So here I am writing about a Democratic Candidate for Ohio Secretary of State (SoS) on the worlds largest political blog
The candidate in Question is Judge Jennifer Brunner.
I saw Judge Brunners post a diary on Grow Ohio the other day, and frankly I was quite surprised by a few things she has said there and elsewhere.
Things I would like to draw attention to and have discussed.
The Reform Ohio Now amendments are an answer to the one party political corruption of the legislature and the SoS in Ohio over recent and not so recent years.
Grabbing back control from people not mature of ethical enough to wield it, and placing it firmly back in the hands of every Ohioan, cementing it into our state constitution.
So it was with dismay i read in the Toledo Blade these comments from a Democratic candidate for the office of SoS
Ms. Brunner said yesterday she opposes a proposed constitutional amendment slated for the Nov. 8 election that would strip the office she hopes to hold of its election oversight authority.
She also opposes a proposal to roll back campaign contribution limit.
What we saw in the run up to the 2004 election was a SoS, Ken Blackwell not only involve himself in the bigoted issue 1 amendment, but also act as the state campaign chairman for the Bush/Cheney campaign. There could not have been a clearer conflict of interest. That conflict became even more obvious when put into practice as Blackwell systematically went about the business of hindering voter registration using such arcane methods as crying about the thickness of paper.
Brunner seems to think this kind of behavior doesn't require action. Apparently we as Ohioans should just hope to elect more ethical and trustworthy people. I think, as did 525,000 signatories that this is too important to leave to chance.
So her comments in her post here should give everyone pause for thought.
Last November, Ken Blackwell tainted Ohioans' trust in the Secretary of State's office--and in the outcome of the election in Ohio--by using the office to campaign for State Issue 1 and President Bush's reelection campaign. He was no better than an umpire wearing the jersey of one of the teams. It was wrong, and I'm running to ensure it never happens again.
I am sure, very sure that Judge Brunner is ethical and honest. That is not at issue here. But how can she possibly claim to ensure that it NEVER happens again ? How can she possibly know the next SoS will have her ethical compass and not Ken Blackwells ? I think that is a question she must answer.
Her second gut punch is her opposition to campaign finance limits. We have seen ad nauseam recently how big money and special interests have bought everything from rare coins to legislation in Ohio.
We have seen legislative efforts to reign in this problem systematically attacked and eroded, even turned back and made worse. There is no legislative solution to this problem. the solution is to take the issue out of the hands of the corrupt and place that control into the hands of the people.
Why then does Judge Brunner oppose this measure ? Does she have large contributors of her own to protect ? What remedy does she prescribe ? How does she ensure other solutions are lasting and permanent ? Again questions she must answer.
She must also reveal to us her position on the other 2 issues that are part of reform ohio now. Redistricting and early voting. Does she oppose or support these measures ?
She makes note of the endorsement of Congressman Brown, whom i mightly respect and also thank for creating Grow Ohio.
Given this endorsement of a candidate opposed to at least half of these reforms, I believe the Congressman should be clear on his positions regarding RON too.
You cannot be a party of reform unless you support real reforms, anything less is lip service and after decades of neglect and poor governance we deserve better.
You either support lasting meaningful reforms like Reform Ohio Nows 4 issues, or you support the status quo and consequently the culture of corruption.
Before anyone casts a vote for a candidate they have a duty to tell us all where they really stand.
Please email Jennifer Brunner and tell her she is on the wrong side of the fence, and that she needs to fully explain her positions
I have cross posted at Grow Ohio