MAHONING VALLEY Congressmen show reservations about Jerry Springer

The congressmen attended a county drug-court commencement ceremony.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The possibility that TV talk-show host Jerry Springer could be on the Democratic ticket in Ohio next year as its U.S. Senate candidate doesn't thrill two Mahoning Valley congressmen who are up for re-election then.
"I think he could drag everybody else down," said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th. "He could hurt the ticket. The Democrats have a problem with values issues ... and he won't help any. I'm not real excited about" Springer's candidacy, he said.
After hearing that Springer was considering a U.S. Senate run, Ryan said he has watched the former Cincinnati mayor's talk show -- Monday's episode was titled "I'm Pregnant by My Brother!" -- and says the program kills Springer's political credibility.
"He will not be able to get his message out because of the show," Ryan said. "It's very, very difficult with that much baggage."
Springer's view
Springer admits that the show, which he describes as "silly" and "stupid," is an obstacle, and he will decide by July if he "can break through the clutter of the show" to run for the Senate next year.
"Twelve years of clutter is a lot," Ryan said of Springer's show. "I think it's going to be difficult for him."
U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland of Lisbon, D-6th, says he has concerns about Springer's candidacy because of the show but doesn't believe the TV personality will run for the Senate.
"He holds political positions that are compatible to mine, but there are legitimate reasons why his candidacy should be closely scrutinized," Strickland said. "We'll have to see if he can improve his acceptability."
Strickland said neither he nor any other Democratic House member from Ohio is willing to run for the Senate.
"None of us is willing to step up to the plate as a candidate, so we just have to trust the democratic process," he said.
Drug-court ceremony
Ryan and Strickland were in Mahoning County on Monday to attend the county drug court's 12th commencement ceremony.
Eighteen people graduated, including Eric D. Douglas -- son of Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. of Youngstown Municipal Court, who attended the ceremony -- who had been convicted of a felony count of possession of cocaine.
The drug-court program, which lasts one to two years, permits substance abusers to avoid jail while seeking rehabilitation. After completing the program, charges are dismissed against the graduates.
"This is about change, and we are convinced you can change your lives," Judge Jack Durkin, who presides over the drug court, told the graduates. "Treatment works. It saves money, and most importantly, it saves lives. This is a lifelong process. Today's the beginning, not the end."
skolnick@vindy.com