We first learned of Taft's new "concern" with HB12 in early November. His attempts to insert yet another poison pill into the bill were dashed by committee leadership, who told him they would stick to Article 19 of the rules, which authorizes conferees only to address differences between the two versions of the bill.

Taft realized he hit a dead-end in asking the committee to break the rules. So he went to his liberal media accomplices, who were more than willing to carry the torch.

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Ohio Newspaper Association toting hidden agenda, concealing the details

Gun owner identity privacy a matter of common sense and personal safety,
not secrecy

by Jeff Garvas

Bob Taft and the editors of some Ohio newspapers have opposed concealed carry legislation since first proposed. The tireless opposition is always based on some illogical pre-conception or emotional rhetoric previously defeated in the process of passing such reforms in forty-five other states.

Clearly, no amount of historical evidence is enough to change the minds of those whose decisions are driven by anti-gun bias instead of rational thought and reasonable consideration.

Recently, opponents of concealed carry legislation and the Ohio
Newspaper Association have orchestrated a media ripple effect over a
provision that has existed in every proposal for at least the past six
years. This language makes the name, address, and other private
information of applicants just that: private and exempt from public
records laws.

Opponents argue that this would prevent the public from knowing the statistical impact of the law. In an eleventh hour attempt to derail the legislation, these opponents are crying foul over a non-existant issue that has never been exploited in such a coordinated effort of news reports and editorials. They've had years to raise these concerns.

The importance of protecting this identifying information far exceeds
any imaginary benefits that could be gained by making it publicly
available.

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All in the name of Republican party solidarity?

Both branches of the General Assembly passed HB12 with enough votes to override a veto last spring. Because there were differing versions, a conference committee was necessary to find a compromise. Senator Doug White avoided appointing HB12 conferees for months, stating that since the Senate had a bill the Governor would sign, he saw no reason for such a committee. Several Republican Senators expressed reluctance to committing to a veto override, citing the need to maintain "Party solidarity".

Judging by Bob Taft's latest actions, it is obvious he cares nothing for solidarity with these legislators, and cares nothing for how he is weakening the GOP. After committing to sign the Senate's version of HB12, Bob Taft has again gone back on his word, and raised the bar for what HB12 would have to contain to avoid his veto.

After convincing Senators to support provisions in the bill for which many voiced reluctance (on a false promise that he would sign their version) Taft has now pulled out of their deal, leaving these Senators trying to explain their vote to frustrated constituents.

Sen. Pres. White and these 'reluctant' Republican Senate leaders are now realizing that they have been lied to by Taft, just as Ohio citizens have been lied to by Taft so many times in the past, on issues ranging from tax increases to concealed carry reform.

Taft is now demanding that a privacy-invading, de facto gun registration scheme be added by conferees to avoid his veto. Incredulously, he admits to consulting with several Ohio newspaper editorial boards in determining his new position (more on this to follow in a future story).

"It's frustrating that the Governor seems to keep moving the cheese," Senator Marc Dann (D) remarked to OFCC today. "It doesn't seem to indicate good faith toward reaching a solution, but we are going to keep trying." Dann is a member of the HB12 Conference Committee.

In this latest instance of going back on a promise, Taft has double-crossed and jeopardized many Senate Republicans, who are now on record as having voted for dangerous and objectionable language, such as the carjacker protection provision. These same Republican Senators delayed progress on HB12 for months, stating that they were reluctant to commit to a veto override due to "Party solidarity." They seemingly never asked themselves why it was that their Governor was so willing to threaten Party solidarity by threatening a veto in the first place.

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by Gerard Valentino

News stories chronicle turmoil in the Republican Party caused by a candidate that ran on one platform and governs on another. He breaks campaign promises without regard for those that supported him during the election. Party members and voters feel betrayed, leading to a movement among core Republicans to defect. Grassroots organizations spring up among the Republican faithful in the hopes getting the Party hierarchy back in touch with the rank and file. Ultimately, it is too much for the party to handle, leading to the downfall of a Republican President. Ohio in 2004? No, not yet, unless Governor Bob Taft allows history to repeat itself.

In 1912, the Republican Party destroyed itself when Bob Taft’s great-grandfather, William Taft, ascended to the Presidency as Theodore Roosevelt’s hand-picked successor. Taft rewarded his mentor by deserting the agreed upon platform and instead bowed to power brokers concerned more for special interest groups than for the constituency. Roosevelt, incensed at the betrayal, and determined to follow through on Taft’s broken promises, created the Bull Moose Party and ran for President. Taft chose not to aggressively campaign, but refused to support his former friend. Even Roosevelt’s formidable charisma was unable to overcome the party’s division. Woodrow Wilson was elected President, and the Republicans did not regain control of the White House for another eight years.

Today, in Ohio, the parallels between Governor Bob Taft’s record and his family legacy are undeniable.

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