Ohio voter suppression strikes again

Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern and Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman expressed concern about recent voter suppression activities occurring at local polling places in Greene County. Led by the former law partner of McCain Ohio Campaign Manager Mike DeWine, Republican officials in Greene County are staking out polling places and requiring names, addresses, and social security numbers of any Ohio voter who registered between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6. The chairman and mayor are both concerned with the targeting of African-American college students, some of whom are first-time voters, due to the two historically African-American colleges in Greene County. Redfern called the actions in Greene County a "textbook definition" of voter suppression, although there has been "no evidence of voter fraud whatsoever." In response to this suppression, the men have alerted the national media in hopes of external support to allow people to vote in Greene County and to prevent a repeat of the similar circumstances that occurred in Ohio during the 2004 election.

National debt doubles in past decade

Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio) discusses how the national debt has skyrocketed since he took office in 1999 (0:20).

Sen. Brown says McCain could have saved 8,200 Ohio jobs

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) held a conference call today criticizing Sen John McCain (R-Ariz.) for not using his business connections with German shipping company Deutsche Post to save 8.200 jobs around Wilmington, OH. McCain and current campaign manager Rick Davis worked with the company during its acquisition of American shipping company DHL four years ago.

According to Brown, Deustche Post recently announced that the company would be shipping roughly 8,200 jobs currently held by DHL in Ohio overseas. However, both McCain and Davis did nothing. He said that both could use their ties to the businesses to negotiate with the company, or perhaps even stop the outsourcing. Brown also said that McCain’s only solution for those losing their jobs was to retrain them for another position.


The Ohio senator believes the McCain campaign should send Davis to Deutsche Post, and make his connections to the companies known in order to facilitate an agreement. He concluded by stating that this issue is not one of partisanship, but rather feels that McCain is giving in to what Brown calls a “corporate lobbyist culture that [McCain] decries”.

Sen. Voinovich: America must "harmonize our energy"

Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio.) while hosting a conference call this morning discussed  his belief that the continuing high cost of oil is not only affecting Americans daily life but our national security. Voinovich commented that numbers released by the Office of Budget and Management (OMB) showing America's deficit had climbed 750 billion dollars means that the country is not only at a financial disadvantage but a national security risk. Voinovich also noted that the national debt at the end of this year is estimated to be at ten trillion dollars. 

A key sticking point for Voinovich is the continuing funneling of money to Arab states which have repeatedly harbored those who wish harm towards the United States. Voinovich commented by saying "we're sending 600 billion dollars overseas to a lot of people who don't like us including Venezuela. In effect these people control the price," said Voinovich. Adding, "from my stand point we are in real jeopardy," said Voinovich.

According to the Stanford University Modeling Forum which Voinovich cited, the odds of a foreign oil disruption happening over the next ten years are slightly higher than 80 percent. If global production were reduced by more than 2.1 percent that would have a serious effect on oil prices and our economy. This would be more than  Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

To curtail the dilemma of the United States being tied to terrorist countries for oil, Voinovich argues that America needs a plan similar to the Apollo plan put forth by President Kennedy. Voinovich believes that America must "harmonize our environment, our energy, our economy and now it's our national security" for more energy production.
It has been Voinovich who said he was a staunch supporter of increased oil drilling in America especially in ANWR to lesson America's dependence on foreign oil. 

White House Gaggle

Briefer: White House Press Secretary Dana Perino

Schedule:

The President had his normal briefings this morning. At 10.30 am, the President and Mrs. Bush will participate in the signing of H.J Res. 93, the Renewal of Import Restrictions on Burman and in the signing of H.R 3890, the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta’s Anti-Democratic Efforts). At 10.45 am, President Bush signs H.R. 1553, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008. This afternoon at 1.25 pm, the President departs the White House heading to Ohio. He will make remarks on energy and the economy at the Lincoln Electric Company Euclid, Ohio. At 5.45 pm, President Bush attends a Congressional Trust 2008 Reception at a private residence at Gates Mills, Ohio.

There will no be briefing today

Energy

Perino said that Congress goes on their recess by the end of the week leavening several proposals in the air, including opening energy resources such as ANWR, off shore drilling, oil shale, and streamlining opening refineries. She also said that the President will discuss all of this in his remarks later today. In the President’s cabinet meeting tomorrow they will discuss energy needs, which are the most important needs facing Americans today. Asked several questions about people driving less, Perino said that this shows laws of supply and demand, she also said that the Administration will look for way to bring the prices down. When asked about the highway trust fund, she said that the President has a way to address it in the budget and she does not believe that the way to deal with it is raising taxes.

Iraq

Asked about the uptick in Iraq, Perino said that there was a lot less violence and a need for flexibility with the military, and that we still have a determined enemy. She also said that high profile attacks using female bomber is deplorable.

Housing Bill

Dana said: “ At some time it is going to irresponsible if they don’t sent it [the housing bill]” She continued to say, that they need to send the bill to us and again pushing the White House concept of the- do-nothing-Congress, they are back in town over a long weekend recess. She also said that “you can’t put a timetable when the housing market rebounds”.

Serbia

When asked about US efforts to catch Karadzic, Perino said that over the years we have been supporting of efforts, “that is all I can say”.


Burma

Dana said that sanctions can work and the goal is to squeeze the people that are pressing people and not the people.