Senate Coup Day 2: This is a team for victory??
I keep looking at the makeup of the new Senate leadership, and I have some serious concerns about whether this is a team that can bring us victory in November.
When you look at the new team, everyone represents predominately urban districts. Nobody in the Senate leadership represents either south or west of Columbus. Exclude Ray Miller and the entire leadership is from NEO. And Capri Cafaro is the only non-Cleveland/Columbus member on the team. And, I'm sorry, but Cafaro is now considered part of the Democratic leadership of this state now?? Really!?!?
That means we have on the team dedicated to winning uphill Democratic State Senate races a person who has never won a general election. What does she bring to the table? Money???
For fourteen years, this party wandered in the wilderness after unsuccessfully being led by one NEO coalition after another.
Look, we're in no danger of losing a urban area Senate seat, but we need to start winning in suburban, exurban, and rural areas in Ohio. SWO is not NEO. Hell, NWO isn't even like NEO. God sakes, you have nobody from Cincinnati, Toledo, or Dayton representated in the leadership.
A caucus leadership with a heavy NEO focus does not lead to victory. We have over a decade of experience showing us that.
I'm not saying Fedor was a great leader, and I understand some of the criticism, but are we really saying that this is any better?
Cleveland politics and Cafaro infomercials are not a receipe for success. Not that I ever expected us to take the State Senate, but this bizarre and inexplicable move is like spiking the ball and dancing on the one yard line. Looks like success, but it ain't.
I originally didn't have the strongest confidence with the Dem Senate Caucus. However, this latest stunt makes me question their direction even more. They should pick up at least one seat this cycle, but more importantly, the teams should be putting plans in place for 2010 and 2012 (when we should take over the chamber).
However, it seems like folks are more interested in jockeying for position. And let's be honest, how prestigious is the Senate Minority Leadership seat right now? Democrats are in the hole.
I'm also hearing from email that Redfern isn't happy with this stunt, especially considering the timing going into the '08 cycle.
I'm serious, if this is all about propping up Miller for a 2010 bid, I hope the grassroots has a major backlash.
Look I have no inside information, but it's open speculation the Lee Fisher may run for the Senate in 2010. So, Miller is betting it all on this coup. If he doesn't make substantial gains for the caucus on Election Day. He's toast for the Senate race.
The caucus should have it's end-of-the year fundraising totals filed at the end of the month. The next report is due at the end of April. I'm going to be looking carefully at both to see whether Miller has made a noticeable improvement on the fundraising front compared to the same point in prior elections. Then it's how many seats we pick up on Election night.
That's what he must do to win this wager. If he fails, he's done nothing to deserve consideration for the U.S. Senate by pulling this stunt.
Better make us proud, Miller, because we won't like this coup if it's nothing more than to pad your political resume.
As Bertram de Souza pointed out, Capri Cafaro is on record as a Republican. (Indeed, she blogged a Republican political convention for de Souza's Youngstown paper, The Vindicator.)
She has never been elected to anything.
But she has been publicly accused of tax fraud and perjury.
And she has been immunized by federal prosecutors.
"Money can't buy you love" but it sure can buy you a leadership office in Ohio Democratic politics.
So, "Power to the Plutocracy!"
http://www.Craig-Morford.com/dumped.htm
http://www.Craig-Morford.com/c-span.wmv