Brian April 24th, 2006
There has been some buzz about Virginia Republicans crossing over to vote in the Democratic primary on June 13, 2006.
From Michael Meckler, I see some Ohio Republicans may be worried about the same thing happening there.
In the Ohio case, however, one of the Democratic candidates, Bryan Flannery, has openly called on Democrats Republicans to crossover and vote for him instead of Republicans Democratic front-runner, Ted Strickland.
The Democratic front-runner there appears to be Strickland.
Update:
As Michael pointed out in the comments, I had this mixed up a little.
I think it was much more interesting my way, even if incorrect. 
Brian April 1st, 2006
I am enjoying the new blog, Virginia Belle, which is authored by a long-time Dkos’ diarist.
In my opinion, though, the most unique thing about Virginia Belle is that it is probably the only other Virginia-based blog to have an “Ohio Politics” category besides me.
Brian January 19th, 2006
I was not going to mention my birthday here this year, but after I got such a great cake I had to share a photo of it.
Click the picture for the larger view.
Last year, I rolled out a new blog theme for my birthday. This year I decided to just stick with the current one.
Brian June 8th, 2005
Michael Meckler points out an interesting connection between Virginia and Ohio politics here.
He discusses the connection between Michael Golden who is the Republican frontrunner in the 41st and Ohio’s Bob McEwen.
For what its worth, “Not Larry Sabato” has already gave the nomination to Golden and has it listed as a “Toss Up” race against Dave Marsden.
Brian January 14th, 2005
What does a young politician do after losing a hard-fought race for Congress in Ohio’s 4th District? That’s easy – he starts teaching at my law school.
Professor Konop will be teaching Legislative Drafting and Corporate Finance. Not a bad fall-back job.
Sounds like he is taking a page straight out of John Edwards and Al Gore’s book.
Brian December 31st, 2004
When I started this humble little blog, I am not really sure what I expected to accomplish. I have never really had a mission or purpose. It’s always just been a collection of things I found interesting with some editorial comments mixed in here and there. However what has surprised me most is that people actually read it. In fact, it appears some people read it every day.
So where is all this going? Well, a great guy named Michael Meckler from here in Ohio recently bestowed upon me and my blog a great honor. Today on his blog, Red-State.com, he paid me the ultimate compliment any blogger can be given. It was some what of a review, mention, and shout-out all rolled into one. Either way, I am very appreciative of his kind words and grateful to him. I know I have said some crazy stuff politically (i.e., Kerry would win Ohio) in the past and probably will again, so it means that much more coming from a conservative like Mr. Meckler.
Brian November 3rd, 2004
David at ISOU has this report from the ground in Cleveland:
Air America Radio reports that Fox News just called Ohio for Bush, despite only 84% of their precincts reporting results and a 139,917 vote difference between Bush and Kerry. This is important because Cuyahoga County, heavily democratic, still hasn’t reported 400,000 votes. That’s what the mayor of Columbus just said on Air America Radio.
Thus, maybe there is still hope for Ohio and Kerry.
UPDATE: CNN just said that they have reports of a possible 600,000 votes out there left to count. Further, the difference between Bush and Kerry is around 110,000 votes. Thus, if that report is true, this election is still anyones to win.
Brian November 3rd, 2004
CNN is refusing to call Ohio for Bush even though all the other networks are. They just said that the Kerry Campaign is projecting that there are over 200,000 provisional ballots floating around. Thus, they say surely they can make up the votes they need from those provisional ballots. Now I remember why I always watch CNN - they keep me hoping!
Brian November 3rd, 2004
Just as I have been saying for months, it all comes down to Ohio. Obviously, I would have loved for Kerry to have won Florida, but I was not kidding myself. I knew we need to win PA and OH. So far, he has PA and Ohio is still counting.
Absent a win in Ohio, JFK would need to win NH, HI, NM, NV, MN, IA, and WI. He will (should) probably win NH, HI, MN, IA, and WI. However, those five will not be enough without Ohio. Further, the odds of stealing NM and NV are low.
Thus, it all comes down to Ohio.
UPDATE: Well, MSNBC just projected Ohio for Bush, thus four more years are likely.
UPDATE 2: Well, in the event of a 269 -269 tie (Kerry running the table on the rest of the states) it will be up to the House to break the tie. Republicans have and will have a clear majority there and Bush still wins.
Brian November 2nd, 2004
Reports say that people have been standing in line for going on nine hours in Knox county, Ohio. Well, I will be the first to say, I am not sure I have enough patience to stand in line for nine hours.
However, relief is on the way! An “alternative voting” method has been approved by U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley and affirmed by the Court of Appeals. The board of elections must now come up with some emergency ballot.
This could get ugly.
Brian November 2nd, 2004
The U.S. District Court in Toledo, Ohio just held that people who requested an absentee ballot, but did not get one, can still vote on a provisional ballot.
See here for more info on this topic.
Brian November 2nd, 2004
It is still pouring the rain here in northwest Ohio. I was hoping the rain would be over by now and things drying up. However, the rain does not appear to be slowing down.
We all know that a rainy day usually equals low Democratic turnout. The fact that voters are still turning out in record numbers, in the heavy rain, is just more indication of how determined voters are for change.
Brian November 2nd, 2004
I just got back from voting. We got there at 7:45 am, and still had to stand in line for about 45 minutes. If that does not sound too bad, remember this is a very small precinct.
Also, its pouring the rain here. However, the forecast is that the weather will be clearing up by this afternoon. Hopefully, everyone will know that if they get in line before 7:30 pm, the elections board has to let them vote.
As most people have heard by now, Justice Stevens has declined to overturn the 51 year old Ohio law that allows for challengers at each precinct. Personally, I did not see anyone making any challenges or even looked like a challenger, but something tells me everyone around here votes for Republicans anyway.
In sum, I still think Ohio will go for Kerry, but its going to be close, real close. I think if we had better weather today, we would have had a clear Kerry victory.
Brian October 30th, 2004
Pasted below is a summary of the Ohio Voter Bill of Rights I received via email. Click here to see the full version. I have pasted some of the main points below.
• If you forget your ID, you CAN vote.
• If records show that you have moved, you CAN vote.
• If you have been convicted of a crime and have been released from prison, you CAN vote.
• If you are physically disabled and cannot enter your polling place, you CAN vote from your car, and receive help in voting.
• If you are in line at the polling place before 7:30 pm on Election Day, you CAN vote.
If there is any question about your right to vote, YOU CAN STILL VOTE by PROVISIONAL BALLOT. If you have a problem, make it clear that you know your rights.
You also can:
• Talk to the Voting Rights attorney at your polling place.
• Ask for the name of the person who is denying you the vote and write it down.
• Ask to talk to a supervisor and lodge a complaint.
If you have a problem, please call 1.866.228.1452.
Ohio is going to be a very important state this year regardless of what you hear in polls.
Brian October 28th, 2004
Today, I finally got to attend a Kerry campaign event in Toledo, Ohio. It was a heck of a show, just as I expected it would be. It began with all of the local Democrat candiates coming out and getting their plugs in. The crowd was fairly interested at this point to my surprise. Since I did not know any of their names or faces, I was not too impressed. Although, its very important we send some help in the form of Senate votes to D.C. with Kerry on November 2nd.
However, things quickly changed. Once U2’s “Beautiful Day” started playing the crowd went insane. Senator John Glenn and Kerry, wearing a Boston Red Sox cap, came down to the stage through the crowded bleachers and the action began. Glenn gave Kerry a heck of an introduction.
Once Kerry started talking it was easy to see why he will be the next president. He just has something that makes me think he is going to win. Further, I will admit, I had my doubts and was unsure of his chances when he first won the nomination. However, after the last few months and seeing more of Kerry, its now easy to see he can win it all.
The entire event was awesome and I am so glad I went. Kerry concluded his speech and “Johnny Be Good” started playing. He immediately jumped down off the stage and started shaking hands.
Brian October 14th, 2004
The Democrats were successful in forcing the Secretary of State, Ken Blackwell, to follow the "Help America Vote Act" provisions. Here is the Order released today from U.S. District Judge James Carr in Toledo (while I was there).
The purpose of the case was to have the Secretary of State Directive 2004-33 held to violate the Help America Vote Act of 2002, 42 U.S.C. §§ 15301, et seq. The Directive improperly required: (1) required voter eligibility to be determined on election day instead of at a later date; (2) limited provisional ballots to only people who had moved to new precincts; (3) failed to require un-listed voters be notified of the provisional ballot option; and (4) limited provisional ballots to voters who had not tried to vote at another precinct.
The effect of this Order will be, if a voter ends up at the wrong voting precinct, he or she can still cast a ballot for the federal races, and his or her eligibility to vote in Ohio can be determined at a later date. If the voter was an ineligible voter, his or her ballot will be discarded.
The plaintiffs (Democrats) only ask that the existing laws be interpreted properly by Secretary Blackwell.
Brian October 12th, 2004
Apparently political campaign offices have become easy targets of vandalism. My friend Kilo has been recording some of these activities against Republicans.
Here is another example of vandalism, where the Lucas County Democratic Headquarters was burglarized. A few computers were taken, even some with confidential campaign strategies on them.
Hopefully, people will realize that this activity is not "supporting" their party. I think people who do these things feel as if their entitled to break the law as long as its in the name of the competing party. Unfortunately, the vandals seem to be forgetting their actions are criminal.
I guess these people have forgot that "the pump don’t work ‘Cause the vandals took the handles."
UPDATE: As reported by Documenting Democracy, the Norfolk, Virginia headquarters was also recently vandalized and accounts of major yard sign theft.
Brian October 8th, 2004
I know a lot of people may just think I am crazy for saying this, but who cares what people think anyway, right? I really think the idea Democrat Candidate Jeff Seemann in Ohio’s 16th District experimented with recently is the wave of the future.
He allowed visitors to his website to vote on what they wanted him to do during the day. It was considered a virtual campaign manager. Also, he received national media coverage for the project.
Now, that was a good experiment, but here is how I envision this concept being utilized. I think the day-to-day activities are generally not of interest to people. I think I would want a say in what my Rep. or Senator votes for and against. Staff could post daily issues and constituents could vote on whether they wanted their elected officials to support or not support the specific issues. However, I think it would have to be only considered as guidance and the elected official would still have an opportunity to follow the guidance or his gut. But, I think if an official did not follow the guidance, he or she would be accountable the next election cycle and need to explain his or her decisions.
Brian October 8th, 2004
Currently, Nader is off the Ohio ballot. However, he is trying everything possible to get back on in Ohio, as well as other states. However, it’s no secret how important Ohio is to this year’s election.
Unfortunately, Nader has taken his “Ballot Battle” to court in Ohio. He has filed in Federal Court alleging that the law requiring petition circulators to be Ohio residents be held unconstitutional. Further, on Oct. 4, 2004, he filed in state court asking that signatures and petitions be re-evaluated.
Thus, the question becomes: Whether or not he will prevail on either case. The Federal case seems like a sure loser for Nader. However, anything can happen. On the other hand, with a partisan Court in Ohio, the state case may have some potential. Hopefully, he will not be successful on either. Not to mention, some counties have already began reprinting ballots and sending them out without Nader’s name on them.
UPDATE: Looks like the Ohio Ballot situation is getting worse. Some voters are getting absentee ballots with Nader’s name still on them, but a note saying votes for Nader will not be counted. Now how much more screwed up can this get? So if he wins either of the aforementioned cases, will they just send out another note saying votes for him will be counted? See here for more info on this latest news.
Brian October 2nd, 2004
I know there are a lot of important states in this year’s election, but Ohio seems to be what its going to come down to for John Kerry. The Lima News has this article about how important Ohio is going to be.
Historically, few states have been more reliable barometers of success in national politics. Since achieving statehood in 1803, Ohio has backed the winner in 41 of 50 presidential elections. No Republican has ever won the White House without winning Ohio. Since 1900, only two Democrats have done so — Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944 and Kennedy in 1960.
If those stats do not make Ohio important this year, I am not sure what else could.
See ya.
