Buckeye State Blog - [UPDATE] Strickland, Brown, Brunner, Cordray, Others Call for Dann's resignation, threaten impeachment. - Comments

New option

zygela — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:19:38 -0700

The latest option being floated is for Ted to appoint his chief counsel (Kent Markus) or Ben Espy as an interim replacement. This would allow Rich or Lee (the big names de jour) to run from cover for the position in the fall. That said, I fully agree w/Buckeye Nation: Lee wouldn't be the best statewide candidate. He's already lost two statewide races (1994, as an incumbent; 1998, versus Taft). His only "victories" were in 1990 (by a mere 1,234 votes against an unknown, Paul Pfiefer, from nowhere, Bucyrus) and '06 (on Ted's coattails). If Rich could raise Fisher-type of money in a short period of time, he'd be a better statewide candidate, for several reasons. He's garner more newspaper endorsements, for one. He's also perceived as a candidate of the future, whereas Fisher fatigue seems to be an issue in Ohio. Finally, he'd be better at neutralizing the GOP opposition, as (1) he's less polarizing than Lee and (2) as a Franklin Co. and now Ohio treasurer, he's worked a lot with banking and financial-industry titans. They like him and would be less to fund the opposition if Rich were the guy instead of Lee. Finally, it seems that Mason and Bates are out; both are up for easy reelection this year; not exactly an opportune time for an initial foray into state politics. Chandra, too, seems out; the only folks seriously talking him up are his enthusiastic posters on this blog. Guess what, folks? The Fern ain't listenin'. As for the GOP, DeWine appears doubtful in that he's fully engaged in his work for McCain. This leaves Portman and Betty as the only folks to take seriously. Portman says he's mulling things over; no one's heard from Betty. Any Republcans out there? What's the talk??

The problem with Fisher

BuckeyeNation — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:36:13 -0700

is that his electoral track record of success has not been very good.

Plus, most longtime AG employees (even the Dems) say he was a jerk as a boss to work under.

Now THAT

BuckeyeNation — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:33:02 -0700

made me LOL.

Capri Cafaro to replace Dann

mvirenicus — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:02:40 -0700

i'm pulling for capri. we really miss her in lorain county. i believe she should have more statewide exposure. can't we allow marc to hand pick his successor as a parting gift for his service?

Fisher for AG

Nick D — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:54:55 -0700

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if Cordray resigns the Treasurer's post to become AG, we'll have not just one but two special elections this year to fill unexpired terms.

Whereas, if Lee Fisher steps down as Lt. Gov. to become AG, Ted will get to name his replacement and get him confirmed by the Legislature. Then he could get someone like Fingerhut to be his new Lt. Gov.

I expect to hear more about this this weekend at the ODP Convention.

Fisher in Fray

zygela — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:54:01 -0700

I agree they will pick Cordray. But over the past 24 hours Lee Fisher's name has also been mentioned as a Dann successor. Chandra, IMO, despite his smarts and talents, has never seriously been considered. He got creamed in the '06 primary, and was never going to win in the general (for reasons I've explained in several prior posts), and he wouldn't win this year. The Fern et al are super keen on this, hence their looking at practically anyone else (Mason, Heck, Bates, Fisher, Cordray) who, unlike Subodh, has actually won an election.

huh.

delmo — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:30:02 -0700

dann's admission that he's not qualified to be the Attorney General is not just disgusting, it's the absolute truth. sorry everybody- he's a joke.

The View from Outside Ohio

Maryland Guy — Mon, 05 May 2008 11:35:53 -0700

Go ahead and add Democrats all across the country to the long list of people screwed by Marc Dann. Democrats are their own worst enemy. We need to move beyond this tired old club if we truly want to change this country. Seems to me like a real-reformer/family man like Subodh Chandra would be a good first step here... Somebody want to make some "Don't Blame Me I Voted for Subodh" bumper stickers?

Not If But When

Legal Eagle — Mon, 05 May 2008 11:06:02 -0700

I am very pleased that Strickland et al are speaking out so forcefully. This threatened to derail the governor's entire agenda. Prediction: Dann will be gone in a few days when he realizes that he does not have a single friend left in the party. He has done huge damage. He will be lucky if he is not charged with perjury. Sorry Modern Esquire, but transcript technicalities aside, I found his responses laughable. And poor Ben Espy was walking a tightrope. Prediction: They will pick Cordray. Impeccable credentials, intellect, integrity and has already won statewide. FIngerhut has never practiced law and is a brilliant wonk that needs to save education in this state. Chandra, they made the calculation that he would not have been able to hold the seat. I don't want to get into a race debate here, but this was the cycle where he actually might have. It looks mot likely, given the math that Obama will be at the top of the ticket. They appeal to the same demographic. Chandra got endorsement of every big city mayor last time because they realized that he had run a large operation before and had what it took. Dann's admission that he wasn't qualified for the job was the most disgusting thing I have heard in a long time. Redfern needs to call up CHandra and apologize for their shitty treatment of him in 2006 and to find him a seat at the table. He is too much of a talent to be ignored.

Let the impeachment begin!

BuckeyeNation — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:29:52 -0700

Dann -- as foolish now as he was when he brought his corrupt cronies down from Y-town, or when he thought he could get away with cheating on his wife, not only in Cowtown, but in Turkey.

Dann responds to Letter!

Schmennis — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:25:44 -0700

Dann responded to the letter with a pledge to stay put.

In a memo sent Monday to employees of his office, he wrote that he told Strickland "that he and all the other officeholders, as well as the members of the legislature, should continue to expect that we will continue to provide high-quality legal services to all of them."

"I am in the office, have rolled up my sleeves and am working on behalf of the people of the state of Ohio," Dann wrote.

It's OVER

BuckeyeNation — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:58:55 -0700

The Dems reaction to Marc Dann will stand in stark contrast to the GOP's "handling" of Bob Taft, Tom Noe, et al.

Repubs hope their scandals will blow away or get lost in the shuffle.

Dems take care of their embarrassments pronto.

Got that Keven McHack?

Governor, Dems call on Ohio

Schmennis — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:39:44 -0700

Governor, Dems call on Ohio attorney general to resign
By JULIE CARR SMYTH
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and other Democratic leaders are calling on the state's scandal-scarred attorney general to resign. Attorney General Marc Dann admitted Friday to having an extramarital affair with a subordinate.

The admission came after findings in an unrelated sexual harassment investigation threatened to reveal the relationship. Strickland, Sen. Sherrod Brown, Dann's fellow Democratic state officeholders and all Democratic state legislators sent Dann a letter Monday imploring him to leave office. Dann is just 16 months into his four-year term. He hasn't yet responded to the letter.

LETTER

Sunday May 4, 2008

Attorney General Marc Dann
State of Ohio
Rhodes State Office Tower
30 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Dear Attorney General Dann,

We write to you tonight to ask that you resign your position as Attorney General of the State of Ohio.

We believe that your actions have irreparably harmed your ability to effectively serve the people of our great state.

The work of the Office of the Attorney General matters more, and is far more important, than any one person. In many, many cases it is all that stands between the people and the powerful. Sadly, we no longer have even the most remote hope that you can continue to effectively serve as Attorney General and that is why we are asking for your resignation.

We also want to make you aware that if you do not choose to resign, Democratic members of the Ohio House of Representatives will immediately introduce a resolution seeking your impeachment. We sincerely hope that this action will not be necessary and that you will act in the best interest of the people of Ohio by tendering your resignation Monday morning.

Sincerely,

Ted Strickland
Governor

Sherrod Brown
U.S. Senator

Lee Fisher
Lt. Governor

Jennifer Brunner
Secretary of State

Richard Cordray
Treasurer

Ray Miller
Senate Minority Leader

Joyce Beatty
House Minority Leader

Chris Redfern
Chairman, Ohio Democratic Party

[UPDATE] Strickland, Brown, Brunner, Cordray, Others Call for Dann's resignation, threaten impeachment.

Nick D — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:55:03 -0700

Well, now we know why Governor Strickland isn't in Youngstown today, he along with all other statehouse Dems are calling for Dann to resign. There's a press conference at 1 PM.

UPDATE: Not only is Strickland and all others calling for Dann to resign, they are threatening impeachment if he does not.

UPDATE 2X: We're also hearing that not only are they calling for impeachment, but that party leaders will essentially make Dann Persona Non Grata at all future party events, including this weekends' Ohio Democratic Party Convention.