There is an article in the Akron Beacon Journal about the governor's race in Ohio that illustrates how Democrats are often their own worst enemy. The article by John McCarthy of the Associated Press contends that party regulars are slow to get behind Strickland and Blackwell because they are outside of the parties' mainstream. According to this article the reason that Democrats are having trouble lining up behind Strickland is because he is from a rural area and opposes gun control. (Read the article here: http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/15214888.htm )
The article is very short on specifics. It only names two Democrats as sources. One is Eric Fingerhut, who was planning to run against Strickland for the Democratic nomination and the other is a professor from Youngstown State University. Since the Ohio Democratic Party is composed of literally millions of people, it is hard to accept that two people speak for millions. Putting that aside, and assuming that this article is accurate in that there are some Democrats from urban areas that are lukewarm about Strickland, this article shows how Democrats can drive you crazy.
Since 1962, the Ohio Democratic Party has only won three elections for Governor. Those occurred in 1970, 1982, and 1986. During that time we have nominated the following nominees: 1962-Mike DeSalle; 1966-Frazier Reams, Jr.; 1970-John Gilligan; 1974-John Gilligan; 1978-Dick Celeste; 1982-Dick Celeste; 1986-Dick Celeste; 1990-Tony Celebrezze; 1994-Rob Burch; 1998-Lee Fisher; and 2002-Tim Hagan. All but Burch came from one of the top eight urban counties in Ohio. DeSalle and Reams came from Lucas County; Gilligan from Hamiliton County; Celeste, Celebrezze, Fisher, and Hagan from Cuyahoga County. Let's see what that means. It means that 10 times we nominated Democrats from urban counties and they proceeded to lose seven elections. That's a 70%-30% loss/win record, folks, and that is not going to cut it in politics.
We don't know if Ted Strickland can win, but we do know that Democrats from urban areas haven't been winning. It is past time to do something different. That something different is nominating and then electing a Democrat from a "red" part of the state. A Democrat who can get votes in suburban and rural counties. A Democrat who can win more than 10 counties. Instead of complaining and whining about Ted Strickland's stance on gun control, get behind him and let's win for a change.
_________________________________________________________________
MCDAC hereby gives permission for the use of the above without attribution.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Couldn't agree more. The Ohio Democratic Party could throw itself at the floor and miss. And they are trying to do just that--thankfully NOT with Strickland.
The Dems have chased Paul Hackett, Peter Sikora and John Reardon from this race--three very winnable candidacies in favor of catering to special interest groups.
What part of "no rule" for 16 years does this party understand?
*Hackett did NOT declare until Brown said he wasn't running--flip-flop.
*The Ohio Dems BEGGED Judge Sikora, a seasoned trial judge, to run for the Supremes four years ago. He did. Along comes a "non-judge" in the State Senate and "bang", Sikora's out. Flip-flop.
*John Reardon forgot more of what it takes than Sykes knows about doing the job of Ohio Auditor. Reardon was chased out of the race.
Flop.
*Bill O'Neill out of the 11th District is yet another D candidate who has never sat as a judge in a trial court. It's a wonder there is no hope for straigtening out the Ohio Supreme Court! Flop.
Let's hope that the seasoned and proven candidacies of Strickland, Fisher, Brunner, and Dann can win, in spite of the State Party endorsement.
Post a Comment