by Jennifer on 02.26.2010
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Job losses under the Bush and Obama administrations:
which got us headed in the right direction? |
"Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it."
-- Edmund Burke (1729-1797)
1. Question: Which U.S. president was the first to push annual federal spending across the one-trillion-dollar mark?
Answer: Ronald Reagan (Republican), in 1987.1
2. Question: Which U.S. president was the first to push annual federal spending across the two-trillion-dollar* mark?
Answer: George W. Bush (Republican), in 2002.2
3. Question: Which U.S. president was the first to push annual spending across the three-trillion-dollar mark?
Answer: George W. Bush (Republican), in FY2009.3
4. Question: During the 57-year period 1948-2005, under which party's presidents was the average annual growth in pre-tax family income greater?
Answer: The Democratic Party.4
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by Jennifer on 02.26.2010
As the chief elections officer of Ohio and a former judge, I was sickened by the U.S. Supreme Court’s actions in moving up an issue not even ripe for determination and pushing the conservative activist majority rule of the court on the American people. It’s such an irony that the ruling that stands to gravely hurt the American people is entitled, “Citizens United.” It’s clear that the purpose of the decision is to water down the collective power of living, breathing American “citizens united” such as we saw in President Obama’s unprecedented and precipitous election in 2008.
One of the most exciting things about the 2008 presidential election was the sea of new faces of all colors, nationalities, and backgrounds who had never before in their lifetimes been so excited about being part of the political process. I knew that in this next generation, many of these first-time campaign workers would become candidates themselves, changing the face of our elected officials at all levels to look and think more like the rest of us.
Then along came the Roberts U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United, working in stealth and behind closed doors to dash the very hopes of so many for a new kind of politics that is inclusive, netroots fueled, and demanding greater personal contact, authenticity and honesty.
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by The Brunner Team on 02.23.2010
There are just ten weeks to go before the primary election, and Jennifer Brunner's historic grassroots campaign for the U.S. Senate is in full swing. We know that personally talking to as many Democratic voters as we can in this year's primary election is critical to winning, and one of the best ways to do that is by phonebanking.
This past Saturday many of Jennifer's supporters gathered at campaign headquarters in Columbus for a Phonebank Party, with refreshments and conversation and a visit with Jennifer, herself. We made hundreds of calls and spread our message to hundreds of voters. Watch the video as Jennifer encouraged and joined our phonebankers!
We know in these times when finances are tight, it can be difficult to contribute money. But in a grassroots campaign, your time and talent are just as valuable to us. A Phonebank Party is a great way to support a candidate like Jennifer who will make sure that we win, too. You can help by hosting or attending a Phonebank Party. It's easy and it's fun, and you and your friends will be helping to make sure we have the strongest Democratic candidate to take a progressive Democratic win all the way home in November!
You can use our online form to sign up to host a Phonebank Party or to attend one in your area. We'll provide instructions and call lists. You invite your friends and ask them to bring their phones. Set a starting and ending time and see who can make the most calls!
Our campaign is about people like you. This is our chance elect a great U.S. Senator who gets it that politics is about people first. We're proving that with our campaign, and she'll prove it time and time again in the Senate with courage and tenacity. Let's change the face of politics in our state. Please sign up today.
Thanks for your help.
The Jennifer Brunner Team
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by Jeff on 02.21.2010
Jennifer's acclaimed Innovation Tour for Ohio Jobs continues on Tuesday with a stop at Twenty First Century (TFC) Energy LLC in Fairborn, Ohio. TFC Energy is a relatively new company that specializes in research and development, manufacturing, and distribution of efficient land based wind turbine systems for the conversion of wind power to electricity.
Having identifed untapped market potential in low-speed wind energy, TFC Energy has developed a practical, low-speed wind turbine that utilizes an innovative vertical axis design. Known as a VAWT (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine), this inexpensive device is optimized for low-speed wind conditions (4.4 to 5.6 meters per second) such as those prevailing in Ohio and is scalable from 10 to 100 kilowatt hours. Remarkably, it is not in direct competition with any current alternative wind energy solutions. The product is targeted for today's commercial and federal buildings as a supplement to their current electricity usage, but the company also envisions a light-weight, transportable VAWT for military use at forward bases.
TFC Energy has been working with the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) to optimize and independently validate the performance of its wind turbines.
Do you know an innovative enterprise or project in Ohio with potential to promote economic growth and produce jobs? Nominate it for inclusion on the Innovation Tour.
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by Jeff on 02.17.2010
Jennifer will visit Summer Garden Food Manufacturing on February 18th for the ninth stop on her highly successful Innovation Tour for Ohio Jobs, which continues to shine a spotlight on examples of projects and enterprises whose ingenuity is spurring job growth in Ohio.
A division of the John Zidian Co. and maker of the popular Gia Russa Italian foods and Mario Batali brands, Summer Garden Food opened a 50,000 sq ft state-of-the-art green food production facility on a 6 acre culinary campus in Boardman in 2008. The new plant adheres to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The facility has been recognized by the Youngstown Business Incubator as part of its Innovative Series, was awarded the 2009 outstanding Engineering Project by the Mahoning Valley Society of Professional Engineers, and has collaborated with Youngstown State University on innovative design concepts.
The Summer Garden Campus includes an 11,000 sq ft Research and Development Facility, a Food Safety and Quality Assurance Laboratory, a Good Manufacturing Process Engineering Development Center, and a 3,400 sq ft Culinary Arts Center. Workforce requirements include continuing professional education programs . The company is a Certified Organic, USDA, and FDA registered food processing facility.
Click here for more information about the Innovation Tour for Ohio Jobs (including an interactive map of tour stops) or to nominate businesses or projects for inclusion in the tour.
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by Jennifer on 02.16.2010
Last week I posted a challenge to Rob Portman, my likely Republican opponent for the U.S. Senate this fall. 
Former Congressman Rob Portman (R-Ohio) is headlining an "important and only major fundraiser of 2010" for COAST (Coalition Opposed to Spending and Taxes) on March 1st in Cincinnati. All fine and good--his business--until I read a "tweet" posted by the group that included this language about the late Congressman John Murtha on the day he died: "John Murtha dead at 77. Good riddance bad egg."
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported my comments about the former Congressman Portman's open support of this group (he's raising money for them):
"There can be no excuse, no minimizing and no equivocation of this kind of disrespect that has taken our country in the wrong direction," Brunner said. "If Rob Portman fails to renounce COAST and its hateful tactics, then Ohio has a very good indication of the kind of courage he will show as a U.S. senator."
Former Congressman Portman's response? His spokesperson called the comments "inappropriate" as distracting "us from finding solutions to our economic challenges and the status quo." Then the name calling began that Jennifer Brunner "represents a rubber-stamp for the Pelosi-Reid-Obama anti-jobs agenda."
To pile on, the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee (NRSC) Press Secretary opened up with a torrent of comments in response to the article, with false accusations of my being "mired in questionable associations with several organizations." She said that "Ohioans will reject...partisan rhetoric and hypocrisy this November."
On this last statement, we agree.
This is the first time I have openly challenged Rob Portman to explain his actions (and now his failure to act). My opponent in the primary has been trying to land a punch on Mr. Portman for 6 months with no luck. Portman just says "jobs czar" and moves on. But as soon as we tell Mr. Portman to be decent and to show bipartisanship, the National Republican Senatorial Committee attacks with a data-dump of unrelated opposition research. Who are they afraid of?
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by Jennifer on 02.15.2010
Many of us have suffered over the last year and are concerned about what may lie ahead this year. More home foreclosures are expected. The housing market’s return to prosperity remains slow, and many who’ve lost their jobs can’t relocate to take another job because their homes are worth less than what they owe for them.
Americans are hurting because of a financial system that has rewarded unprecedented risk taking with other people’s money. Deregulation has allowed the financial system to evolve into a world where elite wizards exact exorbitant sums as must-have financial “talent,” even when they have miscalculated, stumbled and harmed countless individuals in the process by taking irresponsible and unconscionable risks.
In 2008 and 2009 Americans averted the equivalent of a crash down a cliff that could have kicked off a financial avalanche. Now, as more and more ordinary Americans lift up their heads from their daily grindstones, they’re smacked in the face by these very financial institutions they’ve saved that are paying exorbitant bonuses to their top “talent” to keep the financial wizardry churning. Their “thanks?”—higher credit card fees, tightened small business credit and near oblivion to the concept of shared sacrifice. The ever-escalating costs of campaigns keep Congressional candidates tied to the institutions they oversee, even though constituents are clamoring for real change that reflects their values.
As a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate for the open seat now occupied by Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio), I am focused on shining some honest light on how we got into this mess and how we can get out of it. Changes in regulation must benefit not only sustained economic growth for our country, but must make financial institutions work better for everyday Americans.
Until Congress declares its independence from campaign contributions from the financial sector it regulates, Americans are not likely to see significant change. It’s not just Republicans giving Wall Street a free pass. The Washington Post reports that the Chair of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), is rushing to assure Wall Street political donors--such as hedge fund and investment bank executives--that they should not take Democratic calls for stricter regulation of Wall Street practices seriously. Despite the current outrage that Wall Street has engendered and populist calls from both Democrats and Republicans to reform it, Senator Menendez recently told a Post reporter, “I remind them that there is a difference between what is said and what is done.”
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by Jennifer on 02.12.2010
Last week I was honored to be a part of the re-opening of the Lancer steakhouse in Cleveland, because I know how important it has been to the African-American community in Cuyahoga County and beyond. For most of its 50-year history, the Lancer has been a meeting place for politicians, business people, civil rights activists, and regular people. The history of Cleveland's African-American political struggle can, in many ways, be seen through the lens of this important community institution. In early December, it burned to the ground.
February is Black History Month, a time to remember the struggles of our African-American leaders, especially during the Civil Rights era. Their brave and persistent efforts have inspired countless people from all races, often giving them the needed resolve to keep going.
In 2004, I watched when many people of color living in urban neighborhoods in Ohio endured long lines on Election Day, while other areas of our state did not suffer the same circumstances. I read Congressman John Conyers' report on the Election Day conditions in Ohio and got a knot in my stomach. At the time I was serving as a judge, and administering Franklin County's first adult felony drug court. I had made sure that the participants in my program knew of their right to vote, and most of them registered and did vote. It was at that time I made the difficult decision to leave the bench and run for my current office, Secretary of State.
"No more," I said to myself, setting my jaw and resolving to keep going. The 2008 Presidential election was not an easy one in which to be Ohio's Secretary of State. So many changes were needed--so quickly. Even now, Americans see that the change they wanted is not easy--and it involves them having to do their part. Are they willing? Are they ready? Do we continue to be inspired by the change we wanted so badly in 2008?
I'm sure our black leaders in the past experienced to a much greater degree what we see people experiencing now--walking down the path but not yet seeing the light, walking in faith that the better day can come, if we just keep going. We have each other, and the examples of those who came before us, and we must not forget this. The courage and resolve of those who have gone before us must never be taken for granted, nor should the gains they achieved for us with their sacrifices. I urge you to always remember the work they did that led to transformative change like the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to ease barriers to voting for every qualified citizen.
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by Jennifer on 02.11.2010
Think about what Congress could be like if our members of Congress remembered that each is a person first and then and only after that, a partisan. It’s really not asking too much of them.
Many of us choose party affiliations because we agree with a general way of thinking and a general approach to how to solve society’s problems. As we examine our views and why we hold them, we may move to the “right” or “left” within our party, but we usually stick with our party as long as we have enough common ground that keeps us working together in a way we agree will accomplish our goals. Bipartisanship happens when opposing parties see each other as adversaries and not as outright enemies—when the competition is based on ideas and doesn’t get personal.
Bipartisanship comes from finding common ground, often higher ground, that both parties can agree on—even if at first just in concept. Problem areas can be parsed into smaller pieces to look for common ground. And in instances when there is not agreement, subjects of remaining contention are set aside while focus is on consensus on issues where it can be reached. Eventually, the last few sticking points may look different with other issues resolved, until there is at last compromise. That’s how cooperative adults do it—and succeed.
Imagine how sickened I was to hear that former Congressman Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate, is headlining an “important and only major fundraiser of 2010” for COAST (Coalition Opposed to Spending and Taxes) on March 1st in Cincinnati. Imagine how sickened I was to see that COAST’s comment on Twitter included this language about the late Congressman John Murtha on the day he died this week: “John Murtha dead at 77. Good riddance bad egg.”
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by David on 02.10.2010
As you may have seen, our opponents have been raising money from special interests like crazy. As you also may have seen, it's not helping them too much. Despite their periodic boasts and counter-boasts about the size of their bank accounts, they just can't seem to get any traction.
We, meanwhile, continue to gain momentum by directly talking to voters. They spend their time asking the wealthy and powerful for money. We spend our time asking voters their thoughts and seeking their support. We advocate for people on the issues that are at the center of their lives. We challenge the status quo of a Congress that can't seem to get health care passed and that has so far failed to confront Wall Street, big banks, insurance companies, and other powerful interests that perpetuate a system fueled by yet more money.
What can you do? For starters, a lot. You can take on just a small piece of our campaign, and well, it becomes yours too. Our direct voter contact plan is working--we're knocking on doors and phonebanking--but we're just weeks away from the primary election, and there's still much to be done.
As we contact voters around the state, we're finding two interesting things: 1. We have a strong base of support that is much larger than our opponents', and 2. There are a whole bunch of "undecided" voters. As the May primary approaches, we're redoubling our efforts to make sure that we talk to each and every undecided Democratic primary voter in the state.
We can do this, but we need your help. We're setting up a special account to help us communicate as directly as we can with voters. Today, we're asking for contributions of $50, $100, or $250 to help us send direct mail, shoot videos, and equip our canvassers and phone bankers.
This is not just another email asking you to contribute money. We hear from so many people how tight money is for them, so we have other ways you can help. Phone banking from your home is a great way to contribute your time and effort, which to a grassroots campaign is like gold.
I've been asked by hundreds of people, "Where can I get a tee shirt?" We've got them. Today, we're offering "Courage" campaign kits with a tee shirt (pick your size), two Rosie the Riveter buttons, 25 "Courage" cards, and a signed "thank you" from Jennifer. Supporters who either donate $50 or make 1000 calls (it's okay if you get a little help from a friend making the calls) by Sunday, February 21, will get one of our campaign kits. The shirts are American made and as cool as can be, designed with our "Courage" logo, and come in M, L, XL and XXL. Please sign up for your campaign kit online so we know your shirt size and address and whether you are contributing or calling.
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by Jennifer on 02.08.2010
Wall Street just doesn't get it. Last week insurance giant AIG announced that it would be paying out $100 million in bonuses—after America’s taxpayers bailed it out to the tune of at least $180 billion! Americans are simmering and ready to brew over.
Here in Ohio, people are hurting like they haven’t hurt since the great depression of the 1930’s. Last week a gentleman in Cleveland asked me what I thought the difference between a recession and a depression was. I know he saw little difference, and frankly it was hard to draw the line for him in his situation.
Over the course of my campaign, I have listened to heart-wrenching stories about families facing financial ruin who have lost their health insurance and now cannot afford to pay medical bills for their children’s special health needs. And I have seen small business owners struggling—and in some cases having to shut their doors completely, because they cannot get credit to keep their businesses going (even when they have purchase orders in hand). Meanwhile, Wall Street and the nation's large financial institutions are picking up right where they left off as if the biggest taxpayer funded bailout of our country’s history was just a “blip” on the radar screen. I’ve got news for them.
The party’s over.
The fact of the matter is, major banking regulation reform is needed—to make sure that never again will our citizens face the record foreclosures and loss of their homes that they have in the last 3 years, to make sure that never again will small businesses and medium-sized businesses like auto parts suppliers be denied credit that they need to keep and create jobs, and to make sure that hedging is not going on in our financial institutions that have callously trampled our trust to satisfy executive compensation packages while guaranteeing shareholder returns.
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by Jeff on 02.06.2010
Thanks to everyone for your birthday greetings on Jennifer's online card. Here are some of the messages posted so far:
"We are excited in Washington County to have such an admirable candidate for our Senate seat. We are getting busy and hope to make many calls in the next week. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and get some time to really celebrate. MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY!!!!!!"
- Jane C.
"I wish you the very best today and during this campaign season. Lets hope we can finally have a woman Senator from Ohio. Let's turn the tide here with electing a woman and again have 2 Democratic Senators representing Ohio in the Senate."
- Vanessa B.
"Happy Birthday, Jennifer. Today is my daughter's birthday, too. She happens to be 18 today. Boy, that makes me feel old. I want to let you know that I really appriciate having a leader like you that is truly looking out for the interests of ALL Ohioans. You have my support. Have a great day!"
- Tammy S.
"Hi Jennifer, Wishing you a very happy birthday! Today is a lovely day to celebrate a birthday... I know because is today mine too. :) I live in Colorado now and am registered to vote here (and was proudly a part of turning our state blue two years ago!). But I will always feel that Ohio is my home and I am happy to support you as a candidate. I have been reading the material you send and am inspired by your message. Here is my message for you: I am hopeful the dems come in strong in the coming election, but mostly I am hopeful that we truly can find a way to work across the aisle to actually make some change happen. Our divided government has really been disheartening and disillusioning to me and I hope this can change in 2010."
- Sara L.
"Happy Birthday! Keep up the fight for our future. You are doing great!"
- Robert S.
"I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I wish you well on your bid for the Senate seat that I cannot wait for Senator Voionovich to vacate. We need someone who will fight for us and not special interest groups. I want someone who will work with Senator Sherrod Brown to get us healthcare reform and jobs. Contrary to Republican retoric they are linked and can both be accomplished. Good luck to you Jennifer."
- Pam G.
"Happy Birthday, Jennifer! You're the best - keep up the good work for us and for Ohio. We're all behind you! Best Wishes"
- Gayle Morrison
"It's great to see someone running for office that I actually believe in! Keep up the great work! Best of wishes & happy birthday!"
- Beth B.
"Happy Birthday! It is refreshing to see someone working so hard for Ohioans, rather than special interests. I appreciate what you are doing and support you in your campaign for Senate. We need more people like you in Washington!"
- Heather S.
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by Rick on 02.05.2010
My wife doesn't know that I'm sending out this note, and let's keep this quiet as a surprise for her! You see, today is Jennifer's birthday, and I'd like to ask you to help celebrate it with us.
Jennifer doesn't make a big fuss about her birthdays, but they are very, very special to me. We spent her 21st birthday together, back when we were just starting out. Money was too tight for much of a celebration in those student days. I bought her a drink that night, but I abstained because we couldn't afford two drinks!
We've shared a lot of birthdays since then, and I'm not always sure what to get her for a present. But this year I have an idea that I'm sure she'll just love. I'm asking you, Jennifer's supporters, to sign a special online birthday card with your own birthday message. After you sign the card, you can give Jennifer a surprise present by providing the email addresses of five friends, neighbors, relatives or coworkers who would like to hear about Jennifer's campaign, and -- for the finishing touch -- you may make a special birthday contribution of $20.10.
There's nothing that I could buy for Jennifer that would be as meaningful to her as this show of support from you!
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by Jennifer on 02.02.2010
While today 16 counties are conducting special elections in various parts of Ohio, three months from Thursday, all of our counties will be holding the state's 2010 primary election, on May 4, 2010.
We know that our strength to compete in the general election is seldom questioned, as recent polls have shown. Our task for the next three months is to get past worn out and damaging ways of thinking and behaving that have kept good candidates from running or from being able to compete.
I would be more excited about candidates who reach new heights of fundraising if I knew they were doing it the way we are--working with everyday Ohioans and not big moneyed interests. But looking at the record-shattering amounts they publicize, I know they are walking lock-step with interests that don't have what's good for Ohioans foremost in their minds.
That's why I'm writing you. This past weekend, we kicked off our phonebanking push. Hundreds of volunteers have begun making telephone calls to thousands of Ohio Democratic voters. They are helping us build on our already strong base of supporters. The support is heartening.
But to win we need hundreds more of you to volunteer. It's easy and fun, and you can even make calls from home using your own phone. We have the instructions and the call lists. Make as few or as many as you'd like. Just try it for starters and we think you'll want to do more. You can challenge your friends to a competition or even have a phonebanking party. You can sign up using our online form or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Many are concerned about the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that now allows corporations to be treated like persons to freely spend money to advertise in partisan campaigns. That's why it's more important than ever for our individual voices to be made strong by a campaign that empowers us to fight for the kitchen table issues that strengthen our families and communities.
I want to prove with our campaign that good government can come about when good people from all walks of life come together, person-to-person, and make it happen. That's the strength of our democracy.
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