Posted on 08/16/2002 11:06:07 AM PDT by PJ-Comix
One of Summit County's three U.S. House districts hit the national stage Tuesday as the most powerful appointed leader in the Republican congressional delegation came to the 17th District.
The appearance by House Chief Deputy Majority Whip Roy Blunt on behalf of state Rep. Ann Womer Benjamin, R-Aurora, signaled that the race that has long been talked about as a nationally significant one actually is just that.
``This is a great opportunity for us to add a seat in our column and add an incredibly successful legislator,'' said Blunt of Missouri.
What does it mean to have such a power broker come to the 17th District? If Womer Benjamin is elected, it means a lot, Blunt said.
``If you take a district the majority hasn't had before, it gets more attention'' from Congress, Blunt said. ``Nobody would be more effective with a Republican Congress and Republican president. No one will be in a better situation to deliver for this district.''
Blunt's own political action committee (Rely on Your Beliefs Fund; ROYB for short) doesn't think that Womer Benjamin is a slam dunk to win, though.
In an Aug. 1 memo, the fund's finance director, Keri Ann Hayes, listed Womer Benjamin as a ``B'' list candidate. The list is meant to direct contributions to targeted congressional races.
Since she's on the B list, it means Womer Benjamin is very competitive, but the ``outcome is less certain.''
``A'' list candidates would be ``highly'' likely to succeed. Only one Ohioan made that list: 3rd District candidate Mike Turner, who is running to represent the Dayton area.
The 17th District, which includes parts of Mahoning, Trumbull, Portage and Summit counties, is the only other Ohio race targeted by Blunt's PAC.
The newly drawn district needs the discretionary money Blunt promised after the last few years of federal prisoner James A. Traficant Jr.'s tenure as a lawmaker.
The wigged felon brought home about half as much as his fellow northeast Ohio Democrats between 1996 and 1999, according to a 2000 study. He was booted by Congress last month after his federal bribery conviction, but plans to continue his independent campaign from a Pennsylvania prison.
State Sen. Timothy J. Ryan, D-Niles, and independent Warren Davis also are running.
It was no accident that Womer Benjamin met with Blunt at the McKinley National Memorial -- the same place Ryan announced his candidacy in Niles. McKinley was a Republican, but holds a memorial in the Democratic district.
Ryan said he is undaunted by the power arrayed against him in his first major race.
``I want to be shooting the foul shots at the end of the game,'' he said.
He has the backing of the House's No. 2 Democrat: U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Ryan said his connection with Pelosi, if the Democrats win the House, could bring investment from Silicon Valley to the 17th District.
Pelosi's PAC has given more money to congressional races nationwide than any other so-called ``power PAC.''
Womer Benjamin said she could handle the pressure of having to run her first congressional campaign in the national spotlight.
``I've been under pressure before,'' said the 48-year-old attorney. ``This highlights what a great opportunity it is for the 17th District.''
Carl Forti, of the Republican National Congressional Committee, said ``it's a race we're watching very closely.''
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Jenny Backus said Womer Benjamin needs to distance herself from congressional Republicans, not bring them to Niles.
Ryan, for one, can't wait for the spotlight. He even joked about the resemblance of Blunt's name with Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount.
``I don't know why (Womer Benjamin's) bringing in a former football player from the Steelers,'' he said.
Well then she beats Traficant, who is anti-business and pro-abortion. I don't know what Traficant's rating was from the NRA but she is three for three compared to Traficant's poor voting record.
She beats Traficant by virtue of Traficant being a crooked, incompetent boob who hasn't done a single thing for his district in all of the years he was in Congress.
p.s. As for her being a RINO, I thought I saw something posted to that effect earlier. If Benjamin isn't a RINO, my apologies. However, since her chances of winning in 17th District are about Nil, the choice should be obvious.
Which then reverts BACK to the Demmycrats once Traficant isn't on the ballot. Sorry, I prefer Traficant. Plus Benjamin would be lost in the crowd. Say what you want about Traficant---Folks do PAY ATTENTION to him.
p.s. And he may be OUT of jail sooner than you think if you have been following the recent threads here about Judge Wells.
No but I think he is a gun owner.
Traficant has 100% pro-life rating from 107th Congress and he has given Dornan-esque pro-life speeches on the House floor.
Good. That means a BETTER chance for TRAFICANT. Voting him back into office is like giving a collective FINGER to Congress. I like that idea.
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