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Wulsin
for Congress Blogs
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253
11/19/2007
1/1/2000 3:32:00 PM
Happy Thanksgiving
Posted by:
Vic Wulsin
This week, Americans are preparing to celebrate with their family and friends and share the simplest blessing a meal with the people we love. I've spent time with thousands of families in Ohio's 2nd District, and over the last year I've spoken to more and more of them who have been personally affected by the mortgage crisis sweeping the United States.
I was inspired to see that, last week, the House of Representatives passed the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act (HR 3915). This bill provides lenders with a set of national standards and helps ensure that the dream of home ownership doesn't become a nightmare.
The bill passed by a wide margin, 291-127, as 64 Republicans broke ranks and voted with Democrats to fix a problem that strikes at the heart of the American Dream. But Rep. Jean Schmidt voted against the bill.
We need real change in Washington. I support this bipartisan, common sense effort to rein in an industry that has spun out of control, and would have voted for it. I believe we must protect all Americans from unfair and predatory lending practices.
We know what's happening in our neighborhoods and towns. According to Malia Rulon of The Enquirer, "Ohio ranked fifth in the nation for foreclosures in the past three months, and Cincinnati had one foreclosure per 145 households. A quick search on Yahoo shows 2,103 foreclosures in Cincinnati alone, and a shocking 75 in Jean Schmidt's home town of Loveland, OH, population under 12,000.
What do Jean Schmidt's neighbors think of her voting against them?
Unlike Rep. Schmidt, Republican Senator George Voinovich knows that this is an important issue, saying that "Ohioans can no longer wait while Congress fails to act." [Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/16/07.]
We need to stand up for our hard working families, not the Wall Street insiders who made billions when times were good and are now looking for a government bailout. Maybe she's listening to the developers who have supported her political career.
Some, including Rep. Schmidt's friends in the White House, have attacked the bill by claiming that it will restrict access to the borrowing and make it harder to participate in an ownership society. I have one question for Jean Schmidt: isn't it Congress' job to protect families who save up and buy a home in good faith and then lose it because the system was rigged from the start against them? |
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231
11/19/2007
3:32:00 PM
Happy Thanksgiving
Posted by:
Vic Wulsin
This week, Americans are preparing to celebrate
with their family and friends and share the simplest blessing a meal with the
people we love. I’ve spent time with thousands of families in Ohio’s 2nd
District, and over the last year I’ve spoken to more and more of them who have
been personally affected by the mortgage crisis sweeping the United States.
I was inspired to see that, last week, the House of Representatives passed the
Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act (HR 3915). This bill provides
lenders with a set of national standards and helps ensure that the dream of home
ownership doesn’t become a nightmare.
The bill passed by a wide margin, 291-127, as 64 Republicans broke ranks and
voted with Democrats to fix a problem that strikes at the heart of the American
Dream. But Rep. Jean Schmidt voted against the bill.
We need real change in Washington. I support this bipartisan, common sense
effort to rein in an industry that has spun out of control, and would have voted
for it. I believe we must protect all Americans from unfair and predatory
lending practices.
We know what’s happening in our neighborhoods and towns. According to Malia
Rulon of The Enquirer, “Ohio ranked fifth in the nation for foreclosures in the
past three months, and Cincinnati had one foreclosure per 145 households. A
quick search on Yahoo shows 2,103 foreclosures in Cincinnati alone, and a shocking 75 in Jean Schmidt’s home town of Loveland, OH, population under 12,000.
What do Jean Schmidt’s neighbors think of her voting against them?
Unlike Rep. Schmidt, Republican Senator George Voinovich knows that this is an
important issue, saying that "Ohioans can no longer wait while Congress fails to
act." [Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/16/07.]
We need to stand up for our hard working families, not the Wall Street insiders
who made billions when times were good and are now looking for a government
bailout. Maybe she’s listening to the developers who have supported her
political career.
Some, including Rep. Schmidt’s friends in the White House, have attacked the
bill by claiming that it will restrict access to the borrowing and make it
harder to participate in an ownership society. I have one question for Jean
Schmidt: isn’t it Congress’ job to protect families who save up and buy a home
in good faith and then lose it because the system was rigged from the start
against them? |
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252
11/17/2007
12:20:30 PM
It's happening again. Your hard work to change Ohio's 2nd District is getting noticed!
Posted by:
Josh Levin
Dear Supporters,
It's happening again. Your hard work to change Ohio's 2nd District is getting
noticed.
On November 15th, the influential Cook Political Report, a non- partisan
Washington D.C. publication, released its latest analysis of the 2008
Congressional Races. House Editor David Wasserman concluded that “Rep. Jean
Schmidt (OH-02) continues to make life difficult for her party in a reliably
Republican district…”
The Cook Political Report "upgraded" our race from "Likely Republican" to
"Leans Republican." Their ranking again confirms that ours is among a handful of
the most competitive races in the country.
In 2006, the difference between health care for our children and families,
between a vote to bring our troops home and end the failed policies of the Bush
Administration, between honest leadership and blind allegiance to the politics
of fear, was 2517 votes.
We're letting it be known that we won't let that happen again! With your
support we've been able to add to our office staff and reach out to people
throughout the district to ensure that this time we get the Representative we
deserve.
And we're getting ready for more, right up through the holidays. Last week
Vic celebrated with the AMOS project, a faith-based community organization in
Cincinnati that has played a part in significant social-justice victories in our
district. Next week, we'll be out in the community celebrating Thanksgiving.
So thank you for your help in getting us where we are. You'll hear much more
from me in the weeks and months to come as we approach the March primary and
then for the real showdown in November.
With your continued help, we'll be ready. I look forward to working with you.
-Josh
Josh Levin
Campaign Manager
Wulsin for Congress |
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251
11/11/2007
12:04:18 PM
On Veterans Day
Posted by:
Josh Levin
On
Veteran's Day
11/11/2007
"Let us solemnly
remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the
seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of
freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting
an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in
vain."
-President
Dwight Eisenhower, October 8th, 1954
To all of our veterans:
Our nation owes you a great debt. Thank you for your
service, and may our
country never forget to honor your spirit and sacrifice. |
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243
10/31/2007
12:06:35 PM
Had Enough? Jean Schmidt Turns Her Back Once Again on Ohio’s Kids
Posted by:
Vic Wulsin
Have you had enough with what’s going on in Washington? I sure have! Here’s another example of Jean Schmidt and Washington not doing what’s right.
Yesterday, Jean Schmidt voted against overriding President Bush’s veto on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). What does that mean? Schmidt turned her back on over 218,000 kids in Ohio and 7 million across the country whose working families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford skyrocketing insurance premiums.
We all need good health care. As a physician, I’ve seen first-hand how important it is for children to have access to quality health care, too. Jean Schmidt is wrong to vote against this important program that helps working families. We need change in Washington, and it starts right here.
I’ve been fighting for quality, affordable health care throughout my career working in public health, and I plan to take that fight to Washington when I’m elected to Congress.
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248
10/31/2007
12:03:02 PM
SCHIP Reauthorization
Posted by:
Ann Driscoll
The children's healthcare bills recently passed by the Senate and House are important efforts towards providing needy children with affordable healthcare. The House bill added 6 million children to the already 5 million children covered by the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The parents of eligible children earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to pay skyrocketing insurance premiums; in other words, they are the working poor.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, both bills would have positive effects on Ohio.
"In Ohio, both the House and Senate proposals would safeguard coverage of the 142,929 children currently enrolled and plans to expand coverage to another 24,000 children. They also would support efforts to add to the rolls some of the 164,000 uninsured children currently eligible but not enrolled."
According to a BYU study published by Pediatrics this past May, insuring children through SCHIP makes good economic sense too. Care for uninsured children costs $2,121 more per child each year than care for insured children, given emergency room costs and the increased length of hospital stays.
Not surprisingly, Bush has threatened to veto both versions, and has found a loyal ally in Schmidt, who voted against the legislation passed in the House. Whether it's staying the course in Iraq, cutting student loans, or denying children healthcare coverage, Bush and Schmidt are two peas in a pod.
When 9 in 10 Americans and both Republican and Democratic Governors support an expansion of the children's health insurance program, and even conservative Senator Orrin Hatch says, "It's difficult for me to understand how anyone wouldn't want to do this," reauthorizing and expanding SCHIP has serious bipartisan credibility.
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246
10/31/2007
12:00:42 PM
On the Campaign Trail with Vic
Posted by:
Wulsin Campaign
Vic has a reputation as a tireless campaigner, and this past Saturday, she didn't disappoint. She started her day in Batavia at the Clermont County Fair. (We blogged a little bit about Vic's history at the fair the other day). While the livestock auctions, funnel-cake, and cheer-leading competitions make this such a fun event, the chance to hear voters' concerns and stay engaged in the Clermont County community keeps Vic coming back. Iraq, the economy, and especially health-care were the common concerns fair-goers voiced to Vic.
After the fair, Vic brought her trademark energy to a picnic hosted by the U.A.- a union ensuring that pipe-fitters, plumbers and mechanical equipment service employees get "fair treatment and fair wage for fair labor." Thousands of union members from Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana attended the picnic, held at Stricker's Grove - a private amusement park.
The Wulsin camp then headed over to Greater Anderson Days Fair. Live bands, food, and amusements offer fair-goers amusement with the goal to promote unity among the community of Anderson Township.
Though August is often viewed as a "down" month for campaigning, Vic is proving now more than ever that she is committed to winning back the 2nd district. To volunteer, sign up at the volunteer page on the Wulsin for Congress website.
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245
10/31/2007
11:58:47 AM
Clermont County Fair
Posted by:
Ann Driscoll
Vic has been going to the Clermont County Fair for three summers in a row now. The fair is a great place to compete in a tractor pull, buy livestock, or just kick back and enjoy good food and music.
Yesterday, Vic attended Senior Day, which was held in the Multi-Purpose Center at the fair and featured special guest, newscaster Rob Braun. The group of seniors + Vic and Braun sang songs and had a great time.
Vic will be at the Fair on Saturday as well as the Pipefitters local 392 Picnic in Stricker's Grove.
Check out our events.
Here are some photos from a trip Vic made to the Clermont County Fair last year.
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244
10/31/2007
11:56:11 AM
Schmidt Quotes and Votes on Iraq
Posted by:
Ann Driscoll
(hat tip to OH-02)
In light of the Wulsin for Congress campaign's determination to unseat her, an increasingly anti-war electorate, and a consortium of anti-war groups targeting her this summer, Schmidt issued this statement.
“No one wants to be at war. War is an action of last resort. I was not in Congress when our country voted to go to war.”
Wow-- Did Jean Schmidt just imply that she wouldn't have voted for the Iraq War had she been in Congress? I can already see the discontent festering among Bush hardliners: “Jean Schmidt more liberal than Michael Moore!" There’s more.
“Like most, I am not happy with our pace of progress. However, having now traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan twice and met with dozens of foreign diplomats the only current choice we have is to finish the mission. That is not the easiest choice but it is the only one that will lead to a safer region and world. I do not defend the mistakes that have been made in the past.”
But opportunistic hot air doesn’t cut it. Jean Schmidt hasn’t changed her position or ideology at all; she’s simply tempered the hysterical tone of her rhetoric. Jean Schmidt has spent her political career championing the Iraq War and contemptuously deriding any dissenter from the Republican talking points with the most out-of-touch, far-right rhetoric imaginable. Quotes, videos, and oh yeah, her votes in Congress mar Schmidt’s credibility on Iraq.
In fact, let’s take a trip down memory line, shall we…
July 2005. Debate vs. Paul Hackett.
-- "We are planting the seeds of democracy...we need to water them and let them grow."
-- “I have been traveling around the district for the last four months, telling the folks that I’ve met that I stand shoulder to shoulder with President Bush on the war on terror, and as your representative in Congress I’ll work with Congress and the President to finish the job in Iraq and make sure we continue to take the battle to the terrorists, so they don’t create another 9-11 and bring that battle here." (OH-02)
-- “Iraq has...decided to become a Democratic regime, a regime that will stop weapons of mass destruction, stop nuclear build-up, and go with us to stop the terrorists in our tracks."
July 2005. Salon.com. “Schmidt commends Hackett for his service, but believes Hackett should "stand with the president" by "supporting the Iraqi war effort and our troops that are over there," her campaign manager Joe Braun said.
-July 2005. Salon.com. "We have toppled a terrorist regime, a terrorist madman who now sits in a prison cell. This country has gone to the ballot box and made its decision to become a democratic regime."
-November 2005: YouTube. “Cowards cut and run; Marines never do…Stay the course.”
-January 2006: Cincinnati Enquirer. On her trip to Afghanistan: “If you want features, it was an absolutely gorgeous palace that we met him in with absolutely beautiful carpets and ... pink velvet upholstery.”
-February 2006. On the Iraqi Love for KFC (hat tip Plunderbund)
-August 2006: “Why do they Hate Us” policy paper posted on Schmidt's House.gov website in August 2006, an attempt by Schmidt to tap into the Middle Eastern psyche.
“On every continent in every corner of the planet you will find people that know of the United States of America. The United States is not just another country to them, we are utopia. The United States is a collection of wealth, might, and technology mixed into a culture where freedom is abundant…” “It is easy to understand that when you know your liberator and he does not come, it must mean he doesn't care.”
-November 2, 2006. Salon.com. “Right now, they're working to have their own stock market”
-May 2007. Cincinnati Enquirer. On the Surge. “Our military believes there are some of these people who are fair-weather insurgents who have only so much will to fight,’’ Schmidt said. “They can be driven out. That’s why we can succeed.”
But it's really the votes that demonstrate Schmidt's disconnection from any viable policy regarding Iraq. After all, Jean Schmidt was elected to legislate, and here is what she has to show for it.
VOTES:
Schmidt Voted No on HR 2965, "Responsible Redeployment From Iraq Act," a bill to reduce the number of U.S. troops serving in Iraq 120 days after its enactment and would require most troops to be withdrawn by April 1, 2008 and to require the president to submit a "comprehensive strategy" for Iraq to certain congressional committees by January 1, 2008 and requires him to update that strategy again in July, 2008 and every 90 days thereafter
Result: Passed, 223-201, with 8 not voting.
Date/time: July 12, 2007, 6:13 p.m.
Schmidt Voted No on H R 1591, "Making Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2007, and for Other Purposes," a bill providing $124.2 billion primarily for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and setting benchmarks and a timetable for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq
Date/time: April 25, 2007, 9:27 p.m.
Result: Passed, 218-208, with 2 voting Present and 5 not voting.
Schmidt Voted No on H CON RES 63, which expresses the House's disagreement with President Bush's surge. "The nonbinding resolution pledges support for U.S. personnel serving 'bravely and honorably in Iraq; but says Congress 'disapproves' of the president’s plan to add more than 20,000 combat troops."
Result: Passed, 246-182, with 6 not voting.
Date/time: February 16, 2007, 3:22 p.m.
YOU can help us keep track of Jean Schmidt's votes by visiting this helpful website provided by the Washington Post.
With commanders planning for the U.S. troops to be there until 2009, we need a leader who will reverse the Bush Administration's bad policy not abet it.
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238
10/10/2006
11:19:00 AM
Jeannie is Running Scared
Posted by:
Ady
There's lots of evidence that the Schmidt campaign and her national Republican backers are seriously worried about their chances of holding on to this seat. As Howard Wilkinson at the Enquirer pointed out, Jeannie Schmidt is feeling the heat:
- The National Republican Congressional Committee did a poll two weeks ago in the district, but didn't release the results
- On Thursday, the same NRCC sent out a fill-in-the-Democrat direct mail piece attacking Victoria for her immigration stance. I guess they didn't like what they read in their poll. Apparently the buy cost just
over $22,000.
Jean Schmidt came out with her first ad on Friday. It's a goofy, cartoony piece that attacks Vic for her "crazy ideas." The only reason Schmidt is going negative so early (and against a largely unknown opponent) is because she's seen polling showing her own negatives so high that her one chance to win is to make Victoria more unpopular.
Just got word that the NRCC just put out another mailer, this time trying to scare Independents about how Victoria Wulsin will vote for the evil Nancy Pelosi and "tip the scales" for Democrats. Democrats are leading in the generic ballot by 23 points. And I have a feeling that given the choice between Nancy Pelosi and, um, Dennis Hastert, voters will make the right decision. If you want to see Vic counter these attacks with the most powerful TV spot of the cycle, with well-targeted direct-mail, and with some inspirational radio ads, then contribute here. With your support, we'll win this race. |
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234
9/25/2006
11:58:47 AM
Schmidt Confirms Refusal to Debate
Posted by:
Bryan Collinsworth
Can anyone get a straight answer out of Schmidt Campaign Manager Barry Bennett? Wade Linville of the Georgetown News Democrat gave it a whirl this weekend:
When questioned on Monday, Schmidt's chief of staff, Barry Bennett, said it was true that Schmidt has actually refused to face Wulsin in seven debates covering all counties within the district, but she has agreed to hold at least one televised debate.
...
"It would be better to have it televised," said Bennett. "That way, it (the debate) might catch the attention of people who do not typically attend debates." Okay, but why not do both? Is Schmidt just too busy?
"Too busy ... no. But we're still in Congress and until out of Congress we're not going to schedule debates," said Bennett, unsure as to when the televised debate may be scheduled. Bennett ain't exactly riding the Straight Talk Express here. But then again, maybe the News Democrat just got to him before Deborah Pryce could dicate his talking points. |
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232
9/20/2006
12:00:42 PM
ABC Poll Shows Wulsin-Schmidt Tied!
Posted by:
Bryan Collinsworth
Today, SurveyUSA and a local Ohio ABC affiliate released a poll on the race between Dr. Victoria Wulsin and Jean Schmidt.
The poll shows a statistical dead heat between the Good Doctor and the Vet Basher. Schmidt pulled 45%, Wulsin pulled 42%, and the margin of error? 4.5%.
What's more, the crosstabs are equally striking. A full 12% of voters remain undecided, most of whom should break to the challenger in this anti-incumbent year. And the poll shows Wulsin leading Schmidt among Independent voters, 48% to 38%. Wulsin solidifies her base better than Schmidt, winning an impressive 86% of Democrats while Schmidt only draws 71% of Republicans - and 13% of the other R's have already decided they're voting Wulsin.
This is just one more sign that this race is winnable. Schmidt is vulnerable (or, as fellow Republicans put it, "endangered") and all we need to do to blast through that margin of error is show people that Vic Wulsin makes a great alternative. If Vic can raise $100,000 over the next 10 days, we can get her name recognition high enough to win this race.
In other words, please help us now. Southern Ohio, John Murtha, and America will thank you in November. |
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