All 88 Are Key - Ohio Dems To Leave No County Behind

[Algorem]

http://www.freetimes.com/story/553

By Anastasia Pantsios

If you're a progressive activist in Ohio, it's gotten hard to avoid Chris Redfern. The state representative from Catawba Island was elected chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party late last year, taking over in January. Since then, he's been on the road most of the time, rallying the troops and setting an example for a newly expanded field staff that's in the process of revitalizing what was once a moribund organization.

Ohio was famously a "swing state" in the 2004 election, and a beehive of activity for John Kerry's presidential campaign. But most of that activity was outside the established party structure, with most of the glut of newly minted activists working through the Kerry campaign itself or an independent organization such as MoveOn.org and America Coming Together (ACT). The ODP seemed to be the weak link.

Redfern's work to strengthen it is a reflection and a beneficiary of an effort being spearheaded by the Democratic National Committee.

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean may have seen his presidential aspirations wilt with his famous, media-amplified scream during the January 2004 primary, but he was elected chairman of the DNC in February 2005. And he launched an organizational effort which may be key to overhauling the Democratic party, making it more responsive and building an organization to rival the well-oiled Republican machine. It's already had an impact in Ohio...

[NYC]

1. Seriously 88 are key?

There are 88 keys on a piano.

[Josh]

2. Yeah, I was just going to write that this article

has one of the best titles I've seen in a while. :) Quite clever.

[Algorem]

3. Dint notice it.She is a long-time rock critic,though.

[MGKrebs]

4. Hmm. Need a song that uses all 88 keys.

Kinda like "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" for music.

[Algorem]

8. somebody could make a good ad with it

'get Ohio back in tune with Sherrod',or something.'you can't tuna fish,but you can tune up Ohio with Sherrod'?....

[cmd]

5. ODP did a great job with the Sherrod TV ad

It was just what was needed after the trash DeWine put out. Redfern is doing a better job that I thought he would do. ODP is staying on top of things. BTY, I didn't get the "88 keys" either.
I just associated it with the counties. 'Tis a good headline indeed.

[DinahMoeHum]

6. Heh heh, it's Dean's "50-State Strategy" at the individual state level

88 counties in Ohio.

Now, THIS is how we rebuild the Democratic Party in each state!

Keep it up!

:kick::kick::kick:

[samsingh]

7. good

[Vidar]

9. If Howard lasts 20 years, we might actually have a worthwhile party again.

Presently we have a few heroes like Conyers & feingold, along with a lot of flotsam.