Democrats rue choice of wording in fundraising e-mails | The Co...

Invitations to two fundraisers for Gov. Ted Strickland's re-election campaign that advertised special access to state officials appear to perpetuate a pay-to-play political system that the governor promised in 2006 that he would end.

[OUCH FACTOR]

Like in a football game, mistakes are beginning to pile up. Having rolled into office by whipping the politically damaged Blackwell, the Strickland Gang later attributed their victory to the genius factor. However, by having no agenda in several agencies like Workers' comp and Commerce, they have permitted spiteful, power hungry bureaucrats to formulate their own goals without any coordination. Rather than teaming up for a strong run in 2010, they are driving business groups away. Say one thing, in spite of this article, they aren't very smart politically. By the looks of it, they don't appear to want to win..........go Bucks!

[Alpha1]

I would doubt seriously Strickland will win a re-election. He's screwed over Ohioans WAY too much.

One of his biggest faux pas was sweeping the unconstitutional funding problem of schools under a rug.

We need an intelligent governor who has something between the Y of their legs. Not this Washington weasel wannabe. His ears are turned to Washington and he's telling Ohio, "Shhhh...I can't hear what Obama is saying."

A governor needs to have their ears faced toward the people and realistically take care of their state without political prejudice. We need a governor with fiscal common sense.

It's been forever since we've had a good governor.

[Eddie C]

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain"

[Committobefit]

This sounds just like Boyce Safford, Coleman's Development Director, telling developers that they must "pay to play", except Strickland can't blame this slip on ebonics.

[Hardy]

Please give Chris Redfern a break. He has been busy in the last year balancing his roles as state chairman and shadow lobbyist for his wife. That's a lot to put on one guy.

When you're thinking about your wife's gambling client 24-7, things at the ODP are going to fall through the cracks. It's tough.

[Dana]

No one needs to look beyond Gov. Strickland's positions on the Constitutional issues in the last election, to know that he is in the pocket of big business.

[buckeyetodd]

You mean you don't think public policy can be bought for a political contribution? What do you think political contributions are for? Politics is full of corruption because it is all about money. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10).

[Vox Populi]

This is a classic example of much to-do about nothing.

Pay to play is a reality with all government- anywhere and everywhere. It's called human nature.

The only question is which party represents the lesser of two or more evils.

And after too many years of Bush, Taft and the Raft of other Republican Scum who ran this state and country straght into the ground when they had power, I'll shake my head at Democratic 'pay to play', but without anywhere near the contempt I view even the thought of Republicans getting back into power.

[Richard]

sadly, most of them are slime. We need to start completely over with people that care about the STATE and not themselves...But there is so much money in politics these days that it sucks in even the goods ones. As it relates to the money, the Clintons were elbow deep in debt when Bill left office and now they are millionaires.... So.. to hell with the people, who can give us the biggest payoff.. Strickland is just the latest in a way too long of a line of scumbag politicians

[CHUCKO]

Same old game. Why would anyone donate anything to those, of either party for that matter, who are driving us into irrepairable debt through pork, theft, fraud, and waste?

[lfod]

They are trying for obozo cabinet post. Its the chicago way