Here's more of what our friends in Columbus have given us.

A $1.25 million state grant is luring a Pennsylvania fuel cell company to Ohio, the state Development Department said Friday.

HydroGen Corp. (OTC:HYDG) promised to move its headquarters to Ohio from Jefferson Hills, near Pittsburgh. The Development Department said HydroGen will use the grant to help fund a 400-kilowatt fuel cell demonstration project somewhere in the state.

So, Ohio is the highest bidder this time. Thump your chest. But wait 'til we run up against a state with a bigger pocketbook. I imagine that outcome won't be as positive.

But I'm struck by this statement from the article:

HydroGen reported a loss of $2.5 million and no revenue in the first six months of 2005, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It was established in 2001.

So let's see. We gave a company that lost $2.5 million and generated no revenue in the first half of the year, $1.25 million of taxpayer's money to come to Ohio. Maybe it's me, but if their business is in such poor condition that they need money from us, what's the liklihood that they'll be able to provide a stable source of revenue and job security to whatever locality they choose to call home?

This really is the epitome of corporate welfare. Shop your failing business around until you find a state that will bail you out. Genius. Sorry if I upset some of my Republican friends, but if this is your idea of good economics, no wonder we're in so much trouble.

Vote for the "Jobs For Ohio" issue on the ballot, and I expect you'll see lots more of this kind of thing.

National Review has a great article about the current situation in Columbus. Guess I'm not the only one with problems with GOP leadership.

The problem runs deeper than undisclosed gubernatorial golf outings
and the state’s rare-coin investment scandal. Republicans were swept into office during the 1990s on a platform of low taxes, fiscal responsibility, and robust economic growth. In recent years, they have instead given Ohioans higher taxes, increased spending, and a generally lackluster economy.

Taft and the Republican-controlled legislature boosted the sales tax by 20 percent, a $2.9 billion “temporary” tax increase that some would like to give more staying power. While this was justified on predictable deficit-hawk grounds, state expenditures continued their upward trajectory. In the years preceding the sales-tax hike, spending grew twice as fast as inflation and more than ten times as fast as the population — despite unified Republican control of state government.

But wait, there's more.

For two years running, Taft has received an "F" in the Cato Institute’s "Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors," ranking him
toward the bottom. When he did recommend lower income-tax rates earlier this year, he proposed offsetting tax hikes elsewhere: doubling the tax on beer and wine, boosting levies on cigarettes by 45 cents a pack, and increasing electricity taxes by one-third.

In short, much of what conservatives fear about ossified Republican majorities is on display in Ohio. But Taft (who refuses to resign) is mercifully term limited and Democrats aren’t alone in campaigning against the mess in Columbus.

The Taft-Bennett-Householder wing of the GOP has created a monster. And the rest of the country is finding that out.

I'm sure we've not heard the last of this.

The Ohio GOP has some interesting thoughts on the "Jobs For Ohio" bond issue that will be on the November ballot.

First, they call it a "research initiative". Hmmmm. When my bank loans me money, they don't call it "research". Actually, they should call it what it is; The Third Frontier - The Sequel.

Secondly, they explain that it would: "provide $500 million for investment in research, technology, and facilities to move Ohio's economy forward." OK, what about the other $1.5 billion? I know, I know, it's for the 'infrastructure'. How much have they already budgeted for 'infrastructure' improvements? I mean, they did set aside money to fix things that break didn't they?

Thirdly, here is their economic analysis of the issue. "This money is important for all Ohioans because it would build on the Bush tax cuts and the recent state tax reform to keep our economy moving and attract more business and jobs to the Buckeye state."

Apparently in Columbus, taking money from taxpayers after it was just given to them is good economics. Good for politicians and their cronies, I guess. And don't worry about all that money that's going to be loaned to profitable corporations, it's not like Ohio is spending more than it takes in each year...

The evidence continues to mount that the current leadership of the Ohio GOP either doesn't get it, or doesn't want to.

Oh, by the way, Columbus is also touting that Democrat gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland is behind the issue. Nice.

The calls are coming in from all over.

Governor Taft of Ohio is in dire straits, and with him the Ohio Republican Party. He pleaded no contest to charges relating to a lobbyist backed golf game, which in and of itself is minor, but is indicative of the Republican establishment in Ohio. That establishment, firmly in control of Ohio, has lost its way. In fact, according to the Pacific Research Institute's economic freedom index, Ohio ranks among the bottom fifth of states. Ohio also has one of the highest combined state and local tax burdens in the country. Under Governor Taft, taxes have continued to increase along with state spending. That pattern of governance flies in the face of Republican principles.

The Ohio Republican Party has a great history and it should stand up for the principles of the party by tossing Governor Taft before he does
more damage. Without new ideas and fresh energy, the Ohio Republican Party might just meet the fate of the Republicans in Illinois or the Congressional Democrats in 1994. The grassroots are demoralized and the Republican establishment is married to the status quo. The Directors of RedState.org, Inc. believe it is time for the Ohio Republican Party to break with Governor Taft and it is time for Governor Taft to resign. The Republican Party does not need and cannot afford for Ohio to become the next Illinois.

I'm still not sure this is a good idea. Taft can't run again, and you could blame all the bad stuff that happens between now and the election on him. The Republican nominee could continue to play off Taft as a 'reformer'.

It's sad but true.

From Michael Meckler's blog:

For impeachment to take place, a resolution needs 50 votes in the Ohio House to send the matter to the Ohio Senate. In the senate, 22 of the 33 senators must agree to impeachment after holding a trial. The question is not whether the Ohio Senate will impeach Taft; the votes aren't there. Instead, if an impeachment resolution passes the Ohio House, the unseemly spectacle of a trial in the senate may be enough to convince the governor he ought to resign.

Democrats have 39 seats in the Ohio House. I reckon that a dozen or so GOP members could be found to support an impeachment resolution, making passage of the resolution a real possibility, but only if the Democrats decide to pursue it. Much of the political speculation has involved the question of whether it is better for Democrats to have Taft finish his term and hope that the unpopular governor taints his fellow Republicans in next year's statewide elections, or whether to go for the "kill" and energize the Democratic base by forcing Taft out of office.

Boy, isn't it great the "Republicans" are in charge.

Not that I'm a slave to trends in journalism, but maybe we should just call the latest from the Statehouse in Columbus "TaftGate". Seems fitting.

The WSJ has a view of the political landscape that those of us so close to the forest might not.

Hat tip: Crain's Cleveland Business (you need a paid subscription to get the article itself from WSJ)

The editorial page of The Wall Street Journal has a different take on the undisclosed golf outings and gifts that put Gov. Taft in trouble.

“Yes, the law is the law, and the golf probe is part of a larger investigation into political corruption in Ohio.” The Journal opines.

“The prosecutor said the total value of the gifts Mr. Taft didn't report was $5,800 over four years. On the other hand, if this is the worst that
prosecutors have been able to come up with, then modern politics must be cleaner than we thought. We've been raised never to trust a politician, but we also don't recall meeting any who can be purchased by 18 holes.

“The no-free-golf rule strikes us as the triumph of a certain kind of modern ethicist who thinks even the small favors of everyday life such as a free lunch are corrupting. Ohio's real political crime is an economy listing under the burden of runaway spending and high taxes, but at least its citizens can now be sure that the state's politicians aren't getting a free ride around sand traps.”

If the Democrats can’t take back the governor’s mansion next year,
they’re even more hopeless than they’ve been for the last 16 years of Republican domination. Only the most die-hard Republicans can argue that the party deserves to remain in power.

Hear! Hear!

Let's make one thing clear: The party establishment probably doesn't deserve to be in power. But don't confuse them with average Ohio Republicans and those who voted Republican.

I'm sure that Reform Ohio Now and others on the left will be all over Governor Taft's apology for dropping the ball by not reporting dozens of golf outings and social events to the Ohio Ethics Commission. And I suppose rightfully so. To me though, it's focusing on the wrong things. It's a bunch of golf outings for crying out loud, worth a couple of thousand dollars probably. These (essentially) accounting errors don't worry me at all.

What worries me is the mismanagement of this State. What worries me is a $2 billion dollar bond issue that covers over more corporate welfare with "infrastructure" smoke. What concerns me is the lowering of taxes while increasing fees and the cost of doing business, followed by a tax increase. What concerns me is a State run Bureau of Workers Compensation that is a financial disaster. What concerns me is supposedly "fiscally conservative" Republicans leading the charge, followed closely behind by the Democrats in a race to see just how badly they can overspend their budget.

Golf outings between cronies is the least of Ohio's worries. Governor Taft and spendthrift legislators should be at the top of the list.

According to RED-STATE.COM, the Michael Meckler weblog, the Family Research Council's "Justice Sunday II" was anything but a rousing success, espcially as it came to the nomination of John Roberts for the SCOTUS.

Meckler writes:

The reason why this was so is not hard to fathom. Go-along-to-get-along Washington insiders like Roberts are the antithesis of what "values voters" want in a Supreme Court justice. Despite some public protestations to the opposite, many of these conservatives have the same gut reaction to Roberts' golden-boy career as did Washington Post pundits David Broder and WilliamRaspberry. If Bush had nominated any of the suggested candidates currently serving on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, I guarantee that greater excitement and energy about the nomination would have been on display in Nashville.

The irony behind the Roberts nomination is that it may enervate, not energize religious conservatives. Having worked so hard to get George W. Bush in the White House in order to get onto the Supreme Court heartland conservatives uncorrupted by Washington's perks and privileges, these erstwhile supporters are coming to suspect their efforts were all for naught. If "values voters" decide to sit out the 2006 and 2008 elections because of their dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court appointments coming out of the Bush administration, the Republicans who depend upon their votes may find themselves in serious trouble trying to maintain majorities in Congress and control of the White House.

Could this have an effect here in Ohio? Could that be part of the reason for the results from the 2nd district election last week?

Something to think about.

From the Blackwell camp:

"After consultation with legislative leadership, Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett and TEL supporters, the committee decided this issue deserves the widest possible exposure and debate," said Citizens for Tax Reform Honorary Chairman, Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. "The 2006 General Election ballot gives Ohio voters that opportunity.”

"I intend to be the GOP nominee for Governor and expect this amendment to be a major element of my platform of fiscal restraint for government and job creation for the private sector," said Blackwell.

Ohio GOP Chairman Bob Bennett added, “I applaud Ken Blackwell’s leadership on this issue, and his decision to move the proposed amendment to the gubernatorial ballot is a service to the voters of Ohio. It gives Ohioans an opportunity to hear substantive debate on a major policy initiative before making a decision that impacts all of state government. “This gesture by Secretary Blackwell will allow us to focus our resources this year on defeating the special interest amendments being pushed by pro-Democrat unions and liberal activist groups.”

And from the Dayton Daily News:

Now Blackwell has decided to put his measure on the ballot not this year, but next, when all the big statewide offices will also be on the ballot. And state Republican Chairman Robert Bennett is saying this will help the party. Never mind that Bennett — a representative of the party establishment — always gives top priority to the task of keeping peace within the party and that the Blackwell measure was designed to highlight internal party differences.

Bennett says, "I've told (Blackwell) all along that I thought it was an issue ... (that) should be debated in the context of the gubernatorial election next year." And Bennett said he basically supports the measure. And, "I think this is a good issue for Republicans to run on and to frame the debate, regardless of who our candidate is."

Hmmm.

There are, at this writing, still three big-name Republicans seeking the governorship. One, state Auditor Betty Montgomery, has said of the Blackwell initiative that Ohio would "rue the day when this is passed." The other, Attorney General Jim Petro, has called the measure a "gimmick."

Given that political people normally expect a party chairman to be neutral among major candidates, Bennett's behavior is unusual. Maybe he is trying to signal to the other candidates that Blackwell looks like the winner in the primary or the strongest candidate in the fall.

This is all fascinating fodder, but it will be interesting to see where the compromise falls. It better fall on the side of smaller, leaner government, lower taxes, and an improved business-friendly Ohio, or all of us will continue to suffer under Republican rule. And Blackwell better fall on the side of smaller, leaner government, lower taxes, and an improved business-friendly Ohio, or he'll lose his credibility with both Ohio and national Conservatives.

I'm in the wrong business. Investigating corruption in government is a lucrative field in Ohio these days. Check out the numbers.

Here's how the Democrats are playing this in the public.

Also Wednesday, Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman, a Democratic candidate for governor, proposed a new state Office of Public Integrity and toughening state law to make public corruption a felony instead of a misdemeanor.

Coleman said the office should include an anti-corruption prosecutor to pursue charges against violators of state ethics and corruption laws.

“When wrongdoing occurs, we need these cases in the hands of someone with full prosecutorial authority, and we need to strengthen the law to ensure the guilty receive more than a slap on the wrist,” Coleman said.

Coleman said the current system “just isn’t working” because Petro, Montgomery and Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell “have been compromised by the campaign money they received from Noe and their failure to adequately exercise their authority under Ohio law.”

Money influencing elections? Really? Like maybe teacher's unions or trial lawyers?

Double standard or not, this is the reality the GOP has to deal with.

Republicans in Ohio have unique challenges facing them. Years of ruling Columbus have them firmly entrenched as "the establishment". That automatically means that whatever happens under their watch, is their responsibility. It's interesting how Democrats are seizing on this.

From the PD:

Ohio was once again in the political cross hairs last week, as the Iraq war spilled into the suburbs and a special congressional election in Republican territory suggested that voters in a solid patch of red may be feeling a bit blue.

And from the same article:

"If concern about the war continues, it may erode broader support for Bush and the Republican party," said John Green, director of the University of Akron's Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics.

Both parties are laying the groundwork for the 2006 elections. Some suggest that Democrats may aggressively pursue more races in Republican strongholds and add to a growing list of potential problems for Republicans.

plus...

Jim Ruvolo, a Democratic strategist who chaired Sen. John Kerry's
unsuccessful Ohio presidential campaign, said now no Republican member of Congress should run unopposed.

"People are getting tired of this war," he said. "More and more, people are saying: What's [Bush's] plan for getting us out? I think that's a problem for Republicans. The war, the loss of jobs and the scandals -that's the big three that's hurting Republicans and will continue in 2006."

Interesting. Working in the GOP's favor is a Democrat strategist who's focusing on the loss of jobs - in an economy that has 5% unemployment! But then again, the reason is the result of Republican leadership that has increased government spending, taxes, and burdens on business and has single handedly held off the economic recovery.

But here's one Democrat blogger's thoughts on his party:

Why is it that everytime some reporter needs to quote an Ohio Democrat, they call Jim Ruvolo?

Going backwards from the Kerry campaign, Ruvolo has either chaired,
consulted, or hung around to be quoted about, every single blockbuster
Democratic failure in Ohio since he left the chairmanship of the Ohio Democratic Party. He's never taken a shred of responsibility for any of it, just opined about it. Ad nauseum. You get the feeling that reporters are just too lazy to call the existing party chair because Ruvolo is so synonymous with "Ohio Democrats".

In 2006, we may be about to break that cycle. Isn't there another Democrat worth quoting? And can we send Ruvolo and his ilk to the shed, finally?

There's a lot more on this, but let me quote from another one of the "ilk" that Tim Russo thinks out to the "shed".

Some suggested that the result might have been different had the Iraq casualties occurred a week earlier, said Tim Burke, chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party.

Damn. If only those Marines could have died a little sooner...

Ohio Republicans should be able to bury this type of nonsense, but Taft, Bennett, Householder, and the "gang that couldn't shoot straight" just keep them in the game.

Sad.

The blogosphere has been abuzz about what's happening with leadership of the Ohio GOP. It should come as no surprise where I fall on this. It's pretty simple. Look at the state.

Now GOP leadership would have us read the laundry list of state officeholders, but is that really how we should measure GOP "success"? I think not. Look at taxes, the 'brain drain', government spending, schools, infrastructure, and more. Never mind the series of scandals that have paraded by us.

It's been pointed out that it's easy to call yourself and 'expert', get a blog and start hammering away. True. It's also apparently easy to call yourself a Republican, get support from the GOP leadership, get elected, and then start acting like a Democrat.

I am very critical of the leadership of the Party and specifically Bob Bennett. He's put the pieces in place. He's the architect of the Republican "majority" and look at what it's gotten us. I've heard it said that it's the voters that keep electing people, but if candidates are hand picked by GOP leadership, how much say do voters really have. All they really keep doing is voting for GOP candidates. Good or bad. I'm sure, like me, there have been plenty of times you've held your nose in the voting booth while voting Republican. I mean, really, we're going to vote Democrat??

Over a year ago, the Wall Street Journal printed an article that detailed the 'cabal' that's running the state Party.

The state's GOP establishment says it's focused on helping President Bush carry Ohio and win a second term. Yet Republican Party Chairman BobBennett has opposed Mr. Blackwell's efforts. He clearly doesn't appreciate that the best way for state Republicans to turn out their base and help the President is to put a tax repeal measure on the ballot. If Mr. Bush loses the linchpin state, the Taft-Bennett-Householder wing of the Ohio GOP will be one of the reasons.

I agree. Now, the big three will probably point to the fact that all the signs are pointing at the outcome of the election, and the gains made, but I still don't see the emperor's new wardrobe.

Whether or not Blackwell is the conservative candidate many of us hope he is, the power brokers in Ohio will be fighting to keep their hands on the rudder. Let's hope they slip.

The so-called "Third Frontier" package is really just a second bite at the corporate welfare apple. It's slated to be on this November's ballot.

The "Jobs For Ohio" package got approval of the Republican controlled Ohio House 84 - 7. The Senate should be a pushover as well. Apparently, Ohio Republicans have no qualms about turning the state of Ohio into a lender. I don't know though. Look how well they've run, say the Bureau of Worker's Compensation.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

"The bond measure,...would ask voters to approve $2 billion in bonds for improving local infrastructure, pushing high-tech research and development and preparing large properties across the state for business development."

House Speaker Jon Husted, a suburban Dayton Republican, said scrapping the Third Frontier name places emphasis where it belongs. He said most of the money will go to basic water, sewer, road and bridge improvements while only a portion will go to high-tech grants.

I wonder what a "portion" of $2 billion is? My other question is: Isn't the state already spending money on "basic water, sewer, road and bridge improvements"? And a follow up question: How much? And this: Why wasn't enough previously budgeted to keep up with an obviously ongoing expense?

There's more.

"We don't want it to be about any one person or any one party," Husted said. "We want it to be about the future of the state and our economic growth and job creation."

Most likely it will benefit the "State's" economic growth, not yours.

Somehow I'm also supposed to feel good that Governor Taft won't be a part of the 'marketing' of this. How shrewd. Don't use a damaged politician to push a pork-filled package of political payback.

And lastly:

Rep. Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican, also won approval of an amendment that calls for a limited interpretation of a "public purpose" when grant recipients exercise eminent domain.

When, not if. So remember, when the bulldozers roll, your tax dollars are pushing them along.

This, like all big government projects, won't work the way we're told it will, it will take longer than planned, and of course, cost more than the the "experts" anticipated. Anyone want to wager on it?

When the inquisition starts, Republicans in Columbus have only themselves to blame. And once again, average Ohio Republicans will have to deal with the fallout.

Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich is seeing some things that should concern Ohio GOP bigwigs. Here's an article from the Washington Post. Some excerpts include:

Jason Mauk, political director for the Ohio Republican Party, said: "To the extent that voters in that district were sending a message to the Republican Party at the state or national level, we have heard that message and we will continue to listen to their concerns."

Uh, "to the extent", Jason? Sounds like you had your hearing aid turned down. The noise you're currently hearing is the collective teeth grinding of Ohio Republicans and Conservatives - who by the way, gave Ohio to the current resident of the White House. It wasn't great strategy by our esteemed Governor, or Larry Householder, or Bob Bennett, or anyone in leadership in this state. The grass roots rallied around ideals and core principles, not "Republicans". We felt our values were under attack and we responded. Unfortunately after unmasking some of the culprits for some of those attacks, we found our friendly neighborhood Republican 'glitteratti'.

Oh, and thanks for "listening" to us. I think they "listen" the way I "listened" to my parents when I was a teenager.

Another tidbit:

GOP officials in Washington said the race carried no significant implications for the 2006 elections. They noted that special elections are often poor predictors of election trends and said they saw nothing to suggest real unhappiness with Bush or the GOP congressional leadership.

If they really feel this way behind the scenes, and aren't just saying that for public consumption, these people are more clueless than I thought. Conservatism win elections for both Republicans and Democrats (remember ol' whatshisname from Arkansas?). Problem is, Republicans turn back into pumpkins at midnight after the election returns are in.

Lastly:

Mauk said the economy, national security and a scandal that has touched Gov. Bob
Taft and other Ohio Republicans may have contributed to the narrower-than-expected outcome. "There does seem to be a sour mood among the electorate at both the state and national level," he said.

Really? Ya think?

Now I understand why Dennis Prager calls the 2 political parties the 'Stupid' and the 'Dangerous'. Pretty easy guess which one is the GOP...

OK, this is the last one:

In his campaign, Hackett used television ads to emphasize his service in Iraq, including images of Bush speaking about the value of military service, while in interviews with the news media he hammered the president and the war. His words against Bush and the war produced strong grass-roots support, and yesterday liberal bloggers said they helped raise $500,000 for Hackett, the bulk of his $750,000 campaign funds.

"We raised a ton of money for Hackett," said Bob Brigham of the Swing State Project site ( http://www.swingstateproject.com/ ), who served as "coordinator of the liberal blogosphere" for the Hackett campaign.

Brigham criticized the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) for not giving Hackett early financial support. "They came in late, and it makes them look irrelevant in everyone's eyes," he said.

DCCC Executive Director John Lapp issued a statement defending the committee. Saying the DCCC would like to fund every House race, he said: "Resources are not infinite. That is why MyDD, the Daily Kos, and the larger blogosphere are so important. You are critical in the effort to expand the playing field well above and beyond the 30 or 40 districts typically in play."

Sounds like a strategy to me. Thankfully it's the Democrats, or we'd be in worse shape.

In looking at which party has the pulse of the 'new media', at least here in Ohio, the Left is light years ahead of the GOP. Columbus has a blog that posts about once every 5 days, and in the biggest county in the state (the one with waterfront property) their idea of utilizing 'new media' is posting a press release every couple of weeks. I'm sure Daily Kos loves that. I'm sure the leadership thinks Daily Kos is a blog by the creator of Fat Albert...

The Petro/Heimlich 2006 campaign just sent out a basic letter detailing (unnamed) big time supporters and how much money they had raised. It also asked if I wanted to help the campaign in any way. Here are my thoughts.

First off, they were crowing that they had over 3 million dollars on hand, more than twice that of any other candidate. OK...but, could the braintrust over at the campaign please tell me why that should motivate me to get involved with you? It might just signal to some that they have so much money, they'll be able to just buy their way past any problems, so who needs me. They seem to also believe that having more money ensures that they'll run a winning campaign. Someone ought to remind them of a guy named Bob Dole.

Secondly, and most importantly I think, is the "political speak" in the letter. They write that winning in November 2006 "...will require a candidate who has conservative ideas and values that will appeal to all Ohio voters..." That's couched interestingly. Conservative ideas that will appeal "to all Ohio voters." Well, how many of us believe in conservative ideas, but what exactly do they mean when they say "that will appeal to all Ohio voters"? In the world of politicians, that dinstinctly sounds like a non-response.

Most conservatives, who tend to be ideologues, know that traditionally conservative values don't necessarily "appeal to all voters". And we're not taking polls seeing if they do. We believe they are right on their own merit. Conservatives are not looking for a candidate who is simply trying to "appeal to all Ohio voters". We're looking for one that has core principles that are unshakeable.

Careful Mr. Petro. I know conservatives, and you, sir, are no conservative...

or something like that!