This is Griswold here, writing from the Team Radcliffe Headquarters. I urge all Radcliffe supporters to come get a yard sign or volunteer! We’re located at 134 E. Third Street in Perrysburg. Hope to see you soon!
February 18, 2008
February 15, 2008
Scott Radcliffe Visits Defiance county
Tours Areas Affected by the Flooding and Attends the Republican Candidates’ Forum
Defiance, OH (February 15, 2008) - Today, Scott Radcliffe, Republican candidate for U.S. Congress (OH-5), was in Defiance to visit with residents and local leaders following the recent flooding and attend a Republican candidates’ forum hosted by the Defiance County Republican Women.
Mr. Radcliffe began the morning by visiting the banks of the Maumee River in Defiance where residents felt the strongest effects of last week’s flooding. He met with Celeste Marroquin who, earlier in the week, vocalized her frustrations about the lack of resources made available to protect residents’ homes. She told how simple sand bags could have helped to protect her house from the floodwaters.
Mr. Radcliffe also met with folks at the Defiance Chamber of Commerce as well as the Volunteer Connection of Northwest Ohio. Bobby Olashuk, Executive Director of the Volunteer Connection said there are definite areas where work needs to be done, but he was very enthusiastic about the level of support he received from all across the region from volunteers looking to extend a helping hand to those in need. Later, Mr. Radcliffe visited with Jerry Hayes, Defiance County’s Economic Director to address ways to boost the local economy.
“It’s encouraging to see how the community came together once again, and it only motivates me more to serve them,” commented Scott Radcliffe in response to the outpouring of support after the second flood in less than six months.
“If elected to Congress, it would be among my top priorities to meet with local officials and the corps of engineers to find a way to help alleviate the flooding in the 5th District,” said Mr. Radcliffe.
The Republican candidates’ forum was held at Charlie’s Down Under on Clinton Street in Defiance, Ohio. There was a crowd of around 40 enthusiastic constituents ready to learn more about the candidates present.
Scott Radcliffe gave a spirited speech citing the dire need for “strong representation to make sure the citizens of our nation are kept safe through vital programs like FISA.”
Scott Radcliffe is a lifelong resident of Northwest Ohio, a West Point graduate, and a two-term Iraq War veteran. While serving in the Army, he ascended to the rank of Captain and was awarded the Bronze Star. From 2004-2005, Mr. Radcliffe was a scout platoon leader responsible for a district of approximately 500,000 in southern Baghdad. After his first tour in Iraq, Mr. Radcliffe was deployed to New Orleans to assist the citizens affected by Hurricane Katrina. During his second tour in 2006-2007, Scott was a speechwriter and member of the III Corps commanding general’s personal staff, LTG Ray Odierno. In December, he returned to his hometown of Perrysburg, Ohio after his second tour in Iraq to run for U.S. Congress. He is engaged to be married this summer and is an active member of Grace United Methodist Church.
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Statement from Scott Radcliffe Regarding the House Democrats’ Inaction on FISA
For Immediate Release:
February 15, 2008
Perrysburg, OH: “The actions of the Democrats in Congress are nothing short of irresponsible. My father, a retired FBI agent, was in the trenches of the Global War on Terror here in the U.S. as the head of the Northwest Ohio Joint Terrorism Task Force. We cannot afford a wall to reemerge between our criminal investigations and our foreign intelligence gathering services. I’ve been on the other side of this war in Iraq, and I know from ground experience we cannot allow the terrorists we are fighting overseas to gain a foothold here in America. We need strong leadership in Washington to keep the great citizens of this country safe.”
Scott Radcliffe is a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Ohio’s 5th District. He is a lifelong resident of Northwest Ohio, a graduate from West Point, and a two-term, decorated Iraq War veteran. For more information regarding Scott Radcliffe’s campaign visit: www.scottradcliffeforcongress.com.
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February 14, 2008
Scott Radcliffe for Congress Opens Campaign Headquarters
Perrysburg, OH (February 13, 2008) – Scott Radcliffe, Republican candidate for U.S. Congress (OH-5), announces the opening of his campaign headquarters. The headquarters is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Perrysburg near the Way Public Library at 134 East Third Street, Suite A. 
“Perrysburg is my hometown and becoming the largest and fastest growing city in the 5th district. I am humbled by the outpouring of support that my campaign has received so far, and I am pleased to be able to give people the opportunity to get involved in my campaign.
“In a few short weeks I have traveled to nearly all 16 counties and met with thousands of people. Opening the headquarters will help us get my message out to more people throughout the district. I urge folks to take part in this important election. This is a true grassroots effort and everyone’s contribution matters.”
Regular office hours will begin Thursday, February 14.
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February 12, 2008
Latta, Radcliffe in battle for Congress
Bucyrus Telegraph Forum
By Dan Clutter
February 12, 2008
BUCYRUS — … Latta’s opponent in the March 4 primary for the Fifth District seat, Scott Radcliffe of Perrysburg, was on hand, along with those candidates running for state and local offices.
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Radcliffe, who graduated from West Point and played football there, said he found inspiration when he went to New Orleans to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“I called home to see if we could get some support,” Radcliffe said. “(The support didn’t come in a trickle, it came in an absolute torrent. That showed me something. That showed me the type of people we have here in northwest Ohio.
“Those are the types of people I want to represent,” he added. “And those are the types of people I would like to lead, to help lead into the future. To gain solutions to problems like this. Because things need to be done. The floods hit here this winter. That’s two times in less than a year. Things need to be done. I worked in New Orleans to find solutions there and I will work here in northwest Ohio to find solutions here as well.”
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Radcliffe did not address FISA, preferring to talk more about rebuilding communities. He discussed his work in the Army in Iraq, saying that he “tried to improve communities there, not only by figuring out solutions to their problems, which included sewage, school problems, but also, fighting our nation’s war.
“We need to find solutions to other problems that need conservative solutions, like the economy, like national security, and like health care,” Radcliffe said. “We need a strong voice here to do that.” …
For the full article click here.
February 11, 2008
Scott Radcliffe Visits Crawford County
Attends the Crawford County Republican Candidates Forum
Bucyrus, OH (February 11, 2008) - Today, Scott Radcliffe, Republican candidate for U.S. Congress (OH-5), visited Bucyrus and attended a Republican Candidates Forum hosted by the Crawford County Republican Women. The event was held at Baker’s Pizza and Sport Shack in Bucyrus, Ohio.
The forum was open to Republican candidates running for office in Crawford County including the candidates for U.S. Congress. Approximately 40 people were in attendance.
“Our hearts go out to the citizens of Northwest Ohio who suffered through last week’s flood. Seeing how they came together for the second time in a year has only strengthened my desire to represent these fine and dedicated citizens.
“I feel motivated to serve the people of Northwest Ohio, and I ask for your support on March 4th so that I can continue that service in Congress,” said Mr. Radcliffe in his remarks to the crowd.
Scott Radcliffe is a lifelong resident of Northwest Ohio, a West Point graduate, and a two-term Iraq War veteran. While serving in the Army, he ascended to the rank of Captain and was awarded the Bronze Star. From 2004-2005, Mr. Radcliffe was a scout platoon leader responsible for a district of approximately 500,000 in southern Baghdad. After his first tour in Iraq, Mr. Radcliffe was deployed to New Orleans to assist the citizens affected by Hurricane Katrina. During his second tour in 2006-2007, Scott was a speechwriter and member of the III Corps commanding general’s personal staff, LTG Ray Odierno. In December, he returned to his hometown of Perrysburg, Ohio after his second tour in Iraq to run for U.S. Congress.
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Candidate for House seat visits Van Wert
Van Wert Times Bulletin
By Ed Gebert
February 11, 2008
He was the stranger in a room full of acquaintances. But Scott Radcliffe tried his best not to be a stranger for long.
This tall Iraq War veteran from Perrysburg found himself in Van Wert for the county Republicans’ monthly luncheon on Friday, making new friends and attempting to get his name and message out to those in attendance.
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He has gone from the world of the military to the world of politics, running for the 5th District Congressional seat in the March 4 Republican primary. But for Radcliffe, the two worlds have something in common.
In Iraq he found himself trying to convey to the people of that country that someone in an American uniform cared about them. On the campaign trail in America, he finds himself trying to overcome the suspicions of the voters. “The biggest thing is just trying to peel away the veneer of them seeing me as a politician,” he said. “Once they see beyond that, they can really get to know me and see what I’m all about. I’m the same man I was in Iraq. I’m the same man I was in New Orleans after Katrina.”
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Although disheartened at missing the opportunity to run in the fall, Radcliffe told the crowd of Republicans Friday afternoon, “I’m here now, and I’m here to serve. Just I have served our country in Iraq twice and once in New Orleans, I want to continue that service today for the good people of northwest Ohio.”
The job has special meaning for Radcliffe. It was Gillmor who nominated Radcliffe for West Point in the first place, an act which forged a bond between the two men. A 2002 West Point class ring stood out on Radcliffe’s hand as he talked with Van Wert County G.O.P. faithful on Friday.
Radcliffe doesn’t consider himself a longshot to take the nomination away from Latta next month. He is counting on the leadership abilities honed on the battlefield to set him apart both on the campaign trail and in the halls of Congress.
“This area deserves a strong conservative voice on Iraq,” he stated. “And I can be that voice.”
He certainly has a bond with veterans. On Thursday evening, Radcliffe spent some time at the V.F.W. hall in Van Wert, talking to other veterans about how Washington can best honor our soldiers.
“This country needs new veteran voices,” he declared. “Our World War II veterans are retiring. Our Korean War veterans are retiring. Our Vietnam War veterans are retiring. It’s time for the next generation of veterans to step forward.”
Radcliffe also vowed to strip away the negative image of politicians through openness and honesty. “I say what I mean and I try to make that clear,” he pointed out. “I want everyone to know where I stand.”
It will certainly be a tough battle for Radcliffe, who must best Michael Reynolds of Columbus Grove as well as the new incumbent Latta to make it to the November ballot. But Radcliffe has faced some pretty tough fights already.
For the full article visit the Van Wert Times Bulletin.
February 4, 2008
Candidate speaks to Kiwanis Club
The Lima News
By: Nancy Kline
February 4, 2008
OTTAWA – Scott Radcliffe feels he is a battle-tested leader. “I’ve been shot at and still went forth and built communities,” he said.
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Speaking at the Ottawa-area Kiwanis meeting on Monday, Radcliffe listed national security, the economy, health care, and the need in education to allow teachers to inspire creativity as important issues.
When questioned about the No Child Left Behind Act, Radcliffe said he felt the system was good in theory, but needed to be changed.
“We need to allow teachers not to teach just to the test, but be creative in how they teach the subjects,” he said. He spoke of meeting with teachers in other counties who have expressed concerns about the system.
“In some grade schools they are no longer allowed to have novels for children to read. Reading is something that is being pulled back on. So are social studies.” Radcliffe said.
While he said there needs to be a system to know how pupils are progressing, he does not feel it is necessary to do testing every year.
“Ohio is not as bad as some states,” he said. “In Texas they have three or four benchmarks before taking standardized testing. They are testing one month and a half out of the each year.”
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Radcliff said he would push for scaling back and allowing “our school districts to teach.”
“Nobody knows how to address our children better than superintendents, principals, and most assuredly the teachers,” he said.
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Radcliffe also said we need to continue in the war in Iraq.
“We have an opportunity to build resources in Iraq,” he said. “There is hope.”
He said it was important to get the people, not just the politicians, in the country to be willing to invest in their future.
“Then we win,” he said. “Then they will do what is necessary to do what is needed to be successful.”
He also said the United States and its allies need to continue to be aggressive in Afghanistan.
“We took our eye off the ball for a bit, but we are addressing it.,” he said. “We are going forward to do what is necessary.”
For the full article click here.
January 28, 2008
January 23, 2008
Veteran returns to run for Congress
The BG News
By: Tim Sampson
January 23, 2008
…Radcliffe is seeking the Republican nomination for Ohio’s 5th district congressional seat, calling his bid for office an extension of his service.
It’s an ambition that has been with Radcliffe since he was in sixth grade. His teacher went around the room one day predicting the future careers of each of her students. When she got to Radcliffe she pointed at him and simply said, “Congressman,” a prediction he was not particularly excited about.
“I’d heard some not-so-good things about these political people,” Radcliffe said. “And it was like, ‘Who? Me?’”
But his teacher’s prediction stayed in the back of Radcliffe’s mind as he went on to graduate from Perrysburg High School and West Point Academy. It also stayed with him while serving five years in the army.
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The 28-year-old Radcliffe felt close to Gillmor, the Congressman who had nominated him for West Point Academy. That’s why he was especially dismayed to see the ugly campaign tactics of the Republican candidates who fought to succeed Gillmor.
“I was motivated by the tenor of last fall’s primary – the bitter and hostile nature of it,” he said.
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Although he’s never held elected office, Radcliffe said his years in the military have given him amble leadership experience.
During his first tour in Iraq in 2004 and 2005, Radcliffe spent time as a scout platoon leader patrolling Baghdad’s Airport Highway and portions of the West Rashid district in the Iraqi capital.
Radcliffe likened the experience to being a mayor, saying he spent most of his time working to rebuild the areas he was responsible for patrolling. While serving as platoon leader, he worked to create schools, repair sewage systems and rebuild houses.
“There was no infrastructure in the district,” Radcliffe said. “You had the authority to do what you needed to do. But you had to fight for funds to do it.”
Radcliffe feels this time in Iraq has prepared him for Congress, where he said the most important job for the 5th district’s Representative is fixing the local economy and creating jobs – goals that he believes are best achieved through decreasing taxes and business regulations. …
For the full article click here.
