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The
Becker Report
Volume
IV, Issue XIV
November 2011
Becker Wins!!!
Many
thanks to my colleagues on the Clermont County Central Committee for their
overwhelming support. I won first place by 14 points and a clear majority at the
Clermont County Republican Party Endorsement Meeting. It is now official
that I have earned the "well qualified" rating. Although falling
short of the supermajority required for “endorsement,” I am the only candidate
(in my race) who will be permitted the use of available Party resources.
My growing list of endorsements for State Representative include:
Family First PAC:
They only endorse candidates who are the most fiscally and socially
conservative. I am their first candidate to be endorsed for 2012.
CCV Action PAC: Citizens
for Community Values Action only endorses pro-life and pro-family candidates. I am
their first candidate to be endorsed for 2012.
Vickie and Phil
Burress: He is the president of Citizens for Community Values.
(His title is for identification purposes.)
Dr.
Jack Willke: He is the founder and president of the International Right to Life Federation,
president of the Life
Issues Institute, and
former president of National Right to Life.
Bill
Federer: He is a national speaker, author and
historian.
I've also signed the Cut, Cap, and Balance
Pledge, the Taxpayer Protection
Pledge, and
the No Climate Change Tax Pledge.
Past endorsements for Republican State Committeeman have included Carl Lindner,
Buckeye Firearms ("A" Rating), Ohio Gun PAC, Ohioans for Concealed
Carry, COAST, Ohio Republican Party, Clermont County Republican Party, Union
Twp Republican Party, Southern Ohio GOP Chairmen's Association, and other
Republican Party leaders.
Becker
for State Representative
The
2012 Primary Election is 4 months away and only 2 months until early voting.
I’ve raised more than $24,400 and expanded my donor base to 290
people in five different states! Donation size has ranged from $5 to $1,000.
All contributions have been from individuals only. You could donate for FREE! You may know that a $50
per taxpayer dollar-for-dollar tax CREDIT (It
is $100 on a joint return.) is available every year. The “Ohio political contributions credit” is on line 55 of your Ohio IT 1040. Simply claim it on
your state of Ohio tax return and get your money back. Contributions to
candidates for State Representative (and other "state offices")
qualify for this credit. That is why you will be able to help me, to help you,
and have it cost you nothing. I’m Pro-Life, Pro-Gun, Pro-Limited
Government and Lower Taxes. Please see the following brief videos regarding my
candidacy:
|
Introduction (38 seconds) |
Second Amendment (36 seconds) |
|
Taxes (49 seconds) |
Energy (55 seconds) |
|
Pro-Life (42 seconds) |
Creation Science and Evolution (42 sec’s.) |
|
State Government Spending (45 seconds) |
Donate (50 seconds) |
|
State Government (37 seconds) |
|
Kudos
to Jean Schmidt
Representative
Schmidt scored 100 percent on recorded votes in the first session of the 112th
Congress, according to Family
Research Council Action and CitizenLink. She was one of only 54 of
the 435 House members to receive a perfect score. Of the 18 House members from Ohio, Congresswoman Schmidt was one of just four to score 100 percent.
Maps
Ohio
House Districts
Ohio
Senate Districts
Congressional
Districts
Election
Results
State Issue 1 – Failed:
The mandatory judicial retirement age for elected or appointed judicial office remains
at age 70.
State
Issue 2 – Failed: The status quo with public unions
is retained.
State
Issue 3 – Passed: The Obamacare mandates have been
repealed in Ohio.
Congratulations to George Pattison for winning the office of Municipal Court
Judge.
Congratulations to Jason Mauk. He is Senate President Tom Niehaus' new chief of
staff.
Beckerisms
I'm
concerned about the impact of the repeal of SB5. Will some elected officials
now argue that the people have effectively voted to raise their taxes? Or did
they vote for fewer police, fire, teachers and other government personnel?
A ballot initiative (petition) is circulating for Ohioans to vote on
Right-to-Work in November 2012. In my opinion, union
membership should be a choice, not a condition of employment. Therefore, I
fully support the initiative. However, I'm questioning the wisdom of the
timing. If you think the unions came "unglued" over SB5, wait until you
see what they do if Right-to-Work is on the ballot in 2012. I expect a
nationwide effort of money and manpower to defeat Right-to-Work and promote
Democrat candidates. It's just my opinion, but I think that 2013 would be a
better year to fight that battle.
If I’m remembering correctly, the economy was very good in 2006. Americans were
mad about the war in Iraq and fired the Republicans in Congress. The Democrats
first act was raising taxes. The Democrat agenda was the beginning of the end
of prosperity as we knew it. With that in mind, I received the following:
REMEMBER
JANUARY 3RD 2007
The day the Democrats took over the House of Representatives and the US Senate
was the start of the 110th Congress on January 3, 2007. The Democratic Party
controlled a majority in both chambers for the first time since the end of the
103rd Congress in 1995. At the time:
The DOW Jones closed at 12,621.77
The GDP for the previous quarter was 3.5%
The Unemployment rate was 4.6%
George Bush's Economic policies SET A RECORD of 52 STRAIGHT MONTHS of JOB
CREATION!
January 3rd, 2007 was the day that Barney Frank took over the House Financial
Services Committee and Chris Dodd took over the Senate Banking Committee.
The economic meltdown that happened 15 months later was in what part of the
economy?
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES!
Thank Congress for taking us from 13,000 DOW, 3.5 GDP and 4.6% unemployment to
this CRISIS by dumping 5-6 TRILLION Dollars of toxic loans on the economy from
YOUR Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fiasco's!
(BTW: Bush asked Congress 17 TIMES to stop Fannie & Freddie - starting in
2001, because it was financially risky for the U.S. economy, but no one was
listening).
And who took the THIRD highest pay-off from Fannie Mae AND Freddie Mac? Then
Senator OBAMA.
And who fought against reform of Fannie and Freddie??? OBAMA and the Democratic
Congress.
I've been reflecting on the recent Clermont County GOP
endorsement meeting. Party endorsements for primary elections are
controversial. Many counties do not endorse for that reason. There are good
arguments on both sides of the debate. The Clermont County GOP adopted an
endorsement policy calling for the meeting to be held prior to the filing
deadline. If I'm remembering correctly, the purpose for the early endorsement
was to prevent primaries so that we could save our resources for the general
elections. Arguably, the opposite has occurred.
As an aside, the evening's results also reminded me of Ted Kennedy's famous
quip when he unexpectedly lost to Robert Byrd in his 1971 race for Senate
Majority Whip: "I'd like to thank the 27 Senators who pledged to vote for
me -- and I'd especially like to thank the 26 who did."
Batavia Twp Trustee-elect Jim Bushman recently died from a horrifying and
tragic accident. The news of it literally took my breath away. Jim and I had
been opponents for my re-election to the State Committee in 2006. Before,
during, and after the campaign, Jim was a perfect gentleman and very much a
"stand up guy." He had always been that way. Jim's death is a very big
loss to Batavia Twp and all of Clermont County. He will be missed by many. His
family will continue to be in my prayers.
I have to pass on a quote from Jason Fraley at the memorial service. In
reference to his father, Jim Fraley, and Jim Bushman, he said: “They were both
named Jim and they were both afraid of mom.” The audience erupted in laughter.
Video Central
Tea Party
Invades Occupy DC (4 minutes)
Agenda
– Grinding America Down (6+ minutes)
Healthcare Reform
Explained with Condiments (6+ minutes)
Flash mob at Dubai Airport
(4+ minutes)
Past Events
November 18, 2011
Sheriff Tim Rodenberg was the featured speaker at the Clermont Chamber legislative
luncheon at Eastgate Receptions. Other elected officials included the
ubiquitous Joe Uecker and Ed Humphrey.
November 17, 2011
Calvin Beisner, Ph.D. of the Cornwall Alliance, was the featured speaker at the
Values Action Team meeting in Columbus. Strategy regarding the Heartbeat Bill
dominated the discussion.
November 16, 2011
It was a very interesting night at the Clermont County endorsement meeting. No
incumbents (with opposition) won endorsement. Jean Schmidt was the only
incumbent to win the "well qualified" rating. As stated at the top of
this report, I won the "well qualified" rating to replace Joe Uecker
as State Representative. Mr. Uecker won the endorsement for State Senate. All
candidates who ran unopposed won endorsement. Look for the full results at www.ClermontGOP.com.
November 13, 2011
Ohio GOP Chairman Kevin DeWine hosted a conference call for the members of the
State Central Committee. He thanked the membership for the hard work leading up
to the election. More than 1.3 million calls and 108,000 doors were knocked on.
Two million robo-calls were made and 30,000 palm cards were distributed.
Technology improvements and "flushing" were also discussed. A Q&A
followed. I asked about the right-to-work initiative and when or if the GOP
should get involved in that.
November 12, 2011
About 350 people attended the auction and banquet for A Caring Place. Archie
Wilson, Linda Fraley, and Batavia Twp Trustee-elect Jim Bushmen were the only
other elected officials that I saw.
November 11, 2011
Tim Burke and Alex Triantafilou were the featured speakers at the Government Strategies Group
"First Friday" luncheon. They presented their annual post-election
analysis. The ubiquitous Joe Uecker was the only other elected official from
Clermont County.
November 11, 2011
Lou Blessing, Tom Brinkman, and Chris Littleton were the featured speakers at
the Center-Right Coalition meeting in Sycamore Twp. Many topics were discussed
including the petition drive for the Ohio Right-to-Work Constitutional
Amendment petition.
November 10, 2011
About 20 people attended the Miami Twp Tea Party meeting to hear from Chris
Levels. He is a black conservative and presented "The Runaway Slave."
November 8, 2011
After spending the day working Locust Corner School in Pierce Twp, I attended
the victory party at GOP HQ in Batavia. Other elected officials attending
included Archie Wilson, and the ubiquitous Joe Uecker. Newly elected candidates
included George Pattison and Tina Sanborn.
November 7, 2011
Senate President Tom Niehaus and the ubiquitous Joe Uecker teamed up with
Governor Kasich to rally support for Issue 2 at the Eastgate Holiday Inn.
Governor Kasich also gave an update on Ohio's economy and his initiatives.
November 6, 2011
About 20 people, or so, attended the Miami Twp Central Committee meeting at the
Civic Center. Ed Humphrey and the ubiquitous Joe Uecker gave the group updates
on local and state issues. Other elected officials in the room included Eric
Ferry and Ken Tracy.
November 5, 2011
The Clermont County Humane Society hosted a capacity crowd of 350 people at
Norlyn Manor for their annual dinner and auction. Other elected officials in
the room included Don White, Barbara Wiedenbein, Bob Proud, Tim Rodenberg,
Cathy Rodenberg, and the ubiquitous Joe Uecker. George Pattison was also making
the rounds.
November 1, 2011
EmpowerU's Dan Reginold, introduced the 1851 Center's Maurice Thompson at The
Union Twp Tea Party's monthly meeting at the Eastgate Holiday Inn. He spoke
about Issue 3 and other constitutional issues. He later announced an initiative
to make Ohio a Right-to-Work
state. Other elected officials in the room included Bob True, Ed Humphrey,
Linda Fraley, Jeff Hardin, Joe Uecker, Doug Green, and Sharon Kennedy.
October 25, 2011
EmpowerU sponsored a class on Open Records/Open Meetings at Mt. Carmel
Christian Church. Curt Hartman presented many interesting facts on the topic.
Event Calendar
December 1, 2011
Ohio GOP Christmas Party in Columbus
December 2, 2011
First Friday Luncheon sponsored by Government
Strategies Group at 12 pm at McCormick & Schmick’s for $20. RSVP to Jim Benedict at 513.651.4100
x301.
December 2, 2011
State Central Committee meeting in Columbus
December 5, 2011
Union Twp GOP meeting at 7pm at the Civic Center
December 6, 2011
Union Twp Tea Party meeting at the Eastgate Holiday Inn at 7 pm
December 8, 2011
Miami Twp Tea Party at 7pm at the Civic Center
December 8, 2011
Clermont County Township Association Christmas Party from 6-8pm at Grant Career
Center.
December 13, 2011
COAST Christmas Party at deSha's Tavern in Montgomery
December 13, 2011
Scioto County GOP meeting in New Boston at 7pm
December 15, 2011
Miami Twp Tea Party Christmas Party at 7pm at the Civic Center
December 15, 2011
Kim & Gary Heiman will be hosting a fundraiser for Josh Mandel from 6 - 8
pm. Contact Sara Salupo at 614-754-7616 for details or to RSVP.
December 29, 2011
Brown County GOP Club meeting
January 18, 2012
Clermont County GOP meeting at 7pm in Batavia
January 21, 2012
Southern Ohio GOP Chairs Assn. meeting in Jackson at 9:30 AM
January 23, 2012
Annual Right-to-Life memorial march in Washington DC
February 3, 2012
Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Eastgate Holiday Inn
March 6, 2012
Primary Election for state, local, and US Senate candidates
June 12, 2012
Primary Election for president and congressional candidates
August 27 – 30, 2012
Republican National Convention at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida
Distribution:
Tim Rudd, Clermont County
GOP Chairman
Paul Hall, Brown County
GOP Chairman
Harty Wallingford, Adams County GOP Chairman
Dr. Terry Johnson, Scioto County
GOP Chairman
Ray “Moose” Dutey, Lawrence County GOP Chairman
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Disclaimer
This newsletter is not sanctioned by the GOP,
ORP, or any organization, or affiliation. I am fully and solely responsible for
its content. Although I strive for accuracy, this is not "The Gospel
according to John." Additionally, I don't necessarily try to be "fair
and balanced." After all, I didn't get into politics to be a news
reporter. My agenda is to influence public policy consistent with Southern Ohio
conservative values. For more information on my motivations or how to get
involved, see: What is a Central Committee?
Pro-Life | Pro-Gun | Limited Government | Lower Taxes
Paid for by Friends of Becker | John Becker, CTP, MBA, Treasurer | 925 Locust Lane | Cincinnati | Ohio | 45245-1313