The Becker Report: Volume I, Issue X

The Becker Report
Volume I
Issue X
December 23, 2004

Distribution:
Tim Rudd, Clermont County GOP Chairman
Paul Hall, Brown County GOP Chairman
Harty Wallingford, Adams County GOP Chairman
Rodney Barnett, Scioto County GOP Chairman
Ray “Moose” Dutey, Lawrence County GOP Chairman

I’m John Becker and I approved this message.

Ohio GOP Chairman Bob Bennett sent me a list of all Board and Commission vacancies for the first half of 2005.
Please contact me for more information or let me know who might be interested in filling a vacancy.

Past Events
December 20, 2004
Governor Taft and GOP Chairman Bob Bennett held a conference call with all of the County Chairmen and the State Central Committeemen.
Mr. Taft told us that he will be holding a press conference on December 21, 2004 to announce that he is appointing Jennette Bradley to the office of State Treasurer.
Also, he will be nominating Bruce Johnson for the office of Lieutenant Governor.
We were also informed that Mr. Johnson must be approved by both houses of the General Assembly.
Mr. Johnson is currently the development director.
The Governor then took questions and comments.
All were very supportive.

December 11, 2004
Secretary of State Ken Blackwell and Lieutenant Governor Jennette Bradley were the keynote speakers at the Southern Ohio GOP Chairmen's Conference in Jackson.
Ms. Bradley talked about her duties as Lt. Governor and the Director of the Ohio Dept. of Commerce.
This was the first time that I had ever seen her or heard her speak.
Although her speech was interesting, a few things were peculiar:

Ms. Bradley did not mention her potential move to replace Joe Deters as State Treasurer
She did not take any questions
And for no apparent reason, she abruptly walked out shortly after her conclusion

I've seen Mr. Blackwell speak a few times, and he is always impressive.
He started off by introducing his staff: Jeff, Sarah, and Christian.
Issue One (The Ohio Marriage Amendment) was one of several topics that he discussed.
Mr. Blackwell credited Issue One as the reason why President Bush carried Ohio.
On that topic, he talked about the evangelical vote:

23% turnout in 1996
17% in 2000
25% in 2004

Mr. Blackwell also talked about the recount.

In 1976 President Carter won Ohio by 12,000 votes (less than one per precinct)
The margin must be within .25% for an automatic recount (13,000 votes in 2004)
President Bush won Ohio in 2004 by 119,000 votes
$102 per precinct is the cost for the recount
$10 per precinct is what the state charges

Additionally, Mr. Blackwell guaranteed that he will not drop out of the race for Governor under any circumstances.
"A vote by the people is the only way to get me out of this race" stated Mr. Blackwell.
He also pointed out that he has historically earned 50 percent of the black vote.

His message was well received and he entertained a few questions.
I pointed out to Mr. Blackwell that Issue One passed in my five counties by the largest margins going exactly east to west.
And that Lawrence County was 2nd best in the state.
Based on that, I asked him if he thought that Southeastern Ohio was the best part of the state. (The audience certainly agreed with that conclusion.)

Also, Chairman Barnett asked that everyone answer the question: "What worked in your county?"
He also announced that elections for Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and Program Chairman will be held at the March 12, 2005 meeting.

50 people representing 14 counties attended the meeting.

I participated in a car pool from Mt. Orab.
My three companions were:

Michelle Jowers, Brown County
Suzanne Wynn, Brown County
Jeff Hardin, Clermont County

December 10, 2004
The Clermont County Christmas Party was held at the Armory in Batavia.
I was honored to be sitting at the same table with Senator-elect Tom and Emily Niehaus, Young Republican President Glen and Patti Chapman, and 88th House District-elect Danny Bubp.
About 100 people attended.

December 7, 2004
The Brown County GOP held the largest Christmas Party in their history.
It was held at the Lake Waynoka clubhouse.
Over 100 people paid $10 and were allowed to eat, drink and be merry.
Those Brown County people really know how to throw a party (and nobody drank too much).
Fun was had by all and Doug Green led the crowd in singing Christmas Carols.
The 2004 slate of candidates were asked to address the audience.
I pointed out to them that the State Party recognizes that the Democrats out hustled us in the urban counties.
And that it was the rural and suburban counties that won the election for President Bush.
I also thanked them for their hard work.

Bill Herdman provided the vital statistics:

GOP Turnout was 95.71%, up from 2000 of 93%
34 of 35 precincts voted for President Bush
No precinct had less than a 91% GOP turnout
One precinct scored a 100% GOP turnout
Six precincts scored a 99% GOP turnout
Clerk of Courts-elect Tina Meranda won 27 of 35 precincts

December 4, 2004
Senator-elect Tom Niehaus was the keynote speaker at the Scioto County GOP Century Club Brunch.
Dr. Johnson and I also gave speeches.
I told the group that President Bush won Ohio and the Presidency only because of the rural and suburban counties.
Also, a new "Nuts & Bolts" manual will be produced and distributed after further election analysis.

Chairman Barnett talked about Mildred Thompson who was re-elected to her 10th consecutive four-year term as Scioto County Clerk of Courts.
He also recognized Sylvan Davis, Scioto County GOP Vice Chairman, for serving in his 28th consecutive two-year term in the same precinct.

83 people attended the meeting.

December 3, 2004
Forty-two of my colleagues and I, attended the State Central Committee meeting in Columbus.
Some of the highlights were as follows:

99 people were on payroll
5 ORP Field Reps
9 Bush Cheney Field Reps
31 72-Hour Field Staff
86,000 Volunteers
Finances are in good shape
Many computer, Internet, and telephone system upgrades were made
A committee will be formed to raise money to pay off the building debt of $700,000
The "Nuts & Bolts" manual will be updated and distributed after further election analysis.
Chairman Bennett challenged the big city mayors to oppose the recount as a frivolous waste of taxpayer dollars

Some election analysis was discussed:

Lost Cuyahoga County by 227,000 votes and had hoped to lose it by less than 100,000
Lost Franklin County by eight percentage points
Won Hamilton County by fewer than 25,000 votes
Dayton media market was most improved, moving from 54% in 2000, to 57% in 2004
Rural and suburban counties were credited for delivering Ohio and the re-election to President Bush

The attached Excel spreadsheet shows the 2004 election results by county compared to 2000.

This attached Excel spreadsheet shows the 72-hour statistics.

December 2, 2004
About 400 people attended the Chairman's Christmas Party in Columbus.
I briefly spoke with Governor Taft, Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, Auditor Betty Montgomery, and GOP Chairman Bob Bennett.
The other statewide officials were apparently unable to attend.
I spent most of the evening chatting with my Scioto County friend Doug Cade.

Prediction (never in doubt and rarely correct)
In the next five to ten years, Doug Cade will become a major player in Southeastern Ohio politics (and maybe beyond).

Future Events
December 28, 2004
Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell invites you & your family to celebrate passage of the Ohio Marriage Amendment and the Blackwell for Governor campaign.
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Place: Manor House
Address: 7440 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, Ohio 45040
Dessert and Coffee will be served.
RSVP: 614-221-8552 or Ken@KenBlackwell.com
Cost: Free

January 11, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

January 14, 2005 >Republican State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 AM

January 19, 2005
Clermont County Executive Committee meeting at 5:30 PM
Clermont County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

Special pre-inaugural reception for Ohio guests in Washington DC
Contact Amanda Jacobs at 614-228-2481 for all inaugural activities and reservations.

January 20, 2005
Presidential Inauguration
$379 per night at the Grand Hyatt in Washington DC

January 24, 2005
32^nd annual Right to Life memorial march in Washington DC
Contact Betsy Jacquez for details: 513-531-3738

February 4, 2005
Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Eastgate Holiday Inn
Keynote speaker: Congressman Rob Portman

February 8, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

February 12, 2005
Adams County Lincoln Day Dinner
Keynote speaker: Auditor Betty Montgomery

February 19, 2005
Brown County Lincoln Day Dinner
Keynote speaker: Secretary of State Ken Blackwell

February 22, 2005
Scioto County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Friends Center on Kinney's Lane in Portsmouth
Keynote speaker: Congressman Rob Portman
Social at 6:00 PM and Dinner at 6:30 PM for $20

March 8, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

March 12, 2005
Southern Ohio GOP Chairmen's Conference in Jackson at 9:30 AM
Keynote speaker: Attorney General Jim Petro

April 12, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

May 10, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

May 20, 2005
Republican State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 AM

June 11, 2005
First Annual Ronald Reagan Memorial Picnic at the Adams County Fairgrounds

June 14, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

July 12, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

August 9, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

September 13, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

September 30, 2005
Republican State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 AM

October 11, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

November 8, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

December 2, 2005
Republican State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 AM

December 13, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

Close
May all of you have a very politically incorrect Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This issue and all back issues are available at: http://home.fuse.net/jbecker/TheBeckerReport.htm
_________________________________________________
John Becker
Republican State Central Committeeman
Ohio's 14th Senate District
Clermont, Brown, Adams, Scioto, and Lawrence Counties
513-345-7105 (day)
513-753-6440 (eve)
http://home.fuse.net/JBecker
mailto:JBecker@Fuse.net
http://home.fuse.net/JBecker/TheBeckerReport.htm