Governor Strickland's remarks about Obama supporters...from an Ohio blogger.

[madfloridian]

Renee in Ohio posted this at HEP, and it is well worth a read. She says it much better than I could, because she has had much respect for her governor.

Dear Governor Strickland, don't make me remove that sticker.

Governor Strickland, I supported you in your run for governor. Participated in a blogger conference call and transcribed it, and also did a bit of transcribing of your debates against Ken Blackwell. A Strickland bumper sticker still graces the back of my car. Admittedly, that's partly because we haven't bothered to scrape it off, but also because we haven't felt any pressing need to remove it. After all, we're kind of proud that our state has moved beyond Taft/Blackwell style corruption.

Please don't make me want to remove that bumper sticker. I don't want to become disgusted and fed up with you, so I've avoided following your remarks at Hillary Clinton events. Yesterday, though, it was impossible to miss you standing behind Senator Clinton and nodding as she delivered her "shame on you" tirade. This morning, I was disheartened to read your remark about Obama supporters “following their heart without engaging their head in the process.” Yes, I know you said some Obama supporters, but you're playing into stereotypes, which I hope you don't really believe. Please be careful. Once you've said something, you can't really unsay it, you know?

All in all, it's a good read.

"Following our hearts without using our heads"....that is harkening back to 2004 when they said the same thing about Dean supporters.

That's a shame.

[AX10]

1. You regret supporting Strickland and I regret supporting McCatskill.

[madfloridian]

3. Not me, I'm from Florida and all are Republicans here.

:hi:

[TheDoorbellRang]

11. Well you gotta admit McCaskill is still head and shoulders above Talent

Hopefully when we get a Dem president in the White House then maybe the Dems in Congress will find some of their missing vertebrae.

[nookiemonster]

16. Without a doubt!

Claire is a great senator. I was never so glad to see that Bush-ass-kissing Talent get the boot. Good riddance to that assclown.

[MeDeMax]

14. sorry I don't regret supporting Strickland, he is a fine Governor...

Outside of his duties as Governor, he should be given the same privilege as any other American, to support a candidate of his choice and rally behind her/him.

I prefer Obama, Strickland prefers Hillary, so what ?

Many years ago Bill did all of us a favor by helping Strickland, we all owe Bill a debt of gratitude for protecting our Governor.

http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/a_powerful_friend_is_hillary_c.html

[Mme. Defarge]

2. It's the stock

Republican put down of Democrats.

[LisaL]

4. I think it's sick. Obamaties attacking anyone and everything

just because that person doesn't support their hero.

[madfloridian]

5. No, you are wrong. People need to stop putting us down.

I am just a citizen who is voting for him. I resent public figures speaking about our behavior.

It is not their right.

[RazBerryBeret]

6. there's a difference

between "support" and insulting their supporters. I too live in ohio, I voted for Ted. I don't really care if he supports Obama, but he shouldn't insult me if I do....

[madfloridian]

8. Correct. You are right.

That attacking and humiliating supporters started in 2003. It needs to stop.

[RBInMaine]

7. Wrong. Hillary and her people are attacking Obama supporters.

One thing to attack the candidate, but to start attacking the supporters is disgusting. And it is the Hillary team that has been BY FAR most negative, STARTED the attacks of this campaign, and now has the gall to cry wolf. This is desperate behavior from a desperate, nasty campaign trying to save a sinking ship.

[OhioChick]

10. I Have to Agree With Your Analysis.

This coming from someone who originally supported Edwards.

[goldcanyonaz]

9. You got that right.

[Kolesar]

12. Strickland has made some stupid, sellout decisions in his campaiging

He is procoal and he sold out to a small group of lakeshore property owners who think that their insupportable deeds give them rights out into Lake Erie. He dropped a legal claim, but AG Marc Dann kept the suit going. Good thing Ohio has a weak executive.

Madfloridian, one of my fav DUers!

[MeDeMax]

13. I love - Strickland, Obama & Hillary...

They each have to do what they have to do, if I were in Strickland's shoes I would have done the same.

Bill Clinton once saved him from disappearing from the political landscape.

http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/a_powerful_friend_is_hillary_c.html

He has been a very good governor and the voters need to throw out the republican house so Strickland can make more progress in the state.

[ErnestoG]

15. Was Strickland that bobble-headed idiot behind Hillary when she threw her fit?

Well then, no big loss. I cannot believe someone like that learned NOTHING in 2004.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

17. yeah throw Gov. Strickland under the god damn Obama bus along with Joe & Val Wilson,.he's shit too,

[madfloridian]

19. No more ridicule of supporters of candidates. It needs to stop.

And it need to stop now.

[theHandpuppet]

18. I can only tell you what I told another DUer on this very subject

I'm a born and bred Buckeye and am THRILLED Ohio finally got a governor the calibre of Strickland.

There are active Governors and Senators all over the country stumping for candidates, even attacking the records of candidates. Why is it different because this time it's a governor taking his stand with Hillary Clinton? If elected representatives of states ought to keep their personal political preferences to themselves then by all means please tell Senators Kerry and Kennedy, as well as a number of Obama-supporting governors, to sit down and STFU. Strickland is a good governor, decent man, and one who has probably accomplished more for education, for the poor and unemployed in two years than some could claim for a entire career. Yet now he's nothing but a "bobble head", a "yes man" or worse? Why, because he doesn't go along with what y'all want?

I haven't said a one negative thing about Kerry, Kennedy or any other elected official who has endorsed Obama even when that support came with some criticism of HRC. But by God let anyone stand with Hillary and all the sudden they're treated like gutter trash around here. It really is shameful.

http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/articles/2008/02/2 ...
Governor shows campaign support
By FRANK LEWIS
PDT Staff Writer

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland said he has two reasons for supporting U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) for the Democratic nomination for president.

"The first reason is personal," he said. "Across the years that I've been in office, no one has been more faithful to me than she (Hillary Clinton) has."

<snipping>

"When I was a candidate, she would send me a contribution even when I didn't ask for it. She has always been faithful to me, but that's the personal reason," he said. "That's not the really important reason."

Strickland said there is no comparison as to the experience of the two Democratic candidates, Clinton and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

"If you look at Sen. Clinton's background and experience - and what she has accomplished in her life - if you compare that with Sen. Obama, there is really not much comparison," he said....

[madfloridian]

20. Strickland is just wrong.

I am sorry. Obama would make a great president. It is sad Strickland would resort to saying Obama's supporters were not thinking.

[madfloridian]

21. Another Ohio person weighs in on Strickland's remarks.

http://pbd2.blogspot.com/2008/02/strickland-unplugged.html

"Sweet mercy, please tell me this was a misquote:

Obama supporters “following their heart without engaging their head in the process."

Seriously, Governor, not kosher. You just called out a large part of your coalition and told them they were irrational dumbasses. This is, after all, a Democratic primary in Ohio. You will need these people again, especially if the GOP fields a candidate who excites not only their base but also their moderate wing.

This primary can't end soon enough, if only so you can go back to being Governor, and not Chief Ohio Clinton Surrogate, Strickland."

[madfloridian]

22. Guess what else Strickland is saying?

http://www.buckeyestateblog.com/ted_calls_obama_american_idol_slams_tim_ryan

Gov. Ted Strickland says Democrat Barack Obama is "hugely talented" and an "exceptional person." But Ohioans should vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton because the March 4 primary is not about selecting the "next American idol," Strickland told reporters in Washington today, where he is attending the National Governors Association winter meeting.

Then Ted proceeds to absurdly demean Tim Ryan.

Strickland went on to compare Obama to Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Youngstown.

Ryan, like Obama, served for a stint in the state senate and has been in Congress for a relatively short time, three terms, and is tall, handsome, articulate and politically savvy, Strickland said. But he says he has told Ryan, who is neutral in the Democratic primary, that while he considers the 34-year-old a rising star and potential presidential candidate down the road, no one is talking about a Ryan candidacy right now.

I'm sure Tim appreciates the comparison, but Ted, no one is talking about Tim Ryan for President right now because HE ISN'T OLD ENOUGH UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.....

This is enough, Ted. Enough. You really don't want Ohio to have this bad a taste in their mouth on March 5. Listen to me. Please. You are putting yourself in jeopardy here. Ohio is paying more attention to this primary than most general elections, especially independents, who you will need to rely on for re-election. You are truly, truly, putting yourself at risk here."

I have seen Bill Nelson make a fool of himself over pushing this primary date and defending it. Maybe these superdelegates are way way too involved for their own sake.