Joe Deters

July 15, 2008 - 3:33pm

Dems attack Deters as corrupt McCain ally

The Ohio Democratic Party today attacked Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters as corrupt and criticized John McCain's decision to name him southwest Ohio chair, as PolitickerOH.com reported last week.

The party said Deters "resigned as Ohio Treasurer in 2005 under a thick cloud of ethical issues including pay-to-play politics and his relationship with Frank Gruttadauria, the Cleveland investment broker who defrauded his clients out of nearly $300 million" and was convicted of bribery charges.

Party chair Chris Redfern criticized McCain directly.

"I hear John McCain is in the market for a new economic advisor.  Perhaps Joe Deters' pal Frank Gruttadauria will be tapped to dispense his sage economic advice," he said.

Ohio Republican Party communications director John McClelland shot back at Redfern.

"Joe Deters is an honorable public servant who is loved and supported overwhelmingly by his constituents. It’s too bad Chris Redfern can’t say the same for his former attorney general, the leader of his Senate Democrats, the former state representative from Lorain County and the secretary of his own party’s executive committee. Perhaps Chairman Redfern should spend a little more time raising the standard in his own party before pointing hypocritical fingers at everyone else," McClelland said.

McClelland sent a parding shot Gov. Ted Strickland's way as well.

"If the Democrats spent this much time working on a plan to improve Ohio’s economy and create jobs, maybe Ted Strickland would be able to turn around Ohio," McClelland said.

Read More >
July 15, 2008 - 2:55pm
OPINION

Why is McCain taking a chance with Deters?

The Ohio Democratic party took a shot at U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) today for appointing former Ohio treasurer Joe Deters (R-Hamilton) as his presidential campaign's Southwest Ohio Regional Chairman. Deters resigned abruptly from his scandal-plagued position in 2005 after the indictment and conviction of several staff members.

Read More >
July 10, 2008 - 4:04pm

McCain call announces statewide leadership team, focuses on energy ahead of Obama visit

The campaign of presumptive presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) held a conference call Thursday afternoon to announce their statewide Ohio leadership team and talk about energy ahead of a visit to Dayton by presumptive presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)

Former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Springfield) was introduced as the state chair for the McCain campaign in Ohio. DeWine announced five Ohio regional chairs for the campaign.

DeWine announced that Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters will act as regional chair for Southwest Ohio; U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) will act as regional chair for the Northwest portion of the state; the Northeast Ohio Chair is Brecksville Mayor Jerry N. Hruby; U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Columbus) is the Central Ohio chair; and state Sen. John Carey (R-Wellston) will act as Southeast Ohio Chair.

Much like the Democratic conference call with Gov. Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon) and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack (D) focused on energy following McCain's visit to Portsmouth, Ohio, this call also focused on the issue of energy.

Read More >
Syndicate content