This article in the Toledo Blade shows why Sherrod Brown will lose in November. The guy is just too far left to win a statewide vote in Ohio. Its that simple.
Mr. Brown carries a more populist - Republicans derisively say "liberal"- banner in his Ohio battle with GOP incumbant Mike DeWine. He wants troops out of Iraq this year. He denounces America's free trade pacts. He criticizes Mr. DeWine's votes to repeal the estate tax and make some of President Bush's tax cuts permanent.
When Republicans rip his votes against certain military of intelligence spending, or his opposition to a federal constitutional same-sex marriage ban, Mr. Brown dismisses them with a "yeah, so?" shrug.
Its not a prevalent strategy, in Republican-leaning states or otherwise. Mr. Brown conceded as much recently, as he searched for the names of leading populists (liberals) in Congress today. "I'm not sure," Mr. Brown said, before settling on Sen. Tom Harkin (D., Iowa). "They dont all jump to mind, do they?"
Analysts and partisans say Mr. Brown's campaign themes stem from conviction and necessity: his 14-year congressional voting record would make it hard to escape them.
Mr. Dewine has largely ignored his opponent so far, but other Republicans pummel Mr. Brown almost daily with allegations of running left of the state's voters. "Ill give him credit for staying true to who he is," said John McClelland, a state GOP spokesman, "but its not going to win him an election in Ohio."
That last statement is exactly right. Brown is as liberal as they come, and barring some major political catastrophe, I just dont see him even getting close to beating DeWine.
And thank God for that.
P.S. I guess the new word is "populist" now, not liberal. I didnt get that memo.
-Brad
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