Stainbrook admits recording phone conversations on Andrew Z amid e-mail campaign
While an e-mail campaign appears to be brewing sent out to elected Republican figures through out the state, Jon Stainbrook, chair of the Lucas County Republican Party appeared on Fox Toledo tonight with Andrew Z in his Talk Back segment. When asked directly if Stainbrook recorded phone calls:
Andrew asked, “have you taped phone calls before”
Jon said, “Oh yes, I have”
Andrew asked “Shouldn’t people be worried if they call you up?”
Jon said, “As a journalist I always tape the interviews that I do”
Andrew said, “You’re not a journalist!”
Jon said “Yes, I am, that’s what I do for a living on the side…”
Watch the video for yourself in it’s complete form…For those of you wondering about the e-mails? Here’s the text of one that went to Kevin DeWine that I was sent a copy of:
Dear Chairman DeWine-
I wanted to inform you of a situation in the Lucas County Republican Party. It has been assumed for years that Chairman Jon Stainbrook has secretly been recording private phone conversation without permission. A recent story in the Toledo Blade confirmed that Mr. Stainbrook is covertly recording in-person conversations at the GOP headquarters, and in at least one instance has leaked a conversation with former Republican Rep. Lynn Olman to The Blade with intent to discredit or embarrass:
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090220/NEWS09/902200326/-1/NEWS
http://thurbersthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/02/lcrp-has-bigger-problem-than-lack-of.html
http://glasscityjungle.com/wordpress/?p=5966
It is advisable to take caution when speaking with Mr. Stainbrook. A good rule of thumb is don’t say anything you wouldn’t say to a newspaper reporter, because it could very well end up there.
I don’t pretend to be a journalist, but the ones that I have seen in action and the ones who have interviewed me have always asked if it was okay to tape record the interview, even if it was done over the phone…
While were at it someone needs to ask him why a video recorder is always nearby? Is this part of his journalistic training? Very freaky looking reaction to the question. I wonder which squirrel was running in the cage last night. The GOP should really take a good look at who is their representative. Very scary for them!
February 24th, 2009 at 5:58 amI think Stainbrook is a plant or, infiltrator within the GOP. The guy seems to do more damage to his own party than the democrats could ever dream of doing from the outside.
February 24th, 2009 at 7:08 amWhen i watched the segment on fox last night I did notice that he mentioned that he was a “journalist and owned a public relations firm”. In order to call yourself a journalist do you need formal education in that field?
February 24th, 2009 at 7:30 amQuestion: Don’t you need clients for your PR firm? Who would use this nut for PR, after all he is doing such a good PR job for the republican party…
the video is on fox now, here is the link;
February 24th, 2009 at 7:43 amhttp://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/wupw_FOX_Toledo_Talk_Back_with_AndrewZ_Feb232009
Lisa Renee wrote:
When was the last article you published, journalist Jon? Did it relate to the BOE? Did it relate to the Lynn Olman conversation you recorded? Have you recorded conversations beyond those you have written for publication? Do you obtain authorization to record a conversation like any real journalist would?
The terms “political consultant” and “freelance journalist” are often formal ways of saying you are unemployed, Jon. Perhaps Mindy can enlighten us as to where we can find your published story about Lynn Olman and the BOE, unless you’re writing under the pen name Tom Troy, of course.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:34 amAs a local Republican, I was in receipt of a similar e-mail as above, and have heard from many others including those at the state level who agree Jon can no longer fulfill his duty as chairman since elected officials and candidates do not have a reasonable assurance of trust. Mix in his history of threatening GOP candidates of ’smearing them in The Blade’ and what do you get? This event will be the downfall of Jon Stainbrook. I have heard of a petition campaign bubbling up…
February 24th, 2009 at 8:49 amJon has written for the Blade in the past, but I don’t know when the last time was. He can call himself a journalist, there are some out there who do who have no training. Where the problem would come in is the disclosure/conflict of interest scenario. If he is acting as a journalist and not the party chair, people should know it.
While most journalists do let their interviewees know they are being tape recorded, it’s pretty certain that most know it now whether he discloses or not. He made an interesting statement saying no one had anything to worry about as long as they were not hiding something, in a way that’s true but there is also confidential information that is shared and most journalists honor keeping something off the record as well as confidentiality of sources.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:03 amI’m convinced Jon Stainbrook will be Chairman as long as he wishes.
The ORP & RNC consider these petty whiner paroxysms as proof the county chairman is doing his job.
Trust me; many of the county chairmen have similar malcontent mail campaigns against them, and the ORP has a filing system to handle such email mayhem from said peculiar populists.
So, I say carry on to all those short-bus satirists who think pouting prose will carry the day!
February 24th, 2009 at 11:03 amIt’s actually up to the Lucas County Republican party membership as to who their chair is, it’s not based on how long Jon wants it. The real question appears to be who else would try to take it. If members of the Lucas County Republican party and the ORP prefer to continue to complain but do nothing? Then you are right, Jon will remain until someone decides to seek it or he decides he’s had enough.
How well he’ll be able to function without being involved in decisions that require some basic trust that confidentiality will be given, remains to be seen.
Despite some of the conflicts in other counties, I do believe this is the first scenario where it’s been known that a chair is recording private in person conversations and phone conversations and sharing that with the media. If none of you who are members have a problem with that? Then nothing will change.
As a Democrat, I’m pretty certain what would happen if this were happening in our local party.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:11 amrogue wrote:
What party of the party bylaws call for the chairman to secretly record private conversations.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:19 amYou can also petition the State office to charter a new Lucas County party as well
And truthfully they’re frustrated enough in Columbus that they’d easily void a charter to go with a new slate, I would think.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:18 pmWell, seeing many factions of the area’s Republican Party “mini-camps” avoid endorsing anything Jon has put out there as Chairman of the Lucas County Republican Party, combined with the now-exposed ethical in-party issues of taping everything even if it’s supposed to be “private”, I’m rather going to enjoy watching “rouge” disappear from this site when Jon’s replacement is installed.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:36 pmrogue wrote:
It’s more entertaining to watch what’s left of the repugs eat themselves than I ever imagined!
February 24th, 2009 at 1:06 pmWas he acting in the role of a journalist when he was recording his conversation with Lynn Olman? If so, for what publication?
February 24th, 2009 at 1:27 pmthe is better than rehab for me to see the bottom feeders of the republican neo-con party which is nothing but a regional white southern party like the KKK fighting does my heart good
February 24th, 2009 at 1:45 pmHuh?
February 24th, 2009 at 1:55 pmmichael l. friedman wrote:
I would comment on this, but felt it was more important to congratulate you on finally finding out how to turn caps lock off, Friedman.
Now if you can just integrate the utilization of the shift key while typing the first letter of sentences and pronouns, you’ll be a modern day Renaissance man, Friedman.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:03 pmRockets Man wrote:
RM, just think of Friedman as your cute, lovable, semi-literate, race-bating uncle who soils himself at Thanksgiving dinner.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:14 pmGood Afternoon, All,
Way back at the beginning of this thread, that little cutie, jonc made a comment about Mr. Stainbrook’s PR abilities.
Love him or hate him, Jon Stainbrook tends to leave people with truly visceral reactions, isn’t that the purpose of advertising? Let’s be honest, even the poor dead Princess doesn’t generate the interest that Jon Stainbrook does.
I just find that truly amusing and ironic that Jon has that effect on others.
I also want to state for the record that I am NOT in advertising, marketing or public relations, so no need to slam me for my lack of knowledge in those areas.
mj
February 24th, 2009 at 2:20 pmIs it the job of the chair of the Lucas County Republican Party to create controversy, division, attention and discussion? If so, your party does things totally different from ours where the goal is supposed to be attract people to join, to support their candidates and to encourage good candidates to run. In our party, the chair isn’t the one who’s supposed to making the news, when they become embroiled in controversy they are typically removed/step down.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:17 pmWelcome to the NEW Republican Party.
Just not like your grandfather’s republican club.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:20 pmNeither one of my grandfathers was a Republican.
Guess I’m just used to things being done in a manner that at least from a public point of perception is to unify not destroy/divide. The Democrats here locally do a much better job of keeping their squabbles private now than in the past. But? Everyone has to learn on their own.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:22 pmrogue wrote:
You are correct. In my grandfather’s republican club, felons weren’t generally pulling the strings.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:23 pmaunt jemima wrote:
Nice, that is how I have always pictured freidman!
February 24th, 2009 at 3:30 pmI think you ALL know what I’m going to write, I shouldn’t have to – you are not newbies.
We don’t have to degrade that far into the personal insult realm.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:33 pmI think what Lisa Renee means is don’t insult Democrats that she happens to be friends with (Biel, Friedman, etc.) However, it is perfectly acceptable to make reckless, unsubstantiated comparisons of the Republican Party to the Klu Klux Klan.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:52 pmI think Clayton since I said ALL that would include Michael Friedman, just because someone makes an outrageous statement doesn’t mean it has to be responded to.
Now, if I decide to only pick on Republicans or people who don’t agree with me? I’ll let you know.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:55 pmJust remember who started the Ku Klux Klan, after the War Between the States. It is a 100% Democrat entity then…AND NOW !!!Nice folks you run with !
February 24th, 2009 at 6:09 pmmindy wrote:
Generally PR is supposed to be a good thing. Jon does not need name recognition, he has the blade doing enough of that for him (such a good conservative publication, but i hear their days are numbered). To evoke this much animosity is NOT good.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:51 pmWho are Stain’s clients of his PR machine? Lets face it stain needs a job that will pay which is why he is trying to take over a Olmans position at the BOE.
One question would have to be would the Secretary of State approve his nomination? Since nobody at the BOE wants to work with this loon including the other board members and the management I have my doubts on his approval. I doubt either of his babes (sarcasm) would be approved either. One has lawsuit(s?) against the BOE and the other has some criminal activity that would probably disqualify her. (SoS probably wouldn’t look kindly upon stealing drugs from elderly women in the hospital) So Jonny, looks like your kinda screwed here. Sorry about your luck, but I hear they’re hiring at Frankies! Maybe you can get your seat at the door back (think of the young hotties! it’ll be just like old times with you and JR).
Monk wrote:
I think stain’s last stint as a “journalist” was back in the 80s for Thrasher Magazine.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:03 pmLook folks, don’t try to understand or explain this guy. He’s nuts! End of story.
February 25th, 2009 at 9:32 pmSir John Talbot wrote:
You really have no idea how BOE members are appointed, do you?
Sir jonnny, you should probably stick to something you know about;…like hurling insults just below Lisa’s “good taste” meter, you’re pretty good at that.
Carry on…
February 26th, 2009 at 8:59 amHi Sir John,
Let me start by agreeing with you on one point…the chairman of the GOP should NOT be generating animosity, that is a shame. However,some folks, may have the notion that Jon has been provoked into reaction. But that is not a burnig question for me at the moment…
The burning question for me that has NEVER been clarified, is why in the world would such a saintly man like Lynn Olman tell the chairman one thing and other people/entities another? The implications of such poor behavior/bad judgement certianly demonstrate no respect for the position of the GOP chair, nor empathy for the chairman himself. With that said…why in the world would Olman expect something of Jon he has demonstrated he is unable/unwilling to give??
Thanks for your time.
mj
February 26th, 2009 at 12:50 pmRogue – The chairman of the party can appoint whomever he likes. The Secretary of State can either accept the appointment or reject it, she is the ultimate authority. Take a look at Summit County, their appointment was rejected and an appointment of another individual was made by the SoS.
February 26th, 2009 at 6:52 pmSir John, you busted Bartow, oh I mean Rogue on that one….
Carry on as he would say…
February 26th, 2009 at 8:50 pmRogue, tick tock, tick tock…
February 26th, 2009 at 9:36 pmDave Schulz wrote:
You think Rogue is Bartow? THE Larry Matthew Bartow who entered a diversion program to avoid a felony conviction for stealing from Judge Christiansen? The one who has also rumored to have stolen from many other candidates including you? The one who was on Talk Back with Andrew Z. recently who was posing as a “political consultant”? Let that be a warning to all of you would be candidates.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:08 amWhere does Bartow find the time to blog when he has all those candidate mailings to do plus all those cats to kick?
Color me shocked.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:10 amYes indeedy…
February 27th, 2009 at 8:45 amDave-
Are you the one and the same Dave Schulz who
1. ran unsuccessfully for council
2. is a past president of the Log Cabin Republicans
3. was a Republican, but turned Democrat
“Dave Schulz passed out lollipops to children along the Labor Day parade route and talked to voters. Without a union endorsement, he was not in the parade itself.
Schulz was joined along the route by fellow Log Cabin Republican Dave Kaplan, who is seeking a city council seat in the Seattle suburb of Des Moines, Washington.
Schulz is endorsed by Gays and Lesbians United, the Toledo area LGBT equal rights group. He founded the Log Cabin Republicans of Northwest Ohio and was elected to the Lucas County Republican Central Committee.”
http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com/stories05/september/0909057.htm
February 27th, 2009 at 8:59 amYes, henri, that is the famous “Captain Jack” Schulz!
Once a Republican, now a democrat, maybe next week Green Party, who knows?
February 27th, 2009 at 9:03 amWho could blame Dave for leaving the R party with “good republicans” like Bartow stealing from his campaign?
February 27th, 2009 at 9:28 amAnd Henri – from what I have heard/seen of Dave he has never tried to hide who he is so your attempt to insult is wasted.
Yes indeed Henri. What’s your point?
See how Rogue goes into personal attack mode and ignores the fact he is Bartow.
You both make it like it is a bad mark on myself for voting Dem in 2008 primary. It was documented that I did so to vote for Hillary (of course Rush
February 27th, 2009 at 9:31 ammade me do it). Somehow I guess it makes you feel good to point that out and use it to attack me. Seriously, even if I did switch for philosophical reasons, there would be ample reason to given how the GOP has lost its principles and even more a reason to switch to disassociate oneself from the local incompetents and thieves.
Dave Schulz wrote:
Here’s a thought, dave, could it be rogue and this bartow are not one in the same?? Hmmm…
February 27th, 2009 at 9:38 amAs for switching parties, Rush made you do it?
So, what you are saying is that you are incapable of independent thought. Thanks for leaving the party. We don’t need your kind here then. I’ll send your regards to Mark Wagoner.
You fail to get the sarcasm about Rush, you pinhead. Keep excluding people and the GOP will just have a bunch of narrowminded robots like yourself to wallow in a permanent minority. If I want to talk to Mark I will pick up the phone or email him myself thanks.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:44 amPithy, Schulz. Didn’t mean to get your leather/lace panties in a wad.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:49 amAre you sure Mark REALLY wants to take your calls? Keep drinking the Kool-Aid, Captain.
Ooooh…pinhead?!?! Something to share, there Capt’n?
henri, the only thing in-the-closet about Mr. Schulz was his democrat tendencies.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:51 amSir John,
sir john talbot wrote:
So its OK to spread “rumor” as it were truth?
If it wasn’t so pathetic, your duplicity could almost be amusing. Your statements come off looking more like sour grapes than a public service anouncement.
Regards,
February 27th, 2009 at 9:58 ammj
AMEN!
February 27th, 2009 at 9:59 ammindy wrote:
Uh no Mindy, it clearly states “rumored” which is not the same as truth. It appears you are able to read but may have some difficulty understanding those words. Don’t despair, help is available for those with learning deficiencies. He was only prosecuted on the Christiansen one and also paid restitution to Dave Schulz. There is also a laundry list of other candidates who have stated he stole from them as well. Lets name a few; George Sarantou, Ken Blackwell, Dee Dee Liedel, Pam Hanley, Chris Myers…..
Toledo Blade 2/22/06
An additional unrelated theft charge that alleges Mr. Bartow took money from another candidate in 2005 was dismissed at the request of prosecutors.
The charge stems from $783 Mr. Bartow took from David Schulz for his Toledo City Council campaign for automated telephone calls to registered voters before the election.
Mr. Hanible said the theft charge would be refiled if Mr. Bartow fails to make restitution to Mr. Schulz within a reasonable period of time.
February 27th, 2009 at 11:30 am____
Ewwwee! Bartow? Really? Why not call me Tom Noe, and really slay me?
Dolts!
February 27th, 2009 at 11:35 amI would imagine rogue could not be Noe since he most likely does not have unrestricted internet access from prison.
February 27th, 2009 at 2:28 pmBut the perpetually unemployed “political consultant” L. Matthew Bartow has plenty of time to post between cocktails. Lets hope suga momma mindy has a job.
Well it appears that bartow/rogue is only a small time operator, at least from the amount of money mentioned. I would suggest joining the democratic party where the big bucks can be had. Mindy might not like it though.
I hear that mindy is a real hottie.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:37 pmThe only thing I got out of this exchange of eewww’ing, ooh’ing and aah’ing and name calling is Mindy gave me some food for thought.
That is the burning question.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:16 pmHi Kate,
Thanks for mentioning that the original question I had has still not been answered…(question beeing why would Olman have different stories one for the chairman and one for other people). That really was some weird stuff up there, wasn’t it?
Not Again: Hottie??? Me??? Yeah, right! I am all that, just ask me!
Talbot: Suga momma??? You gotta be kidding me! I do have a job (a great one) and kid in college…pretty much disposing of the disposable income!
Enjoy the day, all.
mj
February 28th, 2009 at 12:35 pmYes it is some strange stuff – I hope he answers for his behavior.
February 28th, 2009 at 12:57 pmRealizing this thread has gone way off track, if we return to the actual incidence of Jon Stainbrook playing the tape recording of Lynn Olman, the Blade article does not suggest that Olman lied, to the contrary Olman admitted that was exactly what he said to Stainbrook but that it was a private conversation. Stainbrook is the only one who has made the accusation that Olman lied. What the article does point out is that there is a difference from what Patrick Kriner stated and what Lynn Olman stated to Jon Stainbrook regarding Lyonette. That doesn’t make Olman or Kriner a liar, all it means is that there was a difference in what Kriner stated publicly and Olman stated privately. Anyone who does not believe there is a difference between a private conversation and a public one raise your hand…Now if Olman had been asked publicly about this and had given a different answer, maybe it would be a larger issue. However, if I had a dollar for each time someone told me something off the record that they wouldn’t say in public? I’d have enough to own an island where I would enjoy lots of little drinks with umbrellas…I’d also point out many of those “off the record dollars” would have come from Jon Stainbrook himself…
Link to original article that started this chain of discussion.
February 28th, 2009 at 2:06 pmLisaRenee wrote:
I think I saw Mindy’s hand go up, she doesn’t seem to understand much.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:44 pm(couldn’t help myself, sorry)
You are bad Sir John, and I’d be firmer with you if I wasn’t afraid of you releasing that audio tape you have of me.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:49 pmI think – as several astute posters have noted – that Olman simply was doing what happens all the time when a person gets terminated: he provided a public version that allowed the canned worker to save face.
Is this “lying?” Only in a technical sense. In my old business I fired more people than I could ever remember (I had five retail businesses with about 120 employees at any given time, and I probably employed 3,000 different people in a decade as a small business owner). One manager got caught stealing, but I allowed him to quit to save face and avoid unemployment hassles.
Is that “lying,” or did I allow someone who made some poor decisions a chance to start over fresh someplace else?
I remember another manager who was highly ineffective in people management, but who was honest and worked hard. Should I have written up the paperwork to document how this manager cried and hid in the office for three hours one day, or should I “lie” and write a letter of recommendation that discussed that the person’s position was being eliminated and that I would rehire her?
For Stainbrook to trumpet this as “lying” is to miss the obvious point, which is that Olman wanted to let the former employee go without making the search for a new job any harder.
If anything, all that Olman is guilty of is being a nice person. Heck, I would hazard a guess that the termination papers and letters of recommendation of 95 percent of my fired employees contained similar “lies.” It’s more about moving on after a termination than it is hyper-diligence to “truth.”
Besides, when you let a fired employee leave with some dignity and the ability to use the last job on applications and resumes, you don’t have nearly as many problems with wrongful termination lawsuits or libel/slander accusations, and ex-employees are a lot more likely to feel like they were treated fairly. Who knows – maybe Olman’s “lying” helped avert a wrongful discharge lawsuit.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:07 pmI know that Olman’s “lying” exposed the Chairman of the Lucas County Republican Party as a tape-recording, media-manipulating freak with a few convicts as assistants.
It’s crystal clear that if Jon successfully achieves his brass ring of making it to the Board of Elections, Lucas County is more screwed than the LCRP.
I can’t wait to see who Jon’s next target is to achieve this goal.
And to think, this is the Republican’s fault. lol
March 1st, 2009 at 6:12 amBrian Maxson wrote:
So sad and so true. Hope all of you were able to read the Toledo Free Press piece by Michael Miller. It was not only hysterical but spot on!
March 1st, 2009 at 6:31 pmhttp://www.toledofreepress.com/2009/02/26/the-stainbrook-tapes/
LisaRenee wrote:
LMAO….
March 1st, 2009 at 6:48 pm