About a week ago, I wrote on Kos about Rupert Murdoch’s $2 million gift to the RGA and Chamber of Commerce aimed at buying the Ohio’s Governor’s race. Murdoch said as much when he told a reporter he’d given to the RGA because of his “friendship with John Kasich.”
I’ve managed a lot of races and I’ve seen plenty of shenanigans, but even I can’t believe the lines this guy is crossing in order to propel former Fox News host Congressman John Kasich into the Ohio Governor’s mansion. In fact, just days ago, Murdoch made a second donation to the RGA for another $250,000.
The influx of Murdoch’s corporate money is bad enough – but even more infuriating is the manner in which this man continues to let Kasich thumb his nose at the law and explicitly fundraise on air.
Just a few days ago, Kasich appeared on Hannity (again) and made a personal pitch to the viewers at home to (again) send in their “extra nickels and dimes” to John Kasich dot com. It was Kasich’s 58th appearance on Fox News since he announced his intentions to run for Governor. I wish I was joking but I couldn’t even make this stuff up if I tried.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Murdoch let Kasich fundraise on air. About a month ago, the Democratic Governor’s Association filed an Ohio election complaint alleging all the free TV fundraising amounted to an illegal in-kind donation. But that hasn’t stopped Murdoch and Fox from continuing to push the limits of the law.
Rupert Murdoch has committed his personal and business fortunes to defeating the man I’m proud to work for, Governor Ted Strickland. It’s sickening.
As angry as all of this makes me, Murdoch has plenty of reason to focus on our race. Ohio could be the most important battleground state in the nation, and it likely will determine who wins the White House in 2012.
Just yesterday, President Obama was in town to hold a rally with Ted. Over 35,000 people joined us - more people than have come out to any other campaign rally in any other state this year. Ohioans are fired up, and the momentum is on our side.
This Wednesday, we’re facing our last finance deadline. Right now, Ted’s race is locked in a dead heat. We need your help to stop Murdoch and Fox. We’ve got to spread the word about how they’re targeting Ohio. The only thing people like Murdoch understand is action.
If you are able to pitch in, we’d love your help to show Murdoch he can’t buy Ohio.
Aaron Pickrell
Campaign Manager
Strickland for Governor
