Joy and Lowell Wolfe say they didn't become politically active until Barack Obama was elected to the White House.
Since then, the couple from Geauga County has volunteered for Republican causes, including working to repeal the new health care law. They want to kick Obama out of office, and send Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown packing too. They see Brown as walking in lock-step with the president.
"When people of Ohio had differences with the president, Sherrod Brown cast his vote with the president," said Lowell Wolfe.
Enter Josh Mandel.
Mandel is challenging Brown for his Senate seat. Currently Ohio's treasurer, Mandel has energized voters like the Wolfes who make up the Republican base.
The Wolfes and roughly 200 other votes came to the on Tuesday night to hear Mandel speak to a crowd of supporters.
These voters, all staunch supporters of Mandel's candidady, said he is a credible and exciting opponent to the Democratic incumbent, one they think could make inroads in Cuyahoga County, traditionally a Democratic stronghold.
"He's a valid candidate and challenger to Sen. Brown," said Dennis Tidmore, president of the Southeast Republican Club, which hosted Mandel's rally in Solon. "He's diametrically opposed to what Brown stands for."
"Ohio is a swing state, one of the seven or eight states that are pivotal," he added. "If Republicans are galvanized and get out the vote and hit the streets and motivate others, so goes the nation."
During his speech, Mandel said Brown is a good person who loves his country but that the two men "just have a different idea of where we want to take this country" on issues such as health care and job creation.
"We're going to win it by going eyeball to eyeball, and gatherings just like this, and convincing people that the policy ideas and the vision for the country that I see, for which I fight, will take our nation, our state and our families in a much better direction," Mandel said.
The Mandel-versus-Brown tilt is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing races in the country. That's clear to anyone who's watched their television in recent weeks, as the money flows in and candidates and outside groups pummel each other with advertising. The contest will likely be the most expensive in Ohio history.
Joy Wolfe said Mandel is an honest candidate who she believes wants what's best for Ohioans.
"I think it's very important to have somebody responsible and who will work to improve our lives," she said. "Brown is too far left for me, so I'm interested to see how far Mandel's going to go."
If he was part of the solution, he would have accomplished something by now. Josh Mandel will NOT just vote the party line -- if you got to know him, you would realize that. I feel his youth and outside-of-Washington thinking will be an asset. We need more like him.
Factcheck.org -- it's a wonderful website that provides actual facts and debunks much of what you hear in the news and on the political ads. It's non-partisan you get the real story. Anyone reading it will see that clearly there's a lot of misinformation out there, which is what they want.
Richard Florida's BEYOND MASS PRODUCTION and also by Florida THE RISE OF THE CREATIVE CLASS. There are many reasons innovative 21st century businesses and those who want to work in them are having great success in places like Chicago, NYC, SF, LA, Seattle, Austin, Denver, Madison. With close to 25% of all working Americans - over 40 million - now employed in these 21st businesses if Ohio is to survive as an economic state, it has to start to think 21st century and not 20th century. And a lot of that thinking will be in direct contrast to what the state leadership now advocating/legislating, such as the ridiculous out of step Ohio Health Care Amendment. Ohio needs to advocate for innovation, tolerance, technology in the new workplace or face total economic disaster.
1. Co-sponsor of the Protect-IP Act 2. Opposed the Iraq War and the billions to fund it 3. Voted to get our troops out of Iraq with firm deadlines 4. Voted to provide education fund for veterans 5. Voted to extend unemployment benefits in the midst of the worst depression since 1929 6. Voted to reduce Medicaid fraud 7. Voted for funds to combat drug trafficing 8. Voted for funds to assist victims of natural disasters 9. Voted to impose duties on Chinese imports 10. Voted for several human rights issues, including repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell 11. Voted for FDA to create new incentives for development of new medicines 12. Voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to insure reform of the health care system 13. Author of two well received/reviewed books on Congress and Free Trade 14. Advocates to protect Buy America laws, advocates for start up funds to assist minority businesses and woman owned businesses, and advocates to hold foreign manufacturers to American labor and environmental standards. 15. Firm advocate of saving/protecting the environment for our children/grandchildren Bobbi, can you provide a list of Josh's accomplishments/successes? Would love to see that one - even if it a bit shorter! LOL
The amount of hatred & derogatory remarks that have been directed at Barack & Michelle Obama, since entered the White House, is disgusting & shameful. Vile filthy remarks that would never be said about a white president & white first lady, even if they brought the country to a standstill. It also proves that a great many Americans, probably you included, never moved past the days of slavery.
But I'm sure you already knew that...
Not producing tax returns Supporting war type weapons allowed to be sold to citizens Hiding bank accounts off shore to avoid paying taxes Lying, cheating middle America and supporting big business free of taxes.. Now THAT'S ANTI AMERICAN! Don't ya think?
My point/comment was that the Tea Party represents the most simplistic approach to solving very complex problems today in USA. The operational systems/policies of Fannie and Freddie Mac are of course, linked to banking and the mortgage industries. I guess the complexities of it all may be a bit too much for those Tea Party/Fox News devotees out there! LOL
it should be: too ambitious Mandel and very retro Romney represent your voting for Tax Bias Socialism for the Rich, while Pres. Obama and Senator Brown represent your voting for an America that is Tax Fairness for everyone else!