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Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Stephanie Dumas: “Will The Real Democrats Please Stand Up?”
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
New Update from Stephanie Dumas! Click “Read More” and scroll down! (3:45pm)
What is the purpose of holding primary elections, and how many dollars does the process cost Hamilton County tax payers? That first question may appear—on the surface, anyway—to have a simple answer: the purpose of a primary is for voters belonging to a party to decide which candidates to pit against the opposite in the general election. If this is the case, however, what is the point of a party endorsing candidates for primary elections?
Yesterday, Democratic candidate for Hamilton County Commission, Stephanie Dumas, learned that her name will not appear on Democratic sample ballots that might get distributed at polling locations on May 2nd.
“I found out yesterday that if and when the Democratic sample ballots come out on May 2nd, they will not include my name,” said Dumas.
Dumas feels confused by this decision. “I’m not a Republican or an Independant,” she states. “When did my status change? I’ve been a Democrat for 32 years—almost as long as my opponent has been alive.”
This is another move by the Democratic party to marginalize Dumas. The first came, a few weeks back, when they decided not to endorse candidates in any local race—with the lone exception being the Pepper v. Dumas showdown for County Commissioner.
For some, a Pepper victory seems a foregone conclusion. Supporters claim his name recognition and fundraising ability will easily make him the best opponent to defeat Phil Heimlich in November. But so far, the County Commission race has been invisible on the street—no yard signs, no mass mailers, etc. (I have personally seen a couple Dumas yard signs, but I have not seen anything yet for David Pepper.)
Perhaps the strategy is to avoid over-saturation until just before the election—generating excitement and awareness about the May 2nd primary.
Nevertheless, Pepper has the support of the Democratic Party, and if they help push his name over Dumas’ on the day of the primary—especially leaving her off their sample ballots—then the Democrats are guilty of wasting taxpayer money. Why spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a primary—where registered Democrats get to choose their candidate—if the Democratic Party is going to choose the candidates for them?
The Dumas camp spent last week putting together mailers and getting ready to distribute its new crop of signs. “On the outside of the polls my opponent will be the only name listed,” says Dumas, “but it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Vote DUMAS for County Commissioner on May 2nd, 2006.”
UPDATE, 9:45AM
It has come to my attention that David Pepper’s name will also not appear on the ballots for County Commissioner. Reportedly, only the name of statewide candidates will be released. So what should we make of this new information? Why is the Democratic Party telling Dumas that her name will not appear on the ballot, but failing to inform her the same is true of Pepper? Are they trying to create awkward situations for her campaign?
UPDATE, 3:45PM
The following is a statement from Stephanie Dumas:
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05 Apr 2006 at 08:08 am | #
A Pepper victory does seem like a foregone conclusion...so long as he doesn’t run his Commission race like he ran his mayoral race. From what I’ve seen, it looks like he’s using the same playbook, which means we just might get 4 more years of that ass-wipe Heimlich.
05 Apr 2006 at 08:27 am | #
Ms Dumas is learning a big lesson here. The Dems have counted on Black support for decades and yet turn around and treat these same folks as though they were 2nd class citizens. This goes on all over America....The Dems pay them lip service, promise them some “stuff” and keep them in their place.
When Black people finally wake up and see how they have been used over the years by the Dems they will then become an effective and vibrant political force. Perhaps Ms Dumas will lead this charge in the Tri-State area.
05 Apr 2006 at 08:34 am | #
Dean - This post should have gone in opinion, seriously. Or maybe fanfiction.
Anybody who is a registered Democrat can run in the primary (such as Kabaka Oba) but the Party endorses the candidates that they feel best represent the values of the Democratic Party AND have the best chance of winning. In Ohio, we have a open Primary, so anybody can register to be a Democrat - so anybody can run as a Democrat, regardless of their ideology or voting record. This is why many times (not all) endorsements are important.
05 Apr 2006 at 08:42 am | #
The petty tyrants have hijacked the democratic party and their antics are not to be overlooked. The only reason to have a primary election in Hamilton County or any place is to decide who moves forward to the general election. If the party decides who the candidates are there is no choice for people.
The lying underhanded tactics of the power brokers is becoming more visible. The Enquirer is finding it impossible to cover this race impartially. The Democratic Party is working on losing another chance at directing the county’s future. When will we learn that money follows ideas and the endorsed candidate hasn’t had any in years. He has plenty of money to get his message out but he has no message. Reminds me of John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election. The fucus then was who can beat Bush. Now the focus is who can beat Heimlich? David Pepper can’t beat Heimlich because when the questions get tough he heads for the exit. He begins to stutter and perspire and gets his “Deer in the headlights” look.
If democracy is decided by party bosses instead of the voting public then we have no need to bear the expense of a primary election. An auction would be more appropriate. Sell the seats and use the money to help feed the people that lose their jobs through outsourcing and privatization.
05 Apr 2006 at 08:52 am | #
The comment time-stamps are an hour ahead of Cincinnati time, I just noticed—so IP’s comment is three minutes before the update.
Yossarian—Your comments defy the point of primaries. If the majority of registered democrats want Kabaka as their candidate, then that is how the system is supposed to work.
But I am confused by learning that Pepper’s name will not be on the sample ballots. Is that true? What’s going on? What is Dumas’ point?
Perhaps she will post a clarification.
05 Apr 2006 at 09:23 am | #
Of course Dumas’s name wouldn’t appear. Why is it that every time a candidate fails to gain their Party’s endorsement, they jump up and down bitching about the Party failing to help them out afterward? What did she think was going to happen. “Oh, you’re not our endorsed candidate, but let us spend time, money, and resources on your behalf.” I would think you would know the deal there, Dean. After all, how many times has Paul McGhee lost races for city council running as an “unendorsed Republican”?
05 Apr 2006 at 10:18 am | #
Why haven’t they included Pepper on the ballot? Is this a move by the Democratic party to marginalize Pepper?
What shall we make of this new information? Maybe it wasn’t an issue of race.
05 Apr 2006 at 10:35 am | #
You Dems are a funny lot. You all seem to be out to screw the Republicans, yet you end up screwing each other! you’re Keystone Cops out of uniform.
There is no wonder the Dems are unable to mount an effective political offense at the local and/or national level. They’re too busy doing dumb “stuff” and have no time to do the important/smart stuff.
Like Gerbils you’re fun to watch, but who would want to own one?
05 Apr 2006 at 12:05 pm | #
TB, McGhee ran for City Council once, did not get an endorsement, did not complain about it, and was the top vote earner for independent candidates.
What is your point?
Council races are non-partisan. Dumas is on the Dem. ticket.
She sent a statement out this morning, which I worked into an article. I got word she was mistaken, and posted an update.
What’s the problem?
05 Apr 2006 at 12:47 pm | #
Okay Dean - read the fine print: These people are getting the endorsement of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, NOT the endorsement of every Democrat in Hamilton County. To get the latter endorsement you have to win a primary. To get the first endorsement you have to be win with the Executive Committee of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. This group is made up of elected officials, Ward Chairs (also elected) and various appointed members.
05 Apr 2006 at 01:51 pm | #
Perhaps if Ms Dumas had addressed the Committee as “Masta Burke”, etc. she would have been endorsed. Maybe she was too upity for the “Plantation Owners”. Remember, the white Dems want the Black vote, they are not concerned about Blacks getting ahead. You see if Blacks started getting ahead they’d be more able to perceive the great injustices the Democrat Party has consistently delivered to them.
05 Apr 2006 at 03:19 pm | #
Dumas still doesn’t appear on the Hamilton County Democratic Party web site in the local section that outlines candidates in the primary election. http://hamiltoncountydems.org/2006localprimarycandidates.htm
Looks like big dog carl and his buddies are fixing things. Way to go tiny tim. Looks like you are trying to sack another good candidate to ensure failure of the party, again. Oh well, four more years of Heimlich won’t be so bad. Won’t be any different than four years of Pupper.
05 Apr 2006 at 05:57 pm | #
You got to be kidden me. Heimlich has done nothing for this community but hurt it. His neocon values has been found out and people are spitting mad!
It’s time for the Heimlich Remover… David Pepper.
If Pepper gets into Heimlich’s seat Portune becomes President of the Commissioners and do nothing Dewine is the odd man out. Believe me, there will be a major difference.
05 Apr 2006 at 08:39 pm | #
Peter,
I humbly ask again, What has David Pepper done that has been good for the city? During his tenure he did nothing to heal the crime problem, homelessness, economic development (except for the big shots and big boxes) HIV/AIDS, racial disparity, attracting new business to the area or working as a team to move things forward. The chaos at City ended with his departure. I haven’t seen any tantrums or grandstanding. He is Phil Heimlich with less experience. Give me one example of the difference between these two. They both spend enormous amounts polling to know what people want to hear. Once elected they do whatever they are told. These two could be twins if they had the same mother.
05 Apr 2006 at 10:24 pm | #
You guys get what you deserve!
IT is amazing what some people will do......you put party ahead of “doing the right thing”. God love you....fail at every turn, but be proud of failure!
06 Apr 2006 at 07:54 am | #
Sorry Dean, I stand corrected about McGhee. I guess it just seemed like he had been running forever. And yeah, 18th is almost 9th...except for those pesky 17,000+ votes between the two spots.
06 Apr 2006 at 09:06 am | #
Huh? I said he was the top voter earner for any candidate not endorsed by a Party. That is absolutely true.
06 Apr 2006 at 11:07 am | #
Leave it to the Pepperbots to do what they do best. Change the subject.
06 Apr 2006 at 12:12 pm | #
Yes Dean, it’s true, but not exactly something to brag about. Over thirty candidates, and he couldn’t break into the top half...and under your guidance. You are not an authority on Cincinnati, or Hamilton County politics. If you were, you might break more than a couple thousand votes.
06 Apr 2006 at 03:52 pm | #
TB is clearly an expert, just ask him. If it’s Tim Burke he’s an expert at stealing old ladies houses and keeping qualifed union candidates out of the way of the corporate demobrats.
07 Apr 2006 at 07:01 am | #
Oh the many people I could be...but I’m not Tim Burke, not Tom Brinkman...not even Tuberculosis. You’ll have to keep guessing Chuck. But I’ll tell you this, I’ve been more active in politics than the Dean could ever hope to be, and since before he was using the internet to espouse his worthless opinions.
07 Apr 2006 at 11:44 am | #
TB aren’t you clever? No, you’re not. Your just another anonymous asshole that thinks they know something because tow the party line. We’re not impressed with what you have said. So get a clue and start your own blog so you can archive your worthless opinion or maybe your party will start one so they can tell you what to think.
I don’t really care who you are, but would like to know of any worth while things your party has done. It should be an easy question for such an experienced and active party member.
07 Apr 2006 at 03:28 pm | #
Chuck is your real name? What is that supposed to be like Cher or Madonna? Have you no last name, Chuck? Or is Chuck your last name? Maybe your first name is Up. Now that’s comedy.
I don’t have to explain myself to you, or any of the other losers who take the Dean seriously. You all join the ranks of Nate Livingston and the Bus Driver. Raving lunatics who couldn’t find their way out of a paper bag with two hands and a flashlight.
07 Apr 2006 at 08:56 pm | #
TB, you’re still not funny and if you don’t like the site, start your own or fuck off. Are we supposed to take you seriously? Didn’t think so.