John Kasich

Kasich: 'My Life Is A Lot Better' Without Newspapers

David Taintor | November 29, 2011, 1:18PM

Governor John Kasich (R-OH)

Newspapers really are a bummer, aren't they? Always informing readers of news from far-away places, of local legislatures and even governors, like Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who it turns out couldn't care less.

"I don't read newspapers in the state of Ohio," Kasich said Monday at a college in Columbus. "Very rarely do I read a newspaper. Because ... reading newspapers does not give you an uplifting experience. ... I have found my life is a lot better if I don't get aggravated by what I read in the newspaper."

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Ohio

Ohio Voters Emphatically Reject Kasich's Anti-Union Law

Eric Kleefeld | November 8, 2011, 9:21PM

Ohio Democrats, who got absolutely creamed in the 2010 elections, have now won a major victory over Republican Gov. John Kasich -- massively winning a referendum to repeal Kasich's anti-public employee union law.

With 19% of precincts reporting -- which includes a significant chunk of the total ballots, due to early-votes being counted quickly -- the bill known as SB 5 is losing by a margin of 63%-37%, and the "No" position has been projected as the winner by the Associated Press.

Pre-election polling showed the No campaign winning by over 20 points -- and it seemed possible at time of writing that the final margin might even surpass this.

As TPM has documented, SB 5 has become a political poster child for Democrats pushing against Republicans, following the 2010 GOP wave, with the Dems and labor unions mobilizing while at the same time Kasich's popularity tanked in the polls.

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2011 Elections

Poll: Ohio Set To Vote Big Against Kasich's Anti-Union Law

Eric Kleefeld | November 6, 2011, 10:38PM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

A new survey from Public Policy Polling (D) shows Ohio Democrats and public employee unions likely to win a big victory on Tuesday in the referendum on Republican Gov. John Kasich's anti-public union bill, SB-5.

The poll shows only 36% of Ohioans will vote to support the law, while a decisive 59% oppose the bill and will vote to repeal it.

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Ohio

Kasich: We Can Win Just Like 'Big Championship Game' (Which Never Happened)

Eric Kleefeld | November 4, 2011, 10:57AM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) is fighting an uphill battle in next week's referendum on his anti-public employee union legislation, triggered by a Democratic petitioning effort. And his latest effort to turn things around is -- an embarrassingly incorrect sports metaphor.

The Columbus Dispatch reports:

"We never thought (former Cleveland Browns quarterback) Bernie Kosar would bring the Browns back and win that big championship game," Kasich said.

Kasich, a Steelers fan who grew up in suburban Pittsburgh, apparently didn't know that Kosar never won a championship game with the Browns, going 0-3 in AFC title tilts with trips to the Super Bowl on the line.

Oh yeah, "that big championship game." Or to put this more simply: D'oh!

(Via Huffington Post)

2011 Elections

Ohio Great-Grandma Fires Back In New Ad: 'They Must Be Desperate' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 14, 2011, 5:44PM

We Are Ohio, the progressive group leading the campaign in the referendum on whether to sustain or repeal Gov. John Kasich's new law SB 5 -- getting rid of most collective bargaining rights for public unions -- has a new ad that once again stars senior citizen Marlene Quinn. This new ad comes in response to a spot from a conservative group -- which sampled Quinn's previous ad, and twisted things to make it sound like she should (or actually did) support the anti-union law.

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Ohio

Pro-Union Group Blasts 'Deceitful' Campaign Vid In Ohio Referendum

Eric Kleefeld | October 12, 2011, 12:50PM

The campaign in Ohio for this November's referendum, on whether to sustain or repeal Gov. John Kasich's new law SB 5 -- getting rid of most collective bargaining rights for public unions -- just got a lot uglier.

Now, the Dayton Daily News reports, some TV stations are pulling an ad from the pro-bill campaign -- and splicing it into an ad for the anti-bill campaign, and making it look like the woman in the earlier spot favored the bill.

Last week, the progressive group We Are Ohio released an ad starring a senior citizen, Marlene Quinn, talking about how firefighters saved the life of her grand-daughter.

"I don't want the politicians in Columbus making decisions for the firefighters, the police, teachers, nurses, or any organization that's helping people," Quinn declares in the ad. "Fewer firefighters could mean the different between life or death -- and that's why I'm voting 'No' on Issue 2."

In response, the pro-SB 5 group Building A Better Ohio has a new spot up, sampling from We Are Ohio.

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Ohio

Kasich: Defeat In SB5 Referendum Would Make Ohio A 'Slow, Heavy Labor State'

Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2011, 2:26PM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) has a dire warning about what could happen if his newly-passed law to weaken collective bargaining for public employee unions were to be repealed in a referendum in November: It would send a message to businesses that Ohio is "slow" and "heavy", and too beholden to labor unions.

"If we don't win this, the setback is how does Ohio get labeled in the minds of companies around this country," Kasich told the Canton Repository. "Is it a slow heavy labor state? Which tends to scare decision makers, CEOs.

"It's just important we win this. I mean if we don't win, it it'll be a setback to economic growth. But I think we're going to win."

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Ohio

Kasich Opponents: Repeal Your Anti-Union Law -- Then We'll Talk

Eric Kleefeld | August 18, 2011, 5:33PM

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R)

The Ohio labor and progressive-backed political group that is behind the referendum to repeal Gov. John Kasich's new law, which would weaken collective bargaining rights for public unions, has a response to his offer on Wednesday for compromise: We'll sit down and talk -- after you repeal the bill in its entirety.

"We are asking you for a fresh start, and that fresh start must begin with a full repeal of Senate Bill 5," the group declared in a letter released Thursday, with emphasis in the original.

"A complete repeal of Senate Bill 5 would go a long way toward creating an environment for compromise, restoring trust in government by the electorate and setting the table for meaningful negotiations about creating jobs, rebuilding Ohio's economy and moving the state forward."

As such, it seems as if the most likely scenario is that the bill will not be repealed, and the referendum will go forward this November -- with the bill's opponents currently ahead in the race.

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Ohio

Kasich: Let's Make A Deal On My Anti-Union Bill -- And Call Off The Repeal Referendum

Eric Kleefeld | August 17, 2011, 3:34PM

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R)

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) on Wednesday offered a deal to the state's public employee unions: Let's compromise on my law stripping away your collective bargaining rights -- and withdraw the referendum where you could get it repealed.

The Columbus Dispatch reports on Kasich's press conference, at which he was also joined by top Republican legislative leaders:

Kasich said avoiding a fight is in "best interest of everyone, including public employee unions." He asked the unions to "set aside political agendas and past offenses."

The governor said the offer stems from him being a "believer in talking," and not out of "a fear we are going to lose." Kasich asked for a delegation of 10 public employee union leaders to talk with state officials.

The law has not actually taken effect, but was put on hold by the petition process that triggered the referendum for this November. A recent Quinnipiac poll from this past July showed that repealing the bill had a lead of either slightly under or over 20 points, depending on the wording of the question.

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Ohio

The Next Labor Vs. GOP Fight: Ohio

Eric Kleefeld | August 12, 2011, 6:00AM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

Following Democrats' and organized labor's near-miss in the Wisconsin state Senate recalls, in which they fell just short of picking up the magic number of seats that would have flipped control of the chamber, the political world will now turn to a new battle: Ohio.

The Wisconsin fight was triggered due to newly-elected Gov. Scott Walker's anti-public employee union legislation, which eliminated most collective bargaining rights that unions had previously enjoyed for decades.

Over in Ohio, where Gov. John Kasich passed similar legislation, labor and other liberal groups have pursued a different tack under that state's election procedures: Triggering a referendum for this November, in which voters will be able to strike down the legislation directly, and which has in fact placed the very law itself on hold pending their decision.

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2011 Elections

Referendum Officially Triggered In Ohio To Ax Kasich's Anti-Public Employee Union Bill

Eric Kleefeld | July 21, 2011, 12:45PM

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R)

It's official: As expected in the big swing state of Ohio, where Republicans gained control of state government in the 2010 wave and then enacted a new law to limit collective bargaining for public employee unions, voters will now head back to the polls in November 2011 -- to potentially repeal that same law before it could ever take effect.

If the bill is repealed by voters, it would be a significant defeat to Republican Gov. John Kasich, and a potential dry run for the 2012 campaigns in the state. A Quinnipiac poll released this week showed that repealing the bill had a lead of either slightly under or over 20 points, depending on the wording of the question.

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted (R) has certified that the petition process, which put the law completely on hold, has met the signature thresholds, and that the bill be put up to a referendum this November.

This move was widely expected, and was only a matter of working out the bureaucratic process, because it was already public knowledge that organizers had surpassed the minimum signatures by several times over.

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Polls

Ohio Poll: Obama Bests All Challengers, Brown Up

Kyle Leighton | July 21, 2011, 9:44AM

President Barack Obama

As any political pundit worth his or her salt will tell you, you can't win the presidency as a Republican, Democratic, Whig or Bull Moose party member without winning the state of Ohio. Right now, President Barack Obama leads all GOP challengers there.

The quintessential swing state has done just that over the last two cycles, with Democrats making gains in 2006 and 2008 and Republicans taking some back 2010. In 2006, the Goverorship went Democratic for the first time in sixteen years, and incumbent GOP Sen. Mike DeWine lost his re-election bid in the wake of former Gov. Bob Taft (R) becoming the first Ohio Chief Executive to be convicted of a crime. In 2008, President Obama took the state by well over 200,000 votes.

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John Kasich

Poll: Kasich Sinks Further, Ohio Voters Want To Repeal Union Busting Law

Kyle Leighton | July 20, 2011, 11:54AM

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R)

Ohio Governor John Kasich (R) had to be feeling pretty good a little over eight months ago when he knocked off incumbent Ted Strickland on his way to being the Buckeye State's chief executive. Now it's the people of Ohio who don't feel that great about him.

Kasich's approval rating registered at a paltry 35% in the latest Quinnipiac poll of Ohio voters, with 50% disapproving of the Governor's performance, directly in line with the current TPM Poll Average. Ohio was one of the major flash points in the fight between newly elected Republican governors and public employee unions over collective bargaining rights, compensation and benefits. Much of the poll shows a public resistance to Kasich's policy in the area, but agreement that public employees should pay more of their health insurance and pension contributions.

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John Kasich

Ohio Gov. Dumps On Lebron James, Praises Mavericks' NBA Title

Jon Terbush | June 13, 2011, 5:02PM

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R)

An elephant never forgets. And when it comes to Lebron James, it appears that Ohioans don't either.

On Monday, Ohio Governor John Kasich (R) issued a declaration lauding the Dallas Mavericks for winning this year's NBA championship by defeating the Miami Heat, and naming the entire Mavericks organization and their fans honorary Ohioans. But that declaration was less a commendation for Dallas as it was a snide dig at James, the Ohio-born phenom who conducted a giant press circus last summer to announce he was jumping ship on the Cleveland Cavaliers and taking his game to Florida.

"The Dallas Mavericks displayed the loyalty, integrity and teamwork essential to victory before the entire country, affirming that these admirable traits are as crucial as talent and athleticism," Kasich wrote in a statement.

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Pres '12

Unpopular Freshman GOP Governors Could Help Obama's Reelection Bid

Jon Terbush | May 31, 2011, 2:02PM

Gov. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

When several newly minted Republican governors began pushing through broad, unpopular legislation this year, they may have unintentionally aided President Obama's reelection odds.

Emboldened by their party's midterm election day romp, freshman GOP governors in a few crucial swing states immediately began to advance radical legislation upon taking office. But as the cost of those unpopular legislative agendas has now become clear in the form of free-falling approval ratings and incredible buyer's remorse, polls have shown that that same voter discontent could translate into a big 2012 boost for President Obama.

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John Kasich

Poll: Gov. Kasich Would Lose Do-Over Election By 25 Points

Jon Terbush | May 26, 2011, 8:51AM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

Since signing a bill earlier this year to strip public unions of most of their collective bargaining rights, Ohio Gov. John Kasich's (R) approval rating has plummeted, bottoming out at a new low in a PPP poll released Wednesday. As if that weren't bad enough, the poll also found Kasich losing a theoretical do-over election -- by an enormous 25-point margin.

Kasich narrowly defeated incumbent Gov. Ted Strickland (D) last November, and almost immediately set his sights on rolling back public sector collective bargaining rights through a bill known as S.B. 5. That drive was deeply unpopular with his constituents, prompting large protests and sending the governor's approval rating into a nosedive.

In the latest poll, only 33% of registered voters said they approve of Kasich's job performance, compared to 56% who said the disapprove of it. That result ties Kasich with Florida's Rick Scott (R) as the most unpopular of the 38 governors PPP has surveyed.

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Deficit

Progressive Groups: Polls Show Deficit Panic Is Republican Illusion

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 25, 2011, 8:41AM

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

A day after House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) confirmed that cuts to Medicare are a part of deficit reduction negotiations, progressives are out with new polling they say shows Democrats falling into a Republican trap.

The fresh numbers from Ohio, Missouri, Montana and Minnesota jibe with what national polls have shown in the past: Americans are far more concerned about job creation than they are about deficit reduction. Progressives say that shows Democrats should be leaving the deficit panic to the GOP and getting back to an agenda that protects entitlements and stimulates job growth.

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Social Security

New Polling Says Overwhelming Majority Wants Social Security Left Alone

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 23, 2011, 8:44AM

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)

Ask the voters and they'll tell you: Social Security cuts are off the table when it comes to cleaning up the budget mess in Washington.

Fresh polling from Ohio, Missouri, Montana and Minnesota published first by TPM show voters in the states overwhelmingly oppose any cuts to the Social Security entitlement program, even in the name of reducing the national debt. The coalition of progressive groups which sponsored the survey say the polls send a clear message to the Democratic Senate incumbents up for reelection in each state: cut Social Security and you'll incur the wrath of an angry electorate.

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collective bargaining

Poll: Majority Want Repeal Of Ohio Bill That Guts Collective Bargaining Rights

Jon Terbush | May 18, 2011, 3:17PM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

Two months after Gov. John Kasich (R-OH) signed a sweeping rollback of public union's collective bargaining rights, voters there still overwhelmingly disapprove of their first-term governor, and a majority say the controversial law should be repealed, according to a Quinnipiac poll released today.

In the poll, 54% of registered voters said the collective bargaining law should be repealed, while 36% said it should not. And with the law potentially headed for a referendum in November, it looks like they may get their wish.

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Ohio

Obama Slams Kasich's Union-Busting Bill In Ohio (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | April 27, 2011, 12:54PM

President Barack Obama

President Obama sat down with a local reporter from Ohio on Tuesday and laid into the anti-collective bargaining bill signed into law by Gov. John Kasich (R) last month.

SB5, as the law is known, eliminates the right of thousands of state workers to collectively bargain for benefits and makes going on strike illegal. Democrats and union supports have vowed to fight the legislation at the ballot box, and they've said the issue has done a lot to fire up the base after big Republican wins (including Kasich's) in 2010.

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John Kasich

Business Breaking With Kasich Over Union Busting Bill

Evan McMorris-Santoro | April 12, 2011, 9:12AM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

Gov. John Kasich (R) has suffered mightily for his plan to restrict the collective bargaining rights of unionized state workers in Ohio. Though the Republican-controlled state legislature passed the law, known as Senate Bill 5, and Kasich has signed it, the optics of passage have been terrible and voters have turned on their new governor less than six months after he defeated a Democratic incumbent.

Now, as the fight over SB5 shifts to a massive ballot repeal initiative organized by labor, Democrats and progressives in Ohio, Kasich's got a new problem on his hands: the support of the state Chamber of Commerce, which broke with tradition and made Kasich the first gubernatorial candidate to ever get its endorsement, is fracturing. The break is slight at the moment, but a growing number businesses who support the union cause and/or serve union members are breaking with the Chamber -- and the man they helped propel into office.

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Ohio

Once Again, Ohio GOPers Punishing Their Own Over Support For Unions

Evan McMorris-Santoro | April 7, 2011, 9:11AM

State Sen. Bill Seitz (R-OH)

For the second time in the Republican-led Ohio government's push to alter the way it interacts with state workers, a prominent Republican legislator has been stripped of a committee chairmanship in the midst of debate over legislation that unions oppose.

Sen. Bill Seitz (R) was removed on Wednesday from the state Senate's Government Oversight and Reform Committee -- the panel he chaired -- after Senate leaders said he failed to inform them of changes he was making to a bill that would raise the age and number of years of service state workers have to complete before they can retire with a pension.

Getting stripped of his committee assignment has become something of a habit for Seitz, who was pulled from a different committee
back in March at the height of the fight over SB 5, the law backed by Gov. John Kasich (R) that limits the collective bargaining rights for most state workers. Seitz opposed that bill and lost his committee assignment because of it. Now, as another union fight heats up, it's happened to him again.

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Ohio protests

As Anti-Union Bill Heads To Ohio Gov, Dems Ready For Fight

Melissa Jeltsen | March 31, 2011, 10:24AM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

Ohio's controversial bill to restrict collective bargaining rights for unionized public workers is now on its way to Governor John Kasich (R ) to be signed into law. SB 5, which makes it illegal for state workers to strike and gives local governments new powers over contract negotiations with union workers, was passed out of the state legislature Wednesday night.

Kasich is all but certain to sign the bill, which is a key part of his conservative legislative agenda. But opponents say the fight is far from over. Union supporters and Democrats are now readying for their next battle: putting the legislation to the voters of Ohio.  

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John Kasich

Poll: Percent Of Ohio Voters Who Disapprove Of New Gov. Doubles

Jon Terbush | March 23, 2011, 12:52PM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

Ohio Gov. John Kasich's first term in office is off to a rocky start. A new Quinnipiac poll shows that less than one third of registered voters approve of his job performance.

In the poll, just 30% of Ohio voters said they approved of Kasich's job performance, compared to 46% who said they disapproved. When Quinnipiac polled the state back in January, Kasich also posted a 30% approval rating. But at that time, just 22% of voters disapproved of his job performance, a number that has now more than doubled.

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Rick Snyder

Buyer's Remorse: Polls Show 3 New GOP Gov's Losing In Do Overs

Jon Terbush | March 23, 2011, 8:33AM

Last year's midterms elections swept incumbents from office nationwide, as voters turned to newcomers -- often Republican newcomers -- for change.

But just months after election day, three new Midwestern governors -- Wisconsin's Scott Walker (R), Ohio's John Kasich (R), and Michigan's Rick Snyder (R) -- have seen their approval ratings fall to the point that polls show them losing hypothetical do-over elections with the candidates they beat last year.

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OH-SEN

As Kasich Sinks, Dem. Senator's Reelection Odds Get A Big Boost

Jon Terbush | March 16, 2011, 12:26PM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

Just two months ago, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) looked vulnerable to defeat heading into 2012. But now, amid a state-level showdown over union rights that has energized voters and sent Republican Gov. John Kasich's approval rating into a tailspin, a new PPP poll of registered voters finds Brown suddenly dominating a slate of potential Republican challengers.

In December, polls showed Brown in a precarious position, barely leading relatively unknown Republicans in hypothetical 2012 contests. But in the latest survey, Brown has suddenly shot ahead of his GOP rivals, such that he now leads each of them by double-digit margins; his lead over one challenger exploded from a miniscule 2 points in December to 19 in the latest poll.

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John Kasich

Ohioans Having Incredible Buyers Remorse Over Gov. Kasich

Jon Terbush | March 15, 2011, 11:39AM

Former Rep. and current candidate for Governor John Kasich (R-OH)

Just a few months into his first term, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) appears to be immensely unpopular with his constituents, a clear majority of whom disapprove of his job performance, according to a PPP poll of registered voters. What's more, if a do-over election were held today Kasich would lose -- by a resounding 15-point margin.

Kasich barely defeated incumbent Gov. Ted Strickland (D) last November, winning by a slim 49% to 47%. But if they could do it all over again, 55% of voters now say they would vote for Strickland, while only 40% say they'd go with Kasich.

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Ohio

Poll: Would-Be Union Buster Kasich Upside Down In Approval Rating

Evan McMorris-Santoro | March 14, 2011, 2:04PM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

As they've watched him take on the collective bargaining rights of union workers in Ohio, voters in the state have given Gov. John Kasich's (R) first months in office the lowest rating of any Buckeye State governor in a long time.

A bit of background: Kasich won a squeaker of a race over incumbent Gov. Ted Strickland (D) back in November. The final result was 49% to 47%. Kasich pulled off the win thanks to the support of independents, which Strickland had won with 69% support in 2006. Last November, independents broke for Kaisich 52%-39%.

Now, it seems many of these supporters are less than thrilled. A new poll of Ohio adults from the University of Cincinnati finds just 40% of respondents approving of the job Kasich has done since January when he was sworn in. Forty-seven percent say they disapprove.

Among independents the split is even worse for Kasich.

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Rob Andrews

Dem Rep On Fenty's Anti-Union Rhetoric: 'Maybe That's Why He's The Former Mayor'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | March 8, 2011, 5:14PM

Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) and former Mayor of D.C. Adrian Fenty

Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) doesn't have time for former Washington, DC mayor Adrian Fenty's (D) concern over collective bargaining, and he says it's clear most Democrats in the nation's capital don't either. Speaking with TPM after a hearing on the union struggles in Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana, Andrews dismissed Fenty's anti-union talk on MSNBC earlier on Tuesday.

Speaking on Morning Joe Tuesday morning, Fenty -- whose term in office was marked by battles with organized labor in the city, especially the teacher's union -- said that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) was "right on the substance" and "right on the politics" when it came to the fight with unions and their supporters in the Badger State.

"I think it's a new day," Fenty said. "I think a lot of these collective bargaining agreements are completely outdated."

Andrews was not impressed.

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Ohio protests

Union Protester Gives John Kasich His 'You Lie!' Moment (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | March 8, 2011, 8:48AM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) gave his first State Of The State address Tuesday afternoon before a joint session of the Ohio legislature. And thanks to one union activist protesting Kasich's plan to strip state workers of their collective bargaining rights, it was a speech to remember.

Teresa Law, a unionized home health care provider who lost her collective bargaining rights thanks to a Kasich executive order, was in the crowd during the speech and found herself giving the governor her best Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) impression.

As Kasich began to speak about his controversial budget plan -- which is virtually guaranteed to pass in the Republican-controlled legislature -- he addressed the thousands of protesters who've been gathering inside and out the state Capitol in Columbus. When he mentioned collective bargaining the boos started.

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Ohio protests

The 'Ohio 6' Speak: Meet The GOPers Who Voted Against Kasich's Anti-Union Bill

Evan McMorris-Santoro | March 3, 2011, 10:10AM

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)

By the slimmest of margins on Wednesday, the state Senate in Ohio passed the budget bill endorsed by Gov. John Kasich (R) and deplored by the unions and Democrats. The bill now moves to the state House where the sizable Republican majority is expected to pass it easily.

But before it does, it's worth taking a look at the six Republicans who voted against the bill in the Senate, and the fears they raised about the bill. Ohio will be an important state nationally in 2012, and is often pointed to in the press as a bellwhether for the national political picture. And to hear the Republicans who turned on Kasich in the Senate yesterday tell it, the bill that would gut collective bargaining rights for thousands of state workers in Ohio is a step too far to the right.

"This bill is not balanced," Sen. Scott Oelslager, one of two Republicans booted from their committee seats so the bill could pass, told the AP. "There has to be a balance between labor and management in negotiations. It tips the scales in favor of management."

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Ohio

Union Fight Heating Up In Ohio

Evan McMorris-Santoro | March 1, 2011, 3:40PM

The battle over collective bargaining being fought in Wisconsin is far from over, but even as it rages a new fight is gathering steam in Ohio. For more than a week now, union supporters have gathered around the State Capitol in Columbus to protest Gov. John Kasich's (R) plan to limit collective bargaining rights for more than 300,000 state workers.

On Tuesday, protests reached their largest and loudest yet, according to reports from the ground.

As in Wisconsin, Ohio's new Republican governor isn't backing down. And just as protestors remain in the streets of Madison, so too are they in Ohio.

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Manufacturing

Sherrod Brown: Obama Is Disappointing On Manufacturing

Brian Beutler | February 22, 2011, 9:36AM

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

President Obama will arrive in Cleveland Tuesday for a series of small business events with entrepreneurs and members of his own cabinet.

But the Democratic senator from that state is unhappy with Obama's performance on this score thus far -- particularly when it comes to promoting manufacturing. And he's taking his critique public.

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Sherrod Brown

Sherrod Brown Backs Dems In Wisconsin -- And Encourages Hardball In Ohio

Brian Beutler | February 18, 2011, 1:49PM

Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

Ohio's senior senator praised state Democrats in Wisconsin on Friday for taking a firm stand against legislation to roll back public worker rights. And he said he expects to see similar opposition from Dems in his own state to legislation making its way through the Ohio legislature that mirrors the controversial Wisconsin bill.

"I think they're going to fight back, and I think they're figuring right now what to do," Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) told me during an interview in his Capitol Hill office.

Brown, a progressive, and committed supporter of organized labor, said that the only way for Democrats to beat back Republican plans to end collective bargaining for public sector workers is by maximizing their leverage.

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Labor

Tennessee Republicans Move To Eliminate Labor Rights For Teachers

Brian Beutler | February 18, 2011, 10:30AM

Add Tennessee to the list of states primed for a fight over public sector worker rights.

The Senate Education Committee voted along party lines Wednesday to abolish collective bargaining between teachers unions and school boards across the state.

The vote was 6-3, with all Republicans on the panel voting for the bill and all Democrats against.

Sponsor Sen. Jack Johnson said passage of the bill -- SB113 -- will remove 'an albatross from around the neck of our school boards across the state' and remove a roadblock to education reform.

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Labor

Ohio, Other States Gear Up For Wisconsin-Like Fights Over Worker Rights

Brian Beutler | February 17, 2011, 2:58PM

John Kasich

Over the course of a week, national attention has turned to Wisconsin. There, a definitional battle between Democratic backed state workers and anti-union Republicans will play out over the course of days, amid the most impassioned protests the country has seen since the anti-health care rallies of August 2009.

But just across the Great Lakes in nearby Ohio, where Republicans swept control of government in November, a similar fight is brewing.

There, the state senate is holding hearings on Bill 5, which would end collective bargaining for state workers and severely limit those rights at the local level.

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Joe The Plumber

Newly Elected, 'Joe The Plumber' Picks Dark Horse In 2012

Rachel Slajda | May 6, 2010, 9:10AM

Samuel 'Joe The Plumber' Wurzelbacher

Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher, who just won a seat on his Ohio county's Republican committee, told TPMDC that he decided to run for public office to "weed out the liars, cheaters and thieves." He has a few years, he said, before he asks God whether to run for higher office.

"I pray that he doesn't want me to run for office," Wurzelbacher said in an interview last night.

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Jim Traficant

Ex-Con Ex-Rep Traficant Mulling A Run For Office

Rachel Slajda | December 17, 2009, 12:25PM

Former Rep. Jim Traficant (D-OH)

Former Ohio Rep. Jim Traficant, who was recently released from prison following a seven-year sentence on corruption charges, announced today that he is circulating nomination petitions in three Ohio districts for the U.S. House.

Traficant, who was a Democrat when he was expelled from the House in 2002, will make a decision on whether to run -- and in what district, and under which party affiliation -- based on the response he receives. He plans to decide next month, the Youngstown Vindicator reports.

He did not say which districts he is considering. But his advisers have said in the past that they were looking at the 17th and 6th districts, which are both currently represented by Democrats.

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