John Cranley for Congress

City Council top vote getter John Cranley has taken an unsurprising move, but still one that carries a sense of oomph when you read it in print.  This a great move for Cranley and for the Democrats.  Every race should be contested and in this case Cranley has more than just a shot, he stands a good chance of winning.

The GOP faithful may think that this district is a safe one.  Well, it is safe when the Dems run a mainstream liberal like Greg Harris. Greg was a great candidate, but he hit bad timing when running against the fear campaign of 2004.  The district wasn’t ready for a candidate like him.

Cranley is a far different Democrat than Harris.  Cranley is anti-abortion, which on the Westside is more important than where you stand on taxes, foreign policy, and even gay rights.  District 1 is a conservative district, but it is not as Republican as District 2 is, and there a socially “liberal” (He is moderate for Dems, but liberal for GOPers) Democrat, Paul Hackett, came very close to beating what turned out to be a horrible candidate in Jean Schmidt.

Cranley will make it difficult for people like Pete Witte to vote again him.  Witte will support Steve Chabot, he is a good party guy, but he will not stand for the trashing Cranley by Chabot’s campaign or by the RNC.  The people of this district, at least the City residents, know Cranley, and like him.  Chabot will not be able to attack Cranley and tar him with the national political issues, as is the norm for congressional races.  In this case the politics is indeed all local.  Chabot has not been around much, Cranley has been here and been getting elected easily.  Chabot is going to need a lot of money and big media buys to beat Cranley.  He will likely get that, but if Cranley can match him, he will win.

Just Kill the Bar Business, Why Don't Ya

Only in Cincinnati would anyone in power consider a ban on serving alcohol outdoors after 10PM. If you want new development, this kind of law puts handcuffs that are just not warranted. I don't know if this law incorporates zoning laws, where the only places affected would be bars in "residential areas." This might affect Places like City View Tavern, but should not affect Christy's Rathskeller, Neon's, or the Pavilion in Mount Adams.

If there is going to be a smoking ban, then there MUST be outdoor drinking, or bars in Ohio will not survive long, which Northern Kentucky booms. Council should just put this to rest now and over-rule it.

"Is that you Mo-Dean?"

Very Shiny.

Crowleys and the McCoys

Is there a family feud brewing for City Council Dems?

Club Clueless

Classist, snobs, pretentious idiots. That is what came to mind when I read about The Continental Lounge. In a city where we are striving for some sense of common good, common development, and common futures comes a club seeking to suck out what little vibrancy we have here in town and lock it in their own little world. “Cool” is the combination of selfishness, greed, and being fickle. It sure can be fun, but when you cut it off behind a big velvet rope, you are no longer cool, you are dicks.

The good thing about this club is that I know where it is and I know where not to go. The old adage about not wanted to join a club that would have me as a member is flipped on its head. People who want to join this type of club really should think about leaving town. Seriously, you are no good to this city/region if you can't stand in line with the rest of us for a beer or you can't bare to wait 15 minutes for a table.

Call it the creeping in of a Midwestern sensibility into my mind, but I really can't stand this type of thing. Places like the Banker's Club are around town and they have been here for years. They don’t creep into life much. They add little, but don’t take away much. They are the Little Rascals Clubhouse for those who are seeking to be rich or thought of as rich. They have a purpose, but they are viewed as stale uber-establishment venues. They reek with social order, the adult version of high school popular kids. The bottom line is that they have been here, don’t matter, and won’t matter. A new “club” whose entire purpose is to keep people out of it, hurts the region. I can honestly say I hope it fails, and my conscious is better for that hope. When Dick & Jane VIP wannabe shell out their limited money to join this group, thinking they will become cool for having $2,500 to waste, and then realizing that when the place closes its doors and their membership closes with it, being "cool" like being respected is earned, not purchased. I hope they only used play money.

CinAd Radio

Joe Wessels will be broadcasting live on the Internet at 11:30 AM today. Joe's line-up today includes: Photographer and editor of Street Vibes, Jimmy Heath, Pat Clifford, director of the Drop Inn Center, and Victoria Morgan, artistic director for the Cincinnati Ballet.

GOP Prays For Smoke Filled Room

In the race for Ohio Governor, the GOP is praying that someone will drop out. Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, Attorney General Jim Petro and Auditor Betty Montgomery are all declared candidates that if things stay the way they are, will result in a bloody primary fight.

Ted Strickland is loving it. With Coleman out of the race, Strickland will win the Dem nomination with money not wasted on a primary fight. Add a close DeWine-Hackett race and a shift away from scandal racked Ohio Republicans, and Strickland looks like he will fair very well next November.