2011: A tale of two political bosses

Here’s a New Year’s resolution Mahoning Valley Democratic leaders would do well to make — and keep: Become regular customers at the Spread Eagle Tavern in Hanoverton in Columbiana County.

Either that, or be prepared to publicly grovel before one of the most powerful Republicans in the state of Ohio, Dave Johnson.

Johnson, you see, is chairman of the Columbiana County Republican Party, but more importantly, he owns the Spread Eagle Tavern and Inn. The restaurant is a shrine to Republican politics — with an emphasis on conservatism.

So, if you’re a Democrat planning on part-taking of a gourmet meal, carry some antacid with you, because you’ll be surrounded by photographs of presidents, princes and potentates of the GOP.

Why pay homage to Johnson, who also owns Summitville Tiles Inc.? Because 2011 belongs to the Republicans, in Ohio and in many parts of the country.

Elections sweep

The GOP’s sweep of the statewide elections in November — from governor, to all the administrative offices, to a takeover of the General Assembly — means the marginalization of the Democrats.

One of the big losers in the general election shellacking (Democratic President Barack Obama’s word) has to be the chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, David Betras.

Remember, when Betras took over the party in the summer of 2009, Democrats were riding high. They controlled the governor’s office and all but one of the administrative offices; they controlled the White House; and, there were Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate.

The predominantly Democratic Mahoning and Trumbull counties were on the state and national parties’ radars. The president of the United States visited twice; Vice President Joe Biden came a-calling; Ted Strickland could well have moved the governor’s mansion to the region; and, a gaggle of Democratic officeholders were in and out of the two counties.

The goal: To ensure that this Democratic stronghold not only voted the party ticket, but broke the record for voter turnout. They accomplished the first, but failed the second.

Thus today, Republican John Kasich is getting ready to take the oath of office for governor on Jan. 10; the state House and Senate leadership teams are in place; and, in Washington, Ohio’s delegation in the House now boasts 13 Republicans and 5 Democrats. In the Senate, there’s one Democrat, Sherrod Brown, and one Republican, Rob Portman.

If it isn’t clear by now why the Valley needs to befriend Dave Johnson, consider this: Gov. Kasich and the GOP controlled General Assembly will be drawing the new congressional district lines, and just as he did 10 years ago, Johnson will play a leading role.

Because Ohio’s population’s growth in the last decade was anemic compared with many other states, especially those in the south and southwest, there will be a loss of two congressional seats.

Democrats’ dilemma

One of the seats will come from this part of the state. Therein lies the dilemma for Democrats. They want to make sure that Congressman Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, remains in a district that is predominantly Democratic, but they are powerless to do anything in Columbus. However, with Johnson on board, Ryan’s continued representation of the Mahoning Valley could be assured.

Ten years ago, the current 17th and 6th districts were created by the Republicans with major input from Johnson. The districts have worked out well for the tri-county area.

But now, with Republicans striving for an increase in the number of GOP seats, all bets are off for the Democrats — unless, of course, they have an influential advocate.

What about Tom Humphries, the president and chief executive officer of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, who co-hosted a fund-raiser for then candidate Kasich?

Humphries’ explanation for why he decided to support Kasich — he was upset with Strickland because a company of his did not get a state contract — makes him politically suspect.

Dave Johnson is a true believer.