Today the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) took a side in the Ohio U.S. Senate race – and they chose the guy everyone (except the establishment) hates – Ted Strickland. This comes after Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and 3 Ohio congressmen endorsed Strickland, and the Ohio Democratic Party defended Strickland – and not his primary opponent. Another Ohio state rep went so far as to issue a warning to Strickland’s primary opponent.
But the Democratic establishment seems to be the only group that likes Strickland. Here’s what everyone else is saying about him in the Ohio newspapers:
“Congratulations on your next term, Sen. Rob Portman.” – Cleveland Plain Dealer
“The death of the Democratic Party was confirmed Wednesday with the Strickland announcement.” – Christopher Evans of the Northeast Ohio Media Group
“But his overall record as governor was mediocre at best.” … “That Strickland might be the Democrats’ strongest candidate for Portman’s Senate seat speaks volumes about the state of the party.” – Brent Larkin, writing at Cleveland.com
“Strickland’s return says a lot about the lack of young Democratic leaders waiting in the wings to freshen the brand.” – Sharon Broussard of the Northeast Ohio Media Group
So while the Democratic establishment loves Strickland, everyone else is far from thrilled.
