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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > February > 18 > Entry
Martin Gottlieb: Seth Morgan has good reason to seize the moment
If I were Seth Morgan, I’d go for it, too.
The extremely junior Republican state rep from Huber Heights is taking flak for his decision to run for state auditor against the choice of the state party organization.
Kent Moore, chairman of the party in Belmont County (on the West Virginia border) said last week, “I’ll be happy to explain to Seth that the reason he will not receive the support of this chairman at this time is not because I believe in ‘waiting your turn,’ as Seth assumes to be the case, but because he needs to learn to respect the GOP and its elected leaders, before he can expect to earn our support.”
Given the standing of “elected leaders” with the public, opposition like that could put Morgan over the top.
True, Republican primary voters are often presented as hierarchical and conservative people who believe in respect for leaders and believe in waiting one’s turn in line. Big-resume figures such as John McCain, Bob Dole and the first George Bush routinely were nominated for president over more conservative candidates with lesser resumes.
But Morgan’s opponent in the primary is not exactly John McCain, and, anyway… Well, let’s start at the beginning.
With the alacrity of a speed-skater getting off the starting line in a sprint, Morgan made clear his interest in being auditor at the virtual instant that John Kasich picked Auditor Mary Taylor as his lieutenant governor running mate.
At the time, he was the only Republican in the field. But two Republicans were running for attorney general. One was former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, a second cousin of state party Chairman Kevin DeWine. And one was David Yost, prosecutor in Delaware County.
A lot of Republicans saw nothing good in a challenge to Mike DeWine, who, on paper, seems an extraordinarily strong candidate in the general election. So Kevin DeWine and Yost worked something out. Yost switched to the auditor race and got the party organization’s endorsement.
Morgan didn’t get to call dibs on auditor, just by being first. That’s fair enough. But look at his political assets:
• He is the only CPA in the race. Incumbent Mary Taylor is a CPA, the first to be auditor. And she was the only statewide Republican to win in 2006 (outside of judicial races). The party got mileage out of her professional credentials, or tried to.
• Yost got diverted off a track that made a certain sense to non-politicians: from prosecutor to attorney general, which is what he really wanted. And that happened as a result of one of those “back room deals” that so often make for campaign fodder for the other side.
The deal was defensible. Kevin DeWine was trying to spread out his candidates in a way that makes sense for the party. It’s what chairmen are expected to do. But, still, there it is.
When Yost was up against Mike De- Wine, he was favored by some flaming conservatives. But now he could become a symbol to the right-wingers of the facilition not only of the more moderate Mike DeWine, but of some sort of DeWine machine.
• Morgan is a natural favorite of the Tea Party movement, the hyper-energized tug on the Republicans to the hard right. He was the only recognizable political name to speak at the local Tea Party’s first public event at Courthouse Square last year. His current spokesman organized the event.
I don’t know much about Yost. If, as seems unlikely, anybody cares, this certainly isn’t an endorsement of Morgan. We’re just handicapping the political situation here. If you’re Morgan, you see a chance worth taking.
He’s willing to give up his House seat. He’s always gone out of his way to say that, however ambitious he might look — and he certainly does, approaching 32 — if he loses an election he’s still an accountant and family man, and that’s fine.
My own sense is that if he has a long-term future in politics, it may be in the conservative movement, as opposed to elective office. You know: at one of those organizations that pushes causes. Those are his people.
They do like to hire former politicians, especially ones who have risen fairly high first.
Permalink | Comments (25) | Post your comment | Categories: Columns, Elections, Martin Gottlieb, Miami Valley Politics, Ohio politics
Comments
By red
February 18, 2010 10:51 PM | Link to this
Morgan does not have the ability to lead over 830 employees as the State Auditor. More is being made of the DeWine thing by his ‘followers’. He’s too young and inexperienced, his chair is even less experienced. Its a bunch of hype….in another 10-15 years Morgan can do his thing. For now voting for him would be a mistake. The Auditor’s position is more about leading and less about the CPA side.
By Dave
February 18, 2010 11:47 PM | Link to this
Morgan may, indeed, have good reason to sieze the moment. But by doing so and running for statewide office so early in his career, he gives many folks (me, at least) the impression he is more concerned with his own ambition than he is in serving the public.
By Phil
February 19, 2010 8:26 AM | Link to this
Martin does in this article what he does best, sow discord, discontent, and fiction. Martin only cares the GOP is weakened through a primary, thus the encouragement to a guy who has never supervised more that 10 people, to, “go for it”. Seth is an elected official with NO accomplishment he alone initiated. He is a nice enough guy but his ultra religious conservative tone will not carry the day in the northeast part of the State and Martin know it. Thanks but no thanks Martin for you endorsement.
By Henry
February 19, 2010 9:48 AM | Link to this
Morgan’s motivation is more-gain for Morgan, not public service. His ambition knows no boundaries.
By Bill
February 19, 2010 12:12 PM | Link to this
No one has made a valid challenge as to why Morgan shouldn’t be running. GOP good ol’ boys are just mad because they expect people to jump at their every whim like stupid puppets! Through desperate measures now the rhetoric is he’s too young, hysterical crap! How absurd the truth is not relevant here: Morgan is Certified CPA! My vote is going for someone who is MOST QUALIFIED! Regardless of party, it’s about common sense! Not the wait in line crap! Get for real Dewine GOP: out of touch elitist!
By Bill
February 19, 2010 12:14 PM | Link to this
No one has made a valid challenge as to why Morgan shouldn’t be running. GOP good ol’ boys are just mad because they expect people to jump at their every whim like stupid puppets! Through desperate measures now the rhetoric is he’s too young, hysterical crap! How absurd the truth is not relevant here: Morgan is Certified CPA! My vote is going for someone who is MOST QUALIFIED! Regardless of party, it’s about common sense! Not the wait in line crap! Get for real Dewine GOP: out of touch elitist!
By Q.R.Abbot
February 19, 2010 12:22 PM | Link to this
The GOP needs to respect the Ohio Voters. Greene County has jumped on the the Seth Morgan movement! Can you hear us NOW?
By Wes
February 19, 2010 8:32 PM | Link to this
Seth has every right to run for office. The days of Good Ole Boys making decisions for the voters are over. I support the candidate who can deliver, bi-partisanship has done nothing for this country over the last 17 years. In with the new and out with the old, they’re just mad cause they had their chance and blew it.
By Dan
February 19, 2010 10:46 PM | Link to this
Why would you elect a Lawyer to do a CPAs’ Job ? …Seth has done an excellent job so far in his house seat ,I don’t believe for a moment that his motivation is purely political …He is the right person at the right time ..and he will serve the voters of Ohio with distinction !!
By Tom
February 20, 2010 10:38 AM | Link to this
Would all the Seth campaign workers stay off this blog and let the real political analyists comment. Seth has done NOTHING as a Huber Heights council person. Don’t forget about his debacle about the City Manager and Police Chief. He has done NOTHING as a legislator except gain publicity via a goofy law suit against the Gov. His run for Auditor is a a half baked attempt to reach a higher level without accomplishing anything at a a lower level. He is another Blackwell for the GOP.
By Jeff Hunter
February 20, 2010 10:43 AM | Link to this
Historically I have voted straight-ticket GOP, but it is this attitude—-from both parties quite frankly—-where a Party Chairman such as Kent Moore can make such a statement that has turned me along with countless others against our 2 party system. Who is Kent Moore anyway? This is crap. I wish more Americans having the integrity, intelligence, patriotism, and experience of Seth Morgan would run for office. If they did then perhaps we wouldn’t be in such a mess. Seth is part of the solution; power hungry egomaniacs who believe “…he needs to learn to respect the GOP and its elected leaders, before he can expect to earn our support.” are part of the problem. Mr. Moore, please tell us how Seth is disrespecting the GOP if it isn’t about waiting his turn. Go U.S.A.!
By nullWoahhhh there!
February 20, 2010 11:08 AM | Link to this
“Integrity, intelligence, patriotism and experience”…Mr. Hunter, are you talking about the same Seth Morgan we knew in Huber Heights? Hard to believe. And for those who cry for a CPA as auditor, be aware that all CPA’s are not equal.
By nullWoahhhh there!
February 20, 2010 11:09 AM | Link to this
“Integrity, intelligence, patriotism and experience”…Mr. Hunter, are you talking about the same Seth Morgan we knew in Huber Heights? Hard to believe. And for those who cry for a CPA as auditor, be aware that all CPA’s are not equal.
By Woahhhh there!
February 20, 2010 11:09 AM | Link to this
“Integrity, intelligence, patriotism and experience”…Mr. Hunter, are you talking about the same Seth Morgan we knew in Huber Heights? Hard to believe. And for those who cry for a CPA as auditor, be aware that all CPA’s are not equal.
By Lee
February 20, 2010 1:02 PM | Link to this
It used to be “all politics is local”. With today’s information and the new vocal majority showing they are against the statist trend in the current administration, that has changed. Now all politics are national.” The GOP chairman has got himself in a bind. He is going against the national tide with his manipulation of the slate, in putting the unprincipled Mike DeWine in the AG slot. The Republican leadership need to heed the national anti-statist, pro-liberty pro - free market trend and make sure that they slate good solid freedom loving, constitution protecting conservative candidates.
By Mark
February 21, 2010 5:50 PM | Link to this
With state finances being in a mess it sure would be nice to have both a conservative and a CPA in the role of Auditor.
By quicksilver
February 21, 2010 9:48 PM | Link to this
All this talk about the GOP. They are toast within 15 years. Younger people won’t put up with their “holier than though” approach. I will vote for the Libertarian, Howard in the race. At least he worked in the auditors office for 28 years. Why do we keep going back to the same old GOP water bucket. The water smells and is polutted
By Shaden
February 22, 2010 10:04 PM | Link to this
Quiksilver needs to pick up a history textbook. The Republican party isn’t going anywhere, it got ALMOST half the vote in ‘08. Parties don’t die with that kind of following. I agree with Mark, we need a CPA. The ORP spent money and political capital to brand the Auditor’s office as one for a CPA. NONE of the competition were ever elected as Auditor (one was appointed, and he dropped it for prosecutor as soon as he got the chance). Morgan has a proven record of government efficiency through conservative reform. He held the Huber Heights City Manager accountable, and any alleged “debacle” that stemmed from this ended with a victory for reponsible government and the firing of the Manager. Noone could handle the office like Seth could, and to make the case that a man who is “Prosecutor before politician” is better suited for the Auditor’s office than a Certified Public Accountant is sadly misinformed.
By woosterbrushman
February 24, 2010 10:30 AM | Link to this
I liked Dave Yost for AG but when he rolled over and let Dewine have that race he lost my support. The people will decide this Auditor race and not the party. When Dave says he is the only auditor in the race…. WOW… a total new low and shows he is a true politician… tell the truth. Vote for the CPA … Seth Morgan! New blood needed!
By woosterbrushman
February 24, 2010 10:32 AM | Link to this
I liked Dave Yost for AG but when he rolled over and let Dewine have that race he lost my support. The people will decide this Auditor race and not the party. When Dave says he is the only auditor in the race…. WOW… a total new low and shows he is a true politician… tell the truth. Vote for the CPA … Seth Morgan! New blood needed!
By woosterbrushman
February 24, 2010 10:32 AM | Link to this
I liked Dave Yost for AG but when he rolled over and let Dewine have that race he lost my support. The people will decide this Auditor race and not the party. When Dave says he is the only auditor in the race…. WOW… a total new low and shows he is a true politician… tell the truth. Vote for the CPA … Seth Morgan! New blood needed!
By Tom
March 12, 2010 2:27 PM | Link to this
Correction: There IS another CPA in the race for State Auditor - Libertarian Party candidate Mike Howard, CPA. And unlike Morgan, Howard has extensive experience in audits of state and local governments. In fact he’s a nationally recognized expert in the field. And even better, he’s not a career politician!
By Tom
March 12, 2010 2:29 PM | Link to this
Correction: There IS another CPA in the race for State Auditor - Libertarian Party candidate Mike Howard, CPA. And unlike Morgan, Howard has extensive experience in audits of state and local governments. In fact he’s a nationally recognized expert in the field. And even better, he’s not a career politician!
By Tom
March 12, 2010 2:31 PM | Link to this
Correction: There IS another CPA in the race for State Auditor - Libertarian Party candidate Mike Howard, CPA. And unlike Morgan, Howard has extensive experience in audits of state and local governments. In fact he’s a nationally recognized expert in the field. And even better, he’s not a career politician!
By Tom
March 12, 2010 2:33 PM | Link to this
There IS another CPA in the race for State Auditor - Libertarian Party candidate Mike Howard, CPA. And unlike Morgan, Howard has extensive experience in audits of state and local governments. In fact he’s a nationally recognized expert in the field. And even better, he’s not a career politician!