For those of you who are on "the Net" and in tune with politics, you know Jon recently posted some videos of Lucas County Party Executive Director Joanne Wack where she was talking in a conversation, took snippets of the conversation and posted it on Youtube. Apparently there is 45 minutes of it, although the clips that have been posted really don't make any shocking revelations. Well it appears the video was secretly recorded and some commenters on the Youtube site noted this (although those comments have been mysteriously deleted). Jon and maybe the person who did the video taping justify it saying she called people names and that Joanne knew she was being videotaped. Although when you look at the video, it is quite clear that the camera is not focusing on anything and appears to be swinging around, like how it would be if you were just holding the camera, not actively appearing to video tape. This post is not about whether that was right or not, because legally I am sure he could do that, but what are the long term consequences of this? Of course using this approach to grind an ax seems to be very "sophmoreish," there could have been other legitimate ways to highlight issues he may have, but it does have people thinking.
This past November I met Jon outside a church in South Toledo. He was greeting people and asking for votes for a candidate. One of his helpers was there with a cell phone camera, at the time I did not think anything of it and maybe nothing actually happened but then I wonder if he was secretly recording me after seeing the video. He probably did not record anything, but I have been thinking over the last few days whether or not he did and then I heard a few other people express the similar concerns.
I have had several Republicans in the party wonder if they could trust or say things to Jon in confidence or have conversations with him and not wonder if it will be the next thing up on YouTube. This is a serious issue. I doubt seeing what happened in this situation would Republicans be able to talk candidly about issues or when a cell phone or a camera is near by Jon. I know if I saw one around even if it appeared off, I would be reluctant to say anything. So it would appear that he is ruining his trust and this episode could potentially backfire on him big time.
I am sure some of Jon's issues are legitimate ones and there are others that share the same concerns, but there are ways to address the issues and the way that Jon is choosing to address them, could potentially hurt him.
Didn't he support Kerry in '04?
Are there really republicans in Toledo?
depends on who you hear. The Blade reported that he did and volunteered on his campaign, but at a Greater Toledo Republican Club meeting, he said he did not. So it depends on who you want to believe.
I fairness, I know quite a few Republicans who voted for Kerry, simply because he wasn't Bush.
Chris, I don't know you but you seem a little preoccupied with Stainbrook. I don't think his actions are hurting his credibility but it appears as though you are trying to. You are criticising him in this post and another for some very minor issues but I don't see you criticising any republican officials for the fact that there were so many unrepresented precincts or the fact that virtually no elected county offices are filled by republicans. Losing should never be acceptable to you or the republican party. If the current GOP leadership can't win offices then don't you think they should be replaced?
You've been "thinking over the last few days" that Stainbrook recorded you? I thought you made it clear that Stainbrook didn't make the recording of Wack. Recorded evidence is always feared by those wishing to perpetrate lies because the camera does not lie, so, trust the recording.