Thursday, January 12, 2006

Brinkman Wins With Losing Campaigns

Posted by Andrew Warner

Tom Brinkman led the charge in 2005 for the repeal of property taxes against seemingly massive opposition. In the Cincinnati community there was never a feeling that this campaign would have been successful.

The property tax repeal was soundly defeated, as expected, but Tom Brinkman takes away some extra benefits from even losing campaigns.

If you visit the state representative page of Tom Brinkman you will see that his profession is listed as “printer.” Anyone in politics knows that access, and even more so ownership, of a printing press would be an incredible convenience. Paper fliers and mailers are the backbone of many campaign efforts and Brinkman, like nearly all of politicians, utilizes them in large amounts.

On top of the added convenience, Brinkman is able to turn donated campaign dollars into revenue for his family. While his name is not on the ownership line of Curry Printing Co. LLC, Brinkman does admit that he has used the printing company owned by his wife in every campaign he has ever participated in. On top of that Brinkman admits “I send any business that I can to Curry Printing Co.” He added that he does not print any material for free. Other candidate committees that have utilized Curry Printing Co. in recent years include the Witte Committee, Ohioans for Ken Blackwell, Citizens for Jim Petro, Friends of Jim Raussen.

Tom Brinkman in 2004 and 2005 spent $19,548.19 at Curry Printing Co. (find these numbers at the Ohio Secretary of State). The committee cutting the checks for these expenses is Brinkman for State Representative. These figures do not include the Issue 9 campaign or any other in which Brinkman was involved.

Brinkman did not recall the amount spent in the losing effort for the Yes on Issue 9 Campaign.

Brinkman continues to keep his name in the public’s mouth and his anti-spending constituency active with a constant barrage of campaigns, some winning, others destined to lose. At the same time he is able to keep the family printing press churning out more Brinkman and C.O.A.S.T. campaign literature, translating political campaign contributions into family profit.

Socializer!

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says:
12 Jan 2006  at  06:57 pm | #

actually the first interesting article from this new website. congrats

says:
12 Jan 2006  at  07:03 pm | #

You must not be reading everyday!

But the implications here are interesting…

Brinkman running campaigns to make his wife’s printing business money.

What campaigns does he run? 

Ones to repeal property taxes…

Wonder if he knows anyone in the real estate business…

says:
13 Jan 2006  at  09:39 am | #

This sounds interesting. Up in Butler and Preble counties it used to be said that the thing to do to get better in politics was to marry someone, or into someone’s family that owned a liquor store or a used car lot. Then it was make sure your spouse is a PTA president. I think Andrew has the nack for peeling the veils from politicos and looking at them in the light of being human and what lengths they go to win for certain causes. So, Brinkman’s not on the note with his wife for the printing company, but he utilizes this effectivelyand may get perks. So, who else owns something that is cloaked and hidden? Any real estate or construction owners, newspaper people, other media spouses or families? Attorneys that are on cases that might betray a public or personal trust?

says:
13 Jan 2006  at  11:59 am | #

I question Brinkman keeping these losing campaigns up, yet I have no problem with him supporting his own business. Why not?...although it is quite convenient…

says:
13 Jan 2006  at  01:12 pm | #

-You must not be reading everyday!

I actually do, and I’m afraid your partnership with Andrew Warner has created a leftward based publication with a green philosophy. I think this may be your natural political preference, rather than being “independent”, so it may not matter to you.

says:
13 Jan 2006  at  01:20 pm | #

Well, the matter is finding some from the political right to write.  Bredan from Spacetropic has publishing access, but so far he has only posted once.

I keep trying to get a hold of Steve Fritsch to see if he’d like to collaborate, but he’s been real busy.  I think I’ll finally meet with him next week.

I have no problem hosting conservative views.  I just need to find people to write them!

says:
13 Jan 2006  at  02:08 pm | #

I’d be impressed if you got him to collaborate. A joining of the BCR and the beacon?

stevebo says:
13 Jan 2006  at  07:30 pm | #

Yes, he can tell us why we need a draft,should only speak english and go to war with Iran. I can hardly wait.

says:
17 Jan 2006  at  12:21 pm | #

If I were a donor to any of Brinkman’s campaigns, I would appreciate his ability to do printing on the cheap. I know my dollar is going much further, than it would if he had to go down to the local print shop and pay full retail value. Tom Brinkman has a consistant history of defending the tax payer and fighting to shrink government. Thank you Tom Brinkman for your frugality and thank you Mrs. Brinkman for the discount.

says:
17 Jan 2006  at  12:30 pm | #

Sure, Kenny, but don’t forget another implication:  namely, that he mounts losing campaigns to make money.

says:
19 Jan 2006  at  09:43 am | #

I absolutely hate apologizing for other people, but when you consider how much time someone like Tom Brinkman, or any of our local public servants put into their service to us, you must understand that that is time away from their families, friends and businesses. I am certain that Tom Brinkman could make much more money for his wife’s printing business by not being in public office and not being involved in fighting for the tax payer and solely concentrating on their family business interests. Additionally the Brinkman’s would make much more money off a printing job from say Kroger or P&G than they do off themselves.

fred says:
21 Jan 2006  at  03:18 pm | #

Sure, Kenny, but don’t forget another implication:  namely, that he mounts losing campaigns to make money.

when the issue was on the ballot last go around it was pretty close to passing.  It would be resonable to think that you could pick up a few more points and win.  The issue was on the ballot to win- not pad brinkmans pocket