More conversation re: Political endorsements

From Molly Janczyk, July 4, 2006

Hi, OEA, OFT are endorsing Strickland and will be publishing their endorsees when all interviews are finished. They find Strickland to be as they said a 'friend to educators.'

The Ohio Retiree organizations are not to my knowledge endorsing though some have asked. They are stating that their membership doesn't pay dues for them to endorse candidates.

I do not know what CORE will do but the ones I hear are supporting Strickland except for one or two. That means nothing, just the ones I hear from on this whether Democrat or Republican as they feel a long record of improperly funded education in Ohio needs reversed.

I am not sure about OEA-R and whether they follow OEA. I assume but am not certain. I'll put this out and perhaps someone can give more info. Thanks

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From Don Gatchell, July 3, 2006

Molly et al,

Gov. candidate Ted Strickland and running mate Lee Fisher are first, gracious people. They are the kind of men who might even put the needs of Ohio students above their own personal agenda. Ken Blackwell is not a bad person, but he may have an agenda not in sync with the needs of Ohio school children.

I have personal experiences with both candidates. Ken Blackwell was a grad school instructor of mine at Xavier U. while he was developing his political career in Cincy. Ted Strickland came to a school in a remote, rural area where I was in order to give a presentation to students. However, there was a conflict at the school and he was not able to give his talk. Congressman Strickland graciously said he would return at a later date or would stay if he could be of any help. Bob Taft would have raised his royal feathers and flown back to Columbus in a huff.

Is it possible to get unanimous support for Ted Strickland-Lee Fisher from retiree groups such as ORTA, local retired teacher groups, OEA Retired, CORE, PERS locals, SERS locals, etc.?

Peace,

Don Gatchell, Jr.

Retired School Counselor and Member,

Ohio School Counselors Assn. Member,

ORTA,

CORE,

Ross County Retired Teachers Assn.

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From Gene Grime, July 3, 2006

From what I have read, it appears that Strickland is "the lesser of two evils". It doesn't matter whether one is Republican or Democrat. Isn't there anyone out there for the good of the people?