Here in Ohio’s 2nd District, the land of Mean Jean Schmidt, we've gotten used to bizarre elections and even stranger politicians. Not to disappoint, May promises a Democratic Primary battle we can’t afford to ignore.
As Diagnostician, I see a very curious case in the body of Democrat David Krikorian. Before we move into a diagnosis, let us briefly examine the ominous symptoms we’re presented with.
Symptom 1: In 2008, Krikorian ran against Schmidt as a self-professed "true Reagan Conservative” attacking Vic Wulsin as "too liberal." Thanks largely to David’s spoiler role, Candidate Wulsin (who had lost to Schmidt by only a few points in the ‘06 election) was defeated decisively by Mean Jean, despite the “Obama wave”.
Symptom 2: 2010 ushered in Krikorian2.0, whereby a stunning identity transformation seems to have taken place. To hear David this year is to learn that he’s suddenly become a “Howard Dean Democrat,” who crisscrossed the country with the Dean campaign. From Reagan Conservative to Dean Democrat? Strange, indeed.
Symptom 3: Along with enjoying Tea Parties fetes as recently as 2009, a smiling Krikorian was photographed in attendance just this past December at the vehemently anti-tax group, COAST’s, holiday party. http://tinyurl.com/...
Symptom 4: Krikorian’s entire campaign staff, including his campaign manager, communications director and finance staffer, upped and left his campaign only a few weeks ago. In an email, one staff worker cited "ethical and respect issues." http://tinyurl.com/...
Symptom 5: Uh-oh. Could one of the “ethical issues” above be related to suspect polling data or the even more ethically questionable practice of claiming an in-house poll was done externally? http://tinyurl.com/...
Symptom 6: Krikorian sends furious and even bizarre emails to the GOP Chair AND CC’s the chair’s minister expressing outrage that they have not spoken out for Krikorian’s signature issue of the Armenian genocide. http://tinyurl.com/...
Symptom 7: Despite the 2nd District’s small Armenian population (less than a fraction of a percent), Krikorian insists it is the “Ground Zero of the Armenian Genocide Battle”. While a legitimate issue, his insertion of it into the 2008 campaign led to lawsuits and an ugly back and forth distraction in which he accused Schmidt of taking “Turkish blood money.” All this over something that, while dear to Krikorian’s heart and important to Armenian-American donors across the country, has little to do with the problems facing constituents in the 2nd District. He filed yet another lawsuit just last month. http://tinyurl.com/... Sigh.
Symptoms 8 and so on and so forth: Sadly, the list goes on. From threatening the Scioto county Dem party for their endorsement of Todd Book last Fall, to spreading false rumors of Vic Wulsin’s non-existent support for David, to the nonsensical self-polling and trumped-up committee lists he claims, here’s a link for more highlights if you still have the stomach:http://tinyurl.com/...
I haven’t begun to enumerate David’s many apparent position reversals on important issues like abortion, gay marriage and health care reform. I’ll save that for another day.
Diagnosis: We have here what proves to be a Curious Case indeed. The symptoms detail a candidate willing to say or do just about anything to get elected. Wait! What’s that you say? That sounds like almost any politician? Perhaps it’s not so curious after all!
But since resignation is not my way, I studied my other chance and quite happily so. Because we, in Ohio’s 2nd District have a stunningly exciting alternative and his name is Surya Yalamanchili, aka Chili. While not yet as widely known, Chili has the goods. And both of the Dem candidates who faced Schmidt in the last few elections–Vic Wulsin and Paul Hackett endorse him. So do Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory and the last Dem to win this seat 30 years ago, Tom Luken. Also former 4-time mayor of Cincinnati, Charlie Luken.. Chili has the right ideals, the smarts and a solid business background from startups to his five years at P&G as a brand manager. The more I learn about him, the more I like. He’ll get my support in May and I hope I’ve intrigued you enough to want to find out more at http://www.votechili.com and then to spread the word.
You see, we can’t afford to float an Independent-Conservative-Libertarian-Democratic version of Jean Schmidt as our nominee. If we ignore the symptoms and present her with the flip-flopping political chameleon named David Krikorian as her opponent, we’ll hand a sure-fire victory to Mean Ole Jean. Act now or forever hold your peace!