The Becker Report
Volume I
Issue XII
February 27, 2005

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

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News
My responsibilities on the State Central Committee have expanded.
I am pleased to announce that I have been selected to serve on the Policy Committee.

Check out the new Clermont County GOP web site.
It can be found at www.ClermontGOP.com.
I am the Webmaster, so please let me know if you find any problems or corrections.
E-mail me at Webmaster@ClermontGOP.com.
You can also e-mail Tim Rudd.
His address is Chairman@ClermontGOP.com.
Special thanks to Commissioner Mary Walker whose financial support made the web site possible.

While I was at it, I purchased a domain name and created a new web site for myself.
It is: www.BeckerGOP.com.
My newest e-mail address is: John@BeckerGOP.com.

Gubernatorial Election News
It appears that Secretary of State Ken Blackwell has surpassed Auditor Betty Montgomery as the leader in the polls.
However, Attorney General Jim Petro is far ahead in fundraising.

The way I see it:
Ken Blackwell is doing well with the social conservatives.
Jim Petro is in hot pursuit of the fiscal conservatives.
And Betty Montgomery is successfully appealing to a broader constituency.
Stay tuned...

Past Events
February 24, 2005
The Boy Scouts held a very successful luncheon at the Hyatt in downtown Cincinnati.
About 600 people attended and contributed, or pledged, nearly $270,000.
Provident Bank's CEO, Mike Price emceed the event.
The honorable Congressman Rob Portman awarded Carl Linder with the Good Scout Award.
And Michael Medved delivered the keynote address.
He talked about how and why the Boy Scouts became controversial.
In addition, he stated that even motherhood has become controversial and only apple pie has not.
Mr. Medved largely blamed television and stated that, "it gives you the proctologist's view of life."

I was a guest of Bill Herdman and sat with Michelle Jowers, Doris Charles, Ed Fuhrmann, Vernon Taylor, and Chip Gerhardt.
Additionally, I briefly spoke with Phil Heimlich, Rob Portman, John Ashbrook, and Mike Price.

February 22, 2005
The net proceeds were more than $8,000 and nearly 400 people attended the Scioto County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Friends Center in Portsmouth.
And always a class act, the distinguished Congressman Rob Portman was the Keynote speaker.

Speaking of class act, Chairman Rodney Barnett was the master of ceremonies.
While observing Rodney on stage, I was reminded of why, in a previous issue, I referred to him as "the pride of Scioto County."

Mr. Portman told a story about canoeing the Scioto River and the hospitality he received in Portsmouth.
He also talked about the November election, foreign policy, the economy, and the creation of jobs and tourism in Scioto County.

At my table were Jeff Hardin, Representative Jim Trakas, Mary Glasgow, William McKinley, Marcia Shedroff, and a few other lovely ladies.
I briefly chatted with Chief Deputy Auditor David Varda, Mary Taylor, and her campaign manager Christina Haddad.
They are candidates for Ohio State Auditor.
Additionally, I met Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann for the first time.
He and Representative Jim Trakas are both candidates for Ohio Secretary of State.
Noble County Commissioner Danny Harmon seemed like a promising candidate to run against Ted Strickland for US Congress in the 6th District.
P.J. Wenzel and I compared notes on some of the candidates.
And I met Mike Arens who was representing Attorney General Jim Petro.
Holly Potter was representing Auditor Betty Montgomery.
And Sarah Spence was representing Secretary of State Ken Blackwell.
I also enjoyed chatting with Doug and Ruth Cade, Kevin and Cindy Kraft, Maxine Arnett, Mildred Thompson, Judge Matt McFarland, Teresa Lewis, John Ashbrook, and of course Rodney Barnett and Rob Portman.
(I wonder how many people I left out?)

February 19, 2005
Congressman Rob Portman filled in for Secretary of State Ken Blackwell as the keynote speaker at the Brown County Lincoln Day Dinner.
Unfortunately, Ken's plane was delayed in Washington.

Rob was accompanied by his wife, Jane.
His father was also in the audience.
Rob talked about Social Security and criticized AARP for their misguided opposition to it.
He also talked about the election and named Butler, Warren, Clermont, and Brown Counties as playing a large part in the victory.
Additionally, he mentioned that 3.9 million volunteer phone calls were made.
And that we were outspent in Ohio, by the Kerry campaign and his 527 groups, by a 2-to-1 margin.
Rob also talked about other issues including foreign policy.
He announced that he is planning a trip to Baghdad.

Bill Herdman won the Sequoia Award and received a standing ovation.
The "W" Award was presented to John and Judy Ruthven.
And State Senator Tom Niehaus earned the John Donohoo Award.

It was an honor to share a table with Derrick and Michele Jowers, Calvin and Dorothy Aicholtz, Jeff Hardin, Christian Lobb, and Chief Deputy Auditor David Varda.
In addition to the many Brown County notables, and those that I've already mentioned, it was good to see many others from outside Brown County.
That list would include, 88th House District Representative Danny Bubp, Theresa Lewis, Dr. Lee and Rose Vesper, Kay Ayres, Kay Reynolds, Jeff Eichhorn, Jonathan Gormley, and Carl Enslen.
It was also a pleasure to meet Representative Jim Trakas.
He is a candidate for Ohio Secretary of State.

Aaron Hines emceed the event.
More than 200 people attended and grossed over $5,000.

February 12, 2005
The Adams County Lincoln Day Dinner was held at the Cherry Fork Community Center.
Republican Club Chairman and Mayor of Seaman Dan Raines emceed the event.
88th House District Representative Danny Bubp and State Senator Tom Niehaus briefly spoke.
And the keynote speaker was Congressman Rob Portman.

Rob was accompanied by his lovely wife Jane and their children.
His father was also in the audience.
The crowd chuckled quite a few times when Rob told some lighthearted stories about his family life.
He also talked about the budget, taxes, Social Security, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other issues.

I was fortunate to share a table with Calvin and Dorothy Aicholtz, Kay Reynolds, and Judge Allan Foster and his wife.
It was a pleasure to meet Tim and Teresa Lewis, Dan Raines, and Bob Ruggles.
Additionally, it was also good to see Brian Baldridge, Nan Cahall, Carl Enslen, and Judge Matthew McFarland again.
I was also privileged to meet David Varda.
He is Betty Montgomery's Chief Deputy Auditor and intends to run for State Auditor in 2006.

About 130 people attended and gross proceeds were estimated at $3,000.

February 4, 2005
Congressman Rob Portman was the keynote speaker at the Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner.
Rob is a gifted orator.
And it is always a pleasure to be part of his audience.
He discussed several topics including the President's State of The Union Address, November election, economy, foreign policy, and more...

Connie Bare was presented with the Leadership Award for her unswerving service and personal sacrifice during the presidential campaign.
Mary Lynne Birck was presented with the Above and Beyond Award for her hard work, dedication, and commitment to the election effort.

Nobody deserved those awards more than Connie and Mary Lynne.
They were a constant presence at HQ in Batavia.
In addition to their organization and management skills, their professionalism with the public was unparalleled.
Connie and Mary Lynne deserve far more than just kudos and accolades for their selfless service and commitment to the Party.

After receiving the Leadership Award, Connie introduced several other people in the audience.
She recognized them for their hard work and the many hours that they sacrificed for the Party.

About 215 people attended and the net proceeds, from the dinner and Century Club donations, were nearly $21,000.

Future Events
March 8, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM
Brown County Republican Club meeting

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

March 13, 2005
Cincinnati Right to Life is looking for people to walk in the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Contact them at 513-598-4809 or 513-728-7870

March 15, 2005
Lawrence County Lincoln Day Dinner at Dawson-Bryant High School in Coal Grove
Keynote speaker: Auditor Betty Montgomery
Dinner at 6:30 for $20

March 31, 2005
Citizens for Community Values (CCV) Annual Banquet
Keynote Speaker: Alan Sears, CEO, Alliance Defense Fund (ADF)
Xavier University, Cintas Center, Schiff Family Conference Center at 6:30 PM
Contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or Info@CCV.org

April 5, 2005
Celebration of Life at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cincinnati
Keynote speaker: Steve Forbes
Master of Ceremonies: Secretary of State Ken Blackwell
Contact Life Issues Institute at 513-729-3600

April 7, 2005
Athens County Lincoln Day Dinner at 6:30 PM
Call Pete Couladis (740-592-2814 ) for details.

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

April 21, 2005
Banquet for Life at the Hyatt in downtown Cincinnati for the Pregnancy Center East
Keynote speaker: Secretary of State Ken Blackwell
Social at 5:30 and dinner from 7:00 - 9:00

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

May 17, 2005
Citizens for Community Values (CCV) Annual Golf Classic
The Golf Center at King's Island at 12:00 PM
Contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or Info@CCV.org

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
_________________________________________________
John Becker
Republican State Central Committeeman
Ohio's 14th Senate District
Clermont, Brown, Adams, Scioto, and Lawrence Counties
513-753-6440
http://www.BeckerGOP.com
mailto:John@BeckerGOP.com
http://www.BeckerGOP.com/TheBeckerReport.htm