OHIO now down two DEM Representatives

Self/local news | 7/24/2002 | LS

[LS]

With "El Poco Loco Dicko" Gephardt's prediction of gaining 30-40 seats last week, it might be worthwhile to point out that he already is in the negative column. In my state alone, the Dems are down two seats, and will not gain one back. Tony Hall (D-Dayton) left the House for some overseas appointment as some sort of "food minister" (i.e., a ceremonial token appointment) and the redistricting has already ensured that "moderate" GOP former mayor of Dayton, Mike White, will be his replacement. But White is MUCH better than quasi-socialist Hall, whose only redeeming quality was that he was pro-life.

Meanwhile, Jim Trafficant is now out. While his seat is likely to again go Dem, it was a safe seat, and now must be contested. Meanwhile, "Dicko," check your numbers: you have to pick up two more seats you once had just to stay even.

[Doctor Stochastic]

But here in NM, there is a (probably small) chance of the DEMS picking up two representatives.

[KarlInOhio]

Who's Mike White? I think you mean Mike Turner.

[Kenton]

Mike White is the former mayor of Cleveland, and is generally considered a not-too-extreme Democrat.

[LS]

Doh! Turner. Sorry.

[LS]

So does that mean that the GOP will likely gain two? Be clearer: are these new, redistricted seats, or existing seats.

[LS]

Mike White was the coach of the Cal Bears.

[BlackRazor]

"Meanwhile, Jim Trafficant is now out. While his seat is likely to again go Dem, it was a safe seat, and now must be contested.

From what I've heard, Gephardt wants Traficant out. While Traficant is officially a Dem, he is not a reliable Dem vote, often siding with the Republicans. Does anyone know for whom Traficant voted for Speaker of the House? Did he vote for Hastert or not?

Since Traficant's OH-17 District went 2-to-1 for Gore in 2000, it's probably a safe bet the Dems will put someone in who will be much more likely to toe the party line on important votes. In some ways, this seat can almost be considered a "pick-up" opportunity for the Dems.

According to The Political Oddsmaker, the likely Dem candidate (Tim Ryan) is favored 8-to-7 (53.3%) against the field.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Existing seats. One GOP incumbent retired. One GOP incumbent is a bit weak (but is incumbent.) The DEM incumbent will win with the usual 65+% of the vote. GOP can lose 0,1,2 seats. The Govenorship will go to Bill Richardson and that will increase DEM turnout. Dominici will win as GOP senator.

[Lurking Libertarian]

Does anyone know for whom Traficant voted for Speaker of the House? Did he vote for Hastert or not?

IIRC, he did vote for Hastert the last time, but had previously voted with the D's.

[writmeister]

Actually, Traficant's district was eliminated during redistricting split between a rural dsitrict represented by Ted Strickland (Dem) and an Akron-based district represented by Tom Sawyer (Dem) who lost to Ryan in the primary. So it is not really a pickup.

[BlackRazor]

Thanks for the info!

[LS]

I think Trafficant voted for Hastert. And in some ways, he is a "GOP" vote. But remember, when the chips were down, he voted AGAINST impeaching Clinton, so from my viewpoint, he is/was still a Dem.