Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee counting out Brunner and my 666 plan…
I have not focused on the Senatorial race recently, my focus was the most recent election, so I have avoided most of the Ohio blogosphere drama over the Lee Fisher versus Jennifer Brunner race that’s been taking place. It’s reminded me of what the blogosphere was like during Paul Hackett versus Sherrod Brown…Call me cynical after all this time of blogging but most of you really don’t care about who doesn’t like who and who is threatening who with what in the never ending blog dramas.
Brunner is the underdog, the traditional Democratic powers that be in Ohio, and evidently in DC are supporting Fisher, further evidenced by this Dispatch piece, Democrat expects Fisher to beat Brunner in primary.
That’s a common story in Ohio, we’ve seen it happen to many, Paul Hackett, Subodh Chandra to name two, who didn’t get the support of the ODP and ended up either deciding to drop out or couldn’t compete with the money/political clout the “approved” Democratic candidate received. There has been pressure on Brunner to drop out, that always irks me because we are supposed to have a primary system, it is supposed to be up to us to decide who we want to represent us. That’s not the reality though, so the real question will be can Jennifer Brunner hold on?
I’m tired of the pretense, tired of the pretense that we have a primary system, tired of the pretense that we voters have a say in who we want on the ballot, tired of the pretense that appointments are based on qualifications when they are based on political favors. So, if you want an actual choice in the Senate primary, I urge you to consider supporting Jennifer Brunner. I’m not asking you to vote for her, but to show your support of her desire to give Ohio Democrats a choice. Since this is an “evil plot” designed to thwart the Democratic powers that be? I recommend giving the amount I just did – $6.66 – I’m going to do that monthly, if you can afford more? $66.60 or $666.00 (you get the idea) would be great. That way the Brunner campaign will know why you donated…
Updated: Or if you prefer you can donate through the ActBlue page that David from Buckeye State Blog created, you can visit that on the sidebar of either one of our blogs or directly here. If any other Ohio bloggers join in the 666 Movement? Let me know and I’ll add you to the sidebar post…
I love it! Hope you don’t mind, but I borrowed your idea and created an ActBlue page with a $6,000 goal.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:49 pmBorrow it, promote it, donate to it – I’m fine with any of those three. Though I think you should have set the goal as $6,660.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:51 pmHa, I like nice round numbers. Makes it easier for people to shell out, I think.
If you want the goal embed I have up on BSB, I’m more than happy to share.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:04 pmBrunner is an awful candidate but I do hope she stays in the race….
November 8th, 2009 at 4:11 pmLisa, you wrote: “I’m tired of the pretense, tired of the pretense that we have a primary system, tired of the pretense that we voters have a say in who we want on the ballot, tired of the pretense that appointments are based on qualifications when they are based on political favors.” and that ” this is an “evil plot” designed to thwart the Democratic powers that be?”
I feel your frustration and passion and I felt it even more after the recent school board election here in Toledo.
I hope it is a wake up call to those that want to “thwart the Democratic powers that be” and to those of us that allow it to happen. Although the school board election is the lowest ring of the election process, it is where the power plays with unions, political parties, money and political ‘wanna bees’ start. There is the possibility that we have now allowed control of the school board to shift from the people to the TFT, to the Democratic headquarters, and now spread even further to city council by the election of the former school board president who owes his allegiance not to the parents and students who he was supposed to work for as president of TPS_ but to the organizations that selected this pliable tool. This process is not new to Toledo as many in high office have come through this TPS process for years and some have conducted themselves with the highest level of honor and integrity. But this blatant support for politically pliable and connected individuals that will do the bidding of powerful unions and organizations are part and parcel of American politics and may never end. Although the system is broken it will be very hard to fix.
The only hope is that some in high office will say enough is enough. Jerry Anderson asked me at the IMatters Tent City Event where we worked for a short time side by side__ what role should the media play now? My answer to him was that the media should now play the role of healing. This vital necessary healing won’t be easy as some of the tools for healing have been tainted by the selection of those that only look out for themselves while fooling the public with nonsensical rhetoric, photo-ops and bluster about issues that they have no intention of working for. We have much work to do here in Toledo__ as else where. This political divide, anger and misinformation are as dangerous to America as any nuclear bomb or terrorist. I too am tired of the various “pretenses” that are prevalent here in Toledo politics. I hope and prey that we can all take a look in the mirror and start off on a new direction for the future. OK__now is the time to jump all over my hope for ‘a pie in the sky’ in Toledo politics.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:19 pmThanks David, I emailed you.
Dave, since you are still a Democrat I hope that means you’ll donate too (smile).
Warren, I don’t agree the media can heal us, nor do I think it’s their role. I’d be happy if they would just try to focus on reporting things honestly and with transparency in mind. I’m not sure if healing is even possible, frankly I’d settle for the process just working the way it’s supposed to. Let us have our primary process with no interference from the party, let’s have an election based on what we the voters want. Our system can be fixed, all it takes is us standing up for what we believe in and starting with something simple like this. Demanding a primary with two candidates.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:57 pmhaha cute Lisa. I guess I’m a DINO now. lol
November 8th, 2009 at 6:39 pm“Warren, I don’t agree the media can heal us, nor do I think it’s their role”
What!!! And here I am reading the GCJ religiously and allowing its exchanges to heal my angry soul.
If what ever can hurt (some of the the media) can stop and try to heal or allow the healing process to take hold, things stand a chance of getting better.
If the doctor that stabbed me will put way his knife and sew me up….
That which can do great harm can do great good etc etc.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:40 pmYes Dave, you are a DINO
Warren, GCJ isn’t really media, at least not the traditional media, the level of exchange possible on a blog can heal but it can also do the opposite depending on how those who participate decide to act.
I can’t blame all of the media and to be honest they have such little time to present material, I’d be just as happy with transparency being their primary goal. Yet at the end of the day? We are the ones responsible for the government we have so it’s up to us to keep pushing for change, even when it seems as if we aren’t the majority of the moment.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:47 pm#9
Hmmm.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:23 pmLisa, After Hmmm and a little research I have validated my opinion. It’s all in the eye of the beholder.
Distinction Between Bloggers, Journalists Blurring More Than Ever by Mark Glaser, February 28, 2008
Anyone who still believes that bloggers are one breed and journalists are another has been living in a cave since roughly 2002.
“I think the argument about bloggers vs. journalists has been over for years,” said Jim Brady, executive editor of Washingtonpost.com. “We’ve all co-existed just fine for a while now, and the truth is, the distinction is less relevant every day. There are thousands of journalists who now blog, and there are lots of bloggers who are trained journalists.”
The time-worn debate of Bloggers vs. Journalists has finally run its course. For years, traditional journalists scoffed at bloggers as pajama-wearing screamers, while bloggers have pointed to MSM (mainstream media) as secretly biased and obsolete. While the extremists in this argument have had the stage shouting at each other loudly (and it continues to this day), what has happened quietly in the background has received less attention: Mainstream media reporters have started blogging in droves, while larger blog operations have hired seasoned reporters and focused on doing traditional journalism.
Read complete article here.
To me GCJ is part of my media search for news.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:12 pmWarren, while that really doesn’t have anything to do with this thread, please note I said GCJ is not the traditional media, it’s not. Blogging can enhance what is shared, but the reality is few bloggers are actually citizen journalists who actually cover items on their own, most tend to blog about what others have written and some of the traditional media still scoffs at bloggers who are not journalists…GCJ is a mix of both citizen journalism and blogging about other media stories/releases.
I also fixed your comment so the proper attribution/link was given and those who want to read it in full can do so.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:27 pmHmmm.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:31 pmlol – I don’t need PBS being upset with me for not linking them – I’ve had enough drama from some local media sources.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:32 pmTwo additional people have donated using David’s link.
Thank you!
Plus from what I understand several had stated they were going to donate directly $6.66.
It’s a small message, but one I think is an important one if we really do want a choice in the primary.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:35 pmAlthough I don’t feel I can give $$ to Brunner I love the idea!(although the 6.66 does aptly describe my feelings toward her
)
And as for comment #12, you are doing a disservice to yourself on that one Lisa. You probably do more research than any of the journalists around here and deserve the credit for doing so!
November 9th, 2009 at 12:28 amAmen to #16 in reference to Lisa’s comment on #12.
We have a quorum of two Meghan (but anyone can join) and the decision has been made. GCJ and Lisa share a classification as a blogger/journalist/researcher and at least a “social media’ which is a new (at least 5 years) designation.
Wear the crown girl and lets get on with it.
(Your pancake is almost done.)
November 9th, 2009 at 11:34 amYou two are biased.
(I can’t wait to how the pancake turned out)
November 9th, 2009 at 11:44 amNot biased, just intelligently aware.
November 9th, 2009 at 11:50 am