Poor Leadership

Take 5 minutes and watch the Speaker--well--speak.

Speaker Pelosi's partisan attack on Republicans and on President Bush killed the first vote on this so-called bailout package. To quote the Wall Street Journal this morning, "[t]he majority party is responsible for assembling a majority vote, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi failed in that fundamental task."

The bailout package went down, not in flames, but by a narrow margin of 228-205: a mere 14 votes. It failed because the Speaker played partisan games.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives--the person 3rd in line to the Presidency--owes a duty to the American people beyond just her ultra-liberal San Francisco district. She owes a duty to every citizen in this country. Once she decided to support this bailout, she needed to do everything in her power to pass the bill. Instead, she did what a rookie, back-bencher would do. She went on the attack. She brought out the same partisan-hack rhetoric that is all too familiar from the Democrats.

Here is the real story. Lots of Republicans voted for this bill. However, many of them defected after hearing Pelosi pin all of this on Republicans in her rant. The Speaker should have NEVER given that speech on the floor of the House. The Speaker should have exhibited non-partisan leadership in this time of national turmoil. She should have given Democrats and Republicans political "cover" to get this deal done. Instead, she attacked.

Have you watched President Bush on this debate? Has he once sought to assign blame? He could. There are many people who believe (count me among them) that the Clinton Administration relaxed rules on banks to help the poor in America "realize the dream of homeownership" and this has resulted in this mess. There is an article in the New York Times that is floating around the Internet that proves it. What is happening on Wall Street didn't happen overnight. President Bush could be on the attack. He's not. As a leader, he recognizes that partisan politics must be put aside now for the good of the nation.

I laugh when the Democrats talk about the "Republican attack machine." Ridiculous. Has anyone been attacked more regularly and more harshly than Republican President George W. Bush. For God's sake, Nancy Pelosi refuses to reject impeachment!

I wish I could tell you the madness will stop. The Republicans face an uphill fight to retake control of the House. But, let's hope the American people see Nancy Pelosi as the failed leader that she is. I am confident that America is not so far left as to allow this madness to continue.

Early Voting Begins Today!

Don't want to wait in long lines and bad weather to vote on Election Day?

Can't wait to cast your ballot for our Republican candidates?

THE WAIT IS OVER!

You can cast your ballot for the GOP starting today!

Where: Hamilton County
Board of Elections
824 Broadway
Cincinnati, OH 45202

When: Today through Nov. 4
8 AM - 4 PM Mon - Fri
8 AM - Noon Saturday

8 AM - 9 PM 10/6 ONLY
8 AM - 8 PM 10/13 - 10/31 ONLY

DAY BEFORE ELECTION DAY: 8 AM - 4 PM 11/3 ONLY

ELECTION DAY: 8 AM - 4 PM FOR CHANGE OF ADDRESS VOTING ONLY

Not registered? Register & vote the same day between today and Monday, Oct. 6


VOTE REPUBLICAN!

Signs

My Sunday rant...

Why do the Democrats always place their yard signs on public property and in the right-of-way? Watch closely. They do it.

Over the years, I have watched the Democrats essentially commit an illegal act: they litter the public rights-of-way with their yard signs!

I have urged every Republican to put their signs ONLY in yards where the property owner has authorized their placement. Furthermore, our Republican Party publishes a handbook of political yard sign laws so that our candidates comply with the law. We follow the law.

I am even more amazed at how judicial candidates simply flaunt the law and allow their signs placed in public property or rights-of-way. At the very least, shouldn't judicial candidates follow the law? When I ran for Judge, I found 2 of my signs on public property and personally exited my vehicle and removed them. Every judicial candidate should do the same.

To my Democrat friends: play by the rules!

Party is ON!

Our Debate Watch Party is ON for tonight! Join us!!!

Please enter through the GOP Victory Office on 7th St. next to First Watch. Phone banking starts at 7 PM and will run until 8:30 PM Debate starts at 9 PM.

Refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP by responding to the email or calling headquarters at 381.5454.

NOT so fast!!! Debate Party in flux...

In an admitted flip-flop, our Debate Party may still be ON!!!! Please check back here and watch your e-mail about the Debate Watch party tonight!!!!

In an earlier post, now deleted, I had indicated that we were cancelling the Debate Watch Party. Not so.

Thanks for your patience.

David Letterman is a Jerk and Other Observations...

David Letterman's attacks on conservatives and Republicans have made me turn him off. I urge every Republican to turn off that guy. I was a big fan and laughed at many of his jokes--even the ones aimed at Republicans. But, scorching John McCain for cancelling a comedy show on the day that most Americans believe that our country is falling toward economic chaos is irresponsible and baldly partisan. Letterman is clearly a devout liberal. Anyone who watches him knows this. He can be highly entertaining, but he blew it last night. Shutup and make jokes. Maybe this explains why he is consistently #2 to Jay Leno. Leno is funny and makes fun of all politicians--in the Johnny Carson tradition. But, with Leno, it is never partisan and always about the joke. Not with Letterman. He's a jerk.

And...

Sen. McCain should be praised for returning to Washington and anyone who sees this as a political stunt doesn't know the history of John McCain. Unlike Barack Obama, John McCain has sacrificed for his country and bucked his party time and again for the American people.

And...

The campaign, locally, is not suspended. We are still working on our grassroots efforts and doing so at full speed. Our job is to do the "grunt" work and we can continue to do this as the country deals with this crisis.

And...

Do we really want Barack Obama running the country in the situation we're in? Seriously? The man is not ready to be President. A good speech and a nice campaign do not make you a leader. John McCain is a tested leader.

And...

I suppose our Debate Watch Party may be on hold. I am guessing we'll have an answer soon.

And...

Absentee voting starts next week. Go vote!

Signs

Who really reads this blog? We'll find out...

The much coveted McCain/Palin yard signs are IN. We have only a very limited number of the signs at downtown Party HQ and they are going fast.

Want one? Email Patrick Maloney & tell him "I read about signs being available on Alex's Blog" and we'll set one aside for you. Be prepared to give us your information for volunteer purposes!

Bill Clinton on McCain

President Clinton is slick. In messing around the web this morning, I watched a few video clips of him. The above clip is President Clinton talking about Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin. This may be the only time that I would ever put President Clinton on my blog. But, I think his praise here of McCain and even Palin is significant.

President Clinton was also on The View. I did not include that clip directly on the blog, but its worth watching at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dns6oX4p98. This 5 minute interview of ol' slick Willie is quite interesting.

First, he makes news by saying that Hillary "didn't really want to be Vice President." Who knows if that is true.

Second, you see a little of the old Bill Clinton when he says, "I didn't really have an opinion about it" when asked if he wanted Hillary to be Vice President. Really? President Bill Clinton, masterful politician and operator, had "no opinion" on whether Hillary ought to be Vice President? Not true.

Finally, Clinton's answer about Hillary supporters going for McCain is classic slick Willie. If you watch the clip, you will see that Bill is clearly "off message" and proceeds to explain why female voters might vote for McCain/Palin and justifies their decision to do so.

These two clips have to drive the Obama campaign crazy. Instead of acting as a surrogate and blasting McCain/Palin, Clinton does the complete opposite.

Maybe I'm a little cynical, but could President Clinton have other motives? Could he be praising McCain/Palin to help them win resulting in Hillary as the clear front runner in 2012? Not an unlikely scenario with the Clinton machine.

Oh what a tangled web...

Debbie Flammer

Hamilton County Republican Party Office Manager Debbie Flammer celebrates 20 years with our Party today!!!

Debbie is an indispensable part of the team at HQ and she serves all of our candidates with courtesy, professionalism and competence.

Here's to another 20 years with Debbie Flammer!!

They just don't get it...they don't...

Some in the media, many pundits and some Democrats just don't get it. I've heard from more than a few that "the Palin bubble has burst." Nonsense.

Gov. Sarah Palin drew 60,000 supporters at a rally in Florida over the weekend. Read the story here. Her appeal is lasting and real. Democrat partisans and the "snobbish intelligentsia" that so enjoy deriding her want us to believe that her impact will be short-lived. False. She has excited and energized the Republican Party and people across America from all parties.

Shifting gears to make a quick observation here...

Before any person is elected President, he (or she, well not this year--sorry Hillary) must pass a certain threshold with the American people. The people must see that person as worthy and qualified to be President of the United States. Voters must feel that this person can lead the greatest country on Earth. There is a "trust" threshold with the middle ground of voters in America. That has not yet happened for Barack Obama. Will he get there? Possibly, but doubtful. His youth, inexperience, and very liberal background will keep middle-of-the-road Americans away from voting for him.

We'll have an answer in a little over a month!

The Blackout, etc.

For many in Hamilton County, Blackout 2008 ended yesterday. Finally. Living without electricity poses a real hardship on people's lives and we got a small taste of what those victimized by natural calamity experience. It is unpleasant and stressful.

And...

Why do people attack each other in a personal way when they comment on these blogs? Earlier this week, I blogged about the issue of Proportional Representation ("PR"). In doing so, I wanted to receive intelligent feedback and input on this important question. I got some of that in the comments and I've heard from several people via e-mail and by phone. For reasons I can't understand, some automatically make these discussions personal. One anonymous blogger called people "self-interested" or "naive" or "deceptive." Why so caustic? Let the Democrats be angry. You can be right and others can be wrong and not be personal about it. Not everyone with a different point of view is bad.

And...

Congressman Chabot will win his bid for re-election. His opponent is weak.

And...

We will be hosting a "Debate Watch Party" at Party HQ on Friday night. Watch this space and your e-mail for more information.

And...

Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers that are fully engaged in this campaign. Email Patrick Maloney to get involved.

Angry

The Democrats are angry.

They are angry because they know in their hearts that this election shouldn't be this close based on the mood of the country. But, they also know that their ideas and their candidate are way to the left of mainstream Americans.

To the people that comment on this blog, stop being angry.

Bumblin' Biden At It Again

Joe Biden has a long history of saying very dumb things in public. His gaffes are legendary.

Did I mention he is a world famous plagiarist? Check this out.

His latest Biden blunder was to disparage Ohio State football while in his home state of Delaware. On his way out of Delaware, Biden bumped into the the Delaware Blue Hens football team at the airport. The Blue Hens, currently ranked 6th in Division I-AA, were at the airport.

In addressing his home state team, Biden offered these words: "I was out in Ohio...I told the folks in Ohio that we'd kick Ohio State's ass!" Read the full story here.

I doubt the Senator reads my blog, but he should. Let me help him understand a few things.

First, Delaware does NOT play Ohio State this year? Check out the OSU football schedule. Why in the world would you make a disparaging remark about Buckeye football if they weren't even on the schedule?

Second, and most importantly--a little math. Delaware: 3 electoral votes. Ohio: 20 electoral votes.

Third, YOU ARE A LOCK TO WIN DELAWARE. Ohio is the problem.

Why is it that Pres. Bush's gaffe's are replayed over and over and over, yet Bumblin' Biden's never are? I'll let you figure that out.

Save us Sarah!!!

Proportional Representation?

Issue 8 on the November ballot will give voters in the city of Cincinnati the opportunity to select a new system for electing members of city council. The system, known as "Proportional Representation" would change the way we vote for city council and it would also change how votes are tabulated.

In doing my due diligence on the topic, I have discovered one critical thing: Nobody that I have talked with totally understands it. Do you?

In a recent article in the Business Courier, the system was described as follows: "In proportional representation, voters rank all the candidates, with the first choice receiving more weight than the second, and so on. That would replace the traditional winner-take-all system, in which voters pick specific candidates for whom to vote."

However, in the comments to that article, the following was written: "The article incorrectly describes Proportional Representation as a "weighted" voting system. Under P.R., instead of having 9 votes, everyone has one vote, and that vote is transferable based on the voter's stated intent. You rank your choices 1, 2, 3, and so on. Your vote counts for your first choice, unless that candidate cannot use your vote (either because she/he already has enough votes to be elected, or because she/he has so few votes that she/he cannot possibly be elected)."

I believe that the comment to the article is more correct. But, I'm still sorting it out.

Is this good for the Republican Party? Does it help our candidates?

Our Policy Committee will look at the issue next week.

Pollworkers Needed

The Board of Elections needs honest, reliable, and dedicated inside pollworkers on Election Day. We need good Republicans to work inside to assure a fair, smooth, and honest election.

If interested, contact the Board of Elections at 513-632-7000 and ask for Kristie Davis!

Sponsor a Night at the Phone Banks

Time and again, I have asked--no, begged--readers of this blog to get involved in our phone banks and to work on this campaign. Well, now is the time to make it happen.

By the end of this week, we will have many elected officials, business leaders, and other groups sponsoring a night at the phone banks. We are looking for groups to sponsor a night at the phone banks and to commit to find workers at your local phone bank for that particular night.

The phone calls we are making these days are designed to urge people to vote for our slate of candidates and to get to the polls when early voting begins or on Election Day.

Can your office, your group, your organization sponsor a night at the phone banks? Make it happen! Contact Patrick Maloney to find a night that works!

Palin Fundraiser Cancelled

If you haven't already heard the news, the fundraising event with Gov. Palin scheduled for today (Tuesday, 9/16) has been cancelled. Hopefully, it will be rescheduled.

The Real Measure

Obama 268 McCain 270

The only polling that matters in this campaign is the state-by-state polling that will help us predict who will win the 270 electoral votes needed to win the election. The above picture is from http://www.electoral-vote.com/ and it is an accurate, fairly up-to-date snapshot of where the election is today. It is, essentially, dead-even.

This is an improvement on where we were 2 weeks ago. We have the "big mo" on our side.

YOU can make a difference to this entire country by helping us get out the vote in southwest Ohio. We do that by working the grassroots.

Let me be candid (and maybe NOT entirely PC) on this blog today: WE NEED INDIANS. We have enough Chiefs! We need good, hard-working, intelligent people to do the grassroots work in Hamilton County. We need YOU!

E-mail the great Patrick Maloney TODAY to get involved to help us win!

More..

As I'm working today, I find things on the Internet that I just think need to be shared. Charles Krauthammer has written an excellent article about Gov. Palin and the Charlie Gibson interview. It is captioned, "Charlie Gibson's Gaffe." Read it here.

My favorite quote is this one:

"Yes, Sarah Palin didn't know what it is [referring to the "Bush Doctrine"]. But neither does Charlie Gibson. And at least she didn't pretend to know -- while he looked down his nose and over his glasses with weary disdain, sighing and "sounding like an impatient teacher," as the Times noted. In doing so, he captured perfectly the establishment snobbery and intellectual condescension that has characterized the chattering classes' reaction to the mother of five who presumes to play on their stage."

Krauthammer captures perfectly the feeling that so many of us have about Sarah Palin's treatment by establishment intellectuals. I touched on this on Friday on this blog. It is ridiculous.

The Busy Weekend Post...

51 days. Have you committed a little of your time to assure victory for all of our candidates? If not, e-mail Patrick Maloney RIGHT NOW.

And...

The Enquirer headline yesterday about Absentee Ballot requests is causing many Republicans grave concern. I have purposely declined any public comment on this issue because I am Chairman of the Board of Elections. It is my hope that the issue can be resolved fairly to all voters.

And...

We are likely to have a "Debate Watch Party" for some of the various debates scheduled for this election cycle. Watch this blog and your e-mail for times and locations.

And...

There is an excellent article in the Wall Street Journal about the impact of Sen. Obama's economic plan on America. Read it here. The final paragraph is particularly strong because it mentions our great state. It reads, "In an appropriate twist of fate, Michigan and Ohio, the two states that have suffered the most from the policies that Mr. Obama proposes, have it within their power not only to reverse their own misfortunes but to spare the nation from a similar fate."

And...

Have a great weekend.

Friday Rant

Governor Palin in Kuwait with our Troops

After a long week, I must rant about one thing: I am sick of the "Sarah Palin is not ready to be President" nonsense. She is as ready as Sen. Obama and more so. There is no objective fact that I have reviewed that can change my opinion.

Several of my intelligent, well-meaning Democrat friends have taken it for granted that they can simply say, "she's not ready to be President" like that is simply a fact of life that any intelligent person must accept. They miraculously believe that Sen. Obama's nice oratory and brief stint as a U.S. Senator make him qualified while Gov. Palin's career as a Governor of a large state do not. I do NOT accept any of it.

I challenge any reader of this blog to tell me why Barack Obama, who is running for President of the United States, is more ready to be President of the United States than the Governor of Alaska who is running for Vice President. There is no intelligent argument grounded in fact that I see.

I will admit several facts. Sen. Obama has likely spent more time "talking" about foreign policy because a lifetime of campaigning for President forces you to do that. Sen. Obama is a fine orator and an inspirational speaker. Sen. Obama selected a running mate with decent, although misguided, foreign policy credentials.

Can the Democrats admit certain facts? Sen. Obama has no executive experience. Sen. Obama has only a very brief career in the United States Senate. Obama can not point to any significant legislative accomplishment. Gov. Palin has managed the daily operations of a state government and has experience in managing an executive branch of government.

Sen. Obama has NO meaningful preparedness to be the Commander-in-Chief and leader of the free world. When you contrast his background and experience to Sen. John McCain, it becomes painfully obvious that John McCain is the only candidate ready to lead our nation. Sen. Obama is a community organizer and state senator who, upon delivering a nice speech at the 2004 DNC Convention, went to the U.S. Senate and began running for the Presidency.

There is a certain elitism--and dare I say it--sexism in the argument that Gov. Palin can not be a "heartbeat away" from the Presidency especially when one believes that Sen. Obama can be President.

I welcome the experience argument. If Gov. Palin is not ready to be President, then neither is Sen. Obama. The difference is she is not running for President. He is.

September 11

Today is a solemn day in American history and both parties should be careful to not politicize the events of September 11, 2001.

As bad as the events were 7 years ago today, there is something positive happening today. Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain will suspend campaign ads and most campaign operations and visit the 9/11 site together. That unity and love for our country should inspire every person. At the end of these grueling campaigns, we are all Americans and should love our country. I was glad to hear that the two candidates would jointly appear today. It sends exactly the right message.

Do you remember where you were 7 years ago today? I remember it very vividly as do most people. I had taken a week off from my duties in the Prosecutor's office to care for my then 2 year old son, Michael. I was also helping with the re-election campaign of my dear friend Judge Karla Grady. As I put Michael into his high chair for breakfast, my cell phone rang and I was told by my mother to turn on the TV. I sat mesmerized in front of that TV for about 16 hours that day. My best laid plans for a father/son day were set aside as I watched the horror and carnage on the TV. I remember putting out my American flag as did most of my neighbors in Green Township. My neighborhood, usually flush with people walking the sidewalks and kids playing, was quiet with nobody outside. The eerie feeling of calm in my neighborhood is something that will stay with me forever.

What is your memory of 9/11/08? Share it with a comment to this blog.

Had to post this...

Setting the Record Straight

There has been some misinformation in the race for the Ohio 2nd Congressional District. This blog is a great place to set the record straight.

In that race, Jean Schmidt is facing ultra-liberal Victoria Wulsin. She is the Democrat endorsed and nominated candidate. But, Jean also faces a second Democrat, David Krikorian, in her race for re-election.

Unfortunately, Mr. Krikorian has been selling himself as a "conservative" and as an alternative voice for conservatives in that race. This is false. A careful review of public information about Mr. Krikorian shows us that he has voted as a Democrat in the very recent past. His voter history reflects that he voted in the Democratic primary in 2004 and 2006. Also, he has contributed money to Democrat Wulsin in 2007.

Mr. Krikorian's attempt to establish himself as an "independent conservative" are an unfortunate appeal to our Republican voters in that district from a man who has nothing to show he has ever been a Republican or even a conservative. He may be a perfectly decent man, but there is nothing to show him as a Republican or as a conservative.

I believe it is my responsibility to preserve the good name of our Party and to support those that carry our banner. This man does not. It is important to set the record straight.

McCain/Palin Rally in Lebanon

As I am sure most readers of this blog already know, Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin will be in Lebanon, Ohio for a large rally on Tuesday, 9/9/08 at 10:00 a.m. outside of the Golden Lamb Restaurant. The doors open at 7:00 a.m. with a program starting at 10:00 a.m. (the program begins at 10 and anything to the contrary is not right).

If you plan to attend, please RSVP at (614) 441-8622 or email ohio@johnmccain.com.

Governor Palin

Newt Gingrich

This video of Newt Gingrich being interviewed by an NBC news reporter is classic.

The Convention Ends

The above video was shot by me on my way out of the Convention last night. The Convention was a rousing success by every measure. The world met our exciting VP candidate and John McCain laid out his background and made his case very effectively.

From a personal point of view, it was highly valuable. I was able to connect to other Republican leaders from across Ohio and to build relationships that can benefit our party in the long term. There is always the next election to think about in this business. The year 2010 promises to be an interesting year politically as we will be fielding statewide candidates including Governor and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. To be sure, the jockeying for these critical spots has begun in earnest and that game officially begins after this election.

I am ready to come home. There is much to do. With early voting beginning in less than 30 days, the election is upon us.

If you are reading this blog and you have never gotten involved in a campaign, I urge you to strongly consider lending your time to our cause. We need grassroots help. Get involved to help us win this fight!

E-mail Patrick Maloney or call HQ at 513.381.5454 right now!

Tonight

The above picture is one of my favorites. Obviously, these are the thousands of balloons that will drop after Sen. McCain's speech tonight. Tonight will be the best night, yet. Sen. McCain is a genuine American hero and is the most qualified man to run for President in a generation. Seeing him accept the nomination after his campaign was considered "DOA" last summer is a testament to the kind of man he is and the kind of leadership he will bring.

To my few loyal followers, I will be live blogging again tonight at http://republicanchairman.blogspot.com from the Convention floor as long as my phone battery holds up.

We're going to win! E-mail Patrick Maloney to join this fight!

Gov. Palin

The National Journal's article about Gov. Palin's speech last night was properly captioned, "Sarah Barracuda Takes Her Bite." She was great last night. We were lucky to be this close.

A few pictures...

America's Mayor Rudy Giuliani was the keynote speaker and you can see here how close we ere to him last night. The Mayor was strong and a gifted speaker. It was great to see the Republican stars out in force in Minnesota.

A few pictures...

Many may not know it, but longtime Republican Keith Corman has been a McCain supporter for long before the rest of us figured it out. I sat with my friend Keith last night for some time.

A few pictures...

This candid shot of President Bush and Congressman Portman and his wife Jane is genuine proof of the affection that President Bush has for our favorite son and future Governor.

The Big Night!

I will be mobile blogging from the convention floor tonight at http://republicanchairman.blogspot.com/. Check out that blog for more information!

Last night was a great night and the above photo was taken as we left the convention floor with our very own Republican Rock Star Rob Portman. The below photo was of Academy Award winning actor Jon Voight. Mr. Voight is a strong Republican and a supporter of John McCain's. He was gracious to all of us as he was hounded by convention attendees including Margaret Nafziger!

Maggie & Jon Voight

Day 2 (really Day 1) of Convention

We begin Day 2 of the Convention which is really Day 1. We have not been over to the convention site itself because yesterday's events were largely cancelled. First Lady Laura Bush did address the crowd, but we watched that in the hotel lobby. The timing of the First Lady's remarks didn't work for us to get over to St. Paul.

I want to share several on-the-ground observations from this area.

The St. Paul area of the Twin Cities is gorgeous, historic, and quite impressive. It is easy to understand why convention organizers selected this part of America to bring Republicans together.

I saw my first group of protesters yesterday. I was unimpressed. The protesters should have learned from the 2004 protesters in New York. THOSE were good protesters. The kids that they have roaming around here are clueless. Later today or tomorrow, I will post a picture of a particularly vulgar group of young ladies who were protesting. Their foolishness and lack of class is worth highlighting here.

The news that Gov. Palin's child is expecting a child has changed nothing about the level of support she has among our Party. In our society, these things happen and Gov. Palin and her husband have given their child unconditional love and support. This is a very personal matter for the family and the media should respect the child's privacy. That’s always been the tradition and practice when it comes to the children of candidates.

Last night, we had dinner with Sen. Mark Wagoner of the Ohio Senate and with Rep. Matt Dolan of the Ohio House of Representatives. These two young Republican leaders in the statehouse are impressive and smart legislators. Both are destined for positions of leadership within State government. We also had a nice visit with Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor.

Prosecutor Joe Deters has asked me to blog every day about "the funniest thing overheard at the Convention." Look for that soon. Most of the funny things I've heard come from his mouth.

Governor Tim Pawlenty spoke to the Ohio delegation yesterday morning. He was a very impressive speaker. Our longtime party supporter and former Vice-Chairman Eileen Simon asked Gov. Pawlenty to be our Lincoln Day speaker. It was a highly memorable moment because it was the first question asked from the crowd and Gov. Pawlenty essentially agreed to do it if his schedule allowed. Eileen was GREAT!

This morning, Karl Rove will speak to the Ohio delegation. After that, I will be in a small lunch with Rob Portman and a few other key Ohio advisers. We want Rob to run for Governor. We'll see how we do with that.

We will be heading over to the Convention around 8:00 p.m. If you care to read up-to-the-minute information from the floor of the Convention, tune in to http://republicanchairman.blogspot.com/.

Have a great week!

Monday in Minneapolis

We arrived in Minneapolis yesterday evening. The city is nice enough and they have put out the red carpet for us.

The important events today include an 8:45 a.m. breakfast meeting of the Ohio delegation with special guest Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Many of the day's Convention activities have been cancelled. In fact, most have. It is appropriate to do so given that this is probably not the time for politics or celebration. The focus of this Convention has clearly shifted to considering the well-being of the residents of the Gulf States.

I can report that several Cincinnatians have arrived here including Commissioner Pat DeWine, State Central Committee Member Amber Burke, and Joe Sprengard. Joe Deters is expected to arrive today.

Have a great Labor Day!