A secret recording from the Republican National Convention shows a key GOP operative believes Gov. Bob Taft is beating the state's economy to death



A secret recording from the Republican National Convention shows a key GOP operative believes Gov. Bob Taft is beating the state's economy to death

Redfern blasts Gov. Taft


News-Messenger reports

House Minority Leader Chris Redfern, D-Catawba Island, Tuesday expressed amusement -- but not surprise -- that a secret recording from the Republican National Convention shows a key GOP operative believes Gov. Bob Taft is beating the state's economy to death.

"We have an idiot, stupid, corrupt, dumb, rotten, Republican governor in the state who's been busy looting the state, and raising taxes and lying to gun owners," Grover Norquist told a private audience during the convention, according to a recording that became public late last week. "His state is the only state in the nation that's lost jobs and isn't recovering because he's beating the economy to death in the state."

Norquist, a Republican political operative, has acknowledged making the remarks, which he said accurately reflect his views.

Redfern jumped at the opportunity to bash the governor.

"Ohio's lack of leadership is hurting our families," said Rep. Redfern, D-Catawba Island. "After a decade of one-party rule, our economy is moving in reverse and huge tax hikes are kicking middle-class families while they are down."

"When Taft wanted to impose the largest tax increase in state history, he looked to his friends in the legislature," Redfern said. "It's time for fresh ideas in the legislature."

"The Statehouse needs more Democrats to stand up to Bob Taft, his huge tax increases and his misguided job policies," Redfern said. "We desperately need to restore balance to state government. And we have that chance this November."

On Friday, the federal government announced Ohio lost another 12,000 jobs in August - the most in the nation. A day later, The Columbus Dispatch quoted a nonpartisan economic analyst who said Ohio's economy is now the weakest in the country.

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