CPT • Turner candidacy upsets local political apple cart

Cuyahoga Politics Today 

Candidate’s return home will raise District’s profile, heighten the stakes 

By R.T. Andrews 

Nina Turner announcing from her home in Cleveland's Lee-Harvard neighborhood that she will be
running for Ohio's 11th Congressional District seat if Rep. Marcia Fudge vacates the office upon her
confirmation as US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. [Screenshot by R. T. Andrews]

She hasn’t won an election for anything in over a decade, and the last time her name appeared on a ballot was in 2014, when her candidacy for Secretary of State was part of a statewide ticket that cratered from top to bottom, but if you watched the rollout of former state senator Nina Turner’s declaration of candidacy for a Congressional seat that is not yet vacant, you know that star power has come to Cleveland and its 11th District.

Turner left town in 2015 in bold and shocking fashion when she very publicly shifted her allegiance from Hillary Clinton, the presumptive favorite for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, to the insurgent Bernie Sanders, because his campaign more closely aligned with her principles. 

If I say many of her fans felt betrayed and effectively burned her political jersey in effigy, then you know what’s coming next. Turner took her native political talents to the national stage where she performed under the brightest lights, the harshest scrutiny, and against the toughest competition. She performed in leading roles and was regularly center stage in the high stakes production of two national political campaigns. In between, she headed a dynamic national political organization for several years and spent frequent time as a commentator on national television networks. 

Long story short, Turner left town on a mission, learned what it takes to compete at the highest level, sharpened her skills, developed a team of loyalists, and in the process built a national fan base. 

Yesterday, flanked virtually by a carefully selected array of former legislative colleagues, current public officials, and Hollywood star power in Danny Glover, Turner announced from her home in Cleveland’s Lee-Harvard community, that she was running to succeed Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, who will vacate the seat if confirmed as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for the incoming Biden administration. The event was impeccably scripted, the production values were tight, the presentations were succinct, coordinated, and on point, and the candidate was at her most radiant, composed, and centered. (She obviously understands the suburban voters she will need to win over to broaden her base.)

Clearly, like another prominent prodigal Northeast Ohioan, Turner has returned better equipped to pursue the brass ring. 

By law, Gov. Mike DeWine would set dates for special primary and general elections if Fudge resigns. The winner of the special general election would serve until December 31, 2022. 

Turner, 53, joins county councilwoman Shontel Brown, 45, and former state senator and ex-Cleveland city councilman Jeff Johnson, 62, as announced candidates to succeed Fudge. The field will undoubtedly expand when and if a vacancy in fact occurs. 

Make no mistake: Turner’s candidacy, while anticipated, irreversibly changes the dynamics of the race in many ways. 

First and foremost, Turner’s presence assures the race will be about policies and ideas. Atypical of most local politicians of any stripe, the Turner brand is associated with big policies and big ideas. She will force discussion of critical issues like healthcare, public education, affordable housing, food insecurity, living wage, income inequality and public transportation in any candidate forums. The candidates who have not prepared themselves adequately to debate these issues will likely find themselves exposed, if not overwhelmed. 

Notwithstanding Turner’s presence in the race, she is by no means a shoo in. Her presumptive status as front runner in an incomplete field will have no value when the votes are tallied. 

Indeed, Turner herself may become an issue. A passionate person who inspires many, she also incites fierce opposition on both personal and policy matters. Some suburban white women may never forgive Turner for her perceived abandonment of gender solidarity when she left the Clinton plantation for Sanders. Businesspeople who applauded Turner’s courage as a solitary African American advocate for county reorganization in 2009 will be appalled by the prospect of an unapologetic leftist representing the District. And Cleveland’s staid black political establishment, a low expectations bunch, are unlikely to appreciate Turner’s disruptive force. 

So, assuming that Fudge leaves office in the next 45 days or so, expect the following: 

· The race to succeed her will draw the most national attention to a local political contest since Carl Stokes was elected mayor in 1967. It’s already begun.

· Anti-Turner forces will coalesce around an ABT candidate. (Anybody But Turner) 

· Many disengaged eastside Cleveland voters, who once comprised the District's heart, will find their concerns center stage. 

· A spirited special Congressional contest will impact next year’s mayoral race in Cleveland, possibly accelerating a wholesale changing of the guard.

And in a wild off the cuff prediction: do not be surprised if northeast Ohio’s original prodigal child, who now reigns in Los Angeles, but whose childhood home is part of the District’s crazy Akron tail, and who has become widely respected for his willingness to speak out politically from his platform of fame and fortune, finds a candidate to endorse in the race.

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Cleveland — Epicenter of Sports, Battleground Politics, and more!

Today’s post is a mixed bag. We begin with a nod to one of the most memorable days in local sports history, one that likely eclipsed the wildest dreams of the powers that be when they snookered county voters into passing what may prove to be an eternal sin tax to build the Gateway sports complex with the lie about 28,000 new jobs. We also talk a little politics and note some upcoming events. Finally, we highlight a pair of short videos made from different vantages but that are distinctly yoked.

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We wrote yesterday about the emotional resonance of sports in American life, and how it grabs hold of youngsters with a strong primacy effect. Ok, that’s not necessarily what we were thinking when we wrote it, but, to quote Frank Jackson, the man who may soon announce his intent to become the longest-serving mayor in Cleveland history, “It is what it is.”

What it was undoubtedly was a pretty special day to be a Cleveland fan. The Cavaliers hoisted their first-ever NBA Championship banner to the rafters at Quicken Loans Arena at the first game of the 2016-17 season. 

2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers
Championship Ring

Just a short dash across Gateway Plaza, the Indians were getting off to a fast start both on the mound and at bat to grab the opening game of the World Series. Both home teams finished with impressive victories that augur well for continued success.

In a break from their regular beat, the noted political data analysts over at Five Thirty Eight took a look at how last night’s results shifted the World Series odds for the Cubs and Indians. Have a look here.

Cuyahoga County is epicenter for politics as well as sports these days

Moses Boyd started Show Your Power
to help drive voter turnout nationwide

Our Vote Matters! bus stopped at
Cleveland Urban League last Friday

Slow growth in our region and state compared to the rest of the country means that we are gradually ceding our importance as a battleground. But that’s not happening just yet. Both presidential candidates were here in person last week and Hillary’s campaign in particular is working overtime to get out the vote in these parts. A big Democratic margin in Cuyahoga County can overcome a Republican advantage downstate. This is why the Urban League’s national president, Marc Morial spent last weekend here as part of a well-coordinated GOTV drive in northeast Ohio. I was delighted to see at the kick-off press conference last Friday morning the presence of a strong coalition of unsung African Americans leaders funding a significant GOTV effort at their own expense. The Our Vote Matters coalition was all over Northeast Ohio via custom bus to awaken citizens and spur them to the polls. I saw their bus both downtown in the morning and later in the day in University Circle.

Chelsea Clinton returns to the Cleveland area once again to campaign for her mother. She is scheduled to appear at the Solon Community Center, 35000 Portz Pkwy Solon, OH 44139 for a 3:30p event after earlier stops in Cincinnati and Columbus. Tomorrow, Hillary’s running mate, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine will appear at 12:15 pm at Lorain High School in Lorain, joined by Minnesota U.S. Sen. Al Franken.

To punctuate this effort, Jay-Z will be performing at a free concert on Friday, Nov. 4 to rally support for the Clinton-Kaine ticket. Details, including time and place, have not yet been announced but those wishing free tickets may sign up here.

A World Series Game Seven is scheduled for Cleveland on Nov. 2, so if the series goes that far, hopefully things will get crazy around here with a victory party that would likely dwarf the 1.3 million fans who showed up following the Cavs’ NBA championship.

Cleveland Calendar: Area fundraisers on the horizon

But that’s getting a little ahead of ourselves, besides being someone’s job to worry about. And of course, the Cavs’ celebration is not really over, especially if you ask local DJ Steph Floss of WENZ/107.9, who serves as the team’s official DJ. Floss, who has garnered acclaim as Cleveland’s Best Club DJ, started a foundation in 2014 to encourage better health and financial literacy for area citizens. To aid in bringing awareness and raising money to support these initiatives, the Steph Floss Foundation is presenting a host of activities starting tomorrow and running through the weekend.

This year's second DJ Steph Floss Weekend [Oct. 27-30] includes nightly parties hosted by celebrity DJs, a surprise assembly with performances to reward a high school for their scholastic achievements, a paint & sip led by a celebrity artist, a ‘Run With the Winners’ 5K run that includes prizes, a renown card game show, a bowling tournament, and more. Full event details including info on weekend passes can be found here. Proceeds go to the Steph Floss Foundation to fund its initiatives.  Element13 LLC Marketing and Management is coordinating activities for the weekend.

Less limber or adventurous folk may wish to attend tomorrow’s 14^th annual Famicos Foundation fundraiser, “Growing Glenville: The Homecoming”. the 14th Annual Fundraising, which starts at 4:30pm at MOCA Cleveland, 11400 Euclid Ave. Famicos, the community development corporation for the Glenville neighborhood, has recently completed a master plan for neighborhood revitalization that secured input from more than 500 residents. Tomorrow’s event will highlight some of the plan’s initiatives. Call Amy Eiben at 216.791.6476 ext. 249 for more information.

The Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation will take place Saturday, November 5 at Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Drive in Mayfield Hts., where Dr. Alex Johnson, president of Cuyahoga Community College, will be honored as Black Professional of the Year. For more information, call Marcella Brown at 216.229.7110 or visit www.bpacf.org.

Last on this post’s calendar but certainly not least, The Association for the African American Cultural Gardens hosts its second annual fundraising dinner on Nov. 19 at the Tudor Arms Doubletree Hotel, 10660 Carnegie Ave. The event will feature dinner, dancing, live entertainment and a silent auction. The Association has done yeoman’s work in supporting the establishment of the long-overdue African American Cultural Garden. Phase One is now complete. Funds raised at this event will be used to support Phase Two. For more information, call AAACG at 216.509.6427 or write info.aaacg@gmail.com.

We promised you two videos; we are giving you three.

Intriguingly, they are all related to civic involvement. For us they illustrate [1] what we are up against here in Cleveland, [2] what we can and should do about it as a minimum, and [3] the utter instability and hypocrisy of a certain candidate in his own words, recorded and preserved before the decision to run for public office was made.

Our longtime good friend Leon Bibb of WEWS/TV5 sent us the first after he read this post on Glenville, and contains scenes many of you will recognize. Our new good friend, Cat Gund of Aubin Pictures, shared the second video, which is part of a larger project, and features local Clevelanders familiar to many. And the third video, well, let’s just say it needs no introduction. 

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Yesterday, some of our emails contained a link gone awry due to an editing error. {Does that sound a poltician's apology? How's this? I screwed up.] This is the correct link.

Nina Turner to accept slot on Green Party ticket?

Ohio politician has history of going against the grain

(Reports have been circulating nationwide since yesterday that Nina Turner has been offered the Vice President slot on the Green Party ticket. Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein tweeted about 4pm today that no offer has yet been made and that she is "in discussions with several strong candidates".)

It was a typically bold and courageous move when former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner surprised many in the political world and joined up with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders in his pursuit of this year’s Democratic presidential nomination. She quickly became one of Sanders’ most prominent, vocal, and ubiquitous surrogates, opening rallies, introducing the candidate, and appearing on talk shows on a regular basis.

It was a bold move because Sanders was a distinct underdog with next to no recognition in the black community. Heck, he wasn’t even a Democrat, and Turner had just gotten through establishing herself as a major rising star in the Ohio Democratic Party. 

A swift and unpredictable rise

Turner’s political rise had been unusually swift and totally unpredictable. The eldest of seven children, her parents split up before she was five. Graduating from high school in 1986, she worked a variety of jobs before returning to school. But before turning 30, she had obtained associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, along with getting married and starting a family.

Former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner

Turner’s first political position was in Columbus as legislative aide to then state Senator Rhine McLin of Dayton. She returned home to work in the administration of Cleveland mayor Michael White, rising quickly to become Executive Assistant of Legislative Affairs and then Director of Government Affairs for Cleveland public schools, which are under mayoral control. With the mayor’s blessing, in 2001 she ran for city council against the incumbent. She lost, but four years later, she beat his wife, who had succeeded him mid-term.

Turner took office in January 2006 but served substantially less than a full four-year term. When an unexpired term in the Ohio Senate came open in 2008, she leapfrogged several of her political seniors to win the appointment. She later won a full term and remained there until she was term-limited in December 2014.

Turner’s boldest move as a public official came in 2009, when she stood virtually alone among Cleveland-area black elected officials and backed a measure to reform a corrupt and obsolete county government that had been thoroughly dominated by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. Vilified by the party hierarchy and most of the black political establishment for her apostasy, Turner became a certified political star when the reform measure received overwhelming support countywide, including the black community. She ruffled establishment feathers again in early 2012 with a preliminary challenge to Congresswoman Marcia Fudge before backing off and serving out her state senate term.

The next year, she started running for Ohio Secretary of State, hoping to become the first-ever black Democrat to win a non-judicial statewide election. Although the entire Democratic slate went down in flames in November 2014, her campaign enhanced her stature within the party, and she became the virtual co-leader with incoming party chair David Pepper until she resigned to join the Sanders campaign.

Diverging from the Clintons

It is unclear what commitments Turner made to the Hillary Clinton camp, if any — Turner says none — but the Hillary forces, including the eventual nominee herself, saw Turner’s move as a betrayal, in no small part because Bill Clinton had helped raise funds for Turner’s statewide bid. While Clinton forces all but accused Turner of being an ungrateful runaway, Turner said she chose Sanders because his position on the issues resonated more with what she saw as the black community’s needs.

Clinton of course went on to defeat Sanders for the nomination after a surprisingly long and difficult struggle, in part because she kept a near lock on African American support.

Turner was a fierce and effective campaign Sanders advocate throughout the campaign, so no doubt the Clinton forces enjoyed the opportunity to thwart Sanders’ two attempts to reward Turner’s work. Although wild rumors had Turner being stripped of her credentials and evicted from the convention, the actual payback was her being denied the opportunity to introduce Sanders the first night and then to place his name in nomination the second night.

Turner’s choice

No one should doubt the independence of Turner’s political calculus or her willingness to go against the grain. I have heard her deliver many speeches to diverse groups; not once has she failed to reprise her grandmother’s injunction about the importance of having a strong backbone. Turner is clearly not a Hillary fan at this point, nor is she apt to feel any loyalty to the Party establishment.  Accepting the reported offer to run with Jill Stein on the Green Party ticket would likely raise Turner’s national profile, and probably that of the Greens as well.

But to what end? The Green Party will not win the Presidency. They more than likely will come in fourth, behind both major parties and the Libertarians.

At age 48 and with undeniable political ambition, Turner is potentially a future mayor of Cleveland; that seat could open up in 2021. If a Clinton victory led to a federal appointment for Marcia Fudge, Turner would be a frontrunner for Fudge’s District 11 Congressional seat.

Yet too many losing races will dim even the boldest star. While Turner has options, she will pay a steep price for siding with the Greens whether or not Clinton wins in November. Nobody would risk incurring the ire of Madame President, and given the alternative to a Clinton victory, it’s hard to think Turner would want to do anything that would contribute to a GOP win this fall.

Successful political careers are based on some alchemy of hard work, relationships, timing, and luck. Bold as she is, it’s hard to see Turner putting all her chips on a Green veep’s race. I expect her to leverage the Green Party offer, decline it with grace, and find a way to remain relevant until a likely open mayoral race in 2021. It won’t be easy after the way the Clinton forces dissed her last week, but Nina surely knows politics ain’t beanbag. Sure, on some level squelching Turner’s biggest national moment was personal, but that’s how the game is played.

Turner usually does the right thing for the community. With all that’s at stake nationally, indeed globally, as well as personally, look for Turner to keep whatever blue chips she still has and not exchange them for a self-destructive green one.

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Old Themes Bubble Up in McCain Attack on Susan Rice

Premeditated GOP Assault on Susan Rice

Demands Rebuke, gets one from Fudge

Susan Rice, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and once, if no longer, President Obama’s putative favorite to succeed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, is not the most diplomatic person Obama might consider to lead the nation’s corps of diplomats. There is ample evidence for her detractors to argue that she is aggressive and abrasive. She reportedly offered a middle-finger salute to a distinguished colleague during a meeting of senior staff while she was an assistant secretary of state in the Clinton administration. During the Obama-Clinton contest for the Democratic Party nomination in 2008, she pointedly criticized the woman she now would like to succeed; later that year she ridiculed Sen. John McCain for his “reckless” policies and said “his tendency is to shoot first and ask questions later.”    (Source)

While many see her assessment of McCain as spot on, it most assuredly has played a role in McCain’s assumption of a leading role in the assault of the GOP establishment on Rice’s performance tour on the Sunday talk shows in the wake of the attack upon our diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya that resulted in the killing of four US citizens, including our Libyan ambassador.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice

Notwithstanding that Rice may not fit McCain’s definition of charming, many of the attacks on her performance have been scurrilous and despicable. Detractors have implied that she is some combination of a “not very bright” incompetent liar.

Senate Republicans certainly want to prevent Rice from becoming Secretary of State as a way of damaging the President. But they are using language and tactics that demean black women while using them as surrogate targets.

A clear pattern is on display in the current assault on the intelligent, accomplished, well-educated Susan Rice, whose resume sports being a Rhodes Scholar among her credentials. The disrespect she is being accorded calls to mind the treatment awarded to among others: Anita Hill [portrayed as jilted lover of Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas]; Lani Guinier [caricaturized as the “Quota Queen” when nominated by President Clinton as an assistant attorney general]; and Michelle Obama [denounced as “unpatriotic”].

Accomplished black women who step up in any way or in any manner that challenges either white or male privilege are still stereotyped and demonized in a way unrivaled by any other demographic. 

Is it race or gender? If you are a black woman, it doesn’t really matter. This is just an ugly part of American history manifested in code words and other behaviors that are residues of the belief that confident and accomplished black women are in truth merely uppity and underserving “affirmative action babies”.

Black men need to join the women of all colors and beliefs [including some Republican women] who are not so quietly outraged at the dwindling party of white male privilege that perpetrates these outrages and the band of soggy liberals who permit it.

So let me here praise and thank my Congresswoman, Marcia Fudge, president-elect of the Congressional Black Caucus, for calling out Rice’s hypocritical detractors. Rep. Fudge this week held a press conference where she denounced critics of Rice who say she is “unqualified”, calling them “haters” who pick on women and minorities when something goes wrong. 

Her comments got some well-deserved play on Cleveland’s Ideastream and even showed up on The Daily Show, where Jon Stewart joked that she had turned the House into a Tyler Perry production. See full episode here.

A good friend of mine, an astute and well-informed observer on these matters, emailed me to say that that Fudge’s “comments about the poisonous race-gender admixture in the GOP treatment of Susan Rice [were] very powerful and made me really proud she represents me. " 

Amen.

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