Why Ohio’s Senate Democratic Caucus Might Surprise Everyone And Choose Vic Harris — Not Fred Strahorn

I got an e-mail from Victor Harris, assuring me that the DDN report is accurate and that he will interview with the Senate Democratic Caucus on Tuesday for consideration to be appointed senator for the 5th District.

Lynn Hulsey reported on Friday that, regardless that the Montgomery County Democratic Party has come out four-square in support of Fred Strahorn, the Senate Caucus still wants to hear from Vic Harris before making its decision. Hulsey quoted Mike Rowe, spokesman for Sen. Minority Leader Capri Cafaro, D-Hubbard, as saying, “The minority caucus will interview both Strahorn and Harris on Tuesday, and take into consideration the recommendation from the local party,” implying that the Caucus is determined to act objectively. Implying that Vic Harris, rather than Fred Strahorn, might be appointed 5th District Senator.

I love that phrase “take into consideration.” I’ve got to wonder if the implied message — No, the fix isn’t in, we are still open to finding the best candidate, regardless that our respected senate colleague of many years and the county organization seemed agreed that there is really only one choice — could possibly be true.

I told the Montgomery County Party Executive Committee that I felt it was a sure thing that Senate Democrats would follow their retiring colleague’s request and appoint Strahorn to the 5th District position. My point was that it would be good to recommend both Fred and Vic, and agreeing to help build up the public confidence in Vic would not change the ultimate outcome.

No one on the Committee was buying that argument. My motion to include Vic in the Committee’s recommendation died for lack of a second. No one wanted to encourage discussion. I was surprised that the group would have such an obdurate, unified view.

I wish now, that before the Executive Committee meeting, I had reread the recent DDN editorial, “Ohio Senate Rises Above Democracy,” that complained that the whole process of replacing Roberts included little democracy.  The DDN’s point of view should have been part of the Executive Committee’s deliberation, I’m kicking myself that I didn’t think to bring it up.

The article said, “Even within that not very democratic process there is apparently to be even less democracy than there might be. Sen. Roberts has said he would propose Mr. Strahorn to the Senate, and Montgomery County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Owens said last week that no other Democrat had even expressed interest.”

Wow. Owens was implying that if other Democrats would express interest in Robert’s position, they would be fairly considered for recommendation. In the meeting, Owens emphasized the difference between a recommendation and an endorsement. And when the Executive Committee refused to budge to make any accommodation to Harris, even as mention as an “also ran,” I think Owens was surprised.

This Committee in the past has made it abundantly clear that it supports antidemocratic actions, also criticized by the DDN, like suppressing primary participation, but I thought, in this case, where the outcome really is not in doubt, they may act differently.

But, now I’m thinking that maybe there were good reasons for the Strahorn dominated Executive Committee to not give an inch. I’m thinking that the absolute refusal of the Executive Committee to in anyway include Vic might be an indication that the view from inside the loop is that, in fact, Vic has a good shot.

It would be a shocking outcome to me, and to many other people too, but I’m beginning to think that maybe Harris, rather than Strahorn, might be appointed to the Ohio Senate. Maybe there is division among the 11 senators who will make this decision and this choice for senator might cause factions to finally identify themselves:

1. If the senators are divided over Strickland, with one component very satisfied with Strickland, one component that is not, if the component that is not satisfied with Strickland dominates, then, it seems to me, Vic has the best shot.
2. If the senators are divided over the fact that often the Democratic Party is justifiably criticized for practicing insider politics, if a component of senators identify themselves as championing reform, then Vic has the best shot.

I am thinking that since Ohio has only 12 Democratic senators, out of 33 possible, these twelve must come from strong Democratic counties. These twelve senators, all strong Democrats, by all rights, should be operating from a point more from the left of the party, than from the right of the party. The 11 senators who get to choose their 12th member, might be looking for someone who can best articulate and show leadership to their point of view. Victor, someone new — with his history of military service, with his bearing of professional poise, with his gift for public speaking, with his understanding of key issues — might be just who they are looking for.

I am preparing myself to be surprised.