Ohio Valley Politics

Yesterday I took place in what will surely be one of the most memorable events of my life. I saw both Democratic presidential candidates speak on the same day about a topic I find extremely important, trade and manufacturing. This all took place at the Alliance for American Manufacturing’s candidates forum in Pittsburgh, PA.

Both candidates spoke for about 45 minutes to an hour, including a short question & answer session. Obama spoke in the morning, with Clinton’s speech ending the days events around noon. A panel on trade filled the time between the two speeches. It was mentioned that John McCain was invited to attend, but declined. This was met with a round of laughter. McCain did manage to find time in his schedule to visit Pittsburgh today however, where he discussed other parts of the economy in front of a friendly audience.

Obama seemed to be the crowd favorite, receiving multiple standing ovations. He did take a few shots at Clinton and respond to claims of “elitism”, but he mostly stuck to the topic at hand.

Clinton’s speech started out on a bad note. She made an allegation that Obama had spent most of his speech attacking her was met with grumbles from the crowd and even some people shouting “no”. Clinton soon recovered though, when she moved on to policy issues. During the Q&A session she deflected a somewhat loaded question over her husbands support of NAFTA by saying that “As smart as my husband is, he does make mistakes”, cutting through tension and providing an opening for a more serious answer about renegotiating NAFTA.

I think both Obama and Clinton demonstrated that they both understand the plight of the American worker. Policy-wise, the aren’t all that different. They both promised to do a better job at enforcing our trade agreements in their current form and to work to renegotiate them to give American workers a level playing field.

It was said at one point that this event was organized in only 11 days, though you wouldn’t have been able to tell it by looking around. Things ran quickly and efficiently. I, the worlds biggest complainer, was greatly impressed.

I’m sure they’re be several other posts related to the forum posted over the next couple days as I review my recordings of the forum. You’ll be able to find all past and future posts on this topic here.

I highly doubt this works, but it’s worth a try. I can’t see the viewer right so let me know if the updates aren’t showing up.

Well I made it, I’m in. I think I’m sitting in the traveling press pool area but it’s the only place with tables and outlets.

CNN is reporting that indie rock outfit “Arcade Fire” will be holding a free concert in Nelsonville, Ohio to support Barack Obama. I’m assuming that this is an attempt to gain support from nearby Ohio University.

The celebrated indie rock group Arcade Fire will perform two concerts for Obama in Ohio on Sunday and Monday in advance of the state’s crucial primary contest, CNN has learned. They’re set to perform at an Obama rally on Sunday in Nelsonville, southeast of Columbus, and again on Monday in Cleveland.

For details about the two concerts, read this post at an “Arcade Fire” fan site.

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.

There will be a campaign kick-off event to organize Obama supporters from Washington, Noble, Meigs, Monroe, and Morgan counties Thursday night in Marietta.

If you’re interested in attending, you can RSVP at this page.

If someone involved with the Hillary Clinton campaign is having any events I’d be happy to post them as well. Just send me the details.

I’ve finally found the details for the Stuebenville and Marietta campaign events featuring Bill Clinton.

The Stuebenville Stop

Steubenville Big Red High School from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Steubenville High School Gymnasium
420 N 4th St
Steubenville, OH 43952

Information from WTOV.

HillaryClinton.com event page

The Marietta Stop

Will start at 8:15 PM and will be held at the Fenton Court.

Marietta College, Dyson Baudo Recreation Center, Fenton Court
215 Fifth St
Marietta, OH 45750

Information from WTAP.

HillaryClinton.com event page

Hurray, we’re relevant!

CNN has announced back-to-back presidential debates in Ohio later this month.

LOS ANGELES (CNN) – CNN announced Thursday that it will partner with the Ohio Democratic Party and the Ohio Republican Party for back-to-back presidential debates at the end of February.

With the race for each party nomination likely to extend beyond the February 5 Super Tuesday contests, it’s increasingly possible the critical battleground state of Ohio – which holds its presidential primary March 4, along with three other states — could very well determine the 2008 Democratic and Republican nominees.

“Ohio will once again decide who wins the White House,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern. “The Ohio Democratic debate is important because it will allow the next President of the United States to address the issues most important to Ohioans.”

Republican Party Deputy Chairman Kevin DeWine also highlighted the state’s potential kingmaker status. “No Republican has ever won the White House without winning Ohio,” said DeWine. “It’s a critical battleground state in November that could play a deciding role on March 4. We’re proud to partner with CNN on this debate in advance of what could be a decisive primary election in the Buckeye State.”

The Democratic debate will take place Wednesday, February 27, while the Republican debate will follow on Thursday, February 28. The network said further details will be released soon.

Jerid at Buckeye State Blog has some speculation on where the events will be held.

The DCCC sent out an email today with a State of the Union Survival Kit. While an email can’t provide us with some of the things we might need for tonight’s speech (alcohol, ammonia capsules, cyanide pills, valium, etc…), it does provide Democrats with some relief.

1. Lie Detector Text Messages - Throughout the speech the DCCC will send out text messages to subscribers pointing out inaccurate statements in the speech. You can subscribe by texting the word “facts” to 30644, or by filling out this form.
2. Texted Responses - Don’t think all the texting should be one way? It isn’t! You can text you’re comments (proceeded by “SOTU”) to 30644 and they’ll show up in a box at the DCCC’s Real State of the Union website.
   

In other news, you can read Congressman Tim Ryan’s thoughts on tonight’s speech here.

Zack Space kicked off his “Renew Ohio” series this morning with a  breakfast meeting in Zanesville. According to a press release, over 150 people attended.

“At the end of the day, this isn’t one person taking this on – to do that would be foolish and possibly counterproductive. That’s why we have assembled this array of brilliant and innovative minds.  Because together, I believe we can meet this challenge.

“We have some of the best entrepreneurial minds that I have seen anywhere – and it goes without saying that we have the best workers anywhere on the planet.  And what I’ve seen is that we need to corral the qualities and talents of the people gathered here today and produce a blueprint that will enable us to go forward.

“The solutions and ideas we come up with will not change things today or tomorrow, but they will lay the groundwork necessary to create sustainable, long-term growth.  Government cannot create the jobs, but we can use the resources at our disposal to create the conditions necessary to achieve that growth”

– Rep. Zack Space

Space will continue the Renew Ohio effort with the following meetings:

• February 29: RENEW OH-18 Broadband Working Group Meeting, New Philadelphia, OH
• March 21: RENEW OH-18 Agriculture Working Group Meeting, Coshocton, OH
• April 11: RENEW OH-18 Alternative Energy Working Group Meeting, Nelsonville, OH
• April 25: RENEW OH-18 Healthcare Working Group Meeting, Chillicothe, OH
• May 23: RENEW OH-18 Summit, Zanesville, OH

Space also held a conference call this afternoon to discuss the event. The Ohio Daily Blog’s Jeff Coryell has a write-up on the call here.

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, so I’ll just get right into it…

This Wednesday there will be a meeting of the group “Mahoning Valley for Obama”. They’ll be planning out their pre-primary activities at the Austintown Panera Bread (5503 Mahoning Ave.) in Youngstown. If you live in the area (Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties) come out and participate, I’m sure they’d love to have your help. The meeting starts at 7 P.M.

This Friday marks the beginning of Zack Space’s “Renew Ohio” summit series with a kickoff breakfast in Zanesville. If you’re interested in attending, you’ll need to RSVP with Space’s office (866-910-7577).

I also want to point out that I’ve brought back the “Ohio Political Calendar” feature that I used to keep over at Left of Ohio. It’s still the same calendar (so old feeds and links will still work), just rebranded to reflect the new site. You can find upcoming events in the sidebar or on the “Calendar” page.

According to a recent article in East Liverpool based paper “The Review“, Rep. Charlie Wilson’s office will be holding a series of seminars to help people understand the grants and appropriations process.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Congressman Charlie Wilson (OH-6) is announcing that his staff will be hosting a series of free seminars to “de-mystify” the grants and appropriations process.

The congressman said grant writers or representatives from municipalties [SIC], non-profits and service agencies would benefit by attending. Registration is required.

Attendees will be given federal grant source information, corporate grant source information, a list of public grant sources, community foundation sources, and the federal appropriations schedule and a 2009 appropriations form. This is not information about help for small businesses.

The following are the scheduled seminars:

n 3-4 p.m. Jan. 23 at Columbiana County Career Center, 9364 state Route 45, Lisbon. To register, call Linda Presutti at 330-532-3740.

n 9-10 a.m. Jan. 24 at Jefferson County Community College, Sunset Boulevard, Wintersville. To register, call Kathy Gagin at 740-633-5705.

n 3-4 p.m. Jan. 24 at Marietta College. To register, call Jeri Dahler at 740-376-0868.

n 1-2 p.m. Jan. 25 at University of Rio Grande. To register, contact Phil Roberts at 740-533-9423.

If you’re really looking for Charlie Wilson news, the same page also has an article about Wilson and possible contamination at Elkton Prison.

Earlier today Zack Space’s office sent out a column written by the Congressman on his upcoming “Renew Ohio” summit series. While most of the information in the column has already been announced, there is one important note. Anyone wishing to participate in one of these summits should RSVP with Space’s office (866-910-7577).

In case anyone is interested I’ve reprinted Space’s column after the jump. It’s nice to hear why he’s doing this in his own words, so I recommend checking it out. You can also find some local news coverage on the announcement of the Nelsonville alternative energy summit here.

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For the last few weeks I’ve been wondering what Zack Space would be doing to follow up on last years “Connect Appalachia” summits. Would  there be another summit? It turns out the answer is a little complicated.

Early this morning it was announced that there would be an entire series of summits on a variety of topics, including one on rural broadband. The series, titled Renew Ohio 18, will also hold summits on healthcare, agriculture, and alternative energy. Two additional meeting will be held in Zanesville to both start things off and wrap things up.

“As we all know, Ohio has been devastated by the loss of many jobs in recent years.A large number of the lost jobs have been in the manufacturing sector, where unfair trade deals have debilitated our region and our state.  I strongly believe that we must prepare ourselves to capitalize on opportunities for new industries and jobs.”

“I believe strongly that the time has come to undertake this endeavor.  No issue deserves our attention more than preparing ourselves to attract new businesses with the jobs that our residents so greatly deserve.”

– Rep. Zack Space

The full summit schedule can be found below. These events are open to the public, but I don’t have addresses or times for any of them. 

• January 25: RENEW OH-18 Ohio Kickoff, Zanesville, OH
• February 29: RENEW OH-18 Broadband Working Group Meeting, New Philadelphia, OH
• March 21: RENEW OH-18 Agriculture Working Group Meeting, Coshocton, OH
• April 11: RENEW OH-18 Alternative Energy Working Group Meeting, Nelsonville, OH
• April 25: RENEW OH-18 Healthcare Working Group Meeting, Chillicothe, OH
• May 23: RENEW OH-18 Summit, Zanesville, OH

I just wanted to quickly point out that Sherrod Brown’s office will be holding several workshops throughout the state to educate people about federal assistance opportunities.

What types of federal funding are available? Where can I access that information? How can Senator Brown’s office help?

If you are interested in the answers to these questions, please consider attending one of our Federal Assistance Workshops. The workshops are offered as a public service to organizations, public officials, and interested individuals to provide a basic framework by which Senator Brown’s office can assist in the procurement of funding from the federal government.

These workshops are free and open to the public.

The schedule for these events can be found after the jump, but it’s important to note that they start tomorrow afternoon in St. Clairsville. If you’re in my part of the state that’s you’re best chance to attend without having to drive a long way.

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