan Coyne calls such Catholics, and he's making fighting abortion restrictions passed by Ohio lawmakers and signed by Governor Kasich a big part of his 2014 bid for Ohio Governor. Here's proof on his own campaign page. Here's how it starts:

If you care about women’s health, you have to abhor the anti-abortion restrictions inserted into the two-year, $62 billion budget bill that Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed into law.

You really don't need to read any further than that to peg Fitzgerald as pro-abortion. But to leave no shadow of a doubt, Fitzgerald is also proposing a statewide pro-abortion ballet initiative for 2014.

Meanwhile, his presumed Democratic opponent, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, recently urged a ballot fight over restrictions on abortion enacted in the new state budget by Republican lawmakers and Mr. Kasich. If successful, that question would appear on the ballot at the same time he and Mr. Kasich will.

So it seems like he has pretty firmly hitched his wagon to Planned Parenthood and the abortion industrial complex. They will have no trouble ponying up funds for this campaign. At least Fitzgerald is not really wearing a mask. He's another fake Catholic hoping no one cares or notices. Or says anything. If Wendy Davis is Abortion Barbie, then without a doubt, Ed Fitzgerald is Abortion Ken.

RIP Sugarfoot Bonner

Say what??


Ever notice that music dudes who wear a lot of clothes at one time are usually accompanied by women who barely wear any?

Columbus Ohio Salem Station is *LIVE*

Great news! Now Kathleen can't complain they don't have a good conservative talk station in Columbus.

Salem Communications is adding another NewsTalk radio station to its stable of talk stations around the country beginning 11/1. 98.9 FM The Answer is now born in Columbus, Ohio — the 34th largest market, with the LMA of WJKR-FM (Adult Hits/Hot AC) Jack-FM) from Radio One Licenses. The new talker will be the 25th NewsTalk radio station owned by Salem.

“Salem has enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the Columbus community. We’re excited to deepen our connection in this market with our acquisition of a strong FM signal where listeners can be informed by our faculty of nationally syndicated hosts,” said Dave Santrella, President of Salem’s Radio division.

“I can’t think of a better time to launch a NewsTalk station than right now, in Ohio the biggest of all battleground states,” said Tom Heyl, General Manager for Columbus. “Columbus is ready for a contemporary NewsTalk radio station relevant to today’s culture.”

“This will be the 5th ‘Answer’ station we have launched at Salem, along with New York, Los Angeles, Riverside and Dallas,” said Phil Boyce Salem’s VP/Director, Spoken Word Format. “Salem continues to be a leader in the NewsTalk format, and this new station will be the first FM NewsTalk station in the company fold. The Answer imaging voiced by legendary Lonnie Perkins will sound great coming out of an FM speaker.”

The station will feature the Salem staple lineup of Bill Bennett’s Morning In America 6-9am, Mike Gallagher 9am to Noon, Dennis Prager Noon to 3pm, Michael Medved 3pm to 6pm, Hugh Hewitt 6 to 9pm, Dial Global’s Dennis Miller 9pm to midnight with Compass Media’s Lars Larson Midnight to 3am.

And it's on the FM dial. Who'd have thunk it? "No static at all."

There, I fixed it

Actually, I like the sound of "Oiho". Could be a chant in a Ramones tune.

IMPORTANT ELECTION UPDATE - FROM THE OHIO REPUBLICAN PARTY

Just got this email from Kevin DeWine of the Ohio GOP.

A few reminders about tomorrow's election:
• EARLY VOTING: If you still need to return an absentee ballot, it must be postmarked no later than TODAY or delivered in person to your county board of elections office by tomorrow. Contact your local elections office with any questions about early voting.

• VOTING HOURS: Polls open tomorrow (Tuesday, November 2) at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

• VOTE HERE: Wondering where to cast your ballot tomorrow? Use our Election Center map to enter your home address and find directions to your assigned polling location.

• GOP SLATE: Remember to download a list of your Republican candidates and take it with you to the polls on Tuesday. You ARE permitted to use a slate card or printed list of candidates inside your polling location when completing your ballot.

• MOBILE GOP: If you have an iPhone, check out our new app and use it to look up your slate of candidates electronically. You can also use the mobile version of our website. Just look up www.OhioGop.org on your mobile device.

• VICTORY CELEBRATION: Republicans from across the state will join John Kasich, Mary Taylor, Rob Portman and the rest of our GOP ticket at the Renaissance Columbus Hotel beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. The event is free. We hope you'll join us!

• STOP FRAUD: If you observe any questionable voting activity tomorrow, please email your information to vote@ohiogop.org. We have a team standing by to protect the integrity of this election.

• Communicate: 50 percent of voters could skip this election tomorrow. Don't look back on Wednesday and wish you had done more to deliver a GOP victory. Forward this email. Tell your family and friends why you're voting Republican and why they should too.

• Donate: Every dollar we raise is critical in these final hours. Ohio is the firewall for Barack Obama's re-election in 2012, and national Democrats are pouring money into the state to buy the vote. Don't let it happen.

Remember, as Ohio goes, so goes the nation. It's time to Fire Ted Strickland and send a message to Barack Obama that he's next. Let's finish strong, Republicans!



Kevin DeWine
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party

Wake up, Ohio, and let's save some freakin' money

Marc Kilmer from the Buckeye Institute has a better answer than Uncle Ted Strickland seems to have to the budget problems of our Buckeye State. Here's Kilmer's first "for instance":

For instance, state employee salaries have risen faster than salaries for other Ohio workers. From 2001 to 2007, Ohioans' per capita income rose 21%. State employee income, however, rose 27%. If state employees' income would have risen at the rate of the rest of Ohioans, the state government would have spent $413 million less this year. And if the number of state employees remained at its 2001 level, the state would have spent $648 million less this year.

Here's his second:

Take state employee health insurance, for instance. Government workers receive good health insurance coverage and they only pay an average of 15% of their premiums. In the private sector, employees pay closer to 30% of their premiums. If state employees were more like private sector employees, that would save taxpayers around $150 million this year.

So his advice isn't to slash government jobs, which is next to impossible anyway, but merely to bring their compensation more in line with comparable positions in the private sector. Conclusion:

Government employees should certainly be compensated for their services. But there is no reason why they should have better pay and benefits than they would receive in the private sector. When there is such a large gap between the state government's spending and revenue, state policymakers need to review the generous compensation and benefits received by state employees and look for ways to rein it in. A hiring freeze, reducing the rate of salary increases, and paring back benefits to private sector levels are not radical propositions. In fact, it's just common sense.

In this article, Kilmer is going out of his way to be gracious and adulatory toward state and local government employees. But let me just add that it seems to me that these compensation premiums for government jobs for would basically encourage people to aggressively go after these positions which usually constitute patronage fiefdoms. I'm pretty sure that's not an outcome desired by Ohio's taxpayers.

Tea Party in Canton, OH on September 9, 2009

Here's a link for the details. I'm going to try to be there.

Josh Mandel for Ohio State Treasurer

Umbilical Cord Blood Bill Introduced

(Columbus, OH) State Representative Todd Book recently introduced a bill to promote umbilical cord blood donation (H.B. 102), which requires the Ohio Department of Health to provide information via its web site containing information on umbilical cord blood banking and donation. The Department of Health would encourage health care professionals to provide the materials to pregnant women as well.

Umbilical cord blood is an excellent and ethical source of stem cells that can be obtained with no risk to the mother or child. Stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood have been used to successfully treat over 70 diseases including sickle cell anemia, leukemia, and lymphoma.

Unfortunately, most umbilical cord blood is currently being discarded after birth. This is especially tragic because cord blood is often matched by racial and ethnic background and many patients who are most in need of a transplant cannot find a suitable match.

"Ohio Right to Life strongly supports H.B. 102," said Mike Gonidakis, President of Ohio Right to Life. "Better public awareness about cord blood donation should increase the number of donations and increase the likelihood of patients obtaining the matches they need."

H.B. 102 enjoys strong bipartisan support as outlined by the bills following Co-Sponsors: Dan Dodd; Brian Williams; Marian Harris; Kenny Yuko; John Adams; Jeff Wagner; Randy Gardner; Sandra Harwood; Matt Huffman; Robert Mecklenborg; Peggy Lehner; Mark Okey; Tim DeGeeter; Scott Oelslager; Tim Derickson; Kris Jordan; Lynn Wachtmann; Ron Amstutz; John Domenick; and Jennifer Garrison.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mike Gonidakis
DATE: 12-09-2008
PHONE: (614) 547-0099 x - 301

It's up to Ohio

From the Financial Times.

Of the five, Ohio is the most important. With 20 electoral college votes, it can decide the race on its own. In other words Mr Obama could lose all four other swing states but still take first prize if he clinches Ohio. In the modern era, no Republican candidate has won without taking Ohio. If a few thousand social conservatives in Ohio had sat on their hands in 2004, rather than voting for George W. Bush, then Mr Kerry would now be campaigning for re-election.

Awesome Flag Jump

Sorry, "awesome" is a word I try to use infrequently, but it's the best one in this case.



That flag weighs 140 pounds. Amazing.

Another one from Dianne M., thank you, ma'am.

Funny Site: INDEXED

Check out INDEXED for a great funny blog. Here's a sample.



Absolutely true, by the way, about NE Ohio. I've got weather appropriate clothing in my car.