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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > May > 11 > Entry
On Boehner, a ‘person of color’
A couple of notes on Butler County’s own U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester Twp.:
First, here is President Barack Obama making a jab at Boehner at the White House correspondents dinner Saturday:
Here is coverage of some of Obama’s other quips at the dinner.
And here is a story from Politico about Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones potentially challenging Boehner in the Republican primary:
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) has never faced a serious primary or general election challenge since he first won his seat in 1990.
Local Republicans say that won’t change in 2010, despite popular Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones’ announcement last month that he was considering challenging Boehner in next year’s Republican primary.
If anything, Ohio Republicans think that Jones has cost himself any political future beyond the sheriff’s office simply by publicly threatening to challenge Boehner. They contend that the folksy local sheriff has hurt himself in a misguided effort to boost his own stature against the Republican leader, who’s viewed as politically untouchable in the district.
Ohio-based GOP consultant Rex Elsass said that Jones would have the standing to be a formidable candidate if Boehner were to retire down the road but, at the moment, has little chance of knocking off such an established and well-funded opponent.
“He will not be able to raise any resources to be a viable candidate,” said Elsass. “Jones has a solid profile and could have been a front-runner when John vacates. However, this will hurt him with key operatives and central committee leaders in the future, … and the sheriff costs himself a future that would have been his for the waiting.”
Even before Jones explored the race, his penchant for attracting headlines earned him the nickname “Spotlight Jones.” A conservative with a populist streak, he regularly appears on Cincinnati conservative talk show host Bill Cunningham’s radio show to speak out against illegal immigration, and Jones has attracted attention for refusing to evict homeowners facing foreclosure.
In an interview with POLITICO, Jones said he is thinking seriously about running against Boehner because he’s been dissatisfied with Republican congressional leadership.
“The party is in the toilet and in the wilderness. I don’t know where they’re going. Being an incumbent in Washington is not really the best thing right now,” Jones said.
“Remember David and Goliath? It sounds like [Republicans] are saying: ‘How dare he challenge someone who’s so powerful?’ Well, I’m not a person who’s intimidated,” said Jones, who was first elected sheriff in 2005. “I always do what I believe is the right thing to do. I don’t have any lobbyists who control me. I try to do the right thing, and I’ve never forgotten that.”
Jones, once described by the Dayton Daily News as a “cross between John Wayne and Rush Limbaugh,” said he would focus on immigration as a major theme if he runs. As sheriff, Jones has posted billboards in the county warning employers not to hire illegal immigrants and has lobbied for local law enforcement officials to crack down on immigration violations. During the presidential campaign, he bought an ad in the Cincinnati Enquirer accusing Republican presidential nominee John McCain of being weak on immigration.
He argued that Boehner talks a good game on immigration but is unwilling to propose legislation cracking down on the businesses that hire illegal immigrants.
Jones said he is currently meeting with local GOP officials to examine whether he will be able to raise enough money to mount a credible campaign and that he will make a final decision in the next three months. If he runs, he said, his biggest challenge will be getting acquainted with constituents from the five other counties that make up Ohio’s 8th District.
“Politics is a contact sport. It’s not for sissies,” Jones said. “I don’t want to get into something I’m going to lose. I’ve got to have the resources and the support. And at this point, that’s something I’m trying to garner.”
Tom Ellis, the Butler County Republican Party chairman, said that Jones’ outspoken activism against illegal immigration has won him political standing in his Butler County base, which accounts for about half the district’s population. But he has urged Jones to run for reelection as sheriff to avoid a contentious intraparty battle.
“At the county level, Richard Jones is the most high-profile, recognizable name and the most popular of our local county officeholders,” said Ellis. “But our response to him has been that we do not welcome any contested primary, particularly against someone of the stature of John Boehner. It’s expensive and divisive for the party.”
The minority leader hasn’t exactly left much running room on the right. To illustrate his conservative credentials, Boehner spokesman Don Seymour cited his leadership against President Barack Obama’s stimulus legislation, his long-standing refusal to accept earmarks for the district and his high-profile opposition to former President George W. Bush’s comprehensive immigration reform bill.
Seymour noted that Jones requested millions in stimulus money to help refurbish his sheriff’s office, which could undermine his attempts to win over conservative primary voters.
As one of the party’s top fundraisers, Boehner will have little trouble mounting a defense of his seat. He spent more than $5 million in the last election cycle — much of it to help other GOP candidates. He reported $314,000 in his own campaign account at the end of March.
“I’ve never met Sheriff Jones, so I don’t know what would motivate him to take on leader Boehner,” said Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine. “Leader Boehner has a strong record of fiscal conservatism that matches that district very well, and, as a result, I see no problems for Boehner in the primary.”
In case you missed it, here is an analysis we did of Jones’ potential run.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County Sheriff's Department, National issues, Republican Party
Comments
By Savanation
May 11, 2009 11:41 AM | Link to this
Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine (says) “Leader Boehner has a strong record of fiscal conservatism” I guess Mr. Dewine doesn’t pay much attention to the news. Mr. Boehner and (I am sure, Mr. DeWine) backed every fiscally irresponsible tax cut and massive uncalled for War Spending and countless “Bridges to Nowhere” which the Republican party gorged themselves on over the past eight years. Get a clue Mr. DeWine. Jones would be no better, just no store- bought tan.
By Mike
May 11, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this
Savanation sounds like a typical whiney liberal. Obviously they just don’t like Jones b/c of his tough stance on illegals. Jones would be a breath of fresh air and he would fully have my support!
By Anonymous
May 11, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this
Savanation endlessly rails Republicans, yet blindly ignores the fact that Democrats are also culpable for the U.S.’s state of affairs too. His disdain and incessant rants about Boehner, especially in recent days, appear to result from Boehner’s lack of a record of pork barrel, wasteful spending and Savanation’s need to do exactly the opposite as he supports “massive stimulation” (i.e. spending) for little more reason than we need it. Too bad so many unqualified homebuyers felt that way too.
By SillyMe
May 11, 2009 6:08 PM | Link to this
I say let John Boehner stand on his record for funding he has brought back to Butler County….wait, he has not brought any….I say Let John Boehners record stand on all the things he has done for Butler County…..wait he has not done any of that either….I say Let John Boehner resign and allow Jones to step in since you don’t think he can beat you.
By Savanation
May 11, 2009 9:57 PM | Link to this
Dear “Anonymous”, my “distain” for Mr. Boehner quite naturally comes from his total ineptitude in doing what is right for America, because doing what is right for America is unfortunately bad for Republicans. As a perfect example: Our nation elected a dynamic leader to clean up the mess which the Republcans caused with their “distain” for all that America stands for. Mr. Boehner has done everything in his power(thankfully all the power he has is his ability to spout the gibberish his few remaining Republicans like to hear) to hinder the restoration of morality and fiscal competence to the American nation. The naivete and utter mystifaction of people like Boehner and Anonymous is astouding. America has gotten past that Republican silliness and with or without these dinosaurs, America will be great again and hopefully will be able to forget that there were hacks like Boehner around. Oh, by the way, nice tan, Boehner. You, too, Anonymous?
By Pat
May 12, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
Boehner is such a dinosaur, and past news. Go home and have a drink, and work on that tan. Let someone who wants to do the right thing represent me.
By Rick
May 12, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this
Anyone wants to see why our Country is in such a downward spiral, just read some of these “comments” people post. Sad, really sad!
By Anon
May 13, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this
Fiscal competence? Doing what’s right? Savanation, you’re so incapable of understanding the macroeconomic issues facing us, and the role BOTH parties played in getting us here - including the many interest groups like senior citizens who perennially demand more, its scary. So, let’s review: The CBO questions Obama’s plans. Foreigners already own 49% of our debt. Total indebtedness for current liabilities and unfunded promises nears $56.4 Trillion – or $483,000 per hhld. Half of 08’s budget went to net interest, Medicaid, SS and Medicare and estimates released Tuesday expect the last two will go broke sooner. Medicare has begun deficit spending and for the first time in our nation’s history we ran a deficit in April when personal income tax payments soar. Yet those concerned are dinosaurs and naïve? Please. Adding costs for yet another multi-trillion dollar entitlement for health care and even more taxes hardly appears competent nor seems to be doing what’s right, now. Yet, you’d spend, borrow and tax more. Then again, people who don’t pay and have their hands out the farthest usually do. Though, Obama’s far-reaching plans will likely result in even more costs for you, so many that you’ll likely change your tune, and your name to Savabuck. .
By Savanation
May 13, 2009 9:41 AM | Link to this
“interest groups like senior citizens who perennially demand more, its scary”(anon). Hmmmm? Surely you are including in your “special interest” groups those who perennially demand cuts in the capital gains taxes? Do you include those multi-millionaires who don’t want to pay estate taxes? You must include the big energy companies who perennially demand huge tax breaks while at the same time taking in obscene profits? And how could you miss the special interest groups like the 83 of the 100 biggest (American?) companies who hide their profits from the American taxpayer in places like the Cayman Islands while at the same time throwing American workers out of their jobs? Of course there is that big special interest group who don’t like the idea of paying the same tax rate they were paying back in the 90’s when they were making money so fast they couldn’t hide it in Swiss bank accounts fast enough. Then there is that special interest group who wasted the cost of a million teabags because they don’t like paying for the roads they drive their BMW’sor for the fire and police protection they would hollar their head off about if they didn’t have. Seems to me that the people with their hands out all the time are the folks who voted for Bush because they knew that the Republicans wouldn’t do a damn thing to curb their greed. Seems to me that these are the special interest groups that President Oabam was elected to curb. Thank God. Sorry, Anon, the American people have spoken. You and your special interest friends have lost your “Free Lunch”.
By LesC
May 13, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this
If sheriff Jones doesn’t get enough backing from the Republicans, maybe he should look for support among Democrats. In the absense of a strong contender from the Democrats, I would vote for him over Boehner. I agree with his stance on illegal immigration and passing laws that go after employers that hire them. As a Democrat, I see him as a strong conservative leader that, frankly, I wish was in the Democrat party. I don’t agree with his support of the SunCoke plant but other than that I think he is doing a good job. On the other hand, Boehner’s antics are self serving and embarassing. What ever happened to term limits John?
By Anon
May 16, 2009 4:52 PM | Link to this
Thanks Savabuck, every keystroke you make furthers my main point…you don’t understand. And, Free Lunches? Please. You write as if government owns everything we earn and that we should be lucky for what we’re allowed to keep. Sorry, all American’s – wealthy and poor, want to keep more of what they earn. And, contrary to your hardened beliefs, many of us “fortunate enough” to be in Obama’s taxation sights would be fine with paying more… provided that money was used to improve this country’s net worth. It’s not, and that’s the point. Most people with wealth are not in that category because of saving a few extra points in taxes, it’s because that group doesn’t p**s away money, nor over extend itself. Too bad we can’t expect government to act the same, instead it’s poised to launch the addition of trillions of dollars in new entitlement and consumptive stimulus programs that will only further weaken this country’s already precarious situation for generations. Yet, you approve. What a surpise. (P.S. BMW builds cars in the USA too)
By Anon
May 16, 2009 4:55 PM | Link to this
Thanks Savabuck, every keystroke you make furthers my main point…you really don’t understand. And, Free Lunches? Please. You write as if government owns everything we earn and that we should be lucky for what we’re allowed to keep. Sorry, all American’s – wealthy and poor, want to keep more of what they earn. And, contrary to your hardened beliefs, many of us “fortunate enough” to be in Obama’s taxation sights would be fine with paying more… provided that money was used to improve this country’s net worth. It’s not, and that’s the point. Most people with wealth are not in that category because of saving a few extra points in taxes, it’s because that group doesn’t p**s away money, nor over extend itself. Too bad we can’t expect government to act the same, instead it’s poised to launch the addition of trillions of dollars in new entitlement and consumptive stimulus programs that will only further weaken this country’s already precarious situation for additional generations. Yet, you approve. What a surpise. (P.S. BMW builds cars in the USA too)