Do As I Say, Not As I Do

Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune is either oblivious or shameless.

Commenting for a Cincinnati Enquirer article today about Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's endorsement of Richard Cordray to be the Democratic choice for a replacement attorney general, Portune said he had "mixed feelings" about Strickland making an endorsement so early in the process.

"It sounds like the governor is trying to prevent competition among the Democrats for that seat," Portune told the newspaper.

As Amy Poehler might say while anchoring "Weekend Update" on Saturday Night Live, "Did Mr. Portune really just say that? Really? Reeeallllly?"

As regular Porkopolis readers already know, Portune and Republican Greg Hartmann agreed to a deal in January that would eliminate party-endorsed competition in their separate county commission races. Under the pact, the local Democratic Party promised not to run a candidate against Hartmann and, in return, the local GOP wouldn’t endorse any candidate who challenged Portune.

Many local Democrats and Republicans were outraged by the deal, and both The Enquirer and CityBeat editorialized against the backroom pact.

Portune has defended the deal, stating it ensures a Democratic majority on the three-member commission until at least 2010, when incumbent Commissioner David Pepper is up for re-election. Still, Portune continues to raise tens of thousands of dollars for his largely unneeded campaign war chest.

The deal so outraged one local Democrat, Crosby Township Trustee Chris Dole, that he decided to run as an independent candidate against Hartmann. Dole’s campaign is holding an organizational meeting at 7 p.m. today at Sitwell’s Coffee Bar, located at 324 Ludlow Ave. in Clifton's Gaslight District.

It’s not the only example of Portune working with Republicans in the current commission race. Portune has created a “kitchen cabinet,” an informal panel to advise his campaign. Members include two Republicans — Gary Lindgren, the Cincinnati Business Committee’s executive director who was U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot’s longtime chief of staff, and Lamont Taylor, who sits on the regional mass transit board.

Before Portune starts criticizing state-level Democrats for allegedly blocking competition, he needs to look a little closer to home.

— Kevin Osborne

Comments

[Hypocritic Party]

Portune should stop the backroom dealing and become a real public servant instead of an arrogant tyrant that continues to impose his will on voters.

[CincyJeff]

Portune also opposed Sales Tax increases because they were regressive, until he joined with Pepper and Leis to impose his own. This is par for the course for Opportune.

[PriceHillResident]

I saw Portune at a roundtable discussion at the UC Law School back in 1999. I labeled him a career politician who would NOT be a true progressive Democrat. He seemed to bask in the attention the gay community lavished on him, as if he would save the day to overturn the charter amendment banning protections for gays and lesbians. Those of us who told the gay community that this guy was not the knight in shining armor, and to start organizing a grass-roots movement instead turned out to be correct.

[lasallemom]

Lamont Taylor a Republican?? You are kidding right?? Nothing but a Charlie Winburn, show me the money, wanna be!!
Please