Ohio Valley Politics

Barack Obama will be flying into the Ohio Valley tomorrow night to hold some Sunday events. WTAP is reporting events in Nelsonville and Logan, and I’m also hearing about a Marietta event.
Thanks to Steve Adams for the tip.

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is speaking out about her support for Hillary Clinton over at the new Washington Post site “The Root“.

Here’s an excerpt:

Many people do not understand what it means to truly support a candidate. It is more than a bumper sticker, or a yard sign, or even attending a campaign event. By supporting a candidate, you are making a commitment to that candidate. I made that commitment to Hillary to support her through thick and thin, not to be a fair-weather friend only to leave her when the going gets tough.

I have spent over 26 years in public office working for the people of Ohio and working within the Democratic Party. I have gone door-to-door handing out pamphlets for candidates, stayed up late making phone calls and raising money for candidates - including Barack Obama’s Senate campaign through the Congressional Black Caucus PAC. After 26 years in public office, I would hope that my constituents would respect my judgment and my choice to support Hillary Rodham Clinton, just as I respect their decision to support the candidate of their choice.

In politics all you have is your word. And I have never been one to fold when the cards are not being played in my favor. True integrity is measured when the times get tough. There is no doubt that Hillary’s campaign is facing tough times, but I made a commitment to her, and I will support her all the way.

I respect her decision to continue her personal support of Hillary Clinton, but as a super-delegate she should respect the votes of her district. She said “In politics all you have is your word”, and she gave her word to represent her district.

The National Nurses Organizing Committee and the California Nurses Association are jumping into the Ohio advertising game. They’ve announced that they’ll be running a radio spot in several markets up until the primary advocating healthcare reform.

The ad goes as follows:

Nurses and consumer advocates agree. The government should be protecting us from insurance companies, not forcing us to buy their products. Especially while insurance companies can still charge as much as they want and still deny you care when you are sick.

So why are politicians still calling for mandates? Forcing people to buy health insurance isn’t universal healthcare. It just means more profits for the big insurers.

Registered nurses value every patient they touch. They witness lives lost, care denied, families ruined by big insurance corporations. Nurses know there is only one real cure for our broken healthcare system. We ask the candidates to commit to the highest standard of quality care through Medicare for all Americans. That’s the real reform that puts decision-making power where it belongs – with you, your nurses, and your doctors.

Paid for by the National Nurses Organizing Committee/California Nurses Association.

You can also hear the ad spot for yourself below.

 

 NNOC Radio Ad: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (125)

Next Thursday residents of the 6th district shouldn’t be surprised if they get a phone call from their congressman, there’ll be 40,000 of them going out. That’s right, at 7 P.M. next Thursday (March 6th) 40,000 phone will ring across the 6th district inviting those who answer the opportunity to take part in a  moderated conference call with Congressman Charlie Wilson. Participants will (I assume) hear a brief recorded message with instructions before being connected to the actual call, where they’ll be able to listen in or ask their own question.

Want to insure you get to participate? Simply call 1-866-447-5149 at 7 P.M. that day (3/6) and enter the PIN 13016.

Congressman Charlie Wilson introduced a bill in the House yesterday that aims to eliminate a 5 month waiting period in the Social Security Disability program for people who are terminally ill. The bill is similar to legislation introduced in the Senate by Sherrod Brown last year.

I’ve included the entire press release after the break, but if you don’t read it I want to make sure you see the following paragraph. It really drives home the need for this.

Ohioans have died waiting for these benefits. Arthur Woolweaver of Cuyahoga Falls died of cancer before receiving his disability payments. When he was diagnosed he was told he must wait the five months before being able to collect the $1800 per month to which he was entitled. He died before he ever received his first check. Now his widow is unable to collect his benefits.

Continue Reading »

I really should have tried harder to get into that St. Clairsville rally, apparently she proved to Matt Drudge that she was satanic. It’s ridiculous of course. The image over her shoulder is the St. Clairsville Red Devil, the school mascot.

Sure it’s funny, but it’s not a great follow up to his attempt to kill off a member of the British royal family.

Here’s the original picture.

I know I may seem biased on this, as I was one of the many that didn’t get into the event. I won’t try to lie, I’m not happy about it. I drove for an hour, sat out in below freezing temperature and semi-heavy snow for well over an hour, and drove home in the middle of a snow storm (part of which consisted of going 20 mph on I-70).

As I obviously can’t be impartial, I’ve just listed my complaints below:

• Despite being advertised as “first come, first served”, the back half of the line was split off to create a second line. Many of these people got in while people who had arrived over 30 minutes earlier did not.
• The line I was part of appeared to only have one or two security teams working, causing the line to move very slowly.
• Despite temperatures being below freezing, people were forced to wait outside. This wouldn’t have been such a huge problem if the doors had opened on time.
• People weren’t officially told about the lack of available space inside until the line was completely stopped. Many people waited outside for over twenty minutes while they decided what to do.
• When an announcement was finally made, it was simply shouted out by a lone sheriff that the auditorium was full and they would be seating us in the cafeteria (the room we were in at the time) with a TV. That’s it. No one to further explain things or answer questions. There also didn’t seem to be anyone on hand to make sure everyone was settled.

No these things aren’t Hillary’s fault, but I think someone (or several someone’s) screwed up big time tonight. Despite all the things I listed at the beginning of this post, I’m really not all that upset about missing Hillary personally (I did, after all, get to see her husband speak recently). I am, however, outraged for those who were in line with me. People were literally shaking from the cold, and too see people who had arrived later on escorted in was a slap in the face.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, there was some anger and shouting. While I missed the worst of it, I did manage to record some of the chanting going on in the line shortly before the line was officially closed.

Update (2/28/08 10:50 A.M.): I’m working on getting more audio up of the crowds reaction, including the short announcement that the venue was full. It should be up soon.

Update #2: It should be posted now. It’s the second one down.

 

 "Move That Line" Chant: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (299)

 

 Angry Hillary Crowd After The Line Was Stopped: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (436)

It’s now 4:43 and the doors were supposed to open 15 minutes ago. They haven’t. People are freezing and its snowing. Security seems tight but no one is clear on what items are prohibited. My hands are numb.

4:57
Still outside, line is moving slowly. I’m about halfway to the door.

5:09
I’ve barely moved since last update. People are handing out clean coal tshirts. I think I saw Jason Wilson walking around carrying one of Clinton’s books.

5:27
The line stopped moving. We’re hearing that the security system broke.

5:49
There is near rioting. They let the back half of the line in a separate entrance and now the middle of the line is getting shuffled inside. People are visibly shaking from the cold. There is shouting and people are leaving.

5:59
I’m in the building and the shouting has stopped. People are still angry and there are plenty of angry voices. The main concern isn’t not getting in, but that the people in the back of the line did. They’re promising Hillary will visit the overflow area after the event.

8:30
Shortly after that last post I said the heck with it and went home. I have a full description of some of the worst crowd control I’ve ever seen up here.

This is just a quick reminder that Zack Space’s technology summit for the Renew Ohio series will be held at KSU Tuscarawas this Friday. Please RSVP with Space’s office if you wish to attend.

The other reason for this post is that I just discovered that Space’s meeting isn’t the only thing coming to New Philadelphia that day. Bill Clinton will also be at the KSU branch (several hours later) to hold a rally.

Local CBS affiliate WTRF has more details on tomorrow’s Clinton campaign stop in St. Clairsville:

It will take place between 5 and 6 p.m. Wednesday in the high school gymnasium, which has a seating capacity of about 2,000.

School will dismiss at 2:15 p.m. as usual.

Either way, after the buildings are empty, the Secret Service will do a security sweep.

Attendees will be allowed to start entering the building at 3 p.m., but that time is tentative and could be subject to change.

There will also be a stop in Belpre later in the evening.

Rep. Zack Space’s re-election campaign just got a huge boost, he’s been endorsed by the NRA.

The National Rifle Association endorsed Rep. Zack Space (D-Ohio) for re-election today, giving the freshman congressman key credibility among gun owners as he runs for re-election in a largely rural and solidly Republican district.

“During just my first term in Congress, the NRA and I have already forged a strong working relationship as we both seek to protect the gun owners and sportsmen in the 18th Congressional District,” said Space in a statement.

“We are both committed to preserving the constitutional rights of gun owners and sportsmen everywhere as we work to end the continual whittling away of the Second Amendment by those opposed to gun ownership.”

Republicans have had trouble recruiting credible candidates to challenge Space, despite the district’s Republican tilt. The four Republican candidates who have filed for the state’s March 4 primary have hardly raised any money in preparation for the campaign.

It seems like the man dubbed the “accidental congressman” may be more than the GOP can handle.

According to WTOV 9, Hillary Clinton is following her husband’s footstep and heading into Southeastern Ohio. She is reportedly going to be in St. Clairsville on Wednesday for an evening campaign event.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is planning a trip to St. Clairsville High School on Wednesday, according to Belmont County Sheriff Fred Thompson.

Clinton is expected to speak at about 5:30 p.m.

I haven’t heard whether or not this is the only stop in the region.

So uh… Where you at, Barack?

Update: The Times Leader is reporting that Hillary will also make a 4 P.M. stop in Zanesville. The events will be “first-come, first-serve”, and will be in the format of a town hall meeting.

The Appalachian Regional Commision (ARC) has named 18th district Representative Zack Space as its legislator of the year.

You may remember, Space fought hard earlier this year against a group of legislators attempting to cut ARC funding completely and ended up getting the funding increased.

“I am truly honored to receive this recognition. The ARC has a long history of success in helping develop the region’s economy, and I am confident that it will continue in that role.

“My constituents rely on me to protect their interests in Congress, and the ARC is very high on that priority list. As long as my constituents rely on the ARC, the ARC can rely on me.”

– Rep. Zack Space

Space is the first freshman Democrat to receive the honor. ARC covers all of West Virginia and parts of 12 other states.

In other Zack Space news, he will be holding his technology summit for his Renew Ohio 18 series this Friday in New Philadelphia.  The meeting will be lead by Stan Ahalt, executive director of the Ohio Supercomputer Center. If you wish to attend, you’ll need to RSVP with Space’s office (866-910-7577).

He’s back in Ohio, but not where you’d expect. He’s in Cincinnati, much farther away than his previous Morgantown accommodations.

CCM CINCINNATI
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS OFFICE
36 E. 7TH ST., SUITE 2107-A
CINCINNATI, OH 45202

This is a follow up to yesterday’s post.

Bob Ney has been moved to an undisclosed halfway house to finish serving out his sentence. He’s scheduled to be released this summer due to good behavior and may even be moved to house arrest before that.

CQ Today Midday Update - Former Rep. Ney Transferred to Halfway House

Update: I can confirm that the Federal Bureau of Prisons lists Ney’s status as “In Transit”.

Update #2: Bob Ney has been found. Read this post for more details.