Can Cuyahoga's Ken Lanci Dupe 11th Congressional District Voters?

Submitted by Anthony Fossaceca on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 2:48pm.

While Ed FitzGerald and Terri Hamilton Brown spend the Labor Day Weekend courting Democratic votes ahead of next Tuesday's County Executive Primary, self-proclaimed "independent" candidate Ken Lanci will be making history.

According to his campaign website, Lanci will be marching in the 11th Congressional District Parade on Monday. The annual political "must attend" parade has been a staple of the east side of Cleveland for decades. Once led by Louis Stokes, later Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and now Representative Marcia Fudge, it draws tens of thousands of people to the streets and even attracted then-Presidential candidate John Kerry in 2004.

While Lanci won't be the only candidate for office in the parade - not by a longshot - he will probably be the only person or candidate in the procession who contributed $10,000 to try and defeat Barack Obama in November of 2008.

Residents of Cuyahoga County can see Lanci's millions of dollars everywhere. He's done his best to buy this election by plastering RTA buses, gobbling up billboards, vehicle wrapping delivery trucks, and more. While this visual showing may improve support in suburban areas, it'll be interesting to watch the reaction from a community that went so heavily for Obama, to a wealthy and powerful individual who was so passionate about stopping him from becoming President. The Lanci millions might mean something to voters in the Republican controlled precincts, but in the heart of Ohio's Democratic base...brace yourself, Ken.

Anthony, I'm not so convinced

Submitted by Anastasia Pantsios on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 5:16pm.

that voters — urban OR suburban — are going to look too kindly on Lanci's trying to purchase the county as a plaything for his ego (I can think of no other reason, bad or good, for his wanting this difficult job for which he is manifestly unqualified, other than to swell his own ego. He doesn't even have powerful friends to enrich like Tim Hagan). I suspect the kind of voters who might fall for this are the ones least likely to vote, more likely to sit home and complain, or whine on cleveland.com.

I will be interested to see what response he gets too, and what Marcia will do on the reviewing stand, if he is actually IN the parade — if she will have him announced. If he merely shows up, that wouldn't be history-making. Blackwell sent stooges in 2006 whom Stephanie called out from the stage, and Joan Synenberg worked the crowd that year too. (She was also working Democratic ward clubs and city clubs who turned a blind eye and let her get away with it. Obviously it paid off.)

DON'T LET THE FACTS GET IN THE WAY OF A GOOD BLOG!

Submitted by klanci on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 8:26pm.

Really Anthony,

If you took the time to look at my website kenlanci.com you would know why I am running. You would also know that I have supported the 11th District for many years before I entered the race. I have brought Millions of dollars of Eye Exams and New Glasses for over 3,000 children of the CMSD. There are numerous other agencies that I have supported in the 11th. District See my Site.

I WILL BE THERE SO PLEASE STOP BY AND SAY HELLO ALONG WITH ANY OF THE OTHER BLOGERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN ADULT CIVIL CONVERSATION....HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND. I

By the way...I am not buying the election, I am giving the power of the vote back to the people. I am working for all of the people and not any parties....even you my friend. I am playing by the rules the parties set up!!!

Ken, what facts did I get

Submitted by Anthony Fossaceca on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 9:08pm.

Ken, what facts did I get wrong? You gave $5K to McCain-Palin and another $5K to the Ohio GOP, all in the closing days of the 2008 race. I'd be shocked if there are many in Hough, Glenville, Forest Hills, Buckeye, etc who would be as enthusiastic about supporting you if they knew that you spent $10K to beat Barack Obama. There are a whole lot of people in Cuyahoga County who won't even EARN $10K this whole year, must less be able to write checks that large.

As for your suggestion that you're not buying the election, it's hard to take seriously. There aren't many citizens of Cuyahoga County who could (or would) ever be able to mount a media effort even close to what you're doing. I can appreciate that you're not taking large contributions from outside sources, but by essentially self-funding - because you can - you take power from the people you claim to give power to.

Finally, I'm not questioning your motives for running. At least I didn't in this piece. I have no choice but to accept your claim that you're doing it for the right reasons. My issues are with you claiming to be "independent" when there are so many deep connections to the GOP - personal, professional and financial.

There are others running as Independents this fall - Tim McCormack for example - but I've yet to hear them distance themselves from parties as much as you have. McCormack may be independent on the ballot, but few know him as anything but a Democrat. Voters won't have the luxury of knowing your political ties because that information doesn't appear on your website.

I suspect we'll keep this conversation going. There's plenty to discuss in the next couple of months and I look forward to that dialogue.

Big Difference

Submitted by klanci on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 10:33pm.

Truly Independent......I know how to make Money, and give it to the Needy....not for any political advantage.....My history is over the past 15 years.

By the way I heard Jane Cambell spent over 750,000 dollars on her democratic bid. They never had a fair contest...now they do....All of them.

I look forward to future conversations also.

Take care
Be well