Top Cheney Aide Indicted; Resigns

Our local News-Herald has the story:

WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff resigned Friday
after he was indicted on charges of obstructing a grand jury investigation and
lying about his actions that blew the CIA cover of an Iraq war critic's wife.

I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby became the first high-ranking White House official
in decades to be criminally charged while still in office. [...]

Libby wasn't indicted specifically for the leak, but special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald left little doubt that he believed Cheney's top aide learned Valerie Plame's classified identity from the CIA, State Department and his own boss and then revealed it to reporters.

"It's important that a CIA officer's identity be protected, that it be protected not just for the officer, but for the nation's security," the prosecutor said. "Mr. Libby was the first official known to have told a reporter." [...]

The 22-page indictment was the latest blow in one of the darkest weeks of the Bush presidency, which also saw the 2,000th U.S. military death in Iraq and the embarrassing withdrawal of Harriet Miers as Bush's Supreme Court nominee. [...]

Republican Fundraiser, Coin Dealer Indicted

Our local News-Herald has the story:

TOLEDO - Coin dealer Tom Noe made a name for himself in Ohio politics with
the lavish dinners he bought for Republican power brokers and the big checks he
wrote to GOP candidates.

He became one of the state's top fund-raisers and a friend to many, turning
those connections into several political appointments.

Now questions about how he raised money for President Bush's re-election
campaign are the basis for a federal indictment that accuses Noe of illegally
funneling $45,400 to the president's 2004 campaign through Noe's friends and
associates.

Prosecutors say Noe wrote checks to his friends in the eight days leading up
to a Bush fundraiser at a downtown Columbus hotel on Oct. 30, 2003. Noe's
friends then made the campaign donations in their own names, skirting the $2,000 limit on individual contributions, the indictment said.

It's one of the most blatant and excessive finance schemes we have
encountered," said Noel Hillman, section chief of the U.S. Department of
Justice's public integrity section.

In the pay-to-play world of Republican politics, S45,400 gets you face time with the President of the United States. (Click Here For Picture)

Geauga Endorses Strickland

From TedStrickland.com:

Chardon, Ohio - The Geauga County Democratic Party announced today that they have endorsed Congressman Ted Strickland for Governor. Geauga is the 14th county party to endorse Strickland for governor.

"Ted Strickland is a person of tremendous integrity and sincerity, and we stand behind him for governor," said Greg Studen, Geauga County Democratic Party
Chair. "Ted has spent a significant amount of time in Geauga County. He is an
interested, responsive leader who is committed to all Ohioans."

"As the first county endorsement from the northeast area of Ohio, I feel particularly thankful for the Geauga County Democratic Party's support," Strickland said. "As governor, I will work to build an economy that thrives on individual creativity and hard work, schools that don't just compete but set the pace for the rest of the nation and a state government free of corruption and hard at work meeting the needs of its people."

"Ted's experience and his focus on core issues of importance to the people of northeastern Ohio make him stand out," Studen continued. "Ted is a hard-working candidate and he'll be the hardest-working governor."

Geauga has cast their lot with Congressman Strickland. Who should Lake County endorse?

Local Halloween Events

From the Plain Dealer:

Halloween Hayrides

Lake Farmpark
8800 Chardon Road, Kirtland
Friday Oct. 28th 7-9pm
Saturday Oct. 29th 6-9pm
(Tickets Sell Out Fast)
More Info: Lake Metroparks

Haunted Houses

Fright World
Fairgrounds, Painesville
Friday, Saturday Oct 28-29 7-Midnight
More Info: Fright World

Trick or Treat Times

Lake County
Monday, October 31, 6-8 p.m.

The Lake County Democratic Party wishes you and your family a safe and happy Halloween weekend!

Yuko Endorses Strickland

Euclid, Ohio - Local State Representative Kenny Yuko endorsed Ohio gubernatorial candidate Congressman Ted Strickland on Wednesday afternoon.

"I'm endorsing Ted Strickland for governor because I'm tired of politicians who preach morals yet turn their backs on the weak and the poor," Rep. Yuko, whose House District includes Euclid, South Euclid and Highland Heights, said. "In order to turn Ohio around, we need a true leader. Ted Strickland is that leader."

"I am deeply thankful to Representative Yuko for his endorsement and support," Strickland said. "Ohio needs more leaders like Kenny who fight for the interests of working families. As governor, I'll lead the fight to end corruption, rebuild Ohio's economy and revive Ohio's education system."

Learn more about Ted at www.TedStrickland.com.