What About Eric Kearney For US Senate?

I've been reading BSB for years but just joined today. I did so to pose a question -- What about State Senator Eric Kearney for U.S. Senate? -- and hopefully spark interest in the idea of drafting Sen. Kearney for the slot.

Why Kearney?

1. Kearney is a close, personal friend of President Obama.  He was one of Obama's earliest Ohio supporters.  He would be the best person to help President Obama pass his agenda into law.  Does anyone believe Lee Fischer or Jennifer Brunner would represent a more reliable vote for Obama.  If we want to see Obama succeed, the best thing we can do is send Kearney to the U.S. Senate. (There are a lot of parallels between Kearney and Obama.)

2. While Fischer enjoys the support of Gov. Ted Strickland and Brunner enjoys the support (at least its presumed she'll enjoy the support) of Sen. Sherrod Brown, Kearney would undoubtedly enjoy the support of President Obama. This matters because while Obama can be expected to support the Democratic candidate, its reasonable to believe that he'll go out of his way to give special assistance to Kearney.  Whoever wins the primary, will need help.  With help from Obama, Kearney can win.

3. It looks like George Bush's lieutenant Rob Portman is going to be the GOP choice.  He is from Cincinnati.  So is Kearney.  The fact that both men are from Cincinnati sort of neutralizes the GOP's advantage in this part of the state.

4. Kearney is a successful businessman, attorney, father, and community leader.  He hasn't spent his entire adult life in politics or on the government payroll.  He hasn't been in the State Senate for a long time, but he has put his stamp on some important legislation.  Even in these tough economic times, projects are moving in his district, thanks, in no small part, to his ability to get state funding.  He is likeable and doesn't have a long list of enemies.  In his time in public life, he hasn't had any scandals.  He is a true "square" who, until recently, used to sport a bow tie.  The GOP will have a much harder time trying to make people hate Kearney than they will with Fischer or Brunner, who, although I might like them, have a history of being polarizing figures.

5. Kearney is an African American.  There is a sense among some, including me, that this is our season.  As David Broder put it in his column yesterday: "The ceiling has been lifted on African Americans' level of aspiration and accomplishment, and, so far, white voters seem to welcome that fact almost as much as do African Americans."  Kearney will excite, organize, and turn out the vote, especially the Black vote. His election would be historic.  (And, let face it, people like to witness and feel like they are making history.)  Plus, if Roland Burris leaves the Senate, which he probably will (and should) do, and isn't replaced by someone Black and Kearney wins, he'd be the only African American there.

6. Kearney doesn't want the job.  He doesn't want to run.  He doesn't want to travel to Washington, D.C.  Like Obama, he has two small children.  To me, these things are a plus.  I don't want power-hungry people seeking office.  Its too easy for them to become corrupted or to become arrogant and start believing that they deserve the office.  I want a true public servant who has to sacrifice to do the job.  Someone who will respect the voters and listen to them.  Someone who will go to Washington, do their job, groom someone to take their place, then come on home.  I don't think Eric Kearney would stay in Washington forever.