Sutton on WARF (sounds like what i do after a long night drinking or disturbing star trek fan fiction)

First of all for those of you who don't know 1350 WARF is our local Air America/Liberal station which, in an ironic twist, is owned by conservative communication magnate Clear Channel. They've got Al Franken in the afternoon's and a host of other great radio personalities, but I just find it odd that the people who own WTAM (conservative radio land ohio, oh and Triv is a moron)

So, it is possible i was the only person to hear Betty Suttons interview on 1350 last thursday with the wonderfully senile old codger Joe Finan.

All in all it was a soft ball interview that revolved around Finan hitting on Ms. Sutton (which she deflected well), Finan making fun of Ms. Cafaro, and Sutton getting questions that established her personality in a positive light. One caller chimed in (probably the only other person listening to Finan, cause come on, he's gettin a little.... ok ALOT, old) and asked some questions that were, if not scripted, the perfect questions to ask a candidate to make them sound good. While I had fun listening there was not much in the way of substance, despite the fact that Mrs. Sutton tried on several occasions to roll out here anti-corruption plan.

Well, between that and the needle in the haystack article in the ABJ Sutton is finally starting to get her voice and her name out there. Hopefully its not to little to late for her campaign.

Tom Sawyer and the Fine Art of Sillyness:

Quick aside: First post in awhile, still reeling from a bloggers bracket slaughter (grats to the winner though!) and the arrival of a new little bundle to the family!! So, posting may be spotty over the next few weeks as we here at the Walk Back homestead acclimate to our new, and frankly beautiful, member.

Ok on to the stuff. A bunch of blogs have posted on the negatives of many a candidate. And more interestingly many an anonymous commentor has come to the defense of a few of them. In this spirit I've been trying and trying to think of a reason someone would come to the defense of Tom Sawyer (as defense of him as been so sparse on the net these day). When lo and behold he comes out in response to Betty Sutton in the ABJ by saying that her comments are bullshit! HOSANAH and ROCK!!! When we finally get a quote by him on a substantial issue his response is, esentially, bite me you hoser. Now, this is a candidate we can get behind, subtantive issue based debate be damned, Mr. Sawyer is getting his hands (and mouth) dirty with a response only one step removed from Nuh-uh. In his last campaign he had image consultants and a bank roll a mile long and some kid from the valley was able to school him. And now, he is seemingly operating from his house, with little budget, no staff, and tons of free press. Why then is he poised to win? The only answer i can come up with is name recognition.

However, in rebuttle to the mainstream oppion that he is the front runner i say this?
-Have you or anyone you know gotten a mailing?
-A robo call?
-A person at your door?
-Seen a web site?
-Seen chatter on the blogs supporting him?
-Seen any endorsements other than newspapers?
-Seen any evidence of a campaign infrastructure at all?

If so let me know! I can't shake the feeling that this guy is a paper tiger. With Sutton and Cafaro having far more union support and thus more known votes in their pocket from the start the question must be asked, where is Sawyer in the race really? Do we know if the polls have been sampling likely voters or registered voters? And in that event did they ask if the respondant was planning to vote in the primary (as most "regular" voters don't ever bother)? This is stuff we bloggers must know if our well and not so well informed political discussions are to have any merit. Ok, while that be going a bit to far, i bloody need to know something the silence is starting to become deafining.

The Bottom Line: While i could be entirely wrong (see bloggers bracket above), It just seems that Sawyer is hot air with no backing, all flash and no substance. I just think it takes more than buzz to win an election.

Woah... This is getting serious.

So... I've been around for about three weeks now (i'm to lazy to look) and somehow... I'm not even sure how, I AM A LISTED FRICKIN ENDORSEMENT ON A CAMPAIGN SITE.

So, I ask myself... "What has the world come to?"

"Well self..." I respond. "I have no frikin clue"

Yes Ms. Sutton I do think you're the cats meow of congressional politics...

Yes, I do think you'd represent us best...

Yes, I think your the least silly of the candidates...

And yes, I think you need to start getting your voice heard.

But should you really be heaping legitimate endorsement love on me? I mean, someone other than your communications staff (And of course 13 votes, where I found this out at) might read me. Is that something we really want to see?


So in closing
Ummm... thanks for the press?

p.s. oh, if someone can tell me how to reliably change font sizes that would be a help. Thanks Blogging community!

In the hope of fairness....



Just to try and be fair, just like our friends at Ohio 13 Votes, we will now endorse a republican candidate. And without further ado:


JOE ORTEGA

Honestly we're not even sure if he's still running. But his platform of cutting the already meager amount of money we're sending over seas ('cause that little Sudan thing is gonna blow over), punishing companies with a 15-18 percent tax for moving their jobs overseas due to the policies of his own party (ok... the democrats had a hand in it too but COME ON!), backing Bush's winner of a health care plan, and for being against all terrorism (that's my fave) really sold us on how well he will compete against whom ever wins the democratic primary.

Here's to you Joe, from one dark horse to another, we raise our beers and our guns in strong salute. Go get 'em big man... go get 'em.

And the Endorsement Goes to...



After much hand wringing, thought crunching, blog reading, news assimilating, event going and in the spirit of the NCAA final four (in which my bracket has been destroyed) I have finally decided to pick a horse. I'd like to start by saying that just because I'm about to endorse someone that doesn't mean i won't lambast them along with everyone else in the field, in fact I'll probably do it harder because i actually like this person. So, with out further ado the Walk Back Blog Endorses:

Betty Sutton

Yes that's right, the Barberton Bomber, the Summit Slammer, the Chick from Columbus (well she did serve in the state house)... The dark horse with a chance, Betty Sutton.

Why? You ask dear reader (i would say readers but I'm pretty sure i only have one or two). It's simple, she's got moxy. Ok, now that the simple reason is out of the way lets look at the field.

Capri Cafaro: Beyond becoming more laughable every day, she's a long shot with press coverage, no experience, lots of money, and a FRICKING NRA ENDORSEMENT... not things that normally endear your average democratic primary voter (who tend to be more politically voracious than your average democratic general election voter). Besides, i think voters want someone with a clean ethics record, and weather she did anything or not Ms. Cafaro has been painted in a not so favorable light, which will only get worse as media season comes a'callin.

Tom Sawyer: NAFTA... NAFTA... oh wait... Did i mention NAFTA. The one thing Ms. Cafaro is going to be able to do is impeach Mr. Sawyer's credibility with the general public on this issue. If i were anyone in the race i would see him as the biggest first target to hit. And Ms. Cafaro has the ammo, so she'll probably be doing most of the shooting. Further, that poll from January that had Sawyer in the mid 20's is actually horrible news for him if you think about it. A guy with that kind of name rec only polling at 25%??? If everybody has heard of him and he's polling in the mid 20's against no names and a SMH then he's not getting anymore votes, and only has them to loose. Oh, and no website? Come on! Step into the 21st century for blogs sake.

Kucinich: The other, other, guy with name recognition. Not much to say about him other than he seems to be the crazier half of the Kucinich brotherhood, a counter point to his brothers position on the far left of the democratic party (which is just where we like him, cause someone needs to be there, and he's always fighting the good fight). But really, his whole platform so far seems to be Ms. Cafaro is bad, anyone else is better. He still hasn't told me why it should be him.

So, why with all these wonderful candidates did I choose Ms. Sutton? Well, from her website, it seems to me she has an impeccable record of defending workers, actually cares about good government, and wants to make the people of Ohio better, more educated, and able to stand up for themselves. Ok, this seems like pandering, but her record actually seems to speak to the fact that she bloody cares and she's not in this for the limelight or out of some sense of careerism (I'm pretty sure being a labor lawyer pay much better than the 150k a year she'll get in congress). I also don't thik she see's this as a political stepping stone (Ms. Cafaro), another stab at relevancy (Mr. Sawyer), or a chance to ride someone else's coattails (Mr. Kucinich) but an opportunity to get her hands dirty.

Of course she can't win if she doesn't get out there and get some bloody exposure. Yes, I saw the ad in the Barberton paper, but really how many people in the district read that? And you can't just win in Barberton alone (although it's a start). So, our advice? Get your face in the paper, on TV, and start the ground pounding! Four and a half weeks to go and you've got some ground you need to win, so get out and start fighting.

So for these and so many more reasons, we here at Walk Back endorse our Black Horse, Betty Sutton, for Congress. Go get 'em, and we'll be watching you. So, let the flames (YEAH like anybody reads this) begin.

Mother of Exiles


Not like the brazen giant of greek fame
with conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
I send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door

Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus

Read that... then read it again... then read it again. Get up kiss your children, your wife, your husband, or significant other and thank god that there was a time when their ancestors could come here unfettered with the hope of a new life on new shores. We are, and always have been, a nation of immigrants and it is on their backs that we have gained the position we hold in the world community today.

As some of you already know, Rep. Sensenbrenner (R, WI- 5), Chairman of the Judiciary Committee has foisted this bill unto congress. The "Border Patrol, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005" has already passed through the House and currently sits before the Senate and pretty much seeks to destroy any ground illegal immigrants have in the hope for a new life in this country, while punishing anyone who helps them. The bill seeks to, among other things, turn illegal immigration into a felony and make helping illegal immigrants a felony. Of all the bone headed.... First, like we don't have enough inmates (*cough cough* drug war *cough cough*) Second, these people are fleeing a really crappy situation and hoping for a better life for their families, much like some buckle shoe wearing religious seperatists we remember every November. Third, talk about shooting yourself in the face, this is gonna make every person of Latin American ancestry hate the administration.

Oh and by the way, Sensenbrenner is the same guy who attached the Real ID act to an omnibus military spending bill to get it passed. I'm pretty sure he's a fascist... more Mussolini than Hitler though, i don't think... well i don't even like where this is going, suffice it to say I'm pretty sure he's a nut bag.

I was going to go into a long diatribe about republicans and how they purport to be the most patriotic among us, yet seek to do some of the most un-american things i can think of, but really... we've all heard it before. So I'll just say this. We are a nation born and built on the backs of immigrants, with few exceptions, everyone who lives here is or comes from an immigrant. Without illegal immigrants the west would not work, and we owe it to them to give them every chance possible to seek a new and better life north of the border and to do it in a way that doesn't increase the number of angry brown people in this country. God bless the protesters from Cleveland, to Dallas, to Los Angles and the message they carry in their voices and their hearts. I'm with you guys.

BOB NEY....


OR why I love republicans

*Gets up on Soap Box*
Allow me to start by saying that my philosophy on politics when it comes to the people involved is simple: there are good people on both sides and (must not cuss... must keep a high minded sort of debate... thingy) absolute dweebs on both sides, and those dweebs are the ones who muck up the process for the rest of us.

Cleveland.com posted a report today stating that Bob Ney... or Mr. "Abramoff? I don't know anyone by that name" has been asked by the League of Women Voters of Athens county to participate in a debate with his republican primary adversary. And, when given the option of six different dates said... "Nah... I ain't got the time" His opponent even stated he wouldn't talk about Abramoff, just policy. From the Ney camp? Silence, of course. This is great, no I mean really great, and honestly makes me think Bob Ney is the trustworthy open type of candidate (ehemm...). Now, I've never met his opponent, but I bet he's one of the good type of politicians I mentioned above and his willingness to set aside the tasty Abramoff niblets seems to point to that very fact. But, like all good republicans in time of scandal what does Nye do? Ignore, Deflect, Deny. And thus we see the fundamental problem with the Republican party today. The dweebs are leading while the good ones, the ones who really want to create a dialogue, get bloody ignored. Ok... so the democrats are pretty much doing the same thing but I am one, so i'm gonna complain less about them, deal (by the way, My ABC isn't Anyone but Capri it's Anyone But Clinton.. hillary, not bill). Anyways, from Bush to Nye to Taft, not a single one of these guys can stand up and say "Woops, I screwed up... sorry, now lets try and fix it." It is this head in the sand mode of blithly following policy after policy groudned (if i can even use that word) in rehtoric, bluster, and blind ideology that has lead us to where we are today. Hell, the most recent ABC poll (read the whole interview, though... i think it proves my point) puts Bush at 36% job approval, nearly reaching a Nixionan level of public agnst. This alone shows that people are no longer buying what top Republicans are selling.

*Gets up on even bigger soap box*
It's time for new voices, new plans, and programs from both parties which speak to the issues that we in Akron, Northeast Ohio, and across the nation are dealing with on a daily basis. But what will it take? Whoever shows me that will get my vote.

Capri Cafaro...

Time to sound off.


Every blog I go to one name keeps coming up, Capri Cafaro. There seems to be quite a bit of angst and love directed towards this one candidate and I just can't stop from thinking about her campaign, and her as a person.

Originally I lambasted her along with most everyone else, because to be honest it is easy to do, at least on the surface. So I've decided to set up a pro's and con's list and hope if and when people start reading this blog that they add to it. I hope to keep the discussion fair and based on what we've heard in the media, from her web site, and definitely keep it away from obvious slander, mud slinging, or unadulterated lies (although i realize it's hard to know what the truth is in this specific situation). So here we go:

Pros:
1. Labor loves her: and for good reason, her family ties alone not to mention her rhetoric from this and her last campaign show her as a loud and very public advocate for the rights of working people.

2. She's youthful: energetic, and charismatic. A definite change of pace from most of the other candidates, and a breath of fresh air for many people who are jaded with the political process.

3. She's smart: This may be naivete (if i spelled that right) but to graduate from college and with her masters degree when she did speaks to a level of intelligence and academic diligence that would serve the 13th well.

4. The media is on her side: WHAT? You may be asking... But think about it, she's running in a primary with multiple other candidates, all she really needs is 24 to 27 percent of the vote to make it to the general, and if all the average citizen hears and reads is the name Capri Cafaro then she has a distinct advantage. In other words "there is no such thing as bad press."

5. She has a plan: As much as I hate save Americas workers and really don't think it will work, at least she has come out with some plan.

6. She has money: SMH... nuff said...

Cons:
1. Image: And this could be a big hurdle. She is perceived by many to be unethical, from a dirty money family, and out of touch with "normal people" due to her money. Oh yeah, and her last campaign wasn't that great either. Oh and don't forget the whole carpetbagger thing, oh yeah and don't forget about her father... ect... ect... ect...

2. Record: She has been an advocate and been to meetings and what not as her web site says. But if you really look at it her only real experience with congress is working for 2 senators and testifying. I'm not sure, but has she even worked in the house paid or un-paid? She has very little to stand on here.

3. Experience: None to speak of.

4. She's Young: Voters like stability, and 28 year olds do not exactly have the best record when it comes to that point.

5. Her plans are bad: SAW is horrible, it's bad for the economy and bad for the people who live and work in this community, some democrat needs to come along and nail her to the cross with it.

Yes, the cons are shorter than the pros, cause the con's are harder! No really, like i said I'm trying to stay away from the petty stuff, and these are the issues that really stick out in my mind.

I'm going to try and do one of these on each candidate as time and my level of knowledge about them evolves.

THE BIG PICTURE: A Quick Election Projection

Everyone seems to do one of these so I thought I'd throw my two cents in.

House: 29 seats up for grabs or weak. Ahhh the dogfight of American politics, it's gets no more local, and no more angry than House elections. Unlike their senatorial brethren (and sistren?) they have to pony up every two years. Now admittedly most house races aren't in serious contention. But what makes this year so much more fun that other years? Two words: Jack Abramoff... ok ok there are a lot of other things going on as well, but it seems that people are fundamentally loosing their trust in the GOP. Pollingreport.com's blank ballot surveys have dems up significantly, maxing out at a 17 point gap in preferance for registered voters and a 9 point lead among likely voters. The likely voters number is of course far more important because these are the people who regularly come out and vote. Also, expect a higher voter turn out in places rocked most by scandal Texas, Louisiana, and Ohio for example. Granted the blank ballot doesn't matter so much when you figure the incumbancy bump in, but those juicy open races seem more likely to swing Blue than Red at this early point in the race. So keeping these things in mind I pick up my magic 8 ball, give it a swirl, and this is what I find.

Democratic Pick Up's:
Minnesota 6, Florida 13, Iowa 1, New Mexico 1, Pennsylvania 6, Vermont 1 (independent, vacated), Wisconsin 8 and the two Big Maybes the Texas 22 (Delay) and Ohio 18 (Ney).

Republican Pick Up's:
Georgia 8 and 12, Colorado 3, Illinois 8 (this is a big money race though...).

So at worst the Dems pick up 3 at best they pick up 5 and Republicans loose 2 to 4.

Senate: 1 third of the small group are up for election. Things here are much more solid as they historically tend to be. Here I put it at 1 solid Dem win in Pennsylvania and some big maybe's in Ohio and Tennessee. So don't look for more than a 1 to 3 seat pick up here.

Gubernatorial: Once again, true local politics will come home to roost. And there are some real political dog fights warming up, duck 'cause here comes the mud!

Dem Pickups: Goodbye Terminator (California), Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio.
Republican Pickups: Oklahoma and Iowa.

So, all in all don't expect the world to fundamentally shift as it seems American voters are smart enough to recognize the difference between Bush foul ups and their home grown politicians, especially given the current disconnect that seems to exist between the executive and a large portion of house and senate republicans.

Dear England... 

In George Washington's first inaugural address (1788) he said:

"The foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and the preeminence of free government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of it's citizens and command the respect of the rest of the world."

What he's trying to say is good people make good government. That ethical and pure intentioned leadership builds a healthy democracy... Was that ever true? I have no clue, i'd like to think leaders like Washington, Adams, and Jefferson were pure intentioned... But what about Webster or any number of congressmen who helped shaped the future while not sharing the purity of character we ascribe to our founding fathers. Who, for all their flaws, were attempting to create a plural society where none went un-represented.

SO. Where am I going with all this? Simply put, this blog will be about local and national elections, politics, and whatnot plus other randomness that comes across my head. And I wanted to start with the statement that; If we choose a leader (and I'm talking to you in the OH 13th now) that leader should not be given carte blanche to ride the money train all the way to DC. We should look for someone that sets themselves apart from the culture of corruption that has been growing in the halls of congress since 1994. And we should ask, of any who choose to represent us, their unfailing devotion and fidelity to the people who live and work in the 13th district, to the mothers of our servicemen, to the laborers in our factories, they should hold themselves above the interests of big money donors, special interests, and any who don't speak directly for the families of north east Ohio. Our candidate must look towards their sole duty, the people of the 13th and with steadfastness of resolve and singleminded purpose represent only them and their needs...

OK, now that I got that high minded whatever out of the way, this is my blog! I'm a democrat with a bit of real political experience under my belt and I thought this would be a great way to express my opinions and let off some steam when it comes to north east Ohio politics, which is some of the best dinner theater in the nation outside of Texas by the way! I am an Ohio native (although I live in the 14th) I know the entire region well and have lived all over north east Ohio. Oh and to the guys at Ohio13 Blog, Ohio 13 Votes, and Pho's Norka I love you and read and enjoy you muchly, ya'll were the impetus... the whiskey in my water as it were... for starting this blog, thank you and though I may disagree with ya'll from time to time just know it's all in the name of debate and I will attempt never to mud sling, flame, or any thing else silly like that anyone in the blogosphere (and I'll try and treat real politicians nice when I'm feeling generous as well).
So I'm breaking the champagne on the side of my first ship now, hope you all like the way she sails...

Much love