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May
14
Last Edition: The Daily Dann, 5/14/08
Filed Under Ted Strickland, Gender, Marc Dann, Scandal, Government, Media, Ohio, Women, Politics | 9 Comments
What a day.
It started with this excellent post by Jeff at Ohio Daily Blog and ends with a full slate of MSM and blogger stories on Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann’s resignation.
Even solidly conservative Ohioans recommend against the scorched-earth tactics Ohio Republican Party Kevin DeWine is gesticulating about.
Plunderbund has a post with info on the new Interim Attorney General, Tom Winters.
The Cleveland Free Times’ Free Blog has a sensationalistic story up about a woman who allegedly had an affair with Dann in the late 1980s.
I was privy to rumors galore today - frankly, it was pretty sickening - not the rumors themselves but the pace of the emails with them and the range of what they alleged. I didn’t research a single one, for a variety of reasons.
I actually didn’t sense Dann to be as contrite as I thought Eliot Spitzer was, but I do believe that he is relieved - he has got to be relieved in some way. I still believe that he is facing a much harder challenge, and more pain, by going home and doing what he must to salvage, repair and continue on with his family and home life. But we really do only have one life to live - seriously. No job, title or threat is worth screwing all that up.
I thought Ted Strickland spoke at a perfect pitch in general and in response to the questions. Again, people should enjoy underestimating him, because four out of five times, he’s still going to come out on the right side of it all.
As for what’s next, the impeachment articles most likely will be dropped very soon, but the inspector general investigation that began today with a raid and seizure of computers from the AG’s offices will continue. There was no deal related to dropping them (and Strickland said no other kind of deal related to anything else either).
Tom Winter, a deputy in the office, will become interim AG - I don’t know if that’s interim or acting. But Strickland can appoint someone to fill the role through to January 2009, though in November, there will be an election to fill the AG post through January 2011.
With Marc Dann’s departure, I am ceasing operations of The Daily Dann. There’s just way too much else going on and there’s an appointment and an election to consider. Never a dull day in the heart of it all.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:38 pm May 14th, 2008 in Ted Strickland, Gender, Marc Dann, Scandal, Government, Media, Ohio, Women, Politics | 9 Comments
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May
14
Ohio GOP Deputy Chair Kevin DeWine continues to ignore deadly sins
Filed Under Voting, Republicans, Democrats, Marc Dann, Campaigning, Statehouse, Ohio, Elections, Government, Scandal, Politics | 7 Comments
Ben, I love you, man, but Ohio Republican Party Deputy Chair Kevin DeWine is making you look…something re: who is doing only what is politically expedient. God forgive DeWine because what goes around comes around. Especially within those seven deadly sins. You cannot expect and demand that others take the right road and the high road when you yourself are willing to have you party win by exuding such disgust. He’s got some serious temperament issues.
From the Port Clinton News Herald:
Ohio Republican Party Deputy Chairman Kevin DeWine released the following statement on Attorney General Marc Dann’s resignation:
“This embarrassment is far from over. Marc Dann’s resignation is overdue, and the investigation into his mismanagement and corruption must continue.
“We’ve spent the past 15 months pointing out that Marc Dann was not suited to be Ohio’s attorney general, and now that it’s politically expedient the Democrats finally decided to join us.
“The first priority right now is restoring the integrity of the attorney general’s office. We will then begin the process of identifying a Republican candidate who will make Ohioans proud of their attorney general again.”
One of the reasons Governor Strickland’s ratings are as high as they are is because he projects a combination of compassion and conviction. He is cautious and does not rush to judgment, he is humble when necessary and speaks his mind without being terrified of what everyone else says. He may not always move far enough or quickly enough, but he recognizes people as being humans.
Once again, the ORP is in danger of appearing to lack all sense of humanity. DeWine is acting like a merciless bully who is only out for his own gain at the expense of others. I don’t glad dance, but he really should be thinking twice about his strategy and the risk of loss from it in a bigger way than the GOP is already poised to lose.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:21 pm May 14th, 2008 in Voting, Republicans, Democrats, Marc Dann, Campaigning, Statehouse, Ohio, Elections, Government, Scandal, Politics | 7 Comments
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May
14
Video: former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann resigns; Gov. Ted Strickland Q&A
Filed Under Scandal, Gender, Democrats, Marc Dann, Government, Women, Media, Announcements, Ohio, Politics | 3 Comments
From the Ohio Channel, video of the press conference earlier this afternoon with former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann and Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.
I’ll see if I can find a transcript as well.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 6:18 pm May 14th, 2008 in Scandal, Gender, Democrats, Marc Dann, Government, Women, Media, Announcements, Ohio, Politics | 3 Comments
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May
14
Pho w/the blow-blow on The Ohio AG Marc Dann No Mo Show
Filed Under Ted Strickland, Gender, Democrats, Marc Dann, Scandal, Government, Politics, Ohio, Women, Blogging | Leave a Comment
What can I say? It’s been a busy day.
Check out Scott’s transcription of Ohio Governor Ted Strickland press conference which followed Marc Dann announcing his resignation.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 5:58 pm May 14th, 2008 in Ted Strickland, Gender, Democrats, Marc Dann, Scandal, Government, Politics, Ohio, Women, Blogging | Please comment
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May
14
Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann Resigns
Filed Under Ted Strickland, Gender, Marc Dann, Scandal, Government, Announcements, Ohio, Women, Politics | Leave a Comment
You should be able to see the video here at least for a little while.
Watch live here. More soon.
You can read a bit here.
Tom Winters, the first assistant AG will takeover for now.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 4:59 pm May 14th, 2008 in Ted Strickland, Gender, Marc Dann, Scandal, Government, Announcements, Ohio, Women, Politics | Please comment
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May
14
Scurrying signals & Canton Rep’s thoughtful editorial on embattled Ohio AG Marc Dann
Filed Under Wide Open, Voting, Gender, Marc Dann, Scandal, Government, Media, Ohio, Women, Politics | 12 Comments
I don’t use the word “embattled” lightly. I wrote about it a great deal last fall in Wide Open and on WLST in relation to a religious argument that Christians in the United States are an “embattled minority” (someone else’s description, not mine).
You want to see embattled? Marc Dann is embattled. What happened all day yesterday? That’s embattled.
Few Ohio papers have avoided monolithic characterizations of the happenings at the Ohio Attorney General’s office over the last two weeks. Few if any have drawn attention to the blatant sexism and the issue of sexual harassment and employment discrimination that has led first, to many of the actions upon which we first focused, and second to the ensuing creation and maintenance of the hostile work environment. Rumors about which I know nothing other than what I read on the screen imply that there’s a wealth of other damning behavior beyond what’s already been presented and even accepted as true by Marc Dann.
Although this morning’s Canton Repository editorial doesn’t say anything about the sexism, its tenor captures the scurrying of signals that Marc Dann’s neural pathways must be trying to manage right now. With great emphasis on how the desperation is a result of his own actions.
Many sincerely sad things happen in this world, things we can’t explain. Marc Dann’s behavior really isn’t one of them. Not even his refusal to step down, say he’ll step down if he gets a concession that would stop his anxiety over already done deeds, and then, again, not step down.
I differ with some bloggers about the glad dance because there’s nothing glad about this. Dann did what he did (and we don’t really even know what that is yet). As voters, as Ohioan residents, we do what we do. The Internet has made it easier to voice our reactions and collect them, so that the touchstone for the court of public opinion is a little bigger than just the people in charge in Columbus.
But do not for a minute believe that this isn’t and hasn’t been a lose-lose situation. What’s compounding that feeling is the failure of Marc Dann to let Ohio move on, specifically, to let Democrats move on. It feels as though he wants to exact retribution for his misdeeds on the voters who supported him in the first place - as if to punish us for having believed in him and therefore leading him to this point. I imagine he also feels a lot of anger, and fear. And I imagine that there are some in Columbus who aren’t treating this situation with the detachment necessary so as not to infect it with all kinds of other emotions that aren’t in the best interests of Ohioans.
In the end, thought, it comes back to Marc, not the voters who supported him and who have lost trust in him. How could we not want to see him succeed? I know I have.
The scurrying signals evidence an immaturity on Marc’s part about decision-making, the consequences of his decisions and the impact they have on those beyond himself and his family. And Marc has admitted as much in regard to perhaps not being as prepared as he needed to be to take over the role as Ohio’s lead lawyer.
What to do, what to do.
Marc has to resign. If we think it’s all about him right now, just wait until he is finally no longer in office and really must make it all about him and getting healthy. This is all a distraction from the excruciating and painful work that faces him in his personal life. But the choices he’s made since Friday, April 25 when the Espy report was released have compounded the difficulty of that personal work with the intractable, but reasonable and understandable desire of many Ohio voters and the Ohio legislature to continue to investigate what the hell was going on in the AG’s office.
Marc has described himself as rolling up his sleeves and getting to work. But he needs to go to a different kind of office to get the work done that he needs to do. As soon as possible, for everyone’s sake.
Please.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 6:34 am May 14th, 2008 in Wide Open, Voting, Gender, Marc Dann, Scandal, Government, Media, Ohio, Women, Politics | 12 Comments
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May
13
The Daily Dann, 5/13/08
Filed Under Ted Strickland, Gender, Marc Dann, Statehouse, Scandal, Ohio, Women, Government, Politics | 17 Comments
When the Wall Street Journal has an entry titled, “What’s Going on With Marc Dann? Here’s What We Know,” you know it can’t be good. The most disturbing line: “Another staffer at the AG’s office says concern is building in the office that lawyers working for Mr. Dann could defect if he stays much longer.”
I just know my bloggy buddy John Michael Spinelli is having too much fun with his headlines at ePluribus Media: “Dann Death Delayed.” His piece is also an excellent round-up of all the gyrations of today (figurative, figurative, sillies).
The Associated Press has its take, and it’s got most of the bits that were in this afternoon’s local stories.
How are the locals feeling?
The morning started out with new e-mails being revealed by the media.
But by this evening, the Dayton Daily News is reporting on Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signing into law the bill that allows the Inspector General to conduct an investigation into the AG’s office and report back to the Ohio legislature.
Buckeye State Blog wants unconditional surrender.
Glass City Jungle on the bipolar nature of the day (my word, not Lisa Renee’s).
I’m afraid to listen to what Annie of the Chief Source and the Vindy.com call, “Marc Dann’s Party Pad Song.”
Mansfield News Journal this evening
WKYC offers specifics on the impeachment moves today
Ohio Daily Blog wrote about recall prospects but that was before all the impeachment and resign/not resigning news
And the Plain Dealer had this God-awful editorial. I swear, most of the papers’ editorial boards sound so out of touch with Ohioans, I just do not get it. I know they talk to us. Where is their sense?
And, in case you missed my earlier post about the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and sexual harassment, here’s a quick overview of employment law in Ohio.
More good primers:
The FBI may investigate, and we learn that Dann withheld information from his closest aides about recusing himself from a situation related to that possible inquiry.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:24 pm May 13th, 2008 in Ted Strickland, Gender, Marc Dann, Statehouse, Scandal, Ohio, Women, Government, Politics | 17 Comments
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May
13
[updatex2] BREAKING: Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann to resign today
Filed Under Ted Strickland, Gender, Marc Dann, Statehouse, Scandal, Ohio, Women, Government, Politics | 7 Comments
Here’s the news from OPENERS at the Plain Dealer:
Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann is expected to announce his resignation later today, The Plain Dealer has learned. He planned to break the news to his senior staff this afternoon.
The decision came as Dann faced intense pressure from fellow Democrats and Republican critics who said he was not fit to continue as the state’s top lawyer.
It also followed action targeting Dann in the Ohio General Assembly today by lawmakers from both parties. House Democrats this morning filed articles of impeachment against Dann, accusing him of misconduct and malfeasance in office. And House Republicans began plans to fast-track a bill that would allow the state Inspector General’s office to conduct an independent investigation into Dann’s office.
…
Democrats have said Dann knew or should have known that Gutierrez and others were making a mockery of the office and done something about it.
But while Gutierrez, Jennings, former Chief of Staff Edgar Simpson and former scheduler Jessica Utovich, the 28-year-old woman Dann was linked to, all lost their jobs in the wake of the investigation, Dann had vowed to stay on. He admitted to running his office poorly but said things had been improving under his leadership. Dann also had said admitting his affair to his wife, Alyssa Lenhoff, was punishment enough for him.
Hattip to Plunderbund.
More thoughts later.
UPDATE: Columbus Dispatch says Dann is trying to strike a deal that would prohibit an external investigation but quotes House leader Jon Husted (R):
House Speaker Jon A. Husted said he talked with Dann today but he did not want to detail what he said was a private conversation. Regardless whether Dann resigns, Husted said he intends to move forward with the bill authorizing Charles to investigate.
“There are more issues at stake than just the attorney general’s resignation,” Husted said.
I can only imagine.
UPDATEx2: Retracting resignation plan? From the Tribune-Chronicle:
State Rep. Bob Hagan, D-Youngstown, said Marc Dann will not resign today despite published reports to the contrary.
Hagan told the Tribune Chronicle this afternoon that he served as emissary between House and Senate leaders to broker a deal for Dann’s resignation. However, Hagan said when the House refused to take an emergency clause out of a bill to allow the inspector general to investigate, a deal for Dann’s resignation fell through.
The emergency clause allows the inspector general to investigate immediately. Hagan said Dann wanted more time.
Meanwhile, many media outlets around Ohio are reporting that Dannás resignation is expected between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. today.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 2:53 pm May 13th, 2008 in Ted Strickland, Gender, Marc Dann, Statehouse, Scandal, Ohio, Women, Government, Politics | 7 Comments
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May
13
[text] Articles of impeachment w/9 counts filed against Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann
Filed Under Social Issues, Law, Gender, Marc Dann, Crime, Scandal, Ohio, Women, Government, Politics | 9 Comments
The Columbus Dispatch has the details. Here are the nine articles:
Obstructed the internal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment in his office.
Willfully and intentionally issued misleading statements under oath.
Neglected to perform the duties of his office and by his own admission was not competent or qualified for the job.
Knew or should have known that his own admitted sexual affair with an employee contributed to and allowed a hostile work environment.
Failed to ensure the safety and security of state property.
Failed to investigate and prohibit improper use of state property.
Knew or should have known of the misuse of state property for personal business.
Committed acts of gross neglect of duty by undermining the integrity of his office; bringing disrepute upon the office; betraying the public trust as Ohio’s chief law enforcement officer; and undermining the effectiveness and efficiency of the office.
Committed acts of gross immorality and knew or should have known that his personal conduct undermined the effectiveness and efficiency of the office.
Hattip to Plunderbund which included a link to the pdf of the filing.