The Politics of Fun

Phil Davison

Back in 2010 I witnessed the future of politics. A little known councilman went before his local party and delivered the most passionate speech of this century thus far.  Though the speech concerned, of all things, the Stark County Treasurer’s office, it harkened back to the exciting and entertaining aspect of politics.   As the speech went on, I felt something special happen. Politics became fun again.

The Princess of Political Correctness?

Last month, Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly took the spotlight when she asked presidential candidate Donald Trump the following question about statements he made long ago in very different contexts:

Mr. Trump, one of the things people love about you is you speak your mind and you don’t use a politician’s filter. However, that is not without its downsides, in particular, when it comes to women. You’ve called women you don’t like “fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals.” Your Twitter account has several disparaging comments about women’s looks. You once told a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice it would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees. Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president, and how will you answer the charge from Hillary Clinton, who was likely to be the Democratic nominee, that you are part of the war on women?

Phil Davison: A Politician’s Lament

A while back, former Minerva Councilman and Deputy Mayor Phil Davison (“America’s Councilman“) wrote the following to me in a Facebook message.  As he discusses his political prospects, Davison makes a short but profound statement about American politics.

The speech is what put me in this position [as America’s Councilman]. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to proceed.

Phil Davison Appears on 20/20

Former Minerva Village Councilman and Deputy Mayor Phil Davison (“America’s Councilman“) appeared on the July 25 broadcast of the ABC newsmagazine 20/20.  A segment documenting political candidates who “lose their cool” while campaigning featured Davison among others, including Illinois State Representative Mike Bost, former Congressman Anthony Weiner (“Carlos Danger“), and former Vermont governor Howard Dean.  Video of the segment can be viewed in full here.

“America’s Councilman” Leaves Office

Davison sworn in for a fourth term.
Image: The News Leader

Saturn’s Repository recently learned that free speech advocate Phil Davison no longer serves in the Minerva Village Council.  According to a brief mention in the Canton Repository in August, Davison, who just last year received the nickname “American’s Councilman” decided not to seek a fifth four year term to the seat.  He could not be immediately reached for comment.

Davison, who had served in the council as a Republican since 1997, is best known for the passionate speech he delivered to the Stark County Republican Party while unsuccessfully seeking the party’s 2010 nomination for county treasurer.  Though the speech likely made Davison the most well-known village councilman in the United States,  Davison had informed Saturn’s Repository in 2013 that he suffered politically as a result of the speech.

Citizen Journalist Martin Olson Uploads Official Phil Davison Video to YouTube

Citizen Journalist Martin Olson, the man who videotaped Minerva Councilman Phil Davison’s inspirational 2010 speech, uploaded the full, official video of the speech to YouTube last week.

Olson, who operates the  Stark County Political Report, which covers local politics in Stark County, Ohio, recorded Davison during the September 8 meeting of the local Republican Party Executive Committee, at which Davison sought the party’s nomination for County Treasurer.  In his original posting of the video to the Huffington Post, Olson reported:

State-by-State Results of IPR’s 2016 LP Presidential Preference Poll

With IP analysis complete, IPR released the official state-by-state results of its August 12-19 survey, which gauged reader preference for the Libertarian Party’s 2016 presidential nomination field.

Phil Davison: America’s Councilman

With over 16 years of service in the Minerva Village Council, free speech advocate Phil Davison has more legislative experience than the man the nation elected as president in 2008. Despite his political history, Davison did not gain notice until delivering one of the most impassioned speeches in recent memory. Now, as he considers higher office, a new moniker combines his fame with his political qualifications.  Meet Phil Davison, America’s Councilman.

IPR 2016 Libertarian Party Presidential Preference Survey Results

Using SurveyMonkey, Independent Political Report conducted three polls from August 12-19 gauging reader preference for those running or interested in running for the Libertarian Party’s 2016 presidential nomination.