The Becker Report
Volume I
Issue XVIII
August 21, 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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This issue and all back issues are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com/TheBeckerReport.htm.
Where has John Becker been since the primary election?
For those of you who have not seen me around for a while, I had been very busy
studying for the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) exam.
It was July 28, 2005.
Therefore, I missed the "debates" and a few other events that I would
have normally attended.
Rumor Mill
Over the past several months, a number of rumors have been circulating.
I have no reason to believe that they are widespread or taken seriously.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I prefer to bring them out in the open for discussion and
dismissal.
I've addressed some of these in the past:
John Becker is planning to run for Clermont County Auditor.
I've never considered running for that position.
How this rumor started remains a mystery.
John Becker and Jeff Hardin are out to "takeover" the Clermont
County Republican Party.
If this rumor were true, can someone explain to me how two people can
"takeover" the Party?
I have no interest in becoming Party Chairman.
And Jeff told me that he has no interest in the position either.
The origin of this rumor also remains a mystery.
The only reason John Becker helped Tom Brinkman during the primary was
because Becker was promised a job.
Unfortunately, I'm not smart enough to think of those kinds of things.
Tom Brinkman asked for my help and after some lengthy discussion, I agreed.
A job was never part of the discussion.
However, during the campaign, I mused about the possibility of working in the
Brinkman Congressional office.
My personal musings were misrepresented as a quid pro quo.
I wonder if that misrepresentation was politically motivated?
John Becker was one of the conspirators in the COAST effort to encourage
people not to vote and undermine Jean Schmidt's candidacy.
I had no knowledge of the COAST campaign until I read about it in The Cincinnati
Enquirer the Friday before the election.
In the interests of full disclosure, COAST endorsed me when I ran for State Central Committeeman in 2004.
Beyond that, I am not currently and have never been involved with COAST.
I endorsed, supported, and voted (absentee) for Jean Schmidt.
Although I understand the logic of COAST's actions during the campaign, I simply
disagree with it.
Since Tom Brinkman is one of the co-founders of COAST, he and Becker must be
guilty.
Tom Brinkman can defend himself, but it is my understanding that he was not
involved in the COAST effort.
He claims that he voted and he can prove it.
It is of public record.
And as I stated above, I had no knowledge of the COAST effort until I read about
it in the July 29, 2005 edition of The Cincinnati Enquirer.
We know that John Becker is involved with the "dark side" because he has Paul Hackett
signs in his front yard.
There were never any Paul Hackett signs in my yard or even on my street.
What will the next rumor be: John Becker has paintings of Bill and Hillary
Clinton hanging in his living room?
Is one person making up these rumors?
Could politics be involved in this?
Please let me know of any other rumors.
Also, please let me know who the sources are behind these rumors.
I'd like to know their motives.
2nd Congressional District News
Congratulations to
Jean Schmidt
for her victory on August 2, 2005.
Many thanks to Bob Bennett and the ORP for sending the entire staff to Southern
Ohio to help out.
Gubernatorial Election News
Ken Blackwell,
Betty Montgomery, and Jim Petro
remain the three candidates.
Phil Heimlich is with Jim Petro
and remains the only named candidate for Lt. Governor.
U.S. Senate Election News
Senator
Mike DeWine and Retired USAF Lt.Col. John Mitchel are the only two
candidates so far.
Secretary of State Election News
Ann Womer
Benjamin, Greg Hartmann, and
Jim Trakas are the candidates.
Rob Montgomery was also mentioned.
State Auditor Election News
Mary
Taylor and
David
Varda remain the only candidates.
Attorney General Election News
Ron O'Brien, David Yost, and Tim Grendell
appear to be candidates.
Joe Deters also mentioned that he is considering it.
State Treasurer Election News
Jennette Bradley remains
the only candidate.
6th Congressional District News
Danny Harmon has been
campaigning.
And Chuck
Blasdel is also a candidate.
Past Events
August 9, 2005
Special guest, State
Representative Danny Bubp, and 25 others attended the Brown County
Republican Club meeting at the Georgetown library.
Mr. Bubp gave us an "un-sugar coated" update on the happenings in
Columbus and an analysis of the congressional election.
During the congressional campaign, Brown County made 3,679 calls.
On Election Day, 854 calls were made and an additional 1,043 calls were made
during the 72-hour push.
In addition, 854 calls were made by Maxine Arnette and others from Scioto County
into Brown County.
The Central Committee meeting followed with 21 of us attending.
Paul Hall announced that Brown County is, officially, now a Republican
County.
The Republicans outnumber the Democrats 3,988 to 3,967.
Brown County has about 21,000 registered voters.
July 28, 2005
The Ohio
Restoration Project sponsored a dinner at the Kings Island Inn.
I was honored to sit with Don and Linda Prince, Steve and Kendra Cook, Mike
Vollette, and Brian Burgess.
Other notables at the event included Greg Quinlan and David Miller.
During the meeting, Pastor Johnson asked me about ORP Chairman Bob Bennett's
comments, at the May 20, 2005 State Central Committee meeting, regarding the Ohio
Restoration Project.
I told the group that Mr. Bennett's comments were very positive. He mentioned
that the Ohio Republican Party has many parallels and shares common goals that
with the Ohio
Restoration Project.
My favorite guest writer, Lori Viars, provided the following:
Pastor Russell Johnson of the Ohio Restoration Project (www.OhioRestorationProject.com)
hosted 45 Christian conservative leaders and pastors from southern Ohio for a
dinner on July 28. Pastor Johnson and Bob McEwen spoke about the need to get
involved because southern Ohio's leadership is so important to our state, our
state's leadership is so important to the nation, and our nation's leadership is
so important to the world. The group has planned a large luncheon for Pastors
and Christian Leaders on August 25 at Kings Island Inn. Secretary of State Ken
Blackwell will be the keynote speaker, along with Bob McEwen and Pastor Russell
Johnson. National media people (Time magazine, USA Today, New York Times) have
been interviewing Pastor Johnson this month about the increasing number of Ohio
pastors who are getting involved. I'm guessing the trend is making these
left-leaning reporters very nervous!
July 21, 2005
On a conference call, Chairman Bennett outlined a number of priorities and
concerns.
He also mentioned a statewide summit to be held in November.
Chris McNulty discussed a number of ballot initiatives that the ORP is closely
monitoring.
Jason Mauk talked about "Coingate", the 2nd Congressional District
election, and voter registration goals.
July 12, 2005
About 35 people attended the Scioto County Central Committee meeting in New Boston.
I sat with my friend and colleague, State Central Committeeman Kay Reynolds.
Jean Schmidt, and several members of her staff, attended to rally support and
answer questions.
She was asked about nuclear energy, the Waverly town meeting, and her position
on the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment.
Future Events
August 19 - 24
New Richmond's River Days Heritage Festival
August 25, 2005
Luncheon for the Ohio Restoration Project/Patriot Pastors at the King's Island
Inn at 11:30 AM
Keynote speakers: Ken Blackwell, Bob McEwen, and Pastor Russell Johnson
Cost: FREE!!!
For more info: prjohnson@fairfieldcc.org
August 26 - 28
Ohio Tobacco Festival in Ripley
September 6, 2005
Jean Schmidt will be sworn in as our
new congressman.
September 6, 2005
Union Twp (Clermont County) Central Committee meeting
7:30 PM at the UT Civic Center
September 7, 2005
Anderson Twp (Hamilton County) Republican Club meeting
Guest speaker: Dusty Rhodes
September 10 - 11
Taste of Clermont County in Batavia from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Contact Virgil Knapke 513-236-5148
September 10, 2005
Brown County Fifth Annual Water Festival
September 11, 2005
Brown County Republican Picnic
Arrive at 4:00 PM and dinner at 5:00 PM at Brown County Rural Water
September 12, 2005
Candidates' Night of Hamilton County Republican Women's Club at 5:00 PM
Place: TBD; and dinner is $25
RSVP to Nikki Yasbeck, 5309 Kenridge Drive, Cincinnati 45242, 513-792-9284
September 13, 2005
City of Cincinnati Mayoral Primary Election
September 13, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM
September 21, 2005
Clermont County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM
September 26 - October 1
Brown County Fair
September 30, 2005
Republican State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 AM
October 1, 2005
Warren County Republican Women's Club Pig Roast and Cruise-in at the Fairgrounds
The event is free.
Contact Ricki Wilkins at 937-885-9010.
October 5, 2005
Anderson Twp (Hamilton County) Republican Club Candidates Night
Place: Anderson Twp Heritage Center (Eight Mile Rd. at Forest)
Time: 6:00 PM light supper; 7:00 PM meeting
Call: 513-235-4054 or 513-659-1739
October 6, 2005
Cincinnati Right to Life Annual Banquet at the Hyatt Regency
Reception at 5:30 and Dinner at 6:30 or $35
Keynote speaker: Gianna Jessen
October 8, 2005
Southern Ohio Chairmen's Conference in Jackson at 9:30 AM
Contact Chairman Rodney Barnett for more information: 740-778-2110
October 11, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM
October 11, 2005
Brown County Republican meeting at the Georgetown library at 7:00 PM
November 8, 2005
Election Day
December 2, 2005
Republican State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 AM
December 13, 2005
Brown County Republican meeting at the Georgetown library at 7:00 PM
December 13, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM
February 4, 2006
Southern Ohio Chairmen's Conference in Jackson at 9:30 AM
Contact Chairman Rodney Barnett for more information: 740-778-2110
February 10, 2006
Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Eastgate Holliday Inn
February 18, 2006
Brown County Lincoln Day Dinner
April 1, 2006
Southern Ohio Chairmen's Conference in Jackson at 9:30 AM
Contact Chairman Rodney Barnett for more information: 740-778-2110
May 2, 2006
Primary Election
June 3, 2006
Southern Ohio Chairmen's Conference in Jackson at 9:30 AM
Contact Chairman Rodney Barnett for more information: 740-778-2110
_________________________________________________
John Becker
Republican State Central Committeeman
Ohio's 14th Senate District
Clermont, Brown, Adams, Scioto, and Lawrence Counties
513-753-6440
www.BeckerGOP.com
mailto:John@BeckerGOP.com
www.BeckerGOP.com/TheBeckerReport.htm