Red CD's

by Jerome Armstrong, Tue Mar 29, 2005 at 08:57:17 AM EST

Once Portman is confirmed as U.S. Trade Representative, the 2nd CD of Ohio will hold a special election, the first for the 109th congressional cycle. In 2004, the Republican Portman garnered 72 percent. The Republican will be favored, but that won't stop the Democrats from putting up a candidate. Charles Sanders has been the candidate for the past 3 cycles against Portman. Seems pretty clear that this is a longshot, but one worth contesting with the backing of Project 90 and BlogPac. As David NYC has stated, this is where the netroots can put ideas to test, taking this Open Seat on a trial run for '06. We'll be running against DeLay in '06 in all 232 of the Republican held seats, starting with the OH 2nd this fall.

Tags: Democrats (all tags)

Comments

14 Comments

Sort by

permalink

Totally agree...

Now is the time for the practice run. Got to get the vote out. While as you suggested, it's a long shot (Sen. Dewine's son is running for the GOP nomination), we should be proactive on this race.

by falcon4e 2005-03-29 09:12AM | 0 recs

permalink

Re: Totally agree...

If we make it close (even a 55-45 loss) it will validate a lot of things for 2006.

by yitbos96bb 2005-03-29 09:48AM | 0 recs

permalink

OH02

What would you think of setting up a special blog where ideas and efforts can be coordinated?

This particular race isn't on my already crowded radar screen, but we could contribute in some ways. I think it would be useful to get a warroom together on this. If it proves useful, it would be duplicated for other key races in 2006.

Paul
Bring Ohio Home

by bringohiohome 2005-03-29 09:31AM | 0 recs

permalink

This is a mistake

"We'll be running against DeLay in '06 in all 232 of the Republican held seats,"

This is a huge mistake... We need to run against Delay in 06 in EVERY CD, regardless of who holds it. Not only win the Red CDs but increase our margain in the blue ones. I want a crushing humiliating night much like 1994 and 2002 (except we reverse roles obviously), one that leaves the GOP shaking their heads and eating their own organs.

by yitbos96bb 2005-03-29 09:47AM | 0 recs

permalink

First Question

What does the Democratic Party organization look like in Ohio's 2nd CD? Do we have active county and town organizations? Precinct captains in every election district? Do they talk to one another? Do they have current voter lists? Has someone bothered to ask them what the important issues are in their communities? Is there an overall 2nd CD organization?

What about Democracy for America? Are there any DFA groups in the 2nd CD? Do they have an established relationship with the local Democratic Party structure? Is the Party open to grassroots involvement? Are they scared of their little fiefdom being threatened by "barbarians at the gate" or are they happy to see the cavalry arrive with fresh horses to strengthen their joint effort?

What is the breakdown of party enrollment in the district? County by county? Town by town? Do the precinct captains know what a realistic target is for them in terms of Democratic votes in their district? Do they know who needs to be targeted to reach that number? Do those numbers added up election district by election district with the CD add up to a Democratic victory?

Oh... and by the way... do you have a quality Democratic candidate that can spend the time and money to visit and talk with voters in every town and every precint while getting The Democratic Message out on radio, in the papers, on TV, and in direct mailings?

Has a group effort been made to determine what The Democratic Message is for Ohio and for that congressional district?

by Andrew C White 2005-03-29 10:15AM | 0 recs

permalink

Re: First Question

Andrew,

There's a group forming in Ohio called Blue 88 (different from the band) or Ohio 88. It's several people from ACT, America Votes, and other 2004 groups. They are currently helping take stock of all the county Dem parties. They also have connections with the DFA local groups, but are a little more aggressive in their work (totally my perspective). Not sure what their plans would be to get into the 2nd CD race though.

by CAat14K 2005-03-29 11:12AM | 0 recs

permalink

Better Candidate

If the Democrats really want to contest this district, they need a new and better candidate. I live in the district right next to this one.
Charles Sanders has run 3 times in this district.
He has not been very much of a candidate. He is fine as a fill in, but the Democrats need to find
someone who can be a real candidate and appeal to the voters. It will still be uphill.

by jhiestand 2005-03-29 10:23AM | 0 recs

permalink

Rep. Todd Book

Ohio House Rep. Todd Book (D) has said he is interested in running for the seat. Ohio's 2nd Congressional District runs through parts of seven counties including part of Todd's home county, Scioto.

The Ohio Democratic Party's chances could be helped by the fact that two prominent Republicans, Hamilton County Commissioner Pat DeWine and Cincinnati-area Ohio House Rep. Todd Brinkman have announced plans to enter the race.

There is no limit on the number of qualified contestants a special election can have in the state of Ohio, so it is quite plausable that two (or more) Republicans could run for the seat. If only one Democrat runs....the Democrats might have a shot at picking up a seat in a heavily Republican area of Ohio.

The Ohio Democratic Party blog has a post on the topic. www.ohiodems.org. We'd be happy to hear any input, suggestions, comments from the netroots.

by chowds 2005-03-29 10:26AM | 0 recs

permalink

Re: Rep. Todd Book

Minor question, how does it help the Democrats that Senator DeWines son announced his candidacy? Is there baggage? Popularity issues?

by falcon4e 2005-03-29 11:51AM | 0 recs

permalink

State Rep. Tyrone Yates

I should also mention that State Rep. Tyrone Yates (D) has also expressed interest in running for the seat.

You can go here to learn more about Yates and Book. http://www.house.state.oh.us/

by chowds 2005-03-29 10:30AM | 0 recs

permalink

Yeah...I got an idea...

We need to bait the hook. Many people do not step forward to run because they really don't feel like being the sacrifical lamb. They get absolutely no help and all the blame....

So, in order to attrack a quality candidate, we have to sweeten the pot. And what is the one thing a politican understands?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

So, if we want to attract someone decent to run against the Republicans (a sort of shot across the bow), we need to raise some seed money.

I you all remember, we were able to raise well over $200,000 in a week when Dean became the DNC Chair...

Well....let's do it again! Web wide!!!

Let's set a goal of say $250,000 by April 13th.

ActBlue already has the ability to donate money to the eventual nominee...

I have set up an account I call the Carrot fund.

If we are successful, we will attract media and a possible decent candidate (at the very least stress out the repugs)....we can use this to set up a more ambitious goal of identifying 100 House seats and raising a set amount of cash (maybe $100,000)....

We need to put the pressure on the Republican money machine and this is the best way to do it....

Imagine an entire Republican House delegation scared crapless and not sharing any of their money with competitive House races...

Holy pick up Batman!!!!!!!!!!!!! The second midterm of an incumbent President has historically been the largest seat losses....let's press our advantage!!!

Here is the webpage for donations:

http://actblue.com/list/carrotfund

Perhaps those of you with connections could press into service the lefty blog presence and in short order we can raise this cash....

by Nazgul35 2005-03-29 12:36PM | 0 recs