Rep. Ryan’s backing of Dodd may ultimately benefit Valley

With New York Sen. Hilliary Clinton currently enjoying a double-digit lead in national polls over her closest rival for the Democratic Party’s nomination for president, Mahoning Valley Congressman Tim Ryan’s endorsement of long-shot candidate Christopher Dodd seems politically risky — at first blush.

After all, if Clinton does win the nomination in 2008, there may not be any space left on her bandwagon for Ryan of Niles, D-17th.

But a close look at the realities of next year’s election suggests that the congressman may, indeed, be in a stronger position to play “Let’s make a deal” with the Clinton campaign as a result of his endorsement of Dodd, the senator from Connecticut.

If there is one prevailing truth about statewide elections in Ohio it is this: For a Democrat to win, he or she must carry the predominantly Democratic Mahoning and Trumbull counties by a large margin. And today, the most powerful politican from this region is Ryan.

In explaining his support of Dodd, the 17th District representative, who served an internship with one of the most gifted politicians the Valley has seen, James A. Traficant Jr., talked about the senator’s unwavering position on the war in Iraq — he is committed to a withdrawal of all American troops.

“When I vote for a president I want certain qualities,” Ryan wrote in a national political website. “I want passion. I want conviction and I want clarity. Today I endorse Chris Dodd because he has all three.”

His message

While Clinton and Barack Obama, the senator from Illinois who is consistently in second place in the polls, would take issue with Ryan’s implication that Dodd is the only one who has passion and conviction and speaks on the issues with clarity, they would be foolhardy to ignore what he is saying.

Why? Because Ryan’s constituency in the 17th District, which includes all of Trumbull County, and a large portion of Mahoning County, is a microcosym of the American electorate.

In a subsequent article, a publication that focuses on U.S.-China trade contended that Ryan’s support of Dodd was prompted, in large part, by the senator’s strong support for legislation to deal with China’s currency undervaluation.

The Valley has first-hand experience with the effects of China’s manipulation of its currency. The dumping of goods made in China has cost hundreds of jobs in the region.

Since going to Congress, Ryan has made trade with China a major priority.

Dodd has also been unwavering in his demand for a level playing field.

“[F]or every product ... in our shelves here, we need to be insisiting that we have access to their shelves, to their marketplaces,” he has said. “That’s not happening, and it needs to stop.”

There is another reason why Ryan’s endorsement carries little risk. By the time of the Democratic primary in Ohio in March, the nominee will be known, given the front-loading of primary contests in February.

Therefore, it will be the nomine who will have to reach out to Democratic officeholders in Ohio who can deliver the votes.

The war in Iraq, trade policies that have cost Mahoning Valley residents good-paying jobs, transforming old industrial regions into high-technology economies, the rising cost of health care, and education are issues that Ryan has talked about as being essential for the economic revitalization of the tri-county area.

We are confident that the Democratic nominee will hear from him.