Tim Ryan (OH-18) Sends Calvary To OH-5; Party Better Get In Line

Today I got a call from a Tim Ryan Congressional staffer. I was happily surprised to hear he'd taken a temporary leave of absence from the Congressman's office, and that he was in Bowling Green RIGHT NOW ready to support and campaign full time for the Democratic nominee for Congress in the OH-5 special election. In a few hours he'll know who he'll be working his ass off for over the course of the next month. While I don't know whether Tim Ryan personally dispatched this staffer, or whether Tim Ryan is paying this staffer's salary to work for our nominee, I do know that I'm damn proud Ryan let this guy off for the next month

I've been sitting on my gripes about OH-5 until after today's Democratic primary, but I suppose it's fair to start talking about things now.

I'm not going to spin anyone here, our prospects in Ohio's Fifth District are slim. The District sits at a R+10 in the Partisan Voting Index, indicating a strong preference for Republicans. In fact only OH-2, OH-4, and OH-8 have stronger GOP sentiments in Ohio; but as we all know from OH-2, these sentiments are not entirely prohibitive for strong, well funded, well organized Democratic candidates to make an impact.

I've given the party credit and the benefit of the doubt in OH-5 up till now. I've heard that certain candidates have shared their lists, and the occasional resource, with potential nominees so I haven't pressed too hard publicly as to what we're doing to get take this seat. But after today, we'll be about a month out from the OH-5 special election. I don't care that the numbers aren't in our favor. I don't care that the media has all but anointed the Republican nominee as the next Congressman from the 5th before they even know who it will be.

All I know is that the Republican party has practiced scorched Earth politics against itself in this primary. I know they've done everything they possibly could to alienate even solid Republicans from voting Steve Buehrer or Bob Latta into Congress in December. And I know that I'd be proud to have Robin Weirauch in the House than either of those two ass clowns. So, I want to know what the hell our current elected officials, the party, and our issue based advocacy groups are going to do to support Robin.

And I want to know now (or tomorrow morning after the primary's over).

This is the perfect storm. Howard Dean talks about competing at every level in every region of the country while Chris Redfern talks about an 88 county strategy. Well, let's see these guys walk the talk. It's time to see them walk their talk.

Chris Redfern, what are you doing, and what resources are you committing right now to ensure Democrats make a strong showing in this district in December?

Charlie Wilson, what are you doing, and what resources are you committing right now to ensure Democrats make a strong showing in this district in December?

Stephanie Tubbs Jones, what are you doing, and what resources are you committing right now to ensure Democrats make a strong showing in this district in December?

Dennis Kucinich, what are you doing, and what resources are you committing right now to ensure Democrats make a strong showing in this district in December?

Betty Sutton, what are you doing, and what resources are you committing right now to ensure Democrats make a strong showing in this district in December?

Zack Space, what are you doing, and what resources are you committing right now to ensure Democrats make a strong showing in this district in December?

I realize this is a primary, which is why the party could not, and should be involved until tomorrow. But, starting tomorrow, I hope the party and the rest of our Congressionals take Tim Ryan's lead to throw some serious support to the nominee (Robin Weirauch's) way.