“It’s not simply about winning,” said Paul Hackett. “It is about the future of this country, make no mistake about it.”

Paul Hackett, perhaps one of the most famous Iraqi War veterans, was tapped to rally the troops at the Hamilton County Democratic Forum on Thursday night. Though this time his troops were not United States Marines, rather they were the foot soldiers and party faithful of the Democratic Party.

Former candidate for the United States Senate, Paul Hackett was introduced with fanfare equivalent to professional wrestling. A musical mix of the Shaft theme song, “Born in the U.S.A.,” and “Come Together” boomed through Oakley’s 20th Century Theater, welcoming the renegade star of the Democratic Party. He swore he had nothing to do with the musical choices.

Though slightly ironic, Hackett delivered a message of party unity. “We as a party have to have the will, commitment, and leadership to fight,” he said.

The evening provided a forum for the Hamilton County Commissioner Race as well as the 2nd and 1st district races for the United States Congress.

David Pepper told the crowd that he hopes “to be known as ‘The Heimlich Remover,’” a slogan he admitted he was trying out for his yard signs. His opponent Stephanie Dumas stressed her experience in politics and her experience as a union member. Neither candidate seemed to acknowledge the other was in the race.

The question which generated the most audience response between the candidates for commissioner was in regard to privatization of county services. Dumas responded with a point blank “no.” She went on to elaborate that “cheaper is not always better.” Pepper responded by saying privatization is not the “cure-all” as he thinks many Republicans are inclined to feel. He also said that there is almost no area where giving services to the private sector would benefit the county. Pepper then went on to discuss the importance of the social net provided by the county and it’s importance in this year’s race.

John Cranley, the sole entrant in the Democratic Primary for the 1st district race against Steve Chabot, arrived late and left early. He told the crowd his father was just coming out of surgery and that he felt it necessary to be with him. He also assured the crowd that his father would be fine, in spite of having major surgery.

“I love my country… Thank God the Democratic Party is here to fix things,” said Cranley.

Cranley’s vision of fixing things included energy independence, a living wage and health care for all children. He also sank his teeth into his opponent Steve Chabot, focusing on the over $100,000 that Chabot has accepted in free trips, especially those to India. “We need a Congressman who will spend more time in Delhi than New Delhi,” Cranley said.

The free for all in the 2nd district included 5 candidates at the forum: Victoria Wulsin, Jim Parker, Thor Jacobs, Gaby Downey, and Jeff Sinnard.

There was little room for disagreement amongst these candidates. However, Jeff Sinnard raised some eyebrows with his pro-life stance, holding up an ultra-sound of his child followed by a photograph of his son in his current form. He said that both pictures are of his son and that is his belief. Wary that his decision may bother some Democrats, he was quick to remind the forum that the district, which is heavily conservative, holds a similar view to his. He urged people to choose in the primary based on electability in November.

Jim Parker also captured the crowd’s attention with his obvious passion for health care. He passed around an empty jar, in the tradition of the collection plate, to collect for a young girl, a stranger, with cancer. His quirky brand of speech earned many laughs. On one occasion he stopped his speech mid-sentence when the card was held up telling him his time expired; other times he would continue his speech, without a microphone, on the way back to his seat. His manner of speech has an interesting range, starting as the quiet guy in the back of your old high school classroom, transforming before the crowd’s eyes into an impassioned, fiery politician.

David Pepper warned the crowd that a train wreck has been looming on the horizon. Now he said, 2006, is the last chance to avoid the train from completely crashing.

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1. Influence Peddler says:
   31 Mar 2006  at  03:15 am | #

   David and Phil are both supported by the same good ole boys. If you think there is a difference between these two you’re right. Their names, heights, degree of hair loss. Look at their resumes and there is not much difference. Finest schools followed by law school. No experience in the real world. Phil has an eight year gap in his resume. David has done nothing except serve on City Council and he currently holds the record for spending the most money to lose an election in the history of the city. David needs to stand down and let Dumas lead this time. He will have a future in politics if his ego doesn’t get in the way. Burke better get on the Dumas bandwagon for the good of the party. The Weasel Weiland is behind the curtain.

2. Snaggle Puss says:
   31 Mar 2006  at  03:47 am | #

   IP: Phil has an eight year gap in his resume.

   What years?

3. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:
   31 Mar 2006  at  07:55 am | #

   Five year gap, not eight.

   From PhilHeimlich.com:

   Phil graduated with distinction from Stanford University in 1975 and earned a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School in 1979.

   From 1984 - 1993, Phil served as an Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor, specializing in the criminal prosecution of felony cases.

   1979-1984…  What gives?

4. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:
   31 Mar 2006  at  08:20 am | #

   I think both Pepper and Dumas make a mistake in ignoring one another.  Phil Heimlich is going to lose.  He has too much in the closet bursting to see the light of day.

   Hamilton County needs to decide between Pepper and Dumas.  There is no Heimlich Remover.  Heimlich has already removed himself.

5. n8 says:
   31 Mar 2006  at  09:59 am | #

   Phil has Mark in the closet. Mark won’t come out because he’s afraid of his mommie.

6. Snaggle Puss says:
   31 Mar 2006  at  10:28 am | #

   IP: Five year gap, not eight…1979-1984… What gives?

   Thanks for the clarification. I checked his web site and you’re right. There’s a five year gap. This could be interesting.

7. Influence Peddler says:
   31 Mar 2006  at  11:26 am | #

   I stand corrected. I either can’t count or I’m given to exaggeration like all good republicans. Was this before Phil found Jesus at Bob’s Big Boy in Grose Pointe, Michigan? Time to get more honest Phil. Where were you during the missing years? What were you doing? Were these years given to the folly of youth?

8. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:
   31 Mar 2006  at  11:29 am | #

   These folks all seem to have something in common…..they know how to lose. Losing is a hard habit to shake. I wouldn’t count on these guys doing much of anything for the Dems or themselves.

9. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:
   31 Mar 2006  at  11:53 am | #

   Speaking of losers it’s about time this blog went after Mean Jean Schmidt! She raises being a first class twit to a new and higher level.

   Ms. Schmidt told the Anderson Twp GOP she could not debate on 4/5. The group said how about 4/19? She agreed to this date sometime ago. Now Ms. Schmidt is saying she will not post on 4/19.

   Republicans can be just as funny and dimwitted as Dems when they put their minds to it. Ms Schmidt is truly a person who deserves to be raked over the coals. She has embarrassed the district and the country.

   Come on let’s get that hatred out in the open and point it toward Mean Jean. It’d be good for you folks to hate more than just Mr. Heimlich…..spread it around.

10. Influence Peddler says:
    31 Mar 2006  at  12:37 pm | #

    I don’t think anybody hates poor mr. phil. His behavior is what people hate and his lack of consideration for taxpayers and what they want. His irresponsible focus on petty issues while lining the pockets of his political cronies upsets many people. I could be said that the Phil majors in the minors. In four years he has gotten us one bad deal after another. Time to balance the PH at the county before it corrodes us further.

11. Dave says:
    31 Mar 2006  at  01:01 pm | #

    Yes we need the slimlich remover, not the clone posing as a democrat. Four years of David Pepper would sink this county into such deep dispair that it may never recover. Mallory promised to end the chaos at city hall. With David and Alicia gone the chaos is gone with them. Let’s not move the petty tyrants to other positions where they can do more harm. We got them out, now we need to keep them out. Moving David to the county is not a solution to our problems or even an improvement. David needs to go manage the slave center for his daddy. If he proves himself successful at that then he might have a chance to redeem himself. We could give him a title like master or ceo and he could do fundraisers(something he is good at) to bail out the center. David needs leadership training 101 before he tries to lead the charge. If you don’t know where you are going chances are you’ll get there and not know where you are. This is a description of lost David. Couldn’t be Mayor or Senator so now he wants to be County Commissioner. Grow up David and stop pissing away your daddy’s friends money. You screwed us as City Councilor and we haven’t forgotten. When you sit in Mt. Adams and look down your nose at the peons think about where you’re going and what kind of focus it takes to get there. Don’t get laughed out of another race. It is not too late to save face.

12. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:
    31 Mar 2006  at  01:09 pm | #

    Thought the night went well and the place was packed.  Paul Hackett without socks and wearing black loafers did fire up the crowd at the intro by throwing his pokes at (Overdraft) McEwen and (Mean Jean) Schmidt.  He also said that McEwen and Schmidt are already putting yard signs up, which in violation of the election rules.  Hackett just kept on pounding in why this election is important.  It was good to see him.  I hope he reenters the political field again.  Maybe something local like DeWine’s County Commissioner’s seat.

    Cranley talked about the things that inspired him to get into public service.  He spoke of a trip he had taken with the Jesuits when he was younger to the Dominican Republic where he children hungry.  He spoke about purpose and John Kennedy.  He wants to reach out to those vulnerable in poverty in America.

    Three tops things on Cranley’s list are as follows:  Energy independence, eliminating the debt, and making sure that people are getting a living wage.

    Cranley also spoke about Chabot and his expenses to tour antiquities around the world.  “Chabot should spend more time in Delhi then New Delhi  

    Cranley then did leave early as his Father was in surgery.

    Note to Cranley:  We have just made the poor more vulnerable by that stupid law and higher punishment for marijuana in Cincinnati.  Start there!

    I liked all the candidates running in the second but there are two that are standing out right now for that position.  They are Gabby Downy and Vic Wulsin

    Beliefs of Gabby Downy -  Spoke about the problem of pharmaceuticals and the need to make them affordable.  She wondered why our President is more worried about Viagra then birth control.  Pro-choice.

    Beliefs of Vic Wulsin -  She believes in Universal Health Care, mentions Hillary’s plan six years ago but didn’t go into detail. Believes in science. Pro-choice.

    The focus of the evening was really was on Dumas and Pepper and I liked them both.  One of the hot buttons this evening was privatization of County Services.  Dumas will in no way support privatization and Pepper seems like he’s in the middle of the road about it as he said “Republicans tend to think it’s a cure all and it’s not.”  He also spoke about his ability to get out to the people as he did when he was a councilmember.  He talked about opening up the county government from behind closed doors.  He talked about DeWines blackberry as people come up to speak (I liked that because it shows he sees a major wrong and is watching the meetings).  Pepper also mentioned the Banks dispute and how Heimlich and closed it down to inputs from other governments. 

    Dumas talked about her education from UC.  She worked as a social worker as a federal reviewer for Head Start.  Twenty five years as a union member.  She was a Mayor of Forest Park.  She stated that she has no other job commitments and how she has no hidden agendas.  I liked her idea on adding a couple more commissioners as only having three to decide all that needs to be done is just not enough.

    Pepper talked about the Commissioner seat being the worst place for a hard lined conservative.  He talked about Hamilton County government being a safety net for the abused and neglected.  The Indignant Health Care Levy in Hamilton County is being cut by (I believe he said) 2/3’s.  He not only wants to maintain the county as a safety net but preserve and enforce it. 

    Pepper ended with speaking about a train wreck about to happen in the county (with Heimlich at the wheel).

    Dumas ended with a verse from Martin Luther King.

    After listening to the candidates… and talking to them afterwards.  I like them both.

    Ms. Dumas is a great lady with a wonderful heart and a great hugger.  I thought her perfume wasn’t heavy at all.

    Mr. Pepper has a good handshake and a good smile which he uses often.  His cologne is always classy.

    After looking at everyone…. I must say that many of my views do lean more to the left with Ms. Dumas but Pepper is more a middle of the road leaning a bit more to the right Democrat in Hamilton County and this gives him a better .  He will have the greatest chance of ousting Phil Heimlich and putting Portune in the driver’s seat of this run away locomotive.

    For the Democratic Party candidate running for Hamilton County Commissioner.  I give my endorsement to the Heimlich Remover… David Pepper!

13. Francie says:
    31 Mar 2006  at  02:16 pm | #

    David Pepper is Phil Heimlich with less experience.

    What about his record do you like Peter?

    Was it the $52 million dollar Convergys deal that created 7 jobs?

    Was it the fountain square remodel?

    Was it the marijuana ordinance?

    Or the $393,000 remodel of the purple people bridge?

    Or just his classy cologne and great smile?

14. Peter Deane says:
    31 Mar 2006  at  03:05 pm | #

    I believe the whole city was had on the Convergy’s deal.  They told us it would create some fifty jobs or something like that.  I believe the whole of Council was had on that.  I know that there are benefits to keeping it here and still having the jobs downtown, so there is good about it.  About I do believe that we need to start reevaluating how we deal with Corporate Empires in Cincinnati.  And it’s not only a problem here but everywhere in the states cities are being blackmailed into pay or pullouts.  Everyone is afraid of being the next Detroit.  Did it work in Pepper’s favor?  Well yes and no, it did because the jobs are still here and they are contributing to the tax base… and no because more jobs were not created as promised and we are feeling that we got a raw deal.  I believe that we shouldn’t shouldn’t negotiate any more with Corporate Trorrorist that hold our communities hostage.  Corporations need to became a part of the solution for communities not part of blackmail, threats, boycotts or pullouts.  But Convergy’s is still here… the jobs are still there and people are bringing home money with benefits.  But do I believe that was a lesson… I say yes.  And in the future we must say goodbye… go ahead and move.

    One is personal, he helped me with an immigrant issue that I was having.  I thought it always good that he did that.  He is also one that gets out in the community and tries to discover what is the greatest concern effecting the citizens are.  I like that he was there looking for solutions when Cincinnati is at it’s lowest.  What I like about David’s record is that he always listened to me and never once did I walk away from him trying to pull a dagger out.  That’s the record I like best… it’s personal.

    I believe the renovation of Fountain Square was a steop in the right direction.  The Square we had was ugly… no trees… nowhere to contemplate the people except on plastic chairs in the open hot sun.  I like what they are doing. Gives us a bit more character.

    The marijuana ordinance was wrong and I’ll say that forever.  Politicians sometimes get caught up in stop crime by pulling out all the stops.  And when people are start arguing about drugs they tend to forget alcohol is a drug and lump pot in with Cocaine and crach and meth… the little pot smoker to me is no better or worse then the guy having a couple beers in the afternoon.

    Until Cranley, Cole, Pepper, Heimlich, DeWine, Bortz, Mallory, Tarbell, Crowley, Berding, and even Cicil (The ex-cop) Thomas start to start speaking out against prohibition we will be riding this roller coaster of crime for a long time.  Pepper got caught up inthe argument as it being another tool for the police to use, in which I do not agree with.

    I talked to Ms. Dumas last night about this issue and she seemed that she wasn’t all well to aware of the issue but knows that there are people raising concerns on what was just passed in Cincinnati.

    The Purple people bridge…  It does look better then it did.  Does it bring people into the city? No, but it doesn’t look like a back alley any more either.

    Oh and with the classy cologne and good smile… he does have a good handshake.

15. Flotsam says:
    31 Mar 2006  at  05:15 pm | #

    Peter Deane, your ongoing reports are most appreciated. Thanks for attending these events and taking the time to share them in detail with us.

    And I agree with you. The main goal is to oust Phil Heimlich. Perhaps Pepper isn’t as progressive as some people might like, but in a county election in a Republican-dominated area, he’s the best bet for taking the seat.

    To those who blithely compare Pepper to Heimlich, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Pepper is not a theocrat who wants to insert his own fringe Dominionist religious beliefs into the government. The importance of this can’t be overestimated. Heimlich makes no pretense of hiding his extremist agenda and that should frighten anyone who cares about the Constitution.

16. ThatDeborahGirl says:
    31 Mar 2006  at  06:35 pm | #

    Damnit Peter Dean.  I was one of only the few black women there (that wasn’t Stephanie) AND I was wearing a Dumas button.  One of them was bound to be me.  Why on God’s Green Earth didn’t you introduce yourself?  Are you as observant as you think you are? ; )

    I’m a little slow today (too many projects, not enough time) but I plan to write about last night later this evening.

17. Peter Deane says:
    31 Mar 2006  at  07:39 pm | #

    Deb,

      Hahaha… there seemed to be more then a few black people there amoung the large gathering.  And what was with that crazy black girl outside the theater holding the sign against the Democrats… I really didn’t get a good look on what it said because it was light green marker on a white poster board.  Don’t tell me that was you.  Anyway, looking forward to know what you saw and heard.

18. Influence Peddler says:
    31 Mar 2006  at  07:42 pm | #

    Peter,

    You seem to forget that David was the architect of the Convergys deal. He is a lawyer and should have made “clawback” provisions in the agreement. One of three things might have happened 1.) He overlooked this provision in which case he is not a very good lawyer. 2.) He decided his campaign contributions were more important than protecting the public in a swindle. 3.) He acted in the public interest under heavy lobbying pressure and payed the extortion to keep jobs here. If he put “clawback” in the agreement he didn’t pursue it or even mention it. You would think he might be able to explain. When you read this David you might consider posting a reply or explanation.

    He is your chosen candidate so you decide which it is. Maybe I’m overlooking something here.

19. Peter Deane says:
    31 Mar 2006  at  07:52 pm | #

    I don’t know but believe that Convergy’s should of been held accountable.  Is this provision still in effect?  Why isn’t Mallory or anyone on council looking into this?  Pepper isn’t there any longer to do anything.  The people to ask about the clawback now are the ones that have been voted in.  I believe that maybe the new mayor and councilmen are ignoring it.

20. Connie Pillich says:
    01 Apr 2006  at  08:29 am | #

    Why did Phil take four years to graduate from law school, when law school is a three-year program?  What did he do for that extra year?  The voters are entitled to know.  Also, in Ohio, lawyers are forbidden from describing themselves as “specialists” or as “specializing” in any facet of law unless they have specifically obtained a specialization certificate from the Supreme Court.  Currently, there is no specialization in criminal law.  Tch, tch, Phil.  I guess this is just another example of Republicans picking and choosing which laws to follow.

21. Influence Peddler says:
    01 Apr 2006  at  01:42 pm | #

    Because he is gone from Council doesn’t remove his participation in this transaction. This is not a new issue, he avoided talking about it during the Mayor’s race last summer and he is still dodging and weaving to prevent it from becoming an issue now. To pretend this is not important is to defend a nincompoop that is as slippery as Phil. Defend all you want Peter. In the end the truth will come out.

    Since he is your chosen candidate the question might be answered if you were to ask it. I doubt it, but, it is worth a try.

22. Patriot says:
    01 Apr 2006  at  06:32 pm | #

    Mallory also recieved contributions from Convergys. He doesn’t bare as much responsibility as Pepper because he didn’t negotiate it, but I agree with Peter that he should be looking out for the public.

23. Nubian Oracle says:
    01 Apr 2006  at  09:42 pm | #

    According to the city the deal would do the following:

    ? Project Cost: $115 million
    ? Consolidation and renovation of world headquarters
    ? Creation of 250 jobs; 1,400 jobs retained
    ? EDD Programs: Job Creation Tax Credit, Capital Investment Grant for Building

    http://cincinnati-oh.gov/cdap/downloads/cdap_pdf6657.pdf  It used to be you could download the actual documents but it seems they pulled that feature from the city site.

    According to Convergys “At Convergys, we believe that conducting business ethically is critical to our success. This means more than just obeying the laws of the many states and nations where we operate; it means upholding the highest standards of integrity in everything we do.”

    So if you have problems with them then tell them.

24. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:
    01 Apr 2006  at  09:58 pm | #

    That link is a PDF document.  Save it.  That’s the same as downloading it, silly goose.

25. Lucian Wilbanks says:
    03 Apr 2006  at  02:25 am | #

    Back to where we started with IP. This matter of debate or forum was inserted as an interruption of a matter that the Hamilton County Democratic Forum had originally offered, and to which my wife and I were completely committed. But the following original offering was tabled because of a growing trend of strength and
    determination. First, read the original offering of HCDF.
    Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 18:54:38 -0500   From: FORUM <HCDF@cinci.rr.com>
    Subject: HCDF Open Meeting: Thursday, March 30th, 20th Century 7:00pm
    Hamilton County Democratic Forum Presents United We Win, Divided We Lose:
    Empowering Progressive Women Voters in 2006

    PANEL
    Roxanne Qualls
    Director of Public Leadership Initiatives at Northern Kentucky University
    Jeri Tolliver
    Program Director and Host of Sister Speakon WDBZ Radio
    Julia Piercey
    Vice President of Education for Planned Parenthood

    THURS., MARCH 30, 2006
    20th CENTURY THEATER
    OAKLEY SQUARE
    731-8000
    6:30 p.m. Cash Bar and Networking
    7:00 p.m. Panel Discussion
    FREE and open to the public. Donations to HCDF accepted.
    http://www.hcdf.net

    Formidable panel, formidable women that helped situate this matter.
    Then, on the following date, less than 24 hours before the UnDemocratic Party
    convened so that Tim Burke could reassert his lack of power in four instances, the first being seeking an endorsement for Dale Mallory against Eve Bolton, the second to try and impugn the electability of Representative Cathy Barrett, the third to be dismissive of Dumas, the final to dislodge the recommendation of Wulsin & Downey in
    the 2nd, the following appeared with a changed HCDF program featuring Paul Hackett and candidates for Commissioner, 1st, and then 2nd District Candidates:
    Tue, 21 Mar 2006 19:16:32 -0500 The Women’s Issues Forum which was originally scheduled for this date will be rescheduled after the May 2nd Primary Election.
    What Burke cronies sought to do during the week of the 19th was hobble as many
    women candidates as possible to continue the tide of disproportionate, nonsupportive
    actions taken against women in the party over the years. The strength and determination is the growth of women’s involvement in the local party, women on all avenues that have been successful from doctors, homemakers, teachers, businesswomen, activists, lawyers, unionists, Democrats strong. To have such a reaffirmation as a “women’s issues forum”, whereas reality says that these powerful political issues are just as relevant to men within these boundaries, would just lend fuel to the feminine juggernaut that arises from women who refuse to market the old or new boy’s club as theirs. Theirs IS the NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

    Could the forum not have been open to Bolton, Mallory? Could it not allow the talents of Mssrs. Driehaus, Yates and newbies Gray, Silver, Smith to be heard for just a couple of minutes? What about Mrs. Adams? Pillich was said to be on the campaign trail elsewhere. Can’t let too many Democrats get to know their candidates out front? Have to do this behind closed doors? Or is Wieland taking all the candidates to Saturday lunch with him and Dale, Lawson, Newman, Bugman and the WECC hierarchy, to cut the big deal? ODP blindness on Wieland, mixed with their green bottled beer consumption will make the Climate of Corruption turn the full circle and reinstall the chaos theory as Democratic.
    United we WIN????  Divided we LOSE???  Come together Democrats. Support the people that support you. Do not let the use of Pepper as a devisive derail the progress. This is tough and for the toughest. Pepper was made vulnerable by Burke’s turncoat tactics and deals the last election. Burke likes him, but likes his money and connections better. Pepper becomes as disposable a commodity as anyone else. Stay the track of people, purposes and May 2nd getting people to the polls.