Why Does the Ohio Republican Party Fear Their Own Voters?

 

For Immediate Release

 

January 8, 2016

 

Contact: Diana Price

clevelandteaparty@gmail.com

 

 

Why Does the Ohio Republican Party Fear Their Own Voters?

 

Voters across the country are reaching record levels of frustration, mistrust, and outrage. They are tired of backroom establishment politics continually ignoring and thwarting the voice of the people. Yet today, the Ohio Republican Party (ORP) is choosing to stick a finger in the eye of the Ohio electorate.

 

The ORP is doubling down on shady politics that is sure to further divide voters, even more so than the establishment GOP already has. In a deliberate move attempting to ensure a predetermined outcome, the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee is voting to endorse a bottom tier candidate, Gov. John Kasich, instead of respecting the will of Ohio voters and allowing the primary process to take place.

The ORP, run by State Chairman Matt Borges, a hand-picked crony of Governor John Kasich who has already been convicted of improper use of public office, this underhanded stunt should come as no surprise," stated Ralph King, State Coordinator for Tea Party Patriots. "By voting to endorse in the GOP Primary process, the ORP only reinforces the perception across the U.S. that the voice of the voters no longer matters."

Instead of fearing their voters, the Republican State Central Committee should respect the primary process and act as a neutral unifier of Republican voters against the eventual Democrat nominee. Today the Ohio Republican Party shows establishment politics and political cronyism is more important than the voice of the people."

 

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Is Americans For Prosperity-Ohio Bought & Paid For by the Greater Cleveland Partnership?

A recent Politico article highlighted how in many states Americans For Prosperity is getting more involved at a local level, with Ohio supposedly being one of them.

In the article, Americans For Prosperity-OH State Coordinator Eli Miller throws down the gauntlet in sending a stern warning to elected officials in Ohio thinking about raising taxes...

Eli Miller, who runs AFP’s affiliate in Ohio, said that no election is too localized to send a message to political leaders up and down the ballot.

“At any level — the local, the state, the federal — you’re going to hear from us. If you don’t want to hear from Americans for Prosperity Ohio, don’t raise taxes,” Miller said. “We fight at all levels.” (Emphasis Added)

After drawing this line in the sand, AFP-OH set in motion to fight a 1% tax increase in the City of Gahanna, OH. Overwhelmingly rejected by voters in May 2013, and with city officials trying to pass it again in November 2013, Eli personally weighed in on this proposed tax increase... 

"Many families in Ohio have been forced to get by with less during these difficult economic times. They have managed to make difficult cuts. They should be able to expect the same of the people they elect to represent them and spend their hard-earned tax dollars."

And after being contacted by Franklin County residents to help fight a tax increase for the Columbus Zoo, in attracting national media attention, AFP-OH was again on the front lines battling this tax increase.

Again leading the charge, Eli Miller, like Tarzan swinging down & coming to the rescue in a "King of the Jungle" moment (sans the Tarzan yell & loin cloth) again restates AFP-OH's dedication to local level issues and fighting the proposed Zoo tax increase...

It's all part of the plan. Although AFP is a national organization, its Ohio state director, Eli Miller, told WOSU that his group will be "engaged in local issues, in state issues, on federal issues."

"There is no issue we won’t get involved in if you’re going to raise taxes." Which is exactly what AFP was designed to do. (Emphasis Added)

In continuing doing what "AFP was designed to do," upon hearing the calls from residents in Upper Arlington, AFP-OH & Eli immediately jumped in the fray to also battle this local income tax increase....

However, Eli Miller, state director for Americans for Prosperity Ohio, said in a press release that his organization has received "numerous phone calls and emails from Upper Arlington residents expressing great concern" about the proposal.

"We believe firmly that increasing the income tax can hurt economic prosperity and that taxpayer money should stay in the pocket of the taxpayer rather than the city as often as possible," Miller said. "We agree with so many local residents who seem to be saying that raising the income tax just does not make sense."

Continuing to back up his statement of, "if you don't want to hear from Americans For Prosperity Ohio, don't raise taxes," Eli & AFP-OH put on a full court press against the proposed Summit County permanent .25% sales tax increase. This increase would be for safety services and to fund a $74 million multi-purpose sports & entertainment arena for the University of Akron. 

“The taxpayers of the county have to come before bigger government and basketball arenas,” State Director Eli Miller said in a news release. “Taxpayer money should stay in the pocket of the taxpayer rather than the county as much as possible. We agree with so many local residents who seem to be saying that raising the sales tax at this time just does not add up.” (Emphasis Added)

Faced with growing opposition from two local grassroots groups started to fight this sports arena tax, along with AFP-OH's stated opposition, Summit County officials removed the sports arena funding from the ballot measure.

Giving credit where credit is due, in the above instances, AFP-OH under Eli Miller's direction backed up his gutsy statements of, "If you don’t want to hear from Americans for Prosperity Ohio, don’t raise taxes,” and "There is no issue we won’t get involved in if you’re going to raise taxes." 

Unfortunately Eli's tough macho talk about fighting taxes at all levels in Ohio fell silent when it came to facing the big daddy of boondoggle taxes some local voters were facing in 2014 - the Sin Tax Extension in Cuyahoga County.

The history of a Sin Tax on cigarettes & alcohol to fund new sports stadiums in Cleveland dates back the early 1980's. Being pushed hard by corporate leaders & elected officials, it was initially rejected by Cuyahoga County voters in 1984. Eventually a 15 year Sin Tax was passed (51%) by voters in 1990 and was renewed for another 10yrs in 2005.

The Sin Tax funding for the stadiums and arenas for the Browns and Indians and Cavaliers was set to expire in 2015. Seeing that this taxpayer trough for stadium financing was going to run dry, Cuyahoga County officials and corporate leaders put the wheels in motion to keep this river of public revenue (Corporate Welfare) flowing for another 20yrs.  

Raising over $350 million to date from its initial passage in 1990, the proposed 20 year Sin Tax extension is projected to raise another $260 - $300 million. At a total collective cost of close to $650 million -- the Sin Tax extension easily dwarfs the Summit County / University of Akron proposed $74 million publicly funded arena & Columbus Zoo tax that Eli & AFP-OH vigorously opposed.

In initially signaling their commitment to fighting the behemoth Sin Tax extension, AFP-OH fired a warning shot across the bow by issuing a statement concerning public input on the Sin Tax.... 

“If the Cuyahoga County Council truly wants input from the taxpayers of the county, as County Council President C. Ellen Connally has suggested they do, then these hearings should be held at times when taxpayers can attend,” said Eli Miller, Americans for Prosperity Ohio State Director.

“An issue this important deserves to be debated and discussed with as large an audience as possible,” continued Miller. “We urge the Cuyahoga County Council to demonstrate their commitment to hearing from the taxpayers and increasing government accountability by moving these hearing times.” (Emphasis Added)

Confirming their commitment to fighting the Cuyahoga County Sin Tax extension, AFP-OH had a Field Coordinator starting to organize opposition to the Sin Tax, was explicitly expressed by Eli to myself in a phone conversation and was reaffirmed by Matt Patten (AFP-OH Asst. State Coordinator) in a January 2014 meeting held at the AFP-OH HQ in Columbus attended by Marianne Gasiecki (Mansfield TPP) and myself, Ralph King (Cleveland TPP), as State Coordinators for Tea Party Patriots.

With Eli Miller & AFP-OH on board to fight the Sin Tax extension, this set the stage for the mother of all tax fights in Ohio!  Eli Miller & his AFP-OH to battle against Cuyahoga County's Kings of Corporate Welfare pushing the Sin Tax extension -- The Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP).

Using their money & influence as the largest Chamber of Commerce in Ohio and one of the largest metropolitan chambers of commerce in the nation, the GCP had the GOP controlled Ohio Legislature add in a last minute provision to Governor Kasich's budget bill (HB 59) that would give Cuyahoga County the option to extend the Sin Tax beyond the scheduled 2015 expiration....

"We are fortunate enough to have three professional sports facilities in our city," said Marty McGann, the partnership's vice president of state and local governmental affairs. "They are getting older and the goal of this organization was to ensure that they are maintained."

Without the budget amendment, the tax would have expired in 2015 and could not have been renewed under a state law that had been in place since 2008, McGann said.

McGann said Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald were informed of the measure as the Greater Cleveland Partnership worked with lawmakers to add it to the budget. 

Seeing the Tea Party, Occupy, conservative & progressive grassroots activists teaming together with AFP-OH against the Sin Tax and the perfect storm of defeat heading their way, the cabal of corporate charlatan's at the Greater Cleveland Partnership played their wild card.

Then, almost like am unruly child being spanked, sent to their room & told to behave, AFP-OH under Eli Miller's direction pulled out of the Sin Tax fight with just a simple, "we cannot be involved with fighting the Sin Tax."

So why would Eli & AFP-OH take their marbles and sit out the largest tax fight in Ohio?  Could it possibly be his direct and familial ties to the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the corporate cabal of charlatan's pushing the Sin Tax?

The Greater Cleveland Partnership, which embodies the definition of corporate cronyism, was an idea spawned by Sam Miller & Albert Ratner of Forest City Enterprises in 2002 and started in 2004. Sam Miller & Albert Ratner are, respectively, the grandfather & uncle of Eli Miller.

Getting his start working for his grandfather & uncle at Forest City Enterprises in Cleveland. Eli moved up the ladder and went on to work for Speaker John Boehner in 2009 and the Romney campaign in 2012.  

Eli became the Ohio State Coordinator for Americans For Prosperity in May 2013 - the same month & time frame his grandfather & uncle made numerous donations to Boehner, the National Republican Congressional Committee along with other "establishment" Ohio Republicans historically supported by Americans For Prosperity in Ohio.

In May 2013 Sam Miller made donations to Speaker Boehner totaling $4,200 and a $5,800 donation to the Boehner controlled, National Republican Congressional Committee.  

While Eli's uncle Albert Ratner, during a 30 day period of Eli becoming AFP-OH State Coordinator, made a series of donations to Ohio's dream team of establishment RINO's totaling over $14,000 to Speaker John Boehner, Sen. Rob Portman, Rep. Jim Renacci and Rep. Dave Joyce. 

How's that for buying control and undermining any conservative grassroots opposition?

Not convinced yet? Stay tuned -  you will be! This is the first of a series and you can be sure - there is more to come!  Next up, the Common thread that is rotten to the Core!

RNC Picks Cleveland for 2016 National Convention

For Immediate Release

Date: Jul-09-14

Contact: Ralph King
Clevelandteaparty@gmail.com

2016 GOP National Convention in Democrat Stronghold of Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland --  Far from a bastion of conservatism, and in the Democrat's stronghold in Ohio, the RNC has chosen to host their 2016 GOP National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

The announcement of Cleveland, Ohio being the host city may come as a surprise to many living outside the Cleveland area. But thanks to the hard work, dedication and outstanding presentation of the Cleveland Host Committee, the RNC Site Selection Committee could not have made a better choice.

In stepping outside their comfort zone, the RNC’s bold decision to host the 2016 GOP National Convention in Cleveland, the Democrats backyard in Ohio, shows not only the importance of Ohio in the Presidential election, but also the importance of the vastly outnumbered grassroots conservatives in the northeast Ohio region.

"We are thrilled the RNC has chosen to host the 2016 GOP National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. We welcome them with open arms and look forward to helping make this the best GOP convention ever," stated Ralph King, Co-Founder of the Cleveland Tea Party Patriots.

“In view of the recent primary in Mississippi and the ongoing battle to restore core conservative values in the GOP," continued King,  "this will be a great opportunity for the RNC & Chairman Priebus to show to conservative grassroots activists that they understand that without our support and involvement, victory in 2016 will not be possible."

Currently in formal negotiations with the RNC, the official announcement of Cleveland as the host city is expected to be made at the RNC's meeting in August.

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Action Alert: Contact Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee Now!

As the election for Ohio Republican Party (ORP) Chairman will also effect GOP races at all levels -- county, state and federal elections in our state, including the 2016 Presidential election -- it is important that all levels of the Republican Party are also contacted in a final push before this Friday's vote for State Chairman

Your conservative views and voices will NOT be represented with the selection of their hand picked candidate Matt Borges as Ohio Republican Party Chairman and it is up to you - rank and file Republicans, Tea Party supporters and conservative Independents - to stop the GOP establishment elite and their hand picked candidate with a checkered past.

Yesterday we asked that you contact the GOP Statewide elected officials who have endorsed Matt Borges.  Today, we are asking you to please call the ORP State Central Committee (SCC) who will be voting this Friday to select the next ORP State Chairman.  The future of conservatism in Ohio -- hinges on this race.

To date the so-called Tea Party members elected to the ORP SCC last year have failed miserably. They sat silent and REFUSED to come out against Medicaid expansion in Ohio and now they sit silent regarding Matt Borges as ORP State Chairman.  

Below are members of the ORP State Central Committee (SCC) for Senate Districts covering Cuyahoga County and surrounding counties.  The ones denoted with *** claimed to be Tea Party or sent out literature with Tea Party logos during their campaign for ORP SCC.

Now is the time to draw the line in the sand
either they represent core conservative value or they don’t!

Take Action

Please contact as many of the ORP SCC members listed below as you can, and ask that they immediately come out publicly against Matt Borges as ORP State Chairman. Ask that they attend this Friday's ORP election for State Chairman, and they support a motion to suspend the rules for an open ballot vote for ORP State Party Chairman.

Senate District 21 / (Cuyahoga County)

Joe Miller ***  (Joe did come out against Medicaid Expansion)

PH #: (216)659-1900
Email: miller9977@roadrunner.com

Sue Rodman 

PH #: (216)381-5861

Email: rodmanreal@aol.com

Senate District 23 / (Cuyahoga County)

Bob Bennett ***

PH #: (216)961-8400

Email: bennett@ohiogop.com

Diane Stover ***

PH #: (440)888-8170

Email: dianestover@aol.com

Senate District 24 / (Cuyahoga County)

Jeff Dean ***

PH #: (440)247-2888

Email: dean@en.com

Nancy Suhadolnik ***

PH #: (440)846-6666

Email: nancegop@roadrunner.com

Senate District 25 (Cuyahoga / Lake County)

Dan Carter ***

PH #: (216)392-4509

Email: carter@buckleyking.com

Brittany Williams

PH #: (440)781-9038

Email: bwilliams@cuyahogacountygop.com 

Surrounding Counties

Senate District 22 / (Medina)

Jim Woods ***

PH #: (330)241-5228

Email: jimwoods@mcfan.org

Sharon Ray ***

PH #: (330)461-3599

Email: sharonray2002@yahoo.com

Senate District 18 (Portage / Geauga & Lake)

Andy Manning ***

PH #: (330)678-1403

Email: ohioandy@aol.com

Amy Sabath

PH #: (440)796-8802

Email: aesabath@aol.com

For a list of contact information on all the current Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee members please click here.

As noted above, the election of Matt Borges as ORP Chairman race will have a negative effect on all races in Ohio, including local, state, U.S. Senate, Congress and the 2016 Presidential race; please also contact the below GOP leaders....

Local County Republican Party's

Cuyahoga County GOP

Chairman Rob Frost

PH#: (216)621-0077

Email: rfrost@cuyahogacountygop.com

To contact your county GOP please click here.

National GOP 

Republican National Committee

Chairman Reince Priebus

PH#: (202)863-8500

Contact: Click Here

House Republican Caucus

Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers

PH#: (202)225-5107

Twitter: @gopconference

Senate Republican Caucus

Chairman Senator John Thune

PH#: (202)224-2764

Contact: Click Here

Twitter: @Senate_GOPs

If you cannot call, at least send off e-mails; you can email all the names above in less than 2 minutes.

Call to Action: Stop the Ohio Republican Party's Backroom Deals

With the retirement of current Ohio Republican Party (ORP) Chairman Bob Bennett, this coming Friday the ORP will be electing a new chairman. The importance of this race is immeasurable as the new ORP Chairman will be the face and will set the course for the future of the Republican Party and the conservative cause in Ohio.

In the announcing of his retirement, Bennett, a known lover of backroom deals, has declared his support for current OPR Executive Director Matt Borges to be his successor as ORP Chairman. 

In a previous post regarding the mindless decision to elect Mr. Borges as the new ORP Chairman, we noted his troubled and checkered past as a former lobbyist for Equality Ohio - a gay rights group was noted. Also noted was his guilty plea to charges of "illegal use of public office" related to pay-to-play schemes (which have been expunged), while working in the State Treasurer's Office .  It has also been reported that Mr. Borges has some outstanding issues  with the I.R.S.

Although, as previously noted, Borges was a lobbyist for a gay rights group, this does not mean he supports gay rights (though he has refused to state his position on same-sex marriage).  However, it does show his willingness to push the agenda of anybody with the money to pay him or in this case make donations to the ORP.

The fact that Borges has plead guilty to pay-to-play type schemes shows, as ORP Chairman, he will be more beholden to donors with the largest checkbook and his lobbyist/consultant class friends, and NOT to the rank & file conservatives and grassroots groups across the state.

In a show of support for backroom deals over integrity, transparency and good government, all the GOP Statewide office holders, with blind party loyalty, have endorsed Bennett's hand picked successor, Matt Borges, for ORP Chairman.

Please contact the below GOP Statewide elected officials and request that they IMMEDIATELY rescind their endorsement of Mr. Borges as ORP Chairman, as their support of a person with such a checkered past is a direct reflection on them as a GOP office holder and as a future GOP candidate for reelection.

Statewide GOP Officials

(Twitter users - #orpbackroomdeals)

Governor John Kasich

PH#: (614)466-3555
Contact: Click Here
Twitter: @JohnKasich
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnRKasich

Lt. Governor Mary Taylor

PH#: (614)466-3555
Contact: Click Here 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryTaylorOH

Secretary of State Jon Husted

PH#: (614)466-0562
Contact: Click Here 
Twitter: @OhioSOSHusted
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohiososhusted

Attorney General Mike DeWine

PH#: (614)466-4986
Contact: Click Here
Twitter: @OhioAG
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeDeWine 

State Auditor Dave Yost

PH #: (614)466-3402
Contact: Click Here
Twitter: @OhioAuditor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dave.yost

State Treasurer Josh Mandel

PH#: (614)466-2160
Contact: Click Here
Twitter: @JoshMandelOhio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshMandel

Ohio Republican Party Supports Scandal-Plagued & former Gays Right's Lobbyist for State Chairman

In a move that rivals the incompetence of their one-time desire to name former Congressman Bob McEwen (aka Bouncin' Bob) as Spokesman of the Ohio Republican Party, Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett just named former lobbyist for the gay rights group "Equality Ohio" - Matt Borges -- as their new Executive Director.

And with Bennett's upcoming retirement as Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, ALL of Ohio's State-wide office holders have signed a letter sent by Bennett to members of the ORP State Central Committee in support of Borges as his successor....

From the Columbus Dispatch --

From Gov. John Kasich to Treasurer Josh Mandel to U.S. Sen. Rob Portman; from U.S. House Speaker John Boehner to Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder, all of Ohio’s statewide nonjudicial elected Republicans as well as the state’s leading GOP lawmakers signed a letter endorsing Matt Borges as the state party’s next chairman.

The letter was sent this morning to each of the Ohio Republican Party’s 66 central committee members. The party’s current chairman, Robert T. Bennett, will retire May 31.

“The Ohio Republican Party is an invaluable resource for all of our races,” said the letter, signed by Secretary of State Jon Husted, Senate President Keith Faber of Celina and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, among others. “Moving forward, we need Matt Borges as chairman of the Ohio Republican Party to give us the best chance of continuing Ohio’s comeback.”

The letter would appear to head off the turmoil and nastiness that led to Bennett’s re-installment as chairman after a previous retirement last year. Kasich successfully drove then-chairman Kevin DeWine from power in 2012 after a long, ugly power struggle.

Borges is currently the party’s executive director. The letter praises his “ability to raise money, organize volunteers, and effectively manage large organizations” and says now “it’s time to stand behind him.” 

While one concern should immediately be that Borges was a lobbyist for an agenda driven group that promote policy that counters the Ohio Republican Party platform (and probably the platform of every State & County GOP  organization across the country), another concern should be Borges' 2004 guilty plea to one count of illegal use of public office....

A former chief of staff and fund-raiser for Ohio Treasurer Joe Deters pleaded guilty yesterday to charges in a "pay-to-play " scandal that could imperil Mr. Deters' political career.

Matt Borges, who was Mr. Deters' chief of staff from 1999 to 2001 and a key campaign staff member, pleaded guilty to one count of improper use of a public office.

Mr. Borges was fined $1,000 by Judge Eileen Gallagher of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, but he could have faced six months in jail along with the fine.

Mr. Borges was charged with giving 10 brokers who had contributed to Mr. Deters' campaign fund an advantage in getting contracts with the treasurer's office. The treasurer is the state's chief investment officer. (Toledo Blade)

It should be noted that one of the brokers that received special treatment was the former Cleveland Branch Chief with Lehman Bros. Holdings Inc. and SG Cowen & Co., convicted broker Frank Gruttadauria.

Gruttadauria, who besides bilking clients out of over $125 million, plead guilty to bribing or offering money to someone connected with Mr. Deters' office from March, 1999, to January, 2002, to get business from the treasurer's office.  During this time Gruttadauria employers made a combined $5.9 billion in investment trades with the Treasurer's office.

In conclusion, that Borges is a lobbyist for a gay rights group, doesn't mean he supports gay rights, it shows he is willing to push the agenda of anybody with the money to pay him. 

And the fact that Borges has plead guilty to pay to play type schemes, show's as ORP Chairman, he will be more beholden to donors with the largest check and his lobbyist/consultant class friends and not to the rank & file conservatives and grassroots groups across the state.

Obviously, the Ohio Republican Party learned nothing from the beating they took in the Romney election and Mandel election here in Ohio.

An Open Letter to Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett: 2012 Elections

In response to the recent naming of former Congressman and current ORP State Central Committeeman Bob McEwen as spokesman of the Ohio Republican Party (ORP) for the 2012 election, the below letter is being sent to ORP Interim Chairman Bob Bennett voicing our concerns and objections over this intellectually vacuous and questionable appointment.

Ohio Republican Party

Chairman Bob Bennett

211 South Fifth St

Columbus, OH 43215

Dear Chairman Bennett,

In light of your recent comments in which you stated former Congressman Bob McEwen would be named as Spokesman for the Ohio Republican Party during the 2012 election cycle, accordingly, we feel the need to respond and share our concerns.

With what arguably may be the most important election many of us will ever face in our lifetime, the importance of acting soundly, smartly, and with integrity cannot be underestimated. Because Ohio is a key battleground state, decisions and actions in Ohio made during this election cycle WILL play prominently in the eventual outcome of the Presidential election

Considering his past role in the House Banking Scandal and past voting indiscretions, we believe the decision to name former Congressman and current ORP State Central Committeeman Bob McEwen as spokesman to be sorely lacking in political judgment and respectfully request this decision be rescinded or reconsidered.

While volunteers and Tea Party members across the state fan out in our GOTV efforts promoting our conservative values, voter integrity, and the need for integrity in our elected officials, the appointment of Congressman McEwen flies in the face of good judgment; an individual who can be attacked for having violated the public trust is a poor choice for a political party spokesman.

We know all too well how President Obama will do everything possible to deflect attention from his 4 years of policies that have failed this state and our country.  It is incumbent on the Ohio Republican Party to remain vigilant in making sure they do not willfully arm the left with endless political fodder with actions like this leading up to the all-important 2012 election.

In closing, we look forward to your written response to this request in a timely manner, and we want to thank you for giving our correspondence your immediate and undivided attention.

Regards,

Ralph King

Marianne Gasiecki

Tea Party Patriots

State Coordinators (OH)

After speaking with many of the Tea Party & Liberty group members and Coordinators across Ohio, we have yet to find anyone that supports the decision to name McEwen as ORP Spokesman for the 2012 election.

After learning of former Congressman McEwen's role in the House Banking Scandal, past voting scandals and, past work as a high-powered lobbyist, the reaction has ranged from disbelief to disgust.

For the record, we do believe in forgiveness and that people can change. We applaud former Congressman McEwen for acknowledging, accepting and learning from his past mistakes. And we believe that the role and work he is currently doing on the ORP State Central Committee is where his experience would best serve the conservative movement during this election cycle.

Former Congressman McEwen surely recognizes the liabilities that his being ORP spokesman would bring and, how it will surely diminish any chances of conservative success in 2012.

If former Congressman McEwen has truly learned from his past mistakes and is a changed person, and in light of what the future of our nation faces in this upcoming election, Congressman McEwen would do the right thing by putting country first and reconsider his taking on this role as ORP Spokesman.

Cleveland Tea Party Patriot Members Running for ORP State Central Committee

Because of the usual political chicanery of ORP Chairman Kevin DeWine ( #1 Fake Tea Party Candidate in Ohio) and with some candidates incorrectly claiming to be "Tea Party" candidates, we want to inform you the CTPP does not and will not endorse candidates.

Confusing the issue even more this year is a list of "supposed" Tea Party candidates or candidates that should be supported by the Tea Party groups in Ohio that has been put out by a conservative group without any input from the local Tea Party groups. 

This fabricated & self-serving list created by Jim Woods of McFan, and promoted by Tom Zawistowski of the Portage Tea Party, is nothing more than an individuals intellectually dishonest attempt to mislead Tea Party supporters into supporting non-Tea Party thinking candidates and to further Wood's chances of being elected to the SCC by snuggling up and looking for help from Team Kasich.  And Zawistowski's desire to gain contracts for his robo-call sham.

And in thinking they will get a "seat at the table" for helping Kasich, the OLC is also supportive of this questionable list - this is a huge mistake. Once gaining control - Kasich will kick them to the curb like yesterdays garbage.

While some are out there picking candidates based on what is good for either the DeWine Team or the Kasich Team, we will choose to be on the "We the People of good Government" Team. Going from one master to another is never a good thing

There are good Tea Party members across the state and in this region running in the ORP State Central Committee races. We encourage you to contact the local Tea Party in your area to verify any assertions of a candidate claiming to be a "Tea Party" candidate.

Though not an endorsement, we are proud to inform you several CTPP members and supporters are running for ORP State Central Committee --

SD # 21 (Male) - Joe Miller / http://www.joe4statecentral.com/

SD # 23 (Male) - Dave Morris / http://www.davidmorris.us/

SD # 25 (Male) - Ron Lisy / http://www.ronlisy.com/

Ron Lisy was endorsed by Buckeye Firearms.

We applaud these individuals for stepping up and taking on the ORP machine. The above list is not inclusive of all the Tea Party "supporting" candidates running for these seats. There are many good candidates and equally as many bad candidates trying to deceive you. Again, we urge you to contact your local Tea Party to verify any claims of so-called or self-anointed Tea Party candidates.

We cannot stress the importance of the elections for these seats enough. If you are tired having the "Party" anoint candidates for you, if you are sick of the continued political patronage of the ORP being put before good candidates and good legislation - this is where you can help stop it.

To find your State Senate District click here.

Ohio's #1 Fake Tea Party Candidate - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine

With Super Tuesday and voting being tomorrow we wanted to highlight some of the candidates running in these all important Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee (SCC) races. This year there is a big fight for control of the Ohio Republican Party and the future of the party will be set in these races. 

Members of the ORP State Central Committee set the policy & platform for the Party. Also included in their duties is the endorsing of candidates and selecting the state party chairman. Each Senate District has 1 male and 1 female SCC member.  (For a list of CTPP members running for ORP State Central Committee, click here.)

The ORP State Central Committee races will allow us to restore some integrity which has been long lacking under the former ORP Chairman Bob Bennett and completely absent under the leadership of current ORP Chairman Kevin DeWine.

As always around election time, even though some like to think the Tea Party is dead, we see candidates falsely claiming to be Tea Party candidates. 

The biggest fraud and #1 fake Tea Party candidate for 2012 is none other than Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine himself!

Willing to do everything but sell his own mother to stay in control of the ORP, Chairman Kevin DeWine has resorted to highly unethical behavior to minimize competition for incumbent supporters of his on the ORP State Central Committee.  Chairman DeWine has also spent untold amounts of money to enable his supporters to also inaccurately claim they are Tea Party candidates through mailers and literature drops.

While Chairman DeWine is allowed to spend party money to support endorsed candidates, according to the FEC it shows he is surely not protecting the party money in a fiscally responsible way, in a transparent way and possibly not even in a legal way.  And we can throw in a little cronyism with individuals tied to former Statehouse scandals.

And of course we cannot forget how, through Chairman DeWines ally in the OH Senate, Senator Shannon Jones, introduced the train wreck bill from the start - SB5 / Issue 2 -  with the sole intent on giving the unions a victory in Ohio all in the name of Kevin DeWine keeping his job.

But should this type of behavior be surprising from Chairman DeWine's failed leadership and phony claims of being a Tea Party candidate - absolutely not, it is no different than he acted during the 2010 elections.

Leading up to the 2010 elections, Chairman DeWine arrogantly took all the credit for winning in Ohio and disregarded any Tea Party efforts in the 2010 successes as minimal at best. In fact, Chairman DeWine was anything but a "Tea Party" supporter with his threats and lied filled smears on candidates supported by the Tea Partys in Ohio.

To highlight just a few of the ways ORP Chairman Kevin DeWine embraced the Tea Party he claims to love would be by refusing to acknowledge Tea Party groups requests that an endorsement meeting for candidates not be held on 9/11 out of respect for this most sacred day in our country's history.

And of course we cannot forget the shameful episode of partisan musical chairs in the GOP primaries for statewide races during the 2010 election in which Chairman DeWine was too weak of a chairman to keep his RINO cousin, former US Senator Mike DeWine, in running for Ohio Attorney General.  Angering the Tea Party movement he claims to be a part of, how did Chairman Kevin DeWine react to this outrage? Well.... he called the police on Tea Party groups!  And in another another one of his episodes, Kevin DeWhine described Tea Party members as "liars and noisy distractions".

So using the same description we have for his partisan pal Secretary of State John Husted when he falsely claimed to be a "Tea Party" candidate, we have the same to say about ORP Chairman Kevin DeWine's claims to be a "Tea Party" candidate...  "the closest Kevin DeWine would ever come to being with the Tea Party is that he would have been Captain of the British ship in the Boston Harbor."

For too long, under former ORP Chairman Bob Bennett's tenure and under current ORP Chairman Kevin DeWine, the GOP in this state has dictated to the conservatives of this state what it will do and who will be the GOP candidates. It is time to send ORP Chairman and the ORP State Central Committee a message that it is "We the People" that will dictate to them.

No longer should the personal agendas, partisan vindictiveness, leadership failures and questionable behavior of Chairman Kevin DeWine be allowed to rule the Ohio Republican Party. 

Buckeye Firearms endorses Ron Lisy (SD 25) for GOP State Central Committee

Candidate for GOP State Central Committee in Senate District 25 and Tea Party member / supporter, Ron Lisy, was recently endorsed by Buckeye Firearms Association.

Buckeye Firearms Association has been leading the charge in protecting our 2nd Amendment rights against attacks by the progressives and liberals who continually assault our God-given and Constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms.

From Elect Ron Lisy --

The Buckeye Firearms Association recently made endorsements in several races, including Ohio Republican State Central Committeeman for the 25th Senate District. 

According to Buckeye Firearms the choice in that race is former Bedford City Councilman Ron Lisy. 

Lisy received a "A" Rating from Buckeye Firearms, a rating that is reserved for candidates with a proven track record of support for Second Amendment rights.   

Normally granted only to incumbents, the Buckeye Firearms endorsement committee believed Ron Lisy's track record on Second Amendment rights warranted an "A"  rating.  

Cities in the 25th Ohio Senate District-

Lake County- Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Lakeline, Mentor (partial), Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, Timberlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby, Willowick

Cuyahoga County- Beachwood, Bedford, Bedford Heights, Cleveland (partial), East Cleveland, Euclid, Highland Hills, Maple Heights, Mayfield Heights, North Randall, Orange, Pepper Pike, Richmond Heights, South Euclid, Warrensville Heights, Woodmere

Though not an endorsement by the CTPP, we are also proud to inform you that several other CTPP members and supporters are running for ORP State Central Committee --

SD # 18 (Male) - Jamie Callender / http://jamiecallender.com

SD # 21 (Male) - Joe Miller / www.joe4statecentral.com

SD # 21 (Female) - Sue Rodman

SD # 23 (Male)  - Dave Morris / www.davidmorris.us

SD # 23 (Female)  Doris Durica / dorisdurica@yahoo.com

SD # 25 (Male) - Ron Lisy / www.ronlisy.com

We applaud these individuals for stepping up and taking on the ORP machine. To find your State Senate District click here.