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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2010 > October > 08 > Entry
U.S. Senate candidates Portman, Fisher trade jabs in debate
By Laura A. Bischoff Columbus Bureau
CLEVELAND — Suffering from a hoarse voice, lousy poll numbers and anemic fund-raising, Democrat Lee Fisher hammered away at Republican Rob Portman, painting him as a Washington insider and darling of the insurance and financial services industries.
“The bottom line is it’s not whether you serve, it’s who you serve,” Fisher said at a lunch-time debate at the City Club in Cleveland before 575 people. “…I think he’s serving the lobbyists, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Wall Street, the insurance industry, which is why he is able to put his ads on TV tonight and the next day and the next day.”
The two squared off in the second of three debates sponsored by the Ohio Newspaper Organization, which includes the Dayton Daily News. The two candidates for U.S. Senate will debate a final time in Columbus on Tuesday.
In his parting shot, Fisher told the audience: “You want to see the jobs that I have saved and created during this storm that he helped create? Go anywhere in Ohio. You want to see the jobs that he helped create? Go to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong.”
Portman managed to get in jabs at Fisher by trying to pin the blame on him for nearly 400,000 jobs being lost in Ohio since the Strickland-Fisher administration took office in January 2007.
“We need something new. We need a fresh approach. The status quo is not working,” said Portman, who served 12 years in Congress before resigning in April 2005 to become George W. Bush’s trade representative and later his budget director.
“We need to turn things around in Washington because Washington is putting out more and more job killing legislation, exploding the deficit and the debt, which is not helping to create opportunity here in Ohio.”
Fisher, who serves as lieutenant governor and had been development director, failed to help Ohio businesses, including DHL in Wilmington, Portman charged.
“What I’m hearing is that you didn’t go. You didn’t go until the company made the decision to drop 8,000 people, the largest employer in that several county area,” Portman said.
Fisher refuted that charge, saying he had spoken to the general counsel of DHL only weeks before the shipping company blindsided Ohio officials with its decision to leave Wilmington.
Portman also said Fisher failed to show up as promised to visit Wooster Motor Ways.
An exchange of emails last spring between Paul Williams of Wooster Motor Ways and Fisher show the Democrat solicited Williams for a campaign contribution and later offered to meet with Williams to talk about workers compensation and other issues. Williams said the follow up visit never happened.
As the campaign gets down to the final weeks, Portman, 54, is leading Fisher, 59, by double digits in most political polls and holds roughly a 7:1 fund-raising advantage.
The two are vying for the seat now held by U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, who decided not to seek re-election. It is the first time since 1998 that Ohio has had an open senate seat.
While the Fisher campaign had one TV ad on the airwaves two weeks ago, Portman is now on his eighth commercial and is expected to stay on TV through the Nov. 2 election.
The two men are no strangers to Ohio politics but neither wanted to claim the mantel of career politician.
Fisher, a former lawmaker and attorney general, noted that he was out of public office for 12 years before returning in 2006.
“He first ran for office back when I was getting out of college and disco was still cool. I mean it was 1980,” Portman said.
“It is still cool,” Fisher interjected.
“He has run for about every office in Ohio. He has run five times for office statewide in the state of Ohio. I’ve never done that,” Portman said. “So, for him to stand here today and say Portman is political and I’m not. … Let’s cut through all of this. He doesn’t want to talk about his record. And I can see why because it’s a record of failure for Ohio’s workers: 400,000 jobs lost.”
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By Playmmeplimew
December 13, 2010 10:10 AM | Link to this
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December 9, 2010 10:45 AM | Link to this
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December 4, 2010 12:10 AM | Link to this
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November 25, 2010 11:57 PM | Link to this
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By Buhomitodytum
November 21, 2010 8:51 PM | Link to this
Читаю и чувствую себя как дома. Спасибо создателям за хороший ресурс!
By VawDyday
November 18, 2010 8:39 PM | Link to this
Прикольная новость! Буду рад читать ещё ваши статьи. Пишите ещё!
By heibiannila
November 13, 2010 10:34 AM | Link to this
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By The Emperor has no clothes
October 27, 2010 4:12 PM | Link to this
This administration stating Republicans’ are for WallStreet, and therefore is bad is the same as Clinton saying cheating on your spouse is wrong more of the same MISinformation, and lies people have had to endure for decades because many people haven’t known what their reps. are doing for decades. Obama, this administration and Goldman Sachs are symbiotic Chief of Staff Rham Emanuel was a chief proponent of the $700 billion Wall Street bailout in 2008 GS and JP Morgan have given millions to Obama and Emanuel. Emanuel received more money from the securities and investment industry - $600,500 as of Sep. 30, 2008 - than did any other member of the US House, and it was more than either presidential candidate received. When will people get enough of getting used as a means to meet a disgusting end and/or socialism/totalitarian government? -smartvoter-org/ Our goal is to provide the best nonpartisan information about all contests on your ballot to help you make an informed decision. -*electionlawblog.org/archives/2010_07.html a good resource for research, and help with reform wksu.org/news 89.7 Kent State U. & OH Public Media many political comments/recordings
By The Emperor has no clothes
October 27, 2010 4:02 PM | Link to this
therealbarackobama-wordpress.com/2009/01/30/Everywhere you look, its MoveOn-org; and Surprise! Its MoveOn-org again!…As stated in his speakers profile, Jeffrey Blum is founder and co-chair of Health Care for America Now. Watch the brief July 8, 2008, launch announcement here: And Surprise! its a brand-spanking new lobby comprised of some of our favorite Obama backers and was formed just in time for the Obama administrations health care plan. HCAN, established as recently as July 2008, is an unprecedented coalition led by: ACORN, AFSCME, Americans United for Change, Campaign for Americas Future, Center for American Progress Action Fund, Center for Community Change, MoveOn.org, National Education Association, National Womens Law Center, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, SEIU, United Food and Commercial Workers, and USAction… - biggovernment-com Obama Lawyer with SEIU, AFL-CIO Connections Sidesteps Ethical Complaints Aug 17 2010 - …In a letter addressed to Attorney General Eric Holder, the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation (NRTWF) points out that Craig Becker, who now sits on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) as a recess appointee, has declined to recuse himself in multiple cases involving his former employers, most notably, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the AFL-CIO…
By The Emperor has no clothes
October 27, 2010 4:00 PM | Link to this
HEALTHSCARE TAX - Not much service available when the forced TAXES with the healthscare mandate take effect; the taxes will apparently be automatically taken from your check just like union dues. We should at least get a free jar of Vaseline - but nothing we can do about this, the federal government will do whatever it wants kudos to the socialists/communists & welcome to the United Socialists States of America Socialists Emissaries International Unite. -thehill-com/blogs/Tea Party docs: ‘Self-serving’ AMA betraying physicians, patients - 09/07/10 -thirdbasepolitics.blogspot.com/2010/09/invacare-uberfail-and-whats-next - rj pestritto biography - Woodrow Wilson and the Roots of Modern Liberalism. articlesbase-com keyword search for never fear, sustainable living is here many searches can be made such as is Obama a Socialist.
By The Emperor has no clothes
October 27, 2010 3:57 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately Democrat currently brings the image of socialism and/or communism/totalitarian control to mind a little research can verify why this image is justified the democrat/socialist march in Washington not long ago is one example of what would never have been tolerated in America a few years ago. Searching government corruption will also link the current administration with the seek and destroy private enterprise/CAPITALISM mission. The current neo-democrat socialists’ have done more damage than many dictatorships. Lee Fisher may be a good person, but let’s do something novel for a change, and judge him on character, and history of caring about America; the current administration is killing private enterprise the reps. in office seem to think party support is more important than America, - so Portman has my vote. This administration is not going to tell America that they know more than voters, stating Republicans’ are stalling their progress - GOOD FOR ANYONE WHO STALLS their progress to federal control of private enterprise they MISrepresent the facts, and hope people are stupid enough to believe their spew. November will produce a lame duck Congress and not too soon then caring Americans’ will have to mop up after the damage this administration has caused.
By DigolosSSD
October 17, 2010 6:07 PM | Link to this
Мне понравился ресурс. Уже многие ресурсы хорошо выглядят наконец то научились делать красиво. Наш информационный век заставил людей делать свои дела и мгновенно решать различного рода вопросы через глобальную сеть Интернет.
By Pomoshnik
October 17, 2010 2:04 PM | Link to this
Interesting enough article I always noticed that for success in the light of it is necessary to have a silly appearance and to be clever.)
By jay1j
October 17, 2010 8:14 AM | Link to this
by SumashtDilovf,,,This is Muslim for Death to America and to all Infidels, It also states how wonderful and TRUTHFUL and Unbiased The DDN is.
By SumashtDilovf
October 16, 2010 6:19 PM | Link to this
Гений, прикованный к чиновничьему столу, должен умереть или сойти с ума, точно так же, как человек с могучим телосложением при сидячей жизни и скромном поведении умирает от апоплексического удара.
By Rigney
October 16, 2010 5:46 PM | Link to this
Perspective obviously you have forgotten about the last 8 years and America or Ohio will not. I am not picking on you but the working class has had enough! Your either wealthy or your a relative, friend. But true republicans do not vote for just republicans we vote for what is right for America or the states. This party has done nothing the last 20 months and has not tried too. I have been watching them closely with this administration and last. Democrats are not perfect as well but they are working for the people as both should together. I am a shame of the republican party they have sold america out for the day to day working class check and do your research before you make an opinon.
By JaQ
October 16, 2010 3:50 PM | Link to this
Perspective you are wrong check the history. So what you are saying if we vote republican then this country will recover ? Check your facts we all know democrats and republicans are wealthy most are doctors, lawyers. We are getting off track. This why we have lost sight we do not get facts. MD I know your post is not perfect but at least most of your facts is RIGT and true!
By Perspective
October 14, 2010 12:51 PM | Link to this
Md- Your post is very rambling and hard to understand. You are under many misconceptions.The Democrats have a majority and cannot be stopped if they all vote together.Obama’s plan calls for $500 billion cut in Medicare. Why do you think the Democrats are for the little man and woman? Corruption? A fine example of that is Charlie Rangel,oh thats right he’s a Democrat.Umm lets see,Maxine Waters. Oops another Democrat. I’ve asked this before and I’ll ask again. Can anyone give me the name of a Democrat senator or congressperson that is poor? Didn’t think so.
By Md
October 13, 2010 11:27 AM | Link to this
This country better wake up now. We have had 8 years and 20 months of the fat dog republicans not working for the lower working class even longer check history. This is fact and stop the games voters who have kept up know. The republicans was seen to work together with demo the last 20 months all we have paid them for is NO’s , Delays, gridlocks, blocks in the senate only having 59 senators with no bipartisan. This is joke to say send these people back to washington that send jobs out of the country, mess with the elderly social security and medicare, support the Big Insurance raising rates before the new administration and now trying to defeat them running this country out of business because they know they are doing wrong and need regulated. It is a shame the true hurts but this party has too many too list on how corrupted they are for a very few to continue to run this country to a hole. It is a shame these guys will do anything for a vote. Most Ohio voters are not stupid and do research and are not rich and are not going to take this anymore they are going to set an example at this election as well as the country we own it not the few for large corporations support. It is time to set an example for once for the little men and women.
By Perspective
October 12, 2010 12:37 PM | Link to this
Does anyone seriously think that ANY politician isn’t in someones pocket? Democrats and Republicans alike are beholden to someone.
By mort
October 11, 2010 1:14 PM | Link to this
Rubert Murdoch gave Kaisch over a million dollars to run ads against Srickland. I wonder how much Portman has recieved. It appears that Fox news spokesman/Wall Street Kaisch wants to be Governor. While Bush, Trade/Budget guy Portman who send jobs away wants to sit in the senate
By Harold James
October 11, 2010 6:36 AM | Link to this
I support Portman because I am not willing to risk losing my gun rights since Fisher is anti-gun. I support Portman because I know he is opposed to the healthcare bill, cap and trade and all the other lame brain legislation the libs have forced on us! I support Portman, Boehner and Kasich!
By Al Tennysn
October 10, 2010 12:55 PM | Link to this
jon/ny How can you so authoritatively pontificate about any type of “freedom” in our society when it is obvious that you have absolutely no clue about where your tax dollars really go? Before you get too wrapped up in listening for any more of those “chirping crickets,” you might want to take some time to become an informed taxpayer. To be sure, there are idiotic politicians in both parties. But supporting hawkish politicians like Portman and Turner who want to keep feeding this nation’s bloated and insatiable military beast while ignoring the basic human needs of Ohio families is just plain crazy. http://www.nationalpriorities.org/taxday2010
By just tell me
October 10, 2010 5:41 AM | Link to this
Im was just watching the wall street journal report and it saddens me to see that American companies are reporting record profits while not hiring any american employees. Its truely ashame. Republicans encourage companies to send american jobs overseas. They are against unemployment comp, social security, medicare, medicare, food stamps for poor children, do I need to go on. Can any of you repubs tell me how unemploying americans by sending their jobs overseas is a good thing? Can you show me a bill that the repubs have passed that helps the working man? All the white collar guys I know who are repub say that they went to college and anyone who didnt deserves to make minimum wage their whole life. Can anyone who is repub tell me what repubs have done for me, a working american?
By jon/ny
October 9, 2010 8:25 AM | Link to this
I see the same old Demon’s (different Names this time) are out in force in the comment section,they use the same old lies in Different Columns. Nothing new, why because they don’t have anything else. I know, Lets hear How the Demoncrats have made this nation Stronger and better in any respect(Cricket’s Chripping).You know the End is near for all you freedom haters and welfare lovers, So find The Rock that you Slithered out from under Two yrs ago and prepare to Slither Back. Remember in NOV freedom Lovers
By jon/ny
October 9, 2010 8:24 AM | Link to this
I see the same old Demon’s (different Names this time) are out in force in the comment section,they use the same old lies in Different Columns. Nothing new, why because they don’t have anything else. I know, Lets hear How the Demoncrats have made this nation Stronger and better in any respect(Cricket’s Chripping).You know the End is near for all you freedom haters and welfare lovers, So find The Rock that you Slithered out from under Two yrs ago and prepare to Slitter Back. Remember in NOV freedom Lovers
By brian
October 9, 2010 2:41 AM | Link to this
Congressional Republicans continued to use tired and false arguments against unemployment benefits. These are the same Congressional Republicans who instead of supporting middle-class Americans as they look for work support nearly $700 billion in deficit-busting Bush tax cuts for the wealthy few without paying for them, leaving everyone else to fend for themselves.
By Connecting the Dots
October 9, 2010 2:40 AM | Link to this
Who is funding all these anti-Obama health care insurance reform TV ads? Falsely stating it will kill jobs. Health Insurance corporations. Why? They can’t cancel health coverage anymore even for non payments. Now over 20 thousands are cancelled every week. Can’t refuse coverage for pre-existing health conditions. Must spend at least 80 % of premiums collected on medical care instead executive salaries and bloated administrative costs. Will have no limits to coverage amounts.
By brian
October 9, 2010 2:38 AM | Link to this
Congressional Republicans continued to use tired and false arguments against unemployment benefits. These are the same Congressional Republicans who instead of supporting middle-class Americans as they look for work support nearly $700 billion in deficit-busting Bush tax cuts for the wealthy few without paying for them, leaving everyone else to fend for themselves.
By Move America Forward
October 9, 2010 1:40 AM | Link to this
There is no such thing as a Pro-Jobs Republican. Unless you consider a temp job with no benifits a real job?
By True Story
October 9, 2010 12:58 AM | Link to this
Portman’s plan to increase jobs is to give payroll tax abatements. Using Stimulus Money to pay for it. Which every Republican is against and says the Stimulus spending didn’t work when when a CNBC anchor said it did work and saved millions of jobs of Teachers, Policemen and Firemen and contruction workers etc. Portman is a ragging hypocrite owned by the by the Health Insurance Corporations and Wall Street Corporations. Portman would move Ohio back to the light weight ideology of deregulation and tax cuts for people that don’t need them solves every issue. Thats what got us into the Great Republican Recession.
By karon
October 9, 2010 12:49 AM | Link to this
Conservative means boring and they work for the rich people! I would like to see this state have passenger trains and have some fun! Vote Fisher!
By BuckeyeNationite
October 8, 2010 9:23 PM | Link to this
Portman’s “when Disco was still cool” line is the funniest of this campaign season. Great job!
By Stillwen Brazel
October 8, 2010 8:57 PM | Link to this
I support Portman because I want a conservative majority in the Senate. Portman seems to be an ethical man, strong character and certainly better than Fisher!