Richard Cordray would raise your taxes

Over the last few weeks, Richard Cordray has changed his tune on raising taxes, but he can’t change his record. 

When called out publicly for his plans to raise taxes, Cordray denied that he would:

DeWine Husted for Ohio Release First TV Ad – “Untested”

The DeWine Husted for Ohio campaign today began airing their first television ad for the general election – “Untested”. 

The television ad highlights Mike DeWine’s work to test 12,000 rape kits that had previously been left untested. The ad is running statewide.

Watch:

SCRIPT:

Alyssa: The assailant had a gun, and he pointed it to my head. And I was raped.

Narrator: While Richard Cordray was Attorney General, 12,000 rape kits like Alyssa’s were left untested.

Cordray’s failure left serial rapists free to strike again.

Then Mike DeWine became Attorney General. He tested all 12,000 rape kits. Now hundreds of rapists are behind bars.

Alyssa: Thanks to Mike DeWine they found my rapist. Because of Mike DeWine I’m not afraid anymore.

It feels good not to be scared.

Background:

After taking office as Attorney General in 2011, Mike DeWine called for police departments across Ohio to start sending rape kits to the state crime lab for testing in all case of sexual assault and promised to add staff to process older, untested rape kits. (“Attorney General Mike DeWine calls for testing of rape kits in all cases,” cleveland.com, Aaron Marshall, 12/05/11)

Earlier this year, DeWine’s office announced they had cleared Ohio’s backlog of untested rape kits. The state was able to test 13,931 kits which led to 300 offenders being linked to 1,127 crimes, uploaded 8,648 DNA profiles into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and made 5,024 hits on a criminal profile or a match to another case. (“Ohio Clears Backlog of Untested Rape Kits,” Ohio Public Radio, Nick Evans, 02/23/18)

Now, other states are looking to Ohio as a model on how to clear rape kit backlogs. (“Washington looks to Ohio as model for clearing rape kit backlog,” King News, Natalie Brand, 06/14/18)

Recently, DeWine announced a free, online rape kit tracking system to allow victims the option to track information about testing in their case and add accountability to ensure than an accumulation of untested rape kits will never happen again in Ohio. (“Rape kit tracking system to allow victim access, system accountability in Ohio,” cleveland.com , Rachel Dissell, 08/09/18

The Crook Cordray Hired

Five years ago, the man Richard Cordray hired to serve as the Chief Financial Officer in the Ohio Treasurer’s office was indicted for orchestrating the biggest kickback scheme in the history of state government.  

Amer Ahmad used the position originally given to him by Cordray to solicit and accept bribes from a securities broker in exchange for awarding the broker with lucrative state business. 

When all was said and done, Ahmad had steered more than $3 million in taxpayer-funded commissions to the firm, received more than a half million dollars in kickbacks, and tried to set the same broker up with future state business through “pay to play” political donations to Cordray’s campaign for Attorney General and the Ohio Democratic Party. (Baker Hostetler, report of the independent investigative counsel regarding the office of Ohio treasurer of state Kevin l. Boyce and deputy treasurer Amer Ahmad 2009 – 2010, pp 22-26)

This is exactly what you could expect from a Cordray-Sutton administration and serves as a stark reminder to all Ohioans that Richard Cordray can’t be trusted to protect the integrity of our government or our tax dollars!

WWII Veterans call on Cordray to apologize for Nazi comparisons

The Ohio Republican Party today launched a new digital ad featuring two WWII veterans condemning Democrat Richard Cordray’s comparison of the White House to Nazi Germany and demanding an apology. 

Will Cordray listen?

In addition to comparing the White House to Nazi Germany, Cordray has also compared locally elected Republicans to Nazi collaborators. Cordray’s refusal to apologize is fueling Republican energy to defeat him in November, especially among veterans.

Three locally elected Republican veterans – Haraz Ghanbari, Clarence Mingo, and Brian Stewart – are launching a coalition of Ohio veterans to demand an apology from Cordray.    

Haraz N. Ghanbari – Navy veteran, and Perrysburg City Councilman said:

“Richard Cordray owes the people of Ohio, and especially our veterans, an apology for his hateful comparisons of Republicans to Nazis. After hearing the words of WWII veterans Vincent Francioli and Bill Herdman in this ad, I am compelled to speak out and hold Richard Cordray accountable. Today I am proud to join two of my fellow veteran elected officials – Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo and Pickaway County Commissioner Brian Stewart – in launching a grassroots effort to inform fellow veterans and voters across the state of Cordray’s remarks. We will knock on doors, make phone calls and collect signatures to keep the pressure on Cordray until he does the right thing and apologizes.”

Clarence Mingo – Army veteran, and Franklin County Auditor said:

“Comparing anyone to Nazis is despicable and undermines all efforts to bring our current political climate back to a place where civil discourse is the norm. It is my sincere hope that Richard Cordray heeds the words of these great WWII veterans and apologizes for his remarks.”

Brian Stewart – Army veteran, and Pickaway County Commissioner said:

“Richard Cordray has a lot to learn from our veterans and we look forward to providing him with an education. The people of Ohio and our veterans do not deserve to be labeled as Nazis because Richard Cordray disagrees with them politically. Between now and November 6, we will make sure that veterans and voters across the great state of Ohio know what Cordray really thinks about them.” 

What they are saying about Dishonest Danny O’Connor’s flip flop on Pelosi

The Democrat vying to fill Congressman Pat Tiberi’s congressional seat, Danny O’Connor, confirmed that he would support Nancy Pelosi for Speaker. This comes after months of insisting to voters and media that he would not support Pelosi. 

HOST: If it’s a decisive vote would you vote against Pelosi?

O’CONNOR: We need new leadership on both sides.

HOST: You know that for the Democrats to get control, you have to have 218 members of the House vote for the candidate of the Democratic party for Speaker.

O’CONNOR: I would vote for whoever the Democratic party puts forward.

Here’s what they’re saying about O’Connor’s flip-flop:

  • Columbus Dispatch: “After long dissing Pelosi, O’Connor now says he could vote for her as speaker”
  • Cleveland Plain Dealer: “O’Connor grudgingly yielded that if Pelosi is the House Dems’ choice for speaker, ‘I would support whoever the Democratic Party puts forward.'”
  • Buzzfeed News : “Nancy Pelosi Is Making Things Complicated In Ohio’s Big Special Election”
  • Washington Post : “Ohio Democrat learns that any comment about Nancy Pelosi can and will be used against you”
  • Washington Free Beacon: “Dem Congressional Candidate Dodges, Ultimately Confirms Support for Pelosi”
  • Fox News: “‘Never Nancy’ Dem admits he could vote for Pelosi as speaker, fueling blast from the GOP”
  • NBC News : “Would Danny O’Connor support Nancy Pelosi or not? He appeared to waffle last night.”
  • Politico: “O’Connor’s leadership comments kick up OH-12 storm” 

He lied – Danny O’Connor admits he WOULD support Nancy Pelosi

Last night, the Democrat vying to fill Congressman Pat Tiberi’s congressional seat, Danny O’Connor, confirmed that he would support Nancy Pelosi for Speaker. This comes after months of insisting to voters and media that he would not support Pelosi. 

O’Connor’s flip-flop comes as no surprise, as his campaign has been funded by Pelosi’s cronies all along and his policy positions align with hers almost perfectly. The biggest problem for O’Connor is that he lied to the voters! 

Watch what O’Connor said last night on MSNBC:

HOST: If it’s a decisive vote would you vote against Pelosi?

O’CONNOR: We need new leadership on both sides.

HOST: You know that for the Democrats to get control, you have to have 218 members of the House vote for the candidate of the Democratic party for Speaker.

O’CONNOR: I would vote for whoever the Democratic party puts forward.

Here’s what the Columbus Dispatch wrote about O’Connor’s interview:

After long dissing Pelosi, O’Connor now says he could vote for her as speaker

By Darrel Rowland 

After saying for months he would not back Nancy Pelosi as the Democrats’ leader in the House, congressional candidate Danny O’Connor told a national television audience Tuesday night he would back whichever candidate the Democrats put forth.

Questioned repeatedly by MSNBC Hardball host Chris Matthews if he would support Pelosi if a Democratic speakership depended on his vote, he finally said: “I would support whoever the Democrat is.”

Previously, O’Connor several times gave the answer he has rendered on the campaign trail and in TV ads: Both parties in the House need new leadership, and “the old ways aren’t working.”

O’Connor is seeking the 12th Congressional District seat vacated in January by Republican Pat Tiberi. The Franklin County recorder is opposed by state Sen. Troy Balderson, R-Zanesville.

Republicans, who have centered their campaign attacks on O’Connor by attempting to link him to the controversial minority leader from San Francisco, immediately pounced after the broadcast.

“When pressed by Matthews, he easily caved in and admitted what we’ve all known — if elected, he will just be another Democrat shill for Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco agenda. It’s no surprise this comes days after the DCCC poured money into the race,” said Mandi Merritt, Ohio communications director for the Republican National Committee.

“Ohioans deserve someone who will stay true to his word, not someone who will easily cave to D.C. interests.”

O’Connor’s statement came after he spent the day in Washington, meeting several Democratic House members as he was escorted by Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles. It also came the same day that a major election handicapping site— Sabato’s Crystal Ball — moved the 12th district match-up from “leans Republican” to “toss-up.”

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, controlled by Pelosi, is airing $238,000 of anti-Balderson ads.

“After months of playing coy, O’Connor finally confirmed he would support Pelosi for speaker if he made it to Congress. And when she’s spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to get him elected, I’m not surprised,” said Chris Martin of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Blaine Kelly of the Ohio Republican Party, which has sent thousands of mailers throughout the 12th district with Pelosi’s and O’Connor’s photos displayed together, said simply, “He lied.”

Chairman Timken’s Reaction to President Trump’s Nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to SCOTUS

The following statement may be attributed to Chairman Jane Timken:

“By nominating another highly qualified and distinguished judge to serve on the Supreme Court, President Trump is ensuring that the Constitutional rights of all Americans will be protected for generations to come. Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s record is proof positive that as our next Justice, he will defend the Constitution and faithfully apply the laws as written. I urge Democrat Senator Sherrod Brown to learn from his previous mistake of obstructing Justice Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation and respect the will of Ohio voters.”

Cordray refuses to apologize for Nazi slurs, continues to sow division

As news continues to spread of Democrat Richard Cordray’s offensive and irresponsible comparisons of Republicans to Nazis, he has refused to apologize and instead accused Republicans of twisting his words

There is no need to twist Cordray’s words. See for yourself:

Cordray: “Somebody said to me last month that they’re ‘Vichy Republicans,’ which I didn’t fully understand. I guess that’s ‘Vichy France’ during World War II, the ones who went over and collaborated with the Nazis.”


Cordray: “I will say, that as I said, the tone that you set in government and leadership matters. I mean, right now we have a tone being set by the White House, which is absolutely against everything I’ve understood for America. You know, trying to find people to scapegoat and blame? That’s like Nazi Germany.” 


After the second video surfaced, Cordray’s campaign defended his statement saying:

“Rich was criticizing the tone in Washington and the White House of placing blame on other people, and he specifically said that he was not making a comparison to the Holocaust. The Ohio Republican Party trying to twist his words and sow division is exactly what Rich wants to end so that Democrats and Republicans can work together for the people of Ohio.”

The only person sowing division here is Richard Cordray. 

Here are some highlights of recent coverage:

The Columbus Dispatch reported on both of Cordray’s Nazi comparisons on Friday, noting that “seldom do Nazi references work out well for politicians”:

“Seldom do Nazi references work out well for politicians.

Perhaps Richard Cordray is getting the message by now.

Earlier this week, the Democratic candidate for governor expressed regret for linking Ohio Republicans with Nazi collaborators during a March 8 speech at the Allen County Democratic Party Women’s Club.

Then, another video surfaced of Cordray speaking to Licking County Democrats in Newark on June 15, with the candidate again mentioning the Nazis (no history lesson required).

‘I will say, that as I said, the tone that you set in government and leadership matters. I mean, right now we have a tone being set by the White House, which is absolutely against everything I’ve understood for America,’ Cordray said.

‘You know, trying to find people to scapegoat and blame? That’s like Nazi Germany…'”

The editorial board for The Cincinnati Enquirer blasted Cordray’s statements, writing that this “foot-in-mouth moment” could “haunt” his campaign:

“You would’ve thought Ohio gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray would have learned about the dangers of over-the-top comments from fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton’s ‘basket of deplorables’ faux pas. But that didn’t stop him from likening some Republicans to Nazi collaborators during a speech to the Allen County Democratic Party Women’s Club on March 8. Cordray’s campaign said he ‘regrets’ the comment, but this kind of foot-in-mouth moment can haunt a candidate (just ask Mitt Romney about his 47 percent comment).

…Cordray should stick to policy and ditch the political pot shots.”

In their report on Cordray’s comments, The Cleveland Plain Dealer called his Nazi comparison “inappropriate” and a sign that he had “ambivalence toward voters of Ohio Gov. John Kasich”:

“Cordray also apparently had some ambivalence toward voters of Ohio Gov. John Kasich – you know, the same voters he’s trying to win over? Cordray likened them to Nazi collaborators, saying in March that they were ‘Vichy Republicans,’ according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Jason Williams. Vichy Republicans refers to Vichy France, the government of France that was sympathetic to Nazi Germany, because even when Cordray is trying to make an inappropriate burn, he still does it in the nerdiest way possible.”

Red State wrote that Cordray’s comments demonstrate his “lack of historical knowledge as well as how out of touch he is with Ohio voters”:

“The former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau head is demonstrating his lack of historical knowledge as well as how out of touch he is with Ohio voters. Republicans have been dominating Ohio politics over the past few election cycles. Branding them as Nazis is not going to sway undecided voters. Even Independents and crossover Democrats who voted for Trump will be turned off by this absurd rhetoric.

Cordray had previously compared Ohio Republicans to Nazi collaborators in Vichy France. After his comments were publicized, Cordray’s spokesman claimed he ‘regrets’ having made the ‘inappropriate comparison.’ But, his comments were not isolated. Since he has made this comparison at least twice, it appears it may be a bit of a theme for the Ohio Democrats to alienate and offend.”

Instead of apologizing for his offensive remarks, Cordray and his campaign at first declined to comment, only to later send a desperate statement defending his use of Nazi comparisons to attack his political opponents:

“Five hours after The Dispatch asked the Cordray campaign for comment, it replied it had none.

After this item was posted, a campaign spokeswoman provided a statement 40 minutes later.

‘Rich was criticizing the tone in Washington and the White House of placing blame on other people…”

Again? Richard Cordray Caught Making Offensive Nazi Comparisons for the Second Time this Week

For the second time this week, Ohio Democrat gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray has been caught on video comparing Republicans to Nazis.

New video shows Cordray at a campaign event from earlier this month stating that the tone being set by the White House is “like Nazi Germany,” comparing the President of the United States and the White House to Nazis and the Holocaust.
 
Just days ago, The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote about a separate video
 showing Cordray equating local Republicans who refused to oppose Governor John Kasich’s policies to those who “collaborated with the Nazis.” Cordray has thus far refused to apologize for those comments.

After criticizing his opponents for using “ugly” rhetoric during the Ohio primaries, it’s Cordray who has now been caught twice in one week shamefully comparing Republicans to Nazis. Cordray continues to show a stunning lack of judgement by making a habit out of equating those he disagrees with politically to Nazis.

It’s time for Cordray to take responsibility for his actions and apologize for his offensive remarks.

The Washington Free Beacon reports:
 
“Another incident has arisen from earlier this month of Richard Cordray making a comparison between Republicans and those who committed atrocities during the Holocaust.

The comments from Cordray, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Ohio, came while speaking to supporters during a campaign stop on June 15 with the Licking County Democrats in Newark, Ohio.
 
‘I will say, that as I said, the tone that you set in government and leadership matters,’ Cordray said. ‘I mean, right now we have a tone being set by the White House, which is absolutely against everything I’ve understood for America. You know, trying to find people to scapegoat and blame? That’s like Nazi Germany.’
 
‘I mean, I don’t want to make too strong a point about it, and I don’t want to compare it to the Holocaust, but it is trying to find people that we can knock down and drag down and blame and say, ‘it’s their fault, not our fault,’’ Cordray said. ‘That never builds people up, to knock somebody else down. When our kids do it on the playground, we tell them, ‘stop that.’’
 
Cordray had previously compared Ohio Republicans to officials from Vichy France, who collaborated with the Nazis during World War II. After the ‘Vichy Republicans’ comments were made public Monday, a spokesperson for Cordray said he ‘regrets’ having made the ‘inappropriate comparison.’ It’s clear, however, that the comparison was not an anomaly for the Democratic candidate.
 
Cordray, the former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, is running against Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine to succeed Gov. John Kasich (R.), who is ineligible for reelection because of term limits. Cordray has received strong support from outside Ohio, including from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), who helped create the CFPB.”

Richard Cordray Failed Ohio Families

As Ohio’s Attorney General, Richard Cordray failed Ohio families by allowing rape kits to go untested, letting rapists off the hook. 

“Due to Richard Cordray’s failure to prioritize Ohio rape victims, more than one thousand additional crimes, including rapes, were committed by offenders identified by Mike DeWine,” ORP spokesman Blaine Kelly said. “Richard Cordray likes to talk about looking out for families and the most vulnerable, but his record proves that he won’t follow through. Unlike Cordray, Mike DeWine has a record of protecting Ohio families and will continue to do so as Governor.”

Background

Under Cordray, Ohio had no statewide initiative to test all rape kits nor any means for local agencies to have these kits tested.

When Mike DeWine succeeded Cordray as Attorney General, he found a mountain of untested rape kits and demanded every kit be tested. DeWine launched the Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative, resulting in all 13,931 formerly shelved kits being tested

Statewide Results:

  • 300 offenders were linked to 1,127 Crimes, mostly rapes.
  • 8,648 DNA profiles were uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database.
  • 5,024 hits on a criminal profile or a match to another case as a result of the uploads.

Thanks to Mike DeWine, rape victims are receiving justice and Ohio’s model for clearing rape kit backlogs is a model for the nation.