Ohio Referendums: Out of State Democrat Campaign Defeated!

The voters of Ohio yesterday gave a resounding smackdown to out of state, big money leftwing groups who sought to use the Ohio constitutional referendum process to seize control of the Ohio political process and through their "reforms" do in the future what they were unable to do in 2004 when John Kerry lost Ohio and the presidency by over 120,000 votes. Their campaign this time centered around the "culture of corruption theme" that has been the centerpiece of Democrats, no plan, blind opposition on the national level.

But, yesterday, four amendments to the Ohio Constitution which would have seized control of the state's electoral apparatus from elected officials and make it easier for these same big money out of state lefties to roll Ohio in subsequent elections failed overwhelmingly.

Apparently, these liberal elites with their union allies failed to learn the lesson of 2004. In their eagerness to embrace kook conspiracy theories regarding the 2004 outcome, they failed to grasp how Ohioans were not to be fooled by a cadre of out of state extremists flying in to try and convince the good folk of Ohio that their way was better. So, of course they tried it again and the result was an even greater defeat.

And it appears that they still don't get it. If you are brave enough to read The Daily Kos, headquarters for Democrat moonbats, You'll see "Bush Cronies Behind Fake Grassroots Attack on Reform Ohio Now" the denial of these folks, who just don't seem to grasp how wide and deep the opposition to this type of tactic is in Ohio.

From the Toledo Blade: Out-of-state money continues to overwhelm in-state contributions for Reform Ohio Now, the largely Democratic coalition behind the amendments on the Nov. 8 ballot that would change how Ohio draws congressional and legislative districts, oversees elections, votes absentee, and limits campaign contributions.

Counting in-kind contributions, Reform Ohio Now raised about the same amount Ohio First did by reaching out to more than 3,000 contributors from as far away as Hawaii. That compares to 170 for Ohio First, virtually all from inside Ohio.

Citizens to End Corruption raised $215,000, all from outside Ohio from the League of Conservation Voters and a coalition of groups like Moveon.org and America Coming Together that worked for John Kerry in 2004.

"Reform Ohio Now, which is a misnomer, has been from its beginning a campaign driven by out-of-state interests and out-of-state people," said Ohio First spokesman David Hopcraft. "It's no surprise they're getting their money in large and small contributions from outside the state, people who don't think Ohio can be trusted with their vote."

In one of my very first posts at Mike's America I dissected a long New York Times analysis of John Kerry's failed bid to win Ohio in 2004 and be elected President. The Times, as usual, started with a presumptive title "Who Lost Ohio" I countered that while Kerry did in fact lose Ohio, the bigger story is that Bush Won Ohio!

I was in Ohio the week before the election and can report firsthand that drivers with out of state plates were carrying around the yard signs and other campaign materials in their attempt to convince Ohioans to go for Kerry.

Imagine it's late in the evening and you get a knock at the door. Some long haired hippie from out of state wants to convince you to vote for Kerry. Contrast that with your friend at the Rotary Club, or your church, whom you've known for years. When he calls, to ask for your vote for Bush, who are you going to listen to?

All I can say is we should encourage our big money Democrat friends like George Soros to keep dumping their money down a rat hole of arrogance and denial. Like Lincoln said "you can't fool all the people all the time." And you cannot fool the people of Ohio!

Way to go Buckeyes!