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April 5, 2006
By Michael D. Altman
QueenCityForum.com Magazine editor-in-chief
Moving On, Letting Go
The beginning of his act in the form of story is adorable… but just a little self-righteous. Jim Parker tells the audience that he is going to pass around a big plastic container—larger in circumference than a two liter, however similar in shape and appearance—to give money to a young cancer patient.
The second-time candidate for Ohio’s Second Congressional District tells the audience that he delivers the contents of the jar for this girl at a local gas station every day. He plunks down a dollar here and there and would like others to have the opportunity to help her. He says that after the container is passed around at the event, he will deliver it straight to the gas station.
The girl doesn’t know him, nor does she know what he is up to, the Congressional hopeful assures the audience.
“This—“ Parker explains, “is the President Bush health care plan.”
Jim Parker is not a comedian, though the timing and precision of his act is comparable to dark comedic genius.
He is, however, one of the candidates who are vying for the Democratic endorsement, left over from the special election Democratic Primary of 2005. The other remaining candidates, Dr. Vic Wulsin, and Jeff Sinnard, have the look and feel of compelling candidates, particularly with the large absence Major Paul Hackett.
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Parker is a man whose facial expressions could easily be likened to recording artist David Byrne as he acts out a shock-stricken mid-life crisis victim in the song “Once in a Lifetime.” He and his fellow candidates have become more comfortable and have more confidence in their viability, compared to the previous primary election. They don’t have to clamor for attention as they did in the special primary last June. Parker and his fellows have assumed credibility and a presence that is drawing the attention of District 2 Democrats in a field of candidates that also includes Gaby Downey and Thor Jacobs.
A big reason for the semi-desperate clamoring last year was because some of these same candidates were up against potential behemoth Paul Hackett. This year Hackett is out of everything, except supporting the candidates for the seat he once ran for wherever he can.
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“He is great to watch,” said former Democratic Congressional candidate Paul Hackett of Parker. Hackett noted that the candidate came off as very nervous in his first campaign.
“Jim was really funny in front of small crowds,” said Hackett, continuing that he has become looser and better with experience.
More from Hollywood…
Also from the Second District race, at-risk incumbent Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) recently pulled out of a scheduled debate with primary challenger Bob McEwan.
The debate, scheduled for April 19 at 7pm, was organized by the Anderson Township Republican Club, and was to have focused on pre-prepared questionnaires filled out by people solicited by the club.
J. Duffy Beischel, contact for club said that in lieu of Rep. Schmidt, they would seek Saturday Night Live’s Rachel Dratch, who imitated Schmidt’s antics in which she compared Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) to a coward.
"If Ms. Dratch is able to accept our invitation, she would articulate the positions as submitted in the response Mrs. Schmidt gave on a questionnaire the club prepared for all candidates prior to the last primary debate," said Russ Jackson, president of the Anderson Township Republican Club.
Contributions are being accepted by emailing questions to andersontownship@aim.com or by fax, toll-free, to 866-278-0157. The nature of the “debate” is to help voters discern the positions of each candidate.
Show Us Your Unit; and Notes…
The Democratic Forum’s candidate night, held last Thursday featured all kinds of sideshows for those who loomed around the 20 th Century Theatre’s bar during the presentation.
- John Cranley, Democratic candidate for Ohio’s D-1 against incumbent Steve Chabot was late and left early. He was not being rude, however, as one medicinal marijuana activist chased after him.
“It’s rude to leave early,” the man heckled. What the man didn’t know was that City Councilman Cranley was going to be with his father as he had just undergone major surgery.
The man was visibly upset about Cranley’s failure to answer questions regarding the city marijuana law during law committee of city council. The activists against the city bill urge council members to “Have some compassion” for medical patients who need marijuana. Compassion indeed.
- One representative from the Hamilton County Board of Elections showed people how the new secure voting units would work. While it is not completely paperless, the machine reads the paper and tells the voter if it has voted incorrectly—too many votes for one office, that is. The paper is read and then is used essentially as a paper trail. A flag comes up on the machine telling the voter that its vote has been counted.
- Jeff Cramerding, former executive director of the Charter Committee was also seen floating around the candidate night. He will be helping David Pepper on his campaign for County Commissioner.
Cramerding recently resigned his position heading the City Political party which he held for 5 years. He helped run Councilman Chris Bortz campaign last fall. His new job is not final, but members of the party expect that Cramerding will be Pepper’s chief-of-staff, given his experience.
- Notably, four hours before hand, the Hamilton County Democratic Party signed a lease to move their headquarters for the first time in almost a half century.
The Party headquarters will move out of the center of Downtown Cincinnati, from a building which was owned by Cincinnati Democratic legend Socko Weathy, to Pleasant Ridge.
Upon hiring Chandra Yungbluth executive director in January of 2005, the party had on its agenda a more convenient location. The current location, on 7 th and Main Street has been often met with complaints about accessibility, limited technology, and parking. The new location, yet to be officially announced, offers significant improvement and amenities, according to Yungbluth.
Michael D. Altman writes “I Don’t Mind Telling You” based on the dynamic of human and political bliss and frailty. The monthly feature in QCF Magazine hits on local and national politics and sometimes suggests where to eat.
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