DeWine trying to spin himself as independent of GOP

[ProSense]

GOP's DeWine Stresses Independence

WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Mike DeWine is running under a new banner as he seeks re-election in a difficult environment for Republicans. "Independent fighter for Ohio families'' reads the tag line on the first television commercial of his campaign.

By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
Last update: March 25, 2006 – 10:03 AM

Snip

The ad concerns legislation that requires children's drugs be tested for safety and effectiveness, and spokesman Brian Seitchik says it is designed to show DeWine "getting things done'' through bipartisan cooperation.

Despite the emphasis on independence, Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman rebuffs any suggestion that the second-term senator is trying to keep his political distance from President Bush, with low public support in the polls, or even Republican Gov. Bob Taft, with even lower public support in the polls.

Snip...

Democrats see it differently, calling attention to a series of recent presidential appearances in Ohio.

Sbip...

Rep. Sherrod Brown, the leading Democratic challenger, "wishes that Sen. DeWine's record in the Senate matched his presentation on television. Just last week he voted for health care legislation that would threaten health care for 3 million Ohioans, including children,'' spokeswoman Joanna Kuebler said.


http://www.startribune.com/587/story/330426.html

[rocktivity]

1. Voting records speak louder than words, DeWine

How many of Bush's intitiatves have you supported? And if you think he's so repulsive,
WHY DON'T YOU JOIN THE DEMS IN VOTING TO IMPEACH HIM?

:headbang:
rocknation

[SharonAnn]

24. He's more right-wing than the moderate Repubs in his district.

And certainly more right-wing than the Democrats.

So, exactly how would be "independent" of the GOP?

[sasquatch]

2. If we could just harness the power of his spin, we could power the world

Spin your ass off you bottom feeder.

[mdmc]

3. there is no reason Brown should not win, right?

This is a Dem race to lose, is it not?

[skipos]

5. This poll has Dewine up 46% to to Brown's 37%

He will be hard to beat but it is possible.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/February%202006/Ohio%20Senate%20February.htm

However, the same pollster has Strickland (D) doing well for Governor.

Ted Strickland (D) 47%
Ken Blackwell (R) 35%

Ted Strickland (D) 44%
Jim Petro (R) 37%

[mdmc]

6. Time for Brown to campaign

looks like he has some work to do.

[OzarkDem]

8. Here's an idea

The Ohio forum is now exclusively reserved for those who want to criticize Brown. Perhaps you'll find a more receptive audience there.

[mdmc]

11. nah, I really don't care. I would just like to see Brown win

if he can. I don't care to bash him.

[OzarkDem]

14. He can

I'm glad you're behind him and doing all you can to help him win.

[mdmc]

15. I'm not doing anything to help him, I am sad to say

I live in NY. I will be working here in NY for the Dem ticket (I think that Hillary Clinton and Eliot Spitzer should have coattails this year). This year I can think of two GOP congresspeople (Sweeney and Sue Kelly) that should be beat on the coattails of Spitzer and Clinton election / reelection.

I wish Brown all the luck and karma in the world. Hope the grassroots in Ohio helps him to Get Out the VOTE.

[OzarkDem]

16. Thanks for your support!

Brown has lots of good karma out there, coming his way.

Good luck in your races, I'm guessing those two have very good coattails. It should be a good year for Dems all around!

[rucky]

37. he's stumping like mad

and fundraising looks good. volunteers are on the ground.

He'll bust a move with the media closer to November.

[MissWaverly]

9. Please, God, keep gov seat out of Fraudwell's hands

think of the implications for the 2008 race!

[OzarkDem]

12. If all the Dems in Ohio work together

that will happen. So far, though, Ohio Dems are divided and many in SW Ohio are still campaigning against Brown.

[MissWaverly]

17. I am in Maryland but as the campaign heats up I plan to donate

To Strickland, I just cringe whenever I see Blackwell's face, he should be investigated not
elected. I am always surprised by the Dems in Ohio, when I sent them money to
help with post-election problems in Ohio, they sent me a snarky letter back saying they
were going to use the money for pr on Ohio college campuses. Why didn't they assure
Paul Hackett that dirty tricks would be investigated. Frankly what caused him and his
aides to go off the rails was the whisper campaign. And quite frankly, it has GOP dirty
tricks pasted all over it, yet it was blamed on the dems and now there should be some
arm twisting, soul searching there to heal the party. Of course, they will attack the
dems, the Republicans have nothing to run on.

[OzarkDem]

19. GOP will keep stirring the pot

Dems are already coming back together in Ohio, they know they have to be united to win their races. However, its anticipated GOP dirty tricks will continue non-stop to keep some people divided.

[MissWaverly]

20. That's why a few indictments would be welcome news

Look at how the phone jamming in New Hampshire involved 75 calls to the White House, it
just infuriates me that they took 75 calls for dirty tricks strategy and went on
vacation for Katrina.

[OzarkDem]

21. Trial for Coingate is scheduled for late summer, early fall

Though the GOP will try to slow down GOP money launderer Tom Noe's trials, there will likely be a verdict out sometime around Election Day.

[MissWaverly]

23. Before the 06 election, you have made me smile

Seriously, if some of these people can be held accountable, this lessons the chance that
they will be rigging another election.

[OzarkDem]

10. Brown was in SW Ohio yesterday

to meet with Hackett supporters and campaign for their support.

Did you attend? How did it go?

[skipos]

13. Why are you asking me this?

I just provided poll data, which everyone is free ignore if they choose.
I am all for Brown, I have never had a problem with him, and I will do cartwheels if he wins.

[OzarkDem]

7. He'll win

But it will be a tough fight. Ken Mehlman was in town last week talking about how the GOP has been targeting this race. Rove has visited numerous times and has said he's working on getting DeWine re-elected.

Here's a link to Mehlman's interview.

http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/opennotebook/index.ssf?/mtlogs/cleve_opennotebook/archives/2006_03.html#123738

[MissWaverly]

18. Please God, let Karl Rove be indicted for Plame

Way back in the ancient times of July 2003, Novak outed a CIA agent in his article. It's
been a long, long trail since then, a presidential election has come and gone and still
no indictment of Karl Rove. Judy Miller agreed to testify last fall. (That was the
official excuse for a hold up, so WHERE are we now). Are we waiting for Karl Rove to finish the 06 and 08 campaigns?

[OzarkDem]

4. Sherrod's right

DeWine's votes on health care issues are abysmal. He voted S. 1955 out of committee last week - a bill that will allow employers to offer unregulated health insurance plans that are exempt from state regulations.

[Greyhound]

22. So what will the excuse be if Brown loses his Senate bid as well

as his formerly safe House seat?

[OzarkDem]

25. I reject your premise

Just curious as to why you have such a negative outlook on this race. Is there a reason?

Brown is a great candidate with stellar Dem credentials and long, long history of winning races in red and blue counties by large margins. He's a brilliant campaigner and fundraiser and is well liked.

Its going to be a difficult race, but we have the best possible candidate.

Visit his web site and make a donation or volunteer!

http://www.sherrodbrown.com/

[Greyhound]

27. I have objected to the crass and ill advised tactics used to force

Hackett out. If he wins great, but it is far from a lock.

My understanding, from people I know to be pretty knowlegable and actually live there, is that it is DeWine's to lose. I don't know as I don't live there.

I think it is a tactical mistake to risk a sure House seat to try for the Senate seat in one of the most critical states in the country. As I said if it works that will be great, but if it doesn't the downside is, IMO, greater than the upside.

[OzarkDem]

32. I hear you

We have a very strong candidate running for Sherrod's OH-13 seat - Tom Sawyer, who was a well liked Congressman in an adjacent district that was eliminated due to GOP gerrymandering. Sawyer is already polling very well, has lots of connections to raise money and is an experienced campaigner who knows how to win votes in the area.

Its a gamble, but one that Ohio Dems needed to take. Its incredibly difficult to run and win statewide races in Ohio - whether Dem or GOP. Its imperative to have an experienced campaigner and legislator with a large base of support to win. Dems have been asking Brown to run for either Senator or Governor for years and I'm glad he finally decided to do it.

[Aaaargh]

34. Sherrod might LOSE because not enough Dems believe in fairies!

BUT, if we all just CLAP OUR HANDS REALLY LOUD to show that we DO believe in fairies, then Sherrod will do BETTER in the polls and win!

C'MON EVERYBODY! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

YAAAAAY!!!! See? We can DO it!!!

Now, if we could just do away with all this negativity on the part of naysaying defeatist cynics who focus on stupid old ISSUES and on trends in statewide elections in Ohio in the last decade and a half, we could SWEEP the state and the whole COUNTRY in November with candidates just like Sherrod!

POSITIVE THINKING is what wins elections, Democrats! And WARS, too!

[OzarkDem]

38. How silly of us

I suppose you think we'll win by distorting our Dem candidates' records, and CURSING REALLY LOUD and saying F*** in every single interview on right wing news shows. You're so right! We can win by catering to the right wing agenda! :eyes:

YAY! We'll never have to worry about issues or good government or fixing the economy or getting out of Iraq or GOP corruption ever again!

[rucky]

35. We better not run anybody, then.

those who don't have seats aren't qualified to challenge an incumbent.

those who do have seats shouldn't risk losing them to challenge an incumbent.

[Doctor_J]

46. I can't believe this pig is going to be re-elected

all we heard before the primary is what a great candidate Brown would be. DeSwine is going to mop the floor with him. What a missed opportunity.

[Lefty48197]

26. Sure looks like he's a GOP homie in this photo:

Look, it's our old friends Zell Miller and George W. Bush with Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio, who's now pretending to be a GOP outsider.

[Toots]

28. One is either Independent or Republican. Can't be both

Republican Law forbids it. Independence is a bane to them. That is what they find so negative about Democrats. :shrug: This stance should be an easy one to run against..But Democrats have a natural tendency to snatch Defeat from the Jaws of Victory.

[OzarkDem]

30. Brown is a consistent winner

He's a liberal who has been winning for the last 15 years in conservative areas. Its going to be a tough race, as are all the Senate races this year, but he'll do well.

[Doctor_J]

47. Unless you're Bill O'Reilly

then you can register as a Repub and tell everyone you're an indy.

[Doremus]

29. I will work for Brown, but how will he work for me if he doesn't win?

And how can he win by running away from the issues that will get him elected?

Okay, so he's playing it safe with the Feingold censure (it's taking attention away from the real issues... or so he says). But the fundraising email I just received said that Brown intends to "run a campaign you can be proud of." WTF?

Any mention of Coingate? NO.
Any mention of Abramoff's state connections? NO.
Any mention of the criminal governor? NO.
Any mention of ANY of the myriad instances of corruption on the part of Ohio neocons? NO.

There were references to those meanie Repugs using "bare-knuckle tactics" and the dreaded 'pay to play' system in Washington. Boo-f'ing-hoo.

Shrinking violets DO NOT WIN. Unless Brown kicks it up about 12 notches, he will be ground to dust under the bootjacks -- along with our hopes.

If anybody here knows the guy, PLEASE light a f'ing fire under his ass. Strong talk and stronger actions will gain respect both in the Dem strongholds AND the rural corn fields. The latter group would rather stick with status quo, as bad as that is, than vote for some whiny weak-kneed liberal.

[OzarkDem]

31. You need to do a little more homework

Brown has been bringing all those issues up and more, but he's going to focus on issues important to voters like jobs, trade, health care, and the failed war in Iraq.

If you're looking for a candidate who is inflammatory and bombastic, dropping the F word in every interview, you'll be disappointed. He's much smarter than that and probably you can't win that way.

[Doremus]

40. So to avoid being 'inflammatory,' he's going to run on 'polite'?

Sorry, in 2006 it's simply not good enough.

Taking the high road is what losers do -- and have been doing in Ohio for 15 years.

Being positive and talking about the issues we're concerned with is fine. But nobody's going to hear him if he's afraid to speak up, interrupt, grasp the issues and STAND UP to the slime machine.

As often as you're here defending Brown, I will take it that you know him (correct me if I'm wrong). If you do, you would do all Ohioans a service by telling him that the pack of also-rans is populated by perfectly nice, polite people.

We need a winner.

[OzarkDem]

41. It might help you to understand

if you read or listened to what Brown is saying. If you took some time and did that you would see he's being anything but nice and polite about the GOP's bankrupt policies re the Iraq war, shipping jobs overseas, etc.


http://www.sherrodbrown.com/story/2006/3/22/12646/1267

http://www.sherrodbrown.com/story/2006/3/21/134133/296

[Doremus]

42. You're either a relative, star-struck or being purposely disingenuous.

"I think President Bush needs to listen more..." Is that really your idea of strong talk? He sounds like a school marm for heaven's sakes. (BTW, your assumption that I hadn't seen those interviews before is not only wrong but presumptious.)

Look, I agree Sherrod is a good man. I greatly admire his courage in standing virtually alone in voting against the war and share his opinions of NAFTA, CAFTA, et al. I'm going to work my tail off for him. But you're missing my point.

The Rovian slime machine is going to grind him into the pavement unless he stops with the genteel routine that USED to be expected in politics. Unless you and he have been sleepwalking the last 6 years, 'gentlemanly' campaigns are history. Today, viable candidates MUST be willing to get down in the gutter to meet the enemy face-to-face. They have to draw first blood. Give them 110% more than they spew out.

If he doesn't, if he chooses the mannerly course, he may as well quit now.

Somebody better make him see before it's too late.

[OzarkDem]

43. I've lived in his district many years

and have volunteered for and supported his campaigns. He's a sharp guy who ALWAYS knows what he's up against. You don't win 7 terms in Congress by wide margins in a conservative leaning district by accident.

If you knew much about him, you'd know he's very outspoken - not genteel. You'll recall, he's the only member in Congress (during a hearing w/ Colin Powell no less) to refer to the fact that Bush went AWOL. He was a vocal opponent to the war in Iraq and voted against it.

He's the best Dem in Ohio to handle this job and I trust him.

BTW, do you live in Ohio?

[Doremus]

45. Yes I do. My concern isn't just from the perspective of the Dems

gaining Senate majority, but also from having to live with the consequences of this race.

I'm glad to hear you trust him. I look at him with slightly more objectivity. The fact is, he hasn't won a statewide race since 1986. He lost in 1990 to Bob Taft and the rest is history as regards to the well-connected crooks who moved in and took over state politics.

I hope to God you're right. My cynicism has grown callouses these last 6 years, so I tend to go off when I hear my candidates playing nice with people who want to devour them. Fighting rough isn't instictive for a lot of liberals, which is all the more reason to either hone the latent ability now -- or hire someone to coach him. I'm serious. And I hope someone in his inner circle is 1) sharp enough to know it, and 2) tells him while there's still time to learn.

[dusty64]

33. Would this include this

proposed law to allow * to designate any group or person as "terrorists" in order to conduct unlimited spying on them. He's a real independent isn't he.

[rucky]

36. he's independent of rational thought. n/t

[cassiepriam]

39. DeWeeny is as evil as they come.

I know him from way back when he was a kid prosecutor.

[McCamy Taylor]

44. It's true. Goldwater's rolling in grave. See cartoon link in body of post.

http://www.grandtheftelectionohio.com/060313.htm


These are the actions of a man who is trying very hard to trample upon everything Republicans hold dear. I wonder what they say about him in Freeperville.

He's gotta fight for Independent and Dem votes because the GOP vote is going to stay home on him.