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Monday, October 24, 2005

Reform Ohio Now Tug of War Drawing to a Close

Posted by Tim Tagaris

If all you did was read the blogs, you'd be shocked to know the biggest news in Ohio has nothing to do with Congressman Brown or Major Paul Hackett. In fact, you might not even know that the most important election of 2005 is only two weeks away, and it too is in Ohio. Two Tuesdays from tomorrow, Ohioans will vote on State Issues 2, 3, 4, and 5--better known as the Reform Ohio Now amendments.

There's good news, and bad news.

The bad news is, opponents of reform have the Mo'.

The good news is, that only applies to two of the four amendments.

The bad news is, it applies to the most important of the lot, State Issue Four (redistricting)

The good news is, there is still two weeks left.

Amazingly, quite a few editorial boards have come out in opposition to the amendments. Most of the pieces acknowledge that there is a serious problem in Ohio's electoral politics, but can't get behind them. The Cleveland Plain Dealer opposed 3 of the 4 on Sunday. The Dayton Daily News opposed one of them (and has yet to opine on the rest). And the Akron Beacon Journal came out in favor of the redistricting amendment today, but against State Issue Five, the one that redefines the role of Ohio's Secretary of State.

The big problem with the editorial acknowledgement of existing problems is that without passage, there will be no reform. The current crop of Columbus legislators and lobbyists have it entirely too good right now. They raise money hand-over-first from special interests and wealthy individuals and then go to bat for them on the floor. It took the governor getting convicted of a criminal misdemeanor for campaign finance related activities for people to open their eyes--but still, legislation pushed by Democratic State Representative Jamey Healy and State Senator Marc Dann run into brick walls in the Republican dominated legislature.

The biggest problem in Ohio is one of accountability, something that speaks directly to State Issue Four--the redistricting amendment. In the presidential election, Ohio is basically a 50/50 state. But when it comes to the federal house seats, its a 66/33 state in favor of Republicans. What's worse, not one single representative to congress (regardless of party) faced a competitive challenger in 2004. You can make an argument that Ben Konop put up a good fight, but he ultimately lost pretty big as well. As a commentor on Grow Ohio put it earlier today, "Curious, isn't it, how the very people who talk all the time about the invisible hand of the marketplace and the importance of competition in economic affairs don't seem to believe in competition when it comes to politics. When it comes to politics, Finan and Kevin DeWine and those guys apparently believe in monopolies, not competition." And he's right.

And finally, for those of you who are pure partisans, the passage of State Issue Four could mean up to 6 seats, but probably 2, 3, and maybe 4 for Ohio Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

If you are from Ohio, please get involved by contacting Reform Ohio Now to volunteer. Republicans have pledged to spend over $1 million in each of the final weeks before the elections, and their commercials are already blanketing the airwaves (I saw at least 7 this morning alone on TiVo'd shows). However, they have no ground game to speak of, and little organization at all. And while Reform Ohio Now is finally running television ads statewide as well, there is also a solid ground game afoot in the Buckeye State. Once again, it's going to come down to money vs. legwork, and it will be close. That's why we have to do everything we can in these final two weeks. I have heard the team is also crafting an online component for participation nationwide as well. If and when I hear more about that, you'll be the first to know. Hopefully it is organized and precise, giving many of you something to do other than making a monetary contribution.

Posted at 12:12 AM in Reform Ohio Now | Technorati

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Comments

If you read my blog, you'd know what was the most important thing going on. A few others as well. We're out here. We're working. I concur on the plea for help if you are here. We can't afford for you to wait and see or to not be involved.

One of the things people can do is virtual phonebank. This might be what Tim is referring to above:

Call for Dems

Posted by: ericv at October 24, 2005 02:04 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Can't walk the streets in Ohio but I made $100 walking the streets at home and gave to the RON ad fund "double your donation" offer. Thanks for the updates Tim.

Hard to believe that actual reform could be defeated but then how else could W be Pres.

Posted by: Bill Section 147 at October 24, 2005 04:41 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Has anyone noticed the poster child against campaign finance reform Youngstown Mayor George McKelvey ran for Ohio Treasurer in 1994 and raised a total of $93,000 of which $61,000 came from a single contributor, convicted felon J.J. Cafaro. It's no wonder he's leading the campaign against reform.

Posted by: searchguru at October 24, 2005 10:11 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment