Major New Political Group Coming to Lakewood

[Michael Deneen]

As you likely know, the FBI yesterday cleared Hillary in the email scandal. This pretty much locks up the Democratic nomination for Clinton.
A few weeks ago Bernie Sanders called upon his thousands of volunteers and millions of donors to continue fighting for progressive causes beyond this year's election.

Progressives have been increasingly frustrated in recent years with Democratic Party leadership.
At the national level, the DNC tilted its nomination process toward Clinton via superdelegates and intentionally poor debate scheduling.
Locally, we saw the Lakewood Democratic Club endorse a lifelong Republican for Mayor in 2015, making a mockery of the endorsement process.

The NEO for Bernie operation, which has hundreds of volunteers and thousands of donors, is taking Bernie's message to heart. They are forming the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus, a countywide group that will be based here in Lakewood.
The goal of the caucus will be to promote key progressive issues like income inequality, health care, and social justice at every level of government.

The Caucus will likely be launched by the end of the month.
Keep watching the Observer for more updates.

[Bridget Conant]

Now THAT is some exciting news!

The Dems in Lakewood certainly have failed in key areas - social justice, access to healthcare for all, etc etc.

Thanks for the heads up, Mike!

[Michael Deneen]

The Dems in Lakewood certainly have failed in key areas - social justice, access to healthcare for all, etc etc.

Just to be clear....although this group is based in Lakewood, it will address issues across the entire county.

This is one of many groups around the nation that will evolve out of the Bernie campaign.
Like he said, this is a "Movement".

[Amy Martin]

Thanks for the clarification. When Bernie said, "this is going to be a movement" I thought he had to go potty.

Seriously, though - you Bernie folk are gonna give Trump the presidency on a platter. Nice "movement"

[Stan Austin]

This certainly deserves attention and scrutiny.

[Matthew Lee]

At the national level, the DNC tilted its nomination process toward Clinton via superdelegates and intentionally poor debate scheduling.

Yes, it certainly had nothing to do with his almost non-existent appeal to minority groups, that his primary policies aren't necessarily economically sound or that he turned off much of America, in general, with his lecturing and cantekerous tone. Let's go ahead and blame superdelegates and the poor debate scheduling. That makes sense.

[Ryan Salo]

Locally, we saw the Lakewood Democratic Club endorse a lifelong Republican for Mayor in 2015, making a mockery of the endorsement process.

Michael,

I have heard you say this for a long time now and it is getting old and it is not accurate. He is deeply involved with the Democratic party and has been for decades. His voting record from the board goes back to 1990 and in that time he pulled a Democrat ticket EVERY TIME except for 1996 when he pulled an R and then went right back to D. Even IF he voted R from 1972 until 1990 he has still been a D longer.

Many R's don't want Summers either so you as a party need to take responsibility for letting him get to where he is.

[Dan Alaimo]

Political "group" or political "party"? I like Bernie, but wouldn't support it if it improves Trump's chances.

[Bridget Conant]

Ryan

According to this site, Summers was voting Republican in 2000 and 2002.

http://voters.findthedata.com/l/6415792 ... -P-Summers
Click on Voter History and hit right arrow.

Though I completely understand why you don't want to claim him.

[Brian Essi]

Locally, we saw the Lakewood Democratic Club endorse a lifelong Republican for Mayor in 2015, making a mockery of the endorsement process.

Michael,

I have heard you say this for a long time now and it is getting old and it is not accurate. He is deeply involved with the Democratic party and has been for decades. His voting record from the board goes back to 1990 and in that time he pulled a Democrat ticket EVERY TIME except for 1996 when he pulled an R and then went right back to D. Even IF he voted R from 1972 until 1990 he has still been a D longer.

Many R's don't want Summers either so you as a party need to take responsibility for letting him get to where he is.

Mike and Ryan,

I think the three of us have found common high ground--we all believe that Summers is a disgrace to Lakewood and doesn't represent any of us.

He, like Bullock, only represents himself.

[Ryan Salo]

Ryan

According to this site, Summers was voting Republican in 2000 and 2002.

http://voters.findthedata.com/l/6415792 ... -P-Summers
Click on Voter History and hit right arrow.

Though I completely understand why you don't want to claim him.

That is not accurate - you can search the county board of elections for the last 10 years or call them for the last 26.

[Ryan Salo]

Locally, we saw the Lakewood Democratic Club endorse a lifelong Republican for Mayor in 2015, making a mockery of the endorsement process.

Michael,

I have heard you say this for a long time now and it is getting old and it is not accurate. He is deeply involved with the Democratic party and has been for decades. His voting record from the board goes back to 1990 and in that time he pulled a Democrat ticket EVERY TIME except for 1996 when he pulled an R and then went right back to D. Even IF he voted R from 1972 until 1990 he has still been a D longer.

Many R's don't want Summers either so you as a party need to take responsibility for letting him get to where he is.

Mike and Ryan,

I think the three of us have found common high ground--we all believe that Summers is a disgrace to Lakewood and doesn't represent any of us.

He, like Bullock, only represents himself.

Common ground!! Love it!

[Michael Deneen]

es, it certainly had nothing to do with his almost non-existent appeal to minority groups, that his primary policies aren't necessarily economically sound or that he turned off much of America, in general, with his lecturing and cantekerous tone. Let's go ahead and blame superdelegates and the poor debate scheduling. That makes sense.

Only the most die-hard Hillary supporters would pretend that Debbie Wasserman Schultz was impartial.

Many R's don't want Summers either so you as a party need to take responsibility for letting him get to where he is.

It's understandable that you don't want him. However, it's quite obvious that he turned "D" simply because the Republican brand is unelectable in Lakewood. Yes, he's throwing money to a lot of so-called Democrats.....that is part of the larger problem....and it is typical of what is happening at every level. Democrats are increasingly willing to compromise their values for campaign cash.

Political "group" or political "party"? I like Bernie, but wouldn't support it if it improves Trump's chances.

This is a caucus, not a party. It is set up to last far beyond November...it is about much more than Hillary or Trump.

[Matthew Lee]

Yes, it certainly had nothing to do with his almost non-existent appeal to minority groups, that his primary policies aren't necessarily economically sound or that he turned off much of America, in general, with his lecturing and cantekerous tone. Let's go ahead and blame superdelegates and the poor debate scheduling. That makes sense.

Only the most die-hard Hillary supporters would pretend that Debbie Wasserman Schultz was impartial.

Nope. That's not what I said at all. I never, ever said she wasn't impartial. Please read my quote above again and tell me where I said that.

[Dan Alaimo]

Political "group" or political "party"? I like Bernie, but wouldn't support it if it improves Trump's chances.

This is a caucus, not a party. It is set up to last far beyond November...it is about much more than Hillary or Trump.

OK, Mike. Keep me in the loop.