The call came on my cell phone early Wednesday morning from the Ohio Democratic Party in Columbus. As I drove back from a Social Security Disability hearing in Cincinnati, I was informed that the man who intended to run on the Democratic ticket for the House Representative seat in the 67th District had decided not to run after all. The spot was now vacant, and the Ohio Dems were desperate for a candidate. The deadline for filing was 4:00 PM the next day, and I was the only prospect on their list. I told the caller that I would give it serious thought and phone her back with my decision in a few hours.
By then I had entered Warren County, the red zone. The 67th District covers most of Warren County, a beautiful and relatively prosperous region of Ohio with 100% of its elected leaders wearing the Republican brand. When George W. Bush was getting flack over the torture and prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison and the questionable existence of WMD's during his re-election campaign, he visited the county seat of Lebanon and was greeted like a king. Likewise, when McCain chose Palin as his running mate, one of the early stops was Lebanon because it was such a great PR opportunity. Throngs of supporters cheered in the streets surrounding The Golden Lamb, Ohio's oldest inn, and I had a firsthand view of it from the second story window in my law office. The enthusiasm and commotion in the streets below would leave anyone with the impression that Obama was doomed come November.
And that's the way it is in Warren County, Ohio. To the Democrat, it feels like the whole world is Republican and to challenge that label is nothing short of laughable. To run as a Democrat with serious hopes of winning is also laughable. And yet, at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, February 17, I called back the Ohio Dems and said "I'm in." Ironically, it was the recent upset in Massachusetts in which moderate Republican Scott Brown seized Ted Kennedy's former senatorial seat that pushed me over the edge. In that election, Martha Coakley shared the same kind of "resting on your laurels" complacency of most elected Republican officials in Warren County. As a Democrat in blue territory, Coakley obviously thought the Republican Scott Brown didn't stand a chance, and thus she put little effort into her campaign. This gave Brown the underdog advantage. One should never underestimate the opposing party, no matter how improbable the climate for victory.
According to Wikipedia, "A
miracle is an unexpected event attributed to divine intervention." A moderate Democrat can win as state representative in Warren County, but only with the assistance of God. And I'm not talking a little comfort along the way; a few prayers heard during the campaign. I'm talking Moses and the burning bush kind of grace. Jesus turning water into wine. This begs the question: why should God grant us a miracle?
The answer is simple: God loves balance. Look at the seasons: hot, cold, dry, wet. The same holds true in the world of politics. One party rule is NEVER a good thing. To have 100% of the elected officials in the 67th District wearing red caps means that a big chunk of people (Democrats being a little over 30%) are not being represented. That said, the logical conclusion remains that there is no way for a candidate to win with a little over 30% of the ticket. That's where the Independents of the 67th District figure into the equation. The good news is that the MAJORITY of voters in the 67th District are neither Democrat or Republican, but call themselves Independents. These people vote for the person in each election, not necessarily along party lines.
And so, through this blog, I want the Independent voters of Warren County to get to know me, and also the Republicans who are open to crossing party lines. And I will get to know all of you. Personally, I have always believed that one must vote for the person, not the political label. I have voted for local Republican officials in previous elections in Warren County because I knew they would make good leaders. We as a nation and as a county need to get beyond partisan lines and hostile gridlock and elect people who can competently serve. Let's talk about real solutions to real problems. Please send me your questions and concerns!
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Hurrah! Thanks Anne for taking on this challenge and giving the voters of District 67 an opportunity to have a choice as to who will best represent them in the Ohio State Legislature. Help us define how the state can assist in developing a viable economy, forward looking schools, healthy citizens, and a responsible government, and what we as concerned citizens need to do.
ReplyDeleteThe message of equality, diversity, and tolerance is sorely missing in our community. I have lived in Lebanon for nearly 2 years, and am still sadly reminded of the old anger and distrust that still lingers here. My family has been threatened and vandalized for *gasp* posting non-republican political endorsements in our yard. Apparently even something as simple as a peace flag is offensive to many in our small town. Sad, really.
ReplyDeleteTo be a Dem in Warren county, where Commissioner Mike Kilburn can say “I’ll let Warren County go broke before taking any of Obama’s filthy money,” is tough. The stimulus money, btw, was specifically for transit improvements in rural areas to improve transportation for disabled people, seniors and others needing access to health care and educational opportunities. Whoa, we definitely don't want that. "I'm tired of paying for people who don't have," Kilburn said. This approach to politics is bad for our county, and our country. Yet it is the status quo here....
Best of luck to you, Anne. If there comes a time where you'd like some help getting the message out - please contact me. And if I feel like the message is getting lost, I'll be sure to let you know :).
Hurrah! And very well said. Would that we had more like you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insightful words, Mark. I know many young people in Warren County who got jobs through the stimulus money last summer and went on to use that money for college and retail spending (thus helping the local economy). One local man's company avoided bankruptcy because of stimulus funds. I am also disturbed by the way that a local leader like Mr. Kilburn can scoff at basic human values of compassion and assistance to those in need, especially the disabled and the elderly in our community. As a board member of Warren County's National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and as a disability attorney, I have personally witnessed the plight of the elderly and disabled in this county with respect to lack of public transportation. The government must not waste tax payer money, and there is fraud out there that must always be addressed. But let's not throw the baby out with the bath water! There are also MANY people with genuine needs who require these social services, and some day you and I (and even Mr. Kilburn) could be in that group. There is often a needless and harmful negativity towards ALL social programs in this county. And yet, these programs are comprised of a lot of sincere people working hard to make Warren County a better place.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on taking up the mantle and joining the below 40 DPI club. As an activist and a Dem from Hamilton County, I know that voting patterns change - it is exactly candidates like you that keep the rest of us plugging away with hope for the future. I will see you on the stump and look forward to pitching in where I can. Jenny O'Donnell
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