Democrats are pushing an unlikely source Jerry Springer to run for governor in Ohio

[brooklynite]

Source: Business Insider

Influential Ohio Democrats are pushing former Cincinnati mayor and daytime-TV host Jerry Springer to run for Ohio governor in 2018, more than half a dozen Democrats familiar with the race told Business Insider.

Many said Springer, who sought the Democratic nomination for governor of Ohio in 1982 and remains active in state politics, could be a good fit for the current political climate.

Springer's proponents have highlighted his ability in the era of President Donald Trump to provide his own funding for a campaign and to connect with working-class voters familiar with his television show and history in Ohio politics.

Those discussing a possible run with the talk-show host include Ted Strickland, the former Ohio governor who ran for Senate last year, said Tim Burke, the Hamilton County Democratic Party chairman. And several Democrats said recent conversations with Springer, as well as his schedule, suggested he seemed to be more seriously interested in running this time than in years past.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/jerry-springer-ohio-governor-2018-trump-2017-5

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Will likely be talking to the ODP Chair later this week.

[packman]

1. Shit, why not

It has come down to this

[aggiesal]

2. Because as when he was on the City Council...

he got caught with hookers when he wrote a personal check.
http://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1721111_1721210_1721110,00.html

If Dems elect him, then we're no better than Republicans who stand up and cheer
the reelection of a representative on the house floor.

Not one of the the brightest tools in the shed.

[GBizzle]

3. In the age of Trump, nothing is off-limits any more.

I mean, we have President Pussy-Grabber, and Montana has Congressman Bodyslammer.

Would the public even care any more if we ran a guy who got caught with hookers 40+ years ago, and owned up to it?

FYI, he wasn't mayor when he wrote the check to the "massage parlor", he was a city councilman...he was elected mayor years after it happened. So apparently it's not a huge problem to the people of Cincinnati.

If you had asked me 5 years ago, I'd have said no to the idea. But Jerry Springer is just the kind of guy to appeal to the Trump crowd - who are not the brightest tools in the shed either.

[spooky3]

6. When I've heard him interviewed about politics, I'm

pleasantly surprised by his ability to articulate issues and how aware he seems to be.

[aggiesal]

9. Ok, first thing ...

I don't want Dems to appeal to the Trump crowd.

Second, just because Cincinnati Dems don't mind, I do. And if Dems actually
elect another celebrity show host, Dems will lose the high ground
to stupidity.

We need a diplomatic leader not a celebrity show host.

[GBizzle]

11. Well then, have fun losing Ohio.

It is "the Trump crowd" you speak of that voted for him in Ohio in 2016, and many of these same people will vote in the governor's race too. I myself would like Ohio to be back in the blue column, thank you very much.

"We need a diplomatic leader not a celebrity show host."

Yet Ohioans were keen to vote for a celebrity show host in 2016, so what's to stop them from voting for another one in 2018?

Besides, as others have mentioned, Jerry Springer, unlike Trump, is actually quite intelligent and thoughtful when it comes to political issues, even if his show is an unwatchable shitfest.

[Squinch]

28. LOL! The poster doesn't support Jerry Springer for governor, and you think that means, "well then

have fun losing Ohio."

So I guess it's Jerry or nothing for you, huh? Only Jerry can win?

This is how ridiculous we have become.

[GBizzle]

29. No, but thanks for putting words in my mouth.

I can speak for myself just fine, thank you.

I simply think it's ridiculous to rule out a crude TV show celebrity with a sordid sexual past, because Ohio has proven just 7 months ago that they're willing to vote for one.

That's all!

[Squinch]

30. AND, when I quote you, I'm putting words in your mouth. Got it!

Welcome to DU.

[GBizzle]

32. More nonsense? I never said it was Jerry Springer or nothing. You fail at logic 101.

I said we would be foolish to rule out Jerry Springer just because of his past. And if we rule out such people right off the bat, we are only hurting ourselves in the end.

Only the most ridiculous of minds could twist that into me saying "Jerry or nothing".

So yes, you did put words in my mouth.

I see reading comprehension is not your strong suit.

[Squinch]

33. No. In response to the poster who objected to jerry springer for governor, your answer

was "well then have fun losing Ohio."

But enjoy tossing around those personal insults! They really make your point.

[still_one]

36. I suspect Squinch you are being baited. There is no ambiguity, and nothing to read between

the lines.

[NurseJackie]

39. I share a similar opinion that mirrors yours. Having been around the block a few times myself...

... one develops a knack, or even a 6th sense, for being able to distinguish between posters who are sincere and those who seek to arouse. Sometimes I'm fooled, but most of the time I can discern the difference between the two, and I've learned to trust my senses when it comes to whether people (and politicians) are actually who they claim to be.

As Ms. Crawford says "...this ain't my first time at the rodeo!"

[sandensea]

45. Ah, the memories.

I remember staying up to watch this with my mom as a kid in the '80s. Dunaway, in another made-for-television movie around the same time, was great as Evita Perón as well.

Great actress. Too bad we don't see more of her these days.

[tinrobot]

12. The "Trump Crowd" is not monolithic.

We have to bring some voters over if we want to prevail, perhaps even some of the "stupid" ones.

If Springer is the guy to do it... why not?

[0rganism]

17. iirc, Springer got his show pulled during the 2003 Iraq invasion

because he was daring to question the war machine in ways the network execs found risky

even with his baggage, he might well be someone who would take direct positive actions on behalf of Ohio residents

[Bigredhunk]

24. -

That was Phil Donahue on MSNBC.

I agree with the poster upstream who wrote that Springer is very erudite when interviewed about politics.

[0rganism]

25. lol looks like i didn't rc

good catch - my memory of that time is pretty spotty...

[emulatorloo]

26. He's a solid liberal and has been the mayor of Cincinnati

He has qualifications beyond having hosted a tv show.

[apnu]

15. The thing is, the rules are different for Republicans and everybody else.

Republicans can have a daiper fetish, and get caught in them with a hooker, that's OK. Republicans can grab pussies, that's OK. Republicans can cheat on their wives, that's OK. Republicans can bodyslam reporters, that's OK. Republicans can call ICE goons on brown people and threaten to put a bullet in the head of any person in the room with a Spanish name, that's OK. Republicans can ignore protocols and regulations when it suits them, that's OK.

But Democrats? Every one of those things is an unforgivable offense that will be brought up now and forever at all times. Hell they're still talking about Clinton's blow job.

And what's worse, Republican supporters have no problems with this.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. But then

we have a President who... well need I list the debauchery?

It's sad when you end up with "entertainers" in politics but there are apparently more and more. They automatically have name recognition and a built-in cadre of supporters. All I can do is this --? but this is where we are today.

[Tarc]

8. Consensual sex between adults, even when one of them is a prostitute

is not at all analogous to a Republican president who brags that he can sexually assault women whenever he likes.

Seriously, what the fuck?

[apnu]

16. Privilege. Membership has its privileges.

The rules are different for Republicans. If you're one of them, especially an old white man, the rules are different than for everybody else. Grabbing pussies? That's fine. Got a diaper fetish and like hookers? That's fine. Basically everything is fine if they do it. Cheat on your wife, then marry your mistress, then cheat on your mistress with a mistress and marry that one too? That's fine. (That's Newt or Trump, you can pick)

But everybody else, we got rules and they will be followed or we'll hear about it now and forever.

The is open naked privilege on display, and they're proud to lord it over all of us.

[aggiesal]

37. You don't mind having an elected official, that's having ...

consensual sex even with a hooker, be my guest.
But writing a check for services rendered, shows a lack of discretion and a lack of judgement.

Just what I want in an elected official!

[MichMan]

52. Not just wrote a check, wrote a NSF check nm

[Tarc]

54. It was 40 fucking years ago. Let it go

[aggiesal]

56. He got caught 40 years ago, ...

How many times has he repeated this and not get caught?

You don't think the Republicans won't dig into his indiscretions, and find something?

I don't live in Ohio. If you want to run him, go ahead.
But, be careful what you wish for, you may just get it.

[CincyDem]

4. Why not - better than the usual ODP choices for state wide offices.

Let's face it - Sherrod Brown wins consistently in Ohio because he is an incredible leader and candidate. He could probably win running on the Pastafarian Ticket.

Dems in Ohio - not so good. Passed over Jennifer Brunner to run against Portman in 2010 in favor of Lee (I can't stay awake in afternoon meetings) Fisher. Passed over PG Sittenfeld to run against Portman in 2016 in favor of former Governor Ted (yeah, I know I lost to John Kasich for gov but let's try it again) Strickland.

When given any and every opportunity to take a chance with the next generation of potential Dem leaders - ODP reaches for the tried (and often failed) and true candidates who have done their time climbing the ladder, even if unsuccessfully.

Re: Jerry - I'll give him point for honesty, he could have argued that prostitution bust and probably beat it to the point where it would be forgotten history. And, since he'll be running against Kasich, I know I'll be voting for him if he's the Dem candidate but sheesh - do we have anyone under 70 who can lead in Ohio ???

[IronLionZion]

7. Because there's no one else?

I'm not against Jerry Springer, I just have to wonder if they don't have better candidates in Ohio?

[hamsterjill]

10. This is one of the reasons Democrats lose

Don't tell me that in all of Ohio, there's not someone better.

[0rganism]

19. LeBron James is busy right now

when the time comes, he'll be ready

[romanic]

41. lmfao

I will admit, LeBron as a politician does humor me.

[hamsterjill]

47. Betty White?

She starred in "Hot in Cleveland"???? Everybody loves her, too!!!

[titaniumsalute]

13. I'd rather see Tim Ryan run for Governor

Young, smart, tough, good looking, from a very rust-belt city of Youngstown.

[tinrobot]

14. Al Franken was derided for his entertainment career when he ran...

I think he turned out pretty good.

I think Springer could do a similar turn around. He has the name recognition and an appeal to the working class that most Democratic candidates would love.

Put him in the primary. See what happens. If he comes out as the candidate, I'll back him.

[riversedge]

18. Jerry Springer is no Al Fraken!! Springer brought out the worst in

in people on this shows. Only watched it a few times, but I Springer from the TV show? Sure enough, it was.

Just because the RW have vile Trump, we do not need Jerry Springer.

[tinrobot]

23. Al Franken didn't channel Stuart Smalley during his campaign.

I doubt Jerry Springer would channel "Springer".

But his notoriety from the show would extend into rural areas that Democrats don't normally reach.

And, if you've hear him talk about politics, he's actually quite serious. He knows the subject well and can articulate it in a way that average people can understand.

[Txbluedog]

20. At this rate we might as well run Kim Kardashian against Trump/Pence in 2020

Would our international reputation be salvaged if POTUS served as a urinal for male G-7 leaders?

[NBachers]

21. If credible Ohio Democrats like Strickland will consider it, I will consider it.

[Doreen]

22. How old is he?

I thought we were trying to get younger people with fresh minds in.

[JudyM]

31. Because old people don't have good ideas, right?

[Doreen]

38. No, I am not saying that. I just see a lot of people stating that

we need younger people. I do not care if they are old or young just as long as they do their job and truly listen to their people. Both old and young have good ideas. I really did not mean to make it sound like I do not want old people.

[Squinch]

27. Don't tell me: this is how they think they'll appeal to Trump voters, by getting another

obnoxious reality character who knows nothing about governing.

Ridiculous.

[SunSeeker]

35. Having you ever heard him interviewed? He is not obnoxious.

He is actually quite thoughtful, with very progressive positions. I remember being surprised by that, since his show was gross, exploiting the stupid guests like they were circus freaks.

While it is hard to square Springer the reality show host with Springer the progressive politician, if he can get us votes from people who don't normally turn out to vote, I am all for him running.

[LisaL]

44. But the show was so sleazy.

Maybe he can get votes from people who don't normally turn out to vote. But he also might not get votes from people who normally turn out to vote.

[SunSeeker]

49. Yes, that's the conundrum.

We'd need reliable polling to see if he would attract more voters than he would repel.

[LisaL]

50. I would personally be repelled.

[MichMan]

53. Think about how campaign rallies would be

" I want my Jerry beads !!!"

[Blue_Tires]

34. No more outsider fringe celebrity anti-candidates...

Like people haven't learned a single fucking thing the past six months....

[bucolic_frolic]

40. Don't know

name recognition, surely. infotainment, yes. just when it's been successful to have a media age
personality as a candidate, and Democrats go all in - the trend will change.

[sandensea]

42. They could field Christ Himself - and the Rethugs would still "win" by controlling voting machines

To say nothing of their disenfranchisement campaigns. Ken Blackbox made sure of that.

[LisaL]

43. How about NO.

Sounds like a really bad idea to me.

[Dave Starsky]

46. For fuck's sake, ENOUGH with the TV star public servants!

What is it going to take for people to realize this is, and has always been, a bad idea?

[EarthFirst]

60. We are living the Idiocracy! nt

[mopinko]

48. i find him quite interesting, and quite astute about politics.

this turned my head about him.
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/258/leaving-the-fold

[PossiblePasts]

51. His talk show wasn't always sleazy

It actually started out pretty serious. I was in the audience for one show and the topic was prayer in public schools. As others have stated he was the Mayor of Cincinnati and worked as a commentator/anchor for WEBN (radio) and WLWT (TV).

[Vinca]

55. If he's a bona fide Democrat and he can actually win, run him!

[Still Blue in PDX]

57. Exactly right. nt

[Calista241]

58. They could have a good fight at the debate!!

Best debate ratings ever!

[samplegirl]

59. Why not most of america

Loves reality stars!