The Pullins Report (TPR) - Will GOP Ignore Dailey Danger Signs?
In the spring and early summer of 2006, frantic negotiations took place behind the political scenes in an effort to convince then Ohio Congressman Bob Ney to step down. Ney finally reluctantly agreed to leave when top Republicans led by Majority Leader John Boehner agreed to support State Senator Joy Padgett as his successor.
On the surface Padgett seemed an ideal candidate. She had served in the Ohio House as a top ally for then speaker Jo Ann Davidson. She had gone on to serve a stint as Director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia before being appointed and then elected to the Ohio Senate over former Iranian hostage Terry Anderson. In the Spring of 2006 she was one of the few bright spots of the lackluster Petro for Governor campaign.
But almost as soon as her name began circulating, Ohio political insiders began asking questions about Joy's bankruptcy and her other financial dealings. In a flurry of last minute, desperate lobbying, top insiders tried to recruit former State Senator Jim Carnes into the race. These efforts were unsuccessful and Padgett's business difficulties effectively destroyed her campaign.
Now similar questions are being asked about Republican candidate Fred Dailey. On the surface, Dailey's story is compelling. He overcame a difficult, hardscrabble childhood to rise to the elite of governmental power. He is likeable, funny, and an unabashed cheerleader for agriculture.
But like Joy Padgett before him, danger signals abound. Some critics believe Dailey went too easy on rogue factory farms. Others, are looking at his spending and hires at the Department of Agriculture. Some are beginning to question how a candidate for Congress can continue to preside over Farmer Mac, a Congressionally created and guaranteed company that provides credit to farmers.
At the same time, Dailey refuses to address these issues even with some of his closest supporters. So far, he has ruled out resigning from Farmer Mac and its perks that have made him wealthy. He rails against the slightest perceived insult and his campaign appears to be lackluster and unorganized.
Last week, at a Northeast Ohio political gathering, Dailey looked out of place wearing a too large cowboy hat. He traveled there with just his wife. The Dailey campaign had no buttons, lapel stickers, or even a campaign brochure. Instead, his wife closely guarded a small stack of business card sized handouts that said little more than Dailey for Congress and that were handed out to only known supporters.
His Republican rivals Mike Carey, Paul Phillips, and Jeanette Moll all came prepared for the event with staff and volunteers, campaign literature, and lapel stickers. They all worked the crowd and campaigned like congressional candidates.
It is still early in the process and Dailey could be having trouble transitioning from Ohio Cabinet member to candidate. But if these problems continue to grow, then political insiders may need to pull the plug on the Dailey campaign before it is too late.
Scott Pullins, Esq.
Publisher,
The Pullins Report
On the surface Padgett seemed an ideal candidate. She had served in the Ohio House as a top ally for then speaker Jo Ann Davidson. She had gone on to serve a stint as Director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia before being appointed and then elected to the Ohio Senate over former Iranian hostage Terry Anderson. In the Spring of 2006 she was one of the few bright spots of the lackluster Petro for Governor campaign.
But almost as soon as her name began circulating, Ohio political insiders began asking questions about Joy's bankruptcy and her other financial dealings. In a flurry of last minute, desperate lobbying, top insiders tried to recruit former State Senator Jim Carnes into the race. These efforts were unsuccessful and Padgett's business difficulties effectively destroyed her campaign.
Now similar questions are being asked about Republican candidate Fred Dailey. On the surface, Dailey's story is compelling. He overcame a difficult, hardscrabble childhood to rise to the elite of governmental power. He is likeable, funny, and an unabashed cheerleader for agriculture.
But like Joy Padgett before him, danger signals abound. Some critics believe Dailey went too easy on rogue factory farms. Others, are looking at his spending and hires at the Department of Agriculture. Some are beginning to question how a candidate for Congress can continue to preside over Farmer Mac, a Congressionally created and guaranteed company that provides credit to farmers.
At the same time, Dailey refuses to address these issues even with some of his closest supporters. So far, he has ruled out resigning from Farmer Mac and its perks that have made him wealthy. He rails against the slightest perceived insult and his campaign appears to be lackluster and unorganized.
Last week, at a Northeast Ohio political gathering, Dailey looked out of place wearing a too large cowboy hat. He traveled there with just his wife. The Dailey campaign had no buttons, lapel stickers, or even a campaign brochure. Instead, his wife closely guarded a small stack of business card sized handouts that said little more than Dailey for Congress and that were handed out to only known supporters.
His Republican rivals Mike Carey, Paul Phillips, and Jeanette Moll all came prepared for the event with staff and volunteers, campaign literature, and lapel stickers. They all worked the crowd and campaigned like congressional candidates.
It is still early in the process and Dailey could be having trouble transitioning from Ohio Cabinet member to candidate. But if these problems continue to grow, then political insiders may need to pull the plug on the Dailey campaign before it is too late.
Scott Pullins, Esq.
Publisher,
The Pullins Report
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