Governor Ted still celebrating?

[OhioBlue]

fer cryin' out loud - what does Hillary have on him anyway?

--Please join Governor Ted Strickland and First Lady Frances Strickland

in recognition for your hard work in the recent primary election.


Sunday, March 16th 2008

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

358 North Parkview Avenue

Bexley, Ohio 42309


Light refreshments served. Casual dress attire accepted.--

[Kukesa]

1. LTTE in this morning's Dayton newspaper.

The writer wanted to know how Strickland was able to justify the amount of taxpayer dollars he's spending by volunteering his time campaigning for Hillary, when he took that privilege away from his staff.

You ask a valid question.

[AngryOldDem]

2. This just does not sit right with me.

Elected officials of a state should not, IMO, take such an active role in campaigns. Endorsements are one thing. But going much beyond that, well, while it may be legal and it may be ethical...and even the latter is debatable...sometimes you just don't do it. This party is a perfect example.

This is exactly how I felt in 2004 when Ken Blackwell was chair of the Ohio Bush/Cheney campaign. Too many conflicts of interest; too many opportunities for conflicts of interest. And we all know where those can lead.

(I take it the address is the governor's mansion? It's in Bexley, right?)

[rexcat]

3. I can see the SOS being an issue...

but not the Governor. I don't think SOS Jennifer Brunner made any endorsements which was a good thing since she is directly involved in the election process. That would also go for M. Dann (AG). The Governor on the other hand should be able to endorse who he wishes for he is in a partisan position anyway!

If you can elaborate on any conflicts of interest concerning Ted Strickland other than he did not support your candidate please do so.

[OhioBlue]

4. I agree with AODem

He shouldn't take such an active role in the Primary. He is the ex-officio head of the Dem Party in Ohio. We have two viable Presidential candidates - if he wants to endorse, fine, but he shouldn't have given her an assist in her negative campaign. I also find the fact that he went to the same media markets as Obama to try and block some of his coverage extremely distasteful.

Yes, the Gov is in a partisan position - but we are talking about two Democrats. Ted has alienated part of his base by taking an active role in Hillary's negative campaign.

Think about Ted's credibility now when the campaign comes back in November. Will voters believe him when he stumps for Obama? Will he stump for Obama? Does he care?

[AngryOldDem]

6. That's exactly what I mean when I reference conflicts of interest.

There are just too many opportunities to cross a line, intentionally or not. Elected heads of state should be above that (but then I also believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny too).

I expect an endorsement. I do NOT expect a congratulatory party thrown for supporters a week later, UNLESS it is for everyone who worked on Election Day in all capacities (not just partisan supporters), and UNLESS Ted is footing the whole bill for this on HIS dime, especially if it IS a partisan affair.

Sometimes appearances count, more than we realize. Sheesh...do we need to be more polarized than we already are?

[AngryOldDem]

5. Reread my post.

I said that I understood endorsements. I just have a problem going beyond that, such as throwing a party, although I recognize that most likely there is nothing wrong with that, either. I compared that with Blackwell's involvement with Bush/Cheney while also being SOS. My discomfiture with both is the same. That's all. Rightly or wrongly, that's how I feel.

And I've totally accepted the fact that Obama lost and HRC won. Hope that clears things up.

[rexcat]

10. As far as the general election goes I could vote for either Clinton or Obama...

but I would have preferred Edwards but that is not now the reality of the situation. I have mixed feelings about both Clinton and Obama. I believe they both have good and bad points which I will not go into because one of them or both of them will be our candidate(s) in the general election.

As far as Ted Strickland he is entitled to do as he sees fit. I would suspect that he will give all his support to the Democratic candidate in the general election. To think otherwise is ridiculous. The Clinton and Obama supporters really need to calm down and start acting like adults.

Whoever gets the Democratic Party nomination will have my full support and I will help in any way with their campaigns. That should be expected of any Democrat in the country because we as a nation can't afford another Rethug in the White House for the next four years. In fact if any Democrats don't want to support the Democratic Party candidate in the general election they might as well crossover to the Rethugs because they are not better than the Rethugs.

edited for clarity

[OhioBlue]

11. we see it differently

He may give his support to Obama - but what credibility will it carry with it? We will just be reminded by the GOP of the nastiness that came out of his mouth toward our candidate.

I also think he was very wrong to go negative. A lot of us volunteered for Strickland, the ODP is asking for our help as precinct volunteers, we have a great chance to build the party, and Strickland came in and gave a big F-U to the Obama supporters.

And, as far as supporting the Democratic nominee no matter who it is...

Well, I started out liking both Hillary and Barack - I could've volunteered for either in the GE
Then, I was disappointed in the Clintons - but, I could've voted for either in the GE
Then, I was appalled by the Clintons - but I would still hold my nose and vote for her.
Now, I am without the words to describe how much I think she undermines Democratic values. If she is the nominee, I will truly have to do some soul searching. I'm not sure if a vote for her is actually the right thing to do as a Democrat.

[rexcat]

12. I think Obama has the edge...

and will probably get the nomination. My major concern with Obama is his religious outlook. Way to strong for my tastes and reminds me of the rethugs. That is where Edwards impressed me because he said it is a personal thing that should be private and I agree with him 100%. I don't know if Obama believes in the separation of church and state as I see it. I think the wall should be thick and tall so you can't get through it or over it! This is just an opinion so please don't get your panties in a wade.

I also disagree with his health care plan but I also don't like Clinton's. Both are too close to the lobbyist on this one.

As far as the Iraq war Clinton was wrong to vote yes. Obama was not a Senator at the time so what he says has little impact on me since there is no real vote to look at. Talk is cheap. Please don't flame me on this but I have heard too many politicians on both sides talk out there rear ends. The Democrats that voted no have my deepest respect. As a Viet Nam era vet that was caught up in the draft in 1971 and spend four years in the military (I was lucky not to go to Viet Nam but some of my friends were not so lucky) and with a nephew currently in Iraq I want the troops out now. The invasion and current occupation of Iraq is costing the US too much in "silver and blood" and the impact on the economy is is staggering. $12,000,000,000 per month and the number of injured and dead American service personnel returning is just too much for me. I have not heard much from either candidate that impresses me concerning Iraq.

No matter which Democratic Party candidate is nominated they will still be 1000 times better than McCain or any other Rethug in the White House. My perspective comes from living in SW Ohio for the past 20 years and being surrounded by a large majority of rethug assholes. Think living beside Mean Jean Schmidt and her kind at a ratio of four rethugs for every one Democrat. It has the affect of changing one's perspective rather quickly.

On edit... with all that said I am leaning more towards Obama, but I have reservations with both candidates.

One more edit... After listening to Countdown with Keith Olbermanns special comment if Clinton does not take Keith's advise I will be supporting Obama 100%. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23601329#23601329

[MeDeMax]

13. one thing I love about Bill Clinton

is his ability to show strong religious roots and yet maintain good separation of church and state while discharging his duties. I think Hillary too would be pretty solid on the separation issue.

But when it comes to Barack, I am excited that he offers a new positive dimension that no presidential candidate ever has. His up close exposure to other cultures & religions will give him instant credibility with leaders around the world that are non-white or non-Christian.

It is like having a negotiator that both sides believe they have something in common with, imho.

[Kukesa]

14. Possibly, Obama's religious outlook

is an affirmation of his not being Muslim.

That one quote of his -- "I'm a Christian and I pray to Jesus every night" -- got to me, too.

I agree with Edwards, and you, that religion should be both personal and private.

Of course, if those idiots wouldn't send around email messages telling everyone he's a Muslim and took his oath of office on the Qur'an, Obama wouldn't have to be so vocal.

My uncle, an educated man who was once Superintendent of Schools up in NE Ohio, still believes Obama is a Muslim, and there's nothing I can do to change his mind.

:banghead:

[rexcat]

15. From my perspective...

someone who prays to Jesus every night, or for that matter any god or fairy in the sky creature, and is willing to tell anyone and everyone is somewhat deluded and it bothers me but that is the secular humanist coming out in me. I have been bashed by many "good" religious types for so long that these people have little or no credibility with me.

[OhioBlue]

16. I know what you mean

about the religious thing - But I think Kukeska is exactly right. He is talking about his faith more because of the Obama is a Muslim e-mails. Every other person in my area thinks he is a Muslim with ties to terrorists. :banghead: oh - yeah and he won't say the Pledge :crazy:

And about KO's comment - those have been my feelings and a major reason I feel she is not supporting Democratic values.


Edit to add: and really Rex... panties in a wade???

[rexcat]

17. I couldn't resist the panties thing...Sorry!!!!

I have a warped sense of humor and it doesn't come across well on line at times.

After the Democratic Party convention everyone should take a deep breath, relax a bit and get on with the business of winning the general election for the Democratic Party nominee. I am in a good position now because my candidate is out of the picture and I have already reached the stage of acceptance that he will not be the next President of the United States. What I most fear is those who support one of the current candidates that does not win the nomination will give up and let McSame win.

This Muslim thing is totally ridiculous. There appears to be a large number of people in this country who are absolutely stupid. I have run across more than my fair share in SW Ohio and you can't convince them that he is a christian.

[liberalnurse]

7. Appreciation for work well done is always a positive.

I think I'll attend.O8)

[OhioBlue]

8. depends on the work

i see it like a high school football team - if they win a game, yeah - they deserve to celebrate their victory and the hard work they put into it.

but, if the team is split into 2 factions, one supporting the local kid that has played quarterback all his life with the team through pee-wee, middle school, junior varsity and now Varsity and the other supporting the new kid that is the next Peyton Manning and makes the home town kid look like, well, the mediocre quarterback that he is, and the home town supporting group beats the crap out of the new kid and his supporters.... well, yeah - I don't think we should cook 'em hot dogs.

[MeDeMax]

9. I know we are not happy with his support for Hillary

but I think Ted is a pretty straight up person, I don't think he would throw a party to Hillary volunteers on tax payer expense.

As far as his time on tax payer funded salary is concerned, that is a valid point. But it is an accepted practice in our politics that office holders take time away from their duties to stump for themselves or other.

I don't know how much we would be whining if he and Frances were supporting Obama instead.

It was the same gripe that Cimperman had about Kucinich being away on his presidential run. If we don't like this practice we should propose that it be amended at local / state / federal levels.