36 days to go until the vote on Issues 2,3,4 and 5 affectionately know as RON, or
Reform Ohio Now.
As those of you who have been involved in a large campaign know, we are getting down to the crunch, where every supporter we turnout to vote takes us that much closer to victory.
Make no mistake, this would be a huge victory for Ohio and the county and a massive set back for those dealing in the culture of corruption.
So with that, I have a whole cornucopia of stuff in the extended.
Actions always speak louder than words, so let's being with what you can DO
America Votes training this Saturday! This training will serve two major purposes. First, it will give you (and all the friends you bring along!) the knowledge and skills you need to be effective when communicating what these reforms are all about. Second, it will serve as the kick-off for our targeted knock-and-talk: over the coming weeks, we'll be mobilizing more volunteers and educating voters, and we need your help! For more info on the training, go to www.americavotes.org and click on the Ohio link. (If you haven't been involved in the campaign yet, this is a great way to start.)
This is the donkey work that wins. No recommended diaries, just sore feet and full hearts !
Next up, visibility - where would a campaign be without yard signs ! I am betting they look great too and will be collectors items.
Yard signs are in! And they look great. You can get one from the OCSEA building in Westerville (390 Worthington Road, Westerville OH 43082...take the Polaris exit from 71) during normal business hours this week. Or, you can contact the nearest local organizer to you, most of whom either have large batches or will be getting some soon:
Bexley - Carmen Cordova (cordovadotone@yahoo.com / 614-975-7397)
Clintonville - Jan Fleming (jefleming4444@sbcglobal.net / 614-261-3234)
Dublin - Lloyd Casey (caseylac@aol.com / 614-763-0219)
Gahanna/New Albany - Sheryl Williams (saw52@columbus.rr.com / 614-855-9521)
Granville - Jane Glennie (janeglennie@aol.com / 740-321-1341)
Hilliard - Steve Wild (swild@columbus.rr.com / 614-921-9158)
Pataskala/Reynoldsburg - Ellen Walker (lffarm@earthlink.net / 740-927-5381)
Westgate/Hilltop - Joe Decker (joedecker@mindspring.com / 614-351-5010)
Worthington - Peggy Yates (iampeggyyates@yahoo.com / 614-436-3660)
Don't you love how this list keeps getting bigger? Still no one near you? - Let me know! (dalgoso@commoncause.org / 614-224-2497)
Next Up - the back and forth with the RON opponent (there really is only 1, a shady GOP outfit, Ohio First). Their only tack has been to attack the messengers and not the message - they know that is a loser. Well after a conservative group upped the ante and endorsed RON
Not all conservatives are ethically challenged, getting investigated, indicted or running shadowy opposition campaigns. The Ohio Taxpayers Associated is onboard with RON:
YES ON 2 - Makes it easier for Ohioans to vote by mail.
YES ON 4 - Sets up an independent commission to draw fair legislative districts.
YES ON 5 - Sets up a bi-partisan Board to manage Ohio's election process.
As a conservative Ohio Republican who has worked professionally in the political process for nearly 20 years, I am deeply disturbed about the current leadership of our state and our party. I remember the day, not long ago, when Ohio Republicans stood for honesty, integrity, and limited government.
Today, we have a Governor who has been indicted and convicted of ethical shenanigans, a state party chairman who has benefitted from a host of questionable consulting deals, and a group of house leaders who have apparently shaken down big corporations to pay their expenses.
At the same time, these officials have supported the growth of out of control state government and taxes. That's why we support State Issues 2, 4, and 5 to reform Ohio's political process.
Scott A. Pullins, Esq.
Chairman
The very non-partisan league of women voters piles on - this one was caught by Tim at
Grow Ohio
Peg Rosenfield, elections specialist for the Ohio League of Women Voters, said she would like to see a clean campaign run on the issues. ``It's kind of radical, but maybe they could try to talk about the issues -- what we're doing now, what would change and why they're for that or against that,'' she said.
``I know it is a really strange way to run a campaign, but that would be useful because these are important, complicated issues and people need to understand what they will do and they will not do,'' Rosenfield said.
The league supports the early voting and redistricting amendments, opposes the state board of elections and is neutral on the campaign finance reform measure, she said. Rosenfield said the league long has wanted to remove partisanship from redrawing new congressional and state legislative districts.
``This is a position that we have had for 25 years. I don't think that makes us wild-eyed, crazy, liberal, left-wing labor, whatever,'' Rosenfield said. ``The league supported it when the Republicans supported it and when the Democrats proposed it and we tried to do it on our own.''
Finally, what you have all been waiting for (except signing up to help or donate of course) the polls. Upper Arlington Progressive Action got it first
The Dispatch today released poll results that included Issues 2, 3, 4, and 5. The Dispatch's poll methodology has always been questioned because they use mail rather than telephone polling as most all other polls do, but given their large readership their poll results can be influential.
The Results:
Issue 2: Makes it easier to vote by allowing all Ohioans to vote by mail
For 68%
Against 28%
Undecided 7%
Issue 3: Helps stop the influence of big money in elections by greatly reducing campaign contributions.
For 70%
Against 15%
Undecided 15%
Issue 4: Stops the politicians from drawing their own legislative districts and puts an Independent Commission in charge of this process.
For 26%
Against 38%
Undecided 36%
Issue 5: Places a bi-partisan Board of Supervisors in charge of Ohio's elections, instead of a partisan official who backs candidates and takes sides in elections.
For 42%
Against 37%
Undecided 20%
Hypothetically speaking has a pretty good analysis of this poll and what it means.
So as you can see we have a real Ohio blog effort going on, and gaining a lot of traction and support for these initiatives - Thanks again in advance for your support.
Dang I almost forgot - you can watch the first RON TeeVee Ad Right here. Heh. Love that goat. Reeeaaaalllly.