Analysis: Dimora probe could hurt Democrats in election (Cleveland, Ohio)

The Plain Dealer ^ | 07/30/2008 | Joe Guillen

[EBH]

The Cuyahoga County corruption scandal has blown gaping holes in leadership atop the Democratic Party and county government.

In targeting Commissioner Jimmy Dimora, federal agents are aiming at the man who has been in charge of the county Democratic Party for 14 years. The county commissioners office should function while Dimora endures the investigation -- he is only one of three commissioners.

But throughout his reign over the party, Dimora has been chided for failing to build an infrastructure that could survive a crisis. The party could sputter with a weakened chairman in place.

With Dimora clinging to his political post throughout the investigation -- no charges have been filed, and Dimora has given no indication he will resign -- the two other commissioners said Dimora's effectiveness will be compromised, just as the fall campaigns begin for local offices.

"This is anything but helpful," said Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones.

And there is a bigger prize to be contested -- the presidency. But observers are confident Democratic hopeful Barack Obama will avoid the surefire onslaught of local references to Democrats and corruption.

"Nobody's going to vote for McCain based on what happened at the county," Commissioner Tim Hagan said on Tuesday.

An Obama spokesman agreed. "The choice Ohio voters face this November is between Barack Obama, who will bring about real change in Washington and stand up for middle-class families, or John McCain, who will continue the same failed economic policies of the Bush administration," the spokesman said.

But should the investigation overwhelm Dimora and the party chairman post become open, the list of replacements is short. Most local Democrats would not touch the issue in interviews out of respect for Dimora, a beloved figure within the party.

County Prosecutor William Mason has the political base to take the reins, and some have said he has the aspirations. As law director in Parma years ago, he helped form a political action group to expand the party.

For now, though, Mason is steering clear of the issue. His spokesman, Ryan Miday, declined to discuss the political implications of the raids.

Miday noted that Mason's office was not involved in the investigation. He said that since Mason took office, 93 local public officials have been indicted and that none were the result of a joint investigation with the FBI.

The broad search of county offices, businesses and homes of officials began Monday morning. About 200 federal agents scoured 11 known locations, taking boxes of documents and other evidence.

Joining Dimora as prime targets are Auditor Frank Russo and county worker J. Kevin Kelley.

Russo may return to work today. Jones said he expects Dimora to be at Thursday's regular commissioners meeting.

Jones held a news conference on Tuesday ostensibly to stop the bleeding. He promised to restore the public's trust. "You deserve better than what you saw today," he said. "Never again."

Yet, Democratic Party officers gave little insight into any internal struggles as Dimora remained in seclusion.

Officers did not respond to or declined interview requests. Instead they issued a statement saying the party's message is consistent with the 14 years under Dimora's direction.

Sandy McNair, a party leader in Brecksville, said party members in lesser roles will pick up the slack while Dimora deals with the investigation. But, he said, there is a concern about Dimora's problems with the election almost three months away.

"The fact that he is going to have to spend substantial time on this personal matter cannot help us get ready for any elections," McNair said.

If Obama is to carry Ohio, he has to win big in Cuyahoga County. Four years ago, President Bush carried the state by 118,601 votes. Bush lost Cuyahoga County by 226,880 votes.

[EBH]

Man they like to keep them eggs all in one basket. That is usually not a good idea.

[GambrillsGuy]

Or, as Dorothy Parker said “Don’t put all your eggs in one bastard.”

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

Democrats, Cleveland, corruption? I’m shocked and appalled, and I’m Johnny Cochran.

Cleveland - you got what you deserved. And so did Phila., Baltimore, D.C., Detroit, LA, SF, Houston, Chicago, etc.