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May
9
The Daily Dann, 5/9/08
Filed Under Civil Rights, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Social Issues, Women | 8 Comments
1. I’m not so crazy after all re: changing the law to fit the situation:
Speaker of the House Jon Husted, along with Ohio Senate President Bill Harris said they will craft a law that will put the attorney general’s office under the microscope of the state inspector general.
The inspector general’s office holds state workers accountable, but can only investigate the governor and state agencies. Husted and Harris said they plan to amend that power.
The same article also says that Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann continues to insist that “…he has a chore in front of him to regain the trust of the state’s politicians and voters.” If he’d paid attention to the chores related to trust in the first place…
As for resignation requests from around the state and various constituencies, “…Dann made his point one last time: “(I intend to stay) until the end of my term.”
2. Staten Island Live takes the psychology stance in, “The politics of risk taking and leading a double life.” When I wrote about Spitzer, I mentioned the risk-taking element. But this article definitely hits the highlights for why people pursue what Dann pursued:
“Politicians aren’t like the rest of us,” Farley said. “Most Americans do not have these kinds of double lives.”
Politics attracts people with a thrill-seeking personality type, who are more likely to drink, smoke and have affairs that endanger their careers. They may even thrive on the danger of exposure: “They know it’s going to be very difficult to keep it secret, given the media scrutiny, and they still do it,” Farley said.
And, from the same playbook I’ve been writing, the concept of compartmentalizing:
“It’s the exception for a very strong powerful man to be monogamous across the many years of the marriage,” Vaughan said. “They don’t think, ‘Am I willing to take the risk of losing my position, of losing my family?’ … Men compartmentalize. They will legitimately say it had nothing to do with their wife and their love for them.”
3. More from Pho on impeachment scenarios. Highly recommended.
4. Governor Ted Strickland cautions that there’ll be no impeachment if there isn’t an impeachable offense. Well, yeah.
5. This page supposedly will refresh daily with pdfs of Marc Dann’s schedule. I looked at this past week’s schedule – pretty damn full of pressure if you ask me. He was in Cleveland most of the day today.
6. Two new problems arose today: questions related to no documentation for a trip he made last year and a former secretary for the AG’s former general services director Anthony Gutierrez has been fired allegedly for erasing documents of Gutierrez’s.
7. And another former AG staffer, Ric Alli, who lost his job just a couple of months into it 2007 says that Dann’s office runs by a double standard.
8. Psychohorsey does a nice job here outlining why a some good work does not compensate for alleged pervasive, chronic problems that seem to be taking shape in the AG’s office.
9. As a reminder, here’s a link to the EEO statement for the AG’s office. Does anyone else remember when Dann was just into the AG’s office in 1/07, and made a big deal about adding protections for gender identity and sexual orientation to the employment discriminations that would be prohibited? And then what happens – hostile workplace environment.
Do not misread what I’m saying: all these protections should be in the law. But what a mockery of that law we’re seeing: the protection is in there, but if the people who are in charge of enforcing that law, of making sure that there’s an environment that shows respect for the protections and the protected classes, don’t do any of that, having the law really doesn’t make a damn bit of difference, does it?
10. I think I read somewhere today that this Marc Dann Resign website is from the Ohio Republican Party – but do not quote me on that – I’m not sure.
What is the EEO timeline? No one has written about that lately…
By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:33 pm May 9th, 2008 in Civil Rights, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Social Issues, Women | 8 Comments
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May
9
Update: Top Google News Search result for “marc dann” altered
Filed Under Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Women | 4 Comments
Ah. The Internet. Yesterday’s top return:
Today’s top return:
By Jill Miller Zimon at 4:53 pm May 9th, 2008 in Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Women | 4 Comments
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May
9
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner: On Ohio AG Marc Dann
Filed Under Democrats, Gender, Government, Law, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Women | 8 Comments
Only a few people can persuade me about only a few things. In 2006, now-Chancellor of Higher Education Eric Fingerhut explained to me why he supported Ohio Learn and Earn (Issue 3 aka legalizing casinos) but for all the respect I have for him, I just could not vote in favor of it.
Likewise, I’ve written glowingly several times about Secretary of State Brunner. So her comments in this Daily Record article are important to me, though I’m still convinced that the need to purge and prevent the re-institution in the Attorney General’s office of a hostile work environment requires Marc Dann’s resignation.
I recommend the entire article. Brunner is nothing if not pragmatic. We have to appreciate that. Still…sigh.
An excerpt:
“Marc’s done good work; he’s done good work for this office,” she said. “And I’m grateful to him for the time and the energy and the talent that he and the staff have put into helping us run good elections in the state. Quite frankly, I still need a lot of work from that office and so for as long as Marc’s there I’m going to continue to work with him because we have work to get done for the people of the state.
“To ensure that we’re subjecting the state to the least potential for litigation, we routinely consult with him and we’ll continue to do that,” Brunner said. “And sometimes it means I consult with Marc and I’ll continue to do that because I’ve been provided very good legal service up to this point.”
So, although Brunner is also quoted as saying that, “I do feel that overall what’s occurred makes it difficult for him to be effective as Attorney General and to be effective politically,” she has a job to do that requires that Dann and/or his office does his job and she’s going to continue to expect that.
I guess the only question I would have is, at what cost? At what cost is that work getting done? And to whom?
Sigh.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:27 am May 9th, 2008 in Democrats, Gender, Government, Law, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Women | 8 Comments
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May
8
The Daily Dann, 5/8/08
Filed Under Democrats, Gender, Government, Law, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Women | 3 Comments
1. Is it really okay for a public servant, elected by the people of Ohio, to work for the people of Ohio, on behalf of the people of Ohio to tell the people of Ohio, via a news media outlets’ attempts to report:
“Is the attorney general available for an interview today?” NBC 4‘s Mikaela Hunt asked.
“No,” said Spokesman Ted Hart.
“What is he doing today that he’s not available for an interview?” Hunt asked.
“He’s in a series of meetings,” Hart said.
“What is he meeting on today?” Hunt asked.
“It’s routine work of the office,” Hart said.
[independent consultant to handle any media questions about the impeachment process or calls for his resignation Jason] Standford said that as soon as Dann is ready to talk, he will talk. [emphasis added]
Hmm, no, I’m thinking, the people I elected and I pay for talk when I need them to talk. Not when he tells me he is ready to talk. I don’t care how they try to compartmentalize it.
2. Here’s a variation on the same theme re: he wants to make judgements and tell us that that’s what he gets to do. Guess what? You blew your chance at making judgements we trust – does Marc Dann really not get that yet? From WBNS:
The Attorney General’s spokesman, Ted Hart, said Dann was not hiding from the public, but using his time to restore the public’s trust following the scandal.
“Is he hiding? Is he hiding from the public and is he hiding from the media since the call for his resignation? Aker asked.
“Absolutely not,” Hart said. “He stood here and addressed the media a week ago for close to an hour until there were no more questions.”
“He’s not hiding,” Hart said. “He’s doing what he thinks is best right now.” [emphasis added]
Is that some kind of surreal joke? Does Hart mean, like, all the other times he though he was doing what he thought was best? O.M.G.
3. The Tribune Chronicle from Sunday, 5/4/08, outlines how the complaints began to arise last fall and how it is that, when you hire cronies, they may not act in the best interests of anyone but the person who hired them.
4. Progress Ohio post by Jane Schiff that argues that Dann should stay.
5. Dayton Daily News reports that Dann’s campaign fund will “undergo routine audit.”
6. From the wayback machine, the Youngstown Vindicator puzzles in print over Dann’s hiring choices – 1/7/07.
7. I did see this when it was first published, but Modern Esquire does a nice job highlighting the gall.
8. Ohio’s largest union, the Ohio AFL-CIO, which endorsed Dann in 2006, seeks his resignation.
9. The Cincinnati Enquierer has started the Dann Death Watch. I think the Daily Dann is much more neutral.
10. Chris Baker makes a well-reasoned but still not convincing argument at Ohio Daily Blog for why Dann isn’t technically impeachable and what really needs to be done.
11. An interesting two-fer from the Columbus Dispatch:
b. Impeach him
12. I’ll end with a post from The Daily Briefing, the Dispatch’s blog, that includes my favorite you must be kidding quote. I’m sure you can figure out what it is.
13. Late addition in video from Channel 5 (WLWT): State Rep. Tom Brinkman (R) is concerned about making Dann a martyr? For what or who? Adulterers? Also in there, Dann’s intention to remain a Democrat even if the ODP this weekend succeeds in efforts to rescind its support during its annual convention.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:47 pm May 8th, 2008 in Democrats, Gender, Government, Law, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Women | 3 Comments
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May
8
Top Google Web Search Result for “marc dann”
Filed Under Gender, Government, Law, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Women | 4 Comments
Check out the hyperlinks in blue. More than just the word “irony” comes to mind.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 4:26 pm May 8th, 2008 in Gender, Government, Law, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Women | 4 Comments
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May
7
The Daily Dann, 5/7/08
Filed Under Civil Rights, Democrats, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Social Issues, Ted Strickland, Women | 10 Comments
Ann Fisher in the Columbus Dispatch:
The affair wasn’t enough to convince me. The sociological question of why politicians appear so prone to petty philandering is a topic for another day.
That the relationship was with his scheduler, that Capitol Square gossipmongers have fine-tuned the tawdry stories since last fall, that Dann also ignored charges that his top employees had sexually harassed subordinates, that reflects something worse.
That’s stupidity.
I don’t want someone stupid running any statewide office. I don’t want someone who will state unequivocally, more than a year into it, that he wasn’t qualified for the job when he was elected and that he’s been winging it.
Tribune Chronicle: Dann was warned about former aides; does that make him a lawyer in charge of the state’s law office who acted with reckless disregard in his hiring practices?
No state party leaders came to the attorney general’s defense.
There was co comment from Mr. Dann, 46, on Tuesday. He sent a memorandum to his staff on Monday apologizing for his mistakes and promising to stay in office. “I think that there is a great chance that we can continue to do great work for the people of the state,” he wrote.
He announced a management shakeup, changes to hiring and employee fraternization policies and his intention to “set the right tone” for future success. “From here on out, we will conduct ourselves in a professional manner befitting the great work we have done,” Mr. Dann wrote.
Mount Vernon News: local voters want Dann to resign
The Plain Dealer: Dann hires a “political spokesperson” – Jason Stanford
10TV: AG Office employee says the majority of employees want Dann to resign
Columbus Dispatch poll of Ohio legislators:
Of 51 lawmakers interviewed among the 132 in the House and Senate, 44 said Dann should resign and seven had no comment. None said he should stay in office.
But most lawmakers stopped short of pledging to support an impeachment resolution, saying they need to see evidence that Dann’s misdeeds rise above irresponsible behavior.
“I don’t know whether we should impeach somebody for being stupid,” said Rep. Joseph F. Koziura, a Lorain Democrat.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:22 pm May 7th, 2008 in Civil Rights, Democrats, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Social Issues, Ted Strickland, Women | 10 Comments
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May
7
Kansas Gov. dealt w/Dann-like AG office sexual harassment case, AG resigned
Filed Under Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Ted Strickland, Women | 1 Comment
Major league hattip to Bill Sloat of The Daily Bellwether for highlighting how the current Democratic governor of Kansas, Kathleen Sibelius (daughter of former Ohio Governor, John Gilligan) wanted her state’s Attorney General, Paul Morrison – also a Democrat, to resign after “a female aide with whom he [Morrison] had an extramarital romantic relationship filed federal sexual harassment charges.”
Please, go read Bill’s post. This post he links to reads almost like a prophecy for Ohio. Oy. Come on, folks. Do the right thing. For Ohio for cripes sake.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:31 pm May 7th, 2008 in Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Ted Strickland, Women | 1 Comment
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May
7
Breaking the glass ceiling imbeds shards of glass: Women & workplace discrimination
Filed Under Civil Rights, Culture, Gender, Government, Law, Marc Dann, Media, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Social Issues, Women | 1 Comment
I’m in editing for the Carnival mode right now, but I must pass on a couple of things:
1. Connie Schultz’s Plain Dealer column from today. I agree with it. Some disclosure about her husband, Ohio’s junior U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D) being a signator to a letter asking for Ohio AG Marc Dann to resign could have/should have been worked in, but regardless of that, her point could not be more spot-on.
2. Lisa Rab’s column in the Cleveland Scene today about Schultz’s column from today. I do not agree with Rab. At all. I left a comment at the post but it’s not appearing yet (it’s been a few hours but hey – I’ve been sweeping out hundreds of pieces of spam every few hours and dumped some comments too so, I won’t be throwing rocks from a glass house on that).
Here’s my comment to Rab:
Lisa, I’m going to agree and disagree.
I agree that it’s not news. But I disagree that that means we treat it like we treat the same behavior as seen in a movie.
It’s not okay and it’s never been okay. The fact that it’s written about openly doesn’t make it any more okay.
This isn’t unlike casino amendment arguments: everyone has one but us. And the parent’s retort, If your best friend jumped off a cliff, would you jump off a cliff too.
Please, do not confuse the outing of just how often this happens with it being okay for it to happen or not endangering career trajectories. I’m not sure how old you are, but I remember when the Lisa Steinberg case broke in NYC and from that point on, child abuse and domestic violence reporting was never the same, thank goodness.
This case is an enormous step backwards in sending the message that hostile work environments related to sexual harassment must not be tolerated.
I’d urge you, and the Free Times, to start reading up on study after study that show how fewer and fewer women are entering so many professions. In politics, there’s been a horrific stall in Ohio.
What are the causes? I don’t know any better than the reports coming out, but when Bill Harris says, it’s term limits you know they don’t know what they are talking about (term limits were arguably brought in to improve women’s chances!).
Anyway – you make Schultz’s column out to be histrionic and it’s not. She’s spot-on, Lisa.
I’m having a hard time understanding why you would mock Schultz’s perspective.
I’ve also solicited opinions from a couple of women for whom I have incredible respect. One outright disagrees with me and the other raised a number of other problems (all valid) related to coverage of Dann’s situation. So, no question, this is a lightening rod for women, not unlike the current Democratic presidential primary.
I don’t want to pin this yet as a generational issue but – I do wonder: if a woman has never gotten the glass shards stuck in her shoulders from what it feels like when you’re breaking through and into an all-male or mostly male bastion, can she really understand what it feels like to be embattled? Yes – that’s loaded. I’ve recently gone through several such experiences, in a variety of settings. And it’s made me absolutely livid at the thought that it’s okay to just say, “well, it happens.” Because it shouldn’t.
But am I being unfair? (Oy – does that invite a backlash! But that’s okay – I really want to hear it.)
I’ve suggested that we try to find a public venue to hold some kind of a conference/session or seminar during which women could exchange their thoughts on workplace discrimination, hostile environment and so on. If you have ideas about that, or anything else related to the columns by Schultz and Rab, please do comment or e-mail me.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 12:44 pm May 7th, 2008 in Civil Rights, Culture, Gender, Government, Law, Marc Dann, Media, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Social Issues, Women | 1 Comment
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May
6
State Senator Capri Cafaro (D) sits in Dann’s old seat and he endorsed her as his replacement.
From the Youngstown Vindicator:
State Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd, who succeeded Dann in the Senate when he was elected attorney general in 2006, said she’s not surprised Dann is fighting the resignation calls. But he should quit for the sake of the Democratic Party and his family, Cafaro said.
State Democratic leaders had no choice but ask Dann to resign, Cafaro added.
…
Between continued media scrutiny of the attorney general’s office and a public call from his party’s leaders to resign or be impeached makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for Dann to do his job effectively, Cafaro said.
The article details how some individuals from Dann’s hometown area are not calling for his resignation.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:27 am May 6th, 2008 in Marc Dann | 4 Comments
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May
6
WCPN right now: Politics and Apologies w/Connie Schultz, Rob Frost, Jerry Austin
Filed Under Democrats, Elections, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Media, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Ted Strickland, WCPN/SOI, Women | Comments Off
And Jason Johnson! (see, Jason – I give you the hyperlink – I helped intro him to WCPN)
Here’s the description for the Sound of Ideas today – it’s live now but you can listen here later.
Tension is growing in Columbus: The Governor and Ohio’s leading democrats are asking for Attorney General Marc Dann to resign. And now…there appears to be a standoff. Barely a month has passed since sexual harrassment allegations became the only news coming out of the AG’s office. The story raises important questions about ethics in politics and when and why a scandal can take down an elected official. Join us Tuesday morning at 9, and we’ll look for some answers.
Guests:
Jerry Austin, political strategist, Burges and Burges
Rob Frost, Chairman, Cuyahoga County Republican Party
Jason Johnson, Asst Professor of Political Science, Hiram College
Connie Schultz, columnist, The Plain Dealer
Connie, with no hesitation, says Dann must resign, “…climate created is unacceptable.”
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:32 am May 6th, 2008 in Democrats, Elections, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Media, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Ted Strickland, WCPN/SOI, Women | Comments Off
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May
6
The Daily Dann: What you need to know about impeachment, replacements & pressure
Filed Under Campaigning, Democrats, Elections, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Ted Strickland, Voting, WCPN/SOI, Women | Comments Off
What you need to know about impeachment:
Ohio Daily Blog Notes on a Scandal (at the end)
Pho’s Akron Pages Can Dann be impeached?
What you need to know about replacements:
Ohio Daily Blog Danngate: Likely Replacement Scenario
What you need to know about pressure:
New York Times: Ohio Official Balks at Quitting
Psychobilly Democrats: Open Letter to Marc Dann
USA Today: Ohio AG Refuses to resign, Dems talk impeachment
Wall Street Journal: Ohio Attorney General Resists Calls to Quit
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:24 am May 6th, 2008 in Campaigning, Democrats, Elections, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Ted Strickland, Voting, WCPN/SOI, Women | Comments Off
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May
5
Redux: My letter to ODP Chair Redfern, that people said wouldn’t matter
Filed Under Democrats, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Ted Strickland, Women | Comments Off
I feel, as an Ohioan who is a female and who supports the Democratic Party with words, deeds and money, that you must make a public statement that explicitly denounces work environments and behavior that impede, demean or otherwise disrespect women, especially women who work on behalf of the Democratic Party’s values and previously supported elected officials.
Regardless of whether any one Ohio elected official who is a Democrat is found guilty (in a court of law) of actions that violate civil or criminal laws that protect women against the plethora of problems they face inside and outside the public service sector, as the newly re-elected Chair of the ODP, I expect that you would make an unequivocal statement that the Party in no way supports individuals who engage in or make it possible for such problems to arise or occur.
Chairman, on a personal level – so many women who identify with the Democratic Party, whether it’s a big “D” or a little “d,” are working to encourage other women to get into the political pipeline. You probably know about The White House Project training that will take place in Columbus in June. And of course the ODP has Liz Shirey who has organized and is organizing a variety of events intended to help women lead Ohio’s Democrats.
But these efforts are undermined unless you and the Party make clear, public statements that indicate unwavering support for creating, maintaining and ensuring that the prevailing attitude of the ODP is that women are valued, at all levels and that no candidate or elected official who wants to affiliate himself or herself with Ohio Democrats will be considered such if their behavior does not facilitate and encourage such an attitude.
These are the two primary incidents which I believe have made push come to shove and demand your public statement:
1. Last week, Marc Dann emphasized that two females filed an EEO against his “friend.” You can read more here. I’ve spoken with Jeff Coryell and confirmed his post’s observations.
My response is that these women filed an EEO complaint against someone Marc Dann approved of as a hire, who therefore is a public employee. To call such a person “friend” demonstrates the Attorney General’s inability to draw boundaries. So long as he goes out in public and calls this individual his “friend” and refuses to take responsibility for the individual as an employee, we can have no expectation of him being independent or able to understand the hostile work environment that reigns under a boss who calls a person he hired who is now under a cloud related to sexual harassment (at a minimum) his “friend.” As someone who donated to the Attorney General’s campaign, literally in the 11th hour because I thought I didn’t want Betty Montgomery, I’m irate with his approach to the current situation in his office.
2. Matthew Barrett: I do not know him. But to be a parent who places public blame on his teenage son, and to then engage with women in the way the pictures allegedly depict? There are more darts to throw at this one than I have time left.
Please, Chairman. Do the right thing. We turned Ohio blue by trusting that we would act better and create a state run by people of whom we could be proud. Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, recipient of the Profiles in Courage award and Treasurer Rich Cordray are exemplary figures of individuals who contain to earn our trust.
Please, re-enforce that all Ohioans, men and women, regardless of whether they are in positions of power like Marc Dann and Matthew Barrett, shall be respected and that all elected Ohioans who call themselves Democrats will be expected to adhere to the highest standards of behavior toward all others, women included.
Thank you for your time.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:17 pm May 5th, 2008 in Democrats, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Ted Strickland, Women | Comments Off
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May
5
Ohio Democratic Party to sever ties w/AG Marc Dann, metamorphs into Independent
Filed Under Announcements, Democrats, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Ted Strickland, Women | 16 Comments
Wow. Well, I must say, my off the record sentiments and exhortations definitely support these moves, but when you read them, well, they are harsh. But necessary.
The Ohio Democratic Party, which strongly backed Dann’s come-from-behind campaign in 2006, is preparing to sever its ties with Dann. Chairman Chris Redfern said he expects the party’s executive committee to rescind its 2006 endorsement of Dann when it meets Saturday, which Redfern said would make Dann an independent officeholder. Democrats also are prepared to lead the impeachment drive, Redfern said.
“Pending Saturday’s events, he’ll be holding office as an independent who was elected as a Democrat,” Redfern said. “We will distance ourselves both figuratively and literally from Marc Dann until he makes the right decision, which is to step down.”
Plunderbund writes about the removal of information about Dann from the ODP website and also has a video of Gov. Strickland in which he says that they’ll use “whatever action is necessary” to remove Dann.
Pho writes about the legal provisions related to replacing Dann.
Sigh. It is all too sad.
Sigh.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 4:44 pm May 5th, 2008 in Announcements, Democrats, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Ted Strickland, Women | 16 Comments
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May
5
Text of Ohio AG Marc Dann’s e-mailed response saying that he will not resign
Filed Under Announcements, Campaigning, Democrats, Elections, Gender, Government, Jennifer Brunner, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Ted Strickland, Voting, Women | 1 Comment
Thank you to a reader in the comments; see original at Vindy.com:
Below is the text of an e-mail sent today by Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann to all associates of his office.
Last night, I received a call from Governor Strickland advising me that he and the other statewide Democratic office holders along with the minority leaders of the House and Senate were planning to ask me to resign today.
That letter has been sent.
I wanted to share with you what I told the Governor.
I told him that he and the other officeholders, as well as the members of the legislature, should continue to expect that we will continue to provide high-quality legal services to all of them. I told the Governor that we will continue to make our law enforcement partnerships work to protect the people of the State of Ohio.
I told him that our consumer protection and environmental protection and civil rights work will continue on behalf of the State of Ohio.
That is exactly what I am doing today. I am in the office, have rolled up my sleeves and am working on behalf of the people of State of Ohio.
I hope all of you will do the same.
I think that there is a great chance that we can continue to do great work for the people of the State.
I know that this is difficult, and I am truly sorry to have put all of you in this position.
But our work is too important to do anything but our jobs today.
Marc Dann
By Jill Miller Zimon at 12:25 pm May 5th, 2008 in Announcements, Campaigning, Democrats, Elections, Gender, Government, Jennifer Brunner, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Ted Strickland, Voting, Women | 1 Comment
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May
5
Text of letter to Marc Dann from Ohio Democrats: Resign now (by 1pm)
Filed Under Announcements, Gender, Government, Jennifer Brunner, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Ted Strickland, Women | 11 Comments
Many thanks to Ohio bloggers for assistance in providing this information.
Governor, Statewide Democrats Call on Attorney General Dann to Resign
Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Treasurer Richard Cordray, House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty, Senate Minority Leader Ray Miller and Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern called for Attorney General Marc Dann’s resignation last night.
The text of a letter sent to Attorney General Marc Dann last night, Sunday, May 4, 2008, follows:
Sunday May 4, 2008
Attorney General Marc Dann
State of Ohio
Rhodes State Office Tower 30 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Dear Attorney General Dann,
We write to you tonight to ask that you resign your position as Attorney General of the State of Ohio. We believe that your actions have irreparably harmed your ability to effectively serve the people of our great state.
The work of the Office of the Attorney General matters more, and is far more important, than any one person. In many, many cases it is all that stands between the people and the powerful. Sadly, we no longer have even the most remote hope that you can continue to effectively serve as Attorney General and that is why we are asking for your resignation.
We also want to make you aware that if you do not choose to resign, Democratic members of the Ohio House of Representatives will immediately introduce a resolution seeking your impeachment.
We sincerely hope that this action will not be necessary and that you will act in the best interest of the people of Ohio by tendering your resignation Monday morning.
Sincerely,
Ted Strickland, Governor
Lee Fisher, Lt. Governor
Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senator
Jennifer Brunner Secretary of State
Richard Cordray, Treasurer
Ray Miller, Minority Leader
Joyce Beatty, House Minority Leader
Chris Redfern, Chairman, Ohio Democratic Party
See also The Columbus Dispatch.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 12:01 pm May 5th, 2008 in Announcements, Gender, Government, Jennifer Brunner, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Ted Strickland, Women | 11 Comments
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May
5
BREAKING: Strickland, Redfern, Brunner, Cordray, other Dems to Ohio AG Marc Dann: Resign
Filed Under Announcements, Democrats, Elections, Gender, Government, Jennifer Brunner, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Ted Strickland, Women | 1 Comment
All statewide Democratic elected officials and legislative leaders today are asking embattled Attorney General Marc Dann to resign from office, The Dispatch has learned.
Dann will be sent a strongly worded letter that should reach him no later than 11:30 a.m. that he must, in the best interest of his office and the party, step down.
The letter comes after multiple conversations took place over the past two days among Gov. Ted Strickland, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Treasurer Richard Cordray, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and the two Democratic legislative leaders, Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, and Sen. Ray Miller, D-Columbus. Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern’s name also is on the letter.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:41 am May 5th, 2008 in Announcements, Democrats, Elections, Gender, Government, Jennifer Brunner, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Ted Strickland, Women | 1 Comment
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May
5
Yo, ORP Deputy Chair, Kevin DeWine: Rein in those deadly sins, would ya?
Filed Under Campaigning, Crime, Culture, Democrats, Government, Law, Marc Dann, Media, Mental health, Ohio, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Scandal, Statehouse | 13 Comments
No – not Marc Dann’s.
Yours.
Ohio Republican Party Deputy Chairman and State Representative Kevin DeWine, appeared on the Ohio News Network’s show, Capitol Square, yesterday. The Youngstown Vindicator quotes him as having said the following, in relation to the scandal in the Ohio Attorney General’s office of Marc Dann:
“We’ll be linking this corrupt individual to each and every [Democratic] officeholder that will be on the ballot this fall, all the way from the president’s office down to the county coroner,” state Rep. Kevin De- Wine, of Fairborn, said yesterday. DeWine, who also is deputy chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, made the remark as a guest on the “Capitol Square” program on the Ohio News Network.
Kevin, Kevin, Kevin. I guess you should be glad that this incident didn’t happen during Lent, when maybe at least you would have included all or most of the the deadly sins as something you were going to give up until Easter.
But it’s no longer Lent and so, it seems, you are letting that sin of Wrath ride unbridled in the media again. I’m not sure why you think it’s appealing. I find it to be quite loathesome, but what do I know?
I mean, Kevin, don’t you realize that the people who do the best job of bringing themselves down are…the people who are bringing themselves down? God does not need your help in making them feel badly or suffer. Nor should we have you inflict upon us your wrath. You know, what goes around comes around and all that?
Look, if you don’t believe me, check out this quiz you can take to see just how full of wrath you are. Let us know your results – you can post them anonymously in the comments, or send them to me. Or let someone take the test for you – I don’t know you so I can’t begin to guess how you would answer the questions.
Let go, let joe, Kevin. Wrath is a really evil, well, sinful thing you know. Here’s more on the deadly sins from Wikipedia, if you prefer. Just remember – they aren’t called deadly for nuthin.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:52 am May 5th, 2008 in Campaigning, Crime, Culture, Democrats, Government, Law, Marc Dann, Media, Mental health, Ohio, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Scandal, Statehouse | 13 Comments
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May
5
Rumor control: Chancellor Fingerhut will NOT be running for AG
Filed Under Blogging, Democrats, Elections, Government, Marc Dann, Meet the Bloggers, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse | 1 Comment
In this post, I remarked on the Akron Beacon Journal’s mention of Ohio’s Chancellor of Higher Education Eric Fingerhut. Not 12 hours before I’d read that ABJ piece, my SO and I had both, at almost the same moment, thought about how only someone like Fingerhut could pull out a hands-down undebatable win in a special election to replace not yet dead Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann. So I thought it was ironic and I wondered if there was some between the lines meaning.
Well, I’ve since learned that a few people who matter really do read this blog, even on Sundays, and it’s been made clear to me by no less than three different sources that Chancellor Fingerhut will not be running in such an election should there be one.
I apologize sincerely for any discomfort my suggestion may have caused, but…!
My point stands: Ohioans need and want and deserve someone of Fingerhut’s caliber. Who might be as ironclad a winner!?
Read one of WLST’s most well-liked posts and this one as well. Re-reading what I wrote, there are moments when I wince (Dann said he wanted to create a public integrity unit) and there are moments where I nod up and down, seeing dead-on the problems we should have heeded more closely (I stated at least twice my fear for Dann’s leaning on his connections). But I really like the long-form, don’t I?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:24 am May 5th, 2008 in Blogging, Democrats, Elections, Government, Marc Dann, Meet the Bloggers, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse | 1 Comment
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May
4
Mary Jo Kilroy, congressional candidate & Franklin county commish, calls for Dann resignation
Filed Under Campaigning, Democrats, Elections, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Women | 11 Comments
It cannot be easy for women like Ohio House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, State Auditor Mary Taylor, or former Ohio Senate Minority Leader Teresa Fedor to watch the Ohio Attorney General/Marc Dann hostile work environment situation unfold.
And what about State Senator Capri Cafaro, who was appointed by Dann to fill his state senate seat once he’d won the AG post?
But here we have the Dayton Daily News reporting that:
Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy, the Democratic candidate in one of the state’s most closely watched U.S. House races, has called for Democratic Attorney General Marc Dann to resign.
…
“Sexual harassment can’t be tolerated. As a mother of two daughters of about the same age as those in the press accounts, I am appalled that those in power would abuse their authority in such a shameful way. Marc Dann (pictured) should resign and he should do so quickly,” Kilroy said in a statement released Sunday, May 4.
“The actions of the Attorney General and several of his top officials have damaged the trust that people should have in their elected officials.
In service to the people of Ohio, Marc Dann should resign and allow a new Attorney General to take on the important duties of attorney general without the distraction of lawsuits, scandals, and further investigations.”
Kilroy is running for the U.S. House in the 15th District against Republican state Sen. Steve Stivers.
Ironically, I received an unsolicited e-mail from someone close to the Dann situation who suggested that what Columbus needs is a revolt against the old boys club. Mmmmble mmmble damn packing tape.
Hattip to Modern Esquire at Buckeye State Blog re: Kilroy’s statement.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:51 pm May 4th, 2008 in Campaigning, Democrats, Elections, Gender, Government, Marc Dann, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Statehouse, Women | 11 Comments
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May
4
[update] Ohio AG Dann Sunday [Mon.] morning MSM round-up
Filed Under Culture, Democrats, Gender, Government, Law, Marc Dann, Media, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Women | 2 Comments
Akron Beacon Journal: hedges; between the lines suggestion for Eric Fingerhut to become AG? (that was suggested to me last night)
Athens News: Predicts Dann will be gone by Friday
Chillicothe Gazette: should resign
Cincinnati Enquirer: Dann should go
Cincinnati Enquirer: Quotes some Republicans who want to consider leaving AG alone. Mmmmmble mmmmmble.
Columbus Dispatch: Dann is a liability
The Toledo Blade: replete with quotes from Ohio Democratic Party Chair Chris Redfern re: this is Marc Dann’s failings, implying that it’s no one elses. Mmmmmble mmmmmmble.
Youngstown Vindicator: “DANN IS TOAST” (uppercase in original)
Youngstown Vindicator: Dann deserves second chance
Zanesville Times Recorder: Call to resign
There were 774 results so I’ll leave it at this.
Monday, May 5:
Salem News: should resign
Mansfield News Journal: should resign
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:03 am May 4th, 2008 in Culture, Democrats, Gender, Government, Law, Marc Dann, Media, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Women | 2 Comments
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