A Dangerous Game

I was starting to feel comfortable — finally — that the Ohio Democratic Party had accepted that it had two viable Senate primary candidates and was not going to go the divisive route of choosing one over the other. I refused to donate to the ODP last year for this reason, but I ALMOST went to their Cleveland fundraiser Tuesday. A little bird must have been whispering in my ear, recommending caution.

I learned yesterday that Lee Fisher has contacted the party and requested its endorsement — less than two weeks before early voting starts and six weeks before the May 4 primary. Apparently, this triggers the formation of a screening committee to recommend endorsements. Those who have been following the race carefully will recall that Fisher has been evasive since the beginning about whether he would do this. So now, apparently becoming so desperate he doesn’t care what impact his actions have on party unity or on his own general election chances, he has.

There couldn’t be a more reckless and destructive move for the party than to endorse in this race. With the race probably a tossup, you’d have half the state’s Democratic activists furious and sitting out the election, whichever way they decided. (I think endorsing Brunner would be a stupid, divisive move too). That could have repercussions up and down the ticket, and defeat the entire slate, and some congresspeople too. If the party endorsed Lee, many would blame the governor — and that could jeopardize HIS re-election.

Many Ohio Democrats are still nursing anger from past endorsement decisions. In 2006, for instance, the party endorsed eventual primary and general election winner for attorney general, Marc Dann, passing over former Cleveland law director Subodh Chandra. When Dann was forced to resign, there was a lot of “I told you so.” I’ve even met people who still carry grudges over the party’s treatment of U.S. Senate candidate Mary Boyle in the 1990s.

Now, facing a near-Depression economy in Ohio and energized but totally crazed Republicans, this is a risky time for the Ohio Democratic Party to open up such a seismic rift. It’s a doomsday gamble for Fisher, already facing an uphill climb against Republican Rob Portman — a climb he can’t possibly make with half the state’s Democrats furious with him.

There is another option, although it’s almost certainly not what Lee Fisher has in mind: The party can endorse both candidates. Some think the screening process should only be used to eliminate obviously unqualified or unserious candidates (like Traci “TJ” Johnson). Both Lee and Jennifer have served in statewide offices and have been campaigning vigorously for a full year. Neither deserves to be endorsed over the other by the state party.

If you know anyone at the party, it might be a good idea to contact them and remind them that the last thing we need going into this very difficult election year is a divisive and bitter primary that leaves blood on the floor — and Rob Portman in the driver’s seat. I’m disappointed in Lee Fisher, and I hope that the party’s better judgment overcomes his shortsightedness.

Ohio Democratic Party: 614.221.6563. www.ohiodems.org
Governor Ted Strickland: 614.466.3555. www.governor.ohio.gov