By Andrew Zajac
Ohio Democrats dodged a bullet earlier this summer when they quickly got rid of Marc Dann, their scandal-soiled attorney general.
Now an even bigger projectile is heading their way.
Last Monday, more than 200 federal agents conducted simultaneous raids of various offices and homes in and around Cuyahoga County, the mother lode of Democratic voters in the state.
Two of their targets in the sweeping contract-steering probe are Jimmy DiMora, the county party chair and a county commissioner, and County Auditor Frank Russo.
The obvious problem from a presidential politics perspective: With the county party machinery busy defending itself against the feds, who's going to get out the vote on election day?
The latest polls show Ohio pretty much a toss-up between John McCain and Barack Obama, which means turnout could be crucial. The rule of thumb is that a Democrat needs to win Cuyahoga County by 100,000 votes to carry the state.
This week, that job just got harder.







Comments
The problems are nothing compared to the problems that the Republicans had going into 2006 election cycle. The fact of the AG spot the Dems have moved to name their candidate Cordray who has a strong record and all account will win the spot. Once that happens the Dem governor will appoint a Dem to replace Cordray as Treasure. The thing to watch in Ohio is if the Dems can win the 4 seats needed to take the majority in the Ohio House for the first time since 1994. If this happens it gives Dem uppper hand going into election cycle of 2010. That will be the election to watch, because if all current statewide office holders hold on to their seats, Dems will control how districts are mapped out in Ohio, which in most cases they will do what Republicans did to hold on to majority.
Posted by: DemOhio | August 2, 2008 10:39 AM
Hey Ho way to go O-HI-O
Lyrics from the liberals favorite theme music
Posted by: Terry | August 2, 2008 11:11 AM
I just have to think the good Dems of Cuyahoga County will realize that further west there was a huge, successful plot by Ohio Repugs to STEAL the 2004 election.
Posted by: Geraldine "hussein"too saying now's the time to guard the vote--vote early | August 2, 2008 11:34 AM
Here's the typical "Democrat Culture of Corruption." By the way, what ever happened to Rep. William Jefferson, D-LA? And his cold cash? Or Gov. Spitzer or the two-way governor of New Jersey, or for that matter, Mr. Obama's friend Rezko. Sure, I know there are Republicans too with tainted pasts, but it's the Demos who like to pretend they're holier than thou.
Posted by: Dorick | August 2, 2008 12:13 PM
Now you can witness first hand, the politicalization of the Justice Department. I wonder how long they have been sitting on this case, probably a couple of years !! Just in time for the general election!! What voter manipulation !! Get rid of those Republicans or they will get rid of the America we love and cherish. It will become a vast Corporate wasteland !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | August 2, 2008 12:49 PM
Don't know about the crooked dealings of Cuyahoga County, homeland of the Great Chrissie Hynde, but in the Free Republic of Texas, I am here to reveal to the world that stealing elections is a time honored tradition among democrats.
When Republicans lose a close one, in Tx, they just seem to shrug and figure that they did not run a good enough campaign. They move on with their life. Campaign / Election Over.
When democrats lose, there is Hell to be paid. Accusations, investigations, subpoenas, lawsuits. Friends it does NOT end. And why should it, when you KNOW enough votes were lost, mis-counted, stolen to meet the Goal.
Bottom Line here, - No such a thing as a Tx democrat that favors ANY form of Voter ID. Stealing Elections - A Time Honored Tradition Of Tx democrats. Priceless. Power. Absolute Power, even better. Priceless.
Posted by: Django S. - Houston Tx | August 2, 2008 6:31 PM
As one who worked in high level law enforcement many years , let me assure you bloggers that any area who would elect a certified nut-case such as Kuchinch (?) deserves anything that comes at them. This is the area known as democrat heaven.
Posted by: dan | August 2, 2008 8:10 PM
Must be a hell of a lot of people in Ohio that Monica Goodling hired. whiteagle38
Posted by: Whiteagle38 | August 2, 2008 9:35 PM
Stealing Elections - A Time Honored Tradition Of Tx democrats. Priceless. Power. Absolute Power, even better. Priceless.
Posted by: Django S. - Houston Tx | August 2, 2008 6:31 PM
Oh yeah, Dingo, just like that redistricting you had a few years back that helped the Repubs STEAL a few seats. Your generalizations are pathetic and not backed with any fact or link.
And how's that empty Enron building doing there in Houston?
Posted by: DD | August 2, 2008 9:58 PM
Stealing Elections - A Time Honored Tradition Of Tx democrats. Priceless. Power. Absolute Power, even better. Priceless.
Posted by: Django S. - Houston Tx | August 2, 2008 6:31 PM
Oh yeah, Dingo, just like that redistricting you had a few years back that helped the Repubs STEAL a few seats. Your generalizations are pathetic and not backed with any fact or link.
Posted by: DD | August 2, 2008 9:58 PM
Texas Legislative districts are re-drawn every 10 years WITHOUT REGARD to who is or not in power. The democrats know that but of course a legal requirement means nothing to them.
If Tx democrats were ever for anything other than higher property taxes and less anti-Energy Development, maybe they could FAIRLY win a dog catcher position outside of their Yellow Dog districts.
The Enron Building is doing fine. Thanks for asking.
I can always count on the name calling, but I somehow seemed to have missed YOUR Facts or non-disputable Links!
Posted by: Django S. - Houston Tx | August 2, 2008 11:38 PM
Uh Oh, someone else is going to make CNN C. Brown's HALL OF SHAME LIST....tsk tsk.
Posted by: Shake the fence | August 3, 2008 9:49 AM
***********
Posted by: DD | August 2, 2008 9:58 PM
Dear Sir:
Herein is the Link that you seem to have insisted upon:
www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/Archives/Arch01/p051201w.htm
YOU could have found it yourself by googling: Texas + Legislative + lines
That would, of course, have probably been a bit much to ask, or expect, of someone apparently aligned with the party that is so adept at stealing elections, in the event that their stirring magical message of "hope", "change" and ' NO Energy' falls short in a world so full of abject despair.
Have a nice day.
Posted by: Django S. - Houston Tx | August 3, 2008 12:35 PM
Posted by: Django S. - Houston Tx | August 2, 2008 11:38 PM
[quote]
Texas Legislative districts are re-drawn every 10 years WITHOUT REGARD to who is or not in power. The democrats know that but of course a legal requirement means nothing to them.
[/quote]
So why did former former pest controller Tom De Lay push for redistricting just two years later after the previous redistricting in 2000? Why didn't he follow historical precedent and wait until 2010?
[quote]
The Enron Building is doing fine. Thanks for asking.
[/quote]
Really? Can you back that up with some facts? Because the Houston Chronicle has printed plenty of stories about the building being mostly empty and not providing property tax revenue to the city. Please provide links to stories that prove me wrong if they exist.
Posted by: BC | August 4, 2008 10:22 AM