It's easy to see the similarities between Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman and U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, two Ohio Democrats who want to be the state's next governor.
Despite different backgrounds, both men have inspirational life stories epitomizing the American dream. Perhaps more crucial to voters, both sounded the same themes in what for many Clevelanders was their first look at the Democratic gubernatorial candidates. They spoke last week at a forum sponsored by the National Jewish Democratic Council.
Economic growth, jobs, health care and public education are the key problems facing Ohio, both agreed. The candidates emphasized that moral values, credited with turning out the vote of conservative Christians who overwhelmingly cast their ballots for President Bush, were not the exclusive domain of the Republican Party.
The emphasis placed on such socalled values issues as abortion, gay marriage and school prayer has "allowed Republicans to ignore the big issues and focus on the issues that divide us," added Strickland, 64. "We keep hearing about God and country and values," said Coleman, 50, the two-term mayor of Columbus. "Candidates are trying to outvalue each other. The real measure of values is not by words, but by deeds. Where are the values in a family without a job and health care?"
The candidates, who will face off the Ohio primary May 6, also emphasized the scandals facing the Republican administration in Columbus. "Pay to play, Coingate, MDL (Capital Management, the firm which lost $215 million of Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation investments) n are these Republican values?" asked Coleman rhetorically.
Reforming state funding of public schools was also high on the candidates' agenda. Noting that the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled four times that the state's school funding formula is unconstitutional, both men said there was an over-reliance on local property taxes.
and inequitable." However, he added, local districts could choose to raise additional property taxes and earmark that money to enrich and supplement education for their own children.
to shoot people, not deer." Strickland noted that the NRA has always supported him. He voted against a 1994 anti-crime bill, because it contained a ban on assault weapons.
Few Americans noticed any difference in their safety when the ban on assault weapons expired a year ago, Strickland said. However, he maintained that the passage of that law cost the Democrats their majority in the House of Representatives. "For 10 years, Democrats haven't been able to assert their views (in Congress)," he said. "I think other issues are more important."
destitute. His father converted a chicken shack into temporary housing and eventually made the barn into a permanent home. Attributing his desire to "lift up, support and share the burden of others" to his mother's teachings, Strickland went on to earn a master's of divinity degree and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology. A minister, former college professor and psychologist, he has worked with the mentally ill and children.
A picture of his great-great grandmother hangs on his office wall, Coleman recounted. Born a slave in Virginia and sold to another owner in Kentucky, she was eventually freed. Grandmother Dean worked in the fields of a Kentucky plantation, gave birth to 11 children, and lived to be a 104, Coleman said. She could not read or write and never voted. Her greatgrandson went on to earn bachelor's and law degrees and, before becoming mayor, was president of Columbus City Council.
said, has contributed to the scandals now rocking the state government. Coleman and Strickland each touted his own electability. Coleman noted that he is the first Democrat in 30 years and the first African-American ever to be mayor of Columbus. As a city with five counties, with suburban, exurban and urban areas, Columbus is a microcosm of the state. African-Americans make up only 18% of registered voters in Columbus. "It wasn't the African-Americans that elected me alone," he said.
Noting that he is giving up his congressional seat to run for governor, Strickland said he is proof that a Democrat can win in Republicandominated Ohio.
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