http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:29:58 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en It looks like US Senate Candidate Rob Portman will be forced to waste money fighting an ad war with primary opponent Tom Ganley.  The Cleveland car dealer seems intent on spending millions of his own money despite little likelihood of winning.  He has made his first ad buy as part ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/11/11/ganley-us-senate-campaign-misinterprepts-ny-23/ I have been known to get into a few friendly arguments about the best political strategy for advancing conservatism.  Heck, I have even been called a squish since I don't believe you ever win by losing elections.  I have long believed in a pragmatic approach to elections that often involves ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/10/29/doug-hoffman-a-no-brainer/ I have long argued that conservatives need to be strategic in their thinking when it comes to elections. While I will fully admit that balancing "the most electable" with "the most conservative" is rarely easy it is still a critical decision to make. "Throw all the bums out" ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/10/14/beware-populists-in-sheeps-clothing/ I know what you are thinking.  Of course Obama's speech didn't convince those right-wing crazy's who disrupt townhalls and yell things during presidential speeches; they're close-minded yahoos. But it seems the president's strident insistence that action be taken has failed to convince the very people he needs to win over: Blue ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/09/10/obamas-soaring-rhetoric-fails-to-change-minds/ You don't have to be an economist to understand the economic situation.  Unemployment has hit double digits in many states and is growing (in Ohio: 340,000 jobs lost since Ted Strickland and Lee Fisher took office) and everyone is paying the price.    The stimulus has accomplished nothing (Again, in ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/09/02/cap-and-trade-a-job-killer/ I didn't see it but apparently a YouTube video on "Why We Need Government-Run Universal Socialized Health Insurance" was all the rage last week.  As is so typical of these arguments it was full of non sequiturs and strawmen.  There are far too many to be able to debunk them ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/08/31/why-we-dont-need-socialized-medicine/ The Dispatch offers this short report on Mary Jo Kilroy's health care tele-townhall: U.S. Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy last night insisted that congressional Democrats are not considering "socialized medicine'" in their efforts to approve a sweeping overhaul of the nation's health-care system. In a town-hall meeting she conducted last night by telephone, ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/08/20/mary-jo-kilroy-thinks-you-are-stupid/ Zach Space talks a good game.  He knows how to say what he thinks voters want to hear.  The problem is that his votes don't line up and his rhetoric is slippery. A perfect example is health care reform legislation.  Here is Space on why he supports the Democrat proposals: And the ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/08/10/zach-spaces-bait-and-switch-on-health-care-reform/ Democrats and their lefty blog supporters have been trying to pin whatever negative association they can find on Rob Portman.  The primary one being that he worked for George W. Bush (in one giggle inducing stunt they called him the "architect" of the Bush economy which was news to Portman ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/08/07/a-question-for-democrats-on-rob-portman/ Update: Added YouTube instead. Funny and frightening Hannity clip about how President Obama plans to cut a tiny sliver of government spending. Bonus John Kasich appearance. I think the quip about the government some people want to run health care just discovered paper has two sides should make you laugh ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/07/30/you-trust-government-to-do-what/ This afternoon I took a trip to downtown Circleville, Ohio to catch a stop on Rob Portman's just launched RV Tour.  Rob spoke to grassroots leaders from the area and stressed the importance of this race; and Ohio in general in 2010. He stressed how important it was to avoid giving ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/07/30/rob-portman-on-ohios-future/ If like me when you think PETA you think of a organization that has a seemingly worthwhile cause, the ethical treatment of animals, but whose tactics are so extreme that they actually harm that cause.  You think over-the-top or short sighted.  But you probably don't think of them as money ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/07/27/peta-plays-politics-to-extort-money/ When the media uses the word "trounces" in the headline in reference to your fundraising lead over your opponents that is a good thing: Republican Rob Portman raised $1.7 million for his U.S. Senate campaign during the second quarter of 2009 -- more money than both his Democratic rivals combined. "I'm very ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/07/15/rob-portman-fundraising-kicking-butt-taking-names/ Awesome video illustration on the federal budget deficit and the shrieks about Bush and the shrugs over Obama. Who says math can't be fun? *cross posted @ http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/07/15/obama-driving-the-debt-car/ Has anyone combined righteous indignation and humiliation -and a fat dollop of hypocrisy - quite like Ohio Governor Ted Strickland?  You be the judge: (via Athens Runaway) http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/07/10/ted-stricklands-jellogate/ When I am in need of some comic relief I often head over to the left side of the Ohio blogosphere to see what the liberals are up to.  What I am finding these days is that the denial is thick on the ground.  As polls tumble, editorial boards across ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/07/09/liberals-suddenly-not-so-keen-on-democracy/ Why am I taking the time to show an attack ad by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee?  Because I think it is far from damaging and I think it highlights a number of things. First of all, the Ds must be worried about Portman because why else would they offer an ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/07/08/democrats-offer-lame-attack-ad-against-portman/ Ohio Right to Life released a new poll which they describe as the Ohio Cultural Index.  The index's significant findings include: 72% of Ohioans' surveyed strongly believe in God; 60% oppose abortion; 54% believe ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/07/07/new-poll-shows-ohioans-lean-right-on-social-issues/ Stivers announced his intentions on Twitter (@Steve_Stivers) this morning: "I'm Running for Congress in 2010!" The Dispatch has the details and some quotes: Republican Steve Stivers today will announce his candidacy for the 15th Congressional District of Ohio, setting up a 2010 rematch against Democratic Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, who narrowly beat ... http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/07/07/stivers-sets-up-rematch-with-kilroy-in-oh-15/ I had a chance to catch up with Rob Portman at Red White and Boom tonight after he had walked in the parade.  He was gracious enough to agree to give me an update and talk about his campaign for the US Senate so far. http://www.redstate.com/kevin_holtsberry/2009/07/03/rob-portman-gives-a-campaign-update-video/