Ohio DUers: Should we attempt a recall of Governor Golly (aka Taft)?

[liberalhistorian]

Governor Golly, as I like to call him (aka Bob Taft) is a piss-poor governor who's done NOTHING for this state except coast on the laurels of his family name. The only reason he won a second term was the lack of name recognition of his opponent, Tim Hagan, and the fact that Hagan was painted as far too liberal, almost socialist, which turned off the vast majority of Ohio voters who didn't really know him as well as those of us in Northeast Ohio did.

His claiming not to know the full scope of the dire straits of Ohio's economy until after the election was a totally laughable, ridiculous manipulation of the voters. He knew damn well that the economy sucked and that taxes would simply have to be raised, there was no choice, but during the campaign he made it seem like we were doing just dandy and he would never, ever even consider the dreaded T word. He castigated Hagan for telling the truth in his statements that taxes would have to be raised, then, two weeks after the election, proceeded to solemnly inform all those mush-brained idiots who actually fell for his manipulations and voted for him that the economy was far worse than he had thought and that he would, regretfully, have to consider raising taxes and cutting services.

Predictably, there was a firestorm of anger and criticism and cries of "betrayal" and "back-handedness" from the very people who should have realized just how they were being manipulated and that Taft was full of shit. There were jokes about how Hagan was really elected after all, things like that. Meanwhile, Governor Golly and his cronies in the legislature, namely the Caveman Caucus among the repukes, continue to run this state into the ground.

The repukes are now going full steam ahead in both California and Wisconsin in their bullshit recalls against Democratic governors who inherited messes from repuke predecessors and are now being blamed for conditions they didn't have much to do with creating in the first place. They're blathering on and on about how said politicians are accountable to the people who elected them, and if they're not doing their job then the people have a right to throw them out before the end of their term, even if they haven't committed a crime or any "act of moral terpitude", the more common reasons for a recall. Who knows what other states they're planning recall coups in? Well, I say, give them a taste of their own medicine and start recalling repuke governors who really ARE responsible for the condition of their state and who've done NOTHING for their state, such as Taft.

I say RECALL TAFT! If the repukes can try to recall Dem governors for bullshit reasons and to get into power in those states, then we can do the same against repuke governors who really are doing a bad job and fucking up their states. So, again, I say RECALL TAFT!

[sasquatch]

1. Damn straight recall Taft

I call him Shaft Taft(as in vote Taft get the Shaft). Do we have recall possibility's in Ohio? If we did I'd go for it:)

[liberalhistorian]

7. Shaft Taft, I like that!

Lord knows it's so very true.

[mot78]

2. Although I'm Not from Ohio, I'd say that's a bad idea

It would make us look like hypocrites against the RW spin-doctors.

[liberalhistorian]

6. I do see your point, but my point is

that, while the repukes recalling governors in CA and WI don't have any reason to do so, it's purely partisan nastiness, WE DO have plenty of reasons to recall Taft for the terrible job he's doing and the way he's ruining the state and running it into the ground. When they howl and scream, as they assuredly will, we can remind them that they had no problem trying to remove governors who were actually doing their jobs but, so what's their problem with recalling a governor who ISN'T doing his job?

[Kolesar]

3. I don't think Ohio law has a provision for recalling the governor

I vaguely "recall" hearing that somewhere on public radio or perhaps here. One would have to research Ohio law to know for sure. (I think we need to spend our energies on something more productive anyway.)

[buff2]

5. You don't think getting rid of tax and spend Taft

is productive??? :wtf:

[liberalhistorian]

8. I'm a paralegal, and

legal research is my middle name, so I think I'll do some research on it and see if it can, in fact, be done.

[buff2]

4. Yes!!!

That geek has raised state taxes on EVERYTHING. $11.00 more to renew your auto tags.....$12 (I think it's 12) more to renew your driver's license....more taxes on gas... I could go on and on and on. Even to get a haircut more taxes. I can't stand that idiot. I would love to see him GONE!!! :nuke:

[liberalhistorian]

9. I know, and people and businesses are

just beginning to feel the full effects. My boss, a lifelong republican (not a repuke, though), is spitting nails because of the doubling of the fees in all of the county recorder's offices. He owns a small title company and is a lawyer as well, and the doubling of those fees is a real hit to him and his business. He ain't too happy with Governor Golly right now, that's for sure.

[depakid]

10. Ohio does not have a recall statute

Most states don't.

There's a real audio about Ohio, Taft and recall here.

[liberalhistorian]

12. SIGH.

I guess it isn't possible, after all, DAMNIT!!!!!! It should be possible, because if any gov deserves a recall, it's HIM!

[cmd]

11. Ohio doesn't have a recall provision

But we do have term limits. That is the main reason we have ineffective state government right now. No one is around long enough to get it working right.

[liberalhistorian]

13. That's an excellent point, and it's one of the

main reasons why I was against term limits in the first place. I think people are finally starting to realize that, unfortunately, it may be too late.

[depakid]

14. term limits have had unintended consequences

One of which, as you suggest, is that legislators aren't around long enough to learn the process or the issues, which makes them even more beholden to lobbiests, who frequently write harmful legislation or block common sense measures designed to curb abuses in theit clients' industries. Moreover, since competetnt candidates can no longer rely on familiarity with their constituents, corrupt corporate money is required by the boatload to buy name recognition. This has allowed far right extremists to be elected even in what might otherwise be considered progressive districts.

The decline and disgrace of the Oregon legislature over the past 6 years is probably the best example of why term limits sound good some people, but turn out to be really bad public policy.

[jimshoes]

15. Is it too early to start thinking

about who might run for Gov. when Taft's term is up. Maybe we can swing this state Dem in a few years. The pubs are weak in nothern Ohio but the rest of the state need convincing.

[PeakOil2008]

17. I heard Sec. of State Ken Blackwell is a likely candidate to succeed Taft

Which I believe would be a first for the Ohio GOP, as Blackwell is an African-American. (Though I should note that our Lt. Governor, Jennette Bradley, is also African-American.) It would be quite ironic that Ohio's first ever minority governor would come from within the ranks of the Party of Regression. However, since Ohio's Republican Party is a bit more moderate than, say, Indiana's, Blackwell would probably have an increased chance of syphoning-off African-American voters who traditionally cast in favor of Democratic candidates, thus further crippling the already severely-weakened State Democrats.

How do we beat the odds and win? I wish I knew. I think it is very ironic that Democratic mayors hold office in all of Ohio's largest cities, including Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, Dayton and Youngstown (Canton, by the way, doesn't appear to be very far behind.), and yet, the Republicans control both the State Executive and Legislative branches. Somehow, the local level Dems need to re-organize and work together to reclaim the Capital. I was hoping that senior Democratic Mayor Don Plusquellic of Akron would make a run for Columbus, but it appears that he has decided to finish out his political career at home, pending a sixth term.

Our best hope now may actually lie somewhere within the heart and mind of none other than Jerry Springer, who has hinted at a Ohio Gubernatorial run in 2006. (That may be his most likely reason for reconsidering a Senate run vs. George Voinovich this year.) Following the recent trend of celebrity gubernatorial candidates, namely Minnesota's Jessie Ventura, and Arnold Schwarzenegger in California, Springer would easily and handily trump Blackwell, or any GOP candidate, based purely upon the basis of name recognition. Unlike the likes of Schwarzenegger, who wants a shot at Cali's capital, Sacramento, without ever previously holding office, Springer can claim a leadership role on his resume -- as the Mayor of Cincinnati. (We'll overlook the fact that the City Manager holds much of the real authority there.)

[liberalnurse]

16. We don't have the money either.....

We sure did miss the chance with not getting Hagan in as governor.

He would of been sensational!

[UnapologeticLiberal]

18. NO NO NO NO NO

We have to take the high road in order to be able to point out how the GOP is trying to illegitimately grab power. If we resort to their tactics we have no credibility.

Mousepads, Shoe Leather, and Hope

[ShaneGR]

19. We need candidates

[mermaid]

20. Recall Governor Goodhair (aka Perry!!)

I sure WISH we had a recall law here in Texas!!
I'd fully support a recall of Gubnor Goodhair...aka Rick Perry...who has done nothing but carry Tom DeLay's water and do his dirty work by spending the taxpayers money in Texas on FOUR special sessions for nothing more than a Repugnican (or Repuke) power grab called political redistricting...which is illegal anyway, since the lines were drawn already in 2001, and oughta stand until 2011!

They had their chance to draw 'em in 2001, and they punted the football to the Federal courts. They don't like what those courts came up with, because "it doesn't give the Repukes enough seats" Well, hell, Perry, lemme call you and DeLay a friggin' waaaaaaaaambulance!!!

We got REAL issues to deal with here in Texas...like school finance, affordable (and accessible) homeowners/renters insurance, and a budget that is bleeding money. None of those issues get dealt with, though...until the Repukes get the map they want. Shows where THEIR priorities are!!

Impeach Gubnor Goodhair!!

Rick Perry is nothing but a dumbass Repuke spear carrier for Tom DeLay who is nothing but a former exterminator from Sugar Land, Texas. DeLay oughts go back to killing cockroaches, and leave the governing to the people who will get IMPORTANT work done FOR THE PEOPLE!!