Oct 17 - 46/45 - McCain +01
(shaking my head no)
Lee Fisher will be the running mate of Ted Strickland next fall. I'm not happy with the pick. In fact, I'm pretty pissed. I just don't understand it. Why would we run two white males when the leading candidate for the Republicans is an African-American? Fisher lost in 1998 to Taft 45%-51%. He hasn't held elected office since. Why would we run a loser? What makes Strickland great is that he is from a rural district in southeast Ohio. Fisher is from Cleveland. Why would we pick somebody from a part of the state we are going to win anyway? What does he bring to the table? (continued in comments)
By Kyle - 1/27/2006
9 Comments:
Stickland could have picked Mayor Rhine McLin of Dayton, Mayor Mike Coleman of Columbus, or my hometown favorite State Senator and Assistant Minority Leader Kimberly Zurz from Green. Zurz is a working mom (education), is president of her family business Eckard-Baldwin (understands small business needs), and was president of Summit County Council for eleven years (experience). Also, she is a fresh face and not a loser.
There had better be something to this pick that I don't know about. My only thought is that Fisher must be a fundraising god. He managed to out raise Taft in 1998 by just over a million bucks. Despite my disappointment, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure Strickland/Fisher get elected. This race is too important.
Kyle, do you think Blackwell is just guaranteed the black vote because he is black? He is an extremely conservative candidate who will not have a great deal of appeal to non-republican minorities. So conservative voters, regardless of race will vote for the republican candidate, but I don't feel moderate minorities are just going to line up and vote for Blackwell simply because he is black.
Very good question anonymous.
I think the fact that Blackwell is black gets him an audience in places where a white Republican wouldn't be listened to. On that point, I think there is an untapped block of voters for Republicans: the church going, anti-choice, anti-gay marriage African-American. I don't have the statistics to back this up, but I would bet that they are the African-Americans that turnout in the highest numbers.
Democrats will lose if Blackwell can get a small percentage of the minority vote to switch parties in Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Dayton, and Cincinnati. I think Blackwell has a unique opportunity to make that happen as an African-American candidate. Governor Blackwell would be a huge recruiting tool for Republicans nation wide.
I meant to post about this but I forgot. What a bad pick. I doubt it really matters, though. No one will cast a vote based on Governor's running mate.
Fisher is a proven state loser - as attorney general and for governor. and he lost to taft. i also thought it was a very strange pick, and I too felt that it has to be fundrasing related. fisher also looked like he aged about 20 years since 98
very odd pick
This pick is, to me, the most obvious example of how hopelessly lost the Ohio Dem party is. There are many other candidates that would have been so much better...it is mind boggling. Who cares how much money you raise if you're going to lose? Fisher is dead weight.
What a retread for a selection. Yes the running mate does not determine the race, but it sure could help ! A RETREAD!...a bad omen.
I like the "retread" Mr. Kozelka. Very good analogy.
The story I heard was that Fisher was chosen to get Fingerhut out of the race. Fingerhut allegedly had $1 million in commitments, mostly from the NE Ohio Jewish community. If those commitments were to come through, Fingerhut would instantly be legitimate and could force Strickland into a public debate. Fingerhut is very good in a debate setting- he's bright and innovative- and I don't think Strickland (or anyone else) wants a public debate with Fingerhut.
I've also heard that ODP internal polling has Blackwell and Petro pulling better than expected numbers in Cuyahoga County. D's will win Cuyahoga, but they need a blowout in Cuyahoga to win the governor's office.
The Fisher choice may help in pushing Fingerhut out financially, but it does very little to help the general.
Fist, Ben is right. Nobody really votes for LG.
Second, Fisher will raise money -- very important against GOP national sources aimed at Ohio battleground.
3rd, Your premise that Blackwell will be GOP nominee is flawed. Petro will likely win primary and the Blackwell's alleged black impact means nothing.
Fourth, Fisher adds credibility on inside game with media reporters, ed boards -- and assuming Strickland wins -- can actually help govern in statehouse.
Fisher was a strong addition to the ticket.
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