OHIO Jerry Springer is Dem delegate

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Ohio Democrats have chosen talk-show host Jerry Springer to be an at-large delegate for the Democratic National Convention in Boston.
"He's made 50 appearances at Democratic events this year. He's been an outspoken advocate for the party," said Dan Trevas, spokesman for the Ohio Democratic Party.
Springer, a former Cincinnati mayor, was named Democrat of the Year by the state party last weekend. He will be one of 159 delegates and 24 alternates from Ohio at the convention July 26-29, when Sen. John Kerry is expected to be nominated as the party's candidate for president.
The Ohio spokeswoman for the Kerry campaign, Jennifer Palmieri, said, "We welcome all delegates."
State Republicans said naming Springer as a delegate Friday shows how low the Democrats have sunk.
"They ought to be absolutely embarrassed and ashamed of this guy, but obviously standards take a back seat to power in the party of Bill Clinton," Ohio Republican chairman Robert T. Bennett said.
Springer, 60, is considering running in 2006 for either Ohio governor or for the Senate, against Republican incumbent Mike DeWine.
Springer spent about $1 million last year exploring whether to run for the Senate before deciding not to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. George Voinovich.
Springer moved to Chicago in 1993 to end his career as a Cincinnati television news anchorman and focus on his Chicago-based show. He recently moved back to Cincinnati and is living downtown.