Republican's have won 13 straight elections in Ohio's 12th district and I'd say that's just about ENOUGH! The twelfth is comprised of many of Columbus' northern suburbs and most of the city's east side. Demographically this district is home to the largest concentration of African American voters not represented by a Democrat in the House. -Don't you just love gerrymandering! Wouldn't you like to be a part correcting this obvious injustice! Well take the leap and lets see what we can do, shall we?
If you like underdog house candidates David Robinson is your guy. Just take a minute and look at his web site and I think you will see what I mean. Here are just a few qualification and experience highlights:
Accounting degree from The Ohio State University
Masters degree-Chicago Theological Seminary- Theological Studies
Ph.D Theology & Psychology from Emory University
Executive -small locally owned manufacturing company
Patent procurement
published author
I believe the Democratic party leaders saw the Ohio 12th (held by John Kasich from '83 to '01 and Pat Tiberi from '01 to present) as "a very tough get" when they were deciding where to focus their energy this year. You really can't blame them for focusing their energy and money on the races they see as winnable.
I am, however, of the opinion that things have changed dramaticly these past few weeks. I think the economic melt down as drawn many, many more democratic candidates within striking distance of increasingly less popular Republican's in the house. These "Reaganomics Republicans" just don't have the credibility with their constiuants in the face of overwhelming evidence that their supply side economic policies are an abject failure. I wonder if you feel, as I do, that this lead Obama has opened up in the polls perhaps change everything. I'm proposing that in light of these events it's time to broaden our scope and look out for previously unexpected house pickups anticipating much longer coattails for Obama on November 4th.
One other thing that makes this race special is that the Ohio 12th is home to a large number of college students registered, and actually voting, this year in Ohio. In his bid to suprise Robinson will be aided by students from Capital University, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Otterbein College, who have been registered by the Obama campaign.
David has been working tirelessly, knocking on doors, and doing all the things a candidate can do running a campagin on a shoestring. Maybe you can help.
First: if you are in or near Columbus I encourage you to volunteer and do whatever you can to help the campaign in any way you can.
www.robinson2008.com
614-294-2900
PO Box 8246
Columbus OH 43201
Headquarters, 6849 Flags Center Dr. (Columbus, 43229)
Second: I encorage you to fire off and e-mail to Representative Chris Van Hollen, the chairman of the DCCC asking him to find a way to incorporate the Robinson campaign into at least some of the t.v. ads the DCCC is running for Mary Jo Kilroy in the Columbus Market.
Third: If you have some spare change you would like to throw in the direction of change give what you can here.
Today, David squared off with Pat Tiberi in their first debate. You can watch the debate online here.
This from the Robinson web site today just after the debate:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2008
Columbus, Ohio – In a one-hour debate today, Congressional Candidate David Robinson-D, clearly overshadowed his opponents, incumbent Pat Tiberi-R and candidate Steven Linnabary-L.
Tiberi, who repeatedly contended that issues plaguing the economy today are related to tax codes and the Democratically-controlled Congress, was rattled by Robinson's insistence that the incumbent take responsibility for his failure of leadership in Congress. Robinson pointed out that Tiberi sat on the House Committee on Financial Institutions and the Subcommittees on Housing Opportunity, Consumer Credit and Government Sponsored Enterprises during crucial periods that precipitated today's current housing and financial crisis.
"It's time for our leaders to accept responsibility" for their role in what got us into this crisis, said Robinson. "If they won't, then we have to vote them out of office," he continued. Robinson consistently exposed Tiberi's Congressional record and "stay the course" mantra as utterly indefensible. A few tense moments filled the room when the candidates sparred on their differences in health care philosophies, the Iraq war, and the economy. Robinson again pointed out Tiberi's failure of providing leadership for citizens in the 12th Congressional District by directly asking Tiberi, "If you couldn't do something about it when your party was in control, when are you going to do it?"
The debate, sponsored by WBNS 10-TV was recorded today at COSI Columbus and moderated by Andrea Cambern. The debate, in its entirety, and will air on the following dates/times:
First Airing: Monday, October 13, 10:00 p.m. – Ohio News Network (ONN)
Replay: Tuesday, October 14, 3:05 a.m. – WBNS 10TV (Channel 10)
Replay: Sunday, October 19, 1:00 p.m. – ONN
Replay: Sunday, November 2, 2:00 p.m. - ONN
The debate will also be on-line at www.10tv.com and www.onntv.com
The second and final debate is scheduled for Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
For the past couple of years David has been a Environmental & New Energy Advocate for The Climate Project started by Al Gore.
David was the first of my circle of friends to support Barack Obama and his policy positions mirror Obama's. Things you are going to hear in just about any Robinson campign speech are:
1)The need to recoginize the importance of climate change and to take action to reduce co2 emissions.
2)Promotion of the idea that we need an "Apollo style" effort to transition to a green energy economy recognizing that is the best possilbe jobs program for America.
3)Access to Universal health care for all
4)Responsible withdrawl from Iraq (with no perminant bases)
5)Protect and expand our comitments to Education, Seniors, and Veterans.
6)Lead congress in an effort to reclaim its constitutional oversight of the executive branch strengthening our democracy.
In just a couple of minutes those of you in Ohio with the Ohio News Network can watch that first debate as it airs starting at 10PM