Senate Democrats respond to critics

After getting roundly blasted Friday by state Republican leaders and their own state party, Sen. Eric H. Kearney, Senate Assistant Minority Leader Tom Roberts and Sen. Shirley Smith defended Kearney's proposal today to move Ohio's presidential primary up from March 4 to Jan. 29, 2008.

Kearney introduced the bill Friday, saying it would keep Ohio relevant during the candidate selection process. Florida, Nevada, South Carolina and Wyoming already have approved earlier primaries for 2008.

"Ohio faces many unique challenges that national candidates need to address," said Kearney, a Democrat from North Avondale. "Home foreclosures, economic decline, and access to quality health care are serious issues that deserve the attention of anyone seeking national office."

"I am concerned that many voices are not being heard in our current system," said Roberts, a Dayton-area Democrat. "Key groups such as minority communities, labor and urban interests are being left out."

"This is not about one particular candidate," said Smith, a Cleveland Democrat. "With so many states changing their primary date, Ohio is being left out."

Republican leaders of both the state Senate and House said they are not interested in changing Ohio's presidential primary date.

Ohio Democratic Party spokesman Randy Borntrager said the state party is not interested in moving the primary date, and would risk losing national convention delegates by doing so.