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Brunner: No case to impeach attorney general Ex-judge sounds off on Dann

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By Marc Kovac

Record-Courier Capital Bureau

COLUMBUS -- The state's chief elections official isn't sure issues raised in an investigation of Attorney General Marc Dann's office rise to a level that merits the Democratic office-holder's impeachment.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a former judge who spoke to Dann Wednesday night on routine business matters involving her office, believes the attorney general should resign, as indicated in a letter sent by all of the state's major Democratic office-holders earlier this week.

But, she said during an interview Thursday afternoon, "There's nothing in there that says I think he should be impeached... I think it's up to the House.... Clearly the things that occurred were serious, but do we get to the level of it being an impeachable offense when that process hasn't been used since the 1800s? I'm just not sure."

Brunner allowed her name to be included on the letter sent to Dann on Sunday stating that Dann's actions "have irreparably harmed your ability to effectively serve the people of our great state."

It included notice that House Democrats "will immediately introduce a resolution seeking your impeachment" if he does not resign.

Brunner said the letter sent a political statement from Democratic leaders, "and I do feel that overall what's occurred makes it difficult for him to be effective as attorney general and to be effective politically."

House Republican and Democratic leaders are moving slowly and carefully on the impeachment issue. Brunner also she agreed with Speaker Jon Husted's selection of Rep. Bill Batchelder, a Republican from Medina and former judge, to review the process and determine how the House would proceed with articles of impeachment.

"I have every confidence that if there are no grounds for impeachment that Mr. Batchelder will not move forward," she said.

When Brunner took office last year, there were 20-plus lawsuits pending against the Secretary of State. She said she has relied on the attorney general for legal advice on those and other issues and would continue to do so as long as he is in office.

"Marc's done good work, he's done good work for this office," she said. "And I'm grateful to him for the time and the energy and the talent that he and the staff have put into helping us run good elections in the state. Quite frankly, I still need a lot of work from that office, and so for as long as Marc's there I'm going to continue to work with him because we have work to get done for the people of the state."

She added, "To ensure that we're subjecting the state to the least potential for litigation, we routinely consult with him and we'll continue to do that. And sometimes it means I consult with Marc, and I'll continue to do that because I've been provided very good legal service up to this point."




Comments
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Posted by irelandjoy46 May 10, 2008
If you cannot trust the Attorney General or the Governor to have standards then who in the heck can you trust. What is wrong with you people. We don't expect much. We just expect that when someone gets into office that they look out for the good guys. Get real here people. There is more law enforcement in Ohio that is corrupt than anywhere else. Come on and do something about it even if it is at your own back door. Good grief!!! The Attorney General. What next. Al-Quida?

Posted by The Liberal_Exposer May 9, 2008
Strickland is a do nothing, empty suit. When he was elected by the Dumocrat sheep I wondered how long it would take for his true colors to show. Just another Demo hypocrite dirt bag. What a surprise.

Posted by vchickie May 9, 2008
This country has been hijacked by a bunch of nuts. Not just the democratic party.. "United we stand" ???? One is standing together to do nothing. We are letting scumbs run our country. How come?

Posted by averagejoe May 9, 2008
Gov Strickland has changed his mind about demanding his resignation or impeachment. Sound familier.
1st I was for the war then I was against it. I put it in my mouth but did not inhale.
I could have killed BinLaden butI was in the middle of something.
I didnt have sex with that woman, Oh, is that considered sex?
We are against big business and we want to impose windfall profits taxes them, Oh except for our biggest backer, Geroge Soros for whom we passed a bill that allowed him to personally profit 2.9bil on the backs of our declining economy.
Why do they always weasel their way around things that they once apparently stood for or did.

Posted by dp May 9, 2008
If ever there was a reason people need to start paying attention to their governments and how tax dollars are spent, this is the best.

Posted by The Liberal_Exposer May 9, 2008
Well said Dowhatsright. These jerks were swept into office because of a lame Taft administration. But instead of being simply incompetent and shady like the Taft boys were, these nitwits are TOTALLY and COMPLETELY incompetent and corrupt. Ah yes, change is such a positive and needed thing, isn't it? Just ask Obama. By the way, your old Democrat Party died on Nov. 22, 1963. It's been in the toilet ever since and is cave slime today.

Posted by Dowhatsright May 9, 2008
The democratic party has been hijacked by a bunch of nuts. Look at what is in the office. Brunner said there is no case to impeach Dann on. Sexual harassment is enough. While we are at it let us impeach Brunner also. She has been nothing but incompetent since she took office. Look how much she has cost the counties with her own little pet view for elections. She needs to be investigated to see if she has ties with the optical reader company.

I say this whole thing is just the democratic party trying to protect it's own. My hats off to the Governor, he took action. I want the old democratic party back. I want honorable office holders.

Posted by AMT May 9, 2008
"It included notice that House Democrats will immediately introduce a resolution seeking your impeachment if he does not resign."

"House Democratic leaders are moving slowly and carefully on the impeachment issue."

As usual, Democrats contradict themselves, are totally unorganized, and woeful at governing.

Brunner is one to talk, with her problems.



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