Cleveland Plain Dealer - All the state's a stage for Democrats

Thursday, July 21, 2005

(Cleveland Plain Dealer)

All the state's a stage for Democrats Party's stars to deliver unified message at Columbus event Thursday, July 21, 2005 Mark Naymik Plain Dealer Politics Writer A pageant of the nation's top Democrats -- some with an eye on winning the White House in 2008 -- will make Ohio its stage during a three-day conference beginning Saturday in Columbus. The goal: strengthen the party's message on "heartland" values and show off its political stars. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Iowa Gov. Thomas Vilsack and Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana -- all potential candidates for the presidency -- will headline the event, sponsored by the Democratic Leadership Council. The centrist-leaning group, which studies policy issues and messages more than getting involved in grass-roots organizing, helped propel Bill Clinton's presidential bid. Democrats consider the group a moderate voice of the party, and its members can provide an influential base of support in Democratic primaries. The DLC chose Ohio to hold its annual conference because the state remains a key presidential battleground. Also, Ohio's 2006 gubernatorial race is being closely watched by both parties as a barometer of how voters will lean in the 2008 presidential race. "If Democrats can't win in Ohio, we don't deserve to win the presidency," said Bruce Reed, president of the DLC. "As '04 demonstrated, the state has become a real bellwether." With a similar interest in highlighting the state, more than 150 Republican Party leaders met in Cleveland in April for an annual leadership meeting. About 300 Democrats -- many of them elected officials -- from more than 40 states are expected to attend the DLC event. They will hold group discussions on "Faith and Politics," "Progressive Family Values" and "Security" -- three messages the Republican Party controlled in the last presidential race. "Ohio voters have a concern that Democrats can do a better job addressing issues," Reed said. The Ohio Republican Party dismisses the Democrats' attempts to win back the state. "These groups can come and throw out rhetoric. It doesn't change the fact that Republicans are more committed than ever to keeping Ohio in the red column," said party strategist Jason Mauk. He cited the GOP's efforts to maintain its volunteer network, which proved to be crucial in the presidential race, particularly in Ohio's rural areas. On Monday, the last day of the DLC event, Democrats will hear from three potential presidential candidates. Bayh, the outgoing chairman of the DLC, takes the stage first, followed by incoming chairman Vilsack. Hillary Rodham Clinton follows him. Reed said the politicians are not in competition and that the speeches are "in league" and meant to build "the Democratic cause." "It's way too early to launch 2008," he said. "We are still in recovery from 2004." To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mnaymik@plaind.com, 216-999-4849