Saturday Night...

I just like the image...

And...

The Republican National Committee met yesterday and selected a new Chairman, Michael S. Steele of Maryland. Chairman Steele is the former Lt. Governor of Maryland and a former candidate for the U.S. Senate. Mr. Steele is well known to most political junkies as an articulate and intelligent voice for the GOP. He is also a former county party chairman. I am thrilled by his selection and I hope he can lead us into the future with a more positive and hopeful vision. To learn more about Chairman Steele, click here.

And...

Our non-judicial nominating committee is set to meet in mid-February to endorse our city council candidates and a mayoral candidate. Stay tuned.

And...

Our early 2009 fundraising push is coming along nicely. If you haven't made a donation, consider doing so by contacting Maggie Nafziger at maggien@hc-gop.org. Thanks to the many contributors who have already participated.

And...

Don't forget about our annual Lincoln/Reagan Day Dinner set for Friday, February 13, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the Duke Energy Center. Tickets are $90/person and our keynote speaker will be new Ohio GOP Chairman Kevin DeWine. Chairman DeWine will be making his first Lincoln/Reagan day speech as Chairman in Hamilton County and his remarks should be informative. Chairman DeWine just returned from Washington where he participated in the selection of new RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

And...

I followed the election of the new RNC Chairman on Twitter yesterday. The "tweets" were coming from many places and helped me keep tabs on the whole thing as it unfolded. Get active with Twitter if you aren't already. Check out my Twitter page at http://twitter.com/ChairmanAlex.

And...

Snow removal in the city of Cincinnati was woeful this past week. City government must serve our most basic needs before spending money on other wasteful things.

And...

The momentum for Rob Portman continues. He is building a great team to win Ohio for 2010. Who will the D's run? We're all watching.

And...

Want to follow the goings-on in Columbus and in statewide politics? The Columbus Dispatch's "Daily Briefing" can be found here and it contains daily updates on the political happenings in state government. Check it out.

And...

For my regular readers (both of you), I am going to pick the Super Bowl winner on this blog. You'll recall the success I did not have in doing that previously here. But, here goes: Arizona in an upset, 27-24.

And...

Have a great weekend.

A Slide to the Left

Sometime just before Election Day last year, a close friend and Republican privately asked me, "Will Obama be THAT bad?" "Really, aren't the parties just the same?" "He is just one man and he seems smart and has new ideas." Many Americans (about 60 million) felt that way and elected President Obama.

In that private moment, I agreed with my friend on a few key things: (1) Obama is smart, (2) He has some fresh and interesting ideas that sound good when he says them, and (3) We need to do something because the country is sliding downward.

But, I then explained to him that voting for one man for President means much more than just a new face at the White House. When you vote for President, you vote for a political party and for a set of ideals and principles that the President's party promotes. The principles of his party are ultimately bad for America and begin a slide to the left that will be bad for the American dream well into the future.

I went on to explain that the Obama administration will empower and embolden a very left-of-center Nancy Pelosi. I explained that Obama will likely appoint federal judges that are soft on crime, against logical tort reform, and pro-abortion. I explained that the Obama team will bring in 6,000 new appointees across the government and a large majority of those people will possess the same values as Nancy Pelosi and her very liberal friends. I further predicted that the Democrats will do what they always do: tax and spend.

In the end, it is a slippery slope of liberalism that will slide this nation to the left in a way that hurts the country. The Obama legacy throughout government will be to appoint activist judges and to spend our great-great grandchildren's money on liberal pet projects.

Yesterday, we saw the biggest lurch to the left that we could ever imagine with this ridiculous, pork-laden, non-job-creating, wasteful stimulus package passed by Speaker Pelosi. I am proud of John Boehner and our Republicans and of 11 sensible Democrats who opposed the insanity. Our future as a party will be defined for us by the Democrats if they continue with this drunken spending of our money. George Will called the bill "an exercise in wretched excess." He could not be more right.

This country is taking a gigantic step to the political left at this moment in history. This is not the "change" America wanted. In America, the private sector creates jobs and people should keep more of their own money to spend for themselves. We should incentivize job creation and small business growth by cutting taxes. We should curb spending and limit the size of government. None of that thinking prevails in Washington or Columbus or Cincinnati City Hall these days.

It is a slippery slope that slides left.

A Kerfuffle

Some people are not fit for public office...

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=blog02&plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3aec38bb2b-982e-46ba-819a-da01a547e8eaPost%3aafc9c231-888c-424e-b526-9926c1b23c2b&s.

Have a great snow day!

Sunday Spotlight: Patricia Clancy

Our Sunday Spotlight shines on the first female Clerk of Courts in the history of Hamilton County, Patti Clancy.

A fellow west-sider, Patti was raised in Colerain Township and dedicated her early political career to serving the citizens of Colerain Township as a Trustee. She went on to serve as a State Representative then a State Senator and was elected as our Clerk of Courts in 2008.

Patti Clancy worked as hard as any candidate I have ever seen and the Republican Party was pleased to strongly support her bid to replace Greg Hartmann in that office. Patti is a common-sense conservative who twice received the coveted "Watchdog of the Treasury Award" from the United Conservatives of Ohio. Patti's keen eye toward spending will serve her well in this large county office during these difficult budget times.

Personally, I have known Patti for many years and I know her to be a person of the highest character and integrity.

Tomorrow, Patti will celebrate her election with a formal investiture ceremony and I look forward to participating.

To learn more about Patti Clancy and the Clerk of Courts office, click here to visit the official site.

Tough to be positive about this mess...

The bloom is off of President Obama's rose in only 3 days. Not sure I'm so surprised. His arrogance came through today when he said "I won" to congressional Republicans that dared to question the expenditure of $865 billion of our tax dollars. Message to President Obama: 60 MILLION people voted for the other guy and we're watching. The Democrats will do what they do best: tax and spend and tax and spend and tax and spend....

Lincoln/Reagan Dinner 2009

Our program is set!

Lincoln Reagan Dinner 2009

Keynote Speaker:

Ohio's New GOP Chairman
Kevin DeWine

February 13, 2009
5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Duke Energy Center
Downtown Cincinnati

$90 per person

RSVP: dflammer@hc-gop.org or 513-381-5454

"Come hear our new Ohio GOP Chairman Kevin DeWine address his first Lincoln/Reagan dinner as Chairman where he will discuss the future of the GOP and his vision for our party in the great state of Ohio"

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, our country honors a great American civil rights leader with a national holiday. Martin Luther King, Jr. changed America with his charismatic leadership and strong convictions. He is properly remembered on this day.

I set out to write this blog entry hoping to repeat an assertion that I've heard time and again: Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Republican. I wish I could have found evidence to support this, but I cannot. There is no strong evidence that this great man was a partisan of either party.

The assertion that he was a Republican comes from those that know the racist history of many in the Democratic Party in the middle of the 20th century including the "Dixiecrats" in the south. But, none of this proves that MLK was a Republican. I wish we could prove it. I am afraid we cannot. I urge anyone with greater information to post it here.

For an article arguing he was a Republican, click here. For an article challenging the notion, click here.

That debate may be interesting, but it should not take away from this special day. The Republican Party stands for equal opportunity and freedom for everyone. I think Dr. King would have approved.

Enjoy the day!

Sunday Spotlight: President-elect Barack Obama

Surprised I have this man on our GOP blog? You shouldn't be.

We may strongly disagree with his policies and I know that I will find myself wincing in pain as he implements a big government, deficit-spending, liberal agenda that I believe is not right for the country. But, I can separate the man from his policies.

As Republicans, we can learn much about how this man rose through the ranks of the Democratic Party and will become the next President of the United States.

President-elect Obama is intelligent, articulate, and positive in his vision for America. Misguided as this vision might be, the American electorate bought it. He won the election by offering hope for the future and by inspiring people from every walk of life.

As a Party, we need to return to a vision of hope and to project a positive view of what we can offer the citizens when we govern. We have defined ourselves in the last several years as against things. That is not how Ronald Reagan defined our conservative party.

I remain confident that conservative Republican principles are right for government and, when packaged in a positive way, will help us win elections. In the meantime, we'll have to suffer the consequences of a liberal federal government that will change America in a way that we don't like. Let us learn from this experience and come out stronger.

A reporter called me and asked if I would be watching the Inauguration. Of course, I will. What political junkie wouldn't? I'll watch it with pride, too. Our system worked--even if we do not like the result. Our job is to convince more Americans that we are right and watching that moment will only serve to motivate all of us to find the right man or woman to carry our message in a way that allows us to celebrate four years from now the way we did four years ago.

Finally, we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that America will have an African American President. We can celebrate that. Anything is possible in America and that message is one our Party has preached for a long time.

I am confident in the future and positive about that future. I hope you are, too.

Chairman Kevin DeWine

Congratulations to newly elected Ohio Republican Party Chairman, Kevin DeWine!

Yesterday, the State Central Committee unanimously elected DeWine to be our Chairman. He is only the 8th GOP Chairman in the last 80 years of the party's history. To read the Columbus Dispatch's story about Kevin's election, click here.

Personally, I am pleased that Kevin has accepted this challenge during a difficult period for the Party. I know a little about that. Kevin has the right personality and temperament to deal with these challenges and I look forward to working with him to turn-around the GOP in Ohio and everywhere else.

Thursday...

Join us at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse for Rob Portman's Cincinnati campaign rally tonight at 6:00 p.m.

And...

The energy is returning to the GOP and Rob Portman's campaign is a positive for the GOP, the state, and the country. Rob works across the aisle but never compromises his conservative values. Rob is a rare commodity in politics: I have never found a single person to say anything bad about him. I am personally committed to his campaign and was happy to publicly endorse him. He will be a superb candidate and, more importantly, an outstanding United States Senator.

And...

I watched President Bush's 47-minute press conference and his appearance on Larry King Live. President Bush should be respected for his fundamental decency as a man and for his respect for the presidency. Instead of playing the name-calling, tit-for-tat, small-ball politics that his opponents played, he always respected the presidency. I respect him a great deal. Ray Cooklis wrote a very fair editorial yesterday in the Enquirer. Read it here.

And...

The Mayor named Laketa Cole to chair the Finance Committee of the Cincinnati City Council. Is the fox watching the hen house?

And...

I'm going to watch the inaugural on Tuesday. It will be historic. Swearing-in a new President is not a partisan event.

And...

Our new website is close to launch. I'm excited about it.

And...

Our Early Bird fundraising program is in high gear. Help us out with a donation. E-mail Maggie at maggien@hc-gop.org to participate in the Early Bird program.

And...

Congratulations to my friend Don Robinson for his ascension to the presidency of the Green Township Republican Club. Donnie will do a great job because he is highly intelligent, organized, and motivated. I oughta know...he was my bailiff for three and a half years.

And...

Our city council slate is coming together and we continue to have talks with candidates for Mayor. I can't wait to roll-out our slate and to offer the fine citizens of Cincinnati an alternative to the party in power in the city of Cincinnati.

And...

Are you on Facebook, yet?

And...

I'm proud of Republican governance during these tough economic times in Hamilton County. The balanced budget that was passed at the county commission was largely the work of Republican elected officials who worked within their county agencies to cut spending. This was painful and involved layoffs and other difficult austerity measures. Many Republicans exhibited real leadership at a time where it was necessary. I think even the two Democrats on the county commission would agree.

And...

The year 2010 is already heating up as an interesting political year statewide. We have some powerful names and great candidates lining up. I'm ready for a comeback.

And...

Have a great Thursday.

Rob Portman for United States Senate

Rob Portman will finish his statewide U.S. Senate campaign kick-off tour in Cincinnati on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse.

Join us in a rally to support Rob!

***Press Statement Regarding Board of Elections***

***Press Statement Regarding the Board of Elections***

Alex M. Triantafilou and Charles H. Gerhardt, III, the two Republican members of the Hamilton County Board of Elections, have announced that they are seeking applicants for the position of Deputy Director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections.

John Williams, the former Deputy Director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections, has accepted a position as Chief Deputy/Administrator of the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Office under Patricia Clancy.

The salary of the Deputy Director will be determined based on the skills and experience of the successful applicant. The pay range is between $85,000.00 and $105,000.00 per year. A job description and other information about the job can be obtained at the Hamilton County Board of Elections website at www.votehamiltoncounty.org. Applications must be submitted to Mr. Alex M. Triantafilou, Chairman, Attn: Sherry Poland, 824 Broadway, Second Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Applications must be submitted to Mr. Triantafilou no later than January 20, 2009 by 4:00 p.m.

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3501.09, “The Director and Deputy Director shall be of opposite political parties …”. Because the current Director of the Board of Elections is a member of the Democratic Party, the successful applicant shall be, pursuant to law, a member of the Republican Party. Therefore, the successful applicant must be a Republican.

STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN ALEX M. TRIANTAFILOU

“John Williams has served the Hamilton County Board of Elections and the citizens of Hamilton County with great professionalism and distinction. During his years on the Board of Elections, he led the Board as Director and also as Deputy Director during a major transition from an old punch card balloting system to the new optical scan voting system. Through this transition, John has served the citizens of Hamilton County very well. John has chosen to take on a new challenge in a different county office and he will be missed at the Board of Elections. The elections process is of tremendous importance to every citizen of Hamilton County and the nation. A fair, open, and efficient election is the goal of every Board of Elections everywhere.”

“The successful applicant will be part of the leadership team that will assure a fair election in Hamilton County. Hamilton County has a long history of administrating elections on a bipartisan basis and we look forward to selecting a Deputy Director that can work in a bipartisan fashion with every member of the Board of Elections to assure a fair election for our citizenry. I urge all qualified applicants to apply.”

Sen. Voinovich Rumor

The rumor mill is running wild tonight about Sen. Voinovich's possible retirement from the Senate after his term ends at the end of 2010. The Columbus Dispatch, Politico.com, and even Fox News are all reporting that an announcement is coming tomorrow.

Sen. Voinovich is a wise, humble, and sensible political figure that works very hard to solve people's problems. He has been a tremendous force for good for Ohio and for the Republican Party. If he announces his intention to not seek re-election, he will end an illustrious career in Ohio politics when his term ends.

Democrat(ic) Money Burn: Obama Style?

I put a "?" on the title to this blog posting because President-elect Obama has not yet spent an ungodly and ridiculous amount of our great-great-grandchildren's money--but it sure looks like he is about to. And, probably with the consent of lots of Republicans.

What will occur in the next 6 months in Washington is scary. How many times have you heard political leaders say words like these: "Liberal and conservative economists all agree that we need a major stimulus?" I've heard that about 10 times. I guess it's true. Who knows.

The current discussion in Washington to spend over $800 billion that we borrow from China ought to scare the hell out of every American. Is it the right thing to do to "bring back this economy"? I'm not the guy to make that call. But, I am a citizen that is about to watch liberal Democrats do what they love to do: spend lavishly and explode the size of government. I just can't believe that is what the American people meant when they voted for "change." It looks a whole lot like more-of-the-same.

It is hard to watch. Elections have consequences. Let's hope for the best...

Check out our new poll ---->

Party for Steve Chabot

A Celebration of Steve Chabot's 14 Years of Service!

Price Hill Chili
Monday, January 12, 2009
5:00 p.m. -- 9:00 p.m.

Presented by:
Westwood Concern
Price Hill Civic Club
Independent Electrical Contractors of Greater Cincinnati PAC

Back to Work...

It's back to the grind today for most of us...and I couldn't be happier. If you love what you do, it's not work.

And...

I will emcee the swearing-in ceremony of my good friend Greg Hartmann today. The Enquirer did a nice story on Hartmann and his background today. Read that story, here.

And...

Patti Clancy begins her first day as Clerk of Courts today. Patti Clancy is the first female Clerk of Courts in Hamilton County history and I'm proud that she is a Republican. She will do a great job. Congratulations to Patti!

And...

I am excited about 2009 locally. We have many great township, city, and village candidates running in our suburbs this year. I have at least one person interested in running for Mayor. I welcome suggestions on this. We also should have a strong slate of council candidates. We'll score some nice wins there this year.

And...

Our Early Bird fundraising drive begins this week. The Early Bird program is critical to what we are as a Party and I urge all of our Early Birds to renew membership. We need you more than ever!

And...

I feel sorry for the Palestinian people in Gaza. They are victims of Hamas--not of the Israeli response to Hamas' terrorism. Hamas has not served the poor citizens of Gaza well. The Palestinians in Gaza should make a change.There ought to be a solution to the Palestinian issue, but the terrorists have made it impossible to negotiate a lasting peace. Did you know that the Hamilton County GOP Chairman speaks out on these issues? Me, neither.

And...

The Enquirer story on our 2010 candidate against Steve Driehaus mentioned the name of Nick Vehr as a "contender." Nick Vehr is categorically NOT interested in running for the Congress and he will not be running for office. His name should not have been mentioned as Nick is now running a successful business and is out of politics for good. Check out Nick's company here.

And...

Will Roland Burris (Sen. Obama's replacement) go to Washington and be denied at the Capitol today? Wow.

And...

My New Year's resolution, politically, is to be more positive about our Party and the future. Frankly, I think I've been better than most and I'm certainly more positive than the people who regularly comment negatively on this blog (and I'm talking about fellow Republicans). I urge you to do the same. If we only talk about what is wrong with Democrats and never talk about our positive vision for government, we'll be doing that from the minority for a long, long time. If we spend the next few years trying to convince the world why Democrats are bad, I'm afraid we'll go nowhere. Sure, we should fairly criticize when appropriate and the opposition party bears that responsibility. But, we should do so in a way that brings a focus back on why what we want as a party is better for America. We'll get there in time. I'm just going to get there by speaking positively about our message, our candidates, and our principles.

And...

Have a great 2009!

Mission Accomplished?

The United States handed over sovereignty of the Iraqi "Green Zone" to the Iraqi government yesterday. To read a story about this, click here.

Although largely symbolic at this point, the symbolism is great and the accomplishment is even greater. President Bush's leadership made the difference in Iraq and history will prove him right. Although Iraq still has many growing pains, the nation-state is moving forward and is beginning to take its first baby steps.

A confession: I thought the "surge" strategy was political suicide and I privately believed it wouldn't work. I saw it through a purely political lens and believed that moving more troops into a war that most Americans thought was lost would prove to be a major catastrophe. I was wrong and so were the President's critics. The surge worked to significantly reduce violence in Iraq and it is giving democracy a chance. Even Bush's harshest critics must agree that an Iraq that is democratic and free is a significant step toward transforming that part of the world. It is President Bush's vision and one that, if accomplished, will be his legacy.

The Status of Forces Agreement with Iraq was a major milestone in that it is a framework for withdrawal from Iraq. The agreement was quietly negotiated by the Bush administration because of the successes of the surge and the military strategy.

President-elect Obama surged in his primary and received tremendous support from the left of his party because of his position on the war. A year ago, this dominated his agenda and his campaign. Today, I will bet that President-elect Obama will do very little differently than the Bush Administration has done. Just watch. His Secretary of Defense will be the same. So will his strategy. It is the right strategy.

It is still likely too soon to say: Mission Accomplished. But, Iraq is changing for the better and that is because of the vision and fortitude of President Bush.

Happy New Year