Dear John, I respectfully request that with your vote on the State Central Committee, you support a complete overhaul of state party leadership in Ohio. Namely, Chairman Bennett and the surrounding positions. Most of our volunteers have personal experiences with the reactive, incompetent grassroots efforts run by the state party. And many have expressed disgust at your appeals to "kiss your ORP rep," especially after volunteers in your district have been publicly disrespected, insulted and patronized by just about every ORP Field Rep "forced" to work SW Ohio. True leadership sets a much higher standard with regards to how it treats others, especially volunteers, but that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. Mr. Bennett and his people have been in Columbus too long. They are ineffective and completely out of touch with the electorate. The ORP, with Mr. Bennett in charge has played musical chairs with our state candidates for so long that implementing proven conservative principles in our state has become secondary to "OK, which role do I get to play next?" People in the last election actually felt as if they were voting "under duress." That should never happen in this country. I'm not sure what the future holds for Ohio, but we need leadership who will assist our efforts vs. obstruct them, leadership that will work for the candidates the people chose vs. those orchestrated from some ivory tower, not to mention leadership willing to "lower themselves" and reach out to county leadership in between election cycles to keep in touch. Ask around and folks will tell you that if the state party isn't completely renovated, 2008 will make 2006 look like a walk in the park. Up until now, as State Central Committeeman, you have in effect, rubber-stamped all that ORP does and says. That must change if you are to continue serving this district. Looking at what we have suffered and the challenges that face us ahead, you can no longer play both sides of the coin. The disdain and disrespect with which the ORP treats your constituency not to mention their antagonistic approach, should outrage you and as such, compel you to take action. I look forward to working with you on this matter.

John, with DeWine calling some big money donors asking about a Governor run in 4 years (it went well - from our perspective, not Mike's) and now I hear Bennett may be staying on for another term (sigh). We can't afford any more of this BS support of losers like Jennette Bradley, Mike DeWine, Betty Montgomery and Bob Taft. We need fresh people - real conservatives. We need to get rid of Bennett. We, as a group of conservatives, CAN NOT let Bennett run unopposed. Leadership needs to understand that we will not cede the White house to liberals in 08 without a fight. That fight starts with our leader here in Ohio. All the clamoring about all the great stuff he's done, and that is why we should support him rings as hollow to the grassroots as his identical reasoning for supporting Betty. It's a loser. We can't afford to lose again. When I offer advice, they tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. They have everything under control. Then I get harassed for months because they need grassroots support. I'm told I should get them in line. The Democratic Party has a whole wing dedicated to that line of thinking. I'm sick of it from my party, as are a lot of other people they need to win. How do we reach the other central committee people? For a bunch of smart people, I can't figure out why they can't see the jackass in the living room. (Not intended as a derogatory comment toward Bennett, but elephants are conservative.)

Despite what I am hearing from my friends at a few prominent conservative organizations, I don't think that Bennett has to go but I do think that he either has to shut up, shut McNulty up (or get rid of him) and bring in a senior staffer who respects Christian Conservatives or step aside and take on some type of advisory role. He is too valuable to dismiss out of hand and he has accomplished a lot of great things but conservatives and Christians who have been fighting the Democrats in the trenches for many years feel a little unappreciated in Columbus. Moreover, the idea that it was conservatism or social conservatism that accounts for the loss is simply silly and unsupported by the evidence. Moderates went down in flames but strong social conservatives survived. I would hope that he would bring in someone, who is respected by conservative people of faith to replace McNulty.

Adams County has spoken:
"Chairman Bennett needs to step down, and let fresh faces control the Ohio Republican Party."

Is John Becker considering challenging Bob Bennett to be ORP Chairman?
"John, have you ever given thought as to running against Bennett? I believe Mr. Bennett has let down the GOP on this election and has strayed from the beliefs of the GOP and I feel he should be removed or defeated in an election."

"John, what about you? If not you, who? We need somebody new, or we are simply handing the White House to the Dems in 08. We are seriously behind the ball already. You know right and wrong. You are a conservative, something R's should be interested in. You have a moral compass, something the ORP desperately needs right now."

My thoughts on Chairman Bennett and the Ohio Republican Party
It was only a few years ago when I was making similar comments to what I am hearing from my district.
After being elected in 2004, I went to Columbus, with an open mind, to get an inside look at Party management and leadership.
Although skeptical, I quickly discovered that my assessment was wrong.
Chairman Bennett conducts the meetings in a fair and open manner.
Every member has the opportunity to participate in the meetings and challenge conventional wisdom.
Furthermore, we typically go into "executive session" where we are encouraged to speak our minds.
I have had one-on-one meetings with CFO Glenn Mathews and Executive Director Chris McNulty.
They have been forthright and prompt about providing me sensitive information that I have requested.
Lower level staff members have also been very accommodating.
I have found them to be dedicated, hard working, and competent.
Chairman Bennett has done a fabulous job raising money, building the ORP, and making it into the empire that it has been during his rein.
His management skills are among the best.
I like Chairman Bennett and he has earned my respect.

Have mistakes been made? Yes.
Is there room for improvement? Yes.
Should leadership changes be made? Yes.
Does anyone think that Election Day would have gone better if Bob Bennett had retired two years ago? (I think not, but a bronze statue of him would be prominently displayed in Republican headquarters by now.)

When a coach wins the World Series every year and then has a bad season, most people would not want him fired.
However, I am a believer in term limits.
It is sometimes best to get out of the way and allow a new face and new perspective to lead the Party.
I do not want to see a "palace coup" and I do not want to see Chairman Bennett defeated in a contentious re-election bid.
He deserves better than that.
That being said, I am in the process of assessing how my constituents want me to vote.

The results of my preliminary assessment are as follows:
My county chairmen are split on their preference for Chairman Bennett's future.
However, the Party membership is far less forgiving.
Although I've only addressed one county Central Committee so far, my feeling is that it is representative of most of my counties.
At a minimum, they want me to encourage Chairman Bennett to enjoy a long and comfortable retirement (very soon).
The strongest sentiments are coming out of Clermont County.
My feeling is that they will demand Chairman Bennett's immediate resignation.

It may not win me any friends in Columbus, but I will support the desires of my district.

Finger Pointing
Now that Republicans have assumed the position of the circular firing squad, I'd like to briefly join the fray.
It is my opinion that Bob Taft has alienated the voters by demanding higher taxes and out-of-control spending by the legislature.
(Although I believe Bob Taft to be a good and honorable man, he has proven himself to be a horrible governor).
I also blame the leadership in the legislature for ramroding such a destructive agenda into law.
Their poor judgment has prompted the voters to deliver a well-deserved punishment.
Unfortunately, many good candidates were defeated because they were saddled with the burden of the Taft legacy.

I tried to warn them (per the below editorial that was published by the Cincinnati Enquirer):

June 10, 2003
Cincinnati Enquirer
Editorial

Why did I vote Republican?
Our representatives in Columbus are poised to increase our sales tax by 20%, hiking the rate from 5% to 6%. This will be in addition to the various county rates that we endure. Therefore, our sales tax burden will soon be 7% in Hamilton, Clermont, and Warren Counties. They will be taking this additional money from us to boost spending by 11%. Extrapolating the data from the Beacon Hill Institute for Public Policy Research, this tax hike will cost Ohio over 100,000 jobs.
If I wanted higher taxes, bigger government, and transfers of wealth, I would have voted for Democrats. So I'll ask the question again: Why did I vote Republican?

John Becker