We have had a great weekend here in the
Shamansky Camp. Bob spent nearly all weekend on the go, talking with folks and volunteers at community events, and even serving roasted chicken at an arts benefit in Columbus.
We started off at the Columbus Festival Latino a celebration of Latino culture on Columbus's Riverfront. There, Bob got a great response from all kinds of folks...
After that, Bob rushed over to the Juneteenth festival at Franklin Park on the East Side. It was amazing the number of people that remembered Bob from his prior service as a congressman and the work that he did in Washington. The man pictured here had volunteered on Bob's first campaign in the 80's and sought him out to tell him how happy he was to see him running again.
The team rolled on to the Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival in Gahanna. My batteries died just before we got there, but Bob kept going, and going.... The Energizer Bunny of candidates.
After a quick stop at the store to recharge, we made it to Taste for FACE (Friends of Art for Community Enrichment). The event is a tasting party where community "Chefs" prepare a dish for the group to try. Friends of Art for Community Enrichment educates and enriches the community about the art and culture of Africans and African-Americans. Bob presented a roasted chicken dish which was a huge hit, and had the opportunity to meet community leaders and friends from all over central Ohio.
Bob looked great in his hat....
Again, Bob was widely remembered and community leaders were overwhelmingly supportive. As I made my rounds trying the other delicious dishes (hey, it was the first time I got to eat all day!) people kept stopping me to talk about Bob. Everyone knew him and were excited to see him out.
Sunday The Columbus Dispatch ran an editorial about Bob.
Sr. Editor Joe Hallett had great things to say about his meeting with Bob. "When he learned that the new prescription-drug plan for seniors prohibited Medicare from buying drugs in bulk, forgoing millions in savings, he got angry. He really got mad when the GOP representative who oversaw writing the prescription-drug law "set a brilliant example for older people by getting a new job: He became chief lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry at $2 million a year."
The article also points out one of Bob's great strengths, "At his age, he won't need to toe the party line to move up in seniority or to play footsy with special interests for the campaign cash to finance his re-election."
The Ohio Blogosphere has been supportive of Bob and appreciated the fact that the MSM was finally taking notice of what they already knew; Bob's the real deal.
From Buckeye State Blog:
"Joe Hallet of the Dispatch has a column in today's paper, talking about Bob Shamansky. I bet it ruined Pat Tiberi's fathers day - it's excellent....
When I met with Tiberi and his staff a few weeks ago I could sense they were worried and knew they had a campaign on their hands. They have a real problem with Bob - he is the genuine article, no spin, no bullshit, just business - and easily one of the most endearing people on the campaign trail this cycle."
Plunderbund was similarly impressed with Bob:
"(H)e's plenty mad, folks. Some might try to dismiss him as just another "angry Democrat". If you're not mad about the direction your country is going in, then you just aren't paying attention. That, or you write a GOP talking point blog. Some might try to dismiss him as "too old". But Bob took care of that with a quickness the first time I spoke to him. "Bob, do you think age will be an issue?", I query. "I SURE HOPE SO!", he says. Sign me up was my very next thought. People often overuse and misuse the term "real deal". With Bob, it fits like those old Levis you just can't bare to toss even with paint and holes all in them....
If you get a chance to meet Bob, you won't be disappointed. He is engaging and refreshing to talk to. He is interested in things you might not think he would be - he was fascinated by Meet The Bloggers and technology used during his Plunderbund Podcast appearance. I'm very proud to be able to support a candidate like Bob and look forward to helping him "restore a sensible centrist reality to Bush's fantastical governance"."
As we headed home Saturday I was getting tired, but Bob still had a spring in his step and was already talking about next weekend's events. He's ready for the next round, and isn't about to let up. The momentum is building here in Central Ohio, and it's on our side. We hope to see you soon - either at HQ, or at an event near you.