Ohio DFA candidate forum...I love these forums. Good speakers.

[madfloridian]

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/007480.html

DFA Candidate Forum: Democracy for Ohio
Karen Gasper is a Democracy for Ohio Steering Committee member.

This weekend Democracy for Ohio and Blue 88 had a candidates forum in Columbus Ohio for all the statewide candidates. Despite threats of rain mixed with snow turning to ice, the two hosts were able to pack the IBEW hall in the Short North—250+ people were there from across the state. Ohio bloggers reported on the day's exciting events at Blue 88, Upper Arlington for Progressive Action, Buckeye Senate Blog, LICOPAC, Grow Ohio and Ohio 02 Blog. There were numerous organizations from across the state that co-sponsored the event, including: Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio, Midtown South for Progress, Upper Arlington for Progressive Action, Uptown Progressives, Summit County Progressive Democrats, Progressive Democrats of America, Central Ohio Coalition of Progressive and Democratic Groups, Medina County Democratic Action Committee, Democrats for a Stronger America and Perry County Democratic Forum.

Both Senate candidates Paul Hackett, who DFA strongly supported in his special election bid in August for Ohio's second District, and Sherrod Brown, an outstanding liberal and free trade critic from outside of Cleveland, spoke about how they would best serve Ohio in the Senate. Both candidates want the opportunity to unseat Sen. DeWine in November. You can read some of the outspoken comments by Hackett here and a recent article about Brown.

Todd Portune, the new Vice Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, closed the forum. He spoke about how the Ohio Democratic Party once had closed doors. And being that Todd Portune once used a wheelchair, he was speaking of this literally—the ODP's office was not handicapped accessible just a few years ago. He spoke of the importance of the Ohio Democratic Party being open to grassroots activists and how he believes our new Chairman, Chris Redfern, is doing outreach to everyone in the Ohio Democratic family.

[FreedomAngel82]

1. Sounds great!

Looks like a nice crowd!! I'm surprised with such bad weather but I guess you learn to live with it up north.

[madfloridian]

2. It is a great idea. We had a candidate we sponsored in 04

along with the local Democrats. He was a good candidate, but the religious community here put in an anti-choice, anti-gay candidate on the last day of qualifying...and he beat ours because the churches turned out.