Blue Buckeye Blog

Borntrager named new ODP Communications Director

Ohio native and OSU grad Randy Borntrager has been named the new Communications Director for The Ohio Democratic Party.

Borntrager replaces Brian Rothenberg, who is leaving to become the Executive Director of a new non-profit called ProgressOhio.org.  Borntrager leaves a position as Communications Specialist with the Special Olympics after having served through the Special Olympics World and National Games.

"I'm encouraged that we could get someone of Randy's caliber and experience to continue building the Ohio Democratic Party's communications program," said Redfern. Redfern said it was Rothenberg's decision to leave and there has been a month-long transition plan. "We wish Brian well and I believe there will be a seemless transition for ODP as the communications program, technology and infrastructure is solid and Randy will have all the tools he needs to pick-up and run.

Blue Buckeye Radio - from the radio to the web

The latest edition of the Blue Buckeye Radio Hour is on the web!  Hosted by Mike Shea and Ron Bryant, they interview Statehouse candidate Dean Hernandez in this week's edition.

Download the mp3 here

Why won't Ken come out of hiding?

Ken Blackwell has proven quite adept at hiding.  First, he refused to release his tax returns, the first gubernatorial candidate in decades to do so.  Now he's keeping quiet on his affiliation with Common Sense Ohio, a group running negative attack ads against Congressman Strickland.  On top of that, he's now hiding the true cost of his health care plan.

Blackwell’s health care plan announced last week was long on rhetoric and short on specifics, but one element was made clear: “The program would require all Ohioans to have some form of health insurance…”—Ken Blackwell.com, 8/24/2006

“The fact is, Ken Blackwell’s plan would mandate that all Ohioans have health insurance, whether they can afford it or not,” said Strickland for Governor spokesman Keith Dailey. “That amounts to a massive burden on uninsured Ohioans already strapped by rising energy and tuition costs.”

So, Ken - how much will it cost?

GOP candidate attempts to inject race issue into Auditor's race

Republicans are up to their dirty tricks again, this time injecting a series of negative questions about Democratic candidate State Rep. Barbara Sykes into what appears to be a push poll.  The poll asks voters their opinion of Sykes being president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus - a deliberate attempt to gauge race in the election.

Sykes, who has said one reason she decided to run for auditor was to add diversity to the otherwise all-white Democratic statewide ticket for executive offices this year, called Taylor's poll question "pathetic."

"I don't think it is a secret that I am black, which I embrace," said Sykes. "I guess the Republicans have not come as far as they would want us to think, even though they have a black man at the top of their ticket. It's just pitifully pathetic."

Even worse, Taylor's campaign first denied to acknowledge the poll even existed.  Then, when Taylor fessed up to the poll, she claimed she didn't know how many questions were asked, and who was called.

It'd be funny if it wasn't so true...

Rep. Boccieri responds to ACLU challenge of funeral protest ban

Legislation sponsored by State Rep. John Boccieri (D-New Middletown) to protect grieving families from the disruption of a protest during a funeral is now under attack by the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio.

The legislation creates a 300 foot buffer zone one hour prior, during and one hour after a funeral.  Boccieri drafted the legislation in response to protests by members of the far-right Westboro Baptist Church at military funerals.

The group believes American soldiers are returning from Iraq in body bags because America is soft on homosexuality.  Their appearance at military funerals has lead to confrontations because of families being shoved or spit upon.

"Although I've agreed with the ACLU on Constitutional matters in the past, I feel they have it all wrong with this law," said Boccieri.  "The real question is where do the rights of free speech begin and where does a grieving family's right to privacy begin?  I think it begins 300 feet away from a grieving family."

Canvassing hazards

When canvassing in urban or suburban areas, it is wise to be on the lookout for the angry dog ready to take a bite out of your backside.  But as Ohio House District 91 candidate Dan Dodd recently found out, when canvassing in rural areas you've got to watch out for a different type of animal.

Cranley rolls back gas prices

Like most of us, John Cranley is fed up with high gas prices.  As as Vice President Dick Cheney visited Cincinnati today to fill up Republican Steve Chabot's coffers with oily money, Cranley filled up gas tanks of 1st Congressional District residents with cheap gas. 

Cranley held an event at a local gas station, picking up the difference between today's astronomically high gas prices and a special $1.26 per gallon discounted price. 

$1.26 isn't just any price - it was the amount per gallon before Chabot flipped to support the Bush/Cheney energy plan that gave BILLIONS in tax payer money to Big Oil.  Republicans like Chabot won't hold Big Oil responsible - they only seek to rubberstamp Bush's failed policies that drive the price of gas ever higher.

Strickland up 25 points on Blackwell in lastest polling

Ted Strickland continues to trounce Ken Blackwell in the last polling numbers, leading 57%-32%.  Strickland's 25 point lead is his largest to date, and shows that he continues to gain momentum.  He had led by 20 and 22 points, respectively, in polling numbers released in late July and early August.

The Rasmussen Reports polling data also shows Sherrod Brown continuing to lead Republican Mike DeWine, 45%-42%.  Brown also has momentum, as polling in early summer showed him down slightly or tied with DeWine. 

Blue Buckeye Radio...on the air!

This week's edition of the Blue Buckeye Radio Hour, originating from Cortland, OH features State Rep. Tim Cassell (63rd District), Danni Palmore, Strickland Campaign Outreach Director and Angela Woodson, Strickland Campaign Political Director.

Download the show: http://www.altpress.com/ohiodems/20060822.mp3