Strickland well prepared to serve in the US Senate

Until last week, it HAD appeared that former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, was vulnerable to the charge that he’s in the pocket of the National Rifle Association.

Strickland’s chief opponent in the March 15 primary, Cincinnati Councilman PG Sittenfeld, has made the enactment of tougher gun laws the centerpiece of his campaign. And, he has charged that Strickland has a “terrible record” and is “out of step” when it comes to guns.

But on March 2, the former governor and congressman from this region received the endorsement of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. Their support sucked the air out of the Cincinnati lawmaker’s campaign.

Why? Because the president and vice president have made responsible gun ownership and the passage of laws to close loopholes and strengthen background checks their top priorities. Obama and Biden have been unwavering advocates of tighter restrictions on guns.

They have pushed for tougher enforcement of background checks, a review of criteria for gun ownership, increased federal funding for gun-violence research and incentives for schools to hire resource officers.

The president and vice president have suffered the wrath of the NRA because of the strident positions they have taken.

Against that backdrop, it is not even remotely possible that Obama and Biden would have endorsed Strickland if they believed he was a captive of the pro-gun lobby.

Here’s what the president had to say in voicing his support for the former governor:

“Ohioans have no greater friend than Ted Strickland. Ted is a passionate and proven champion for the middle class, and when Ohio sends him to the United States Senate, he will continue to be a tireless fighter for hardworking families. Ted’s deep commitment to serving others has defined his life and his public service, and these are the values that Ohioans need and deserve from their next U.S. senator.”

Vice President Biden said that Strickland will “fight every day to bring more opportunity for Ohio’s middle class.”

ESTABLISHMENT POLITICS

The Sittenfeld campaign was quick to argue that the endorsement is a reflection of the Democratic Party establishment going with someone it knows.

But does anyone doubt what the reaction would have been had Sittenfeld received the endorsement of the president and vice president? He would have been announcing it from the rooftops.

Indeed, the councilman has been airing a TV commercial about gun control that incorporates the president’s voice. The commercial is designed to portray Sittenfeld as being in favor of tough laws, while contending that Strickland has a history of toeing the NRA’s line.

The former governor and congressman from the 6th District acknowledged that he had voted against a ban on assault weapons, but said he has now changed his position. He also told The Vindicator Editorial Board that he dropped his affiliation with the NRA five years ago because the organization had become “increasingly radicalized.”

Strickland also said he now supports comprehensive background checks and not allowing those on the no-fly list and with a history of domestic violence to own guns.

If you take away the issue of guns in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate – the third candidate is Kelli Prather of the Cincinnati area – what you’re left with is each candidate’s experience in and out of government. Any objective evaluation would conclude that Strickland is better qualified and prepared to serve in the Senate.

His four years as governor of Ohio and 10 years in the U.S. House of Representatives have given him a first-hand look at the challenges that confront the state and the nation.

And with all politics being local, the people of the Mahoning Valley can rest assured that Strickland will pay attention to the area. He has a history of working with local officials on a range of issues, including the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.

The Vindicator endorses Strickland for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

The winner of the primary will face Republican Sen. Rob Portman in the general election.