Dear Editor:

Does the President have the Constitutional right to name whomever he pleases to be Federal judges? According to Section 2 of Article II, he certainly does. But the Constitution also requires the Senate to give its’ “advice and consent.”

“Advice and consent” clearly refers to a simple majority vote unless otherwise specifically stated. For example, that same section requires a two-thirds majority for the passage of treaties.

There has been much talk about a “nuclear option.” The press has failed to report that the Democrats went “nuclear” when they launched an unprecedented filibuster in clear violation of the Constitution.

To restore the rule of law, the Republicans have devised a plan: A simple majority can declare this Democrat filibuster illegal and contrary to the Constitution. With the filibuster broken, the full Senate will then be able to vote on the President’s nominees.

The Democrats have threatened a nuclear response by shutting down most government functions. This obstinacy may help to explain why the voters of this great country have turned to the Republicans for the rule of law, leadership, and good government.

John Becker
Republican State Central Committeeman
Ohio's 14th Senate District

• Steve Austin
• Tom Bemmes
• Tom Brinkman
• Pat DeWine
• Bob McEwen
• Jean Schmidt
• David R. Smith

I, Steve Austin, am declaring my candidacy for the second congressional district of Ohio. My tenure as a life-long resident has made me familiar with the needs and issues of the people who reside here. I graduated from Ohio University with a B.S. in Education and later attended Miami University where I achieved my M.S. in Education. My experience as a teacher with the Adams County/Ohio Valley Local School District for thirty years familiarized me with the educational needs of our district, state, and nation. I am prepared to meet the challenges associated with our district and work to resolve these problems. Only through a spirit of cooperation and unification will we be able to achieve a solution to the problems that hinder our nation. If elected, I hope to use my experience to draft and support legislation that will benefit the needs of everyone that I serve. I look forward to serving this district as United States Representative.

Bob McEwen - 9 Votes
Pat DeWine - 4 Votes
Tom Brinkman - 2 Votes
Steve Austin - 1 Vote
Tom Bemmes, Jean Schmidt, and David R. Smith - 0 Votes

Russ Jackson - 39 Votes
Tom Brinkman- 36 Votes
Bill Keating - 8 Votes
Bob McEwen - 2 Votes
Bill Cunningham, Pat DeWine, Rob Goering, Eric Minamyer, Tom Raga, and Doug White - 1 Vote
Paul Hall, Curt Hartman, Jean Schmidt, and David R. Smith - 0 Votes

The Butler County Lincoln Day Dinner was a well-attended event that quite obviously raised a lot of money. As you entered the Sharonville Convention Center, you saw a beautiful panorama of stars projected on the front wall. Words can't describe the breath-taking effect. Beautifully decorated silent auction tables also caught your eye. Karl Rove was the big draw and he praised the Butler County GOP for playing such a leading role in re-electing President Bush. Several others spoke including Senator Bill Harris, Ken Blackwell, Jennette Bradley, and Betty Montgomery. Second District Congressional candidates Tom Brinkman, Bob McEwen and Pat DeWine were there. A "Who's Who" of office holders and Republican leaders added to the lovely evening. Compliments also on Butler County's Lincoln Dinner program---very nice.

Well over 500 people gathered in downtown Cincinnati in the Hyatt ballroom for the Pregnancy Center East banquet. Beautiful tables set with hydrangeas greeted guests as they came to provide practical help for unborn children and their mothers. Keynote speaker Ken Blackwell told how Mother Teresa used to examine her hands daily, asking, "What have you done today?" Blackwell thanked the guests for using their hands to reach out to young women facing unplanned pregnancies. He urged the audience to take their beliefs to the public square and quoted a Scripture from Psalms that asks, "If the foundation be destroyed, what will the righteous do?" The Pregnancy Center East staff and board are to be commended on a beautiful evening for a great cause.

Several of the candidates who will be running to replace Congressman Rob Portman attended the Pregnancy Center East annual dinner. One of those candidates, Rep. Tom Brinkman, Jr., has been a supporter of this annual event and the mission of the Center for about twenty (20) years. Last year, Brinkman introduced the bill to restrict RU-486. That bill passed the House and Senate and became law last Fall. Master of Ceremonies, Fr. Cunningham commended Brinkman for his past effort, which is estimated to save 600 babies each year. Brinkman was given a huge round of applause by those who attended when Fr. Cunningham announced that this year Tom Brinkman, Jr. has introduced legislation in the Ohio House, which will ban all abortion in Ohio.

144 Christian Conservative leaders attended Ohio Family Lobby Day on April 19 in Columbus. The annual event is sponsored by a coalition of pro-family groups including Christian Coalition of Ohio, Pro-Family Network, Citizens for Community Values, and Family First. Attendees divided into smaller groups to visit state representatives and state senators, encouraging support for:

• a bill to ban abortion (sponsored by Rep Tom Brinkman)
• a bill to ban gay adoption (sponsored by Rep Tim Schaffer)
• a protective "Terri Schiavo" bill (sponsored by Senator Jeff Jacobson)
• the Community Defense Act to tighten regulations on strip clubs (sponsored by Rep Linda Reidelbach & Senator Ron Amstutz)
• a "Covenant Marriage" bill which would allow couples to choose between a regular marriage license & a Covenant Marriage license (sponsored by Sen. Jay Hottinger & Rep Keith Faber)
• a bill requiring a Family Impact Statement, similar to fiscal impact statements (sponsored by Rep Ron Hood)
• opposition to HB 158 which would promote/expand gambling
• the Academic Bill of Rights, SB 24, to protect religious freedom on college campuses (sponsored by Sen. Larry Mumper)

In a well-received luncheon speech, former Congressman Bob McEwen likened our freedom to a 3-legged stool or tripod:

1. Economic Liberty - free enterprise creates wealth
2. Political Liberty - allows people to save, invent, and produce
3. Spiritual Liberty - recognizes the unique worth of every individual created by God

McEwen said all three legs were necessary to create the wealthiest, most powerful nation on earth. He said, "Look at countries around the world. The greater the freedom, the greater the wealth. The greater the taxes, the greater the poverty." He added, "Our founders recognized that our freedoms come not from men or from government, but from God."

McEwen thanked the audience for making the difference for George W. Bush in the state of Ohio. He said, "Ohio made the difference for the nation. That is making a difference in the world. And none of it would've been possible were it not for your hard work throughout Ohio." McEwen complimented his 2nd District opponent Rep Tom Brinkman, and added, "I'm glad Tom's on our side of these issues!"

Senator Jim Jordan, always a favorite with conservatives, spoke briefly, as did Representatives Ron Hood & Tom Brinkman. Greg Quinlan, Chris Hartkop, Tanya Lee, Chris Long & Barry Sheets are to be commended on a successful Ohio Family Lobby Day.