CAN THE INSIDERS-- RAHM EMANUEL ON ONE SIDE AND THE GOP ON THE OTHERS SIDE OF THE SAME COIN-- BE BEATEN BACK IN OHIO ON DECEMBER 11?

Today Ohio Governor Ted Strickland is in northwestern Ohio (OH-05) campaigning with the overwhelming winner (like in 97% I think) of the Democratic primary for the congressional seat that opened up when Paul Gillmor died last month. As I've been saying, the DCCC has been inactive in this race, leaving it to Robin Weirauch and the state party to do what they can on their own. Emanuel, who isn't eager to see another Democrat elected who opposes his venal trade policies-- one of the key issues in Robin's campaign; she's with the American working people and her right-wing Republican opponent, Bob Latta, stands firmly with Emanuel-- and who wants to bring out troops back from Iraq. Strickland can attest to the fact that OH-05, despite Emanuel's insistence to the contrary, is a very winnable district. After all, he was elected governor last year and Sherrod Brown was elected senator and both racked up majorities in OH-05, despite the conventional wisdom stupidity.

This has led to a low key civil war inside the DCCC between the holdovers from the Emanuel regime and the new comers the new Chair, Chris Van Hollen brought in, who are all eager to help Robin win the race. On top of that Tim Ryan, Sherrod Brown and the rest of the Ohio delegation are lobbying the DCCC to let loose with some of that huge war chest they're always bragging about.

The DCCC's reticence-- or Emanuel's deliberate sabotage-- hasn't held the RNCC back, not a bit. They sense Robin can win and they're stepping up to help their stepford candidate. Thursday the Swing State Project pointed out that as broke as the NRCC is, they're rushing money to the special elections in VA-01 and OH-05, spending their meager resources to defend 2 seats they would normally be able to take for granted. The Republicans have spent over $9,000 on making a TV ad for Latta and they will shovel some real money into putting it on the air next week. Wes Clark is trying to help raise some cash for Robin but Emanuel would rather see a reactionary like Latta win than a grassroots Democrat like Robin who will oppose him and Bush on their NAFTA-like trade agenda. If you want to help Robin win a Republican seat, there are a dozen ActBlue pages, like this one, collecting secure donations.


UPDATE: THE MONEY

According to prespecial election filings with the F.E.C., those who want to see the Bush agenda extended indefinitely contributed $246,173 to Latta's campaign. People who feel we need a change donated $138,152 to Robin's campaign. According to today's Toledo Blade

The content of the race largely corresponds to the sources of cash. Mr. Latta promotes open global markets, while Mrs. Weirauch says she will protect manufacturing jobs from low-cost foreign competitors.

Mr. Latta (R., Bowling Green) has $132,488 on hand. However, the campaign also has $118,609 in outstanding debts, which include printing costs, advertising, and a $50,000 loan Mr. Latta gave his campaign from personal savings.

About $106,000 came from an inside-the-beltway fundraising event. Mr. Latta relied on his future possible colleagues, receiving donations from 26 congressional campaigns.

Executives from ProMedica Health System and real estate developer Dillin Corp. were among the Ohio residents donating to Mr. Latta's campaign, which has a distinct corporate backing with additional contributions from accounting firms, auto dealers, AT&T, MasterCard, and Ohio-based fast-food restaurant Wendy's.

"It shows that he's got a lot of support, not just in Ohio but from the business community," said Matt Parker, the Latta campaign manager. "They know he's the pro-business candidate."

So it's all about Big Pharma, big developers, big banking and credit card interests and AT&T, desperate to elect rubber stamp Republicans who will protect their lawbreaking executives from prosecution for having spied for the Bush Regime. Those are the folks in Latta's camp and they know he will support them at the expense of his constituents. "The last thing northwest Ohioans needs is another career politician in Washington who will be beholden to corporate special interests instead of Ohio's working families," said Doug Kelly, Ohio's Democratic Party Executive Director.

Robin's money is coming primarily from middle and working class Americans. Labor unions have backed her, as has Emily's List. Inside the Beltway Democrats gave her a small amount of perfunctory help. Pelosi, for example, tossed in $2,000, nothing like the $100,000 she raised for corporate shill Al Wynn in Maryland.


THE GOOD GUYS WON THIS ROUND-- NOW WE HAVE A REAL RACE

Although arguments raged within the DCCC that OH-05 was unwinnable and that spending real money there was useless, more DCCC employees agreed with the Ohio Democratic Party and with the entire Ohio Democratic congressional delegation that Robin Weirauch, with some real help, could beat the Republican rubber stamp, Bob Latta. The DCCC just dropped $150,000 into the Special Election to make and run TV ads. Congratulations to the DCCC employees who fought so hard against the bad guys.


UPDATE: THE DCCC AD FOR ROBIN

I just read that the RNCC, which really can not afford the money, has plunked down almost double what the DCCC put down. Here's the Dem's ad: