Really, Ohio? We can't do better than this?

[theHandpuppet]

Sheesh, I thought the dems in WV were bad but I don't think even they could top this!

Ohioan Appalachia-- Jennifer Garrison vs Greg Howard… The Republican Wing vs The Democratic Wing Of The Democratic Party

There are two Democratic Party candidates running, one, Jennifer Garrison, recruited by Steve Israel and backed by the DCCC, and the other, Greg Howard, a grassroots activist with no support from the party above the county level. Garrison is from the Republican wing of the Democratic Party. She's virulently homophobic and built her career on demonizing the LGBT community. She's also vehemently anti-Choice, pro-NRA, pro-fracking and has the backing of the reactionary Blue Dog caucus. Howard is from the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt school of progressive Democrats. The reporter covering their race most closely, The Vindicator's David Skolnick, pointed out yesterday that neither Garrison nor Howard are "big fans of their political party or President Barack Obama." Their reasons, however, are polar opposites and point out the difference in the two candidates. Howard is disappointed that Obama hasn't been progressive enough and Garrison takes her talking points straight from the GOP, her spiritual home.

“I’ll be representing a district; I won’t be representing a party, though I am a Democrat,” said Jennifer Garrison, a three-term former Ohio House representative who works as an attorney representing landowners who sell mineral rights to oil and gas companies....

- See more at: http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2014/04/ohioan-appalachia-jennifer-garrison-vs.html#sthash.5N7PTAf5.dpuf

[awake]

1. Is her district a Republican district now?

If so and Jennifer Garrison can take it away from them then I am all for having a Democrat that can win instead of requiring all of our candidates to share the same beliefs. While I do not support any of her views if she can take a Republican seat then go for it.

[theHandpuppet]

2. A Democrat with these Republican views should not be supported by the party machine

Especially if she votes with the Republicans. Her bigotry alone is shameful. I'm sorry, but supporting a virulent hatemonger is not the same, in my book, as simply not "sharing the same beliefs".

[awake]

3. Do you know if it is a Republican seat now?

[theHandpuppet]

4. Yes, it is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio's_6th_congressional_district

Bill Johnson's RW, anti-woman, anti-gay politics sound no different than those of Jennifer Garrison. The question remains -- is this really the best the Democratic Party in Ohio can offer? Is this a person deserving of party support and money?

[awake]

5. If Jennifer Garrison can win then there will be one less seat for the Republicans

If we want to take back the house then by all means lets take as many Republican seats as we can.

[theHandpuppet]

6. If I lived in Ohio, I would not vote for her

I would either look for a third party candidate or a write-in. There is a saying, "A difference which makes no difference is no difference". Asking me to vote for Garrison would be like asking me to vote for an avowed racist just because she's a Democrat. I am a lesbian who has no rights according to Ohio's laws and Garrison built her political career on homophobia.

The answer? Note to the Democratic party -- Offer better candidates who aren't misogynic, homophobic hatemongers.

[Enthusiast]

7. If you elect a Democrat in name only it serves no earthly purpose.

DINOs suck as bad as Republicans.

[awake]

8. THE PURPOSE IS TO TAKE BACK THE HOUSE!!!

If we want to take back the house then we will need to win republican seats any way we can. I would love to have 50 DINOs if if got Nancy back the speakership.

[theHandpuppet]

10. Then the party should offer better candidates.

You can have the bigoted hatemongers representing you. I'm glad it won't be my choice to make.

[Enthusiast]

11. A majority of DINOs would effectively be a Republican majority.

It is policies that make the difference in a political party and the individual candidates.

Sorry, I will not support a DINO. And I do live in Ohio.

[theHandpuppet]

9. And they often vote with the Republicans, anyway

Garrison is a real piece of work. As a voter it's like offering me a bowl of maggot-ridden slop and telling me if I don't eat it I won't get any supper. Thanks, but I can skip a meal.

[awake]

12. While most of her views I can not support here are a few that I agree with

From her web site

http://jennifergarrison.com/on-the-issues/

Unions
America’s middle class is being undermined and part of the reason is that unions are being undermined. I have always supported organized labor, prevailing wage laws, and collective bargaining rights; and, I was proud to speak out against Senate Bill 5. I was raised in a union household. Unions provide a living wage, a trained and safe workforce, health care for working families, and an ability to retire in dignity. I’m proud to have the endorsement of Ohio’s AFL-CIO, Affiliated Construction Trades (ACT) of Ohio, the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters and its locals in the 6th district and many other labor groups because I will always stand with working families.

Medicare –
I do not support any cuts to Medicare. My opponent Congressman Johnson has voted twice to cut Medicare by $700 billion dollars and turn the program into a voucher system that would devastate our seniors.

Social Security –
Social Security is a promise to our seniors. I strongly oppose efforts by some Republicans in Washington to privatize Social Security, which would risk your money in the stock market. Privatizing Social Security would help Wall Street bankers make more money, but it would hurt seniors in Main Streets throughout Ohio…I will fight against any such plan.

Government Shutdown —
The government shutdown is one of the clearest reasons why so many Ohioans are fed up with the politicians in Washington. Congressman Johnson defended the government shutdown – which cost taxpayers $24 billion – while prison guards at the Elkton Federal Correctional Institution in Columbiana County were forced to put themselves in harm’s way each day, put food on the table, fill their cars with gas, and provide care for their children – all without being paid. This is a clear example of a Congress that does not work, and I will not support government shutdowns.

Minimum wage —
Imagine trying to live on $290 a week. That’s the dilemma facing millions of Americans, because that’s the salary of someone who works 40 hours a week for the minimum wage. The sad reality is that the minimum wage is no longer something primarily paid to high school kids trying to make a few bucks after school….more often than not, a grown man or woman is forced to support their family on $290 a week. When I was in the State House, I stood with the AFL-CIO to extend minimum wage protection to large classes of excluded workers, such as home health care workers and certain firefighters. I strongly support raising the minimum wage and am disappointed that Congressman Johnson opposes raising the minimum wage.