OH-08: Justin Coussoule Receives No Support From DNC or DCCC

Again, Redfern is playing it safe and only going with those state-wide candidates who will make HIS win record look good, instead of really digging in and putting ODP dollars and services behind thsoe candidates, such as Coussoule, who can really make a difference in both Ohio and the nation's future. Much to my disgust, he did the same thing in 2004, 2006 and in 2008. It's time the ODP really support our candidates and not the chairman.

It's time to stop blaming him for everything. I understand the frustration; I think this race deserves support too because Justin is working so hard and he's a candidate for the future even if he doesn't win this year, so it would be nice to see him pick up 10 points on Boehner's last opponent. But I do understand that in this difficult year, the state party's job is to focus on the statewide races. They need to put resources into the supreme court races too; it would be an absolute tragedy if we lost those with candidates of the quality of Mary Jane Trapp and Eric Brown. Redfern asked me the other day if I had donated to the ODP and I told him I sent my check directly to Justin, so I've put my two cents in already.

I like Justin. He's about the best candidate I could imagine running as a Democrat against Boehner. I'm going to vote for him. But let's face facts. The last FEC report shows Justin with $19k to Boehner's $978k. That's a 51:1 Cash-on-Hand advantage. Can't imagine a candidate beating an incumbent with that kind of advantage. It's unprecedented. We're talking Alvin Green beating DeMint improbable. It's a district in which McCain won several counties by nearly 2:1 to Obama (over 60%, despite Ohio going 52% for Obama.) It contains the few counties that actually went for Blackwell in 2006. With Democrats playing defense in OH-01, OH-02, OH-15, and OH-16, I can't blame ODP, DNC, or DCCC for not putting this race on their radar. Paula Brooks has a better shot of knocking out Tiberi. In fact, I'd say Dennis Kucinich has a better shot of losing to a Republican than Boehner has losing in his gerrymandered district. ODP endorsed the Democratic candidate, but have they really put money into his race? I don't think so. Justin's a fine candidate, best than we can imagine. He's running a good campaign to try to get attention for his race. And, no, Boehner isn't exactly beloved by even Republicans in this district. But few incumbents in 2008, Democrats included, got as many votes as Boehner did in his district. Pull Boehner under 60% for the first time in his career and let's see if there's a more favorable environment in 2012, and maybe Justin will be taken more seriously as a threat for a re-match. However, I wouldn't be waiting for the DCCC, ODP, or DNC check coming in the mail in the next 90 days.