Five More Months of Marc Dann?
Marc Dann said on Friday that he had not even considered resignation, but he probably is aware that if he resigns before September 25th, 2008, the AG position will be put on the November ballot, and the Democratic nominee will have to run a campaign against a Republican candidate with Dann’s foibles still fresh on the minds of voters. Mark Niquette of The Columbus Dispatch reports that if Dann holds on to his office until late September, Governor Ted Strickland can appoint a fellow Democrat who would then be able to finish out Dann’s term though 2010.
From a strategic standpoint, that time gap could make all the difference in the world for the Democrats. Coingate is no longer the issue it was in 2006. Come Fall 2010, the problems inside the AG’s office will still be memorable, but a Dann replacement could use that time to make a case that the office has turned the page. Of course, that requires two things: First, either by choice or by procedure, Dann would have to give up his title. Secondly, Dann would have to stay on until September 25th.
Given the calls for him to resign from Republicans, from Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy, and from various newspaper editorial boards, Dann will have to endure 20 weeks of public booing. He may try to negotiate for a job to fall into once he leaves office. And if he agrees, behind the scenes, to depart on September 25th, the Democrats may be able to find a supporter willing to hire Dann and guarantee a six-figure salary comparable to his current pay. The Republicans have said they will make Dann an issue for the 2008 general election. The question is: Can the Democrats deal with Dann in office until September?
