BREAKING: Ohio SoS Fires Another GOP County Election Official, GOP State Senator Applauds

[BradBlog]

Source: Plain Dealer, BRAD BLOG



BREAKING: Ohio SoS Fires Another GOP County Election Official, GOP State Senator Applauds
30-Year Summit County Republican Boss Alex Arshinkoff Latest in Series of OH Election Officials to Face Reprimand, Criminal Charges
'Ran Local GOP Machine Out of Election Board Office,' Says Democrat SoS Brunner; 'Abused Power, Position, Employees,' Says Republican State Senator Vying for Party Chair...

Breaking late tonight on the Cleveland Plain-Dealer's blog, comes news that Summit County, Ohio's 30-year Republican Party Chair, Alex Arshinkoff, is being removed from his position on the county Elections Board by Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.

According to the report, Boss Arshinkoff has been running the party machine out of the county election office, which even Republican State Senator Kevin Coughlin --- who is currently the first to vie for Arshinkoff's job as party chairman during his 30-year reign --- says has led to his having "abused his power...abused his position abused employees at the board to strengthen his grip on the local party apparatus."

Arshinkoff becomes the latest in a series of BoE officials to face either criminal sentences or disciplinary action by Brunner since she has taken office...

FULL STORY: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5724

Read more: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5724

[Hawkeye-X]

1. Brad, post the Plain Dealer link instead of your blog..

Thanks. I'm not clicking on your blog for that reason.

Blogs != breaking news. Plain Dealer = breaking news. Get it?

Hawkeye-X

[BradBlog]

10. Sorry Hawk, but...

...The P-D link is included in the blog item (as is virtually the entire P-D item itself!) which includes a great deal of context not included in the exceedingly sparse P-D item.

If you believe "Blogs != breaking news" then apparently "Hawkeye-X !=BRAD BLOG reader". You'll figure it out soon enough, I'm sure. Seeing as how you're so good with code and all.

[kstewart33]

21. Man, that's snarky.

If you're using DU to publicize your site, show alittle manners, will ya?

[lonestarnot]

23. Hey! Bradblog! I am glad to go to your site. Pay no attention to the freaks behind the curtain.

[trumad]

24. Oh come on---

there aint nothing wrong with Brad linking his blog for this story... the guy is a true progressive blogger and if you can't show him a little love by clicking on his blog, well then screw you. He works hard to inform us with stories like this and some get all worked up because they have to click on his blog. :eyes:

Some people I swear!

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. But it's just so hard to click and then get to a link and have to click again!

:sarcasm:

[dchill]

50. Yeah! I'm going through mice...

and band-aids like hotcakes over here!

[kstewart33]

28. The link is fine, not bothered about that.

I am bothered by tacky behavior toward a moderator. Brad needs to punch a needle into his ego, and let alittle air out, that's all.

[BradBlog]

51. Meeting snark with snark...

Was my reply snarky? Absolutely. Was the original commenter (moderator, or otherwise) snarky?

I'm not clicking on your blog for that reason.

Blogs != breaking news. Plain Dealer = breaking news. Get it?

...Uh, yeah, I'd say so. But you've chosen to call me out for my snark, while defending the original snark.

Okay. But you'll pardon me if I see things a bit differently. Inflated ego or otherwise.

I may not be a moderator here, but I believe I've demonstrated my good DU credentials over the years as a poster whose items are often featured as the lede on the front page, and an otherwise longtime supporter of both this site, and the folks who run it. I'm always happy to take criticism, and have taken far more than my fair share here at DU. And I don't mind it. But if you believe I have to sit back and absorb an inappropriately snarky attack without answering in kind -- no matter who it comes from -- please think again.

[burythehatchet]

54. why are you even engaging them?

it's a zoo in here.

[bluerum]

32. He is linking, to a story in another publication. Why doesn't the original author

deserve the click through?

Shouldn't the poster have the good grace to provide both links in his post instead of shamelessly funneling traffic to his site?

[lonestarnot]

27. Here have another!

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5718

[gristy]

45. And another!

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5724

Brad is fighting for our right to vote and have our vote counted. I'm happy to click to his blog to see what's the latest.

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. Thanks for all you do, Brad!

Don't pay any attention to the negative people here.

[The Doctor.]

11. He did post the link in his sexed-up version.

Generally I agree with ya', but he included lot's of extras not in the PD article.

[BOYLANE]

29. OHMIGOD

So the words corruption and republicunt are synonymous. I have to admit, I'm reveling in the implosion of the repubicunt party. See what happens when you allow your party to be hijacked by a bunch of finge radicals. I know the radical religious right would have the nation and world believe that the US is a "conservative" country, but now we're seeing just how WRONG they were. This fall I'll be shouting from the rooftops when the Dems get huge majorities in both houses and we have a Democratic president, and the first thing the must do is to undo the undemocratic measures bush has put into place. If they don't, I'll have to reevaluate my enthusiasm.

[krkaufman]

36. How about Republican't ? Your term is offensive. Just sayin... n/t

[theHandpuppet]

43. Thanks for pointing out that offensive "nickname".

And for offering an alternative as well.

:thumbsup:

[krkaufman]

63. np, yw. boggles, at times. n/t

[Oak2004]

62. Just for the record, a lot of us didn't "allow" it,

We fought to keep the GOP out of the hands of the lunatic fringe, but we were overwhelmed. The far right had far more money than the rest of us, and they were not averse to lying their way into power (presenting a more moderate face until they weaseled their way into party leadership positions where they could do a lot of damage).

I think the mood of the nation has turned decisively against the extremists, but nonetheless Democrats shouldn't relax. Some of what the DLC is up to reminds me uncomfortably of the early stages of how the fringe grabbed control of the GOP.

[spotbird]

35. Plain Dealer link

http://blog.cleveland.com/pdworld/2007/10/alex_arshinkoff_challenged_for.html

If the information came from somewhere else, that source should get the credit.

[Cherchez la Femme]

52. Thank you for the direct link

For those tactics, BradBlog is on my Do Not Visit list.
Really ridiculous.

But about the article: The State Senator seems to disparage Arshinkoff because he wants his job, not for the tactics.
Typical Repuke.
He should be asked what he will do to ensure the same bullsh!t doesn't happen again,
but with this media, the odds are far from good that will ever happen.

[ladym55]

69. You are right about Coughlin

He is as corrupt as Arshnikoff, but younger and better looking. Sadly the creepy Coughlin is my state senator. He has always gotten big bucks from powers in the southern parts of Ohio and runs expensive, dirty campaigns. In this last election, he was busily trashing an underfunded woman candidate I know and respect. I'm not sure the game Coughlin is playing right now ... he is trying hard to get control of the Republican Party in Summit County.

[trthnd4jstc]

2. What do Republicans think about Fair and Open Elections?

It seems they do not believe in them.

[zbdent]

30. This guy? Arshinkoff wouldn't have them.

Remember, this is a guy who put up a sign significantly larger than the local allowances, just because he could. Violated city regulations. Flaunted his position. (Of course, it was a Pro-Bush sign).

As he was being fined, his wife filed with the ACLU (now there's a surprise ... when a Repuke is threatened, he goes straight for his civil rights ... :eyes:), claiming his 1st amendment rights were being violated.

Arshinkoff is a Rove wannabe ... and it would be good to have his fat ass tarred and feathered and run out of town.

However, his wannabe replacement, Kevin Coughlin, is notorious for single-person legislation ... one of his "constituents" was complaining that, since he didn't actually attend school in the district he was in, he should still be able to use the school facilities for his swimming. Coughlin pushed forth legislation for this kid to be allowed. I guess that when it comes to ethics, $$$ is king for Coughlin ...

[Divine Discontent]

3. hear hear!!!! he's a good SoS! eom

[verges]

5. She

She

[yardwork]

60. Jennifer Brunner (D - Secretary of State, Ohio)

She's a woman.

[verges]

4. Alex used to

hang out at the same coffee shop I go to. A couple years ago, I was sitting out on the patio with my dog Bosco. Bosco likes everybody. She's the type that might lick you to death. Alex tried to stop and pet her. Bosco growled and hid under my chair! She's never done that before or since.

[mrdmk]

6. For, what is important to a dog. You can never lie to them! n/t

<---one happy doggie face

[happygoluckytoyou]

12. SAD... bad politician AND an unsniffable butt and crotch!!!

[emilyg]

9. Smart Bosco.

[sasquatch]

7. I'm humming "Buckeye Battle Cry" as I read this

:patriot:

[MessiahRp]

8. Just another illustration of why SOS races are so vital and important to us winning elections

Winning back the SOS job in Ohio after how Blackwell purposely used the job to defraud Democratic voters in 2004 was a huge victory and will likely allow the state to turn blue again this November, the way it should have been had the election been properly overseen in '04.

We need to target in on SOS jobs across the country. They may not be a seat in the House or Senate but are just as important to having a longterm Democratic Majority as any jobs in the country.

Rp

[Tab]

13. I think there are some good Republicans out there

too many for some not to be, but the evangelists and neocons have totally hijacked the party. I suspect many are probably pretty pissed.

Send him an invite to the DNC!

[happygoluckytoyou]

14. yes.... they are called "NEW" Democrats

[Deny and Shred]

39. There must be, true. But it is up to them to redefine their party

and root out the Neocons that DID hijack it. Until then, there is NO reason to consider a thing they say isn't part of some Rovian scheme.

No to depress anyone, but Greg Palast, an actual investigative journalist, gave a talk on how OH was stolen in 2004 - over 3 million votes cast nationwide were challenged and disallowed, over 150,000 in Ohio.. Rove is making 'caging' lists targeting minority voters to challenge again for '08, including troops in Iraq! Here's some video:

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/167.html

[Botany]

15. Good News

The rebublican run BOEs in this state are a source of power
to the party ..... Jenny Brunner (she was Jenny Junk in High
School) and her actions to have clean elections and to take
away the "dirty machines" has the old boys in an uproar.

Funny that 4 democratic counties Franklin (Columbus), Cuyahoga (Cleveland), Summit (Akron), & Lucas (Toledo)
all of their BOEs were republican hands in 2004.

The days of the BOEs and poll workers being tools of the
GOP in Ohio might be coming to an end.

[rexcat]

42. As a polling judge in Warren County Ohio with a "D" behind my name...

I take offense at you saying that poll workers are tools of the GOP. Half of the poll workers are Democrats and I don't think any of us are tools of the republicans.

By law there are two Democrats and two republicans at every polling place. Even within the County BOEs in the state there are Democrats as members of the BOE as required by state law. What is good now in Ohio is we have a SOS wants to clean up the republican mess and the Democrats who work the elections or are on the BOEs have someone who will listen to them and take appropriate action. This has not happened for over 16 years when the republicans were in control of the SOS.

[Botany]

44. Sorry .... but to say that massive cheating did not go on in Ohio is just wrong.

Delaware County Ohio ... who worked hardest to stop the recount in that
county? Democratic members of the BOE.

BTW Ralph Nader's name showed up on the ballot in Delaware County
... despite a court ruling that his name was ruled off the ballot.

PM me and I can put you in touch w/ a person who worked in the recount
in Fairfield County .... the count was stopped after it did not match and
new machines were brought in and then magically the results matched.
Democratic members of the BOE let this happen w/ out a word of complaint.

In Lucas County in 2004 Bernadette Noe (republican) was either the head or
the #2 person of the BOE and allowed republican operatives to "work on"
registered voters files for about a week in the fall of 2004. On election day
many registered dems showed up @ the polls only to be told that they were
no longer on voter logs.

In Hocking County a worker for Triad Voting Systems changed out the
"guts" to many voting machines and told members of the BOE to post
preprinted data on the walls so as to "match up" w/ the results of the
recount.

In Franklin County in 2004 I watched a "republican challenger" and a precinct
judge work together from a computer list she had brought w/ her ....
I was able to stop it by raising a "stink" and sitting right behind the
challenger for last 5 hours of the day. BTW one machine went "down"
at the end of the day when I finally saw the data in the "bad machine" came back
at 42% bush .... 7 other machines in the room all were between 29 - 31%.

The idea that either party "trains" poll workers before an election just stinks.

Again I am sorry to offend you and if you work hard to make sure that Warren
County's vote is fair and clean ... thank you.

[Andrea]

64. Hey there, homey!

Botany - I live in Columbus, too. You've got a good grasp on the problem. I was curious, since I'm in Columbus, too, what precinct were you in watching that "republican challenger"? Voting location is close enough for me, if you don't remember the exact precinct. Thanks!

[Kukesa]

56. I'm a DEM Ohio election judge, too, in Montgomery County

and confirm your statements about TWO Democrats and TWO Republicans at every polling precinct, rexcat.

This is the first time I've received an "ethics policy" statement that I had to read, sign, and return -- to our SOS, Jennifer Brunner, who also has a "D" behind her name.

Our BOE in Montgomery County (Dayton) is not run by Republicans.

[Botany]

57. I know Jennifer ... if you have a problem with something she has done ...

...... send her a letter .... in detail .... about what you have a problem
with and any solutions that you might have. Invite her or one of her
people over to meet w/ you. The D o R behind somebody's name doesn't
mean squat .... what matters is right v wong.

Sec. Brunner is commited to have free, fair, and open elections. She has publicly
stated she wants to work w/ the local BOE people but she will not let "well that
is the way we have always done things" be the method of operations in Ohio now.

[Kukesa]

61. No, no. I think it's wonderful that I was required to read

an ethics statement and sign my name. Ken Blackwell never cared about ethics, as you probably know.

Sorry if I misled you, it wasn't my intention.

[Andrea]

65. and kudos to her for that

I don't know her, though I've met her. She's a great SoS, dedicated to the important issue of election integrity.

[L. Coyote]

55. State R Chair controlled the county BOE with 1/8th of Dem votes. Incredible.

Cuyahoga Co. Elections Director Resigns (OH)
Feb-06-07 http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2719564

================
Parallels? From the article: http://blog.cleveland.com/pdworld/2007/10/alex_arshinkoff_challenged_for.html

.... Arshinkoff operates in a heavily Democratic area. Democrats have dominated nearly two-thirds of the countywide votes since 1998, according to election results. For example, Summit residents voted Democratic in the last two presidential races and elected Democrats to 28 of the 37 races for partisan county jobs.

Coughlin accuses Arshinkoff of trying to cut local campaign costs by making deals with Democrats that give each party's candidates a free pass in general elections.

Arshinkoff and Wayne Jones, the county Democratic Party finance chairman, deny making such deals. But there have been deals in the past. In 1991, Republicans and Democrats tried to make a deal in which two Republican judges and the county engineer would get free passes, while two Democratic judges and the sheriff would run with opposition.

The deal blew up when the Democratic chairwoman at the time, Jane Quine, promised there would be no deals as long as she chaired her party.

Arshinkoff refused to acknowledge that there was a deal. .......

[Botany]

58. Across the state it was like that

Lucas County

Franklin County

Cuyahoga County

Summit County

all majority democrat but somehow the BOEs were run by republicans.

Funny Ohio Lost more jobs from 2000 to 2004 than any other state
More Dems were on registered than repubs. (not much but more)
New Registrations went almost 10 to 1 for Dems (Kerry) although the
work of Nathan Sproul might have cut the #s by a good bit
And @ 1:07 CNN had Ohio 52 to 48% for Kerry Female voters (exit polls)
and 49 to 47% Kerry male voters

[liberal N proud]

16. Brunner is trying to clean the mess up in this state

I am sure there are more to come considering the 2004 election problems

[theHandpuppet]

19. There may be another benefit to this housecleaning

If Jennifer Brunner brings these corrupt GOP officials up on real charges, maybe some of 'em will start talking and she can finally nail the big fish in that rotten pond -- Ken Blackwell -- and prove he was behind the election rigging in 2004.

[liberal N proud]

20. That would be sweet revenge

[Andrea]

66. Finally, that would be some satisfaction

for those of us that have known all along what happened.

Go Jennifer!

[sasquatch]

59. Read post #7

:)

[theHandpuppet]

17. All riiiiiiiight! Brunner rocks!

Sweep 'em out, Jennifer.

:bounce:

[MaineDem]

18. Jennifer Brunner is awesome!

Ohio is cleaning up its mess.

[Berry Cool]

22. I keep saying, there are times when I may doubt my 2006 vote made any difference

but if it helped get Brunner elected, none of the rest may matter.

Because without her in office, how I vote for president this year might not matter.

You go girl!

[whistle]

31. The whole BushCo/GOP power structure reeks of cronyism

...at the federal, state and local governmental levels. They need to be cleaned out and swept away like nests of vipers, rats and cockroaches! :wtf:

[peace13]

33. This is good for the country...

and great for Ohio! Brunner is our saving grace. She is a ray of hope! She is trying to clean house and the Thugs continue to arch theirs backs. Keep it up 'boys' your turn will come! Peace, kim

[Andrea]

67. And you should hear

the Republicans slam her. They try to paint her like she doesn't know what she's doing. They don't want the electronic voting machines that the study she commissioned proved were unreliable and completely hackable to be replaced, because it would be a waste of the money spent to buy them.
Excuse me? Yeah. Sorry your corrupt SoS wasted our money on these machines designed for vote rigging, but that argument is absurd.

[Doctor_J]

34. This is not enough.

These people need to be prosecuted and sent to federal prison. Removing them from a crony job, after which they'll just hire on with a Bush lobbying company and make millions, means almost nothing.

[mod mom]

37. OH! I've got a great file of Arshinkoff! I'll find it and be back!

[mod mom]

38. READ THIS: Another GOP Perv: 'THE GODFATHER IN THE CLOSET"

The Godfather In the Closet
The Republican boss of Summit County revels in crushing his enemies. Now his private life might crush him.
By Sarah Fenske
Published: June 11, 2003



Arshinkoff, 50, has run the county Republican Party for half his life.

Photo courtesy of Judge Mary Spicer
Republican Judge Mary Spicer held onto her seat — despite opposition from the party boss's niece.

Walter Novak
County Executive James McCarthy says people would be "all over" the report if it involved a young female hitchhiker.

It was past 2 a.m. when the kid left the bar and headed for home. Back from college for Christmas, he'd met up with his high school buddies at Annabell's, a neighborhood watering hole in Akron. Frustrated for reasons that no longer seem important, the 21-year-old Kent State student had been too annoyed to wait for a ride.

It wasn't long before he wished he had. It had been a white Christmas. The ground was still blanketed, early that morning of December 27, 2002; the air, frigid. Maybe a stranger would give him a lift.

As the kid would later explain in an interview with Scene, he tried to flag down the first car he spotted, a souped-up Mitsubishi, neon underbelly aglow. It didn't stop. But when the new Audi behind it did, the kid got in.

-snip

The kid told him to take a right at Main Street. But the man didn't. I'll get you home, don't worry about it, the kid remembers him saying. Then the man started rubbing his thigh.Are you gay? he asked. Are you bi? No? Are you sure?

-snip

http://www.clevescene.com/2003-06-11/news/the-godfather-in-the-closet/full

[Andrea]

68. Excellent article

It hits on all the points - including the problems with the law firms and the university. I thought that one would bring him down. It's amazing - that article was almost five years ago and he's just now knocked off the BOE and is still the county Republican chair.

[loudsue]

40. Wow! Just Wow!! Thanks, Brad!!!

Sending you lotsa love!!! :loveya:

Ohio's corruption goes every bit as deep as Florida & Texas corruption. I wish we had some SoS's in those other states that the republicans have corrupted equally as badly as Ohio!

But I'm REAL glad that at least Ohio is cleaning up their act.

:hi:

Thanks for the great story! K & R

:kick::kick::kick:

[Auggie]

41. A friend who works for local government calls him Arshinkoff the Evil.

 

[samplegirl]

46. Republican Scum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEJbHWFqOco&feature=related

[Andrea]

70. Good God

I thought I already knew how vile this guy is, but the report you linked to adds a whole new dimension.

[raincity_calling]

47. Brad's blogs always contain

links to the original source but background info that enhances
the reading of the original source. I would much rather have the bradblog link then just the original source.

[LSK]

48. Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner

Everyone should thank Howard Deans 50 state plan and the DNC because they ELECT LOCAL OFFICIALS who control election law and how states vote.

LOCAL POLITICS MATTERS.

[Hutzpa]

49. hmmmm...after reading Brads blog

I find this very interesting;

However, Ohio Election Integrity advocates and whistleblowers have argued that many of the Democratic appointees may have been little more than DINO's (Democrats in name only), since some had apparently never voted in a Democratic Primary election until just prior to being appointed to the boards by Blackwell.

So how many of them do we have in Florida, Michigan, obviously Ohio has showed us the
light, but I believe there are many more like these around.

So-called Democratic appointees that have never voted in Primaries, but waited just prior to
being nominated then vote is very disturbing to me....very disturbing.




:mad: :grr:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

53. another angel gets its wings n/t