tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13368104.post113459468900488489..comments2024-03-06T05:30:41.694-05:00Comments on Pho's Akron Pages: Bloggers Meet the Marine [UPDATED].Scott Piephohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849171870929674248noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13368104.post-1134892403749513312005-12-18T02:53:00.000-05:002005-12-18T02:53:00.000-05:00Another comment....I think what most liberals here...Another comment....<BR/><BR/>I think what most liberals here NE Ohio don't understand is the prominent German Catholic population in the western half of Ohio, especially in and around Cincinnati. These are people that predominantly vote Republican based on traditional values. Even though Democrats likely serve those values more, they are stubbornly locked into voting Republican. And they are really stubborn. <BR/><BR/>I know this from having a German Catholic grandmother who was extremely stubborn and a former girlfriend who was the same way. No amount of logical reasoning will convince these people to wake up and think differently. The only way that can be done is to hit them over the head with a frying pan. My mother came to this realization after years of trying to reason with her mother-in-law. Finally, she fought fire with fire and with some success. <BR/><BR/>I am not trying to paint with a broad brush, but western Ohio's German Catholic population is conservative in that they don't want to think for themselves. They want a nice big strong leader whom they can follow and who will do the thinking for them. They are very much into traditional values of family, hard work, church, etc.<BR/><BR/>Hackett understands this very well when it comes to convincing voters in southern and western Ohio. He knows that asserting himself as a big strong leader is what really attracts these people more than anything else. That is why he has people come up to him and say that while they don't agree with his politics, they will vote for him anyway. <BR/><BR/>We need to be more understanding of the various ethnicities and cultures all around the state. As Hackett pointed out in his MTB interview regarding the disconnect between northern and southern Ohio, that lack of understanding is killing Democrats.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13368104.post-1134891296061262342005-12-18T02:34:00.000-05:002005-12-18T02:34:00.000-05:00Glad to see you were impressed with Hackett. I thi...Glad to see you were impressed with Hackett. <BR/><BR/>I think it's imperative that we realize that issues are not the only thing to winning elections. There are other items such as money, looks, presentation, personality, etc. If issues were the sole criteria to winning elections, the Green Party would be in power and Dennis Kucinich or Ralph Nader would be president. By and large, the American people agree with their positions, but they come across as kooks. <BR/><BR/>If issues were the sole criteria, there would be little doubt as to whether Sherrod Brown deserves the nod to challenge DeWine. However, given the current dynamics of Ohio, I think Hackett offers the best package to not only beat DeWine, but stand for core progressive causes as a US Senator. <BR/><BR/>We have to be flexible and realize that while we can picture the "ideal candidate" in our head, no such candidate likely exists. <BR/><BR/>It's the same thing when people make mistakes in choosing a relationship partner. Experts always advise not to get so pent up in the "ideal person," but to be flexible. Know the dealbreakers, but weed out the criteria that are frivolous, or at least not of high priority. <BR/><BR/>When I see the Hackett/Brown race, it reminds me of a sports situation in 2001 when the New England Patriots had a quarterback controversy between proven veteran Drew Bledsoe and a young second year inexperienced newcomer Tom Brady. Head coach Bill Belichick (who learned how to coach after trashing the Browns) made a gutsy decision to go with Brady, a 6th round draft pick who had only played a few pro games when Bledsoe was hurt and didn't even start a full season when playing college at Michigan (where he competed with Drew Henson). <BR/><BR/>Even though Bledsoe had taken the Patriots to a Super Bowl in 1996, Belichick saw the potential in Brady to take the Patriots to a higher level. Brady is not the most athletically gifted quarterback (other than throwing an accurate and sharp spiral). He is not very big either. But he is very smart, has great leadership skills, is calm under pressure, and is a fierce competitor. A few years later, he has racked up three Super Bowl rings in four years. Bledsoe was casted off to Buffalo and is now a successful starting quarterback with Dallas. <BR/><BR/>Even though Bledsoe was good and could take the Patriots far into the playoffs, Tom Brady was able to take the team to the highest level - dynasty. <BR/><BR/>I see that with Hackett. I think he has the potential to not only beat DeWine, but to make Ohio vote solidly Democratic and assert Democratic dominance here for years to come. <BR/><BR/>This is our chance as Democrats to effect meaningful change in Ohio. We must not blow it. As painful as it may be to turn down Sherrod, we have to look at the bigger picture.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13368104.post-1134612546170398422005-12-14T21:09:00.000-05:002005-12-14T21:09:00.000-05:00I've never had good luck driving around Cleveland....I've never had good luck driving around Cleveland...For me it's an easier decision as far as supporting Hackett vs Brown but I hope no matter the outcome DeWine is not re-elected. Ohio needs a change. <BR/><BR/>I look forward to seeing your impressions from the Sherrod Brown meet the bloggers.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00606533906583651054noreply@blogger.com