First Responders for Sherrod Brown to debut today

Later this morning, at a press conference at Ohio Police and Fire Memorial Park in Columbus, Senator Sherrrod Brown will stand with Ohio Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Vice President Gary Wulske and Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters (OAPFF) President Mark Sanders to debut First Responders for Sherrod Brown. Both groups have endorsed Brown.

His press release says they will "discuss Brown’s lifelong support for workers, collective bargaining and job creation. Ohio FOP President Jay McDonald will serve as the second co-chair for “First Responders for Sherrod.”

There's a lot of this going on in the Brown campaign. While his opponent, the increasingly infamous Josh "The Empty Suit" Mandel, boasts the unwavering support of Pat "He's Still Alive?" Boone, as seen in a series of TV attack ads, Brown has now introduced support from:

Educators for Sherrod Brown
Students for Sherrod Brown
African-Americans for Sherrod Brown
Veterans for Sherrod Brown
Women for Sherrod Brown
Hispanics for Sherrod Brown
Farmers for Sherrod Brown
LGBT Ohioans for Sherrod Brown
Seniors for Sherrod Brown

and probably somebody I forgot.

I am sure that Mandel's campaign and Republicans would say it's just a flock of "special interest " groups. But the GOP's "special interest" group is very special indeed. It seems to boil down pretty much to older straight white Christian males who are either rich or have a grudge against President Obama or watch too much Fox "News."

These are not "special interests." If you look at the list, you'll probably find yourself or someone in your family — maybe several times over. These people support Brown because he has looked after some very basic and very American interests, as the First Responders' statement makes clear: jobs and the right to organize and negotiate terms of employment. Freedom for women and LGBT people to not have big, invasive government stick its nose in their private lives Freedom from bigotry and discrimination for African-Americans and Hispanics. Security for seniors not to become impoverished in their old age. Etc.

Meanwhile, who is supporting Josh Mandel? I haven't seen him announce any such groups yet. Maybe we can make some suggestions for him.

The most obvious is Liars for Josh Mandel. This is a group that would definitely have the strongest affinity for The Empty Suit. He would do them proud every day of his life.

How about Job Shirkers for Josh Mandel, who admire his ability to pull down a six-figure salary in a public-sector job while taking copious amounts of time off for his own personal business — meanwhile demonizing OTHER public sector workers who are probably actually doing their jobs by publishing their salaries on his website?

Secretive Billionaires for Josh Mandel would be a very small group, but a very faithful one ready to rush to Joshie's defense and pour another million into a lie-filled ad at the drop of a hat.

Can you think of some others? Feel free to share!