Yellow Dog Sammy's First White House 2008 Cattle Call

(Well, why not. I guess I'm just in the mood. Next time I'll do the Republicans.)

Here's a complete roster of Democratic presidential hopefuls, with some background information about each, listed in order of their prospects for winning the nomination ... all as scientifically determined by everyone's favorite political prognosticator, Yellow Dog Sammy.

• Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) - The former First Lady, best-selling author, and member of the National Women's Hall of Fame is clearly the front-runner for the nomination. She has enormous name recognition, commitments from a large number of Democratic fundraisers and major donors, a superior campaign organization, and a proven ability to endure and excel in gruelling campaigns (I'm counting when she was the spouse rather than the candidate). Many Democratic activists at the grass roots level are upset that she has gravitated to the political center and avoided taking aggressive stands on critical issues (especially the one that ends in "q"), but in the general milieu of Democratic voters she is exceedingly popular. Since we're talking about the nomination here, there's no need to get into her standing among non-Democratic voters.

• Former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) - Yes, I place the former presidential and vice presidential candidate, personal injury trial lawyer, director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law, and People Magazine's "Sexiest Politician Alive" in second place, not third. He is a very compelling speaker (I loved his speech at Antioch Baptist Church the day before the 2006 election, although I didn't find it quite as inspiring as Obama's later that evening). Edwards has big-time name recognition, the critical experience of a national campaign, huge support from organized labor, and a strong populist message. There's a lot of time between now and the primaries, and I feel that Edwards will endure and eventually mount the strongest challenge to Clinton.

• Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) - I LOVE this man, this brilliant former Illinois state senator, organizer, civil rights attorney, member of the Harvard Law Review, and gifted author. He is also a tremendous orator, as proven with his keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention (and the speeches I personally heard at the ODP 2006 State Dinner and the night before the 2006 election at the Civic in Cleveland Heights). Right now the media and the portion of the public that is aware of him are enthralled, and if this campaign were short he'd be a formidable threat to Clinton. However, this contest is a marathon, and his prior campaigns are nothing like what he (and his spouse) will endure. Eventually his relative lack of experience and some controversial things in his past (e.g., admitted cocaine use in his youth) will take their toll. I think that he may drop out of this round and mount another presidential try in the future, and that will be fine. If he stays in, my sense is that his star will fade somewhat. (And, by the way, if I'm wrong I will be thrilled about it.)

• Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) - The best political resume in the field. Former congressman, Ambassador to the United Nations, and Secretary of Energy. One-time major leaague prospect (he pitched in high school and at Tufts University, but arm trouble ended his professional aspirations). Being a governor, and in a purple state, is huge. The Latino vote is increasingly important in Democratic politics. (For the record, his mother was born in Mexico and his paternal grandmother in Nicaragua.) I've only been around him in person once, but he was impressively smart and appealing. There has been at least one complaint that he is too touchy-feely -- as in with a woman, who didn't appreciate the attention. I think that as he travels the country his stock will rise, but I don't see any sign of traction in the earliest polling.

• Former Gov. Tom Vilsack (D-IA) - If presidential candidates were used automobiles, then this two-term governor and former mayor, state senator, and leader of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council (and graduate of ultra-cool Hamilton College) would be like a really good deal on a four-door sedan, no rust or dents. He's a very nice man (I've met him), and in terms of the car metaphor he'd get you everywhere you want to go with room for luggage and kids. The problem is that he just lacks sizzle. His advantage, however, is ... Iowa. If the polls showed Iowans responding strongly to his candidacy (which I guess could still develop but hasn't yet), then he'd be in position to use an early win there to ramp up his campaign for New Hampshire and the rest. I just don't think it's going to happen.

• Former Vice President Al Gore (D-TN) - Polls show sizable support for this non-candidate, the environmentalist Vietnam vet and former Congressman, Senator, vice presidential candidate, teacher, author, and documentary filmmaker. It's a combination of name recognition and a feeling that he really deserves the presidency that he "won" in 2000. Also, replacing Bush with Gore would be the ultimate, cathartic act of contrition for a country that deeply regrets installing a hugely unpopular leader, and his signature issue (global warming) seems to be coming into vogue (and rightfully so). However, my friend Pho helped convince me that if he got into the race those feelings would be dispelled and the nation would suddenly remember the awkwardness and inept campaigning that plagued this brilliant man in the 2000 race.

• Retired Gen. Wesley Clark (D-AR) - I don't think that this retired four-star general and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO is running. He has significant netroots support left over from his 2004 run, but I don't think the dynamics that made him seem formidable then exist now.

• Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) - Why is this former Peace Corps member, Army Reservist, and Congressman running? I don't get any sense of urgency from the way he's handled it, and I don't see what about him is likely to capture the popular imagination. Good legislator, though.

• Sen. Joe Biden Jr. (D-DE) - I don't see the campaign of this lawyer and former city council member (a surprise winner in his first Senate race in 1973 and the longest-serving Delaware Senator) going anywhere. Yes, it is unfair that his 1988 presidential bid was cut short by a brain aneurysm, and it's neat that he's becoming one of the few presidential candidates to try again after 20 years, but I don't think he has the charisma or compelling message to attract wide support. (I have to confess, I would have ranked him higher if it weren't for today's appalling gaffe about Barack Obama. If you think that's unfair, consider him placed two positions up.)

• Civil Rights activist Al Sharpton (D-NY) - I don't think that this Pentecostal minister, political and civil rights activist, speaker, and actor (cameo appearances in movies and on TV) is going to get into the race. (By the way, he preached his first sermon at age four and became famous in Brooklyn as the "wonderboy preacher," and even toured with gospel great Mahalia Jackson.) His presidential bid in 2004, including that great speech at the Democratic convention, are sufficient to insure that he stays in the spotlight and can advocate his opinions on the issues, obviating the need to be an actual candidate. If he does run, however, he will get (and deserves) a small but loyal following.

• Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) - Ah, bless him. Can't help but admire and like the former municipal court clerk, city council member and mayor -- certainly one of the few vegans of Croatian-Irish descent in American political history. I want to write his biography, but I can't imagine that his campaign is anything but quixotic. He's going to go through the whole process espousing unflinchingly anti-war, pro-environment, anti-death penalty, pro-universal health care, pro-gay marriage positions. I have no problem with that.

• Former Sen. Mike Gravel (D-VA) - First in the race (he declared last April 17th), this former Alaska state representative, army Counter-Intelligence Corps vet, and upstart vice presidential candidate at the 1972 Democratic Convention is off the national radar but has been campaigning incessantly in New Hampshire. He is best known for reading the entire 4,000-page Pentagon Papers into the Congressional record and blocking the renewal of the draft with a five-month filibuster. After leaving Congress he advocated for voter-initiated federal legislation similar to state ballot initiatives. His campaign platform includes a national sales tax, abolition of the IRS, and term limits. Right.

Ohioans Trending Blue

The Gallup Poll has released a study of partisan identication in 2006 polls, concluding that:

Democrats averaged a nearly four point advantage over the Republicans on national party identification and an even larger 10-point advantage when independents' partisan "leanings" are taken into account. ... Democratic strength in the United States has grown in each of the last three years. The trends are fueled more by movement away from the Republican Party and into independent status than by movement toward the Democratic Party.

In Ohio, the results for 2006 are 53% Democratic or leaning Demoratic, 8% independent (not leaning either way), and 39% Republican or leaning Republican. That's a 15 point spread in favor of the Democrats, significantly higher than the national margin.

The report also has a chart showing party orientation by state over the last five years. Ohio was deemed Republican in 2002, "competitive" in 2003, and Democratic in each of the last three years.

Biden Inserts Foot in Mouth

How bad is this? In an interview in the New York Observer today, Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) says of presidential rival Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), before going on to criticize him for lack of experience:

“I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

Even at first blush it seems patronizing, in a way that sets off alarm bells in a comment by a white about a person of color. When you think about it, however, it gets worse. Is Biden implying that most African Americans lack those qualities, thus making Obama distinctive? Is he saying that past African American candidates (e.g., former Sen. Carol Mosely Braun (D-IL), Rev. Jesse Jackson (D-IL), Rev. Al Sharpton (D-NY)) are dumb, dirty, and/or bad-looking? (Or perhaps, as acknowledged in this post on DailyKos just now, that those candidates weren't "mainstream"?)

Very troubling comment.

UPDATE: Forgot about Alan Keyes (R-?) and Shirley Chisholm (D-NY).

2nd UPDATE: Lots of discussion in the blogs. Atrios thinks we've just seen the shortest presidential run ever. Will Bunch reminds us that Biden appeared to brag about how he can win southern states because he is from a "slave state" ... check out the video here. I like Biden's resume, but nobody who commits serial acts of racial insensitivity deserves to win.

Johnson Withdraws From Race for ORP Deputy Chair

Mark Naymik of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports on Openers that central committee member David Johnson of Columbiana County has dropped out of the race to become Deputy Party Chair of the Ohio Republican Party, and therefore successor-in-waiting to long-time Chair Bob Bennett (who will step down at the end of 2008). Johnson runs a title company and said that he doesn't have time to take on a full-time party position.

The others in contention are Stark County Chairman Curt Braden, Lake County GOP Chairman Dale Fellows, and State Rep. Kevin DeWine (R-Fairborn). DeWine is an ally of House Speaker Jon Husted (R-Kettering), who (acording to Naymik) has statewide ambitions for 2010. The intra-party election will occur in April.

New and Notes: The National Scene

What's going on today in D.C.?

Plan for Reduced Farm Spending Proposed - This sounds good to me. The Bush administration has proposed a plan that would reduce federal farm spending over the next five years by $18 billion compared to the last five years (roughly, $87 billion versus $105 billion). Among other changes, the proposal will reduce farm subsidies, but not by changing what crops are covered or the basic structure of the payments. Instead, it reduces the income eligibility cap from $2.5 million in adjusted gross income to $200,000. The change would rule out about 80,000 recipients who currently take in about 4.5% of the subsidy payments. "I don't know if there is anywhere in the country you can go where $200,000 adjusted gross net income is not a lot of income," Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Connor said. "You're the richest guy in the county."

No COLA Pay Increase for House Members - Democrats criticized Republicans heavily this past election season for accepting pay increases in past years without raising the federal minimum wage. That apparently violated a gentlemen's agreement not to use Congressional pay increases as a campaign issue, so when Democrats wanted to delay the deadline for enacting the COLA (Cost Of Living Adjustment) increase this year - hoping to buy some time to get the minimum wage increase through Congress so they could accept the raise - the Republicans refused to go along. Now there is no longer the possibility of a COLA increase this year, and Democrats and Republicans alike miss out. The increase would have been about $2,800 on top of the $165,200 they already make. I don't feel sorry for them.

Kerry Assails Global Warming Bill - Yesterday Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) blasted S. 280, a global warming measure cosponsored by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), for not going far enough to curtail greenhouse gas emissions.

Libby Case a 'Virtual Impeachment' of Cheney? - Craig Crawford's "Trail Mix" on CQPolitics explores the notion that the criminal trial of Lewis "Scooter" Libby is a virtual stand-in for an impeachment of the vice president. Apparently Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told radio host Don Imus this morning that what independent prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is doing is “putting the pieces together” to showcase “the tremendous power the vice president had” in outing a CIA agent. As Crawford notes, Democrats promised this fall not to impeach the President, but they didn't say that about the Veep.

Bush's Spy Chief Nominee To Be Questioned About Consulting Work - Retired Vice Adm. Mike McConnell, Bush's choice to replace John Negroponte as Director of National Intelligence, will face serious ethics scrutiny at his confirmation hearing starting tomorrow over his $2 million-a-year employment as a consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton, where he has worked for many of the same senior military and intelligence officials that he would now supervise. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) has already indicated his intention to grill McConnell on the implications of that employment for his performance of his new duties.

Obama Knows History, Obama Knows Symbolism

Wow. Word has leaked out that presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) has reserved the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois for the day he is expected to formally announce his candidacy. More from Alexander Mooney on the CNN Political Ticker:

Abraham Lincoln served in the Old State Capitol when he was a state representative. It was the site of his famous "House Divided" speech warning that America could not remain half slave and half free.

If Obama decides to run, making the announcement there would help reinforce his message that America should set aside partisan differences. It would also invite comparisons to Lincoln, another lanky Illinoisan who served in the state legislature and in Congress.

As they used to say on South Park, "he's sma-a-a-art."

Look Ma, No Earmarks!

More good news about the massive spending bill that Congressional Democrats hope to bring to a House floor vote tomorrow:

House and Senate Democratic leaders agreed yesterday to a $463 billion spending plan for the remainder of the fiscal year that would freeze many federal agencies at 2006 levels but include more money for veterans' health, education, scientific research, HIV programs and public parks, among other things.

In an unusual move, the congressional leaders stripped the spending bill of all earmarks, or narrow, special-interest provisions. The measure had to be cobbled together now because Congress did not finish its work last year and failed to pass nine of 11 spending bills.

No earmarks. Fancy that.

By declaring a one-time moratorium on earmarks, the Democratic leaders are granting the Bush administration more leeway in spending. The Army Corps of Engineers construction budget, for instance, typically outlines funding for specific projects. But under the no-earmarks pledge, Obey and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) decided that Congress cannot spell out spending, so they opted to give a lump sum of $2.3 billion to the Army Corps -- about $38 million less than it received in 2006 -- and to allow the agency to decide which projects deserve the money.

"They really delivered on their promise to wipe out earmarks," said Richard Kogan, a federal budget expert at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

So we get ethics reform AND more spending on important social programs like veteran's benefits, Pell Grants, Head Start, and Section 8 housing aid -- I am really liking this new Democratically controlled Congress.

UPDATE: The bill passed, 286-140. Now it goes to the Senate, where passage will take much longer and many amendments are likely.

Five GOP Congressional Seats in Ohio in Play?

Yesterday Markos Moulitsas put up a post at DailyKos.com about states that might offer multiple House pickup opportunities for Democrats in 2008, based on 2006 results and/or perceived incumbent weaknesses. His principal examples were Michigan and New Jersey, but at the end of the post he notes in passing that Ohio has five such opportunities: the 1st, 2nd, 14th, 15th and 16th Districts.

Are these five seats really such great opportunities? Let's take a closer look:

1st: Incumbent Rep. Steve Chabot (R) defeated second-time challenger and city council member John Cranley (D) by 52.25% to 47.75%. This was a painful loss because a number of polls showed Cranley ahead, the state and national parties seemed to be providing good support, and Cranley ran an excellent, aggressive campaign. Although the margin was close, I feel that the Democrats took their best shot in a favorable year and still couldn't dislodge the incumbent. Cranley won't necessarily jump in for a third attempt, and I don't know of any similarly promising challenger waiting in the wings.

2nd: Incumbent Rep. Jean Schmidt (R) defeated Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D) by 50.45% to 49.39%. Achingly close, and not decided until after a protracted recount. Lots of little things (like better support from the national and state parties) could have swung this race the other way, and this was the second very narrow win for Schmidt. However, with two terms behind her and probably some lessons learned, I think Schmidt will be stronger next around and the district is and always has been very Republican. Paul Hackett fans will insist that he can win the district, but remember that he did not come as close as Wulsin. Worth fighting, but a very uphill battle despite the close result.

14th: Incumbent Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Painesville) beat law professor Lew Katz (D-Pepper Pike) by 57.55% to 39.05%. Katz is a tremendous person and was enthusiastically received wherever he went during the campaign, but he had no help from the party and was unable to raise enough cash to get on TV. He was also a novice and had to learn a lot about running for office as he went along. LaTourette limited debates and other joint appearances with Katz to a bare minimum and essentially coasted to victory because Katz got little media coverage and no paid TV time. There are things about LaTourette that are widely disliked, but he has a reputation for bringing federal money to the district. It could be a close contest with a well-financed and otherwise strong challenger, but it's really hard to say since LaTourette hasn't really been tested.

15th: After extended recount drama, incumbent Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) eked out the closest Congressional victory in the state over Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy (D-Columbus). Kilroy spoke at Ohio Rootscamp last weekend and sounded like she's fired up for a rematch. However, the dynamics in this race may change greatly due to Pryce's decision to step down from her Congressional leadership post and "pay more attention to the district." A dominant theme in the race was Pryce as "rubber stamp" for Bush and that won't work in 2008. She has already shown more independence from the party line in her voting, and I expect that to continue. The gay community in Columbus is huge, and being out of party leadership will help her be more receptive and responsive to that constituency. Kilroy is a terrific candidate, but I'm not seeing why her chances would be better next time than they were in the fall. On the other hand, Kilroy almost won, so she has a legitimate shot in a re-match.

16th: Dinosaur veteran Ralph Regula (R-Navarre) defeated political novice Rev. Tom Shaw (D-Wooster) by 58.34% to 41.66%. Shaw's campaign, however, was practically invisible. Regula's vulnerability is also demonstrated by his relatively narrow (58.40% to 41.60%) primary victory over up-and-coming county commissioner Matt Miller (R), a surprising result for a long-standing incumbent. The big factor here, however, is the prospect that Regula may retire. The rumor was that he was keeping the seat warm for his son Richard, whose star has dimmed because he lost his county commissioner re-election bid. Primary opponent Miller seems like a more likely GOP candidate in 2008. State party committee member Michael Todd (D) has already declared on the Democratic side. This race does indeed seem like a prime pickup opportunity.

So, is Kos right -- are these five districts pickup opportunities? It depends what you mean by that. Sure, they're all races that deserve quality candidates and good support. However, I don't see Democratic chances as being especially stellar in the 1st, 2nd or 14th. Why are those districts any more vulnerable than the 12th, where incumbent Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Westerville) resorted to ugly campaign tactics to fend off former Congressman Bob Shamansky (D-Bexley) by 57.30% to 42.70%? Or the 5th, where incumbent Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-Dublin) defeated third-time challenger Robin Weirauch (D-Napoleon) by the relatively narrow margin of 56.85% to 43.15%? That is not a good showing by Gillmor at all. Weirauch deserves credit for running a much better campaign this year than before, but she has had three tries and I believe that a candidate better suited to this conservative, largely rural district could be found. So, I don't see all five of the races Kos mentioned as being distinguishable from other districts in the state.

Biden on Daily Show Tonight

Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) is officially announcing his candidacy for president today, but he will start his day by presiding over a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing about Iraq at which former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright will testify. He'll do a teleconference with reporters sometime later today, and will appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" on Comedy Central at 11:00 pm tonight.

The campaign site is now live, and it is very impressive. It has integrated video, a blog, and links to campaign outposts at YouTube, MySpace, Facebook and Flickr. Biden has posted four "current intiatives," including a Plan for Iraq and a Plan for Energy Security.

UPDATE: Redhorse notes on Psychobilly Democrat that Biden has already come out firing against Hillary Clinton, so "Biden might have a purpose afterall." Ouch!

Ohio News Roundup

Selected top news stories around the state:

Kaptur to Lead Fight Against Renewing 'Fast Track' Trade Authority - The Toledo Blade reports that Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo) will lead the fight against Bush's request for Congressional renewal of his "fast track authority" to negotiate international trade agreements. Kaptur noted that the U.S. trade deficit has more than doubled (to $800 billion) since Bush took office. "Fast track has facilitated the failed trade policies of the Bush administration," Kaptur said. "In Ohio and heartland states, we know well what fast track means for our constituents: it means lost jobs and lost industries. It means unemployment and a lower standard of living." If the Bush administration were doing a good job negotiating trade agreements, "the United States would not be hemorrhaging jobs and racking up larger and larger trade deficits each succeeding year."

Ney Paid Wife 'Campaign Salary' After Dropping Out - Jonathon Riskind reports in the Columbus Dispatch that Elizabeth Ney, wife of the convicted former Congressman, received her salary from his re-election campaign at least through the end of the year, despite the fact that Ney dropped out of the race on August 7th. She collected about $6,800 during that time.

Hoover Sale Now Official - Jim Mackinnon reports in the Akron Beacon Journal that the sale of North Canton-based Hoover Co. is official as of today. The future of 1,000 jobs in North Canton remains "unresolved" until Hong Kong-based buyer Techtronic finishes evaluating all Hoover facilities.

Foltin Busted - Jennifer Bracken reports in the Lorain Morning Journal that Mayor Craig Foltin (R) got stopped yesterday doing 43 mph in a 25 mph zone on Broadway near 13th Street. "I do a lot of driving around Lorain, I'm on the go, sometimes my energy gets the best of me," said the former Congressional candidate. He'll pay a fine of $140. I can't wait to read the reaction to this news in the excellent Lorain-based Word of Mouth Blog.

Hobson Calls For Diplomacy and Transition Planning for Iraq - Just returned from a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other Democrats, Rep. Dave Hobson (R-Springfield) says in an interview with Bob Dart of the Dayton Daily News today that Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki should be held to his statement that Iraqi troops could begin to relieve U.S. combat troops within six months, and U.S. troops should be redeployed on that timetable. "The United States has done its part and is continuing to do its part to bring stability to this region," Hobson said. "Now it's time for other countries in the region, the Iraqi people and NATO countries to step up and fulfill their responsibilities." He also says the trip "convinced him that the United States is lagging in its diplomatic outreach in the region and that Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria and Iran need to be engaged in efforts to stabilize Iraq."

Race to Construct Ethanol Plants Underway - John Jarvis reports in the Marion Star that three companies are competing to establish ethanol plants in Marion County. The story is fascinating because it details the planning, tax credits, and government approvals that precede actual construction. It's a high stakes race because the county probably can't produce enough corn to operate all three plants. The project that appears to be ahead of the others will use an estimated 34 million bushels of corn to produce 100 million gallons of ethanol and 300,000 tons of a by-product called "distiller corn" (used for livestock feed) per year. It will also emit about 260,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Chabot and Gillmor Call for Registration of Online Identity of Sex Offenders - Malia Rulon reports in the Cincinnati Enquirer that Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Westwood) and Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-Dublin) have joined with Democratic lawmakers to co-sponsor a bill that would add online identity (email addresses, IM names, etc.) to other information that sexual predators are required to register with the government. The information would be made available social networking sites like My Space so it can be compared with user profiles.

More on Cordray's Inventory of Unused State Property

Rich Cordray will hold another press conference tomorrow to talk about his efforts to track down and catalog unused state-owned real property.

More information about the effort is available on the State Treasurer's web site. More than half of the 446 real estate parcels identified as having potential for community or private development are located in Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas, and Stark counties. Gov. Ted Strickland is quoted as saying that "Treasurer Cordray truly understands the challenging budget we are facing and is creating an opportunity through his office to achieve real savings. This a good example of what everyone in Ohio government can do to bring greater accountability to state resources."

Cordray's first interim report and a listing of the top ten properties are available for download. The property listing is fun because it includes satellite photos with the state-owned parcels of vacant land outlined in red. There's one in Geauga County (108.6 acres valued at $629,000) that I know I have driven past.

News and Notes: The National Scene

It just keeps coming:

Feingold Proposes Bill to Cut Off Iraq Funding in Six Months - Not content with the proposed non-binding resolutions opposing Bush's surge strategy in Iraq, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) has called for a bill that would cut off all funding for the war in Iraq effective six months after passage. The six month period would allow for redeployment of U.S. troops.

Obama Introduces Bill to Redeploy U.S. Troops Out of Iraq by March 2008 - Taking an aggressive stance on Iraq, Obama is proposing binding legislation that would start withdrawing troops May 1, 2007 and complete the process by March 2008, consistent with the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group. TPM Cafe Election Central has the whole press release.

Pelosi and Reid Agree to Bipartisan Panel on Iraq - In a sudden reversal of position, the Democratic Congressional leaders agreed to Bush's proposal to form a bipartisan Congressional panel to advise the president on the fight against terrorism and the war in Iraq. A senior Democratic aide said that Bush had wanted to dictate the terms of the panel and even select its Democratic members. Pelosi and Reid initially objected to the panel, then relented but only on condition that they could select their party's own members.

Democrats Unveil Massive Funding Bill - The new Democratic House leadership rolled out an enormous federal spending bill today. It spells out the budgets for 13 cabinet-level agencies while increasing aid for lower income college students (Pell grants) and battling AIDS overseas, but cuts Bush's requests for foreign aid and closing military bases. Republican legislators complained about Democratic plans to push for a vote on the complex bill on Thursday without allowing amendments from the floor. Democrats responded by reminding the Republicans that they failed to deal with the budget before the election or during the lame duck session.

Increases to Public Financing Proposed - With the cost of presidential campaigns expected to top $1 billion and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) already opting out of the existing public campaign financing system, it comes as no surprise that legislators have introduced bills to raise the amounts available and spending limits under that system. Rep. Martin Meehan (D-MA), Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), and David Price (D-NC) have introduced a measure in the House, and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) has introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Essentially, the proposed legislation would triple the amount available for the primary season, increase the amount available for the general election to $100 million, offer more money to candidates whose opponents opt out of the system, and pay for it all by increasing the public campaign financing checkoff on individual tax returns from $3 to $10.

Biden Will Also Do Live Video Webcast - Yup, when Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) formally announces his candidacy for the White House tomorrow, he will also announce a video web chat on Thursday evening. He is accepting questions now, according to an email sent to supporters. Check his campaign site for details.

Miller Testifies Libby Told Her About Plame Twice

The New York Times has a story up about former reporter Judith Miller's testimony in the Scooter Libby trial today. She detailed two conversations with Libby, one on June 23 and another on July 8, 2003, in which he disclosed that Plame worked in the C.I.A. non-proliferation bureau. Libby told investigators that he didn't learn of Plame's identity until July 10.

The devastating aspect of Miller's testimony is not just the dates, but the character of the conversations. For example, in the June 23rd meeting:

Mr. Libby was “agitated and frustrated and angry” during the meeting, [Miller] testified, because he thought the Central Intelligence Agency was beginning to “back-pedal to try to distance itself” from discredited assessments of Iraq’s weapons capabilities in the buildup to the American-led military invasion of the country. The C.I.A. was waging “a perverted war of leaks,” Ms. Miller said Mr. Libby told her. ... Miller said Mr. Libby discussed how “a clandestine guy” had gone to Africa in the winter of 2002 to investigate reports that Iraq was trying to buy uranium from Niger to further its nuclear programs. ... “He said that his wife – referring to Wilson – worked in ‘the bureau.’”

Remember, Libby's defense is that he just "forgot" about learning of Plame's identity before July 10 because he was so busy. Miller is portraying the whole matter as something central in Libby's mind at the time of their talk. How could he forget learning a key fact like Plame's identity?

Libby's in trouble.

Surge Strategy Doomed by Dual Command Structure?

This article by Mark Benjamin at Salon.com highlights a fundamental flaw in Bush's surge strategy that commentators have largely overlooked. The plan calls for U.S. soldiers to be embedded with Iraqi troops, who will take the lead. However, the Amerians will take orders from U.S. officers, while the Iraqis take orders from Iraqi officers.

This dual command structure, apparently the result of a political deal with reluctant Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, violates basic military doctrine. Especially in a counter-insurgency operation, the resulting who's-in-command nightmare could quickly undermine the whole operation. It has drawn criticism from the Uber-Surge-Meister himself, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), as well as hawkish commentator Frederick Kagan. Military experts are stunned:

"It just shows you how flawed the whole scheme is," said retired Lt. Gen. William Odom, who was once the Army's senior intelligence officer, in an interview. Odom lamented that Iraq has been "just a bad nightmare" from the start. He said this White House continues to make mistakes that are "so painfully clear that sometimes I think I might be crazy."

Breaking News Items on the National Political Scene

A lot going on today:

UPDATE: Minimum Wage Filibuster Ended - The Senate voted 87-10 this afternoon to cut off debate on the Senate minimum wage bill, which now includes tax cuts for small businesses. The minimum wage would be raised from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour over two years. A vote on the measure is now expected in the next few days. Since the House bill didn't include the tax breaks, that difference will have to be resolved before a bill could be sent to Bush for signing.

NIE Out Monday - Former Intelligence Director John Negroponte, now seeking confirmation as Deputy Secretary of State, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today that the long-delayed National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq will be delivered to Congress by Monday.

Bush Not Sole Decider - Sen. Arlen Apector (R-PA), ranking Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, disputed Bush's claim to be The Decider in a hearing dealing with the constitutional power of Congress to halt a war. "I would suggest respectfully to the president that he is not the sole decider," said Specter. "The decider is a shared and joint responsibility."

White House Accused of Distorting Global Warming Evidence - Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), chairman of a House panel examining the government's response to climate change, said today there is evidence that senior Bush administration officials sought repeatedly "to mislead the public by injecting doubt into the science of global warming." Waxman and the ranking Republican on his committee, Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), have long sought documents on climate policy from the administration, but have been rebuffed. "The committee isn't trying to obtain state secrets or documents that could affect our immediate national security," said Waxman. "We are simply seeking answers to whether the White House's political staff is inappropriately censoring impartial government scientists."

Bush Iran Aims Questioned - Craig Crawford writes at CQPolitics.com today that "either Bush is again laying the foundation for military action, or he is setting up Iran to share the blame that he also lays at the feet of Democrats and the news media for helping cause a U.S. failure in Iraq." He is reacting to Bush's statement on NPR yesterday that the U.S. will "respond firmly" if Iran escalates its military involvment in Iraq, and a leak by Pentagon officials to CBS News of what they call “proof positive” of such involvement: Iranian serial numbers on powerful explosive devices found in Iraq.

Miller On Stand - Marcy Wheeler of Fire Dog Lake is live-blogging the testimony of former New York Times reporter Judith Miller in the Scooter Libby criminal trial.

Peace Signal in Pelosi-Dingell Tussle?

At a press appearance to mark the completion of the 100 Hours legislative push by the new Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced her intention to form a Select Committee on Global Warming and Energy Independence, with the goal of developing a package of legislation by July 4, 2007. It was a shot across the bow of Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee that overseas the Clean Air Act and the Environmental Protection Agency, who has been protective of his home state's automobile industry.

Dingell didn't take it very well. “We should probably name it the committee on world travel and junkets,” Dingell told the AP. “We’re just empowering a bunch of enthusiastic amateurs to go around and make speeches and make commitments that will be very difficult to honor. ... They’re going to get under the feet of and interfere with those who are trying to do a decent job of legislating."

Paul Kane has an interesting item on the Washington Post blog Capitol Briefing today, pointing to signs that the two powerful legislators may be working around their disagreement. In particular, Pelosi's daughter Cristine Pelosi and Dingell's wife Debbie Dingell, both committee members of the DNC, have collaborated on a resolution staking out a party platform pushing for energy independence at its annual winter meeting later this week. Party Chairman Howard Dean and Vice-Chairman Rep. Honda (D-CA) are supporting it.

The resolution seems to step gingerly around any actual mention of the automobile industry, but it declares strong support for measures that "promote energy security and a safe, clean environment by reducing our dependence on oil, eliminating billions in tax breaks for big oil companies, and increasing research and development into clean renewable energy and efficiency technologies." And the fact that family members of the sparring legislators worked together on it may be a very good sign.

Cordray Preliminary Inventory Identifies Valuable Unused State Property

One of the key initiatives espoused by Rich Cordray (D-Grove City) in his campaign for State Treasurer is a statewide inventory of unused and uncatalogued state property. Today he announced that his preliminary inventory of just 20 counties has turned up 446 parcels of unused state-owned real estate that could be sold for private development or community use.

Cordray's team looked at a total of 7,364 parcels of property in this initial study, according to the newspaper item. Among the ones that Cordray figures could be sold is a 12 acre plot on McKinley Avenue in Columbus where prisoners quarried stone to build the Statehouse. It is valued at about $312,000.

Cordray commented that years of "disorganization and lack of accountability" means the state does not even know all of the property that it owns. Just imagine the revenue and cost-savings that could ultimately result from finding that out. It's called good government.

Clinton and Giuliani Lead Poll of Ohioans on Presidential Prospects

Hat tip to Jerid at Buckeye State Blog for first posting the results released today by Quinnipiac University on 2008 presidential preferences among Ohioans (download). Not sure why they took the poll, since Ohio's March primary is unlikely to have much bearing on the nomination races. Nevertheless, here is the result for Democratic contenders:

38% Clinton
13% Obama
11% Edwards
6% Gore
2% Biden
2% Kucinich
1% Richardson
1% Clark
-% Dodd
-% Vilsack

On the GOP side:

30% Giuliani
22% McCain
11% Gingrich
4% Romney
1% Brownback
1% Thompson
1% Huckabee
1% Hagel
1% Pataki
1% Tancredo
-% Hunter
-% Gilmore

At this point it's all about name recognition, and levels of support are likely to change dramatically as the candidates become better known. However, Democratic leader Clinton may have the least ability to move up because she has the lowest favorability ratio among major candidates (49% up/38% down), compared to to 35%/12% for the relatively underexposed Obama and 46%/24% for Edwards. Gingrich has the worst favorability ratio among Republicans at 24%/50%. Kucinich is at 18%/37%.

An odious but unmistakable racial contrast emerges in the head-to-head matchups, where white Democrats Clinton and Edwards edge out white potential GOP rival McCain but African-American Democrat Obama does not:

46% Clinton
42% McCain

44% Edwards
41% McCain

38% Obama
41% McCain

I sincerely hope that this differential merely reflects lower name recognition for Obama, but put together with the fact that all of the African-American statewide candidates failed in Ohio in 2006 (Blackwell, Sykes, Espy, and Bradley) it seems a very disturbing result to me.

Clinton also edges out Giuliani (46% to 43%) and wallops Romney (52% to 31%).

Looking at relative numbers for male and female voters, Clinton does better among women (43%-31%) while Edwards and Obama do better among men (14%-10% and 17%-11%, respectively). I actually would have guessed that Clinton's disparity would be greater than that. (Looking at the numbers another way, Clinton outperforms both Edwards and Obama among male voters by a big margin.) Among Republicans, Giuliani does significantly better among men (35%-27%) and so does Gingrich (15%-7%), while McCain is relatively even (23%-21%).

Women were much more likely than men to fall in the "Don't Know" category, among both Democrats (21%-12%) and Republicans (28%-9%). They are the more sensible gender, without a doubt.

The continuing prominence of Gore and Gingrich in various presidential candidate polls is interesting, isn't it?

News and Notes: Ohio

Some items of interest from the best damned state in the land:

Ted Creates Panel to Screen Judicial Appointments - In a very welcome development, the new Governor acts to elevate actual qualifications over political considerations in interim judicial appointments. Gov. Taft (R) acted strictly on recommendations from local GOP leaders, and all twelve of the judges he appointed just before leaving office are Republicans. The Ohio State Bar Association applauded the move, saying the panel will help build "trust and confidence in Ohio's courts."

New Black Caucus Leaders - Congratulations to Rep. Tyrone Yates (D-Cincinnati), elected president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus last week to replace former Rep. Barbara Sykes (D-Akron). Freshman Rep. Tracy Heard (D-Columbus) is secretary. The caucus has 17 current members, with veteran Sen. Ray Miller (D-Columbus) as its unofficial "dean."

Auditor Issues Finding on Missing School Money - New State Auditor Mary Taylor (R-Green) today released a finding for recovery against a Toledo-area school district secretary and her bonding company for $5,587 that the secretary had collected from various teachers, parents and students over a six month period. The money was later reported to police as stolen. "The deposits were kept in a walk-in vault which was typically left both open and unlocked during the school day. In addition, the cash collections procedures were not followed and deposits were not always made on a daily basis," Taylor's report states. Also in the news, Taylor has finalized her staff, announcing that she is retaining veteran chief deputy auditor Robert R. Hinkle. Taylor previously installed campaign manager Christina Haddad as chief of staff, former Taft aides Karen Huey and Susan Raber as legal consel and director of public affairs, respectively, and former Department of Public Safety official Gary Joseph as director of administration.

Interviews with New Members of Congress - The Mansfield News Journal has an interview with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Urbana), who replaced retired Mike Oxley (R) in the 4th Congressional District, and the Zanesville Times Recorder talked to Rep. Zack Space (D-Dover), who replaced Bob Ney (R) in the 18th. Jordan is really drinking the Kool-Aid on Iraq, supporting Bush all the way. Space is planning district offices in Zanesville and Chillicothe to go along with his office in Dover, acknowledging that accessibility to constituents is a key part of his agenda.

Sherrod Brown at City Club - The new senator spoke at the hallowed forum of free speech here in Cleveland and I'm sorry to say that I missed it. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that he focused on the economy, saying "Our economic house is not in order, not nationally and not close to where it needs to be in Ohio." In an excerpt on WCPN this morning I heard him say that the U.S. must use its influence to pressure China to improve conditions for its workers, which will make trade competition more fair. He also said that he has been working with Sen. George Voinovich (R) to convene meetings of the entire Ohio Congressional delegation to talk about economic development. Also, Brown is counting on his close relationship with Gov. Ted Strickland (D) to help develop "a state and federal partnership in Ohio that you have not seen in history." As to Iraq, he predicted that a resolution opposing the surge will pass by 80-20, but if it were a secret ballot it would be 90-10, due to Republican legislators who oppose the war but are afraid to say so publicly .

News and Notes: The National Scene

What's shakin', baby?

Presidential Hopefuls At Global Warming Hearing - In a few minutes the Environment and Public Works Committee starts a hearing on global warming, and get a load of who will be testifying about their proposals to tackle the problem: White House aspirants Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL). Also making her presence known will be Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), who is on the committee.

Miller to Testify - The retired New York Times reporter, who spent three months in jail for refusing to testify to the grand jury, will take the stand today. She is expected to further contradict Scooter Libby's statement to investigators that he learned about the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame from reporters on a particular date.

Baker to Testify on Iraq War - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold an afternoon hearing on alternative plans for Iraq. After weeks of avoiding speaking publicly about the war, James Baker will join Iraq Study Group Co-Chair Lee Hamilton in testifying. (The group's report called for troop redeployment, not an increase.) The Senate Judiciary Committee will also hold a hearing about Iraq, titled "Exercising Congress's Constitutional Power to End a War."

Pelosi Speaks About Trip - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of Congress who travelled to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan hold a 3:00 pm news conference. She has indicated that the trip confirmed her opposition to Bush's surge strategy.

Edwards Admits He Was Too Inexperienced in 2004 - But now, boy, he's really been around the block. (* sigh * John, now, really ...)

Executive Order Throttles Agency Action - President Bush issued a directive last week that will greatly increase White House control over agency rules and policy statements on issues like health, safety and the environment. As reported in the New York Times, "each agency must have a regulatory policy office run by a political appointee, to supervise the development of rules and documents providing guidance to regulated industries. The White House will thus have a gatekeeper in each agency to analyze the costs and the benefits of new rules and to make sure the agencies carry out the president’s priorities. This strengthens the hand of the White House in shaping rules that have, in the past, often been generated by civil servants and scientific experts." That's one way to push back against a Democratic Congress -- tighten your grip on the reins of government and choke off any bothersome input from experts and scientists. Just terrific.

Air America Rescued, Sans Franken - The liberal radio network will be acquired by real estate financier Stephen Green, brother of long-time New York advocate and politico Mark Green. The plan is to push the operation more toward internet release of content, including podcasting. Al Franken, however, will broadcast his last show on February 14, and word on the street is that he is gearing up for a run at Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN).

News and Notes: The National Scene

Items of interest:

Bush at 30% - According to the latest Newsweek poll, Bush's approval rating has slipped since the State of the Union to 30% - the very precipice of the terrible 20's. Moreover, 58% said "they wish the Bush presidency was simply over" (including 86% of Democrats, 59% of independents, and 21% of Republicans). The poll also indicates that Bush's sagging approval may seriously impact the race for his replacement (48% say that their opinion of The Decider will be at least "somewhat important" in deciding their vote in 2008).

Maine's Senators Back McCain - Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), two notable moderates, have endorsed presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), despite their opposition to what's been called "The McCain Doctrine" (i.e., increasing U.S. troop strength in Iraq). Snowe said she has known McCain "for many years," and finds him to be "genuine, straightforward, and honest." Collins said, "I can think of no better person to lead our nation than John McCain."

Fleischer Testifies - Former Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer testified today in the Scooter Libby case under a grant of immunity. He said that Libby told him over lunch that the wife of war critic Joe Wilson worked at the CIA, and that this happened before the date that Libby told investigators he was surprised to learn about the CIA operative from a reporter. Fleischer said that Libby used the name Valerie Plame and told Fleischer that it was all "hush hush."

Schumer Says Candidate Recruitment Was Key - Democratic Senate Campaign Committee head Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says that the biggest reason for his party's success in 2006 was aggressive candidate recruitment ... including intervention in primaries to get the right candidate into the general election. Ohioans recall Schumer's role in first urging then-Congressman Sherrod Brown to run, then giving Iraq vet Paul Hackett the green light when Brown hesitated, and switching back to Brown later when Brown jumped into the race.

Huckabee Jumps In - Former governor and Baptist minister Mike Huckabee (R-AR), noted for his dramatic weight loss, announced on yesterday's "Meet the Press" show that he is getting into the presidential race. His strategy is to "establish himself as a candidate who can rally conservatives while attracting a fair share of moderates with a message of can-do bipartisanship." He criticized Bush for not fulfilling his 2000 campaign promise of being a "uniter" rather than a "divider," and declined an opportunity to bash Bill or Hillary Clinton.

Drinan Passes - Rev. Robert Drinan (D-MA), the first Roman Catholic priest elected as a voting member of Congress, died yesterday. He was 86. A committed anti-war and human rights activist, he served for ten years (1971-81).

Ohio News Roundup

What's happening on the nation's north coast today?

Poll Worker "Draft" Idea is National News - The proposal by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (D-Columbus) for compulsory poll worker service, modeled on jury duty, is reverberating around the country's news outlets. The AP story is picked up by the Toledo Blade here. Brunner is working on draft legislation, but Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted (R-Kettering) was cool to the idea when they met to discuss it. ''The first reaction is that we think voting and the democratic process is voluntary and not mandatory,'' Husted said. ''We agree on the goal. But this is not the only way to do it.''

Bush Presidential Library Proposed for ... Cleveland? - There was a spontaneous tribute to Munch's masterpiece "The Scream" at a meeting of the Cleveland State University Board of Trustees last Friday when Forest City Enterprises Co-Chairman Sam Miller suggested that CSU host George W. Bush's official library. As reported by Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Michael McIntyre, Miller admitted that the reaction to his proposal was not favorable. "Everybody fell under the table," he said. However, Miller added, "I would go out and raise money for it. May God kill me if I'm lying. ... In 20 years, he will go down as a president great."

Kindergarteners Raise Money to Save School - Children are going door-to-door to try to raise $200,000 needed to save the Boyer Kindergarten Center in Springfield Township (in Summt County), according to a story by Stephanie Warsmith in today's Akron Beacon Journal. The local school board, on the verge of falling into the "fiscal emergency" category, will vote next month on $1.5 million in cuts, including the popular Boyer school.

DeWine and Flowers Fail to Block Special Counsel Contract - At a meeting of the Controlling Board last week, Rep. Kevin DeWine (R-Fairborn) and Larry Flowers (R-Canal Winchester) were unsuccessful in their attempt to block a request by Attorney General Marc Dann (D-Liberty Township) for authority to award a $695,000 contract for special counsel to represent the Development Department in several matters without competitive bidding. The vote was 5-2. DeWine argued that Dann should not award the contract until after he finished his publicly announced review of such contracts, which were the subject of pay-to-play allegations under former Attorney General Jim Petro (R-Rocky River).

Ted's Delay of Executions Stirs Up Backlash - Gov. Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon) hasn't imposed a moratorium on capital punishment in Ohio, but he has expressed reservations about unfairness in adminstering the death penalty and has delayed three scheduled executions in order to consider clemency petitions. Today Sharon Coolidge and Jon Craig report in the Cincinnati Enquirer on Barbara Raines, the mother of a murdered child who has waited 15 years for the killers to be killed. She is turning her anger toward the governor because she is concerned that he will delay the execution process. "You can't put it behind you until it's over," she said. "And it's not over as long as they're still alive." Attornies for the two men convicted of the crime claim that they are mentally retarded, and therefore should not be executed. "I don't believe that a person who is mentally retarded, a person who has a documented, serious mental illness, should be subject to this penalty," said the governor. "I think there are those circumstances where it is inappropriate."

Bush and Space Collide - Loren Gensen reports in the Chillicothe Gazette that Bush ran into freshman Congressman Zack Space (D-Dover) after the State of the Union address - literally. Space had stepped into the hall to call his wife when the president, mobbed by legislators and journalists, turned abruptly and walked right into him. "Good speech, Mr. President," said Space. "Thanks, buddy," replied Bush.

Lorain County Leaders Point Fingers At Each Other - Cindy Leise reports in the Elyria Chroncle Telegram that Lorain County officials are squabbling about who deserves blame for almost one half million dollars in EPA fines the county incurred for failing to make upgrades at six faulty sewer plants for more than two decades.

Photos from Roots Camp

RootsCamp Ohio took place on Saturday at the YWCA in Columbus. It was a valuable and enjoyable eight hours of sharing and networking. I especially appreciated learning from the experiences of Anna Landmark, who managed the successful minimum wage amendment campaign, and campaign organizers Allie Petonic and Lauren Groh-Wargo, who discussed their work in rural counties during this election cycle.

Here's a shot of the group gathered at 9:00 am for registration, breakfast, and introductory remarks. There were about 100 people signed up. Some of Ohio's best bloggers were there, including Lisa Renee of Glass City Jungle, Jill of Writes Like She Talks, Pho of Pho's Akron Pages, Cindy Zawadzki of As Ohio Goes, and George Nemeth of Brewed Fresh Daily. A better photo of most of us is here.

Eric Vessels of ProgressOhio.com spoke to the group first. He is leaving in a few days to pursue an exciting business opportunity and will be replaced by Dave Harding, formerly of the Upper Arlington Progressive Action blog and the Mary Jo Kilroy for Congress campaign.

Karen Gasper of America Votes also helped organize the event and explained procedures at the outset.

Here's Cindy Zawadzki starting a breakout session in the morning.

One of the popular breakout sessions was "Testosterone-Free Blogging." In this view are Lucie Pollard, the photographer who accompanied Lisa Renee (didn't catch his nameMiguel Roman, her spouse), Eric Vessels, Lorraine Bieber of the League of Young Voters-Columbus, and Lisa Renee.
At the same session, here are Brian Rothenberg of ProgressOhio, Jill, Leesa Brown of Treasurer Rich Cordray's office, Anastasia Pantsios, and a fellow whose name I did not getJohn Spalding.
Another shot of attendees, including George Nemeth second from right.

Pho spelled out the intricacies of the proposed school funding constitutional amendment.

Jason Barnett came from Minnesota to explain DFL Links, a network of 30 groups of progressives who meet monthly throughout the state, facilitated by software from Zanby.

An excellent photo of Eric, moderating a discussion about the progressive blogosphere in Ohio.

Ryan (D) at Akron Press Club

I drove down to Akron for the appearance by Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Niles) at the Martin Center at the University of Akron on Friday, January 26th. Here is a video clip with excerpts from his talk:

Education Amendment Explained - With Style

Pho of Pho's Akron Pages is doing a wonderful job of unpacking the proposed school funding amendment, and he's doing it readably and with a beat you can dance to (while burning down the house).

Read the whole series:

Education Amendment Check-In
Education Agenda, Pt. 2
Unpacking the Amendment, Pt. 1: Know Your Rights.
Education Notes
The Amendment Sec. (C) and (D): Three Boards, Two New
School Funding Reset.
Education Amendment Sec. (D) -(E): GSM

Jim Rokakis Meets the Bloggers UPDATED

The evening before last I attended one of the best Meet the Bloggers interviews ever, a fast-paced and highly substantive talk with Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis.

Comments on the interview have been posted by Tim, Gloria, and Wendell, and George (the coolest guy in the known universe) has posted the audio.

Rokakis is an exceedingly bright and committed public servant. He has been in office so long (ten years) and has assembled such a competent staff that he is able to focus his attention on pressing policy issues and even write and help pass important legislation. Most recently, he headed up a gubernatorial transition team looking at the Ohio Housing Financing Agency.

Much of our discussion centered on Cuyahoga County's foreclosure crisis. In 1995 there were 3,400 private mortgage foreclosures in the county, and by last year that number had swollen to 12,000. Vacant housing units all around the county suck the property values out of surrounding parcels, deter development, and are a magnet for vandalism and crime.

Rokakis is in the forefront of efforts to combat this urgent problem. I will supplement this post with more details on the situation and Rokakis' ideas for addressing it, but right now I must rush off to Akron for an appearance by Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Niles) so I am going to leave this as is for now and promise to come back to it in the next few days.

UPDATE: As promised, some more thoughts from the Rokakis MTB interview. The guy just loves being treasurer. He helped persuade Rich Cordray to run for Franklin County Treasurer, pointing out that when you deal with the money you deal with everything. As Cuyahoga County treasurer he has revolutionized delinquent tax collection, taken decisive action against the foreclosure crisis, and obtained stellar performance for county investments, but he is also brimming with ideas for more improvements and new initiatives.