Tim Russo sees the ghost of the '94 Hyatt-Boyle race as evidence of Fisher's impeding doom.

Seriously, Tim is a veteran of the big ticket Democratic races at the time all the way up to the improbable and total against conventional wisdom elecction of Tim Ryan to the U.S. Congress. Tim also know Cleveland politics, so I think this post is a must-read.

Sadly, my criticsm of Lee Fisher can best be summed up by this clip from comedian Brian Regan:

Lee doesn't answer questions because he has no answers.   The tax stuff his campaign was trying to push on Brunner is the same as the negative ad in Regan's schtick.  Believe me, Fisher will  have his "opponent wants to tase 7-year-olds-moment."

If ODP wants to know why I'm so down on Fisher and up on Brunner, here's why: a real fighter for progressive values doesn't need to be convinced to start fighting for progressive values and they're willing to take political risks to fight what they believe in their soul is right.  I listen to Jennifer Brunner, and I believe that she sincerely believes in her views.  When Lee Fisher's campaign communicates, I believe that his campaign consultants sincerely believe that's the views we want to hear.

Take Fisher's "conversion" on gay marriage.  First, by Fisher's own account, he had to be convinced that it was a civil rights issue whereas Brunner recognized it as not being a GLBT issue, but a civil rights issue from the onset.  The hamhanded way Fisher announced his "conversion" explicitly said, "Dear gay community, I'll support gay marriage if it ever comes up for a vote, but I think there's more important issues out there than yours.  Don't expect me to talk much about this issue ever again.  Hugs and kisses, Lee."  It's bloody transparent what Fisher is doing: eliminate any chance Brunner can contrast herself with Lee in order to gain a sizeable Democratic primary voting constituency, but in a quiet enough way that social conservative general election voters will not even know about it.

It's not the first conversion by election Fisher has.  It's well-known that as a State legislator, Fisher opposed the death penality.  That is, until Fisher set his eyes on the Attorney General's office.

Look, Fisher owned gun control as an issue during the 1990s.  He considered gun control a matter of crime prevention.  For god's sake, he was on the Board of Directors of Handgun Control, Inc.!  And yet, on his issue page regarding crime, there's no mention of his past involvement on gun control.  For progressives who care about this issue, Fisher's campaign leaves them wondering if Fisher is, yet again, putting general election concerns ahead of progressive principles he has promoted for years.  It leaves Strickland Democrats and independents, such as myself, wonder who the Fisher campaign is fooling in thinking we're just suddenly going to forget about Fisher's record of supporting gun control.

You wanna know why after twenty sum years in politics, Ohio voters feel they know as little about Fisher as they do someone like Brunner who just came onto the statewide stage three years ago, there's your reason why.  Because we don't know how his internal compass works enough to be confident to believe he'll lead and not just follow.

Fisher's campaign thinks that if they give job creation its own tab on his website, that demonstrates how important it is as an issue.  In fact, Fisher said at his announcement that it was his own realization that he could do more to help Ohio's economy as Ohio's Senator in Washington than as its state chief of economic development.  Those expecting that the three years as Ohio's Director of the Department of Development would have given Fisher's keen insight on what Ohio's economy needs and how federal policy could make that happen have to be sorely disappointed by Fisher's supposed "vision" on the economy.  I'm going to show you both Lee Fisher and Rob Portman's statements on their issue pages about the economy.  Let's see if anything jumps out at you:

• "This is a difficult time for Ohio families and businesses. As I travel around our state I hear the concerns and feel the frustration.  People are worried about the spending binge in Washington. 

....

Ohio needs an independent-minded Senator who will focus like a laser on creating new jobs and getting Ohio back on track.  That’s why I am more committed than ever to take common sense Ohio values to Washington to turn things around.

...

"Nothing is more important to Ohio’s future than making sure that our economy is strong and that there are good jobs for Ohio families.

...

"In the course of this campaign, we will lay out proposals to create jobs in key sectors of our Ohio economy. 

...

"[W]e must create an environment that makes Ohio more competitive, encourages innovation and risk taking by entrepreneurs, speeds up our recovery and positions us for strong growth in the coming years.

"This will be a campaign based on ideas. We cannot afford more of the same partisanship that keeps us from solving this historic crisis."

• "My top priority is economic recovery for Ohio and the nation, and that means a relentless focus on saving and creating good-paying jobs.

...

"I support common-sense economic principles: fiscal discipline, living within our means, rewarding hard work, investing in our people, and growing a strong middle class. In the Senate, I will fight to reduce the deficit and support pay-as-you-go budget rules to make sure Congress lives within its means. I also will fight to implement tax policies that reward work, support middle-class families, and encourage investment and job creation.

"Despite these tough times, I continue to believe in the innovative, entrepreneurial spirit of America and the power of economic growth and fair competition to create shared prosperity. With the right policies in place, I am confident we can create good jobs and grow our economy in a way that benefits all Ohioans."

If it took you going to either candidate's website to look up the answer, you've proven my point.  Incidentially, for you non-cheaters out there, the last one is the Fisher statement.

Right now, the kind of Senator Fisher's campaign is presenting him as is like Harry Reid.  A well-meaning guy who every election fundraises like crazy about fighting the Republicans, but then gets in there and in a panic over the unwavering faith the Republicans have in their ideology decides to either go with the flow or give up because they have no confidence in their ability to go to the American people, look them in the eye, and say "We're right, they're wrong, and I'd rather do the right thing and be voted out, than continue to do the wrong thing and stay in."  It's not enough to say you'll vote for the middle class, because on any given issue, there will be one side that says their opponent's position will hurt the middle class and vice versa.  Tell us what you'll look to to decide what is in our best interest, and then we'll be able to trust you when you say you'll fight for them.

Nobody is going to be excited, Lt. Gov. Fisher, over a candidate who tells the people, "this is what I'll do if this issue comes up."  We don't want a rubber stamp.  We want a leader.  Tell us what you're going to Washington to threaten to force the entire legislative process to break down unless you're heard.  Tell us what you plan to "bring up."  Tell us what issue you're going to do to make the hallowed marbeled halls of Congress itself reverborate with harmony of your thunderous indignation.

Do that sir, and you'll not only silence your critics, you'll convert them.  Your poll numbers will ignite, and you can win.

But, for god's sake, stop ignoring what we're saying, writing it off as if we're cranks, or dismissing us.  If you simply listen to us and take our criticism to heart, you'll realize that the solution to the problems we pose is within your power.

Inspire us by showing us where you will lead, and not follow.  Politics is about winners and losers, even in policymaking. Your campaign is so preoccupied with not offending any group for fear of losing voters, that its doing very little to actually earn voters.  A Senator who only wants to show up when "everybody gets a trophy" does not inspire, nor do they lead.  And a candidate who does so, does not win.

There is no "safe route" out of our problems.   We never built a fire escape to get us out of this jam.  Level with us, and speak from your heart as to what you believe in your soul is necessary to help us, and then we will believe in you.

Ms. Brunner & Mr. Fisher, the people are ready to follow.  They're just waiting for you to give them something to believe in.