Stampede!

You would think that in a state rife with unemployment, facing a looming budget crisis (not the ‘09 version, the ‘11 edition that promises to be even uglier), and a mass exodus of its residents to greener pastures (anywhere with a tax climate better than Ohio’s, also known as no less than 45 other states), “fiscally conservative” Democrat Aspiring Governor Attorney General Rich Cordray would rush to condemn the bribery of our fine Senators in D.C., like the $100 million given to Louisiana Democrat Mary Landrieu, or the free ride on his state’s healthcare given to Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson.  He wouldn’t even be the first prominent Ohio Democrat to do so–both freshman Senator Sherrod Brown and future one-term Governor Ted Strickland have already gone on record saying these vote-buying efforts, formerly known as bribes outside the Beltway, should not be in the final bill and are wrong.

Cordray is as silent on this matter as Strickland and Brown have been on widespread Democrat corruption in Cuyahoga, Athens, and now Crawford County, where Bucyrus Mayor Dan Ross allegedly no longer lives in the city he presides over.  It isn’t even like over a dozen of his colleagues across the nation haven’t already spoken up–Attorneys General in Pennsylvania, Michigan, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington are on record questioning the constitutionality of such measures.  Maybe Cordray sides with House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC), who called it a political ploy.  I’m sure that our Founding Fathers would say the same thing–checking to make sure something fits within Congress’ powers in the Constitution is clearly just a political ploy and has absolutely nothing to do with doing what is right (and legal, of course).

This is a red meat issue, especially for cash-strapped Ohioans.  Yet Cordray is once again playing partisan politics and hoping no one notices.  Unfortunately for the former Jeopardy champion, a man who wants his job, former US Senator Mike DeWine (R-Cedarville), did take notice.  In a note posted yesterday on his Facebook page, DeWine blasted Cordray for his inaction:

“Richard Cordray needs to join 13 other state attorneys general in calling for the removal of a provision in the national health care bill that exempts the state of Nebraska from having to pay for any newly eligible Medicaid recipients.

Ohio is bleeding jobs and facing a $6 billion budget deficit next year. The last thing Ohio taxpayers can afford is to foot the bill for Medicaid recipients in Nebraska!

Richard Cordray needs to stand up to fellow Democrats Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and President Obama before Ohioans are forced to pay millions in increased Medicaid spending for services we’ll never receive. I urge him to speak out and join his fellow attorneys general who have already asked Congress to remove the “Cornhusker Kickback” from the health care bill.

This provision is beyond outrageous. It amounts to a $100 million payoff to one senator for his support of the health care bill. Richard Cordray’s job is to protect Ohio. He needs to do the right thing and immediately ask for the repeal of this provision.”

For more coverage on this debacle, check out a couple of our favorite Ohio political blogs, who had more on this yesterday (along with an excerpt from each post):

Third Base Politics:  Cordray feels the heat

“13 AGs get it. Sherrod Brown gets it. Hell, even Strickland gets it…..sorta.

But Cordray? Not so much.

DeWine is doing the right thing by placing the focus solely on Cordray. From a state perspective, a lawsuit over something as unfair and quite likely unconstitutional as the Nelson bribe is something that must be made a priority.

Ohio is in too much trouble itself to prop up a few Cornhuskers.”

Athens Runaway: Dick Cordray Speaks Out on Obamacare’s Constitutionality

“I e-mailed Dick Cordray’s office to see where he stood on the constitutionality of ObamaCare, and to see if he planned to fight for Ohioans, as well as Americans in general.  The answer: probably not.

Cordray’s Deputy Director of Media Relations, Ted Hart, responded to my e-mail, saying:

“As Ohio’s chief law officer, the Attorney General focuses on issues involving state law and proposed state legislation here in Ohio.

However, he also stays in close touch with his fellow state attorneys general through the national association, NAAG, and will be considering together with them all issues that may arise from new federal legislation in this and any other area.”

How… disappointing. Cordray’s blind party loyalty outweighs his political opportunism and willingness to take a leading role in the protection of Ohio’s consumers.”