Anyone interested in being a Huckabee delegate to the national convention (Sept 1 - 4 in Minneapolis), please contact Jeff Longstreth at jeff@jplgov.com or (614) 224-1435 to see if any slots are left.  There are a few vacancies in a few Congressional Districts, and a small number of At Large Alternate slots still open.

Past Events
November 30, 2007
A number of interesting issues were discussed at the State Central Committee meeting in Columbus.
The ORP is encouraging everyone to check the $1 box on the Ohio IT 1040 and other Ohio income tax forms. This is the "Ohio Political Party Fund." The $1 does not cost the taxpayer anything. It designates that 50 cents goes to each Party. Of the 50 cents that the Republican Party gets, 25 cents goes to the ORP and the other 25 cents goes to the County GOP.
Several commercials that were aired in the 5th Congressional District primary election were shown. They were the typical hard hitting negative ads that we see during every election. Kevin DeWine will be working on a code of conduct and an approved vendor's list in an attempt to minimize future damage to the Party in primary fights. My concern is that a number of those ads were sponsored by 527 groups such as Club for Growth. Neither the Party nor the candidate has any control over when, what, or where these groups advertise.
Also regarding the 5th Congressional District special election, the ORP has a good video explaining Emily's List and other issues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B_DGmb-LsE.
Some challenges are ahead for the next general election. Of 53 Republican Ohio House seats, 25 are open. The Democrats hold 46 seats and only 6 are open.
Ohio will be well represented at the national convention in September. We will have the 4th largest delegation.

November 29, 2007
Rob Portman and I had an interesting discussion at Chairman Bennett's annual Christmas Party in Columbus.
It wasn't exactly a newsmaker interview, but Rob made it clear that he wants to run for Governor in 2010 or US Senate if George Voinovich chooses to retire.
I didn't have to remind Mr. Portman that it was Senator Voinovich who stood in the way of the Bush tax cuts that have propelled the economy. Voinovich finally compromised and agreed to the sunset provision that is now approaching. Without a doubt, the Democrats will allow some or all of those tax cuts to expire creating the equivalent of the largest tax increase in world history. Mr. Portman knows that many Ohioans have not forgotten Senator Voinovich's obstinance and that we are all about to suffer the consequences of it. On the topic of suffering, I reminded Mr. Portman that Senator DeWine lost re-election due to his unpopular positions on gun control, the Ohio Marriage Amendment, "Gang of 14" membership, and drilling in the ANWR region of Alaska. All of us who buy gasoline recognize the problem that Senator DeWine could have helped solve. (Unfortunately, Senator Brown is much worse.)
Rob Portman has to decide if he'd rather have a primary fight against John Kasich for Governor or George Voinovich for US Senate (unless he retires).
I'm interested in reader feedback: What would you advise Mr. Portman to do?

November 28, 2007
152 voting members attended the Clermont County Central Committee endorsement meeting.
It was no surprise that all candidates without opposition got endorsed.
However, many were surprised that there were no endorsements in the Commissioner's or Recorder's races.
Congratulations to Jean Schmidt who won endorsement with 82% of the vote.
The most entertaining candidate was Archie Wilson followed by Bob True as a distant second.
My favorite question of the night was addressed to Phil Heimlich: And I am paraphrasing, "Are you now, or have you ever been a member of COAST?"

Future Events
December 6, 2007
Scioto County Christmas Party at the Friends Center for $20
Social at 6:00 pm and Dinner at 6:30 pm

December 7, 2007
Chip Gerhardt's first Friday luncheon at McFadden's at 12:00 pm

December 27, 2007
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 pm in New Boston

January 4, 2008
Filing deadline for March Primary Election

January 8, 2008
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 pm in New Boston

January 16, 2008
Deadline to apply for a seat on the Clermont County Board of Elections

January 16, 2008
Clermont County Central Committee meeting in Batavia at 7:00 pm

January 22, 2008
March for Life in Washington DC

February 1, 2008
Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Eastgate Holiday Inn
Social at 6:00 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm
Keynote Speaker: Rob Portman

February 4, 2008
Union Twp (Clermont County) Endorsement meeting at 7:00 at the UT Civic Center

February 8, 2008 (Election of RNC Representatives)
GOP State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 am

February 12, 2008
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 pm in New Boston

March 4, 2008
Primary Election Day

March 11, 2008
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 pm in New Boston

April 18, 2008
GOP State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 am

June 27, 2008 or July 11th
GOP State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 am

September 1 - 4, 2008
Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Center in Minneapolis, MN

September 19, 2008 (Election of Ohio Presidential Electors)
GOP State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 am

December 4, 2008
Chairman Bennett's annual Christmas Party in Columbus from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

December 5, 2008
GOP State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 am

January 16, 2009 (Election of Officers)
GOP State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 am