Strickland, Ryan lead rally for Obama
By MARLY KOSINSKI Tribune ChronicleArticle Photos
NILES - Gov. Ted Strickland told about 1,500 people Sunday evening that there is not a "dime's worth of difference" between President George W. Bush and Arizona Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee.
"If you're going down the river without a life jacket and there's a man standing on the bank, you don't care if he's black, white, purple or green. You only care if he's got a strong arm to pull you out. Barack Obama has a strong arm, and he will pull us out of the mess the Republicans have created over the past eight years," Strickland said during a labor rally at McMenamy's.
The "Take Back the Valley Labor Rally" was organized by the Mahoning-Trumbull AFL-CIO, UAW Local 1112 and 1714, Trumbull County Democratic Party, Mahoning County Democratic Party and the Western Reserve Building Trades.
Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112 in Lordstown, said union leaders were trying to use the event as a catalyst to get Sen. Obama, D-Ill., to come to Warren like Sen. John Kerry did in 2004 when he was running for president.
"Democrats helped put Republicans in the White House four years ago because there's not enough Republicans to do it. Democrats helped give George Bush the edge in 2004, but not this time. This time, we are a united party and we are going to put a Democrat back in charge," Graham said before introducing U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan, D-Niles.
The congressman gave a nod to The Ohio State University coach Jim Tressel by wearing a white shirt and a red OSU sweater vest.
"Ronald Reagan began the 30-year assault on America's middle class and it ended with the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street," Ryan said about the bill passed last week that has the federal government buying up outstanding mortgages. The Niles Democrat was among the 263 representatives that voted for the legislation.
"I implore you from the bottom of my heart. Please don't make me work with John McCain for four more years," Ryan said.
Cindy Michael, who is on the executive board of the Mahoning-Trumbull AFL-CIO, said the unions used to have labor rallies all the time but they stopped having them.
"Barack Obama made us start again," she said.
Elaine Price of Warren said prior to the rally that her grassroots campaign called "Trumbull 4 Barack 4 Change" started with three people after the primary in and now boasts more than 150 members. She said volunteers have been canvassing neighborhoods, working phone banks and registering voters in Trumbull County. Price said her group registered 2,500 voters between May and July 3.
"It's just a drop in the bucket when you realize how many people are not registered," she said.
During the rally, her speech drew thunderous applause.
"Our country has been in the hospital for a long time. We went to the intensive care unit eight years ago. Now, we are on life support. If Obama is not elected, we're going to the ground," she said.
She said as an African American, she gets frustrated when people use race as a reason not to vote for Obama.
"I've had people tell me they can't vote for a colored man. Why not? I've been voting for a white man all my life," Price said.
Joe Rugola, president of the Ohio AFL-CIO, led union workers and local politicians on a walk from Youngstown to Warren Sunday morning to draw attention to the loss of jobs in the Valley. The group started at the General Electric Lamp Plant on Meridian Road, then went to Indalex in Girard and on to Amweld Steel in Warren.
"The Bush-McCain trade pacts and economic policies have wrecked our economy and destroyed lives," he said.
Also in attendance at the rally was U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii. He said he was born in Buffalo, N.Y., but attended school with Obama's mother. He said he came to the rally to show voters how important Ohio is to winning the election.
"Ohio is key. If we win Ohio, we will win the presidency. This is where the battle will be won," he said.
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TheCortlandguy
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10-07-08 11:31 AM
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Oh yes...Schweckster goodness forbid you would have to work 18 hours in one day and actually not get time and a half with thirteen coffee breaks. I know plenty about the unions..especially the one my dad worked in that ran his plant right out of town. The point about FDR (sorry I have to explain it to you) is that the whole basis of the dumbocratic party is him. He did a great thing a LOOOONG time ago and people think he is coming back. It is the only way I can explain how people would keep voting dumbocrat...because it sure isn't what they have done since. All dumbocrats hang their hat on slick willy..forgetting what a dutz Jimmy Carter was and STILL is...
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bruskii
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10-07-08 9:34 AM
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if i had a hammer i;d hammer in the morning, etc. Keep with the story & don;t worry you sweet little head bout me Dschwreck.
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Dschweck
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10-07-08 8:58 AM
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bruskii;If you had a horn,you could do d=some tooting yourself,you jealous soul.
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bruskii
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10-07-08 8:44 AM
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Parlez Vous Électronique? In Paris, Electric Cars Steal the Show . no gm cars on this list from Paris fashion show .
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bruskii
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10-07-08 8:40 AM
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Shure hope your young woman she not be jail bait Dschwreck .Go on tooting your own horn .
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Dschweck
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10-07-08 8:07 AM
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Cortlandguy;Many of us went to school and learned trades.You must be taking notes from Bruskii?PS;Kennedy is DEAD.His thought do not count anymore.Look at how his"Holier than thou family" made their fortune..Illeagal Smuggling of booze.He was as Crooked as the rest,not a saint.When FDR was around,you may have to work 18 hours a day in FILTH.Was that cool?You do not seem to have much history based facts on labor unions?
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TheCortlandguy
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10-07-08 7:44 AM
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Schweckster you could not be more wrong. Your union did nothing but price you out of the market. Congrats on that one bud...we sure do like all those empty factories. 30 bucks an hour to sweep..puhleease! Some people actually choose to advance their careers on this crazy idea called...MERIT...it is when you come in to work, go at it hard all day, and when you leave you can look in the mirror and say I earned it. FDR has been dead a long time...and if he were still around, or Kennedy, they would both be appalled by what the Democrats are now!
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Dschweck
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10-07-08 7:33 AM
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Hey cortlandguy;Who created the better paying jobs at all our local mills?Did the companies offer it up?No,OLD time Active union members Faught hard for it.It is the new generation oflazy,"Gotta get more for doing less" NON Active members that have allowed it all to go south.Old union wages Built this valley and the most of it's standards of living.FACT of the Mahoning Valley!
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Dschweck
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10-07-08 4:40 AM
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Bruskii:You White trash ghetto master.I am in the country in a a nice tent with a young woman.You need to get some facts correct.Is bruskii your bitrth name or,is that the nick name you picked up fething beers for some of your fathers when you were younger and smarter?
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bruskii
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10-06-08 7:51 PM
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Dschwreck not even your oldlady does that much for you .You all that - go bite your own .
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zipcityboy
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10-06-08 5:47 PM
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There's not a dime's worth of difference between Obama and McCain when it comes to real issues like the bailout, war, health care, etc. Neither has any solution to the critical issues facing our country. Just two politicians seeking a power grab for one of the two gangs in the suites they represent. Two wings of the same bird of prey. Time for a real party, another boston tea party...
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FlashGordon
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10-06-08 4:48 PM
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Like that Dschweck!! First laugh I had all day! Another thing, all the politicians remind me of what Gunnery Sergeant Hartman said in Full Metal Jacket. I quote (as much as I can LOL) "I'll bet you're the kind of guy that would blank a person in the blank and not even have the blank common courtesy to give him a reach-around. I'll be watching you."
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dennie67
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10-06-08 4:45 PM
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If I'm going down a river and Obama reaches out for me, I'm pulling that worthless man in.
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dennie67
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10-06-08 4:41 PM
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If anyone out there blames a president for their financial mishaps, they are foolish! There are jobs out there, maybe not the one you want. You have to manage your money, don't spend what you don't have. We surley can't learn that by watching our government. How can you blame a republican for problems in the valley when dems have a 8-1 advantage starting with that idiot RYAN.
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Dschweck
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10-06-08 4:19 PM
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bruskii;You foolish little ghetto blaster.Its the money made now,with the money I made then,that allows some fun..You should try it after you learn to speak english.One other thing,'bite me'.
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MarLouMc
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10-06-08 3:27 PM
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Ted and Timmy, You both sold out this valley years ago. Graham, see how many more "robotic" units can replace tax paying jobs that our valley needs. You are a yes man for GM, as far as contract negotiations. Timmy, you have sold us out to Pelosi, and all the other liberal screw balls on the hill. You were supposed to be so much better than any other comgressman we ever had. You are a "do nothing", an empty suit. The valley is doomed with the likes of both of you.
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bruskii
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10-06-08 3:24 PM
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No one can make Dschwreck happy today or any day . Keep countin your gm pension & leave us alone . maybe someone can change you atti-tude .
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concerned
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10-06-08 2:28 PM
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Mr. Strickland, The only thing that Obama is going to "pull out" is the last few dollars the average tax payers ha left. Obama/Biden are for "change". They will reach deep down into your packets and take what "change" you have left.
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TheCortlandguy
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10-06-08 12:14 PM
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Oh..and "Take back the valley..?" From who?? The Democrats who have had it SOO long?? Don't you mean "keep the valley and let it keep making the list of America's dying cities!" Thanks Democrats!!!
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TheCortlandguy
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10-06-08 12:12 PM
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Tom..I liked that one. HAHA.. "please don't make me work for McCain.." Implying that he works at all. Running around and camera chasing is not work Tim! Representing your constituency is! Worry not though...you won't have to work for anyone when we get a chance to vote on you again! Well except in a real job..and good luck finding one at home!
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BeerSlave
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10-06-08 12:09 PM
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Has Tim Ryan ever had a real job in the private sector? I don't think he ever has.. I invite ANYONE to try and correct me..
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TomSmith
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10-06-08 12:02 PM
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I implore you from the bottom of my heart. Please don't make me work with John McCain for four more years," Ryan said. OK Timmy.. Your lazy ass is fired..
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TomSmith
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10-06-08 12:01 PM
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If you're going down the river without a life jacket and there's a man standing on the bank, you don't care if he's black, white, purple or green. You only care if he's got a strong arm to pull you out. Barack Obama has a strong arm, and he will pull us out of the mess the Republicans have created over the past eight years," Strickland said.. Damn, how are these comments any different the Letsons?
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KENTBUCK
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10-06-08 9:05 AM
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Hey Scweck< How did Graham, Strickland, and Ryan Sell us out? I also suppose there are no other cars in the fuel efficient sector which explains the high sales total of the cobalt/g5s...if the quality is so bad, why wont people purchase the other makes in the sector only?
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momofsrl701
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10-06-08 8:29 AM
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anniemae, your comment was totally uncalled for. Why make a "wife" comment. That has nothing to do with the issues at hand. And just think ... when you get out of the water, you get screwed??? Well, vote McCain, and you'll drown before anyone has the chance to send you a life preserver.
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