Cincinnati Enquirer joins the chorus to call for Dann's resignation (and why it all matters)

The Cincinnati Enquirer today joins the Plain Dealer, Dayton Daily News, Canton Repository, and the Warren Tribune-Chronical in calling for Dann's resignation. 

The Toledo Blade for some reason not only didn't call for Dann's resignation, but instead took a swipe at the Governor for his "smug" disappointment:

Even Gov. Ted Strickland joined those questioning whether Mr. Dann should stay.

Mr. Strickland should not be smug, as he also has developed a dismaying amnesia about what he owes those who helped get him to office. Otherwise, the Seneca County courthouse wouldn't be facing the wrecking ball.

Yeah, because we all know how instrumental Marc Dann was in getting Ted Strickland elected.  WTF does the Seneca County Courthouse have to do with Dann's future as Ohio's AG?  For that matter, what business is it for the Governor to deal with the destruction of a county's courthouse?  Is that really the most pressing issue for the State right now?  Is the Blade that obtuse, or are they just loyal to Dann because of his support (and probably sourcing) he gave the Blade during its coverage on the Coingate scandal.  If Republicans ever wanted evidence that the Blade had a double standard for politicians based on partisanship, this editorial is their strongest evidence.

Anyway, screw the Blade.  The only major papers which have not had any editorial yet is the Columbus Dispatch, the Youngtown Vindicator, and the Akron-Beacon Journal.  The Vindicator has already announced that it will have an editorial tomorrow (and I think it will be a public divorce from Dann, his hometown newspaper.) 

Why are these editorials important?  First, the timing.  Not more than 24 hours after Dann's document dump, objective papers across the State couldn't wait until Sunday (their biggest day of circulation) to say they felt Dann should resign.  They couldn't hold back that long.   Second, it shows that most of the Ohio media didn't feel like they needed to give Friday's developments time to marinate before weighing in.  If Dann thought people would accept the firings and they would give him time to show he could rehabilitate  himself and the office environment he created, he was seriously wrong as these editorials suggest.  Dann should particularly take notice of the Plain Dealer's editorial and whatever the Vindy writes tomorrow.  He sat down with those editorial boards on Friday to answer questions and try to do damage control by making the case why he should stay in office.  The Plain Dealer's editorial proves that Dann's media strategy was an abysmal failure, and just gave his growing number of critics even more fodder.

Third, the editorials are important because its a warning shot for things to come.  Newspapers don't issue editorials calling for a public official lightly.  They do so when they think it will be effective; otherwise, they seem irrelevant.  So, what if Dann doesn't resign and makes the papers' influence seem nonexistent?  Well, then these editorials become declarations of war against Dann with the media.  It's a declaration that Dann will be given no benefit of the doubt, each action by him will be framed in the context of this scandal, and that they will give him no safe quarter.  Dann can forget about these media outlets ever portraying the AG's office under Dann in a positive light.  If they do, it'll be a short blurb on the obituary pages.

I think it's safe to guess that the Dispatch and the ABJ decided to be one of the few papers to hold their powder until tomorrow.  With the sole exception of the Blade (which did not portray confidence in Dann) the Ohio media has spoken: Get out or we'll make your life miserable.

The first rule of politics: Never start a war with a person who buys their ink by the barrel.