One of my favorite movies of all time is the 1956 MGM’s Sci-Fi masterpiece Forbidden Planet. In the movie a space crew visits an expedition run by Dr. Edward Morbius of an alien planet once home to an advanced race of beings known as the Krell. Their mission is to investigate why everyone besides the Doctor and his daughter were killed by some mysterious force. Soon the crew itself is attacked by a giant invisible energy monster that tries to rip them to shreds. As it turns out (!!! SPOILER ALERT !!!) the force trying to kill everyone is really the twisted recesses of Dr. Morbius’ subconscious given superhuman form by the Krell’s ancient alien technology.
The online world gives a similar window into the deep underpinnings of the human brain. Free from the constraints of normal interaction it is easy for people to let loose with their darkest, innermost thoughts, and find peers that share them. People you’d normally just disagree with become asshats and traitors. Heated arguments almost as a rule transform into flame wars. The human mind is a beautifully dark landscape, and any prepared traveler along its many tubes has to be comfortable navigating inside this alien world.
On political blogs things get rockier as the unnaturally controlled world of the public campaign clashes against the unbridled id of online dialog. It doesn’t help that campaigns are such Machiavellian places. I have never met a political campaign insider from either party that didn’t have a love for the underhanded. Campaigns are battles to be won at any cost. Relationships destroyed… careers ruined… reputations sullied… these are the deadliest and often most effective weapons in any political campaign’s arsenal. Why spend thousands on TV ad buys when a few choice whispers can have the same effect?
Interestingly enough primaries bring out the worst in campaigns. In general elections the battle lines are solid, with each side ’s intelligence on the enemy limited. In Primaries the location of every buried body is well known, and figuring out which closets have the juiciest skeletons is a nightly parlor game to be played during the closing hours at campaign headquarters. The gossip quickly oozes through each Party’s back channels leaving a swath of personal destruction in it’s wake. A case in point is last years Senate primary where we have yet to truly recover from the damage inflicted by either side.
Each person who runs an online forum has to set for themselves the standards that they hold for their site. In the case of my site it’s simple: stick to the topic at hand, don’t publish anything that you wouldn’t feel comfortable saying to someones face, and don’t mess with the Editor (aka me).
The topic at hand is the politics of the Ohio 2nd Congressional district. As such candidates are the primary target. Their positions, personality, performance, and careers are all fair game. This also hold true for their campaigns. If, in my opinion, a campaign manager didn’t do a good job in the past, I will have no problem talking about it. That’s fair game because it directly relates to the topic at hand. Generally, I don’t like to talk about it in such specific terms. I talk about the Hackett campaign or the Schmidt campaign, not David Woodruff or Barry Bennett. The names of specific players are usually overlooked except in the case of the people who have the public voice for the campaign, and usually then to quote them making statements as they directly relate back to the topic at hand.
The case of the current primary is unusual because you have a campaign manager shifting from one candidate to another. This to me is as much news as a football coach switching teams in the off season. Why did they leave? What aspects of their job performance created the rift? Will the other team be a better fit. These are all fair game as topics.
What’s not fair game are things that are generally considered private or off limits in public conversation. Gossip about such things as people’s relatives, divorce proceedings, drug use, or sex lives are all topics that simply don’t exist in this forum. While they may help a candidate that I support, dealing with them only sullies my reputation as an honest broker of relevant information.
As the Editor I rule as a benevolent yet absolute tyrant. This is not a Democracy. You have only the rights that I give you, and if you don’t like it, get your own blog. As a method of operation this only works if you show common courtesy for the people who visit your site. While I welcome dissent I hold zero tolerance for anyone who doesn’t show the same respect towards me. Comments I find distasteful get removed without notice and the worst offenders are silently disappeared in the best (best??!) traditions of our current intelligence operations. Anyone who tries to get one over on me or my readers is quickly dealt with.
Which brings us to the current threads regarding candidate Steve Black. I’ve met Steve Black on several occasions and have nothing but good things to say about our interactions. He is obviously a very accomplished person both in his professional life and for the causes that he cares about. In our last meeting he did express some dismay over how heated the dialog was here on my site. I can certainly understand that given his inexperience with the 21st century mode of political campaigning that this site was a small factor in shaping.
Having said that, lets get down to it.
Several weeks ago I was contacted by another site that was worried that one of the campaigns in the 2nd was astroturfing. I had noticed a pattern that indicated such an activity as well.
Astroturfing is simply not tolerated on my site. Campaigns are more than welcome to comment on my site, but not in the guise of grass roots support. If they have something that they want to share with the public that they can’t say as a representative of the campaign, let me know and I will certainly try to help them out, as long as it sticks to the topic at hand. There is a reason that I don’t allow anonymous posting on my site. The Southern Ohio blogosphere has already been poisoned enough by people who have been allowed to post anything anywhere. This will not happen on my site.
With that in mind I started to investigate. I quickly found evidence to that effect and contacted one of the parties. From that a lot of online back and forth happened that at times got rather heated. They did confirm my suspicions. Since we were not able to reach a private consensus, I have decided to remove the two accounts. This is the first time that I have taken such an action.
I more than welcome dialog from all parties concerning the campaign, but efforts to try and pass themselves off as something that they are not will not be tolerated.
Having said that supporters of any and all candidates are more than welcome to argue their case. I would much rather argue about ideas than deal with people trying to get one over on me.
Two years ago Blogosphere Day was the event that kicked off Paul Hackett’s record online fundraising efforts. Blogosphere Day lit the fuse but it wouldn’t have been possible without the technology of ActBlue behind it. That’s why it’s so appropriate that this year Blogosphere Day is supporting ActBlue itself. So if you love what this blog is about, and you love how we’ve changed things in the 2nd district please show some love to the organization that made it as powerful a phenomena as it has been.
Given how hard Paul Hackett was hit for once switching sides and picking a Republican ballot in a primary, I’m sure that this will stir up a few people. Still, he did donate to Vic Wulsin in 06
I’m certain that some will see this as a plus for someone running in the once safe Republican 2nd. Still, it’s not going to help things in the primary.
It’s certain that the Black campaign saw this line coming, so it will be interesting to see how they play it.
Connie Schultz will be discussing and signing her book His Lovely Wife: A Memoir from the Woman Beside the Man
7:00 p.m this Thursday @ Joseph-Beth Books in Norwood.
The book has to be good since it has a nice word for the mighty Ohio 2nd Blog Seriously, Connie provides a unique perspective to the Senate race, and it’s refreshing how honest she is about things. It doesn’t hurt that she’s a great writer. I’m glad that she finally got to have her say.
As ugly as it was, the silver lining of blogging about the Senate primary was getting to know the people on both sides. It did make for some awkward conversations. Sure there are still some kvetching in the blogosphere, but those guys need to get over themselves. Leave it to liberals to turn a huge victory into a negative.
All the major FEC Q2 numbers are in and Congresswoman Jean Schmidt is in fourth place with $115,965 in net receipts and $85,169 cash on hand. Challenger Phil Heimlich has $166,384 in net receipts and $141,069 cash on hand. (Click the $$$ button on the right to get the raw numbers)
Both Republicans are lagging behind their Democratic challengers, matching a national trend. Not something I would have expected in the heart of Bush country.
This has all the makings of a cascade failure for the grand ol’ party. What a fitting end that would be to the House the Rove built.
Fundraising numbers are in for the two “front-runners” (front-runners?!) in the Ohio 2nd’s Democratic primary. At their current pace both Democrats are on track for beating the primary money records set by Republican Pat DeWine in his losing bid for the 2nd in the 05 special election.
He’s a genuine Indian Hill blue blood whose dad was a judge. The corporate crowd in downtown Cincinnati can feel comfortable with him — he once headed the Harvard Club and was on the board at Seven Hills School, a private prep school. In other words, on paper he’s got the feel of being a Democratic version of Rob Portman, who was undefeatable in OH-02 and gave up the seat to become the Bush administration’s trade rep, then budget director. And, Portman worked at Graydon Head before running for Congress.
And under normal circumstances Black’s numbers are impressive. According to FEC Q2 reports he has raised $209,500.
Under the surface a few things stand out: $58,320 of it is a loan to himself, and a significant portion comes from family and coworkers at Graydon Head & Ritchey. Still… these are wells that Black can go to many times over the course the campaign.
One bit of insider gossip that I heard from people close to the Wulsin campaign was that one of the main areas of tension between the Doctor and her once campaign manager Mary Huttlinger was over resistance, common with newbie candidates, to the constant demands of fundraising. It’s certainly why Paul Hackett has such disdain for the political process. This election Ms. Huttlinger and Dr Wulsin have parted ways and she is working for Attorney Steve Black.
That’s why I was surprised to find out today that Wulsin for Congress is reporting Q2 numbers of $213,000, outraising Black with or without his personal borrowing. BSB was also impressed.
The Wulsin for Congress campaign crows:
Wulsin’s strong showing in her first quarter as a candidate for 2008 continues to demonstrate the strength of her campaign and her growing base of support, with more than 99 percent of her funds raised coming from individual donations. [This contrasts with 41% of Schmidt’s funds coming from individuals, in the 2006 race, the last year for which data is available.] Having come within one percentage point of defeating Schmidt in 2006 and winning more votes in Ohio’s Second District than any previous Democratic candidate, Wulsin has proven her self well-positioned to defeat the incumbent Congresswoman.
“I am starting earlier and I am starting stronger,” Wulsin said. “I am grateful for the encouragement I’ve received from the people of the Second District. This early outpouring of support indicates the strength of my campaign and desire for grassroots change in our district.”
Wulsin’s impressive fundraising strengthens her position as the candidate best suited to unseat the widely unpopular Schmidt, whose vulnerability is acknowledged by Republicans and Democrats alike. After scraping through the last election with only a one point lead, Schmidt has already received a spot on Karl Rove’s list of the most vulnerable members of Congress. Her highly publicized mistakes, such as repetitive lying (one leading to a reprimand by the Ohio Electoral Commission); impugning the valor of a fellow Congressman; downplaying hazardous and unsafe conditions where veterans are hospitalized; and marching in lock-step with the president’s escalation of the war – demonstrate her failing to effectively represent the district, reflect poorly on her constituents, and hurt her chances of re-election.
It’s our opinion that Steve Black is going to have to out raise and out hustle Dr. Wulsin if he’s going to have a chance of beating her in the primary. Wulsin is an experienced campaigner with a devoted base. Add to that the fact that primaries generally lean left, playing to Vic’s strengths.
So far it’s 0-1 Wulsin.
Well, sports fans… this is going to be one hell of a barn burner. Like it ever isn’t here in the OH02
The implication is that you have to be running for President for it to matter what your position on Iraq is. The race for the White House is a side show from the real crisis that is happening in Washington right now. Online punditry that focuses on that sideshow does serious harm in terms of making a positive impact on the real world problems that need to be resolved long before 2009.
We won control of Congress. We should act like it.
The fact that there is no consensus for resolution in Iraq from the Democratic leadership is a very real problem. Everyone wants to be a star. Everyone knows all the answers. Everyone is a genius. We don’t need geniuses, we need closers.
When I have time to worry about the race for the White House my vote will be based upon what they do now, NOT what they promise me they will do in some hypothetical future date.
The netroots are pleased with DSCC efforts to pressure GOP Senators up in ‘08 with television buys in their home states tying them to Pres. Bush on Iraq. MyDD’s Jonathan Singer blogs: “So this is what I’d like to see more of, not only from the party committees but also from the outside groups who purport to want to forward the progressive cause. Begin running ads when an issue is still on the public’s mind. Run ads when the momentum is on your side and just a little more of a push could win even more support for your efforts.” Open Left’s Matt Stoller adds: “Senator Schumer is media savvy, and my read is that this ad is designed more as a statement of DSCC priorities than a real attempt to knock down McConnell’s numbers. But stating those priorities, while Democratic elites and liberal groups plan their strategies for 2008, is a critical part of building a narrative of vulnerability.”
Also at Open Left, Chris Bowers highlights the efforts Americans Against Escalation in Iraq in pressuring Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) on the war. Bowers blogs: “We saw moderate Republicans wiped out in the Northeast last cycle, it’s looking like a new crop of Republicans in suburban districts like that of Kirk are endangered. If only the Blue Dogs and New Dems would wizen up, we could actually stop the war.”
Well.. I never thought it would happen but Jean Schmidt has actually blinked on Iraq.
When I first heard that the group “Americans Against Escalation In Iraq” was campaigning in the district to get Congresswoman Schmidt to drop her support for the invasion and continued occupation of Iraq, I thought to myself good luck with that one. I’ve never seen a more diehard supporter of President Bush’s policy in Iraq than Jean Schmidt.
Here’s what Schmidt was saying two years ago when she was running against Iraq veteran Paul Hackett:
I have been traveling around the district for the last four months, telling the folks that I’ve met that I stand shoulder to shoulder with President Bush on the war on terror, and as your representative in Congress I’ll work with Congress and the President to finish the job in Iraq and make sure we continue to take the battle to the terrorists, so they don’t create another 9-11 and bring that battle here.
No one wants to be at war. War is an action of last resort. I was not in Congress when our country voted to go to war. Like most, I am not happy with our pace of progress. However, having now traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan twice and met with dozens of foreign diplomats the only current choice we have is to finish the mission. That is not the easiest choice but it is the only one that will lead to a safer region and world. I do not defend the mistakes that have been made in the past.
Hey… it isn’t her fault. It’s not like she would have voted for it if she was a member of Congress then. SNARK Suddenly Mrs Cowards Cut and Run is cutting and running for her own passionate support for President Bush. Talk about rats from a sinking ship.
I must say that I am impressed. In a few short weeks Americans Against Escalation in Iraq has gotten Schmidt’s chief cheerleader in the House to stab our President right in the back.
The group will be having an organization meeting 6:30pm this Thursday, July 12th at the Hyde Park Branch Library, 2747 Erie Street, Cincinnati.
Perhaps with a little work we can get Schmidt to put as much passion into bringing our men and women home from Iraq as she does in fighting the delays in her weekly commute.
One of my favorite movies of all time is the 1956 MGM’s Sci-Fi masterpiece Forbidden Planet. In the movie a space crew visits an expedition run by Dr. Edward Morbius of an alien planet once home to an advanced race of beings known as the Krell. Their mission is to investigate why everyone besides the Doctor and his daughter were killed by some mysterious force. Soon the crew itself is attacked by a giant invisible energy monster that tries to rip them to shreds. As it turns out (!!! SPOILER ALERT !!!) the force trying to kill everyone is really the twisted recesses of Dr. Morbius’ subconscious given superhuman form by the Krell’s ancient alien technology.
Seriously, Connie provides a unique perspective to the Senate race, and it’s refreshing how honest she is about things. It doesn’t hurt that she’s a 
