Some speculate that Dennis Kucinich's continuation of a presidential campaign in the face of near-zero voter response is because he owns a safe seat in Ohio's 10th Congressional District. The Cleveland Plain Dealer is not my favorite newspaper but its editorial staff has some brains, and this morning sober heads prevailed:
While four-term Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich has been chasing his dream of a presidential candidacy around the country these past several months, the Republican Party has been planning a "Welcome Home" surprise for him - a potentially competitive race for Western Cuyahoga County's 10th Congressional District.Four Republicans are vying for the party's nomination. Two of them would stand at least a chance of giving Kucinich a contest. One would stand a slightly better chance.
We think the Republicans' best bet is Edward Herman, a Lakewood Realtor. Herman, 29, has spent his time since graduating from Fordham University in 1996 in the Army, the Army Reserve, or teaching English to Arab students in the Middle East. He served as a translator in Afghanistan.
Herman is taking aim at Kucinich's frequent absences from Congress during his campaign. He contends that the incumbent, among the most liberal members of his party, is ineffectual in a chamber that is, and likely will remain, Republican-controlled. Herman advocates a strong national defense and concentrated regional economic development.
...Kucinich has won overwhelming victories in his last two contests against what is charitably described as token opposition. Should Republicans tap Herman and then support him, the 10th might be an interesting place this fall.
I met Ed Herman last fall and was duly impressed. Since then he has run a formidable campaign, winning support from the county party and local Republican organizations - North Olmsted's GOP legislative committee included. If Ed wins the March 2nd primary, he deserves support not only from the 10th District but Republicans on the state and federal level; his opponent should have realized that turning a futile campaign into a national embarrassment carries nationwide retribution.
It's time Dennis finally learned: No free lunches.
AND: I agree with the Plain Dealer that while both Ed and Bruce are the greater of the four, Ed is superlative. I've talked to Bruce, watched him in front of an audience and perused his website: he and his supporters would not be best served with him in the sausage grinder that is Congress. If Bruce continues to seek the national level, his forward-thinking, pro-growth plans for flat taxation, tort and medical reforms would be better pursued in an organized lobby or a think-tank. Cobbeldick is sharp as a tack but his demonstrated use of knowledge and policy command is not cut out for raw, national campaign politics. As an intellectual representative, speaking at engagements or on a cable news television show to millions of viewers is where Bruce would flourish.
MORE: Danny O'Brien comments.