52 to 48 Schmidt

First off to those fools on the right who thought Schmidt would get 70, let alone 60 percent of the vote, they really were not paying enough attention.

Secondly, I am perplexed by why half of Clermont county was the last to report in the entire district.

After all six other counties in the district had completed their ballot counts in what was a low-turnout election, Schmidt’s home county, Clermont, had reported a little more than half of its precincts.
“I have no idea what is going on over there,’’ said Hamilton County Board of Elections chairman Tim Burke. “I don’t know what their problem is.’’

They have electronic optical scan machines, which means they should have been done the fastest. Why were they later than Hamilton County? I am not look for conspiracies here, just like to point out things that look like incompetence. I hope they double check how they vote. What makes this look bad, is that before the rest of Clermont county finally submitted their votes, the race was a dead heat, 50/50. It just looks bad. It would be nice, especially since the newspaper is reporting it, that the Clermont county officials come out and say why they were delayed. That can put to rest, assuming they have a valid and plausible excuse, and fears of hanky panky.

Democrats should hold their heads high. This was a long shot race and in the end, the bigot vote and nutty anti-women (anti-abortion) vote won out. There are still people who can't get past those issues. They can disagree on everything else, but those, and they still will give their vote to the extremist. Well, the same kind of fools voted for Bush, and in America fools do grow on trees.

The House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has this to say in press release:

"Paul Hackett is a war hero who campaigned with the same dignity and honor that he served our country. Paul ran an excellent campaign and made what should have been an easy Republican win a tough contested race.



"The issues, political, and ethics environment are good for Democrats and Paul Hackett's campaign in a Republican district proves it.



"Republicans are on notice -- Americans are demanding a change. Americans will no longer tolerate the Republicans' continued abuses of power and catering to corporate special interests at the expense of the public interest.



"Democrats are committed to expanding opportunity, growing prosperity, and increasing security for every American."

She is right; Hackett proved that Democrats are alive and kicking in this city. We are not rolling over and this should be making some statewide GOP folks mighty nervous right now.

Hackett Party

I made my way downtown to the Paul Hackett party at the Aronoff Center. Very nice event, spirited crowd. I think everyone felt good. I could not stay late and missed Paul addressing the crowd. The media was there fairly heavily, including a couple of national outlets, like Mother Jones.

Elections Results

The polls closed over an hour ago and things appear tight in the early returns.

Check WCPO for Results

The Enquirer's site is running slow and overloaded. They are to have results here.

Predictions Thread

So who will win and what will be the percentages. I myself don't know who will win. If Schmidt wins she will get 56 to 44 for Hackett. If Hackett wins, he will get 52 to 48 for Schmidt. Either way the story will read that the Dems gained ground in OH-2.

FOXNews is Even Playing Up the Election

Could this election be a bellwether for the 2006 Congressional elections?


Also on FOX this headline "Bush: Schools Should Teach 'Intelligent Design' Alongside Evolution". So Bush is a Theocrat after all! Go figure that he wants to get religion into schools through the back door. Well, Bush seems to think he can run for office again, because this is the stupidest thing I have heard him say to the press in a long time. He doesn't need to stroke the religious right any more than he has.

August 2nd - Get Out The Vote for Hackett

Canvass:

Adams County
Tues. 7am - 8pm, 1 Courthouse Square at Roy Gabbert's Law Office
Brown County
Tues. 7am - 8pm, 707 Mt. Orab Pike, Bail Bonds Office (Cut-N-Up Barber Shop)
Clermont County
Tues. 7am - 8pm, Clermont County Democratic Party North 2nd Street, Batavia OH (next to Hackett's HQ)
Hamilton County
Tues. 7am - 8pm, Old Kerry Headquarters Park ing Lot, 1523 Madison Rd., 45206
Pike County
Tues. 7am - 8pm, Boilermakers Hall on US 23 in Piketon, OH and parking lot of Waverly Police Dept., 202 S. Market St.
Scioto County
Tues. 7am - 8pm, New Boston Community Center, 3980 Rhodes Ave., New Boston 45662
Warren County
Tues. 7am - 8pm, 6775 Park Lake Dr, Mason 45040, in Village Lakes subdivision AND 228 S. Mechanic St, Lebanon, 45036

Phone Bank:

Hamilton County Democratic Party HQ
615 Main St., Downtown Cincinnati, Tues, 9-7
Hackett HQ
27 N. Second St., Batavia, Tues, 9-7
Crowley HQ
1523 Madison Rd., East Walnut Hills, Tues, 9-7
Warren County Democratic Party HQ
8 East 5th St., Franklin, Tues, 9-7
Zimmeran CPA, 1080 Nimitzview Dr.
Suite 400, Anderson, Tues 9-7

Please get this information out however possible throughout the district, thanks.

- This post was made by guest blogger Josh Nelson of Cincinnati News

Home Stretch

It is down to the last full day before the election for the 2nd District. Paul Hackett has run a wonderful campaign. I have been fairly out of touch this weekend, so I have no concept of how the campaigns are going, other than the reminder by the RNC that Paul Hackett is not anti-gay, since he doesn't support the Gay Marriage ban that I guess is now a nation GOP policy. Good to know the GOP is in full anti-gay mode now.

Today will be ruff on both candidates with the temperature expected to be in the low 90's. The staffs did well and now it is about turnout. In case people didn't know, you should be getting out and vote for Paul Hackett. Since this is my personal congressional seat, I have to say I don't want an extremist like Schmidt who will be a failure in office and likely will not get the GOP nomination next year. Her failure will be her lame duck before she begins status. That is something the Enquirer failed to see. She would have lost big in the primary if the field did not have 3 other well known candidates.

I don't know who will win, but it has shown to me that the Liberals/Progressives/Moderates are not dead in this town and can stand up to extreme right wing when they need too.

Enquirer Endorses Schmidt

Not a big shocker, but their rationale looks rather shallow to me. For all of their bashing of Hackett, Schmidt will not be able to do a damn thing any faster than Hackett would, and Hackett would get huge national attention for the city and area if he did win. His Iraqi veteran status is a very important issue that the media has hit upon, finally, and that would I think outweigh any advantage Schmidt might have for being part of the majority party in getting money for the area. Portman's projects were mostly nickel and dime stuff anyway. He was known for national issues, not local service.

I have no doubt now that the editorial board of the Enquirer is just as conservative without Peter Bronson as they were with him.

Jean's Shocked, Shocked She Tells Us

It is funny when you get outed for lobbying for gambling, but don't remember doing it.

Do the Social Conservative voters in the 2nd district know Jean supports Gambling?

Guest Bloggers

Don't be alarmed if you see a couple of fellow bloggers chiming in this weekend. I will have two (still open for more) guest bloggers during my vacation.

I will allow them to do their own introductions if they wish. Both have their own local blog and do great jobs. Please give a warm and pleasant welcome.

Keep Old Time Radio

The New WVXU really needs to keep old time radio. I really hope the new owners can work on a deal to keep history alive in Cincinnati and keep it alive in the minds of today's young citizens. If you have never heard these programs, you must listen this weekend. They are something you can't understand until you listen. It is a mind expanding experience to understand how these radio programs set the ground work for TV and entertainment as we know it today.

Big Mo for Hackett

Paul Hackett still has the momentum and yesterday's news was a big boost.

This weekend will be the test. The ground team appears in place. I hope to see a bunch of Hackett T-shirts walking around the East side of the city this weekend.

What I really was wondering now is how the parents of POW/MIA solider Matt Maupin felt when Paul Hackett was being attacked for his service in Iraq. Matt Maupin after all was taken prisoner while he was working in a truck convoy. Paul Hackett was attacked for commanding truck convoys. I wonder if the Maupin’s are supporting Schmidt now.

Ring Master Wingburn

I agree with Mark Mallory, Winburn is turning the Mayor's race into a circus with his PR stunts. That is all Winburn has, stunts. If Winburn wants to prove something to the public, then instead of a drug screening, why does Winburn take a lie detector test to gets his real views on gays and those not 'born-again' Christians. His bigotry is in my opinion openly known. If you are going to be an anti-gay bigot, like Jean Schmidt, come out and make it known Charlie. (Yea, he will not take the test, but it would be funny as hell if he did and every got to know his real views, not the PR spin.)

Farewell to Wes Flinn

Please join me in saying farewell to Wes Flinn who is leaving our fair city tomorrow morning. I have been privileged to become good friends with Wes. He is a wonderful person, a great wit, and true gentleman. The blogosphere in Cincinnati will miss him, his huge circle of friends will miss him, and I will miss him.

Good luck in your new job and please stay in touch!

'Blogger' Questions Military Service

Blogger? This guy ran for congress against Schmidt, where is the mention of that? It is nice to know Jean at least knows what a blog is.

Big Head

Someone is going to have a bigger head than usual after this article.

COAST Opposes Schmidt

In a press release today we get this treat:

The Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes announced today that it is launching a radio campaign urging Republicans, conservatives and advocates of limited government to stay at home on Tuesday and cautioning voters not to vote for Republican Jean Schmidt. COAST charged that Schmidt has been posing in the campaign as an advocate of limited government and lower taxes, when the truth is the exact opposite. The script for the radio spot is attached.

"During her tenure in the Ohio legislature, Jean Schmidt voted in favor of every single one of Bob Taft'?s tax increases, and for good measure, proposed more of her own,"? said COAST Chairman Jim Urling. "?In her recent literature she says that she supports '?limited government and lower taxes.' Indeed, her voting record decidedly shows her beliefs are in bigger government and in higher taxes. She simply is a big-government advocate. Any statement by her to the contrary is a lie."

"?COAST encourages its members and all those believing in limited government and lower taxes to stay home on Tuesday, election day," implored Urling. "?Another primary and general election will be held in 2006 and we will elect a good representative at that time. Please do not cast a vote for Jean Schmidt Â? it will be wasted."

That has to smart a bit. They are buying radio ads with the same message. They don't like Hackett, ok, but the enemy of my enemy....

Blues Fest Starts Tomorrow!!!!!!

Get your butt down to the Blues Fest Friday and Saturday. Look for me working behind the scenes. I will be the guy driving around in a cart looking goofy. The only difference between every other day is that I will be in a cart, not a car.

Full details here: www.cincyblues.org/fest.htm

Madison Theater Closing

Well, the only time I went there it was empty, but it is bad news for the Cincy music scene. I wonder why no one is lamenting the ruin of Downtown Covington? (Cue to CincyNation).

More from the Post.

Keep it in the Burbs

You asked for it, you got it. For all of those looking to live in an artificial world with a prosthetic retail environment, you can't do better than a Super Walmart. Please, just keep these out of the city.

Cincy FOP a Store Front for Local GOP

It will be no shock to anyone who pays attention but the drivel spewed from local GOP hack Keith Fangman should remove all doubt that the political actions of the Cincinnati FOP are nothing but actions by the GOP. For all of the bitching and moaning about Unions getting involved in politics, I will now DEMAND any and all republicans who whine about the dues and good will used to back Democrats to now come out and bitch and Whine about the FOP making, what can only be described a fabrication, slam against Paul Hackett.

What I really don't get on this is that the FOP base is the West side of the country. The East side of the county really don't give a damn about the Cincinnati police department and especially who their union endorses for congress. This really is a waste of time for Schmidt, unless she plans on challenging Steve Chabot in 2006.

Hackett for Congress: Calendar of Events

For those inclined, here are his events.

His "Hackett for Congress: American Values Motorcycle Tour Â? All Day" sounds like a great event. I hope he drives from Portsmith to Cincinnati. Wonderful way to get to the entire district and to gain some good PR.

Good For the Sheriff's Department

I am glad the money seized is going to good groups: Head start and U.C. Education program.

Hackett vs. Schmidt Debate

This was I believe their second debate. The newspaper gives the impression that things got a bit testy. The picture suggests, I hope incorrectly, that there was really bad blood between these two. Any truth to that?

Hackett really has some good momentum going. Will it be enough to win? Well, we are less than a week out, and now is the time to put the money to use. I expect there will be a flood of TV ads from both candidates. The phone banks will be rocking and the shoes will be worn thin. The energy is clearly in the Hackett campaign. Schmidt does not instill much from her base. The battle now is on getting out the vote.

The country is now watching this campaign. National news outlets have been spotted around campaign events. It likely will get more attention as things go on. I hope Hackett can pull this off. It is still on paper a long shot, but I am confident Schmidt will not win "big." She can in no way get Portman numbers in this district, even with it redrawn to favor the GOP.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetleju....

Kevin Drum exposes the slime Republicans are spewing, nearly in unison, on Rove. It is amazing how situational and relative the GOP has become. I thought that was the sole domain of us Secular humanists who know no consistency we wouldn't break.

The bottom line dogma being pushed is so thin it is shame I have to say, because I know some hack will chime in and repeat the same drivel again. I speak of two points. The first is that she wasn't covert. Well, that should by now be obvious to everyone that she was. If not, then the Grand Jury would have finished last year in about 15 minutes. The second is the more laughable one. "Rove didn't say her name." That is the their defense of the man. It is amazing to think that they would stoop to the level of arguing over the meaning of "is", like Rove's Democratic counterpoint in loathing, Bill Clinton. Just to be clear, you don't have to say someone's name to reveal their identity, especially when their name is known. Deep throat’s name was known. He was a public figure. His identity was a secret. Plame, in a manner of speaking, is the same. Her identity as a CIA agent was a state secret. Last time I checked, saying that Wilson's wife works for the CIA is revealing a state secret, even if you don’t say it three times.

The Cincinnati Post Endorses Hackett

Nice boost for Hackett with a solid endorsement from the Post. The Enquirer's endorsement carries much more weight. I will be somewhat shocked if they don't support Schmidt, gotta save them babies and all, but if they don't endorse anyone, that might hurt her far more than him.

Fall From Grace: Minamyer

I actually had respect for the guy who stated he was against the War in Iraq, but when he get's nasty he loses any respect he may have previously earned.

Atrios unleashes on him

Interesting Byline

When did Kimball Perry start wrting for the Enquirer? Yes, the Bengal's and county might settle their lawsuit tomorrow, that is the news, I guess.

For those who don’t know Kimball Perry is or was at the Cincinnati Post, at least as recently as July 15th. The Post has a JOA deal with the Enquirer that will expire un-renewed on December 31, 2007. Many view that as the point the Post folds. It may stay on as the Kentucky Post. I predict that it will combine with the Sunday Challenger, and create a 7 day a week paper to compete in NKY with the Enquirer, which still have not signaled much on how it will use the Community Press Weeklies they purchased this year.

The Enquirer is already starting to ditch their Downtown HQ. More and more reporters are going to their West Chester and Blue Ash offices.

Maisonette, La Normandie Shut Down

There has to be more here than meets the eye. I find it difficult to believe they had to close up shop over a zoning issue. If their money was that tight, then business has not been good for a while.

More Here.

Attacking Hackett

Someone in the Jean Schmidt's Campaign is talking out of their ass. Hackett is getting lots of press in the home stretch.

More Here, and a ton of stuff at Ohio 2nd.

Slow Day

Hot days bring little blog fodder. I have gotten some leads on guest bloggers that I will follow up on. I am still open for more.

Otherwise chat away on your heat related stories. Try not the panic now, the heat can be cured with a cold beverage.

Middle, Muddle

Running to the center looks like just being a Republican these days when the debate is no longer framed realistically. The DLC has been a thorn in the side of the Democratic Party for a long time. Their message can win on a local level, but on a national level it looks like they are just trying to be Republicans. Why would anyone vote for a GOP Clone, when you can vote for the real thing?

Democrats need to be Democrats. Democrats should define what that means, instead of letting Republicans do it. The biggest failing over the last 5 years is letting that happen. The PR war has been a failure, due to wimpish massagers, a gun shy media, and a Defensive campaigning style. Get on the attack. Howard Dean, I believe, will turn the corner on many of these points.

'Despicable'

I hope police spare nothing and find out who did this. What I hope no one does is use this story for political purposes. Someone will, and likely already has.

Lying or Ignorant Bronson?

Some might say both, but in today's GOP Talking Points from Peter Bronson we get this lie that is directly from the spin from the GOP:

Meanwhile, a lot of the press is trying to lynch someone without evidence. Rove, loathed by the left for masterminding the Bush defeat of John Kerry, is accused of leaking the name of a double-secret CIA agent to get even with the spy's husband, who had criticized Bush in a New York Times op-ed column.

Except that she was no undercover agent when the leak occurred. "Jane Bond" and her husband were so Maxwell Smart "secret," they posed for Vanity Fair celebrity photos. And it looks like Rove never revealed her name. He only offered a helpful tip to a Time magazine reporter - who repaid the favor by trashing Rove. Classy guy.

I have been asking in comments on this topic for a while the same question, and now I will ask it of Bronson. IF PLAME WAS NOT A COVERT CIA AGENT, WHY IS THIS BEFORE A GRAND JURY? Peter might also do himself well to understand that her name was never classified. She was known as Wilson's wife. What was not public was that she was a CIA agent. That was the classified part. That is where someone broke the law. I think Bronson is ignorant on this issue, and is not thinking into the legal aspect of this, only that the Grand Priest Rove must be innocent. The case against Rove is strong. It is obvious to me that Rove leaked Plame’s identity. Saying her name is meaningless. The issue is did Rove repeat something another White House official leaked, or did he initiate the leak? If he just repeated the leak, knowingly, he will skate. The issue pushing this forward now is perjury. That in the end, as history shows, is where he will get it.

Bronson is not always a yes, man, but when it comes to pulling the weight on issues like this for BushCo, he goosespteps along with the rest.

Friickin' Hot!

Hillarity from eric is awesome.

Taft's the Word

Taft won't comment about golf outings. Silence is golden for BobTaft. The drumbeat is starting to get louder on Bob Taft. The big question for Democrats is how well they can link Blackwell, Petro, and Monty to Taft. They are all all "part of his administration," but they were all elected on their own. Dems need to treat them like his personal cabinet, and hang the coingate scandal them.

Petro as the chief law man as the most room to move away from Taft, so look for him to do so. Blackwell's followers hate Taft more than the others and have been making that known for a while. Monty is off in her own world for now. This is going to be a blood bath in next year's primary.

Call to Arms

Vacation is all I wanted. Well, not really all, but it is what I am going
on in early August through the middle of the month. My vacation will mean
that my blogging abilities will be either limited or nil. I hope to do a
little blogging of my trip as I go, but I don't plan on being in touch with
what is going on in town. Because of that I am now putting out the call for a guest blogger, or bloggers, to help fill my shoes while I am gone. Here are the
requirements:

1. Each Blogger must give me their real identity. You don't have to be public on the blog, just to me. I would prefer someone to be public with who they are./li>
   
2. I must have common political views with you. You don't have to agree with everything I say, but we need to be in the generally same camp. Sorry, Conservatives, this is a Liberal Blog and there is no way I am going to leave the keys to you while I am out.
3. I need someone to post everyday.
4. Topics are up to you and open, but I need to have local politics covered.
5. I will not accept current political candidates,nor someone working for their campaign. I try to keep a slight political distance from the campaigns.
6. I will accept another local blogger filling in.

I am open to more than one person sharing duties. That might in the end work out best anyway. I will also leave open the possibility of those guest bloggers staying on after I return. I have been toying with that idea, but have resisted it. This is my little show, and I want to make sure anyone signing on knows that when it comes to my blog, I am a control freak. When I am out of town and I leave you the keys, well, yea you can drive up the mileage on the Porsche, but just make sure you don't get caught.

I really do hope there are people out there I know who would like step into the blogging world. It is fun and interesting. If you are interested, don't post on this, send me an email at cincyblog@aol.com.

MidPoint Music Festival Venues

It appears that Midpoint has their list of performance venues up for this year. I count 22 stages. I don't know how many of these places will be open all three nights, but it looks like a good list. There are a few places that don't normally have live bands, so how they will work will be interesting.

Endorsements

POWR PAC, the Partnership Of Westside Residents Political Action Committee, has issued their endorsements for city council:

Jeff Berding
John Cranley
John Eby
Leslie Ghiz
Chris Monzel
Cecil Thomas

This group is based in a very Republican area, but with Berding, Cranley, and Thomas listed they show they are crossing over. They put a nail into Sam Malone's coffin though by leaving him off this list. Former council candidate Pete Witte is part of this group, and he publicly voiced his negative views on Malone's actions against his own child. How many other groups who normally support all of the GOP candidates will leave off Malone?

Who Doesn't Know That?

What human being who has heard the song does not know this from Bronson:

"Some '70s bands have lost a half-step. Some were stumbling when they started. Here's a true fact I found on the way to looking up something else: 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida' was actually 'In the Garden of Eden,' baby, but the singer was so whacked he slurred the words and a symbol of the nonsequitur '70s songs was born."

It is like he is living in a world where everyone is 80 years old and doesn't know rock music and never watched the Simpson's. Wow, can a man be anymore culturally disconnected than Peter Bronson? I mean every Christian Preacher I know would know this obvious fact. Amazing.

Winburn Pulling Shit Out of His Ass

Charlie Winburn wants 200 more police officers. Well, that greats, if he tells us how to pay for them. That would be great if he can show us what they would be doing, and then make sure they do it. Republicans, outside of Pat DeWine, have no record of telling the police how to do their jobs. The police are not doing a good job of street patrols now, so how will it get better by just adding more cops. Why not pressure the police we have now to do a better job and stop letting FOP Bosshogs from winking and getting a slowdown at will when some assistant chief doesn't get the key to the Mayor's bathroom.

Charlie is known as "the Windbag." Well this idea is nothing but bullshit promises from someone who as no way to act with his ideas. As Korte points out in the article Winburn would have no way to get these officers anyway if he somehow became mayor. His party only nominated 4 to council and they will not get three on council. They will be lucky to get one.

Schmidt's Error

How about hiring a map reader? One of Jean Schmidt's campaign commercials has a visual of Fountain Square in Downtown Cincinnati and right when it appears the announcer says "whether here in the Second District." The problem is that Fountain Square is not the Second District; it is in the First District. So what caused this, total ignorance and incompetence or were they trying to lay claim to the City's most know icon and ignored the fact that it wasn't in the right district? Either one sucks, but there is not really a third option. Jean approved the message, so I think she gets the blame for the error.

Kaldi's to Reopen

Great news for Cincinnati and Main Street comes when Kaldi's reopens under new ownership full time next month. They will have a limited opening late this month. Beer, food and music will all be there. I shall make sure to drop in when I can.

SCOTUS Nomination

Based on reports I have read, reproductive rights have taken a step back. The forces out to control the bodies of women have moved forward. Who gets this blame? Any social moderate who voted for Bush gets the blame in my book.

Have at it on this, but be nice.

Hackett Getting the Heavy Hitters

Carville and Cleland are a sign that Hackett's campaign is getting national Democrats attention.

Luck Be a Luken

Cincinnati Mayor Chaz Luken, I think Chaz for once may be appropriate, is considering a job pushing gambling at Ohio race tracks. He will not leave office for this, but come December 1st, Charlie maybe a lobbyist for a group seeking to get slot machines into horse racing tracks. I can see Luken in a Vegas style outfit belting out Dean Martin songs to Ohio lawmakers. I guess he can start working on the slogans: "What happens at the race track, stays at the race track." I think that just doesn't have that showgirl ring to it.

Hackett Getting Some Blogosphere Notice

A front page post on Daily Kos and big mentions (Here and Here) from Atrios today are surely going to make some people feel good over at the Hackett Campaign. I will be testing the waters on how well it is known or recieved while at Drinking Liberally at the Comet in Northside.

New Local Blogger

Please welcome Chris St. Charles of "War All The Time" to the blogroll. Chris is the new "Official Blog of Queen City Forum Magazine," since Wes Flinn is leaving town soon. I had a good conversation with both of them last night at Muz's in Mt. Lookout. Give him a read.

Taft GOP Scapegoat?

Will the Ohio GOP Mounted Police get their man? Will they find the right scapegoat to blame for all of the scandals, while not tainting any of the other candidates for governor who are part of Taft's administration? Will they through Bob Taft over the side to keep their obviously corrupt grip on power that has hurt this state? They are going to sure as hell try! Taft sure is not helping himself. He is now facing pressure from his hometown GOP newspaper.

Speaking of bad apples in the GOP, when do they dump Sam Malone? How long do you go on endorsing someone who beats his kid with a belt? Court documents look really bad. How do you get marks on a kid like that?

Bronson Wants to Have Winburn's Babies

Well Peter Bronson can provide free campaign advertising like nobody else can at the Enquirer. Could Peter be blushing under his thickly coarse and pale skin? Winburn will fight crime, I guess. How? Holding meetings? Praising police? I never knew the police needed to have their bellies scratched in order to catch criminals. I think one of Bronson propaganda messages is misplaced and can backfire:

He was not part of council during the riots. He was already gone when the Law and Public Safety Committee erupted in screaming chaos. He did not vote for a debilitating Collaborative Agreement that sapped budgets and demoralized the police. He didn't vote to betray council's promise to hire more cops.

Neither was Mark Mallory.

What is funniest is that Winburn really thinks the "recommendations" from his meeting could have stopped the riots. That shows he is either naive, out of touch, or just grasping for campaign propaganda. The riots where not a knee jerk reaction. They built up over time and needed only a spark to ignite. No level of talking was going to prevent the riots.

Killing the east side of OTR and Downtown with a new jail at Broadway Commons is not going to do anything for crime. Why didn't Winburn advocate moving the jail to Sharonville? We already transport prisoners around town all the time. Why not just use the downtown facility for processing and for court proceedings, then use a suburban location for longer term 'housing?' Build a campus with better security on land out in North County area. Hell, we could use eminent domain to build it!