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Dec
4
Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman will announce Tuesday that he is running for his fellow Democrat’s 10th Congressional seat, which includes the West Side of Cleveland and the city’s western suburbs.
[OH-10 Congressman and White House Democratic nominee candidate Dennis] Kucinich refuses to say if he plans to seek a seventh term next year; the filing deadline is a month away.
If Kucinich does run for re-election, Cimperman, who represents downtown Cleveland, will be Kucinich’s first serious challenger in either a primary or general election since he was elected to Congress in 1996.
Now see that? Right there? That “first serious challenger” thing?
This isn’t about whether it’s true or not – Mark Naymik has followed politics around here decades longer than I have. But, having just heard Marie Wilson address the greatest obstacles to women getting into the leadership pipeline in any industry, she really has strong words for media, and with good reason.
Maybe it’s not because Rosemary Palmer is a woman – that would be low and I don’t think that’s really the case. But still – isn’t there a more artful, more respectful, still truthful way of saying, “even though Rosemary Palmer has been running for the 10th’s Democratic nomination for months, and Barbara Ferris has also announced a bid, Cimperman will be the strongest challenger because…”? You know – a little “Why” re: “first serious challenger” moniker, since people who read the Plain Dealer know that Palmer is running. And people who follow blogs for more information know that the list actually looks like this (hattip Ohio Daily Blog):
10th District. NE Ohio (Cuyahoga County. Includes western suburbs of Cleveland. Kerry won 58% in 2004. Incumbent Dennis Kucinich defeated former U.S. government official Mike Dovilla by 66% to 34% in 2006. There have been rumors that Kucinich might retire.
- Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Cleveland)
- Teacher and journalist Rosemary Palmer (D-Cleveland)
- Barbara Anne Ferris (D-Cleveland)
- Mayor Dean DePiero (D-Parma)
- Mayor Thomas O’Grady (D-North Olmsted)
- Mayor Martin Zinotti (D-Parma Heights)
- City council member Joe Cimperman (D-Cleveland)
- Real Estate Investor Jason Werner (R-Cleveland)
- Former state rep. Jim Trakas (R-Independence)
- Former Federal Government Official Mike Dovilla (R-Cleveland)
It was a lengthy enough entry on the PD’s blog. Wasn’t there room for a mention of all the others in the race and why, why, why Cimperman gets the “first serious challenger” notation?
That’s all I’m asking.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:36 am December 4th, 2007 in Blogging, Campaigning, Elections, Media, Ohio, Politics, WH2008, Women
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19 Responses to “All Kucinich’s Rivals: Add Joe Cimperman, but leave out the ladies?”
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Why did Cimperman get that tag? I think it’s relatively simple – he’s an elected Democrat in Cleveland, and his ward represents the downtown area so he has developed relationships with a lot of the money that’s in the area.
I don’t think it’s a slap in the face or an insult to women challengers. If a female with political clout or an entrenched political name were to get in the race, I’m sure they’d be thought of as more serious chalengers.
Heck, I don’t think they even think of Trakas as a serious challenger, and he was the face of the local GOP, an Independence councilman, and a state rep.
Greg – I appreciate that, and so I’m saying, would it have been THAT difficult or squeezed the word count THAT much to have included that info? That’s all. To make it sound like Cimperman is it, I don’t know – his entrance is significant, but it’s even more significant because there are others trying or who have been trying. I just think it gives a broader, better picture and can’t really see the reasoning for leaving it out.
Thanks.
Jill, does your post and your comment to Greg warrant the title(why not the ladies part)? The article didn’t mention *anyone* other than Cimperman and Kucinich. Granted Palmer has been in the race for quite some time longer than the rest.
I guess I am echoing Greg’s point in that your point seems to be a lack of the bigger picture of the race.
Two more nitpicky things:
1. The link to Ferris’ site isn’t working
2. I take it your use of italics in the list of candidates indicates actual entry into the race?? If that’s the case, shouldn’t Dennis be in italics?
Hi Rob -
Thanks for the comments
Oh – I’m definitely honing in on the women thing, but yes – it’s true – no mention of the race’s potential runners is the bigger picture and that would have been nice – which is why I’m looking for ways to ask the same thing – why didn’t Mark include the bigger picture?
But it’s the absence of the two declared D women that stood out to me – so I am guilty as charged on that.
The italics etc. is from Jeff’s original – I didn’t add it in. I believe Jeff’s post indicates that itals are people being watched or have been mentioned but haven’t declared or pulled petitions.
Also- I didn’t put the links in – I don’t know the deal on Barbara’s site. Sorry.
Jeff tries so hard to keep so much info current – I’m sure he’ll be updating that page soon – he does a terrific job, but there are other resources – from the couple of others I’ve checked, there seems to be a lot of sites in need of updating for 2008 but that’s to be expected I guess at this time of year.
Thanks.
Ah, should have looked at Jeff’s page first. My bet is incumbents (declared or not) are assumed to be running.
The link to ferris’ site(via jeff’s page)
is http://www.ferrisforcongress.com/
>so I am guilty as charged on that.
So now what?
Umm – there are worse things to be guilty of?
I’m just a blogger – we make mistakes ALL the time?
I’m just a blogger – we don’t care about facts?
I’m just a blogger –
I don’t know.
Any reader of average intelligence should be able to know why Cimperman is the first serious challenger. The fact that Palmer and Ferris are women I’m sure had nothing to do with it. Read the rest of the article. It goes on to explain Cimperman’s credentials and exactly why he is the first serious challenger. You’ll note Kucinich’s ‘04 opponent Ed Herman – an Afghani war vet – also doesn’t qualify as a “serious challenger.” Neither does Trakas, a seasoned politician whose candidacy is imminent. And not George Pulling, Kucinich’s primary opponent in ‘06.
Marie Wilson is absolutely right, by the way. I just think you’re detecting something that’s just not there on this one.
As my reader knows (Thanks, Mom!), I’m a right wing nut.
But Dennis is a complete joke. Or would be, if he was worth mentioning.
Ok, it’s a safe Democratic seat, but I’d much prefer a real lefty with actual ideas (well, serious ideas that don’t invovle UFOs, Roswell, the Bermuda Triangle, or the Illuminate, or International Banking Consipiracy) that could entertain some serious debate, rather than being a butt of jokes on a world wide scale.
Dennis is a net detriment to the Democratic party. He’s just fodder for us righty bloggers. He’s not going to be listend to, he doesn’t speak truth to power, he’s just an embarassment. The Right isn’t scared of Dennis; he frames the entire left.
After what he did to Cleveland as Mayor, the fact that he can hold an elected position is a condemnation of democracy.
Joe of #7 – Well, I’ll take on that debate: any intelligent reader could glean that Cimperman is no joke as a candidate.
BUT – from a purely argumentarian perspective, there is no way possible for someone to know, from the article alone, that he is the “first” serious challenger. If, let’s say, someone was going to take that as true, then they would HAVE to assume that there in FACT other challengers who are NOT serious.
BUT – since the article doesn’t mention a single other candidate, then, based on that article alone, it’s not possible to know that he is the “first” serious challenger, in the way that that expression implies that there may be others – even though no others are mentioned.
I am, just to repeat, simply arguing why I still believe the names of the other declared candidates be mentioned. It’s just disrespectful to be honest – whether they are women or not. I realize the article is about Cimperman, but it’s also about Dennis and the 10th in general – shouldn’t the GOP candidate or lack of at least get a one sentence mention? I think so – I’m not saying everyone has to agree with me – I’m just saying that if I’d written the piece, I would have included that, for the reader’s sake.
I think Trakas will go for Spada’s seat – I have no specific knowledge, it’s just an intuition, but the 17th district folks know him, elected him until he was term-limited out – it’s a far more sure thing. I am very against him – or anyone for that matter – running as a sacrificial candidate, on principle I hate that idea.
Last – I have a question for you: if Cimperman does run, who should go for Cimperman’s seat?
In the 21st century, one other key definition of a serious candidate is one who is likely to be able to raise serious money. Unfortunate? Yes. But that makes it no less true.
TBMD: I won’t argue with that impression of Dennis. I moved here in 1988 and didn’t really know much about him except for the remaining reputation that’s followed him – and that sounded a lot like what you wrote.
But here’s what I have to ask: the constituents – they’ve spoken – he is who they want. I’m not opposed to that being debated, but how DO you debate that?
Jill,
Fair points. As for Trakas, I’d be very surprised if he stayed in that State Senate race. The other candidate, last I heard, is Ken Patton, a popular republican with broad union support. And his name is Ken Patton. Trakas has an even worse chance against Kucinich, but for the good of his party he might concede the senate nomination to Patton, the safer candidate.
To replace Cimperman I think it would have to be someone savvy enough to manage the most diverse ward in Cleveland. I would expect a jungle of a primary, especially with all the crazy (crazy good) activists in Tremont and Ohio City. But hopefully someone with both the vision to represent downtown and the compassion to represent St. Clair-Superior will prevail.
On the senate 24th: well, I would love to know who else is in the line – I don’t know that Patton is so well-known in the district, but I have no specific knowledge of that. I don’t know him. But I doubt that means much.
The Dems haven’t said boo from what I know re: who will run but I would bet that they have names, just not saying. This district is STUFFED with independents and far fewer Republicans than people realize.
Are you in a position to run for Cimperman’s seat?
Joe-
The Patton running for the 24th Senate District is Tom Patton. Ken Patton, I believe, is the mayor of Brooklyn.
Tx Greg – with so many folks who run having similar names, it’s easy to not be sure – I thought it might be Tom too but then figured, eh – we just haven’t heard enough, maybe there’s a Ken running too. Wouldn’t be a surprise. lol
Tom Patton, right, my mistake. Ha well my point exactly – it’s a great ballot name. There are two Mayor Patton’s in the 24th Senate district.
Also I’m a few miles outside of Cimperman’s ward – and more than a few miles short of being qualified! Alas.
Ah – but it’s months before there would be an election, Joe.
And besides, Cimperman doesn’t even live in the 10th yet, now does he?
You don’t need to live in the district. The signature petitions only state that you will be qualified (live in the distict) if you are elected. And their is no difference between where Joe currently resdies and the 10th District. I’d be more concerned if he is living in Cleveland Hts with his wife. Did you know that Joe Cimperman owns no property? Something smells fishy.
Thanks Henry – yes, I do know that (first came to light for me when Capri Cafaro was running against Betty Sutton).
Why do you think ownership of property matters, though?