Summit County Dems Hold FDR Dinner

• Author: Kyle Kutuchief
• Filed under: Local, Ohio 2008, Sutton / Potter
• Date: Jul 21,2008

Last night, the Democratic Party of Summit County held its 9th annual FDR dinner at Todaro's Party Center. There were about 450 people in attendance and the event is held to present awards to those Democrats who have distinguished themselves in their service to the county party over the past year. It was a chance for the county party to have its leadership and supporters come together under one roof before the upcoming fall campaign season kicks into full swing. The two featured guest speakers were Congresswoman Betty Sutton and State Treasurer Richard Cordray, who is the candidate for Ohio Attorney General.

2008 has been a year of accomplishment for Congresswoman Sutton. She recently introduced a bill, the Stop-Loss Compensation Act in the House (H.R. 6205), which would require the Pentagon to pay affected troops an additional $1,500 for each month their service is extended. In her remarks, Sutton focused on supporting our veterans and getting the economy back on track. She has also been chosen by her fellow Democratic Freshmen to serve as President of the 49 Member class of 2006, known as the “majority makers” and discussed how important the three special election victories were for Democrats this past year. Sutton stressed the importance of electing Barack Obama to be the next president and making sure Democrats win here in Ohio.

It has been my experience that attorneys tend to make the best speakers on the stump. State Treasurer Richard Cordray is a perfect example. With no notes, he gave an eloquent speech where he laid out how he became our candidate and how he plans to win this fall. He described the Attorney General as someone who should be somewhere in between Ohio's top cop and a civil lawyer. He promised to enforce the law evenhandedly, prosecute the guilty, and exonerate the innocent. Cordray also discussed the patriotism of dissent in a democracy led by President Bush. He ended by thanking the Summit County Democrats and said "you guys get it done." Hopefully we will again this fall.

You can view more pictures from the FDR Dinner at my other blog thechiefsource.com.