Miamisburg graduation 2012
Valley View vs. Greenville
Cars and Parts Springfield Swap Meet
Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > September > 11
Friday, September 11, 2009
Former GOP Chairman Bennett scolds party
Former Ohio Republican Chairman Bob Bennett scolded his fellow Republicans on Friday, Sept. 11, and warned them that their credibility is at stake.
Bennett, at a meeting of the party’s State Central Committee, said he was upset at GOP criticism of Democratic Barack Obama’s decision to make a televised address to school children. Bennett said that former Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush had done so without criticism.
Bennett said the criticism was driven by “talking heads. You know who I’m referring to.” Unless things change, “we’re not going to have any credibility as a party,” Bennett said.
Bennett also blasted U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina for “calling the president a liar” during President Barack Obama’s televised speech on reforming health care.
That single remark took the issue away from Republicans, he said. He called for more civility.
“We’re losing the battle with middle America if we don’t understand that,” said Bennett.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment |
Ohio GOP endorses Husted, Portman and two others for 2010
The Ohio State Republican Central Committee on Friday, Sept. 11, endorsed state Sen. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, and former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman from the Cincinnati area in two contested 2010 primaries.
Husted got the nod for secretary of state and Portman was endorsed for the U.S. Senate nomination.
The committee also endorsed former U.S. Rep. John Kasich of Westerville for governor and state Rep. Josh Mandel of Lyndhurst for treasurer. Neither has opposition.
The state GOP previous endorsed Auditor Mary Taylor for re-election.
The committee also set up a screening committee to evaluate the two GOP candidates for attorney general - former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine of Cedarville of Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost.
State Chairman Kevin DeWine, Mike DeWine’s cousin, said either candidate would make a strong opponent against incumbent Democratic Attorney General Richard Cordray.
Kasich got a standing ovation after his endorsement and spoke with reporters about leading a united Republican ticket.
“I think (President) Barack Obama has performed a miracle. He’s united the Republican Party,” said Kasich.
Kasich said Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland “has contributed to it.”
Former Ashtabula County Auditor Sandra O’Brien, who’s also running for the GOP nomination for secretary of state, was not at the meeting. Neither was Cleveland-area car dealer Tom Ganley, who’s seeking the U.S. Senate nomination.
