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Two disclaimers: I'm speaking only for myself here. Also, I'm not a disinterested observer. I've been pulling for Brunner since she got in the race.
Jennifer Brunner's Senate primary campaign in Ohio is one grassroots / netroots Democrats can rally around. Many of us are rightfully frustrated, even livid, with our party's leadership. The source of frustration may vary, but in every case supporting Brunner's candidacy makes sense.
If you're angry with the most timid, and in some cases just flat - out corrupt Senate Dems, who are clearly a major problem (probably the biggest), sending Brunner to the Senate makes sense.
If you think a lack of leadership from the White House (especially on health care reform and the public option) is part of the problem, sending Brunner to the Senate makes sense.
If you see reigning in the influence of K Street and Wall Street as a constant fight that is extremely difficult but also absolutely necessary, sending Brunner to the Senate makes sense.
And if like me, you fall into all three of these categories, sending Brunner to the Senate makes sense. This is an opportunity for those who are somewhat more critical of the Obama Administration, and those who are more prone to defend it, to work together on something that we can all agree on -- the need to send strong Democrats to the US Senate.
Substantively, Brunner is the best candidate on the issues. As far as ability to win the general election goes, she's a fresh face and she has run statewide before. Her straightforward stands, as well as the foundation for a powerful coalition that she has built, could serve her well in a very anti - establishment cycle. And for what it's worth, the public polling we've seen so far shows her doing best in a general election match - up.
For the record, Brunner's opponent in the primary, Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, isn't a bad guy by any means. He did very well at the Hamilton County Forum and he would be a good Senator. I like Lee Fischer. I just like Jennifer Brunner more. Either way, Republican Rob Portman, a man who helped swing the Bush/Cheney Middle Class Wrecking ball, must be beaten.
It's very important that we keep the momentum in Ohio's representation at the national level. In 2006, we elected outstanding Democrats Sen. Sherrod Brown, who beat the incumbent Republican by 12%, and Rep. Betty Sutton (OH - 13). In 2008, Ohio went for Obama/Biden by 4% and Rep. Mary Jo Kilory (OH - 15) was elected. In 2010 we can keep that momentum going by sending Jennifer Brunner to the United States Senate. Her election would mean that Ohio, a crucial swing state if there ever was one, would be represented by two mainstream, Main Street Democrats with a prominent backbone.
Related: Coverage of this race at Progress Ohio, Ohio Daily, and Buckeye State Blog. |
