2nd Congressional District (OH) GOP Primary: Final Pre-Election Thoughts on What’s at Stake

The Second District GOP primary, which starts in a mere 6-plus hours from the time of this post, will be an ideal voting situation in a far-less-than-ideal election situation.

(click “more” for the rest of “What’s at Stake”)

It’s an ideal voting situation because, for once, no one, and I mean no one, knows who the winner will be Tuesday night (and it could be so close that we won’t know even then). Nobody can rely on those odious and usually ubiquitous polls to do some of the thinking for them. Voters, without the usual clutter and clatter, get to decide who they believe is the best person to represent their party in the August 2 general election, and hopefully (from the GOP standpoint) their district in Washington. This time, thank goodness, we’re on our own.

But it’s a far-less-than-ideal election situation. The race to replace Rob Portman should have been an All-Star track meet with entirely local talent. But it has not turned out that way, and you know why.

One of the most tired cliches is the one that says “this election is one of the most important ever.” But The Enquirer made most of the case that the cliche rings true in this election when it led off its editorial endorsements Sunday:

It is difficult to overstate the importance of Tuesday’s primaries and the Aug. 2 election to fill Ohio’s 2nd District seat in the U.S. House.

Based on the district’s history and demographics, the person voters ultimately choose to succeed former Rep. Rob Portman, now U.S. trade representative, could end up representing this part of Southwestern Ohio for a decade or more - during a critical time for economic development and social services.

The choice is a crucial one for Greater Cincinnati and beyond.

Perhaps by “beyond” the Enquirer was referring to the eastern counties in the district. If so, I will suggest that this is an election with implications far, far, beyond the borders of The Second District.

People nationwide should be watching this election with interest, and, potentially, alarm.

You see, this election may very well decide whether GOP-controlled congressional seats that open up in the future, in any area in this great land, will be sealed shut from effective local representation by better-connected people who have made the required pilgrimages to Colorado Springs, Fairfax (VA) and Tupelo (MS). If the supposed wise men at the national shrines of conservatism and “moral values” can bless and drop a seriously flawed candidate in on top of this district, and take him over the top with the sheer force of their media muscle, star power, and celebrity, they can, and will, try it elsewhere, and with less tainted people. Preventing the steamrolling of local talent by the nationally anointed will become more difficult each time they succeed.

Democrats should also be keenly interested, and equally concerned, about the results on the GOP side tomorrow. If the very fine local candidates running in this 2nd District GOP race are defeated, Democrats may soon find candidates migrating into their “safe” areas on a just-in-time basis after being preselected in Chappaqua, Boston, and Hollywood.

So this GOP primary represents a unique chance to select among an excellent group of local candidates, and to send a resounding message to those who would tamper: Let US decide who will represent us. Let US pick from the best and brightest of those who live and work among us. Go away. In fact, get lost.
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UPDATE: Ohio 2nd and Viking Spirit have wrap-ups of various other wrap-ups and final thoughts.