OH-05 Why Weirauch Rocks By: Mark W Adams

My first question was, "Is she the real deal?"

The answer I got was a resounding, "Yes." Robin Weirauch, running for the Fifth Congressional District in Ohio is the real deal, someone who is as sick of the rubber-stamp, Bush enabling Congress as the rest of us.

She knows it's time to end, not extend the war in Iraq and start rebuilding our own infrastructure and boost our first defenders instead of pouring more money into the bottomless pit in Baghdad. From listening to her, she believes, as we all know, that real leaders in Congress can end this war. I get the impression that the current leadership in Congress won't get a free ride from her like so many Blue Dogs from red districts.

Running an internet friendly campaign, you can see her announcement as she threw her hat in the ring on YouTube.

We're told by her campaign manager, Ben Krompak:

With the passing of Rep. Paul Gillmor, there will be a special election (primary: November 6th, general: December 11th) to chose his successor.

Democrat Robin Weirauch ("why-rock") is a dynamic and progressive leader who can win in this usually Republican district.

I was fortunate enough to meet Ben this summer and found a kindred spirit. So when he says she's, "The real deal. Take it to the bank," it's a lock folks.

Seven of the 16 County Democratic Parties that make up the district have endorsed her, almost immediately upon entering the race -- including the biggest, Wood County, along with Crawford, Paulding, Williams, Defiance, Fulton, and Putnam Counties. For the lowdown on the Fifth District, check out this excellent diary at Swing State Project that breaks out all the numbers and trends -- which look very good for those of us looking for a Democratic pickup of a traditionally Republican seat.

Upon learning that he did not get the Wood County endorsement, Weirauch's only serious primary competition, Dr. Earl Campbell of Perrysburg dropped out. The other nominal Democratic contender refers to himself as "a very dark horse."

With a degree in business administration and a masters degree in public administration (you know, an advanced education in how to make government actually work, not just how to get elected), and eight years experience as the Assistant Director of the Center for Regional Development at BGSU providing economic assistance and community development research to 27 counties in Northern Ohio, she knows more than a thing or two about what the region's needs and how make effective use of our area's resources.

She has name recognition throughout the district, having been the Democratic challenger to an entrenched and well-funded republican twice before, and cutting the margin she lost by in half last time out. Politico.com would like to write off District 5 as an easy GOP victory before they sort through their five candidates -- their very well funded candidates. It seems the anti-tax fanatics at Club For Growth have taken an interest in the campaign and are throwing around a lot of cash on the GOP side.

Club for Growth ran ads against GOP Senator George Voinovich, indicating the former Ohio Governor was not conservative enough for them. (As If!) They desperately want to keep this District a bastion for Bush loyalists and are willing to pay the price to keep it sliding further to the left. This area that comprises the greater part of Northwestern Ohio voted overwhelmingly for Democratic Governor Ted Strickland and went for Sherrod Brown by 51%.

If Robin gets enough support, she definitely can win this thing, especially if the Party Elders in Washington take notice that she has a real shot. They will notice if we can help her get the ball rolling.

There's not a lot of time to gather our forces to combat the GOP contender, whichever one can prove he's more conservative than the others. To that end . . .

Fellow members of the Reality Based Community, I'd like to present my new Act Blue Page: Bloggers For Weirauch!

We have a real opportunity show the power of the Netroots in this race by contributing at this corner of the interwebs, specifically set aside for progressive bloggers to donate to a Democrat with the first decent chance to change this traditionally Red district a nice shade of Blue since the 1930's!

For the first time in half a century we have a real opportunity to end the lock business-as-usual interests of Northwestern Ohio have held over this important region with a dynamic and progressive leader -- someone with the experience and knowledge to improve this area and not just exploit it.

We have a once in a life-time opportunity to change the course of our future, sending someone who rejects the failed Republican Party policies that have led us to war, high unemployment, corruption, waste and destruction of our environment.

This is a race where your dollars can make the difference. Please make a contribution to this critical cause today.

Okay, that's the "ask" folks. She has a primary challenger who, frankly, does not look like a serious contender. What she faces in the General on December 11th though is a real war with some well connected players in the GOP machine.

Man the battlements folks. Summers over. It's campaign season and only nine weeks until election day. Contribute Today.

Let's. Make. History.