Goodbye Chelsea, Hello Michelle

Michelle Obama will attending a campaign rally on Friday, February 15, at 6:00 PM at Music Hall. Doors will open at 5:15.

The event is free.

Update: Howard Wilkinson has now posted this information on the Enquirer's Politics Extra Blog.

Forgetfulness About History

Ricky Santorum today on the history of the Republican party and why John McCain is apparently a problem:

"The Republican Party was founded as the antislavery party. It was, thus, a regional party. After the Civil War, the North and Upper Midwest were Republican, the South and Southwest Democratic. With the exception of the solidly Democratic Catholic vote in the Northeast, the North was virtually a one-party region right up to the Great Depression.

All that changed after the 1960s. The Democratic Party embraced the '60s Cultural Revolution, with its hostility to the military and traditional values. The GOP pursued Richard Nixon's Southern Strategy to court Southern conservatives away from the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party became the party of George McGovern and Ted Kennedy. After some stiff resistance, the Republican Party became the party of Ronald Reagan. The upshot today: If you are a conservative, you are a Republican; if you're a liberal, you're a Democrat."

Now, what exactly was that Southern Strategy and isn't there something missing in Ricky's history lesson? I think I have found it. The Democratic Party's embrace of the "60s Cultural Revolution" included an embrace of the civil rights movement and led the GOP to pursue a racist strategy to to court white Southern conservatives away from the Democratic Party. A query for 2008 --- Will the current incarnation of the GOP employ a Southern Strategy against Barak Obama, if the Democratic Party (and this seems likely at the moment) nominates a multiracial (not that all of us are not multiracial) person of color -- a person of African descent -- to be its Presidential candidate? Will such a Southern Strategy be successful in 2008?

I don't want to go to Chelsea

Anyone make it out and meet Chelsea Clinton?

Get On Your Soapbox

Starting today there is another website, beyond this one, that will be telling the story of Cincinnati. Hop up on your own Soapbox and find out the latest about why Cincinnati is a vibrant place to live, work, play, and create.

Contrast and Compare

The Hamilton County Democrats provide information to local party members about events going on for both Presidential Candidates. Here is today's email:

Dear Supporter,

To All Southwest Obama Supporters,

Obama for America is proud to announce the opening of its Cincinnati, Ohio office and an organizational meeting to kick off the final three weeks of the Ohio campaign. Volunteers have been working hard here to spread Barack Obama's message of change to FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS in Cincinnati. Now, following a series of victories across the country, the Obama campaign is happy to welcome everyone to an organizational meeting here in Hamilton County. The details are:

What: Obama for America Organizational Meeting
When: Wednesday, Februrary 13th, 6p.m.-8p.m.
Where: New Friendship Baptist Church, 3212 Reading Road, near the intersection of Martin Luther King and Reading Rd.

This is an important opportunity. It's a chance to meet the staff you'll be working with, hear about what we plan to do here in Hamilton County, and learn about how YOU can help deliver Ohio for Barack Obama. If you haven't been involved, the time is now.

NEW CINCINNATI OFFICE
We are also excited to announce the opening of our new Cincinnati office. It's located at:
1524 Madison Rd., in DeSales Plaza, (just across the street from the former Kerry HQ).
The office will be open from 9a.m.-9p.m., everyday, beginning this Thursday, February 14th. We would love to have everyone stop by and check us out. Watch for more events, meetings, and opportunities to get involved over the next week. Phone numbers will be available soon.

There are 20 days until the Ohio Primary.
_____________________________________________________________________

Hillary in Columbus
Hillary Clinton will be appearing at a Rally in Columbus on Thursday Febrauray 14, at the French Field House, 410 Woody Hayes Dr. Doors will open at 4:30 and the event is open to the public at large.

Rally for Hillary

Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Where: Adonis, 4601 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45226

General Area: east side of town near near Old Coney, Riverbend, Lunkin airport

This Rally will be held on Sunday, March 2nd, to accommodate some special guests. This is just two days before the Ohio primary!

Doors open at 3:00 PM. $7.00 each person requested. EVERYONE is welcomed to join us in our big HILLARY rally just before the Ohio primary! This event is at an upscale night club, casual dress is OK! Everyone knows that Ohio will be a crucial battleground state, and Hillary needs your support for Ohio! If you're not in Ohio we still want you here, the more the merrier!

This will not be a boring political event, there will be FUN for everyone! We will have keynote democratic speakers, food, fun, dancing and lots of Hillary stuff for everyone! We are having this event in the mid to later afternoon so people from all over the state of Ohio can attend. If you would like to stay the night in Cincinnati please let us know if you need hotel information and we will forward it to you. More info at www.myspace.com/hillaryohio $7.00 each person requested donation. Camera's are welcomed!

Host
Jeff Harney
PS.
We'll pass along information a bout the local Clinton Campaign office as soon as we have it, at this wrting that information is not available.

Both campaigns are represented in the mailing, which isn't the issue. What I believe is illustrated is the failure of the Clinton ground game. The Obama camp is ready to open their Cincinnati headquarters. The writer of the email apologetically tells the reader that they'll let you know as soon as the Hillary camp has a local office. Hillary may win Ohio, but they are not doing by being a little slow on the pick-up. Will a good ground game in in Ohio be enough for Obama win in Ohio?

Do We Have Presidential Nominees Yet?

This is all just too much fun --- even more fun because it captures the very essence of the man and his campaign.

OK, how does McCain make the Huckster go away? And what gives with only counting two-thirds of the caucus sites in Washington State and then declaring McCain the winner?

Can Clinton survive to the March 4 primaries, if Obama has won Kansas, Washington, Louisiana, Maine, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Hawaii and Wisconsin between Super Tuesday and March 4 and she has won none? What does Obama have to do to begin to capture lower educated and lower income non-African American voters? Who gets Latino voters in Texas? Union workers in Ohio? Why are those white Democratic voters who are most secure and comfortable in their financial position in society ("Starbucks Democrats") overwhelmingly supporting Obama thus far, while those white Democratic voters who are least financially secure and comfortable ("Dunkin Donut Democrats") overwhelmingly sticking with Clinton thus far? Does Clinton withdraw if she does not win Ohio AND Texas on March 4? Should she withdraw at that point or should she fight on through Pennsylvania? What if Clinton and Obama remain virtually tied in delegates through the end of all primaries and the super delegates have to make the decision? How should they decide? What do Obama supporters do if the super delegates swing to Clinton? What do Clinton supporters do if the super delegates swing to Obama? Either way they swing, hasn't the process been run according to the rules and neither side has grounds for bitching? Aren't super delegates fundamentally anti-democratic? How will all this end?

Maybe everyone will just get together and decide that the country deserves another Bush term to keep us all safe from terror through torture ----- Mission Accomplished!

Best Of Cincinnati 2008

CityBeat has opened up voting for its Best Of Cincinnati issue. Please be sure to make your choice for Best Blog. With the addition of our new writers, I think Cincinnati Blog has improved. 2007 did see the advent of many great new local blogs, so the competition I think will be tough this year.

The hardest thing about the survey is trying to remember the names of all of the places. I'm having a hard time remembering the actual name of some of the restaurants I like, especially in the more obscure categories.

Sorry, It's Not a Blue Pony

In all seriousness a big welcome to A Lucky Step, a new furniture store that just opened in the Gateway area.

Know Theatre : Red Light Winter

Tonight opens up the rep production of Red Light Winter at the Know Theatre. I'm attending tonight, but I think it is sold out! Get your tickets for an upcoming show now. You might email the Enquirer and make them aware that there is something to do Downtown after you eat dinner at one of the many new restaurants. I guess they don't read their own websites much.

CincyPAC - Meet and Greet Congressional Candidates

Sean Parker of CincyPAC has announced an event for Cincinnati YPs to a meet and greet candidates from the 1st and 2nd districts:

Mark your calendars, CincyPAC will be having its first event of 2008 on February 21 at Mixx Lounge on Main St. We are inviting all of the District 1 and District 2 Congressional Candidates to attend the event. Please check the blog at www.cincypac.com for updates on who is running and who will be attending.

What: Congressional Candidate Meet & Greet with Greater Cincinnati Young Professionals
When: Thursday, February 21, 2008 from 6pm-8pm
Where: Mixx Lounge on Main St.

For Questions or to RSVP: Email Sean@cincypac.com

A great chance to meet the candidates and check out a new OTR venue.

Ohio Will Matter

Ohio is going to see a lot of Hillary and Barack over the next month.

CiN Weekly's New Look

Any thoughts on CiN Weekly's website redo? They have conformed with the formating of Cincinnati.com, so it looks much like the Enquirer's portal, which makes sense since the site now resolves to cinweekly.cincinnati.com.

More Streetcar Obstacles Ahead

This week's City Beat has an article by the always-excellent Kevin Osborne suggesting that Mayor Mallory will have to overcome some significant obstacles to see his streetcar proposal to fruition. Most notably, 3CDC seems to have some concerns about whether they'll continue to get their share of the funding pie once the City starting spending on the streetcar infrastructure:

"We are concerned (that streetcars are) funded with a dedicated revenue stream and a sustainable revenue stream," says Steven Leeper, 3CDC's president. Any financing plan shouldn't rely on funds "presently being used effectively in the neighborhood. We don't want to stop that momentum. We want something that will complement that."
Due to 3CDC's concerns, city officials are tweaking the plan to use less TIF money and likely will borrow more cash. Other ideas also being considered include imposing a special assessment fee on surface parking lots for their "wasted development potential," sources say. There are more than 100 such lots in downtown and Over-the-Rhine.

Many will remember that I wrote a post that was somewhat critical of the streetcar plans a few weeks ago; subsequently, I announced that I've come around--tentatively--to the pro-streetcar side of the issue (not that anyone cares what I think).

3CDC may have a valid concern: the streetcar ought to proceed alongside current development efforts, not in place of them. But assuming that concern can be mollified, there should be no reason for 3CDC to "derail" the streetcar efforts.

It'll be interesting to see what tone the hearing on the 25th takes. If Cranley wants to obstruct what seems like a positive step forward for downtown and OTR, he'll certainly have the opportunity to do so. Hopefully, he take the opportunity to see beyond what he sees as his fairly narrow base of support (which falls squarely outside of downtown) and do the right thing.

State of the City

Mayor Mallory gave his State of the City speech last night at Playhouse in the Park. How was it received? How does his vision gel with where we are headed? I was very pleased to see a Streetcar Plan from Downtown to Uptown was high on his list.


Read the speech here(doc).

Reader Survey: Fifth and Race

There's currently no proposal at all for the large lot at Fifth and Race (for those of you not sure, we're speaking of the parking lot adjacent to the Millennium Hotel that stretches along Race between Fifth and Sixth). That gives us the opportunity to do our own creative thinking about what should be there. As Grif correctly points out, there's plenty "to do" downtown (I'd add Music Hall and the CAC to his list), but there's always room for more. In no particular order, what would you build at Fifth and Race if the decision were yours?

• Condos
• A grocery store
• A movie theatre (the kind that would show Rambo)
• An "indie" movie theatre like the Esquire
• A bowling alley/nightclub like the former Jillian's
• A really big Chipotle (sorry, that's just me fighting my own substance abuse issues)
• A gym or health club

Of those, the condos are my least favorite. My thought is that the space should be either (a) something that the neighborhood residents need/want; (b) something that will draw people downtown; or (c) some combination of the two.

Some Monday CinTV Fluff

Queen City Survey ponders TV ideas set in Cincinnati. The 6 given are actually pretty good. I was thinking of a period drama set in the 19th or early 20th Century, call it Pork Journalism and set it is as a drama through the eyes of a Cincinnati Post reporter.

New Blog: OhioFirstPolitics

OhioFirstPolitics will be covering the Ohio 1st Congressional district race. Give it a read.

I Wanted a RED Pony!

There is no pleasing the Enquirer, especially the headline writer for this article Too many restaurants?. What the article lacks is a comparison of how many restaurants used to be downtown and how many are there now. It also incorrectly lumps in dinner restaurants and lunch restaurants in its "analysis." Lunch places like Potbelly and Ingredients are not anything for Jeff Ruby to worry about. I wonder how much of this story stems from talking to Ruby. In the article Ruby sounds like he has no clue what is happen downtown. He tries to be cute with the "San Quentin theory", which fails to recognize that Downtown is growing and more people are eating dinner every night of the week.

Also either Menelaos Triantafillou's is talking about making Downtown a full "neighborhood" where you can get the dry cleaning after dinner or he has never been downtown:

“The number of restaurants is one question, but more important, what else is there? If people go to dinner, and they want to do something else afterward – which is what humans do – there needs to be something else to see: shops or theater. There needs to be synergism,” said Triantafillou. “You see it now around the Aronoff, with Nicholson’s, Nada, the Contemporary Art Center. Think of other cities or, for example, Clifton, where there are all the amenities you need to enjoy a nice night out. That’s what downtown needs.”

Has Menelaos been downtown before? You have over 4 very popular nightclubs, the poison rooms, 4 live theatre companies (and Playhouse up the hill), Arnoff, Taft, Fountain Square, the Blue Wisp. You could drive to Mt. Adams or NKY if you prefer. There are tons of things to do after dinner downtown. That is clearly not an issue. If the guy means there is not a movie theater, than I am going laugh my ass off. Seriously, people don't go to Nada and then want to see Rambo.

Fifth and Race: Back to the Drawing Board

Once again, Eagle Realty has failed to deliver on promises for the Fifth and Race site. This time, it appears that the City is unwilling to grant it another extension, and Eagle will no longer retain the development rights.

Eagle looks to blame the City for its failure to come up with $3.8 million in funding. I'm curious about the nature of that money. Surely it isn't the case that Eagle had secured $96 million in funding, and the City wouldn't close the remaining gap to get to $100 million, is it? Or is this one of those situations where an initial $5 or $6 million was needed at the outset, Eagle wanted the City to foot half or more, and there was no guaranteed source for the balance of the $100 million? Anyone have the details?

Cranley Doesn't Get It

john Cranley has never understood urban transportation. If it doesn't get him votes on the Westside, then he's going to "question it". If the Streetcar plan included rebuilding the Price Hill incline, John likely would vote twice to approve that.

If you want to know about the streetcar, how it will help the city, how it will work, check out www.cincystreetcar.com.