Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati

Does Marc Dann really believe he’s doing either himself or the Democrats a favor by proclaiming—just before the weekend—that he will not resign his post as Attorney General?  Or, is he just buying time?  Is he putting on a face while the Party tries to balance the risk of losing the seat in a November special election?  And what might the Clinton or Obama campaigns have to say about a scandal that could drive voters to the opposition in a swing state like Ohio?

I believe this weekend marks the beginning of some serious strategizing for Ohio Democrats.  What’s more important?  Maintaining control over the Attorney General’s office, or doing damage maintenance for the upcoming presidential election?

The fact that there is not a clear presidential candidate makes this a bit murkier.  It means there are too many variables, perhaps.  What will be the status of the Dann scandals when the Democrats have a clear nominee?  Will there still be a frenzy calling for his resignation?  Will the media still be paying attention to the story?  Or will it fade into a memory for all but the hard-core Republicans?

So it seems to me that the real issue here is how long this story can maintain legs, and how that timeline compares with a definitive Democratic nominee.  If Dann can wait it out, maybe it will pass.  But once either Clinton or Obama is the nominee, if the story is still around, I think it will require Dann’s resignation.  And that’s a best case.

For all we know, the Party is making decisions like this right now.  It will be interesting to see what Monday brings.

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