Chillicothe mayor rallies in Washington

Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer, a Vietnam veteran, rallied in front of the U.S. Capitol today with 40 other veterans who also are running for Congress to eradicate corruption and bring change.

Sulzer, who is seeking to unseat troubled Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, told a crowd of about 100 that he's concerned about the state of democracy in Washington.

"I am running against a congressman who stands for this corruption," Sulzer said.

Ney has been linked to disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty in federal court to using free trips, meals and campaign contributions in an attempt to bribe Ney and others for official favors. Ney has said he did nothing illegal or improper.

Still, many candidates at the rally - all Democrats - spoke of ridding Washington of lawmakers with questionable connections to lobbyists, saying that they would take back one more hill - Capitol Hill. They said it's time the country was led by veterans who understand the meaning of sacrifice.

Former Sen. Max Cleland, D-Ga., a Vietnam veteran who lost both legs in combat, told the group from his wheelchair that together, they represented more than 400 years of military service for the United States.

"All of you have been there, done that and gotten a few holes in your T-shirt," Cleland said. "That makes you a part of a very few Americans who have done the fighting and the dying for this country."

Sulzer, who was drafted at age 19 and served for one year in Vietnam in the late 1960s, said veterans understand the price that was paid for democracy.

"I am honored and proud that we have such a great group of veterans who are willing to once again answer the call of their country in service and restore this democracy that has fallen to the special interest groups," he said after the rally.

More on the rally from the Democratic National Committee blog here.

Sulzer, who arrived in Washington on Tuesday night, planned to spend Wednesday and Thursday meeting with congressional leaders and political action committees.

"Hopefully, we'll take some money back with us," Sulzer said. "Unfortunately, with these campaigns, that's what it comes down to, money."

Sulzer had planned to hold a fundraiser Thursday with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., but the event was postponed until March due to scheduling conflicts.

Still, the fact that the DCCC is planning an event with Sulzer is significant because it indicates that he already has the party's backing despite a three-way primary May 2 against Dover lawyer Zack Space and Bellaire technical writer Jeff Woollard.

Ney spokesman Brian Walsh: "It's interesting that he mentioned special interests because he is in Washington to raise money from special interests," Walsh said.