Democrats vote to distance themselves from Dann
Resolution strips attorney general of endorsement, demands resignation in wake of scandal.
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Sunday, May 11, 2008
COLUMBUS — In an episode of political Shakespeare, Ohio Democrats have voted not to bury Marc Dann but to keep the scandal-ridden Ohio attorney general as far away from the party as possible.
Only Dorothy McLaughlin, an 85-year-old retired sheriff's deputy, came to Dann's defense during what amounted to a public shunning on Saturday, May 10.
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"He who hath no sin among you, you cast the first stone," said McLaughlin, who like Dann is from the Youngstown area.
She shouted the only "no" during a voice vote from the party's executive committee approving a resolution that said "the Ohio Democratic Party no longer recognizes Marc Dann as an endorsed Democratic Statewide officeholder." About 80 members attended the meeting at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
The resolution also kicked Dann, elected with the party's endorsement in 2006, off the executive committee and demanded his immediate resignation in the wake of the sexual harassment scandal that has embroiled his office.
It said that Dann's actions have "irreparably harmed his ability to effectively serve the people of our great state."
State party Chairman Chris Redfern quoted Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, who promised that "we will clean our own house."
"... that is exactly what we will do today," said Redfern, a state representative from Catawba Island.
Montgomery County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Owens supported the action.
"I think he's sullied the office by the way he's conducted himself in the office and (in) his personal life," Owens said.
Two top Dann aides were fired and a third resigned in the wake of the sexual harassment investigation that cited Dann for "poor judgment." He has admitted to having an affair with a subordinate.
Dann, who has defied calls to resign, didn't attend the meeting but Jason Stanford, a spokesman, said Dann understands why Democrats feel disappointed and that he's working to regain their trust.
However, nobody has demonstrated that the legal work in the attorney general's office has suffered, Stanford said.
"Marc Dann will always consider himself a Democrat no matter what they voted today," said Stanford.
