President Bill Clinton to Attend Rally for Democratic Victory in Cincinnati

Ohio's political scene has been heating up all summer; and with President Bill Clinton coming to Cincinnati it's going to get even hotter. He's stumping for Lee Fisher, Democratic candidate running against Republican, Rob Portman for the United States Senate in November's election. So far the battle lines being drawn and political television ads airing day and night have left Fisher and Portman out of the fray. That is destined to change after Sunday's rally.

President Clinton will be in Cincinnati on Sunday Evening September 12 at Memorial Hall. The building is located in Cincinnati's Over the Rhine neighborhood and stands next to Historic Music Hall, home of the Cincinnati Opera and Ballet. Across the street, however, is Washington Park: home to many homeless, hangout of low income residents and the site of several recent controversies. That makes the Memorial Hall a very interesting choice.

Candidate Lee Fischer

As his website says, "Lee Fisher's Ohio roots run deep." If his name sounds familiar, it's because Lee Fischer is Ohio's current Lieutenant Governor. His work with political and non profit groups in Ohio have affected nearly every citizen in the state of Ohio.

As the grandson of East European immigrants, Lee Fisher's life mirrors the American dream. He was raised by his grandparents in Cleveland, Ohio and developed his longstanding interest in public service as a child at their dinner table. Fischer graduated from Ohio State Law School. He began his political career early, claiming an Ohio State Representative seat not long after his marriage to Ohioan, Peggy Zone.

Lee Fischer was elected Ohio Attorney General in 1990. In that role he defended the constitutionality of the state's Hate Crimes law and created Operation Crackdown which closed numerous drug houses in the state. He led the non profit Center for Families and Children in Cleveland. Most recently he has served as Ted Strickland's Lieutenant Governor, working to keep Ohio afloat in the midst of an economic crises.

Why Memorial Hall? Why Over the Rhine?

A rally with President Bill Clinton should be exciting; but there is bound to be a lot of excitement outside as well. There's been quite a lot going on within the few blocks bordering Cincinnati's Memorial Hall. Developers are renovating historic buildings. Professionals are moving in from the suburbs. Nearby upscale shops are settling in; but to claim coveted historic Over the Rhine real estate, they've had to confront one of the highest poverty and crime rates in Cincinnati and displace the homeless.

Washington Park, just across the street from where the rally will take place, is a long term hangout for Cincinnati's homeless population. The park is a key part of Over the Rhine neighborhood "revitalization." A few major Cincinnati arts organizations have led the way by claiming areas once inhabited by low income residents and homeless shelters. Nearby the new School for Creative and Performing Arts building just opened for the new school year.

The Park and the population that has inhabited it for years, have been a part of ongoing controversies:

-The Drop Inn Center still offers beds for the homeless but may be forced out of the area shortly.

-On June 27, a police officer chasing a suspect through the grass ran over and killed a sleeping homeless woman.

-Park renovations called for closing the only outdoor public pool in the neighborhood.

-The park renovation crew unearthed human remains from an abandoned graveyard.

-Washington Park has been the site of recent protests, including an organized march over a homeless woman's death and the Grand Jury's failure to charge the police officer who killed her.

Perhaps Washington Park's history of controversy won't overshadow the Democratic rally on Sunday; but it would be interesting to know the thought process behind choosing Memorial Hall as the site for the rally. If Lee Fischer and President Clinton are trying to gain the attention of the city's low income voting population, this rally could be a step in the right direction.

Rally Tickets

Tickets for the event are free with Lee Fischer supporters receiving first consideration. Contact Democratic campaign headquarters in Bond Hill, Woodlawn, Northside, Pleasant Ridge and Westwood for information.

Memorial Hall doors will open at 5:30. The rally will begin at 6:00.

Source:

Email: http://www.ohiodems.org/candidates/fisher/

http://www.fisherforohio.com/about_lee

http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-20829-3cdc-offers-to-move-.html

http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-21222-renovation-or-gentri.html