Ohio 16th

[Sara Bradi]

The democratic party needs to begin its work to find experienced candidates for the 16th district.

Mr. Regula will have served for 36 years at the end of his term in 2008 :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Regula
http://wwwc.house.gov/regula/bio.htm

Whether Mr. Regula runs again in 2008 or chooses to bless an heir apparent, the democratic challenger must be able to convince the voters that he/she is in it for the long haul.

There is a reason why this HUGE Unionized & Manufacturing district has consistently voted Republican for over 5 decades, yes over 50 years ( Regula was preceeded by Frank Bow ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Bow

For this district, connections in congress mean everything, it means what is left of manufacturing jobs in Ohio will stay here. If the voters aren't convinced that a candidate will keep the home fires burning, not even the terminator or a Kennedy can win here.

We need nothing short of a Fingerhut, with a clear vision, to win this one.

I can forsee Mr. Regula getting up on the podium and coronating a republican heir apparent to the electorate with a statement like (just using Chuck as an example, he was term limited out of Ohio state rep 69 in the same congressional district) :

Chuck Calvert has served us well in the Ohio legislature.
He will look after you like I have for the last 36 years.
Elect him to protect your jobs and families.

Since Hackett's foray into the 2nd district race in 2005, there has been a welcome surge in democratic candidates with a record of military service. But make no mistake :

Ohio 2nd district DOES-NOT-EQUAL Ohio 16th district

Not even a great record of military service is going to sway this bread-and-butter district.

IMHO.