It seems Democrats may be thinking that being a television reality star can guarantee election success.
Top Democrats in Ohio are hoping to convince daytime TV host Jerry Springer to make a bid for the office of governor in the state in 2018. Springer made a failed attempt at the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor back in 1982 and served as mayor of Cincinnati in the late 1970’s.
Democrats are pushing an unlikely source — Jerry Springer — to run for governor in Ohio https://t.co/6FIZefGN9t pic.twitter.com/3DQitk6MtO
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) May 30, 2017
Springer “certainly would start out with wide name recognition,” Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland told Business Insider, confirming that he had discussed a possible bid with the host of “The Jerry Springer Show.”
“I think he has a very strong ability to communicate what I think is the heart of the Democratic message,” Strickland said. “I think he is a superb communicator.”
The 73-year-old daytime talk-show host has not ruled out a run for governor, a state Democratic leader told Business Insider, adding that Springer said he would run if he was “needed by the party.”
Tim Burke, the Hamilton County Democratic Party chairman, said he didn’t “think Jerry has said no, but he certainly hasn’t said yes, either.”
“On the other hand, he’s been into a good number of our Democratic county party organization events, a good number of them recently have been in Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District,” Burke said, adding that Springer has been the county party’s largest donor annually.
“Jerry every year does a lot of Ohio Democratic Party county events,” Burke said. “And whenever he does them, he always draws a good crowd. He continues to have a very real interest in Ohio politics.”
Not all Democrats are eager for Springer to launch another campaign, fearing his television show and past controversies would be more of a distraction.
Prior to serving as Cincinnati mayor, Springer was a member of the Cincinnati City Council before resigning in 1974 after it was revealed he had paid for a prostitute, reportedly writing a check as payment.
“Under ordinary circumstances, a candidate like Springer would not be an especially strong prospect for governor,” University of Akron professor of political science, John Green told Business Insider. “Given the success of Trump, a candidate like Springer might be successful. The Democrats have a number of declared candidates, but most are unknown outside of own area and none have held state-wide office. So there is an opportunity for an unconventional candidate with name recognition.”
Twitter users seemed baffled by the thought yet found the idea made sense in a strange sort of way as well.
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@businessinsider Why not, its all about entertainment anyways.
— Bahadur Aly (@Bahadur_Aly) May 30, 2017
@businessinsider In some bizarre way, it makes sense. The circus continues.
— Kenneth Carnesi, JD (@KennethCarnesi) May 30, 2017
Donald Trump’s biggest success so far is making Democrats lose their goddamn minds https://t.co/iMJHD3NP1w
— Alexander Kaufman (@AlexCKaufman) May 30, 2017
@AmirAminiMD Wow. That’s my WTF moment for this month, so far.
— Fred Williams (@UnkelFred) May 30, 2017
This Party continues to insult and work against progressives and, at this point, deserves nothing but to die off.https://t.co/pxE05TQOvm
— Amir (@AmirAminiMD) May 30, 2017
@ChuckModi1 Glad to see the Democrats doing the deep soul-searching needed to.. wait… oh god … what? pic.twitter.com/GSGbyqfjYR
— Allen Arthur (@LissomeLight) May 30, 2017
Dems pushing Jerry Springer for Ohio Gov. Strangely makes sense. Could reach Trump voters even better than Trump. https://t.co/V33I8JTzZV
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) May 30, 2017
@adamcbest As an Ohioan…no…just no
— ?#45 Darth Pooka✊✌ (@darthpooka) May 30, 2017
I wrote this weekend how Dems need thoughtful, credible candidates & this morning we learn OH Ds want … Springer.https://t.co/VZttKBVt2i]
— Paul Kane (@pkcapitol) May 30, 2017
@HenryJGomez Do the Democrats have anyone anywhere younger than 70?
— Nolan Zugernat (@NolanZugernat) May 30, 2017
@HenryJGomez Bad idea to visit the past to find the future.
— Alan Johnson (@ohioaj) May 30, 2017
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