I’ve been getting about a dozen press releases a day.  Being an Ohio blogger….that comes with the territory.  But as we all know, I’m not a press release guy.  I want action.  

Like this.

 Redfern to McCain: Deters Appointment is an Insult to Ohioans

Joe Deters Instigated and Defended the Bill Cunningham Rant That Even Karl Rove Condemned

Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern issued the following statement today calling upon John McCain to immediately remove former Ohio Treasurer Joe Deters as Southwest Ohio Chairman of his presidential campaign. 

“John McCain claims to be a reformer, but he surrounds himself with Washington lobbyists and appoints Joe Deters, who resigned as Ohio Treasurer in disgrace, to help direct his campaign in this critical battleground state.  Joe Deters’ appointment is an insult to Ohioans and John McCain should remove him immediately.”

“Joe Deters’ appointment is a wink and a nod to the far right.  Has John McCain conveniently forgotten that it was Joe Deters who instigated and defended the offensive Bill Cunningham rant that he himself condemned?  As per usual, John McCain is trying to have it both ways, trying to appear moderate even as he moves further and further out of the mainstream.”

Cunningham Made Offensive Comments About Obama And Democrats, McCain Apologized For The Spectacle.  In February 2008, right-wing radio host Bill Cunningham came out on stage to incite a Cincinnati crowd during a rally for Senator John McCain.  Cunningham, who often warms up audiences at Republican campaign events, called Senator Barack Obama a “hack Chicago-style Daley politician.”  Cunningham also referred to former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as an “ugly, old woman” and ripped Senator Hillary Clinton for her days as first lady.  After his speech, John McCain walked up to a crowd of reporters and apologized for Cunningham’s words.  He said he respected Obama and Clinton and called them “honorable Americans.”  McCain said he had no idea who invited Cunningham on stage and promised it would never happen again.  “I take responsibility, and I apologize,” he said. [Cleveland Plain Dealer, http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/02/rightwing_radio_host_rips_demo.html, 2/26/08; USA Today, http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-02-26-cunningham-mccain_N.htm, 2/26/08]

Deters Invited Cunningham On Stage.  On Fox News’ “Hannity & Colmes,” Bill Cunningham said that Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters was responsible for asking him on stage before McCain’s speech.  Host Sean Hannity said, “Bill Cunningham, let me ask you a serious question. We just had on the architect, Karl Rove, and Senator McCain denounced your comments, even though he wasn’t there when you made them. Even though his staff, you said last night on this program, they asked you to go out and pump up the crowd.”  Cunningham replied, “Joe Deters did.  Joe Deters.” [Fox News, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,333489,00.html, 2/28/08]

Deters Said Controversial Comments Came As No Surprise, “We’re Used To Hearing It.”  Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters introduced Cunningham to the audience, calling him a friend and a man whose face was made for radio.  After Cunningham’s controversial comments, Deters said it came as no surprise.  “Bill does this thing a lot at Republican events, and we’re used to hearing it,” he said. [Cleveland Plain Dealer, http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/02/rightwing_radio_host_rips_demo.html, 2/26/08; USA Today, http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-02-26-cunningham-mccain_N.htm, 2/26/08]