Democrat expects Fisher to beat Brunner in primary

It certainly is no secret who the head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is assuming will be his party's nominee for the 2010 Senate race in Ohio.

[gopflame]

Why do we not refer to Tom Ganley as an Ohio businessman? He does have many more interests besides automobiles.

www.tomganley.com

[dave myers]

It seems the dispatch is in Fishers corner, only so Portman can beat him in the general. Or your reporter is to lazy to do real reporting from d.c. He was not endorsed during that interview and to say "all but endorsed" is misleading and lazy.

[Vox Populi]

A perceived 'endorsement' from an out-of-state senator could actually hurt Fisher, both in the primary and the general.

The Democrats are going to blow this next election and the Fisher-Brunner feud is a perfect example why.

The progressive wing of the party will rally behind Brunner and will stay home next November if she loses the primary. And with no statewide base aside from Strickland, who will be fighting for his own political life against Kasich, Fisher will be in real danger of losing to Portman, and especially if unemployment nears 15% in Ohio, as it could by next fall.

Democratic leadership should have gotten together and worked this out behind the scenes, frankly telling either Fisher or Brunner to sit tight. Fisher is a retread denied statewide reelection in '93 who never would have been elected statewide in '06 if not under Strickland's wing. Brunner had promise, but has been tarnished by one petty controversy after another.

In short, while both may have admirable qualities, they're also both flawed candidates headed into a year where Republicans appear resurgent coming off the ropes.

And to boot, the all-important Secretary of State's office, one of the Apportionment Board seats, will be open with no incumbent in light of Brunner's senate candidacy. Simply another case of Democrats not getting their house in order.

Unless the economy rebounds significally, 2010 could be a disaster for Democrats.

[UAW worker]

I think an endorsement from any politician in New Jersey should be the kiss of death. The political corruption in this state is only second to Illinois.

[Vox Populi]

UAW worker wrote:

I think an endorsement from any politician in New Jersey should be the kiss of death. The political corruption in this state is only second to Illinois.

Good point.

[really]

Second in place to Illinois? How about Cuyahoga County?

[timmy]

Fisher has my Vote !

[Tom Ganley]

gopflame wrote:

Why do we not refer to Tom Ganley as an Ohio businessman? He does have many more interests besides automobiles.
www.tomganley.com

Thanks, Mom.

[Ohio Lawyer]

Anyone who has looked at campaign contributions expects Fisher to beat Brunner, who is not doing what candidates need to do to win elections: raise bucks.

[Ohio Lawyer]

Vox Populi wrote:

A perceived 'endorsement' from an out-of-state senator could actually hurt Fisher, both in the primary and the general.
The Democrats are going to blow this next election and the Fisher-Brunner feud is a perfect example why.
The progressive wing of the party will rally behind Brunner and will stay home next November if she loses the primary. And with no statewide base aside from Strickland, who will be fighting for his own political life against Kasich, Fisher will be in real danger of losing to Portman, and especially if unemployment nears 15% in Ohio, as it could by next fall.
Democratic leadership should have gotten together and worked this out behind the scenes, frankly telling either Fisher or Brunner to sit tight. Fisher is a retread denied statewide reelection in '93 who never would have been elected statewide in '06 if not under Strickland's wing. Brunner had promise, but has been tarnished by one petty controversy after another.
In short, while both may have admirable qualities, they're also both flawed candidates headed into a year where Republicans appear resurgent coming off the ropes.
And to boot, the all-important Secretary of State's office, one of the Apportionment Board seats, will be open with no incumbent in light of Brunner's senate candidacy. Simply another case of Democrats not getting their house in order.
Unless the economy rebounds significally, 2010 could be a disaster for Democrats.

Uh, there is a 15th Amendment, candidates have a legal right to run for office, and "working it out behind the scenes" only works if candidates allow it to. And if progressives stay home to protest Lee Fisher, I hope they're happy with Majority Leader McConnell, because that's what that kind of boneheaded move gets you.

[Buckeye Girl]

Fisher, the establishment candidate, won't have a chance against Portman. This time next year the Ohio electorate is going to be so fed up with job loss Fisher will be seen as more of the same. Brunner at least has a shot given her clean up of the voting system after Blackwell. A Fisher-Portman match up is a sure win for Republicans. But with Peggy Zone threatening and bullying donors into closing their pocketbooks she literally is keeping the seat R.
I had hoped we broke through party politics as usual with Obama? I guess we will have to get beat down a couple more times before we learn our lesson. Sad race for true progressives.

[Ohio Lawyer]

Buckeye Girl wrote:

Fisher, the establishment candidate, won't have a chance against Portman. This time next year the Ohio electorate is going to be so fed up with job loss Fisher will be seen as more of the same. Brunner at least has a shot given her clean up of the voting system after Blackwell. A Fisher-Portman match up is a sure win for Republicans. But with Peggy Zone threatening and bullying donors into closing their pocketbooks she literally is keeping the seat R.
I had hoped we broke through party politics as usual with Obama? I guess we will have to get beat down a couple more times before we learn our lesson. Sad race for true progressives.

I dont care if you're the "truest progressive" this side of Fidel. You want to win a US Senate seat, you go raise the millions it takes to run a legit campaign. Brunner hasn't done it, and she threatens to cost us a seat on the State Apportionment Board.