Coleman to announce candidacy for Gov.

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NEWS UPDATE
Posted 2:50 p.m.

Columbus Mayor to run for Governor
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman will seek the Democratic Party's nomination for governor and officially announce his candidacy at a news conference Tuesday, sources said. His decision guarantees that Democrats will have a contender who can attract moderate votes and campaign cash -- two things that eluded the party's failed 2002 nominee, Tim Hagan.

http://www.cleveland.com/newslogs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/mtlogs/cleve_plaindealer/archives/2005_01.html#048621

[saltpoint]

1. Sorry to say I don't know much about Michael Coleman --

-- but I'm for him, especially if Blackwell is the GOP opponent.

Let's get him in there pronto.

[realisticphish]

2. NOOOOOOOO

don't take my Mayor away :cry::cry:


;)

seriously, that would be awesome


:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[Eurobabe]

3. New to Ohio, help me out here

Just reading over Coleman's bio, how strong of a candidate is he? I don't know too much yet about OH politics.

Would be a hoot to see him run against Blackwell.

[kk897]

10. Columbus, here

I think he's been a decent mayor and doesn't seem to have pissed people off too much that they wouldn't vote for him.

Also, I once stood behind him at a garden center while we were both waiting to get to pile bags of mulch into our respective cars. I don't know how it is elsewhere, but here, mulch is big. :P

[Kolesar]

4. he would become the first black gubernatorial candidate nominated by ...

...a major party in Ohio.
Longer PD article

-- Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman will seek the Democratic Party's nomination for governor and announce his candidacy at his east side home today, sources said.

His decision guarantees that Democrats will have a 2006 contender who can attract moderate votes and campaign cash -- two key attributes the party's 2002 nominee did not possess.

Former Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Jim Ruvolo called Coleman "a superstar candidate who has done very well in Columbus -- so well the Republicans couldn't even find a candidate to run against him last time."

He proved his management abilities by becoming one of the few mayors to balance the budget without laying off police or firefighters, Ruvolo said.
..........snip.........
If you send him money this year, you can take up to a $50 credit on your Ohio taxes, then do it again in 2006. :)

[Emops]

5. I like him.

He is very well-spoken and charismatic. I saw him introduce Wesley Clark at a meeting last fall, and after five minutes, I thought to myself, "he should run for governor." And I didn't even know he was considering it.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

7. Can he win?

[realisticphish]

8. central ohio, yes

don't know about the rest.


:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[Emops]

9. As far as name-recognition goes,

does any Ohio Democrat have that? Besides Jerry Springer or John Glenn? I think Michael Coleman has as good a chance as anyone, if not better.

Since Coleman is the popular mayor of Ohio's biggest city, he could draw high numbers of urban voters if he's charismatic enough (from the times I've heard him, I'd say he is). Rural votes may be another matter, and that's something all Ohio Dems have to work on.

[Maeve]

6. And they already have the talking points against him

Heard Bennett (top Repub) on WOSU radio--"out of touch with Ohioans", "against the death penalty, for gay marriage" and "mediocre mayor--look at the increase in crime".

Sounded really afraid he'll de-rail the Repub machine. Coleman vs Blackwell, that would be an interesting fight!

[semillama]

11. He called Arlene Shoemaker for what she it -got my vote!

that was pretty awesome.

Plus, he's done a pretty good job from what I can tell running this joint.