11th District Caucus Meeting: Democratic Party, Heal Thyself!

Last night I attended a meeting of the 11th Distict Caucus, the political organization of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, at The Civic in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. I had a number of reasons for going, but a major one was to assess what a politically-connected friend had told me. He said that the simmering feud between certain statewide party leaders (ODP Chairman Chris Redfern and front-running gubernatorial candidate Rep. Ted Strickland in particular) and certain African-American political leaders (especially Tubbs Jones) is getting worse instead of better, and that at this point Tubbs Jones is inclined to "sit this one out," i.e., to withhold her support from Strickland's campaign. So, is it that bad?

Yes, maybe worse. There is a grievous wound in the Ohio Democratic party, it has been allowed to fester far too long, and some very strong medicine must be applied immediately or the outcome may be a catastrophe in November. Indeed, it may already be too late to heal the wound, but the attempt must be made this instant.

Arriving I saw signs and literature for many candidates, including gubernatorial candidate Bryan Flannery, but nothing for Strickland. There were many statewide candidates in attendance, notably Senatorial candidate Rep. Sherrod Brown, Attorney General candidate Marc Dann, Supreme Court candidate Judge A.J. Wagner, and Treasurer candidate Richard Cordray, along with a host of local legislative and judicial candidates. Other statewide candidates sent surrogates or at least conveyed their regrets for not attending, including Attorney General candidate Subodh Chandra, Supreme Court candidate Ben Espy, and Secretary of State candidate Jennifer Brunner. Stickland did not attend, did not send Lee Fisher or Francine Strickland or anybody else in his place, and so far as I know did not send regrets.

As the meeting started, those on stage included not only Cleveland leaders (Tubbs Jones, Jackson, Senate candidate Rep. Lance T. Mason, and political strategist Arnold Pinckney) but also Mayor of Columbus Mike Coleman and Mayor of Dayton Rhine McLin. (Two other African-American mayors of major Ohio cities, Jay Williams of Youngstown and Marcia Fudge of Warrensville Heights, sent regrets.) There were many rousing and inspiring moments in the generally brief speeches. However, one after another, the speakers included in their remarks the consistent message that the support of African-American voters is not to be taken for granted. Tubbs Jones said, "People want us to vote, [but] we have to get something for our votes." (Huge applause.) Coleman said, "Democrats can't take Democrats for granted - we're going to support those who support us." (Ditto.) McLin said, "We cannot be turned around or taken for granted in 2006." (More cheering.) The new executive director of the caucus, whose first name is Greg but whose last name escaped me (it sounded like Grows or Grolls), expressed the message through a metaphor. When a person of great physical beauty walks into the room, the others present ask themselves "yes, but are there brains to go with that body?" He compared the 11th District Caucus to that person with striking physical gifts, citing as the organization's "DNA" the past and present leadership of Carl and Louis Stokes, Pinckney, and Tubbs Jones. "We can't let it be asked whether we can take care of our business," he continued, "We have to project the vision that will keep us energized and focused. That vision is the image of a giant. We are a giant. A giant is in the land, and the giant is coming to take care of business."

After more remarks by Tubbs Jones, recalling highlights of her career such as rising on January 6, 2005 to object to the way that Ohio votes were counted (which she correctly portrayed as standing up for the legions of young African-American voters in 2004 wearing "Vote or Die" buttons), and introductions of returned Iraq vets (Tubbs Jones calling on Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to "bring our babies homes, keep them safe"), area pastors, elected officials, and local and statewide candidates, Tubbs Jones proceeded to announce endorsements by her organization. For Supreme Court, Espy and Wagner. For Auditor, Treasurer, and Sectretary of State, as to which there are no Democratic primaries, she solemnly intoned her support for the sole candidates (Barbara Sykes, Richard Cordray and Jennifer Brunner). For U.S. Senate, Sherrod Brown (including Mayor Jackson in this endorsement). Her next endorsement, for Attorney General, was a very ugly moment. With ODP-endorsed candidate Marc Dann standing right next to her, Tubbs Jones stated that she, Mayor Jackson, and Mayor McLin will endorse Subodh Chandra, whose name she mispronounced (suh-BOOD instead of suh-BODE). Dann has many excellent qualities but a poker face is not one of them, at least not in this trying situation.

And for Governor? Tubbs Jones announced that there will be no endorsement in the gubernatorial race.

After the closing remarks and some meeting and greeting, I left for the parking lot. Someone had stuck a one-page flyer under my windshield wiper, which I didn't look at until today. There is no indication of authorship, so I would otherwise hesitate to publish it, but whatever the motivation or source the message indicates the scope of the problem:

"WAKE-UP MINORITY VOTERS

"Bryan E. Flannery, a Democrat, is running for Governor of the State of Ohio in the May 2, 2006 Primary Election against Ted Strickland another democrat. You may not know much about either candidate. However; Please Do Not Vote for Ted Strickland whose Campaign Associates Have No Respect for Black Female Elected Officials.

"When they tell the Honorable U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones to sit down and shut up and Ted Strickland condoned this type of disrespect, what do think [sic] he will do if he gets in office? Birds of a feather flock together. Ted Strickland wants your vote but don't [sic] respect the people and the leaders of our Community.

"Enough is Enough!

"Give Your Vote to Bryan E. Flannery who Respects not only our Black Elected Female Officials but ALL PEOPLE.

"VOTE BRYAN E. FLANNERY ON MAY 2nd

"VOTE FOR *ETHICS *EDUCATION *ECONOMY"

Now I don't know enough to assign appropriate blame for causing this painful rift, but I do know that blame is not the point. I don't care whether anyone's resentment is justified or not justified. There are deep wounds here, and they must be healed. The feud and its specific causes don't really matter. What matters are the needs of the citizens, and what they need is an end to the ruinous policies of Republican government. What matters is healing the rift, so the Democratic Party can move forward in unison and harmony and retake control of state government.

I also know that it is up to the state party leadership to take the first step in the healing process. They lead the overall organization, and they represent all Democrats whether contented or discontented. When there is a harmful schism, it is their burden to close it. This is no time for statewide leaders to be proud or indignant or spiteful. They need to get over it, rise above it, and deal with it - to do whatever it takes to ease the pain. Now. And in case anyone in Columbus is baffled on how to do this, let me make a simple suggestion. Pick up the telephone and call a respected leader in the African-American community. (May I humbly suggest Mr. Pinckney?) Make an appointment to come and see him at his office (not yours). Accept fault. Make a sincere apology. Seek guidance. Listen. Learn. Thank him for his time and do what he says. It isn't too much to ask for the sake of unifying the party. And if it doesn't happen right away, it definitely will be too late.