Dear Congressman Strickland,
At this point in the race for the Governorship of Ohio, I feel it is a good time to step back and assess the goals of your campaign.
As a Democrat, I imagine you got into the race because you, like many of us, have realized the Republican, conservative agenda has done nothing positive for the state of Ohio. I also am certain you recognize that J. Kenneth Blackwell has, like the party he represents, done little to nothing in regards to advancing the interest of Ohio’s people.
I also imagine that you feel you can represent the core values of the party of which you have been a long time member, a party that sits on the left of the political spectrum. From your campaign web page alone I can see you are interested in making health care and quality schooling accessible to all Ohioans, beliefs that are rooted in the progressive values of social justice and equal opportunity.
As I’m sure you know, there is another candidate from the left that is running for Governor, independent/Green Party candidate Bob Fitrakis. While I’m certain you already know much about his candidacy, I feel inclined to mention the fact that he has been fighting for voting rights, most of the time against Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell, long before he ever intended on running for office on such a platform. He’s also an advocate for peace, social justice, and the American laborer. He is the type of guy, whether or not he is a politician, that is firmly grounded in principle, leaving little room for waffling or pandering on critical issues.
My ultimate fear is that your candidacy will have what is often referred to as a “spoiler effect” on the candidacy of Bob Fitrakis. With such a qualified and electable candidate on the correct side of all the issues, I worry that you may feel guilty if you take progressive votes that should belong to Fitrakis and help J. Kenneth Blackwell get elected. Some may even hold you responsible for getting a corrupted man like Blackwell into the Governor’s mansion.
That being said, progressives like myself are worried that you may split our vote. I think it is safe to say that none of us want to see a repeat of the 2000 Presidential election and that is why I am writing urge you to drop out of the race and throw your support behind a true progressive like Bob Fitrakis.
Bob Fitrakis, because of the limitations put on yourself by being a member of a major party, would be the best choice to advance your agenda, which favors the Ohio worker and the people of Ohio who are working towards greater equality, as well as the agenda of the majority of your supporters. Through him we will see Blackwell held accountable for his rigging of elections, the Ohio National Guard brought home, and health care spread throughout the state. These are goals which you, your supporters, and I would all like to see realized in the near future.
Thank you for your time and I hope you consider the consequences of staying in the race.
Sincerely,
Andrew Warner