Wilson Watch #1

While tomorrow will mark the one month anniversary (May 9th - June 9th) of the last news item added it isn't all bad news for the Wilson website. Sometime over the week it appears that 10 pictures were added to the previously empty photo gallery. I assume that this is the work of the volunteer photographer I mentioned earlier this week.

I'd also like to take the opportunity to make an offer to the Wilson people if they happen to read this:

If you're having trouble posting press releases on your website I'll post any that you email me in their entirety with nothing more than a simple disclosure as to the source. Any comments I may have will be put into a separate post. If you're interested you can reach me at david@leftofohio.com. 

No Presidential Debate For Ohio State University

The Cincinnati Enquirer's "Politics Extra" blog is reporting that Ohio State University has withdrawn it's bid to host a presidential debate next year citing a "leadership transition" at the university.

Seventeen other sites are still under consideration to host the debates and a final decision will be made in October. Nearby locations still in the running include Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

Read More: Politics Extra: OSU withdraws bid for presidential debate

Regula Planning to Run?

Yesterday Jerid at Buckeye State Blog noticed a news story on a Google search with the headline "Regula's Running After All" but the link was dead. I don't know if he ever made any headway with that story but I found this today from the Akron Beacon Journal.

Meanwhile, Regula issued a statement saying he's aware of the early candidacy activity. He added that he has ``filed a statement of candidacy with the FEC and... organized fundraising events for the 2008 election.''

Source: Beacon Journal | 06/08/2007 | Two eye run for Regula's seat

West Virginia GOP Seeks To Bump Up It's Primary Power

The West Virginia Republican Party is trying to increase it's primary clout by holding a presidential convention on Tsunami Tuesday to decide the states at-large delegates. The real interesting aspect of this plan is that the result of this convention would be released by 4 P.M., the earliest of all the other primaries held that day. They will also hold a May 13 primary to decide a small amount of district delegates.

Again I want to clarify that this goes strictly for West Virginia's Republican Party. The WV Democratic Party will still go by the May 13 primary election.

You can find a full list a primary dates here.

Read More: First Read : WV wants to be a player on Feb. 5

John Boccieri for Congress Campaign Kick-Off Event

Bored and want to get out of the house? Bored and want to get Ralph Regula out of the House? If you answered "yes" than Monday is your lucky day. State Senator John A. Boccieri will be holding an event to kick-off his campaign to become the next Representative from Ohio's 16th congressional district.

Event Information:

State Senator John A. Boccieri will be launching his campaign for the United States Congress for Ohio District 16 with a special event featuring Governor Ted Strickland and other prominent Ohio Democrats.

Senator Boccieri will be speaking in front of the historic Hoover Plant that is being closed down this fall.

What: Campaign Kick-Off Event for John Boccieri for Congress

Who: Senator Boccieri will be joined by Governor Ted Strickland, Attorney General Marc Dann, State Treasurer Richard Cordray and other leaders from the Ohio Democratic Party, along with representatives of veterans' groups and Ohio's labor movement.

When: 3:00 PM Monday June 11, 2007

Where: Bitzer Park at the intersection of E, Maple and Main Street across from the Hoover Plant at 101 E. Maple in North Canton, OH 44720

In case of inclement weather, we will meet across the street at: IBEW Local Union 1985, 111 South Main Street, North Canton OH 44720

Regretfully the event is a little too far out of my area so I won't be attending.

Stupid News - 6/7/07

Man Takes 50 MPH Wheelchair Ride

A 21 year old man apparently got his wheelchair stuck in the front grill of a semi truck and ended up going for a 4 mile trip down the highway. Police eventually stopped the truck after several people called it in. The man was unhurt.

Paris Hilton Out of Jail

After just 5 days Paris Hilton has been released from jail for "medical reasons". It was earlier reported that Hilton hadn't been sleeping or eating in jail. She will spend the rest of her sentence, which has been increased to 45 days from 23, confined in her mansion.

Teacher Gets New Trial In Porn Case

A Connecticut substitute teacher convicted of showing porn to children over an unsolicited pop-up ad will get a new trial. She had been facing up to 40 years in jail. The judge cited faulty information from the state as the reason for the mistrial.

Japan Pays Cash For Kids

In an effort to bolster it's birthrate the Japanese Government is putting pressure on employers to offer incentives like cell phones and cash to employees that have a baby.

Bob Bennett And The ORP Spread Lies

Okay, I admit that I'm a little bit grouchy today but can you really blame me? Especially when I have to read crap like this from Bob Bennett.

“It’s clear by now the Democrats have a double standard when it comes to enforcing ethical conduct in Congress.  I expected Ohio Democrats to publicly call for the resignation of Congressman Jefferson by now. Unfortunately, they followed their party leadership and turned a blind eye to the corruption in their own house.”

“When Bob Ney was indicted last year, I immediately called for his resignation. I expect nothing less from Ohio Democrats.” 

Yet in their very next post on the ORP blog they reference a Zack Space press release (the same one the Dispatch mentioned earlier) from over a year ago titled "Space Urges Representatives Jefferson, Ney to Resign from Congress".

Just because people don't agree with Boehner's blind rush to turn this issue into a partisan crusade doesn't mean we're taking Jefferson's side.

Source: State of the Union: So much for the 'most ethical Congress ever'

More on Zack Space and Ethics

The Dispatch's blog, "The Daily Briefing" has a post up comparing Space's last release with one he put out early last year claiming that it shows Space is becoming more mild on the issue. Of course the ORP jumped on it shortly after.

I'd argue that the releases address two different things. The first, more aggressive release deals with Space's personal view that Jefferson should voluntarily step down. The second release was done from the role of Zack Space the congressman and simply said that it might be too early to try to forcibly expel Jefferson but that an investigation should be conducted first. He's not supporting Jefferson, he just wants to take the time to do it right.

Space also has a new release out on the topic.

The Republican Debate Wrap-Up

Winner: I absolutely hate trying to declare a "winner' to a debate but in this case it's clear that John McCain won. Even Arianna Huffington agrees. His campaign has been failing lately but he definitely had the strongest showing. Towards the end of the debate I found myself agreeing with him way to much.

Funniest Moment: God hates Rudy!

Loser: Tom Tancredo. After all his entire campaign is based upon alienating a minority voting group.

Republican Debate Tonight

Don't forget that there's a Republican debate tonight at 7 P.M. on CNN. You can also participate in chats during the debate at both Buckeye State Blog or Right Angle Blog depending on you political preference.

You'll probably find me in the BSB room.

Zack Space Want's To Get Rid Of William Jefferson

 Zack Space, whose ethics pledge was the keystone of his campaign, put out the following release on the subject. 

“The people of the 18th Congressional District know more than any other Americans what it means to feel a sense of betrayal from a Congressman,” said Space.  “Bob Ney’s actions over the last few years cut deeply into our belief that Congress is the people’s house and left us, for months, without a Representative in the House of Representatives.”

“That’s why it’s so important that we move quickly and swiftly on this issue.  Cleaning up Washington is not an issue of party politics,” said Space.  “Our obligation to the American people transcends political affiliation.  If someone is guilty of violating House rules or more broadly, has seriously compromised the integrity of this institution, we should take whatever actions are necessary to restore the trust of the American people in their elected officials.”

Yet people still want to blame Jefferson on the entire Democratic party. Still I'd like to get rid of Alan Mollohan in the next election to keep this from happening again.

Libby Gets 30 Months

Isn't that what Bob Ney got? I guess that must be the standard sentence for corrupt political figures.

I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Cheney, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison and fined $250,000 for lying to investigators about his role in leaking the identity of an undercover CIA officer.

"Evidence in this case overwhelmingly indicated Mr. Libby's culpability," U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton said moments before he handed out the sentence. The judge said he was sentencing Libby "with a sense of sadness. I have the highest respect for people who take positions in our government and appreciate tremendously efforts they bring to bear to protect this country."

Source: Libby Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison, Fined $250K - washingtonpost.com

Let The Shaming Continue: Alan Mollohan

Wow, I thought Wilson's website was bad. Compared to Mollohan's though it's practically the USA Today. In fact Mollohan hasn't updated his site in almost 3 months! His last update was way back on the 19th of March. Wilson also gets a bit of a free pass because he's in his first term. Mollohan, however, has been in the House since 1983.

If that wasn't bad enough it also seems Mollohan has a little bit of an ethics problem. It mainly centers around the fact that he doesn't have any even though he was once the ranking Democrat on the House Ethics Committee before getting kicked to the curb.

This man isn't just ignoring his district, he's a liability to the party. Hopefully someone will take him out in the primary.

The Greatest Quote of the Debate

I hate to say it but it came from Hillary.

Also don't forget to check out Jerid's video of the Ron Paul nuts outside the debate.

A Follow-up on Charlie Wilson's Website

This is a follow-up to the post "Has Anyone Seen My Congressman?"

Today I finally built up enough nerve to call Charlie Wilson's Bridgeport office over the state of his House website. I hate calling people but it's been over three weeks now since it was last updated (May 9th) and my irritation was starting to be replaced by a suspicion. I mean sure there had been periods of inactivity before, but they'd never lasted this long. Something surely had to be going on behind the scenes. That suspicion was further strengthened by a rumor I heard over the weekend. That rumor was confirmed a few hours ago by a voicemail from Wilson's chief of staff.

The reason for the lack of updates is...

Drum roll please

...because the people previously responsible for the website were let go late last week and they are bringing in new people. They've also hired a new a new media director and have a volunteer photographer for the summer. They will apparently have a new website up soon.

I'm glad to hear the Wilson camp recognized the importance of this and are taking action to correct it. Now lets see some events over the summer.

Eric Alterman Arrested At Debate

No comment, just passing it on.

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN ) – Columnist and author Eric Alterman was arrested Sunday night inside the debate spin room and charged with criminal trespass after police say he refused repeated orders to leave.

Goffstown, N.H. police say Alterman was in the spin room as a guest of the Creative Coalition and went to an area reserved for a private reception for WMUR-TV. Police say he was asked by an executive at the party if he was invited to the private area and was asked to leave. A police officer was called after a verbal altercation ensued. He was asked by police seven times to leave, and police say he became increasingly loud as he refused. After ignoring a final request, police say he was handcuffed and taken from the building. He is charged with criminal trespass, and a bail commissioner will determine if he will be released.

Source: CNN.com - CNN Political Ticker Columnist/author arrested in spin room «

Update: Read Alterman's version of the events here.