Pryce May Have Money, But Does She Have Voters?

Today's Columbus Dispatch has an article that reports the Ohio Republicans are still bringing in the dough to their campaigns. However, as I've written before, the money that goes to these Republicans does not necessarily come from individual voters from the district.

Mary Jo Kilroy, Democratic candidate for the Ohio's 15th congressional district is a fundraising magnet. Here is an excerpt from that same Dispatch article:

...Kilroy raised more than $571,000, a big jump from the first three months of the year when she received $318,000. The surge in contributions, aided by such developments as an endorsement from the Democratic women’s fundraising group Emily’s List, left Kilroy with nearly $776,000 on hand as of June 30.

Kilroy "now is a fundraising force to be reckoned with," said Amanda Wurst, her spokeswoman...

Could it be that women voters are looking to Kilroy for leadership? Why is Kilroy grabbing the attention of voters in the 15th district?

It is a simple answer. Kilroy, as a Franklin County Commissioner, knows how to respond to the needs of citizens. Pryce, on the other hand, is a party-liner who often forgets her constituents in favor of supporting the GOP and her President.

The Akron Beacon Journal also has an article that mentions the Kilroy vs. Pryce campaign:

...This is uncharted territory for Pryce, whose closest election in more than a decade was a 20-point victory in 2004 against a candidate who never filed a campaign finance report because he didn't raise the $5,000 minimum.

"These numbers indicate that Democratic donors are seeing great opportunities in Ohio this year," said Alexander Lamis, a political science professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland...

I think that people in OH-15 just are fed up with the direction that Pryce and her party have taken us and want change.

Cook Report: Pryce "in trouble"

This morning Bloomberg.com has an article concerning the problems surrounding Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce's campaign for re-election. Pryce is viewed by many as a big 'party-line' supporter. Here are some quotes from the article:

Pryce is ``in trouble,'' said Amy Walter, who analyzes House contests for the Cook report. ``It's going to be a close, competitive race.'' ...This time out, her Democratic opponent, Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy, is making an issue of Pryce's leadership role. The incumbent's support for Bush's policies, including oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and spending cuts in some domestic programs, are key issues for voters this fall, Kilroy said in an interview. ``As a leader in Congress, she's been responsible for moving much of that agenda through, so it certainly makes her more vulnerable,'' Kilroy said....

And as one voter in Ohio's 15th congressional district said in the article----``I don't think she votes in Ohio's best interests.''

How true! Those of us who live in the 15th district have not seen Pryce support issues that are 'in Ohio's best interests.'

If Pryce and the Republicans retain the majority, President Bush and the Republican Party plan to work on Social Security 'reform.' The Republicans call it 'reform.' However, many people worry about the GOP plans to dismantle and destroy Social Security. Pryce has let it be known that she supports Social Security reform. If she wins re-election, will Pryce and the Republicans destroy Social Security? Do you want to vote for her and gamble on it? I don't.

Why are Pryce and the Republicans against voting rights?

The Republicans in Congress have halted the renewal of the Voting Rights Act. Those of us who lived through the Civil Rights Movement are shocked that any political party would deny Americans the right to vote even in the 21st century. However, the right wing Republicans are apparently trying to turn back the clock so that people who are not their supporters will not vote for Democrats.

This whole movement in the Republican Party is frightening. Will we be seeing more people questioned about their ability to vote? We've already had interference in Ohio with voting. If the Republicans maintain power, will they strip more people of their right to vote? Why are Republicans against voting rights?

The Orlando Sentinel has an an opinion about why we should be concerned about this latest ploy by the Republican Congress. Here are some excerpts:

.....Congress has failed to renew key parts of the Voting Rights Act. They've had time to vote on flag burning and gay marriage, mind you, but not on this.

Here we Americans are preaching about, and dying for, democracy in Iraq and other foreign lands. But we have shown ourselves to be hanging-chad-challenged when it comes to carrying out elections. Think Florida. Think Ohio. Think Georgia, the state of my birth, where new rules requiring state-issued photo identification are expected to make it harder for rural, elderly and minority people to vote....

..."It is unfortunate and disappointing that we have encountered a setback in the passage of the Voting Rights Act reauthorization," said Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., in a statement, adding, "Georgia is the last place that should seek to relieve itself from the commitment to fully empowered, equal participation that democracy implies."

Lewis should know. This is a man who nearly lost his life fighting for the right to vote in Georgia and throughout the South. He was beaten in Alabama during a March 1965 demonstration that was designed to force that state to permit blacks to vote without having to jump such hurdles as being able to recite segments of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution....

..."The evidence shows that voting discrimination in America is not dead, and the Voting Rights Act must retain its original power in order to assure that democracy prevails in every hill and valley, every city and suburb, on every fertile farm and every desert plain in America," Lewis says....

Where does Deborah Pryce stand in all this? Pryce is a Republican leader and is responsible for this hold up of the Voting Rights Act. Why are Pryce and the Republicans against the Voting Rights Act? Why are they against your right to vote? Isn't it time that Pryce and the GOP stop denying us our rights?

More Layoffs in Ohio

The Republicans and Deborah Pryce are doing such a horrible job with the economy in Ohio. Now there have been more layoffs announced in the state. Can't these Republicans get anything right? They've been in power in Ohio for umpteen years and they only things they can attract to the state are more unemployment and corruption. Here are some of the more recent WARN Notices announced by the state Jobs and Family Services:
date rec'd.................company........................................................................location......# affected.......layoff date

7/6/2006	Veolia Transportation	Columbus	82	7/31/2006
7/6/2006	QualChoice	Cleveland	268	9/1/2006
7/6/2006	NuTone, Inc	Cinicnnat	414	8/30/2006
6/26/2006	Sears, Roebuck and Company	Columbus	122	8/25/2006
6/26/2006	E and L Transport Company; a.k.a. PTS, Performance Transportation Services	Fostoria	69	7/16/2006
6/23/2006	Fluor Fernald	Cincinnati	528	8/17/2006
6/16/2006	Plastech	Andover	182	8/13/2006
6/6/2006	Kmart Corporation	Toledo	57	8/11/2006
6/6/2006	Ottawa Rubber Company	Bradner	71	6/29/2006
5/3/2006	General Motors - Lordstown Complex	Lordstown	770	6/30/200
5/25/2006	Engineered Plastic Products, Inc.	Lima	179	7/1/2006
5/22/2006	Caraustar	Mentor	106	7/16/2006
5/22/2006	Mead Westvaco Corporation	Dayton	300	8/1/2006
5/22/2006	Mead Westvaco Corporation	Miamisburg	140	8/1/2006
5/12/2006	Comprehensive Logistics	Austintown	113	7/15/2006
5/8/2006	Maverick Tube, a.k.a. Republic Conduit	Elyria	62	Between 7/8/06 and 7/22/06
5/5/2006	PMC Specialties Group, Inc.	Cincinnati	103	7/3/2006

Pryce In the News

*There is a new site dedicated to exposing Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce and her support for the war in Iraq. Take a look at PryceWar.Org and you will see exactly how Pryce feels about the war, her president, and even Abu Ghraib.

*From the Open Secrets, we have these numbers:
Total Raised and Spent (Ohio's 15th District)
*Deborah Pryce (R)
PAC's 63%
Individuals 36%

*Mary Jo Kilroy (D)
PAC's 25%
Individuals 75%

The good news is that in the coming election, only individuals can vote. As you can see, Pryce gets more of her money from special interests and big corporation PAC's. Kilroy, on the other hand has a larger percentage of political contributions from people.

*Everybody is talking about Ohio's politics. The Washington Post had an article about the Ohio Republicans who are being closely monitored by Democrats and Pryce's name was included:

For much of the last year, Democrats have been touting Ohio as a key state in their hopes of winning back majorities in the House and Senate. The Buckeye State is seen as a strong playing field for Democrats in part because of ethics problems surrounding the GOP governor, Robert Taft. With Taft's problems hurting his party overall, Democrats are heavily targeting several prominent GOP incumbents, including Sen. Mike DeWine and Reps. Steve Chabot, Deborah Pryce and Bob Ney....

Hamilton County GOP: Stealing from Children, Families, and the Unemployed?

A story in the Columbus Dispatch is just another example of Republican corruption in Ohio. Here are some excerpts:

A possible state bailout of a Hamilton County agency serving children and the poor for misspending nearly $1 billion could become a major issue in Ohio’s November elections.

Democrats pounced yesterday after a Dispatch story revealed that the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services allegedly misused funds for a three year period ending in 2004, calling it the latest example of mismanagement by the state’s all-Republican government.

"The bottom line is that we wake up to more news about the way Republicans have mismanaged government over the last 15 years, and as much as you shake your head and wonder when it’s going to change, it never does," said Brian Rothenberg, spokesman for the Ohio Democratic Party.

He and other Democrats accused state Auditor Betty D. Montgomery, the Republican nominee for attorney general, of being asleep at the wheel, questioning why it took her office so long to uncover the misspending, allowing it to continue for three years.

"The job of the state auditor is not just to find things after they happen, but to prevent them from happening," said state Sen. Marc Dann, of the Warren area and the Democratic nominee for attorney general....

It appears that the Ohio GOP and their elected party members have just corrupted everything they touch. The Ohio Republicans have had the reverse "Midas Touch"-----everything they control they destroy only to gain money and power for their own benefit. This is really just plain sick and unethical because, according to the article above, "...the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services allegedly misused funds for a three year period ending in 2004..."

Q: Is there a limit to Ohio Republican corruption?
A: Apparently, not, if you are allegedly misusing funds designated for children, families, and the unemployed.

More Problems for Taft?

Ohio Republican Gov. Bob Taft may have more problems ahead if he is issued a public reprimand. Here is an excerpt from the Chronicle:

Gov. Bob Taft faces a public reprimand for ethics violations under an agreement his attorney has reached with the state office that monitors lawyers’ behavior.
Taft, a Republican who has been an attorney since 1976, pleaded no contest last August to failing to report golf outings and other gifts while in office and was fined $4,000.
The Supreme Court’s disciplinary counsel, Jonathan Coughlan, filed a complaint this April saying Taft’s actions violated Ohio’s code of professional conduct for lawyers.
“I admit the violation ... as outlined in this agreement,” Taft wrote in an affidavit attached to a copy of the deal obtained Friday by The (Toledo) Blade.
The agreement faces approval by a disciplinary board and the Ohio Supreme Court.....

Taft and his Republican Party have been running this state into the toilet. How much more will Ohioans take before they throw these guys out of office?

DeWine: Dreaming

The Tribune-Chronicle has this little fable about Ohio Republican Sen. Mike DeWine:

Republican Sen. Mike DeWine says he’s the candidate who has done something to combat gas prices and bring jobs to Ohio.....

"...I got a president to impose steel quotas that saved the steel industry,’’ DeWine said....

Where the hell are the jobs that DeWine has brought to Ohio? Ohio has lost nearly 200,000 jobs since Bush became president. DeWine is combating gas prices????? If he is combating gas prices, why are gas prices at $3/gal. down the street?

Obviously, DeWine must not be dealing with the same reality that the people of Ohio deal with on a daily basis. Someone needs to tell DeWine to wake up and smell the coffee!

.....In the latest Survey USA 50 state poll, Ohio Gov. Bob Taft has a special distinction! He has the lowest approval rating of all the governors:
He has an 18% approval rating. Wow!.

Gas Prices Soar

As I drove by my local gas station this afternoon, I noticed that gas had gone to $3.05/gal. With the Republicans controlling the House, the Senate, and the White House, you wonder why they refuse to do anything about gas prices. The American people are hurting. Businesses are feeling the results of the higher gas prices with a reduction of customers. What is the response of the Republicans? Here it is:___________ Nothing. Absolutely nothing. The GOP likes the money flowing into their campaign war chests and they are not going to do anything to anger their good pals from oil/energy companies and PACs.

If you are interested in gas prices, check Gas Buddy. According to Open Secrets, 83% of money contributed by oil and gas PACs have gone to Republicans. Only 17% went to Democrats. This explains why Republicans aren't interested in punishing their fat cat friends in the oil and gas corporations.

Pryce's Record

On Monday, July 3rd, the Columbus Dispatch printed a Letter to the Editor that was critical of Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce's record on military veterans. Here is part of that letter:

..Pryce voted against expanding the military’s Tricare health insurance to cover all Reservists and National Guard members....
....voted against a $30 million increase for veterans’ health care that would have provided more funding for combat-related trauma care to support wounded troops when they return home. Pryce voted against additional military health-care benefits. She voted against providing job-training assistance to troops returning from overseas....

I cannot recall another time when the Dispatch published a letter that was critical of Pryce. There are a few possibilities as to why they may have published the letter on July 3rd ---(a.) it was the day before a holiday and readership would be down, (b.) they've received many letters critical of Pryce's real record on vets, (c.) the Dispatch, known as conservative and pro-GOP, wants to appear objective. It really doesn't matter why the Dispatch decided to run the letter because it is important that the truth gets out. Pryce says she supports our troops and our vets but her voting record does not support her rhetoric.

The Dispatch has a story today about the homeless Iraq war vets in our nation. Here is an excerpt:

...Across America on any given evening, hundreds of veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are homeless, the government estimates.

The reasons are many. For some, residual stress from daily insurgent attacks and roadside bombs makes it tough to adjust to civilian life; some can’t navigate government assistance programs; others simply can’t afford a house or apartment....

...There are about 200,000 homeless veterans in the United States, according to government figures. About 10 percent are from either the 1991 Gulf War or the current one, and about 40 percent are When I Came Home, which was named best New York-made documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival this year....

This is very sad. Why does this administration want our young men and women to go to war but then abandon them when they return?

More Reasons to Thank Republicans

>Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, will cut 750 civilian jobs. WDTN-TV has the story.

>It appears that the next voting problems could appear in Ohio in November. This time the problems could be caused by some of the ruling of current Ohio Sec. of State, Kenneth Blackwell, who is also a Republican candidate. Here is an excerpt from the CBS report:

...Ohio was, of course, ground zero of the 2004 presidential election, and now it's the battleground of one of the most hotly contested governor's races in the country. The Republican candidate this November is none other than Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio's Secretary of State, a man vilified by voting rights activists for a string of baffling and, to all appearances, nakedly partisan rulings in the 2004 presidential race, when he also doubled as co-chair of George Bush's state re-election campaign. Now he's at it again — issuing draconian guidelines on voter registration that carry the threat of felony prosecutions against grassroots get-out-the-vote groups, especially in Democratic-leaning urban areas, for even the slightest procedural irregularity. Despite denials from Blackwell's office of any malicious political intent, the guidelines have had an immediate chilling effect on groups like the activist community organization ACORN, which has suspended registration efforts pending urgent consultations with its lawyers. Several leading Democrats have urged Blackwell to step aside from all election-supervising responsibilities, a proposal his staff has greeted with near-derision.

It would be bad enough if Blackwell were acting merely to benefit his party, as he did in 2004. But in this case he's taking advantage of his office to act on behalf of his own ambitions. Unless something changes between now and November, he will remain in charge of counting the votes — his own and everyone else's. In a pivotal election in a pivotal state, this is far from reassuring. As Peg Rosenfield, an elections specialist with the League of Women Voters of Ohio who spent twelve years working in the secretary of state's office in the pre-Blackwell era, put it, "If you think '04 was a mess, just wait. I anticipate a debacle..."

These Republicans sure know how to make a mess of things!

Pryce and GOP Can't Solve Energy Problems

The vote for off shore drilling that passed the Republican-controlled Congress is a clear indication of how the Republicans view problems. Republican Deborah Pryce (OH-15) and her Republican Party believe that it is fine to destroy our beaches, marine life, and the ocean in order to help their big oil contributions drill for oil. According to HR 4761 ( Title: To provide for exploration, development, and production activities for mineral resources on the outer Continental Shelf, and for other purposes.), the Republicans passed a bill to allow drilling off the coast. This allows those Republican-friendly oil companies a free admission to our entire coastlines. Rep. Pryce voted in favor of the bill.

What is so wrong with this type of legislation?
1. It gives the oil companies the right to drill anywhere on the coast.
2. It does not put any pressure on the American automakers to produce more energy efficient cars. (FYI: Europe is far ahead in creating cars that use less gasoline and are better for the environment.)
3. This legislation rewards Republican donors. Deborah Pryce and the Republican Party are the major benefactors from the oil company contributors and their PACs.
4. This legislation will cause pollution of our waterways, destruction of animal life, and destruction of our beaches.

This bill, just like the other Republican plan to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, shows that Republicans are more interested in catering to the needs of their campaign contributors rather than helping their constituents.

Aide to Ney Subpoenaed

A senior aide to Republican Rep. Bob Ney (OH-18) has been subpoenaed in the ongoing investigation of lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his ties to the Republican Party. Here are some excerpts from the Columbus Dispatch:

...Matt Parker, who has served as district director for Ney’s office in Ohio as well as an adviser to the re-election campaign, was ordered to turn over documents to federal prosecutors and testify before a grand jury in Washington.

Parker’s subpoena was made public yesterday in an announcement on the House floor, as required when lawmakers or staff members receive subpoenas. Parker could not be reached for comment.

Also announced yesterday were the departures of Brian Walsh, a longtime Ney spokesman; Will Heaton, Ney’s chief of staff; and Chris Otillio, a senior legislative aide.

Heaton was with Ney on a lavish 2002 golf trip to Scotland arranged by Abramoff. That trip is part of what federal prosecutors are examining in an investigation of Ney’s ties to Abramoff...

It is clearly not a good indication when a large number of staff members bolt for the door. You just have to wonder how long it will take for the investigation to finally get to Ney. I wonder what the people of Ohio's 18th congressional district are thinking now.

****The Coingate investigation continues------
The Toledo Blade has a great article on the latest development in the Tom "Coingate" Noe investigation. Here are some excerpts:

...Investigative reports released yesterday after the convictions of Lucas County Commissioner Maggie Thurber, Toledo City Councilman Betty Shultz, former Toledo Mayor Donna Owens, and former state Rep. Sally Perz show that Noe had treated Ms. Thurber and Ms. Owens on several occasions — and neither had disclosed those contacts.

The women pleaded no contest in Toledo Municipal Court yesterday to the misdemeanor charge they faced of failing to disclose a meal — from the October, 2003, fund-raiser — paid by Noe. Visiting Judge Mark Reddin of Bowling Green Municipal Court found them guilty and fined them $1,000 apiece, plus court costs, and the cost of the investigation, which has not been determined. He could have imposed a jail sentence of up to six months....

Do you need any additional proof about the Republican culture of corruption here in Ohio? The citizens of Ohio have had enough!

Grand Oil Party = GOP

With gasoline prices at or near $3/gal. here in central Ohio, drivers are getting upset. It was not surprising to see a protest against rising gas prices. Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce has received political contributions from PACs and people associated with the oil companies. According to Open Secrets, Oil and Gas PACs gave 83% of their 2006 campaign contributions to Republicans. For the 2006 campaign, a large source of Pryce's campaign funds come from PAC's (special interests). (Note: This does not include what she has received in past years.) Pryce and the Republicans have a cozy relationship with the oil and gas corporations. This is why the Republicans refuse to do anything to regulate gas prices. Pryce and the Republicans benefit by getting those contributions and, in turn, we suffer by having to pay these extremely high gas prices.

Families and businesses are hurt when gas prices go up. People are paying higher prices at the grocery store and for other services. It seems the only people who benefit with high gas prices are the people at oil companies and Republicans, like Pryce, who get their contributions. Call Pryce's office (614 469-5614) and let her know that you are unhappy with gas prices.

Isn't it time to change from a Congress controlled by corporations to a Congress controlled by the people?

15th District: From Red to Blue?

All indications are that Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce is in deep trouble in Ohio's 15th district. She started her television ads 4 months. According to The Hill, Pryce has also beefed up her campaign staff. Will it be enough???? Here are some excerpts from The Hill article.

...Democrats have suggested that Pryce’s close alliance with the Bush administration as a member of House Republican leadership could be her Achilles’ heel in a district that gave him only 50.3 percent of the vote in 2004. Franklin County, which makes up a large portion of the 15th District, went Democrat in 2004.

The Pryce campaign says that the race is about local issues and her record as a longtime representative. DeStefano said links to Bush would not impede Pryce, who received many more votes than the president in the district in 2004.

“Our focus is her and her record of accomplishment here — why she is a perfect fit for the 15th District,” he said....

People in the 15th district are very unhappy with the culture of corruption here in Ohio and the lack of leadership. We have not seen a 'record of accomplishment' and we are not pleased with Pryce's support of this administration's policies. We need a change in direction for this country and we need to bring our troops home. The only way this will happen is if Pryce is defeated.

Protests at Gas Stations

Update: The new Google Video has a video on Pryce's ties to corporations. See it HERE.

There are planned protests at gas stations tomorrow and Republican Deborah Pryce is one of the reasons for the protests. Here is an excerpt from US Newswire:

This Wednesday at more than 300 gas stations across the country, thousands of MoveOn members will hold "Rallies for An Oil-Free Congress," exposing Republicans in Congress for accepting campaign contributions from Big Oil companies while they do nothing to ease the burden of Americans who are paying more at the pumps.

The rallies are part of a National Day of Action, echoing the "Caught Red Handed" theme of MoveOn's latest TV ads that tie the Republican-controlled Congress to the culture of corruption. MoveOn.org Political Action just completed three rounds of a $1.3 million campaign in the districts of Republican Reps. Chris Chocola, Thelma Drake, Nancy Johnson and Deborah Pryce.

"Big Oil companies have given millions in campaign contributions to the Republican controlled Congress, but that pales in comparison to the billions they've received in tax breaks and subsidies. Republicans have consistently rejected Democratic attempts to move toward energy independence and a national clean energy policy. With gas prices soaring and global warming a deepening threat, it's time to stop America's addiction to oil -- by curing Republicans' addition to oil money," said Nita Chaudhary of MoveOn.org Political Action.

Since 1990, Big Oil has given more than $190 million to members of Congress -- 75 percent of which has gone to Republicans...

Should be interesting!!!!

Americans: Bring Troops Home/ Pryce: Let Troops Stay in Iraq Forever

The Republicans just don't get it. Americans want out of Iraq! The latest USA Today/Gallup poll shows that Americans want our military home within the next 12 months. Here are some excerpts from the article:

A majority of Americans say Congress should pass a resolution that outlines a plan for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday. Half of those surveyed would like all U.S. forces out within 12 months....

Bush's approval rating is at 37%.

In the poll, 57% say Congress should pass a resolution that outlines a plan for withdrawing U.S. troops; 39% say that decision should be left to the president and his advisers....

The poll also shows that only 1/3 of Democrats and Independents and 2/3 of Republicans want to stay in Iraq as long as necessary. Clearly, if Americans want to end the war, they must elect Democrats. Otherwise, the war in Iraq will go on, and on, and on.

Republican Rep. Pryce wants to continue to stay in Iraq. She has no plan for bringing our troops home. She has no plan to end the war. Pryce just hopelessly supports an unending war with billions of dollars being wasted while we lose thousands of our troops. Pryce's motto should be ----Elect Pryce for War Without End!

Just a note---the Columbus Dispatch has yet to include any of Pryce's votes against veterans. Why are they covering up her votes????

Here is a sample:

1. *Representatives Ney and Pryce Opposed Expanding TRICARE to National Guard & Reserve Volunteers. Representatives Ney and Pryce voted against expanding access to the military's TRICARE health insurance program to all reservist and National Guard members. The proposal would have expanded military health care to provide access to TRICARE to members of the Guard and Reserve and their families for a low fee, which would have helped 2,563 in Ohio.
[HR 1815, Roll Call #221, 5/25/05; Leadership Document, “DOD Authorization Previous Question on
Rule”; S. 2400, Roll Call Vote #105, 6/2/04]

2. *Representatives Ney and Pryce Voted Against $30 Million Boost for Veterans Health Care & Benefits. In 2005, Ney and Pryce voted against an additional $30 million for veterans' health care. The amendment have would added funding for combat-related trauma care to support wounded troops once they return to their homes, medical and prosthetic research and 100 additional staff to help process claims for compensation and pension benefits.
[HR 2528, Roll Call #224, 5/26/05; Leadership Document, “Medical Quality Democratic Amendment Final]

3. *Representatives Ney and Pryce Opposed $150 Million Increase for Military Personnel. In 2005, Ney and Pryce voted against a proposal to the budget to increase funding for military health care by $100 million and transitional job training for military personnel by $50 million. [HR 1268, Roll Call #76, 3/16/05; CQ.com vote reports]

4. *Representatives Ney and Pryce Voted Against Additional Job Assistance to Veterans Returning from
Overseas. Ney and Pryce opposed efforts to provide extra job training assistance to veterans who are returning
from overseas. Four out of 10 members of the Guard and Reserve forces lose income when they leave their civilian
jobs for active duty, and many are self-employed or run small businesses. This means they face the daunting task
of reestablishing their businesses after their release from active duty.
[HR 27, Roll Call #47, 3/2/05; 109th Congressional Record, pg. H915, 3/2/05; 109 th Congressional Record, pg. H2074, 4/14/05]


Additional information about Pryce's voting record can be found at http://www.uaprogressiveaction.com/archives/ohio_politics/ohio_15th_district/index.html

'Unprecedented Public Corruption'

With the midterm election just a few months away, it is hilarious to hear the Republicans tell us what a fabulous job they've done for us in Ohio. In reality, the Republicans have done absolutely N-O-T-H-I-N-G for the good people of Ohio! Ohio has lost 200,ooo manufacturing jobs. People have lost health insurance. Our country has lost over 2500 men and women in Bush's war. Ohio's reputation as a nice place to live has been ruined by Republican corruption and scandals.

The Plain Dealer has the results of the task force that was set up to investigate corruption in Ohio. Here is an excerpt from the PD article:

Over the last year, nine people, including six who were on the state payroll, have been charged in an unprecedented public corruption investigation by a federal, state and local task force, the largest undertaking of its kind in Ohio history. The charges have ranged from misdemeanor ethics violations to federal bribery and racketeering charges. The probe continues....

Isn't that a great paragraph? Read the rest of the article for all the details. The next time someone says they are voting for an Ohio Republican, give them three little words---'unprecedented public corruption!'

Ohio Politics

Ted Strickland, Democratic candidate for Ohio Governor, is gaining momentum and campaign money. Strickland is gaining support from Republicans who have been turned off by the extreme right wing bent of Republican candidate, Kenneth Blackwell. Here are some excerpts from the Cincinnati Enquirer:

Democrat Ted Strickland, candidate for Ohio governor, said Saturday that Republicans keep coming to him and pledging their support because they have grown disenchanted with Republican-dominated government, nationally and locally.

"Ohio is headed in the wrong direction and is in need of a turnaround," Strickland told about 200 supporters at a rally in Hoffner Park, kicking off his general election campaign in this part of the state.

Among Strickland's supporters: Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory. He called incumbent Republican Gov. Bob Taft "about as popular as mad cow disease." A spectator shouted: "He has it!"

...Strickland, 64, acknowledged that he will need votes from Democrats, Independents and Republicans to beat his opponent, Republican Ken Blackwell, Ohio's secretary of state. Strickland said he will need Ohioans to elect Democrats to other offices to advance Democrats' proposals on issues such as education, minimum wage and health care.

The crowd cheered when Strickland announced that the independent Rasmussen poll on Saturday reported he has a 13-point lead over Blackwell. Strickland has also raised more money than Blackwell so far - $2.6 million, about double what Blackwell has, a Strickland spokesman said...

It seems as though Republican candidate for state treasurer, Sandra O'Brien, has some problems. Here is an excerpt from the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

...As the little-known O'Brien begins her underdog general election run for state treasurer, the recent letter underscores troubling lapses that have surfaced from her 12-year tenure as auditor in Ohio's far northeastern county.

The most serious questions about O'Brien's record arise from state audit findings spread over several years, including a 2003 finding that a lack of safeguards in O'Brien's office led to the embezzlement of $40,000.

Couple those findings with a series of costly court disputes with local officials, and a picture emerges of an auditor with a penchant for controversy a picture at odds with her pleasant demeanor.

With $11 billion in state assets riding on the state treasurer's job, O'Brien detractors question her fitness for office while O'Brien and her supporters shrug off the disputes as partisan politics and see her as a fierce watchdog of public money....

Ouch!!!!

The citizens of Ohio are extremely tired of the corruption that the Republicans have created throughout the state. If Ohioans really want change, they'll need to vote out large numbers of Republicans in the next election. The Ohio GOP controls all areas of the state government. Just voting for a Democrat for governor, is a start, but not enough to make significant change. We have to work together to get Ohio back on the right track and that means voting for Democrats instead of the corrupt GOP.

Kilroy: Demand a Plan

Democratic candidate for Ohio's 15th district, Mary Jo Kilroy, had this to say about the war in Iraq (US News):
...In Ohio, Kilroy, who is facing Rep. Deborah Pryce, says Congress should demand a plan from the president to bring troops home.
"There is a lot of language in this resolution that of course everybody agrees with, but I think they are using it for very partisan political purposes," says Kilroy. "I think they are refusing to allow a necessary real debate on the war and an appropriate timetable for withdrawing and redeploying from Iraq."

Kilroy has made it simple--Demand a plan from the president to bring the troops home.
However, Pryce and the Republicans would rather play lapdogs for the president. The Republicans don't want to discuss the causes and future of the war because they just want to repeat the Karl Rove mantra- Cut and run! Cut and run! Cut and run! What the heck does Rove know about war? He avoided Viet Nam. Didn't he cut and run when he dropped out of college?