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Apr
27
And act like you condemn hostile work environments in state offices run by Democrats we supported.
You can read more details about the “…casual work environment that often extends into alcohol-lubricated evenings in which work and personal lives blur…” in today’s Columbus Dispatch. I must note, however, that despite my interest in the content of that article, I’m disgusted by the tabloid writing style that has the reporters drawing conclusions, telling us, rather than just showing us. But then James Nash was allowed to write about his own credentialing organization’s rejection of a blogger application, which is an obvious conflict. So I don’t know why I would expect better.
When I read articles like that, I wonder, Am I living in an alternate reality? (don’t answer that) while reading what these staffers did and said. If women are thinking of explaining their language and choices as being post-feminist, I’ll stay in my second-wave confusion.
But let’s be clear: the women’s behavior – however they explain it – does not excuse or otherwise explain away the picture that’s developing of the AG office’s environment, one that encourages, fosters or otherwise allows such behavior to occur.
Gawd. No wonder people can’t figure out Ohio.
Hattip The Point.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:10 am April 27th, 2008 in Politics
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14 Responses to “Second call on ODP Chair Chris Redfern: condemn this now”
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Supposing Chris Redfern, acting as ODP chair, issued a public statement that satisfactorily addresses all the points you have made.
Will the statement be enough?
Or should the ODP go further, by revealing what they may already know about public officeholders who may not be towing the line?
Or should the ODP go yet further, by investigating and vetting the party’s officeholders, and exposing those who haven’t been in compliance?
And if the ODP were to go further, at a time when Redfern hopes the Democrats are on the verge of winning the Ohio House, could the Democrats find their hopes at a majority dashed by casualties from such revelations?
Redfern was very disappointed that Barrett had to resign, because he said holding that district (the 58th) was so important in winning a majority. In the 58th, Redfern hopes a strong candidate will emerge to carry the banner for the fall, but, if I were mayor of Norwalk, why would I take a state rep seat that is difficult to hold on to (because the district leans Republican), when I can reasonably expect to be re-elected to more terms as mayor? Also, if I were the Huron County Auditor, why would I take a state rep seat that has just a two-year term and has a lower salary, when I have a longer time period in the auditor’s office wherein I can collect a higher salary? The 58th state rep job just might not be attractive enough to lure the most promising Democrats. I think it’s likely that the Republicans will retake this seat no matter who Democrats appoint to Barrett’s vacant seat.
Therefore, what if additional ousters took place among the ranks of incumbent House members if it turned out that problems were more widespread than just what occurs in Marc Dann’s AG office? (One has to wonder what Dann may have been up to as a state senator.) Is Marc Dann an anomalous aberration? If not, is Redfern ready and willing to set the benchmarks that you are calling for?
Or would you be content with just lip service by an official pronouncement without taking any further steps?
By the way, I think it would be desirable for both parties, ODP and ORP, to issue statements, but, if that doesn’t happen, I think my prior comment might illuminate the reason why.
Well, before we decide what is “far enough,” we need to define how we see the role of the ODP (or ORP), in general and in relation to any specific incident.
I don’t accept that, as Redfern was quoted to have said, Barrett’s problem is Barrett’s problem. That’s a total disconnect.
I can empathize with Redfern being disappointed, but mostly, he should be disappointed in himself for not better vetting those he supports. The same holds true for Marc Dann. This isn’t to say that Subodh Chandra has nothing in his past that bothers me – I certainly don’t know anything, but for sure, I’ve never felt that comfortable with Marc Dann (and he’s always known that). But I still donated at the very end because I wanted to change to a Dem in the role and I absolutely hated the seat-swapping the Republicans were trying to do – total total ick.
So the stream of episodes alleged to have been happening under Dann’s watch is making me insane – you know, like Hillary, on that TNR cover?
I’m going to assume that you very last question about satisfaction with lip service is a joke, yah?
A statement of responsibility, contrition, commitment and action is the LEAST Redfern should do. What more? I don’t know – I’ve been caught up in a few other blog dramas over the last few days and haven’t given it more thought.
What would you be expecting if it were your party’s people?
“A statement of responsibility, contrition, commitment and action is the LEAST Redfern should do.”
OK, lip service won’t do, and I suppose that the word that should be highlighted in the above sentence to make sure that it doesn’t just end at lip service is the word “action.”
As for me and what I’d like of the ORP, I’d like them to throw the rascals out so that we can feel confident of the integrity of the Republican party and its officeholders. In fact, I’ll go one step further in saying that the 2006 election results echoed my sentiment and the sentiments of many rank-and-file Republicans. I think the events of the past few years, wherein we sacked some pretty big names in Republican political circles, demonstrate that we rank-and-file Republicans are capable of putting personal integrity above party affiliation in our criteria of selecting candidates.
And you? Let me put it this way: If an election were approaching, and a scandal-plagued Democrat refused to step aside to let another Democrat run, and the only way to get rid of the scoundrel was to vote for the Republican, would you do it? The reverse was true in 2006, and I did it.
And Chris Redfern?
As ODP chair, I think Redfern is more concerned with electing candidates affiliated with his own party (the more, the better), and that weighs more heavily on his mind than turning the rascals out that are within his party.
So, to make sure it doesn’t end at lip service, could you elaborate on what you mean by the word “action?”
Daniel, you asked, “And you? Let me put it this way: If an election were approaching, and a scandal-plagued Democrat refused to step aside to let another Democrat run, and the only way to get rid of the scoundrel was to vote for the Republican, would you do it? The reverse was true in 2006, and I did it.”
I think that’s a very fair question but I don’t know what I would do – I cannot say for sure. But I can understand why you did and why I might. I have done that in local races I think – judicial – like Joan Synenberg over Christine Russo.
On this: “And Chris Redfern?
As ODP chair, I think Redfern is more concerned with electing candidates affiliated with his own party (the more, the better), and that weighs more heavily on his mind than turning the rascals out that are within his party.”
Okay – but there’s no point in getting Dems elected if they are corrupt or lack integrity. And if he has crappy judgment or is unwilling to ask the hard questions and demand the hard things, again – what good will it do if all the blue we bring in gets flushed out again so quickly, and justly?
As for what I mean by action – helping women run and win would be one thing. I’m not at liberty to say much, but I have heard complaints from female candidate about support or lack of support from the state level. The fact that the outreach for women just began, as a concerted effort with a person being paid to do it in 2008? That’s really shameful, in a state this size. I understand that there was a real air of patriarchy at the January event – which I did not attend – I was at RootsCamp.
So – the rumblings that I’ve heard haven’t been good.
On the other hand – and they know this – I have nothing but praise for the neighborhood leader person with whom I’ve been working. But that’s to get me to help GOTV. What if I were a candidate?
You could certainly be a candidate if you want to. It would be a breath of fresh air to see you run.
But let me get back to my question:
“And you? Let me put it this way: If an election were approaching, and a scandal-plagued Democrat refused to step aside to let another Democrat run, and the only way to get rid of the scoundrel was to vote for the Republican, would you do it?”
Let me try to make the question easier to answer. Let’s assume that Debbie Sutherland loses to Peter Lawson Jones for Cuyahoga County Commissioner, but that she runs again in 2010 for Jimmy Dimora’s seat. Will you vote for Dimora or Sutherland?
Let’s assume that Debbie Sutherland loses to Peter Lawson Jones for Cuyahoga County Commissioner, but that she runs again in 2010 for Jimmy Dimora’s seat. Will you vote for Dimora or Sutherland?
If this is a question that you can’t answer, then I know exactly why the ODP won’t toe the line.
Daniel – I owe you an apology – I am sorry – I haven’t gotten back to this thread since you asked that question.
Before I answer – let me ask you this: do you actually find Sutherland to be a compelling candidate?
Before I would tell you that yes, I’d vote for Sutherland, I will tell you that I’d work my butt off to find a viable primary challenger to Dimora.
Challenger to Dimora, I’m all for it. Since I know that Dimora won’t step aside for anyone else, though, and it would be hard to oust him in a primary because of all the favors owed to him, I tend to think November 2010 will be the only viable opportunity for ousting him, which is why I used Dimora as an example. I don’t think we have any viable Republicans in Cuyahoga County as corrupt as Dimora, so just seeing his name on the ballot tells me to “pull the lever” for the other person, no matter what the name is.
As for Sutherland, here’s a snippet of info:
http://www.westlifenews.com/2007/12-05/sutherland.html
She seems like a nice person, but I don’t agree with her optimism on the benefits of the Medical Mart.
I also don’t agree with her on the issue of a new I-90 interchange in Avon. No federal or state tax money is at stake in constructing the interchange, so I have no idea why NOACA is even sticking its nose into the matter.
http://www.chroniclet.com/2007/10/10/interchange-heads-toward-showdown/
Avon and Lorain County agreed to a revenue sharing plan with Cuyahoga County just to get the interchange approved. Cuyahoga County is such a gluttonous pig when it comes to resources, yet is such a poor steward of the lion’s share of regional resources it receives. I hate regionalism because I hate the lack of accountability in Cuyahoga County.
Though I disagree with Sutherland on the two matters I’ve mentioned, I also disagree with Peter Lawson Jones.
And I also disagree with Jimmy Dimora.
So I don’t see how Cuyahoga can right the ship, except incrementally, and as far as that’s concerned, anybody else would be at least incrementally an improvement over Dimora.
I’ll say it again, when the time comes for Dimora to leave, he’ll retire before an election, so that way the local Dem party will appoint his successor and that person will have the advantage of running as an incumbent.
I think the time for him to leave was a long time ago. I think he’ll only leave office ahead of an election if the writing’s on the wall that he wouldn’t be able to win.
I agree, the time for him to leave was a long time ago. I should’ve phrased it better. “When Dimora leaves…”
Dimora will continue to win ad infinitum. He’ll leave only if he gets tired of the job, the feds start to close in on him (like they did with Mike White), or he dies.
The Republicans don’t have anyone who can get even 35% of the vote against him, and the Dems certainly won’t certainly challenge him in the primary.
As I said, the job is his until he decides to step down, and when he does, he’ll retire early so that way his successor can be appointed (this is a favored tactic of political parties, especially in areas where there is one-party domination).
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