Democrats rue choice of wording in fundraising e-mails

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.

[TurnaroundOhio]

What's the point of cabinet members showing up at fundraisers, unless its to give donors the chance to peddle influence? This administration = hypocrisy.

[jaj1957]

The state is for sale to the highest bidder. This imo was no mistake. The mistake was getting caught. Strickland is following in the footsteps of his commander Obozo on high. He (Obozo) also agreed to use only use public money then switched up and took private contributions spending much more than the republicans in the last election. Strickland said no gambling in Ohio...then he introduced keno...then he balanced his budget on gambling profits from slots at racetracks before they were approved. The democrats want you to do as they say, not as they do. Enjoy your reign...it will be over soon.

[really]

Barry promised the same thing, yet lobbyists have full access to the White House. Tony and Heather Podesta, anyone? Barry also tried to hire Sen. Tom Daschle. "Oops, sorry about that whole tax cheating thing, Mr. President."
At the state level, who can ignore the culture of corruption among Democrats? Helen Jones-Kelley abused her power when she looked into Joe the Plumber's past. Fortunately, she's gone. Or how about former AG Marc Dann? Then there's Mark Barbash, one of Strickland's top aides, who stepped down over $150,000 in unpaid taxes.(What is it with Democrats wanting to raise everybody's taxes and not wanting to pay their own?)
The list goes on and on. Promises of transparency and honesty go unfilled in the Strickland adminstration. And Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher wants to represent Ohio as a senator.
Forget it, pal. Go back to Cleveland where corruption is appreciated.

[MMP]

Just asking.....what sort of death would Bob Taft had suffered if he had done this? Hung in the public square? Crucifixion? Tar/Feathered? Flogging? Certainly not just some little article in the Dispatch (only).

[rrr]

I don't think this is systemic with dems, but they do need to get rid of redfern and get a real party chair. His plea of ignorance is far fetched.

[Big Hank]

Typical Dem crap - do whatever it takes, then backpedal if you get caught, saying it was just a simple mistake. One of those simple mistakes is now President of our country. As a veteran on Veteran's Day - thanks, liberal sheep.

[pikkil47]

So, what else is new?? It goes right back to the sage Rocky Balboa....... "You `wanna play?...you got to pay -- Mr. S wants his money"

[buckical]

Is there any way at all that we can divorce all the liars and cheats that have taken over our political system? I mean, it has become a haven for deceit and a year around power struggle to see who can get away with pulling the wool over the most peoples eyes....Is it no wonder that all politicians carry the same stigma that once was reserved primarily for the lawer profession?...Oh, wait I almost forgot....these are the same arn't they.

[Leftist Loon]

really wrote:

Barry promised the same thing, yet lobbyists have full access to the White House. Tony and Heather Podesta, anyone? Barry also tried to hire Sen. Tom Daschle. "Oops, sorry about that whole tax cheating thing, Mr. President."
At the state level, who can ignore the culture of corruption among Democrats? Helen Jones-Kelley abused her power when she looked into Joe the Plumber's past. Fortunately, she's gone. Or how about former AG Marc Dann? Then there's Mark Barbash, one of Strickland's top aides, who stepped down over $150,000 in unpaid taxes.(What is it with Democrats wanting to raise everybody's taxes and not wanting to pay their own?)
The list goes on and on. Promises of transparency and honesty go unfilled in the Strickland adminstration. And Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher wants to represent Ohio as a senator.
Forget it, pal. Go back to Cleveland where corruption is appreciated.

More hope and change baby. It's Carterbama time!

[Hmmm]

Headline: "Truth mistakenly released on invitation without Strickland's campaign approval"
Article: Campaign regrets mistake of being truthful and vows not to let it happen again.

[Lou]

A third fundraising invitation by the Ohio Democratic Party to join Strickland and a high-ranking party official "to discuss Ohio's current issues" raises questions about whether input on public policy can be bought for a political contribution. Nice work Ted and company.

Ha!! How dare it even be suggested that Ohio's elected leaders could be bought (or at least rented). Get in line behind the casino lobbyists, please.

[Common Sense]

Our was the wording on the fundraisers Ted attended last month in Texas? Couldn't he have used those as a template? Yep Ted you really kept all those campaign promises, didn't you? NOT!!!

[Vox Populi]

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

Pay-to-play is a natural part of all government-anywhere and everywhere. It's human nature.

While I'll shake my head at Democratic pay-to-play, after too many years of Bush, Taft and the Rest of the Raft of Republican Corruption, I will do so with nowhere near the utter contempt I view even the thought of Republicans getting back into power.

My sense is that there are many, many others out here just like me and that this vicious hard-core, anti-Republican sentiment, purely self-inflicted and well-reflected in Republican's 19% approval rating, will prevent Republicans from regaining power and especially if they keep up their civil war.

Democrats may be dumb, but their not stupid. They will compensate for Republican money and strength by putting up conservative-sounding independent surrogates to divide and suppress the Republican vote.

To all those corporate interests who give to Republican campaigns, you're just wasting your money, as the calculus has changed. 2010 may look like a way back, but it's actually just a natural rebound off the ropes. You'll be back on them real quick.

As Abraham Lincoln, probably the last good Republican, famously said:'You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time'.

There you go.

[Common Sense]

Sorry folks, but I am borrowing Ted's excuse: It was a mistake". On my previous post please substitute the word "How" for "Our".

[DollarBill]

Wake up people. All elected government officials are dis-honest. They may not all start out that way but they all end up there. Doesn't matter what party you are affiliated with it is the same story. All republicans and all democrates are crooks and those of you that pledge loyalty to either are idiots.

The only way to tame this beast is to restrict its intake. Lower taxes so there isn't any money for this big waste called state government.

[JDD]

MMP wrote:

Just asking.....what sort of death would Bob Taft had suffered if he had done this? Hung in the public square? Crucifixion? Tar/Feathered? Flogging? Certainly not just some little article in the Dispatch (only).

Taft wouldn't have done this just because that would mean he actually did something and we know that to not be the truth at all.

[Common Sense]

Vox Populi wrote:

This is a classic case of much to-do about nothing.
Pay-to-play is a natural part of all government-anywhere and everywhere. It's human nature.
While I'll shake my head at Democratic pay-to-play, after too many years of Bush, Taft and the Rest of the Raft of Republican Corruption, I will do so with nowhere near the utter contempt I view even the thought of Republicans getting back into power.
My sense is that there are many, many others out here just like me and that this vicious hard-core, anti-Republican sentiment, purely self-inflicted and well-reflected in Republican's 19% approval rating, will prevent Republicans from regaining power and especially if they keep up their civil war.
Democrats may be dumb, but their not stupid. They will compensate for Republican money and strength by putting up conservative-sounding independent surrogates to divide and suppress the Republican vote.
To all those corporate interests who give to Republican campaigns, you're just wasting your money, as the calculus has changed. 2010 may look like a way back, but it's actually just a natural rebound off the ropes. You'll be back on them real quick.
As Abraham Lincoln, probably the last good Republican, famously said:'You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time'.
There you go.

Wow, such underlying anger. Really do not know where you are getting your facts, but you cannot ignore the upset of people in this country with the CURRENT state of affairs.
Just look to the people's reaction by the voting in Virginia and New Jersey this month. Even the Independents are leaning to the more conservative right. The Republicans have learned a hard lesson and they are stepping up. I even know many hard-core Democrats that are leaving the party and supporting Republicans. One of the most respected leaders in polling, Rasmussen, consistently polls Republicans, Independents and Democrats evenly concerning the top 10 issues for Americans. The Republicans continue to be the party preferred to deal with ALL 10 issues, including the economy. The hatred in this country has to stop. Strickland campaigned on stopping corruption, but how many times in the past three years have we witnessed corruption from those currently running the state. The people are demanding they all are held accountable.

[UAW worker]

Does Governor Ted know what is occurring in his administration? Seems not as every time a blunder occurrs he plays dumb. Go figure.

[Anonymous]

Rasmussen polls swing by huge margins, even on a day to day basis.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_conten...

It's also showing that Repubs have jumped by a 6% lead over Dems, with 14% unsure. I don't see this as people leaving the left in droves. Given the swings elsewhere on the site, I'd say this is just as likely to change again tomorrow.

[really]

Dear Vox Populi -
Love it when Dems get caught in sneaky, underhanded politics and their supporters blame Republicans.
Keep referring to those fake NYT, Washington Post, NBC polls that show Republicans out of favor with voters. Every time Barry campaigned for Corzine, his numbers slipped. Corzine blamed his predicament on Bush and derided Chris Christie on his weight. Corzine lost in the bluest of blue states, in case you didn't notice. So did Creigh Deeds, another Democrat whose state was held by a Democrat for eight years.
When Dems are swept out of office next year, you can pin that on Republicans too.