ProgressOhio

When the Cleveland Jewish News made a typo or an error in their headline regarding Rob Portman and Nazi associations impying he himself had a Nazi past, the right jumped all over it even though it was quicky corrected. 

Their protesting is nothing more than an attempt to change the dialogue from what actually ocurred between Republican Rob Portman and the far right COAST group this week.

Portman Refuses State Legislators' Call to Sever Ties with COAST; Fundraises for Group that Referred to Ohio Public Officials as "Nazis"

Portman Campaign Acknowledges COAST's Comments Were "Inappropriate," But Goes Ahead With Fundraiser Anyhow; COAST Praises Portman For "Standing Resolute"

COLUMBUS – Despite four state legislators' call for Rob Portman to sever ties with the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST), which refers to Ohio public officials as "Nazis," the former Bush budget director and U.S. Trade Representative refused to sever his ties with the extremist group. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Portman campaign acknowledged that the statements were "inappropriate," but Portman headlined COAST's only 2010 fundraiser yesterday evening anyhow.

"It is appalling that Rob Portman would acknowledge the extremism that COAST actively promotes and then turn around and headline a fundraiser for its cause," said Haley Morris, Press Secretary for the Ohio Democratic Party. "This sends a serious message about the level of respect Rob Portman holds for civic discourse and for the public servants heinously attacked by COAST."

COAST has made a series of disparaging comments via Twitter, including referring to the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy as a "shovel ready project" and calling Congressman Steve Driehaus a "chicken (expletive) liberal." Today, responding indirectly to yesterday's conference call held by four state legislators, COAST praised Portman on Twitter for "standing resolute." COAST's Twitter account reads today, "Thank you @RobPortman for your support. Great speech. Great staff. Thanks for standing resolute. The man is a giant and loved by us all!"

Today, Representative Mike Foley of Cleveland, Representative Ronald Gerberry of Austintown, Representative Steve Slesnick of Canton, and Representative Kenny Yuko of Richmond Heights began circulating a letter among their colleagues. The letter, which will be sent to Portman, asks him to terminate his affiliation with COAST. The four legislators held a news conference call yesterday before the COAST fundraiser, urging Portman not to speak at the fundraiser and to sever his ties with the organization.

The letter from the State Representatives to Rob Portman follows:

Mr. Robert Portman
c/o Portman for Senate
P.O. Box 39
Terrace Park, Ohio 45174

Dear Mr. Portman,

It is with great disappointment that we learned you headlined a major fundraiser for the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST) in Cincinnati this week despite the organization's continued use of offensive, inflammatory rhetoric.

Most recently, COAST called Ohio public officials "Nazis" on its Political Action Committee Web page. The disparaging comment was made in reference to state legislators who passed important campaign financial disclosure laws that promote transparency and better inform the public about who is behind campaign spending.

COAST was also responsible for the insensitive and highly controversial Twitter post in response to Rep. John Murtha's passing, which read "John Murtha dead at 77. Good riddance bad egg." COAST also described the late Sen. Ted Kennedy as a "shovel-ready project."

These kinds of remarks are both offensive and unproductive. A strong, vigorous debate can help us tackle Ohio's gravest challenges amidst this global recession without this type of disrespectful name calling.

In light of COAST's repeated pattern of troubling and incendiary comments directed toward Ohio's and the nation's public servants, we respectfully ask that you sever your ties with this group which has shown itself to be more interested in hateful rhetoric than solving the challenges facing Ohioans."

COAST's mission to limit unnecessary spending and taxes is a worthwhile one, but its methods are deplorable and have no place in our public forum. We ask you, Mr. Portman: will you end your affiliation with COAST and join us in working toward a more civil public discourse?

Now more than ever, we need to develop smart, innovative partnerships that can rebuild our economy, create jobs and make Ohio strong again. We hope that you will commit to furthering these goals by ending your relationship with COAST and other groups that seek to impose their views on Ohio through fear and intimidation.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Representative Mike Foley
Representative Ronald Gerberry
Representative Steve Slesnick
Representative Kenny Yuko