There has been a lot of talk about Ohio on recently, and this site has focused on my district, OH-16, quite a bit (thanks, everybody).
I'd like to report what I have seen here in the 16th.
What I've seen is, frankly, not much.
I live in Stark county, which plays a huge role in the OH-16. Our County Democrats are in deep trouble unless they pull their heads from their asses.
The problems run deep, and they coincide with the same kinds of problems we see at the state and national levels. Our county is run by The Old Boys Club, who make no attempt to reach out to actual people, be inclusive, or show any kind of organizing in the county.
I'm sure most of you know about OH-16 from the Jeff Seemann campaign last year and his many posts here at DailyKos. Let me first say that Jeff is a great guy and I love him for all the work he has done. He is a sincere and decent person. However, as his records are showing, "sincere and decent" do not always make the best candidate.
In 2004 he ran a great campaign and really made an effort to be everywhere he could be. I could hardly walk down the street without seeing him. However, he got no support from the established County Dems. He was not invited to events, excluded from speaking when John Edwards came to town, and recieved no encouragement or organizational help from the County folks. That is complete bullshit on their part.
One thing Jeff did, however, was turn some heads online. He really made an effort to make the campaign interesting and get grassroots support here in the 16th. But in the end, he pulled about the same percent of voters as previous Democratic candidates, even ones who ran (also with no County support) very small, quiet campaigns.
But the fact remains - Ralph Regula is vulnerable. He is detrimental to local jobs. He is in completely in sync with the President; therefore, completely out of sync with actual people. He is old, feeble and out of touch, and was passed up a year ago by his own party for the promotion that should have been his. Does anyone have faith in this guy?
So what are we here in the 16th doing?
I was told by Jeff in November that he was going to run again. I was excited for that. But there are only a few days left and I haven't heard a peep out of the guy. So it looks like he is out for this year.
Are the county Dems putting up a candidate? Doesn't look like it. I haven't heard anything from them either way. Bill Smith, who ran before and lost to Regula, has taken out a petition and will probably be filed before the deadline. He's a quiet, slight guy, not someone to get a crowd heated up at all. A good candidate, but not a great one.
But the trouble is this - THERE IS NO DEMOCRATIC INFRASTRUCTURE. Sure, there are some clubs. THey don't do any outreach or attract new members. And the County Dems send out occaisonal emails, but again, these only reach people already involved.
The county is run the established Dems - the County Chairman, his friends, and a few elected officials. But they do not bring people up into their ranks, and they will not sully themselves by handling with the rank and file.
Case in point - College Democrats organised a Teach-In last fall about the effects President Bush has had on the country. The County Chairman agreed to speak, but then pulled out the night before without explanation.
County officials have never attended a single peace vigil or anti-war rally. They make no statements about any current topics. They offer the people no postition on anything, and merely expect them to vote alongside the (D) on the ballot.
This year, we may be left with no candidate to oppose Regula. That means an oppurtunity to pick up a valuable seat is completely wasted.
I have to ask to County Dems - Why?