Ganley, Sutton to Appear at Akron Press Club in Separate Events

There will be no debates in the Ohio 13th Congressional District this autumn. The Ganley campaign rejected the offer from the Bliss Institute and Akron Press Club for a debate while the Sutton campaign accepted our offer almost immediately. However, we managed to get both candidates to agree to speak to the Akron Press Club in separate events in October. Both candidates will make a speech and engage in Q&A for at least 20 minutes after their speeches. It doesn't take the place of a real debate but it's the best we could do since no debates will be occurring in the 13th Congressional District this 2010 election cycle.

From the press release:

The Akron Press Club is pleased to provide a forum for the two candidates seeking to represent Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. They will speak at separate lunches, with time for questions following each presentation. Both events are cosponsored by The University of Akron’s Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics.

Democrat Betty Sutton will be the guest speaker at the Akron Press Club’s luncheon Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the University of Akron’s Martin Center. Sutton is a Barberton native who was first was elected to represent the 13th Congressional District in 2006. She was re-elected in 2008 and seeking a third term this fall. Sutton served in the Ohio House from 1993 to 2001. She was a member of the Summit County Council from 1991 to 1992 and a member of the Barberton City Council from 1990 to 1991.

Republican Tom Ganley will be the guest speaker at the Akron Press Club’s luncheon Tuesday, Oct. 26, at the University of Akron’s Martin Center. Ganley is president and CEO of the Ganley Automotive Group, the largest auto group in Ohio with 32 dealerships and more than 1,000 employees. In 2007 Ganley received the highest honor the FBI can give a civilian, the Louis E. Peters Memorial Service Award. The Cuyahoga County Police Chiefs Association named Ganley Man of the Year in 2006 for his support of law enforcement in the Cleveland area.

Details for both lunches:
· Time: Buffet luncheons begin at 11:45 a.m. Program follows.
· Place: Martin University Center, 105 Fir Hill, University of Akron campus.
· Cost: $15 for Press Club members, $20 for non-members.
· Reservations requested: Call 330-564-4211 or e-mail RSVP@cmoresearch.com

Ohio AG Candidates to Speak to Akron Press Club

Well, we couldn't get the DeWine camp to agree to a debate so we arranged the next best thing: both Ohio Attorney General candidates will be speaking to the Akron Press Club in the next couple weeks in separate appearances. I hope as many people from the general public and media can attend.

From the press release:

The Akron Press Club Presents

Candidates for Attorney General

The Akron Press Club is pleased to provide a forum for the two candidates seeking the Ohio Attorney General office. They will speak at separate lunches, with time for questions following each presentation

Both events are cosponsored by The University of Akron's Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics.

Sept. 28 -- MIKE DeWINE

Republican Mike DeWine will be the guest speaker at the luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 28, at The University of Akron's Martin Center.

DeWine represented Ohio in the U.S. House and Senate and served as lieutenant governor. He began his political career as a county prosecutor and later was elected to the Ohio Senate. He represented Ohio's Seventh Congressional District for four terms before being elected as lieutenant governor for a four-year term that began in 1991. DeWine was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, where he served two terms

Oct. 7 -- RICHARD CORDRAY

Democrat Richard Cordray, the current attorney general, will be the guest speaker at the luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 7, at The University of Akron's Martin Center.

Cordray was elected attorney general in 2008. He won the Ohio treasurer position in 2002 and also has served as Franklin County treasurer. He served in the Ohio House from 1991-1993. From 1993-1994 Cordray was state solicitor. He also was a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Anthony Kennedy and Byron White.

Details for both lunches:
--Time: Buffet luncheons begin at 11:45 a.m. Program follows.
--Place: Martin University Center, 105 Fir Hill, University of Akron campus.
--Cost: $15 for Press Club Members, $20 for Non-Members.
--Reservations requested: Call 330-564-4211 or e-mail RSVP@CMOResearch.com

Obama's New Oval Office Digs

One of the cool things that presidents get to do is change the decor of the Oval Office. We're not just talking about the pictures or busts or knickknacks on the shelves; we're talking chairs, sofas, and perhaps most importantly: the oval shaped rug that will adorn the Oval Office for the rest of that president's presidency and for a couple years into the next administration.

For the first couple years, President Obama has used the Bush 43 decor until his own furnishings were ready. Those Bush items, including the sunburst rug, are off to a future home in the Bush Library and Museum. When the president was recently on vacation, the Oval Office was renovated. According to the White House, no taxpayer money was used for the makeover.

Vanity Fair has a compilation of Oval Office decor going back to Jimmy Carter and you can vote on your favorite.

One thing I have noticed: there is always a fresh bowl of apples in the Obama Oval Office.