What has happened to Ohio's Democratic Party???

[displacedyankeedem]

How did Ohio go from a state with two fantastic Senators(John Glenn & Howard Metzenbaum) who voted for Bill to GOP land which votes for * with idiots like Taft(how in God's name did he even win re-election last time around-I'm interested in knowing), Voinovich, and DeWine? Everything I've read and heard tells of an absolutely listless state that has consumed Ohio Democrats. Please give me a rundown.

[Catshrink]

1. Wasn't Traficant another Ohio dem?

The dems in Ohio need to be energized.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. He was

I believe that he is in Pennsylvania now, in a federal prison.

[lcordero]

2. the DLC's plan to put the screws to the grassroots

[jiacinto]

3. From what little I know

There were some scandals regarding the State Treasuer's office in the early 1990s. Also John Glenn and Howard Metzenbaum retired.

[CRYINGWOLFOWITZ]

4. don't forget

Jerry Springer, Dennis Kucinich and James Traficant.

[dsc]

5. Several things

I know you will find this hard to believe but in my lifetime Dems had not only the two Senators you mention but all 5 statewide offices and both houses of the state legislature. We got done in by man things.

1990 We lost close races for Governor and Sec of State. Those are two of the three apportionment offices.

1994 We lost Treasurer, Auditor, AG, making a clean sweep for the Republicans. We also lost the Ohio Senate. The Auditor was corrupt (I voted against him) and our Treasurer was appointed treasurer of the US by Clinton. We also lost Metzenbaum's seat when his son in law lost to DeWine.

1998 Again lost all 5 statewide offices. Lost state House. Voinovich defeats Mary Boyle for US Senate.

2002 Lost all 5 again.

We got hurt my losing the apportionment board which cost us the state legislature. Without that and due to term limits we were constatnly straved for money and for good candidates. Our free press won't cover politics at all. Ohio is very expensive to run in. Our party chair was the biggest idiot on earth (he was one of two Dem state chairs to oppose McCain Feingold). We ran some bad candidates for Senate. I have no idea what we can do at this point. I would consider running very strong candidates for Auditor and Sec of State which are the swing seats on our apportionment board. Then hope the resulting map can give us the legislature back. That is obviously a very long term strategy but I don't see what else would work.

[mndemocrat_29]

6. Ways to Win Back Ohio

I think you're right about trying to win Auditor and Sec of State. If we had a couple of the constitutional offices, we'd have several candidates in the launching pads for higher offices. I also think that we'd have a real shot at the governor's mansion in 2006, if we run a smart candidate who could take down Taft. Though Springer could take the Senate race in 2004, I don't believe he will. However, I believe that Springer could help out the rest of the ticket. Ohio (where Gore barely campaigned in 2000), nearly went into our column last time, and what a relief it would be if we could nab Ohio in the upcoming election. Also, I think that if we put a good candidate in OH-1, we may find that seat is winnable.

[davidinalameda]

7. Why does anyone want Springer to run

the man is the posterchild for all that's wrong on television and would be crucified

the only good thing is that he would have to leave his show!

the thing that I noticed about Ohio politics, and I paid attention when I was living in West Virginia is that things shifted about the time Bob Ney was first elected to what should be a strong Democratic seat. His district is heavily union with coal mines and steel mills. When he won, I was amazed. I don't think that the Democrats ran anyone against him last time.

[dsc]

8. The coal miners are a minority

in his district. While most of the area is in coal mining territory most of the people are suburbanites of Columbus. He has a well gerrymandered district.

As to Springer it is one word desperation.

[AngryWhiteDemocrat]

10. I think people underestimate Springer

Despite what he puts on TV, the man does have a brain.

But that point aside, I have an excellent feeling about Springer's chances in the Senate. Here's why.

The majority of people who worship Springer and his show are the people who appear on it, mostly. These are not the most educated bunch of voters. They turn on Faux News at night too. These people WILL come out in droves to vote for Jerry becuase they probably think it'll be funny.

That takes votes AWAY from the Republicans that they usually vote for blindly because they believe Faux News.

Add that to the usual base of Dem voters...and you flip the Senate right back to the good guys.

[jiacinto]

11. Some unsolicitied advice

You announced your candidate for Congress on Friday. Statements like that won't help your campaign. Saying that certain voters are "stupid" is not going to get them to support you.

I would be very careful with what you say at DU from now on, as your opponent will probably come here and use your statements against you.