The turkey the Ohio Republican Party carved up Thanksgiving Day had to have had a "D" on it as in Democrat. That's what the Ohio Democratic Party now resembles a turkey in light of the surprise resignation of Chairman Dennis White.

White announced his intention to step down Dec. 1 to take the job of deputy director of the Franklin County Board of Elections. Not surprisingly, his decision has triggered an intra-party battle over who should take the Democrats into the 2006 statewide election.

Here's a suggestion: Democratic Party elders should seek the advice of one of the most successful state Democratic officeholders, Richard Celeste, the former two-term governor.

Celeste's political instincts and his knowledge of Ohio voters were evident in the successful campaigns that he put together when he ran for governor and in his re-election bid.

Since his departure, the political fortunes of the Democratic Party have been reduced to one statewide office, a judicial position at that.

But Democrats have a chance to make a major comeback next year, given the black cloud of corruption hanging over Republicans, if they can get their act together.

As of today, that's a big "if."