Young blood would be great, but winning the election is imperative. Sherrod Brown turned Seth Mandel’s youth against him last time, and we need to pick the candidate who can (i) win and (ii) do a good job for at least two terms. Chabot has experience and guts, and his base in the Cincinnati area could be the key to victory. He can get elected at 66 and reelected at 72, and if he retires at 78 (in a non-presidential year, making it easier for us to hold the seat) after having served 12 solid years in the Senate, I wouldn’t see that as a disappointment. BTW, do you know who also will be 78 at the end of his second term in office? Donald Trump. I don’t think age will be a factor for either of them.
You brought up the terrific Ken Blackwell, who unfortunately picked the wrong year to run fir governor (2006). If Blackwell wants to serve in Congress for a coupke of terms, he could run to succeed Chabot.
For the record, my preferred Senate candidate from OH is the same person that topped my list 10 years ago: Congressman Jim Jordan. But I don’t think Jordan wants to give up his safe U.S.House seat or his power as head of the Republican Study Committee.
I have urged Team Trump to tab Jordan for something.
“He’s on my board,” said Bannon.
Sherrod Brown will be 66 in 2018. Trotting out the youth and inexperience card against Josh Mandel (who will be 41 by 2018) again won’t work. He’ll have 8 years under his belt as State Treasurer (conversely, he was barely a year into his term when he ran for the Senate). I just believe it’s a chronic problem of having scores of senior citizens in the Senate, so thoroughly out of touch with the rest of the country. Other than for a 2-year gap (’91-’93), Brown will have been in office for 44 years continuously (first elected to the OH leg in 1974 at 22), 2/3rds of his life.
I’d prefer to run someone in their 40s or early 50s as optimal. Chabot giving up 22 years of House seniority (I’m presuming he was restored credit after regaining his seat) to be a Senate backbencher may not appeal to him and I don’t see him as particularly ideal.
As for the Trump age comparison, I think it’s a bit of apples to oranges, if only because he is an outsider and not pursuing a long career in government.
Mandel is officially running for Senate, boy Daily Kos REALLY hates him.
Nothing on Chabot but another House veteran might be interested, Pat Tiberi.