Clips & Comment » Ohio Democratic Party

Who I Like Tonight for 2010 U.S. Senate Race in Ohio

Pelikan — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 03:59:58 +0000

So long, George.

At any rate, the Ohio Republican Party is going to be fun to watch. What does Mr. Recharge Ohio, John Kasich do now? Sure, there a couple of things here or there to quibble with Gov. Ted Strickland over in a gubernatorial campaign, but state government under this Democratic governor – with a focus on efficiency, transparency and accountability – will measure well against the fast times and loose ethics of what Republicans brought Ohioans for 16 years. Kasich might want to recharge his plans and run for Senate. Rob Portman — Rob who? Portman may want to work a deal with Kasich. It goes like this: Portman runs the sacrificial lamb race against Strickland and gets his name out there statewide, to run for an open Governor’s office in 2014, Kasich runs for Senate. They don’t beat on eachother in a primary. How about Slick Jon Husted? U.S. Senator is an office for a person with a bit more gravitas. It would be a true shame for America if Ohio sent another made-for-TV Republican empty suit to the World’s Greatest Deliberative Body, but it could happen. Husted and Kasich could come down to money. Mary Taylor, irrelevant. Jim Petro and Betty Montgomery, too old guard. Ken Blackwell will hopefully be unavailable as he will be occupied driving the Republican Party’s bus off a cliff as RNC Chairman. Dark Horses: Mike Dewine, John Boehner, Bill Cunningham.

There’s only one person who stands out for various reasons among the Ohio Democratic Party set: Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher. Fisher is smart, experienced, plugged in to the Strickland 88 county operation, he’s been a trooper, and the Senate would be a great place for him to champion causes. Rich Cordray may have to be medicated in order not to give in to the impulse to run, but he’s probably found himself a home he will be happy in as AG. Some have said Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner would be a great U.S. Senator and I agree. I think the inside race to the primary favors Fisher, and Brunner will run for a second term. If Fisher decides he wants to be Governor someday, Brunner then looks like the best candidate. At this point, I don’t think it matters who the dark horses could be. The curent Democratic statewide office holders are such solid people and great pols that this won’t be the cycle to jump from obscurity. All of you Democratic members of Congress out there should think about all of the tough votes you’re going to have over the next 12 to 18 months. You need to be focused on one thing, protecting your homebase for now. 2010 is not going to be the year for launches from obscurity statewide. Protect what you’ve (what we’ve) got.

Ohio Sunday Papers – December 28, 2008

Pelikan — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:36:54 +0000

Columbus Dispatch

Ohio Republicans Overwhelmed by Unprecedented Democratic Effort

Pelikan — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:01:38 +0000

At a Republican meeting in Northeast Ohio this past weekend party operatives had to decide whether or not to continue to pour resources into a particular Ohio House race which just weeks ago was considered a toss-up. Their decision was to pull out and try to shore up another candidate. There’s enough cross-talk among party pros from both sides that within two days Democratic field operatives knew about the meeting and knew which race would not be as hotly contested. Their reaction? Keep pouring it on.

To hear the stories from Democrats in the field from the Obama campaign, the Ohio Democratic Party, labor activists, and individual campaigns, Ohio’s Democrats are more organized and active than in any cycle in recent memory. State political pros used to roll their eyes when asked about the usefulness of Democratic presidential nominees’ operations moving into the state. Every four years it was called the “coordinated campaign” but often devolved into two camps – the locals and the outsiders – with not much coordination.

According to a field operative familiar with both the ODP and Obama efforts, this year is different. Obama’s campaign apparatus set up from day one in the state party’s headquarters in Columbus. They immediately set to work building a field organization, all the while working with Democratic pros and activists in the state. They didn’t dictate and they didn’t ignore the existing apparatus.

So, what does a truly coordinated campaign mean for Ohio? For instance, if you’re out there trying to win a statehouse race, you’re likely to get a call from the local Obama office asking for your literature so that as they canvass for president, they’re canvassing all the way down the ticket. Because the Obama campaign hired primarily Ohioans to run their state effort, campaign managers and field directors know one another up and down the ticket and across district lines. It’s a natural instinct to help and look out for your friends, especially those who you’ve been in the trenches with in other campaigns.

Again, according to my source, this campaign has felt different to Ohio Dems for awhile, but it’s just in the last two to three weeks that things have really started to feel like they’re turning. They credit the economy’s domination of the headlines and report that the reception for Democrats is getting friendlier when re-contacting swing voters. And, there’s also the numbers game. The operative reports there’s never been more Democrats in the field and this year could be the biggest voter registration effort ever – and that’s statewide.

So, there’s the scent of change in the fall air. As Democrats what should our reaction be – even if it looks as if things are going our way one month out? Keep pouring it on. It doesn’t count until McCain delivers the concession speech.

This is the Ad That Will Win Ohio

Pelikan — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:28:54 +0000

Not Just Numbers …

Saturday Night – Russia v. Georgia, Jackson helps FBI, Sick Days, Dems,

Pelikan — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 01:49:27 +0000

News from South Ossetia

Georgia and Russia Near All-Out War – New York Times

Putin accuses Georgia of genocide – BBC
UN says Georgia conflict widening beyond S. Ossetia – Reuters
What is the conflict in Georgia really about? – Jerusalem Post

News from Ohio

Democrats parking – Columbus Dispatch
Next Week do or die for Sick Days deal – Columbus Dispatch
Cleveland mayor helping FBI in corruption probe – Cleveland Plain Dealer
Op-Ed, Aaron Marshall: Payday Lending Debate – Cleveland Plain Dealer
Gov: Time short on sick day compromise – Cleveland Plain Dealer
Medical Mart’s cost jumps – Cleveland Plain Dealer