Jean Schmidt is Ohio's most conservative Rep

Surprise, surprise. The most conservative member of the Ohio delegation is Rep. Jean Schmidt (OH-02). From Openers:

The most conservative members of Ohio's House delegation for 2006 were Jean Schmidt of Miami Township, who ranked 33rd, former Rep. Mike Oxley of Findlay, who was 73rd, and House Minority Leader John Boehner of West Chester, who ranked 85th. Navarre's Ralph Regula was listed as the 159th most conservative member of Congress. The magazine listed GOP Rep. Steve LaTourette of Concord Township among the House of Representatives' "centrists," with a ranking of 208th among conservatives and 221st among liberals.

Now, can we please avoid another divisive primary based on the idea that she’s not conservative enough? She is officially the most conservative Representative Ohio Republicans have.

Other surprises revealed by the Plain Dealer: Dennis Kucinich is not the most liberal Democrat seeking the White House. That distinction belongs to Barak Obama. But Kucinich’s supporter (that is not a typo) shouldn’t fret: At least he's still the most embarassing candidate in the race.

State Senate introduces resolution of support for Iraqi refugees

From the Dispatch:

The Senate also introduced a resolution expressing support for the effort to assist Iraqi refugees. The move comes just days after Strickland endured heavy criticism for suggesting that Ohio shouldn’t have to accept Iraqi refugees allowed into the country.
Strickland has since said he should have chosen his words more carefully, saying they stemmed from his frustration about the war and Bush’s response to the refugee crisis. He said the refugees are welcome in Ohio, but he is tired of answering questions about it.
"This story has gone on for several days, almost as long as Anna Nicole Smith’s death and burial has gone on or Britney Spears’ bald head has occupied time and attention," he said.

Sorry Ted, but a sitting governor suggesting Iraqi refugees aren't welcome in his state is a bigger deal than some pop-tart shaving her head.

Rules of Engagement and the Skip Riffe scandal

In politics, there's a difference between a comparison, a criticism, and an attack. Serious, mature candidates can handle the first two - even if it does hit a little close to home. However, nobody who is willing to go through the stress and strain of a public campaign should be expected to withstand bitter and personal attacks.

I've always made an effort to denounce these attacks when I am made aware of them, regardless of whether or not I agree with the philosophy of the victim. I worked to end overly personal attacks that targeted everyone from "concerned citizen" Julie Stout to the daughter of Portsmouth Mayor Jim Kalb. I even found myself on the receiving end of an attack or two after trying to stop one of our area's numerous online thrashings from occurring. (Unfortunately, I'm unable to find any record of Doug Deepe's former postings) And, as somebody who vigorously campaigned against him in the previous election, I have to say that the ongoing personal onslaught against Commissioner Skip Riffe is one of the most disgusting attacks I've ever witnessed.

During the campaign, after I criticized the Board of Commissioners for hiring a disbarred attorney as their legal counsel, I received an e-mail from somebody who apparently did not understand the difference between a criticism and an attack. The e-mailer hinted that they wanted to talk to me about the personal life of Commissioner Riffe. I did not treat it seriously, and neglected to follow the lead I was offered.

That's because this bedroom banter is undeniably personal and an obvious attempt to hurt someone rather than alter the course of our government or community. Not only that, but it degenerates a living child into a weapon of political assassination.

I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that these attacks damage more than their intended victims. They hurt our entire community, and cheapen the democratic process. Later this year, Portsmouth citizens will be selecting their representatives on the City Council. Consider for a moment that the last time they had this opportunity, there was a noticeable lack of candidates. Part of the problem has to be the widespread fascination with keyhole journalism, and the tabloid trash that follows since few individuals are willing to put up with the public beating they risk by having their name appear on a ballot.

We have prevented the candidacy of countless leaders who possess the kind of knowledge and dignity that our community so desperately desires. And all because we sometimes fail to recognize these simple rules of engagement: It is fair to question how successful an officeholder has been at performing the tasks of their office. It is fair to question how they are spending our money. It is not fair to question if they are bad husbands, wives, fathers, or mothers. Those attacks cross the line, and it is in all of our interests for them to stop.

Article archived from the River Cities Ezine.

Project Logic is limping back to life. Maybe.

For a number of reasons, this blog went silent a few months ago. To be fair, for the most part I went silent.

I'm going to try to make an effort to bring it back to life, though I may end up posting on Right Angle Blog more than here.

Still, the idea of President Giuliani is getting me back in the mood.

We'll see what happens.

What's in a name?

From the Cincinnati Enquirer:

YOU CAN CALL ME VIC

If you're not sure what to call Dr. Victoria Wells Wulsin, you're not alone. The Democrat running to unseat Schmidt in the 2nd District has gone by several names.

Last year, she ran as "Victoria Wells Wulsin." No hyphen. In February, she announced at a Democracy for Cincinnati meeting that she's now referring to herself as simply "Victoria Wulsin."

"I've been told that in some parts of the district, the 'Wells' smacks of this uppity East Coast thing, so I decided to drop it," she explained at the time.

But, she said, her driver's license and medical license both bear the name "Victoria Wells."

Look her up in the Cincinnati phone book and you've got a choice, both attached to her Indian Hill address: "Wells, Victoria" or "Wulsin, Lawson and Victoria."

Hamilton County voter registration records, however, list her as "Victoria Wulsin."

"Four names is too many. This year, I wanted it to be simpler," she said, adding that she may just cut her name even further to "Vic" next time she runs.

According to Probate Court Records, "Vic" never legally changed her name to Wulsin. So, technically, she's running for Congress under a fake name.

Perhaps she decided to get away from her real name, Victoria Wells, because it's what she signed to the end of the report she wrote on malariotherapy - the practice of injecting AIDS patients with malaria.

Although, we can't be for sure since she refuses to make that report public. What are you hiding, Vic?

(cross-posted at RAB)

Wulsin should follow RAB, BSBs examples

I was just about to post an entry commending both Right Angle Blog and Buckeye State Blog for closing off their sites as a virtual "moment of silence" on September 11th... then I saw this in my email.

'DEBATE' DEBATABLE, SCHMIDT A NO-SHOW

Victoria Wulsin calls an event in Adams County on Monday night a "debate." Her opponent, Rep. Jean Schmidt, calls it a "forum."

Either way, Schmidt's not going.

The campaign staff of Wulsin, Schmidt's Democratic opponent in the 2nd Congressional District, sent out a press release Friday headlined "Finally, the First Debate." It said the two would be going head-to-head Monday night before the Adams County Business and Professional Women organization in West Union.

Barry Bennett, Schmidt's chief of staff, said he understood that the event would be a "candidates' night" with Ohio legislative and Adams County candidates invited as well, one where every candidate gets a few minutes to get up and make his or her pitch.

Whatever it is, it's not a debate," said Bennett.

Besides, Bennett said, Schmidt can't attend because she will be at an ecumenical church service in Cincinnati commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"It's not really right to be doing partisan political events on the anniversary of that day," Bennett said.

Howard Wilkinson

Demanding a political debate on September 11th, and then attacking a Congresswoman because she'd rather commemorate the fifth anniversary of a terrorist attack than trade potshots with you? That's almost too disrespectful to believe. Bennett is right, this is not a day for partisan politics.

If anybody has a direct link to this story, please share it.

Is Ted Strickland anti-business?

From RedState's coverage of the first Blackwell-Strickland debate:

Asked about the depressed Mahoning Valley (northeast Ohio, including Youngstown, where the debate is being held):

Strickland: "My opponent is unwilling to invest anything in this [Mahoning] valley, other than things that may benefit the private sector." Well, can't have private sector activity in the Valley! That was virtually a laugh line.

Seriously, what was his point? That Blackwell is interested in sparking economic growth? I'm not seeing the problem.