Tag: OH-16

Schuring Bought by Big Oil, Corporate Executives that Slash 16th District Jobs

Canton, OH – 16th Congressional District Candidate John Boccieri raised $391,237.61 in the second fundraising quarter of 2008, bringing his total raised this cycle to $1,081,509.40 and his current cash on hand to $531,015.15.

Boccieri has a broad base of small donors. More than half of his contributions this quarter were $100 or less, and three in five of those small donations came from within the 16th District.

Schuring, who raised the state gas tax, has taken over $20,000 from oil executives, and fully two thirds of his funds this quarter came from big-money backers like Hoover and Timken who have laid off thousands of area workers within the past five years.

Senator Major John Boccieri(D), of Alliance, Ohio stated:

“I’m getting grassroots support from people who are fighting to keep their jobs while my opponent takes checks from the executives who are shipping their jobs away. The more people find out that Kirk Schuring is bankrolled by big oil executives and corporate job-killers, the more excited they get about our campaign. My supporters know that I’ll fight for lower energy costs, better health care, and the good jobs that our middle class families need.”

The Terrance Group for Kirk Schuring (7/8-9, likely voters):

John Boccieri (D): 34

Kirk Schuring (R): 40

(MoE: ±4.9%)

You’re free to take this one with as many grains of salt as you’d like, but this is the first publicly-released poll of this race that I’m aware of.

Between the district’s Democratic trend, Schuring’s embarassing campaign trail gaffes, and Boccieri’s stronger fundraising pace in the first quarter, Democrats have a strong shot at picking off this open seat. I look forward to seeing the 2Q fundraising results for this race.

SSP currently rates this race as a “Tossup“.

ACTION ALERT: Attacking Me for Schuring’s Gas Tax

Dear Friends,

You may have heard of “Freedom’s Watch” – they’re a group of former Bush administration officials who plan to spend billions of dollars in 2008 to send more George W. Bush-style Republicans to Washington.

They’re also confused. They’ve just started sending phone messages to local voters attacking me for the Ohio state gas tax that my opponent, Kirk Schuring, voted to increase in 2003. I voted against it.

Schuring voted for Governor Taft’s transportation bill, which imposed $580 million in new taxes on Ohio families. Because of him, families in our state will pay more than a quarter of a billion dollars in extra gas taxes this year alone.

Why is Freedom’s Watch telling people to call me about a gas tax I opposed? Shouldn’t they be asking voters to call Kirk Schuring instead? And why are big-money Washington groups dumping cookie-cutter attacks on our district while Schuring himself hasn’t said a word about his energy plans?

Clearly, Freedom’s Watch doesn’t actually care about your high fuel costs. They’re just coming in to help out one of George Bush’s biggest backers in Ohio – but they didn’t do their homework, and now this stunt will backfire. I applaud the Canton Repository for repudiating third party attacks like this one. And I thank Freedom’s Watch for the opportunity they’ve provided to talk with constituents about my opposition to the gas tax increase. Now its time for Senator Schuring to explain his vote to raise the gas tax.

Gas tax gimmicks won’t ease our pain at the pump. I’ve been talking about serious, substantive energy solutions for weeks. All we’ve heard from Kirk Schuring is silence – while Washington hired guns do his negative campaigning for him.

It’s time for Kirk Schuring to speak for himself. It’s time for him to answer to voters directly about his support for higher gas taxes.

Today, I am challenging Kirk Schuring to stop hiding behind third parties and agree to a public debate with me about our energy future – one on one, in a neutral forum, before the voters of our community.

I need your help to make sure he hears the challenge. Here’s what you can do:

If you get a phone message from Freedom’s Watch, record it or save it on your answering machine. Then give us a call at 330-754-0534.

Write a letter to your local paper. Set the record straight about Schuring’s gas tax hike, and extend your own challenge to Schuring to publicly debate me on energy issues.

Call Kirk Schuring and ask him why he voted to raise your gas taxes: 330-455-9199.

Sincerely yours,

John Boccieri

We had high drama in OH-16 yesterday…

Why Does Kirk Schuring Refuse to Debate?

Yesterday, after I received the Action Alert from John Boccieri, I took it upon myself to pick up the telephone and try to get a response from the Schuring camp in regards to a debate on the issues. I have to admit I was surprised that actually got to talk to a human, considering the near abscence of any presence of Schuring in the public eye. Oh, yeah, he did ride in a car with the retiring Regula in the Wooster Parade and his “joke moment” in Ashland County.

I introduced myself , by name, and openly identified myself as Internet OutReach Director, John Boccieri for U.S. Congress.

Me: I’m calling to request that Kirk Schuring join a public debate, in a neutral forum, against Senator John Boccieri about rising gas prices, energy plans, and visions.

(pause)

Staff: I don’t know the Senator’s plans on that.

Me: Well, if he decides to accept, you have him give us a

call at (330)754-0534.

Staff: I’ll pass your message on.

Me: Thanks for your time.

Staff: Thank you for calling.

Based on passed perfomance, we’ll see what that’s worth…

Bryan Collinsworth, Boccieri’s communications director, wrote me to say that they Boccieri’s campaign staff delivered the above debate challenge to Schuring’s campaign manager morning, and for doing so Schuring’s campaign has issued a press release calling for Boccieri’s staffers to be fired.

Collinsworth said that he and Campaign Manager, Ian Walton, went to the address listed on Schuring’s Web site, and found they had to go to the Higbee Road headquarters to find Schuring’s people.

“We drove over to the office, and asked where the Schuring campaign office was and walked in and handed the letter to them. If they don’t want people entering their office, perhaps they should lock the doors. But I’m not sure that’s a very effective campaign strategy either.”

“I don’t see what the violation is here, except that they’re trying to dodge the broader issue that we’re trying to talk about. We went there, delivered the challenge letter. We asked them for a debate. We said, ‘When can you schedule this?’ And we got no firm answer on that. So this is clearly just another way of dodging that question, in my view.”

Collinsworth admits to taking a photo of the delivery.

The Schuring Camp issued a release of their own, charging the Boccieri Staffers “barged into the Schuring Headquarters and started snapping pictures.” What’s to hide Kirk?

Schuring said:

“I’m very disappointed that the Boccieri Campaign has stooped to this level of desperation. This was a tactic designed to intimidate and it’s not going to work, nor is it acceptable here in the 16th Congressional District. Perhaps this is the way he has run his campaigns in Youngstown, but that style of campaigning won’t sit well with voters here. John, you should apologize to the voters to the 16th District and fire these staffers today.”

Sorry, Kirk, Boccieri lives in Alliance and his office is in Downtown Canton, not, out at Belden along with Ralph Regula’s. Does it hurt to be the 16th District’s version of McSame?

Still, Schuring chooses to remain silent on the issues hiding behind third party groups from Washington. His site says virtually nothing on energy and is yet to agree to debate The Major in a formal, substantive debate on the skyrocketing costs of fuel and energy. This whole thing sounds like Schuring suffers from a skewed parallax.

What does he have to hide?

He voted to INCREASE the gas tax while Boccieri voted against it.

Middle class families in our area continue to struggle and Schuring chooses to side with big oil(raised more than 20k from oil and gas executives).

This election is too important! Voters deserve to know where the candidates stand on this and other issues. Schuring should stop his political games and engage in a real dialogue about his vision and ideas for the direction of our country.

Call Kirk Schuring and ask him why he voted to raise your gas taxes: 330-455-9199.

Cross-posted from OH-16: John Boccieri for U.S. Congress:

Senator Major John Boccieri(D) put his “boots on the ground” at a downtown Canton, OH, Sunoco station yesterday morning. His position on Energy Independence has been clear from the beginning of his campain:

Controlling Energy Costs, Creating Jobs, Protecting our

Environment

With the Middle East’s choices about oil supplies forcing many in Northeast Ohio to make tough choices here at home, it is high time to end our dependence on foreign oil.

For the last 7 years, George Bush has been ignoring the problem. John believes we shouldn’t be giving billions in tax breaks to big oil companies while they enjoy record profits. Instead John supports investing in new technologies and cutting edge businesses in Ohio, to create high paying energy jobs in our state.

John supports encouraging research to promote advanced domestic energy resources, including bio-fuels and clean-coal, as well as solar, wind and bio-mass. The new energy economy presents a great opportunity, not just to increase our energy security and produce cheaper, cleaner fuels but to grow businesses in our state.

Yesterday, 16th Congressional District candidate John Boccieri spoke with customers at a local gas station about the skyrocketing cost of fuel. He talked with them about the effect of rising gas prices on family budgets, and detailed his plans to provide relief. He worked his way across the lot talking to concerned citizens and doing a brief stint pumping gas before moving on to his planned press conference. Reporter Edd Pritchard of The Canton Repository, Schuring’s Endorsing Hometown Newspaper, was on the scene and brings us a pretty good take on the event here.

“Everything goes up because of the cost of gas,” Larry Lipley, an Alliance resident, told Boccieri. That means people are paying more for food and other necessities, while not buying other items, said Lipley, who works as a sales representative and drives 600 miles each week.

Pam Arbuckle, of North Canton, pumped $45 worth of gasoline into her minivan as she spoke with the candidate. “It probably didn’t even fill it up,” she said.

John Boccieri said:

“We need to focus on Midwest innovation, not Middle East oil. We could grow our own fuel here in the state, refine it here in the state, and lessen our dependence on foreign sources of oil.”

Further adding,

“Let me be clear about one thing, my friends. We are not going to drill our way out of this problem.”

He detailed his short-term and long-term energy solutions, including:

Cracking down on oil companies and Wall Street speculators who are artificially inflating oil prices.

Halting shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve – which have stopped as of today and will remain suspended through the end of the year.

Supporting fuel-efficient vehicles and fuel cell research at Stark State to boost the local economy.

Investing in biofuels that can be grown in the 16th District.

Building new local refineries to process biofuels and other cutting-edge fuel sources.

Creating an Apollo program to revolutionize our energy sources and free us from oil dependence forever.

More below the fold…

Boccieri noted that his opponent, Kirk Schuring, voted with convicted criminal ex-Governor Bob Taft(R) to raise the state gas tax, which had an initial price tag of $580 million and now places a burden of over $250 million per year on Ohio families. He pointed out that even top oil executives say expanded domestic drilling won’t yield a drop of new oil for at least 10 to 15 years.

In what was an obvious attempt by opposition to Boccieri’s plan, he made it clear where he stands on “Big Oil”. When asked what he would do to help oil companies afford more prospecting and drilling, Boccieri replied:

“If you want a congressman who’s going to stand up and fight every day to make sure that big oil companies quadruple their profits, then I’m not your guy. …If you want someone who’s going to stand up right here and fight for the people of this community who can’t afford to put gas in their tanks, then I want to be your Congressman.”

Oh, and trust me you, there were plenty of “ANWR Chanters” chiming in to disrupt the event. I’ll let a local Independent Blogger bring you up to speed on that distraction tactic.

At the end of the event, I pulled John Boccieri in for one last question:

Q: As I drive through rural ares of our District, I see field pumps setting idle. Is there a way to get these locals feeding the District to ease the strain created by imports?



A: The solution to the 16th District’s energy problems lay in alternative fuel sources. Look at places like the Rolls-Royce Fuel-Cell Research Building at Stark State.

I walked away with a chuckle of irony rolling through my head about John’s answer.

The Rolls-Royce Fuel-Cell Research Building at Stark State College of Technology is in Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio.

Hmmm…isnt that where Kirk lives?

Cross-posted from OH-16: John Boccieri for U.S. Congress:

If you live in Ohio’s Fighting 16th and want to meet our Democratic Champion, time is running out to RSVP for this huge event!

I talked with Ian Walton, Boccieri’s Campaign Manager, at Headquarters yesterday afternoon and it is time to push, going into the end of the quarter. We led the (r)candidate 2 to 1 in the money race last quarter and now is not the time to let up. Hope to meet you there!

Steve Johnson, Ashland County Democratic Chair

Johnnie Maier, Stark County Democratic Chair

Pam Miller, Medina County Democratic Chair

Jean Mohr, Wayne County Democratic Chair

Cordially invite you to join them and Special Guest of Honor

Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher

At a fundraising event for

JOHN BOCCIERI DEMOCRAT FOR CONGRESS (OH-16)

Thursday, June 26, 2008

6:00pm to 8:30pm

AMVETS Post 6

303 Weirich Blvd NW

Massillon, OH 44647

$35 per Person or $50 per Couple

$25 for Veterans

$20 for Seniors

$15 for Students

RSVP to Ian Walton at 330-754-0534 or ianrwalton@johnforcongress.com

Boccieri Receives “Veteran Advocacy Award of the Year” from the Vietnam Veterans of America, Buckeye State Council

State Senator John Boccieri, candidate for Congress in Ohio’s 16th District, was selected as the recipient for this year’s Vietnam Veterans of America, Buckeye State Council’s “Veteran Advocacy Award of the Year.” The award is presented by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Buckeye State Council annually to the individual who best advocates for issues affecting active duty, retirees, injured, and fallen soldiers in Ohio.

Senator Boccieri has been a tireless advocate for veterans since first elected to the Statehouse in 2000.  He has been successful in working with both Democrats and Republicans to pass legislation benefiting Ohio’s veterans.  Recently, Boccieri passed legislation like the Military Injured Relief Fund which sends grants to injured soldiers.  He also led efforts to bolster job protections for veterans in the workplace after many were losing them while serving abroad, and Boccieri also worked to strengthen enforcement of a 300 foot perimeter for protesters at military funerals.

In his presentation, Buckeye State Council President Thomas R. Burke, stated:

“You listened to veteran issues and followed through to do something about it.  All veterans in Ohio are better off this year than they were last because of you.  The entire membership of Buckeye State Council congratulates you.”

Accepting the award, Senator Boccieri said:

“This is truly an honor. I am humbled the Vietnam Veterans of America selected me when there are so many deserving candidates. I am proud of my record in the Statehouse and have always made veteran issues a top priority. But the real heroes are the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line for our blessed nation, and didn’t make it home. I will continue to work across the aisle to ensure that soldiers receive the resources they need the moment their boots hit the ground. I’ll also continue to fight for the benefits in medical aid and the education benefits they earn when they return home.”

Senator John Boccieri is currently a Major in the United States Air Force Reserve. He is a pilot and flies C-130 cargo planes.  Senator Boccieri has fourteen years of experience in the United States Air Force and has been on four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of those missions were flying the wounded and the fallen out of Baghdad, Iraq.

Boccieri Applauds House Passage of Emergency Supplemental Bill

Legislation Also Addresses Veterans Benefits, Critical Domestic Issues

State Senator John Boccieri, candidate for Congress in Ohio’s 16th District, today voiced his support for Thursday’s passage legislation that supports our troops both abroad and here at home. The measure which passed the House provides funding for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and addresses critical military issues.

Senator Major John Boccieri said:

“We must give our support this legislation, which gives our troops the resources they need to be successful while focusing on pressing issues here at home. Even though we’re giving our troops the necessary resources for their missions, we must find the will and the way to bring our troops home safely, honorably and soon.”

A second package expands GI benefits for a veteran’s education by allowing those who serve at least three years to receive free tuition, along with money for books, school supplies and housing assistance, at a public university in their state. A very important measure also allows veterans who serve longer tours to transfer their education assistance to a spouse or dependent.

Senator Boccieri, in a race for the empty 16th District House Seat, still rated at 4th Place in TheFix, WaPo’s Political Blog, continued:

“The expansion of education benefits for our veterans reduces burdens that many troops face when returning home – like finding a job and paying for college. This legislation gives our veterans and their families the opportunity to receive a quality education and build a successful career.”

Additionally, the bill includes a 13-week extension for unemployment aid for out-of-work Americans and allocates $2.6 billion for flood relief efforts in the Midwest.

Commenting on the state of the 16th Congressional District and Ohio’s gross unemployment numbers, Boccieri added:

“At a time when our economy is struggling and Ohio’s unemployment compensation fund has taken a hit, the extension of unemployment benefits would give Ohioans who have lost their jobs the resources to provide for their families as they find employment.”

The Fighting 16th District doesn’t deserve a candidate riding on the coat-tails of ex-Governor Bob Taft, convicted for Ethics Violations and leaving Ohio’s economy in shambles. It’s time our district took a stand against the status-quo and the misdirected leadership of the Republican Party. Let’s put a man of deep integrity fighting for the blue-collar workforce and our men and women who have serve our country with pride and honor, first!

What an incredible Monday to be a part of the John Boccieri for U.S. Congress Campaign team. Yes, Politicos the game is officially on and Kirk Schuring wants every Democrat in Ohio’s Fighting 16th District to be at the Canton Greek Festival at 5 pm Friday and then to follow him on over to First Friday for a Hometown Welcome!

Sometimes, I have to sit a really ponder what goes through a politicians head to make them say some of the the things they say. This time the answer is easy…Kirk was “fluffing” for John McCain. Oh, what a great honor and opportunity to spew divisive hate language!

Read on for more details and don’t forget your popcorn and a cold one for the movie. You’ll want to watch it over and over again!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 9, 2008

CONTACT: Alex Goepfert, 614-207-1714 (cell)

Communications Director

Kirk’s Schuring’s YouTube Moment

Republican Congressional Candidate Kirk Schuring Slurs Canton Residents in Ugly, Partisan Rant

COLUMBUS – Standing before a crowd of fellow Republicans at a “John McCain for President Rally” on Thursday, Republican congressional candidate Kirk Schuring launched into an ugly, partisan rant attacking the residents of Canton, Ohio.

In a newly released video of the June 5th event at Ashland Corner Park, Schuring tells his partisan audience:

“So the other thing I know is that Ashland County has a rich history and tradition of rallying around Republicans, and I was telling people earlier where I come from we could never have a rally like this in the center of Canton. If we did we might be shot at, but not in Ashland and that’s what makes you so great.”

The clip is available here. The full video is available here

“It is appalling to witness Kirk Schuring speaking with such venom and disdain toward the very individuals he is seeking to represent in Congress,” said Ohio Democratic Party Communications Director Alex Goepfert. “Kirk Schuring’s ugly, divisive, hyper-partisan comments do a terrible disservice to the residents of Canton and to all OhioansKirk Schuring and his campaign were apparently rather proud of his remarks. The following day, Schuring touts the “warm welcome” he received at the event in an email to supporters.



Below is the text of that newsletter.

Schuring for Congress Newsletter

151 Days Until Victory!

June 6, 2008

>From Our Community, For Our Community…

This was a busy week on the campaign trail. Our organization has expanded and we’re excited about the level of enthusiasm we’ve seen at events throughout the week.

As our organization continues to build, we’ve seen some changes with campaign staff as well. This past Monday Staci Hansel started on the campaign as Political Director and today is Gavin Blair’s final on the campaign before he moves back to Columbus. We’re excited to have Staci on board and I’m thankful for the hard work Gavin put in these many months on my behalf!

On Thursday night I spoke in Ashland County at a rally for John McCain and received a very warm welcome from local community members. Thanks to hard working folks at the Ashland County GOP for putting on a fantastic event.

Don’t forget to come out and join me tonight in downtown Canton at the Greek Festival at 5pm. After the Greek fest I’ll be heading over to Canton’s First Friday event.Thanks again for your continued support!

Kirk Schuring

Oh, my! You are winning hearts there Senator and your endorsement from the Canton Repository. HAH!

Now, don’t fade on me yet fans. There’s more to this whole story.What does State Senator Major John Boccieri think about all this?

For Immediate Release

June 9, 2008

Contact: Ian Walton, 330-754-0534

The Politics of Division is Wrong for America!



Senator Boccieri issued the following statement today regarding the release of video footage of Sen. Kirk Schuring’s comments in Ashland County today:

::One more time just to jog your memory!::

“While my opponent comments publicly about hispreferred constituency, I would be proud to serve in the Congress on behalf of every man, woman, and child in the 16th District regardless of geography, age, race, gender, or religious affiliation.

“Senator Schuring’s partisan comments are the type of political ideology that is dividing our nation. At the end of the day the race for this seat, shouldn’t be about Democrats, Republicans or Independents, red states or blue states, conservatives or liberals, but about America. Our nation needs strong leadership to help turn around our failing economy, bring our troops home safely, honorably and soon, and move away from our dependence on foreign oil.

“As for my campaign, we will have rallies, town hall meetings, and events in every corner of this district, not only where it is politically comfortable, but in every region. It is important that we all come together to help change America.”

Thank you for setting the record straight, again, Major Boccieri! We have put up with enough hate-mongering, war-mongering, greed and discrimination to last a lifetime. The last person Ohio’s 16th Congressional District needs in Congress is Kirk Schuring.

“Go, Bo!”

The other day I commented that while Kirk Schuring, the GOP candidate for the open seat of retiring Rep. Ralph Regula, has not been particularly impressive, he hasn’t made any major mistakes so far.

Obviously, I spoke too soon.

From The Hill:

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) today circulated a video of GOP House candidate Kirk Schuring, at a rally in Ashland, Ohio, saying “we might be shot at” if the rally had been held in the downtown area of nearby Canton.

Schuring was speaking at a John McCain rally, according to the DCCC.

“Where I come from, we could never have a rally like this in the center of Canton. If we did, we might be shot at,” Schuring said. “But not in Ashland, and that’s what makes you so great.”

Here’s the video:

Advice to Schuring: Don’t insult the population anchor of the district that you’re trying to represent while off campaigning in other areas and think you can get away with it in the YouTube age.