A while ago I posted my Ohio election score card. Of the many rampant political problems that have beset the republican party of Ohio none have been worse than the one involving Tom Noe.

from the Toledo Blade

Tom Noe, the GOP fund-raiser at the heart of Ohio’s biggest political scandal in a generation, was sentenced today to 27 months in a federal prison for illegally funneling money into President Bush’s re-election campaign.

U.S. District Court Judge David Katz also ordered Noe to pay $136,200 in fines for sending more than $45,000 into a 2003 Bush fund-raiser by using two dozen friends and associates — including several current and former local Republican elected officials — in violation of federal election laws.

The best part about all this is that the scandals got so bad in Ohio that even my mother voted for a Democrat this time. Seems that Tom Noe succeeded where my years of bickering with her have failed. If my mother is any sort of indication the Republicans have a very long road back to being any sort of power in Ohio.

I suspect this will play a large role in the 2008 elections…

Noe said he arranged the scheme because “in 2003 I was pressured by Bush-Cheney officials to become a Pioneer,” a name the campaign gives to people who raise $100,000.

In Noe’s own words.

“I have pled guilty because I violated the federal campaign laws. In 2003 I was pressured by Bush-Cheney campaign officials to become a pioneer for George Bush. In order to do that I needed to collect over $100,000 in campaign contributions. I knew the first step was to sell tickets to the Bush-Cheney fund raiser in Columbus, Ohio in October of 2003. I also knew that I had friends who would like to attend, and I wanted to help them attend. I knew what the campaign finance restrictions were. I also knew that I had given the maximum amount that I could give personally, so I recruited others to make contributions to the campaign for which I provided the funds. It totalled approximately $45,000. I knew it was wrong to do so. I alone accept responsibility for what I have done. I’m going to repeat that. I knew it was wrong to do so. I alone accept responsibility for what I have done. I am sorry for any hardship I have brought on my friends and my family.

“Furthermore, your honor, I’d be remiss if I would not take this opportunity to thank a few people who have stood by my side throughout the entire ordeal. Without the support of friends and family, I would not have endured the challenges of the last 16 months. I especially want to acknowledge the support of my close friends, many of whom wrote letters to you on my behalf, and I know you received them. I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful my mother, my sister, and brother-in-law have been. It also goes for Bernadette’s parents and her siblings; they also have been a constant support for me and my family. As far as our kids go, I can’t begin to express my amazement at how they have withstood the pressure, the intense media pressure, and have rallied to become an even closer, tight-knit family. And last, but certainly not least, I want to acknowledge my most steadfast supporter, which is my wife, Bernadette. Without her constant support, our marriage would not have survived, and I sometimes question whether I would have survived. My love for her is unmatched, and my respect for her is unending. Your Honor, I would hope that you would strongly consider a sentencing option where I’m able to pay my debt to society in a way that benefits the many volunteer needs of the south Florida community of which I now live. I know from your reputation that you are a very fair and a very just man. And I stand before you with deep humility and deep remorse. I appreciate you allowing me to have a few minutes to speak and to address the Court on all of these matters. Thank you very much.”

Ha! “I am sorry let me stay in Florida and volunteer.” Boo freakin hoo buddy your punishment should be to move back to Toledo for the winter (this is far worse than prison trust me.) This guy was part of a giant machine raising money for Bush. Could this practice be wide spread? I have no idea, what I do know is that the Republicans are done in Ohio for the foreseeable future. I say good riddance.