Ohio democratic party is taking us for a ride...

[Sara Bradi]

It has been less than six months since democrats took over the top jobs in Columbus, and I have have NO COMPLAINTS with the outstanding job that - Ted, Lee, Marc, Jen & Rich - are doing.

But I think, Redfern is playing us for fools.

I think, he has a chess board of Ohio house, senate and congressional seats laid out in front of him. He is placing his pawns where ever he thinks he can "game" the system.

So Boccieri was tested in senate district 33, he succeeded so he is being gamed for US house seat 16. If Boccieri succeeds in winning the race for US congress, Redfern will support/appoint a crony or the highest bidder to Ohio senate seat 33.

In 2006, democratic party supporters poured our hearts and souls to get responsible leaders elected. I really DON'T CARE for how the party leadership is abusing our trust.

And if the party faithful do not wish to see this party implode like the GOP did in 2006, you should care too.

[cmd]

1. Why the burr about Boccieri?

He is an excellent choice for the the 16th. Something really seems to be bothering you about him. You cried that he only won one election, then I pointed out that he already had served two terms in the Legislature before he ran for State Senate.

Is it because he lives a short distance outside of the 16th? Part of his Senate district is in the 16th. I'm sure he plans to move into the district if elected. It's not his fault that the Congressional and State lines don't jive.

John is a young, exciting, enthusiastic Democrat. He is exactly the kind of person we need in Congress.

Do you have another candidate you would like to see run? Tell us about him/her.

[Sara Bradi]

3. the reasons for the Burr about Boccieri

(minor typos on edit)

Firstly, the fact that you think he is an excellent choice for the 16th, because he is "...a young, exciting, enthusiastic Democrat", is simply NOT A GOOD ENOUGH reason for me.

Secondly, (according to news reports) Boccieri was "offered" Ted's open seat to US congress (Ohio 6th), either of his own accord or due to Redfern's involvement, Boccieri chose not to run for that seat. i.e. he was offered a free pass to Washington but he turned it down.

Do you disagree ?

I say "offered" because Ted's popularity was astronomical last year, and his endorsement could have gotten a corpse elected on the democratic ticket in the US 6th district last year.

Thirdly, if Bocceri was "Called to Serve: Ohio, Iraq and Washington", as his site says, why didn't he answer the call to serve in Washington last year ? Someone else could have run for the Ohio senate district 33 and served the people of that district.

Instead, we have a distracted state senator who, for most part, will be absent from his job thru November 2008. And if he doesn't get elected to US congress in 2008, presumably thru November 2010.

Does anyone around here care that we elect leaders to serve the state, not use elected office as a stepping stone to climb a higher rung on the ladder ?

Fourthly (and lastly for now), I am sick of Redfern's games, if you recall the dirty political games leading up to the election of party leadership and the happenings of Dann v Subodh primary, to mention a few.

I want a democratic process that is democratic throughout the election cycle, not a Chris Redfern, or Bob Bennett, Fiefdom thru the primary, and a democracy thereafter until November.

By having Redfern decide who will run on the party ticket, in which election cycle, for what office, we STOP having a democracy, we instead have a Redfern Dictocracy.

Last year, we knocked on doors and educated the public about the abuses resulting from a one party rule. What good is a two party rule if the second party shares the ills of the first ?

So, if freshman state senator Bocceri still feels running for US 16th is his calling, he should resign his job as a state senator and let someone else, who wants to serve in that office, assume that office...

...otherwise, he ought to set his congressional campaign aside and fulfill his campaign pledge to serve in the state senate, in my humble opinion.

And if supporters want to keep donating time and money to candidates that will keep running for higher and higher office each election cycle, without getting any work done for the people, that is their business.

I for one, am planning to call every freshman elected leader on the carpet if they DON'T serve their full first term in office...savvy ?

[cmd]

4. In response

I do disagree. Being "offered" a seat is not all there is to being elected. Bocceri was one of the people mentioned for the seat, but it was never "offered" to him free of all strings. Charlie the Millionaire Wilson was in a much better position to be elected to the Ted's seat and was eventually the choice of the party and the people. Boccieri chose to run for the State Senate, a natural stepping stone for someone in politics.

Opportunities to claim a seat from the Republicans do not come along every day. To expect a competent, qualified person to pass up an opportunity like that is foolish. The Ohio Senate does not take up the hours and days that the US Senate does. Boccieri will have ample time to complete his senatorial duties and run for Congress.

So you want all candidates to serve a full term in office. John Boccieri has been elected and served full terms in the State Legislature. He has an
opportunity to move up from State Senate to US Congress and I say take it.....savvy.

Now, if you have a better candidate, let's hear about him/her.

[Sara Bradi]

5. we disagree ...

IMHO, if someone REALLY wants to serve the people, 24 hours isn't enough hours in a day for a public servant.

But if someone is looking to do the minimum to get a passing grade, I guess there is ample time for other activities.

I DO want all elected officials to serve a full FIRST term in office, you are fudging my statements by replacing a 'term in senate' with 'term in state legislature'.

Boccieri has yet to serve six months in state senate, let alone a full year or a full term as a state senator.

Enough about Boccieri, why are you silent about Redfern gaming candidates ?

I just want the field to stay open for other (potential) candidates to be able to enter the ring, locking up the primary for the party's favored son or daughter doesn't sound very democratic.

The job of Ohio dems is to guide, NOT APPOINT, candidates seeking the democratic nomination.

Do you agree ?

[cmd]

6. I was fudging nothing

I was pointing out that he is a seasoned candidate who cannot pass up an opportunity for advancement. We do not have term limits on the number of years US senators and Congressmen serve. edit: Unless they pull a Bob Ney, they can be in office for the rest of their lives.

Redfern's job is to field the best candidates. He doesn't have the power to appoint any one who is seeking the nomination. ODP's backing does not mean another candidate cannot win.

[BillORightsMan]

11. "ODP's backing does not mean another candidate cannot win."

Nope it sure doesn't. But, when the ODP sends out a mailer to EVERY OHIO REGISTERED DEM with their list of "approved" candidates (with the intention of carrying said mailer into the voting booth to encourage voting "the ticket") then the ODP can certainly put a HUGE FINGER on the scales of the Dem Electorate.

Witness the ODP non-backing of Subodh Chandra for the AG office. IMO, Chandra was the candidate with the overwhelming experience and "cred", and as the Cincy Enquirer posited back then:

Chandra is one of the most impressive statewide candidates Ohio Democrats have produced in years.

ref http://www.chandraforohio.com/clips/Enquirer_ED_4-22-06.pdf

Despite overwhelming support by countless union, grassroots and many others and tireless statewide campaigning by Chandra, he didn't even win his hometown Cuyahoga County. Dems across the state took their ODP card with them and viola Marc Dann is the Primary Winner. It's anybody's guess why Redfern's ODP backed Dann over Chandra, but I think many here can read between the lines themselves.

So, I wouldn't be so quick to discount the ODP Party-line who's-next-in-line politiking.


:patriot:
www.BillORightsMan.com

[cmd]

12. The ODP card did not have William O'Neill's name on it

yet he won in the primary. I was a Subodh supporter. I don't think is was the ODP card that put Dann ahead. It was Subodh Chandra's name. William O'Neill won because of his name. William O'Neill was an excellent choice. Subodh Chandra was an excellent choice. Marc Dann is doing a great job. We had strong candidates. They did us proud.

[geiger]

14. the anti-Chandra manipulations were a low point in Party machinations eom

[Rick Myers]

20. My take on John Bocceri, from MY perspective

I met John Bocceri in 2000, during his very first run for state office. I did a lib/prog talk show and he came on to discuss his run. I didn't expect much since his district was on the fringe of our signal. We spent about 45 minutes with John, on the air, talking calls, and when we were done, I told him, point blank, "Some day we'll be calling you Governor."

He did NOT make the rules in the game that must be played in Ohio (or any other state). Remember, Ohio only has 8 SOLID Dem counties. And in some of those areas, including NE Ohio, corruption runs VERY deep in the Dem Party. In fact, one county in Ohio's Dem Party is RUN and FINANCED by a Republican! I will explain some day...

John is an upstanding guy, with a lovely and supportive wife and children. He HAS SERVED ON ACTIVE DUTY IN IRAQ! He flys a C-130 with the 910th Airlift, and the plane is OLDER than he is! He is probably alot more moderate than most lib/progs would like, but he is a true patriot.

I ran into John last year at a county fair in Ohio... We both showed up at the Rethug Tent to hasstle a couple friends we have in the 'loyal opposition.' We had a good laugh about where you go to rent a 20' inflatable elephant! He was unsure about this run. I believe John is playing the hand he was dealt, and he is a rising star and at some point he just has to go with the flow.

You are CORRECT if you think there is a game of 'musical chairs' going on in Columbus. IT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE. I can tell you the next 2 or 3 appointments, they are done deals... John chooses to play in this arena because he loves his country. I saw that in him the day I met him.

And that's all I've got to say about that.

Thanks...

[geiger]

2. I agree that there could be more public communication from the Party

The last time I checked the website hadn't been updated in ages. Don't want to give away the family secrets, but issue information and press releases about the positive things Democrats are doing would be nice.

The budget is done, and the Administration has taken some people to court (great tactical moves), but what, really, are they DOING.

Inquiring minds want to know.

[OhioBlue]

7. I agree with cmd

what is your problem with Boccieri? I don't think you post on any other topic. It is very obvious that you are looking very hard for reasons to be against his entrance into the race. So, why don't you just cut out all the excuses and tell us the real reason?

We need a serious candidate for this seat and I'm sure we would all criticize Redfern if he didn't try to find a candidate for this seat. Has Regula ever had a serious race? Shaw got like 40% with hardly any money and very little campaigning. If Regula retires, this seat will be very competitive. We can't just find a name to put on the ballot the day before the filing deadline.

[Sara Bradi]

8. oh ! how right you are ...

I guess all 60 odd posts that I have made to date are about "bo-cherry", since you are a paying member, use your membership privileges to search the archives and verify the veracity of your accusation.

In 2006, the 16th had a 3 horse primary, Shaw won the primary by a very small margin, less than 2% if I recall correctly. Most dems woke up the next morning and asked themselves "shaw who ?".

In the general race, with almost no money and very little campaigning, as you correctly stated, Shaw picked up 41%

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/OH/H/16/

That got everyone's attention, including many republican prospects. And there is nothing wrong with that.

The ODP is now salivating over this seat, by fielding a candidate with money and an aggressive campaign, they are hoping for an early coup. There are many things wrong with that.

People who live in the district, and candidates who previously ran or now wish to run from the district, ought to have a chance to go thru the democratic process make their choices and have their voices heard.

Like every American, I too thank Mr. Boccieri for his outstanding service and sacrifice to our country.

But his service record and his four years in Ohio legislature are simply not enough to nurture the needs of this highly diverse but declining district. Boccieri will tow the party line, this district needs stewardship that can think and lead originally.

You are primarily interested in seeing Ohio 16th in the D column, while I would like that too, I am a little more interested in having a candidate that can bring economic and entrepreneurial stimulus to the district.

By having Redfern and the ODP crown the favored son Boccieri this early, the doors are closed for others that may be better suited.

Or do you disagree ?

(postscript) and please don't insult my intelligence with statements like "the race is still open if someone wants to jump in", as cmd did yesterday.

[cmd]

10. It is still open

Do you think it can't be done? Well, you are wrong, wrong, wrong. Zack Space beat the ODP candidate Joe Sulzer by a wide margin and not nearly as much money. I can attest to this because I worked on Zack's campaign from early in the primary until after he won in the general election.

[Sara Bradi]

9. my apology...I just noticed that you are not a paying member

I guess, the archives are off limits to you.

[liberalnurse]

15. I can't seem to locate

your "star" either????????????????

[Sara Bradi]

16. I am not a paying member...never said I was.........nt

[liberalnurse]

17. Well now, you had me fooled, since you

target members who are not donors.

[Sara Bradi]

18. I was not targeting OhioBlue

OhioBlue claimed I do not post on any other topic, so I suggested OhioBlue verify the accusation by searching the archives...savvy ?

[liberalnurse]

13. Ya know....that is

Chris's job, to utilize strategic placement options and target winning legislative seats throughout the state. If he did no do this, then I'd be pisst.

[Sara Bradi]

19. I agree that it is his job...

to field the right candidates AND the proper agenda for each political constituency.

In this instance we have a manufacturing blue collar district that is experiencing severe job losses and economic decline.

And who does Chris recruit ?

He brings in an inexperienced candidate whose background mostly consists of military service and some background in state government.

Boccieri says (I am paraphrasing) - "we need to bring our soldiers home from this unjust occupation, I will fight unfair trade practices that result in job losses for Ohio when I am in congress".

That was the substance of his message - (a) Bring the troops home (b) I will fight legislation that leads to unfair trade practices and job losses.

The 16th needs a pioneer like Republican Mike Turner from the Ohio 3rd http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Turner , the area around Dayton used to be pretty run down, jobs & economy wise.

He has successfully revitalized the region and is on his way to doing more http://www.house.gov/miketurner/biography.shtml

Now if you can think of a successful democratic business man / woman that will accept and rise to this challenge we should be running that person for the 16th.

Chris did not do his homework in this instance, this early coronation is going to cost the ODP dearly, in dollars, when they have to defend this choice next year.

Last year they screwed up in the Ohio 14th by failing to adequately fund Katz (if I am remembering correctly), now this.

Perhaps the ODP will now learn that Chris is a bit clueless in finding the right candidates for each seat and judiciously allocating limited party funds...at least I hope so.

[Kukesa]

21. Mike Turner?

I live in Dayton. Every Friday the "Dayton Daily Disappointment" publishes an entire section on home loan foreclosures.

The place is becoming a ghost town. You should walk through our downtown some night. Hell, just drive down I-75 and look at all the boarded-up factories.

Delphi shuts its doors on September 1st; all the jobs have been moved to Mexico.

And you believe Mike Turner?

[Sara Bradi]

23. there was a period of recovery in Dayton

Dayton was pretty run down in the early 90s, there was a period of recovery and there has been decline again.

Whether you take I-75 north to Dayton & Toledo or I-76 to Youngstown or I-71 to Cleveland or I-77 to Akron/Canton, you will find a number of boarded up warehouses and factories.

You decide if Turner gave the Dayton area a better footing.

[Kukesa]

25. That's not what you wrote.

According to your previous post: "He has successfully revitalized the region and is on his way to doing more."

Did ya even look at the photos?

And what in the world does "a better footing" mean?

Did you know he recently hired his wife's marketing firm to do some PR work? Says family will do a good job for him. Yeah, I'll bet -- and they'll get paid plenty, too. Nepotism maybe? Just maybe?

Sheesh. Again.

[AngryOldDem]

27. We the deciders have decided

<<You decide if Turner gave the Dayton area a better footing.<<

He hasn't.

[Kukesa]

28. I vote for "He hasn't," too. nt

[gemdem]

26. The only thing Mike Turner is good for

is Mike Turner. He certainly hasn't done a damned thing for his district.

[Kukesa]

22. Photos of "Pioneer" Mike Turner's District 3

Have a peek at these and then tell me what a good job he's doing:

http://realdaytonohio.blogspot.com/

Do you see a "revitalized region?"

Sheesh . . .

[AngryOldDem]

24. Don't use Mike Turner as an example -- or an endorsement -- of ANYTHING.

PLEASE. The man is nothing more than a suit-filler and a Bush synchopant. The Dayton area is literally dying. He has done NOTHING but fill a chair since being elected.

ON EDIT: Also, one of the biggest factors in Turner getting elected in the first place was the redistricting of the 3rd to include most of highly Republican Southern Ohio. Tony Hall was virtually unbeatable and that was the only strategy the GOP had left. Southern Ohio is where most of Mike's support comes from. And other than chiming in now and then to stick up for WPAFB, Turner has done JACK in DC for Dayton. He was a better mayor.