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OH Attorney General- Cordray rocks
Submitted by Earl on Sun, 10/12/2008 - 8:03pm.
Just got back from an great event in Bowling Green. Governor Strickland was stumping for Ohio's next Attorney General, Richard Cordray, at the Grounds For Thought Coffee Shop (and used bookstore!) Big thanks to Kelly, Sandy and Jerry Wicks for providing such a great venue.
Both men did a great job. They were forthright and low key but inspirational at the same time. They knew that they were "preaching to the choir." But as a pastor I know once observed: "the choir needs salvation, too!" I've been to too many of these events over the years and Ted and Rich are the best.
They both stressed their support for Barack Obama in a way that was both cogent and convincing but not overblown.
Electing Rich Cordray to Ohio Attorney General is the premier example of turning "lemons into lemonade" in the history of politics.
I am extremely proud of Rich Cordray
Rich aimed too high too quickly in the 1990s and was met with multiple rude awakenings, the rudest being finishing third, behind even Cleveland-area Minister Marvin McMickle in the 2000 Senate primary. He then chose to build himself a base and work his way through the ranks by showing his wonderful competence and intellect in local government, as Franklin County Treasurer. He should have been our AG candidate in 2006, but he wanted to keep building slowly and move from county treasurer to the natural climb--state treasurer.
Rich is as competent, kind, caring, devoted, hard-working, and grounded a public official as we've ever had the privilege of seeing in this state. The sky is the limit for him, and I am extremely proud of him and excited for our state that we will have an AG second to none in the entire nation. We will be in a unique position of never having to pay for a DC solicitor to argue Ohio's case before the Supreme Court if we find ourselves before that bench, as Rich has been tapped by both Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush to argue for their justice departments. I hope and expect that after he serves out this term and the second he will win in 2010, we will see Rich as Senator or Governor. But I also strongly believe that he is a potential pick for a hypothetical second Obama cabinet. The personal parallels between Obama and Cordray--rhetoric aside, of course--are intriguing:
*Obama taught Con Law at U Chicago
*Cordray earned his law degree from U Chicago and clerked for TWO U.S. Supreme Court justices
*Both are 6'4" and excellent basketball players
*Both have uncanny intellect and value research and facts above all else
*Both have young families and two children and are married to fellow attorneys
*Both have lived abroad--Cordray earned a master's degre in economics from Oxford
*Both are part of the new generation of Democrats, who understand economics and how to use the market to help empower and lift-up the middle class and the downtrodden
*Both value education as the very means in a democratic society to so empower the people
Rich has the intellect and talents of a Sargent Shriver, and Barack Obama those of a JFK.
Even if Obama fails to carry Ohio in his electoral college victory, Election Night will be historical and exciting for all Ohio Democrats. We're set to elect two amazingly skilled men to high administrative office. This truly is a new day for all of us.
Great picture!
That really was a nice event. I followed them up to Lucas County where they put on their suits and ties and addressed the annual Lucas County Dinner.
It was nice to see them in a small but packed venue down in BG. Kudos to Sandy and Kelly Wicks for really openning the doors of their coffee shop to all progressive candidates.
Strickland said "Richard is Bill Clinton-smart" and he is. . . Great time.
--Mike Zickar