Long Lost Post: Transcending Partisan Politics

I was going back reading through some of our old posts and realized that my post about Congressman Mike Turner (OH-3) never got posted…  We had a great experience last Friday in Dayton, and I think there is a lot to be learned from his situation, so I wanted to make sure it got posted.

I think a lot of politicians and young people can learn from Congressman Mike Turner’s story.  He has been re-elected relatively handily all 3 terms yet his district is about 50/50 to blue leaning in Presidential elections.  The biggest city in his district, Dayton, Ohio, is 90% Democratic.  Despite being 90% Democratic, he served as the city’s Mayor from 1994-2002.  You might ask… how can this be?  Congressman Turner transcends partisan politics. 

I firmly believe that a large reason the youth of Americans tend to be apathetic towards politics is partisan politics.  In school and in the work place, we are taught to work together as a team to solve problems.  Recently, that isn’t happening as much as it should in Washington, subsequently turning young people off. 

Congressman Turner was elected Mayor because the city was struggling and the people wanted to give this young talented politician a shot to fix things; the more popular party (The Democrats) just wasn’t getting it done.  As a mayor, he proved to be an excellent executive.  He rescued a faltering economy, he developed the city’s infrastructure, he made an effort to preserve some of the city’s historic areas, and many other things.  He was incredibly popular as Mayor because he found solutions!

When he ran for Congress in 2002, he carried the typical conservative strongholds as well as the city of Dayton and other Democrat leaning areas.  As a member of Congress, he done exactly what he did as Mayor; gotten things accomplished.  He has been a moderate conservative, sticking to his principles yet willing to compromise to help the people in his district and throughout the country.  He has secured funding for Wright Air Force Base, a crucial aspect of Dayton’s economy, and important military base in the Midwest.  He accomplished tangible results, showing that he truly cares and looks to represent his constituents. 

Moral of the Story:  How do you get elected/re-elected?  Get things done!  People are sick of partisan politics.  They don’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat, they don’t want to pay $4 a gallon for gas, they want to keep their jobs, and they want to live in a safe country.  The overwhelming partisan attitude that has been prevalent (from both parties) since… well the Clinton Administration, has finally gotten on people’s last nerves.  That is why we are seeing the change/reform mantra from Senator McCain and Senator Obama in the 2008 election. 

Thanks to the Turner campaign for a great Friday.  We thoroughly enjoyed representing the Congressman at the Warren County festival and walking alongside him at the Vandalia Parade.  And thanks to the Congressman for paying us a surprise visit at dinner; that was awesome!  Congress could use more great representatives and people like yourself.