This post tries to make it easier to understand why some of us Ohioans respect Sherrod Brown. It doesn’t address "the who is the better candidate" issue, but only tries to present an overview of Brown’s positions, votes and actions. As to Brown’s relationship to the alphabet soup of the Democratic Party’s leadership, I point out only that because he was in the leadership of the fight against the Clinton administrations trade policies(NAFTA) and sanctions against Iraq, he is less than a favorite. As to his insider status with the DNC and the DSCC, please examine his record and decide if he seems like a pawn for yourselves. Some my links presented here may be helpful, or use your favorite search engine (search for Sherrod Brown Iraq, Sherrod Brown drugs, Sherrod Brown Wal-mart etc.).
Brown is a member of the Progressive Caucus, The Out of Iraq Caucus and a signer of John Conyers letter to The white House after the release of the DSM. His voting record appears here:
http://activote.ontheissues.org/AVA/House/Sherrod_Brown.htmWhat follows is quite long, but it seems this conversation will continue for a while:
IRAQ
1) On The Issues
Voted NO on authorizing military force in Iraq. Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq: Passage of the joint resolution that would authorize President Bush to use the US military as he deems necessary and appropriate to defend U.S. national security against Iraq and enforce UN Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.
http://www.issues2000.org/OH/Sherrod_Brown_War_+_Peace.htm2) Powell Scolds Hill Staffer At Hearing, Secretary Also Clashes With Ohio Lawmaker
"...I went and lived at the CIA for about four days to make sure that nothing was," he began, when he paused and glared at a staffer seated behind the members of Congress. "Are you shaking your head for something, young man, back there?" Powell asked. "Are you part of these proceedings? ... Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), a 12-year veteran of the House, objected, "Mr. Chairman, I've never heard a witness reprimand a staff person in the middle of a question." Powell shot back, "I seldom come to a meeting where I am talking to a congressman and I have people aligned behind you giving editorial comment by head shakes." "Well, I think people have opinions," Brown responded.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A34636-2004Feb11¬Found=true3)The Nation September 20, 2003, The People's House by Rep. Sherrod Brown
“For two weeks in July, the people took over the People's House.
Illinois Democrat Jan Schakowsky and I organized the effort. We served as megaphones for hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of Americans who wanted to know more about the deception and corruption swirling about the ongoing war in Iraq. Each night, I chose a dozen missives from among the 3,000 letters from my state of Ohio, and read them to the House, allowing Ohio citizens to speak directly to the Congress and to the American people.”
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20031006/brown4) March 4, 2003
More than twelve Democrats have written to Speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Dennis Hastert, urging him to allow a fresh discussion before the President decides to go to war. In recent days, Congressmen have taken to the floor of the House to question the wisdom of Mr Bush’s obsession with war against Iraq. Mr Brown warned that a pre-emptive strike against Iraq would send a wrong message around the world.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030304/world.htm#35) Eighty-Eight Members of Congress Call on Bush for Answers on Secret Iraq Plan, Raw Store, Thursday 05 May 2005
“Eighty-eight members of Congress have signed a letter authored by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) calling on President Bush to answer questions about a secret U.S.-UK agreement to attack Iraq,” (Brown a signer)
http://www.truthout.org/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi/37/109846) (Pre-Invasion) Urgent Action from EPIC
“As an effort to move our nation away from war, REP. SHERROD BROWN (D-OH) and RON KIND (D-WI) are circulating a sign-on letter in the House of Representatives that urges President Bush to commit to the procedure outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 1441. The BROWN/KIND LETTER specifically urges the president to announce his commitment to 1441 in the upcoming State of the Union address on Tuesday.”
http://www.8thdaycenter.org/resources/bulletins/03_0122.html7) (Sanctions) Conyers’ Letter to Clinton
The delivery date for Rep. Conyers' "Dear President" letter has been postponed (from Sept.15) to Oct. 6. If your REPRESENTATIVE is not listed below, then please CALL THEM and URGE them to sign the letter to President Clinton calling for lifting the economic sanctions on Iraq. ASK them to help bring the humanitarian catastrophe in Iraq to an end.
41 Signatures as of 9/22/98:
Sherrod Brown-Middlefield/Elyria
http://www.iacenter.org/iac0924.htm8)
* Representative Sherrod Brown, a Ohio Democrat who opposed the October resolution, has been joined by two representatives who supported the resolution, Joseph Hoeffel, Democrat from Pennsylvania, and Ellen Tauscher, a Democrat from California, in sponsoring the "Presidential Report on Iraq Resolution of 2003." The legislation would require President Bush to make a public report to Congress on the possible consequences of war with Iraq prior to ordering US forces into such a war. In addition to forcing the President to detail the human, economic, environmental and political costs of a war, the act would require him to submit "a determination that further diplomatic or other peaceful means will not adequately protect the national security of the United States against the threat posed by Iraq."
http://www.thenation.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20030324&s=jnicholshttp://www.fcnl.org/issues/int/sup/iraq_resolution220-03.htm9) October 16, 2002
“At the House International Relations Committee markup of H.J. Res. 114, U.S. Representative Sherrod Brown (D-OH) put forward an amendment that contained a series of questions he argued the administration must answer in order for Congress to fulfill its constitutional responsibility regarding a prospective war, and to gain the confidence of the American people.
http://www.fpif.org/commentary/2002/0210questions_body.html”
10) (Sanctions) FEBRUARY 1, 2000
The letter, which was prepared by Reps. Tom Campbell (R-CA) and John Conyers (D-Mich) and was also signed by a bipartisan group of 67 other members of Congress, calls on the President to “lift the economic sanctions” against Iraq:
...More than nine years of the most comprehensive economic embargo imposed in modern history has failed to remove Saddam Hussein from power or even ensured his compliance with his international obligations, while the economy and people of Iraq continue to suffer. (Brown a signer)
http://www.commondreams.org/news2000/0201-07.htm11) Pre-invasion)
Urgent Labor Antiwar Action Alert
US Labor Against War
As we write this message, less than 12 hours remain... In submitting this resolution, Rep. Brown said, "In the absence of a clear, imminent threat to the United States, the President has a responsibility to present to the American public a full assessment of the possible costs and consequences of taking military action against Iraq. . . . Before we start a war that could cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians, the administration owes the American public a clear-eyed assessment of this war. It would be irresponsible to rush into this conflict without fully acknowledging the potential costs and consequences."
http://www.informationwar.org/labournews/USA_antiwar_action_alert_march192003.htm12)(pre-invasion) U.S. Senator Russ Feingold on the Cost of War with Iraq
From the Senate Floor, March 20, 2003
... I introduce a Senate companion to a joint resolution already introduced in the House by Congressman SHERROD BROWN of Ohio. This resolution is quite simple. It requires the President to report to Congress on the potential costs and consequences of military action in Iraq before ordering the United States Armed Forces to war in Iraq. This is a resolution that simply requires that this country know what it is we are getting into before, not after, war breaks out.
http://www.senate.gov/~feingold/statements/03/03/2003321545.html13) (pre-invasion) Dissenting Views Regarding H. J. Res. 114, October 7, 2002
On September 12, 2002, President Bush went to the United Nations calling on that organization to take action to enforce its resolutions and protect international interests in peace and security. We support that call and believe the United Nations must be given a chance to carry out this mission. Therefore, for this reason and those iterated above, we respectfully oppose this resolution authorizing the unilateral use of force and submit our dissenting views.
Sincerely, Cynthia McKinney, Barbara Lee, Sherrod Brown
14) (Sanctions) Kucinich, Members of Congress Ask Albright for Meeting on Iraq Sanctions Policy Wednesday, April 19, 2000
"We feel that the gravity of the public health crisis makes it urgent for us to rethink the sanctions policy at all levels, especially in regard to water purification materials," the letter states. "We recognize that many items needed for water and sanitation purposes are considered 'dual-use' items. But we believe that such items could be safely introduced with a careful system of monitoring by UN humanitarian officials." (Brown a signer)
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/sanction/iraq1/iraq39.htm15) Powell defends war, says he was surprised weapons did not turn up (AP), 2/11/04
But when Brown contrasted Powell's military experience to Bush's record with the National Guard, saying the president "may have been AWOL" from duty, Powell exploded. "First of all, Mr. Brown, I won't dignify your comments about the president because you don't know what you are talking about," Powell snapped.
"I'm sorry I don't know what you mean, Mr. Secretary," Brown replied.
"You made reference to the president," Powell shot back.
Brown then repeated his understanding that Bush may have been AWOL from guard duty.
"Mr. Brown, let's not go there," Powell retorted. "Let's not go there in this hearing. If you want to have a political fight on this matter, that is very controversial, and I think it is being dealt with by the White House, fine, but let's not go there."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-02-11-powell-iraq_x.htm16) Democracy Now, Headlines for November 11, 2003
“26 House Democrats Call for Bush to Fire Rumsfeld
On Capitol Hill, a group of 26 members of Congress introduced a resolution Monday urging President Bush to fire Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.” (Brown a signer)
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/11/11/15022317) Northeast Ohio Anti-War Coalition
Northern Ohio Activists March Again
Dec. 19, 2002 Event Date: Dec. 21, 2002
U.S. Congresspersons Sherrod Brown and Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, and an executive committee member of the AFL-CIO, are expected major speakers
LABOR
1)Professors group to hold rally at UA
“The University of Akron chapter of the American Association of University Professors will rally ... to protest what it views as protracted contract talks. Guest speaker will be U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Avon.”
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/12731822.htm 2) A Conversation with Congressman Sherrod Brown
“I think that the whole issue of the developing world is that we need to force the issues of labor and environmental standards, so that workers share in the wealth that they create.”
http://www.results.org/website/article.asp?id=1302WAL-MART
1)Democrat Holds Field Hearing on Wal-Mart's Business Practices
By Susan Jones, CNSNews.com Senior Editor
“A union-inspired group opposed to non-union Wal-Mart is congratulating Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) for holding the first-ever congressional field hearing on the "negative impact" of the giant retailer's business practices.
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/viewstory.asp?Page=%5CNation%5Carchive%5C200509%5CNAT20050920a.html2) Business Week
“A half-dozen town hall meetings in places such as Iowa City, Madison, Wis., and Tucson will push for local and state legislation requiring Wal-Mart to pay a higher share of its employees' health insurance, which currently covers just 44% of its 1.3 million U.S. workers.
The meetings will be modeled after a Sept 19 Cleveland State University forum attended by a 100 or so, featuring local business and union leaders as well as elected officials, led by Ohio Congressional Democrats Sherrod Brown, Dennis Kucinich, and Stephanie Tubbs-Jones.”
DRUGS/MEDICARE
1) Article by Brown,Published on June 28, 2005 by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
US Trade Rep Helps Powerful Drug Industry by Sherrod Brown
“When George W. Bush and the U.S. pharmaceutical industry team up in Washington, you know it's bad news for U.S. consumers. Now they are taking their show on the road -- to Central America.”
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0628-31.htm2) A House Out of Order
On September 29, a speech by Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) was cut short by the House Speaker pro tempore when Brown spoke out about strong-arm tactics used to secure passage of last year’s controversial Medicare Bill. Before being silenced, Brown called the Medicare legislation scandal a “perfect circle” that included “tens of millions” in campaign contributions from the drug and insurance industry. “It is corrupt, it is shameful and it is morally reprehensible,” said Brown.
http://www.iamaw.org/publications/imail/imail_10_07_2004.htm3)The Take Back Medicare Campaign, By SHERROD BROWN
The New York Times, January 28, 2004
“Last month, President Bush signed into law Republican-sponsored legislation that adds a prescription drug benefit to Medicare and invests billions of dollars in an effort to lure the elderly away from the government program and into private health insurance plans. Last week, in his State of the Union address, President Bush said the new measure "kept a basic commitment to our seniors." By approving the legislation, the president may have fulfilled a commitment or two, but not to the nation's elderly.”
http://www.ourfuture.org/issues_and_campaigns/medicare/headlines/ssip_20040128.cfm4) Bush Plan to Increase Generic Drugs Draws Flak By Amy Goldstein
Washington Post Staff Writer
"Frankly, the proposal . . . is an insult to American consumers," said Rep.
Sherrod Brown (Ohio), the lead Democratic sponsor of generic drug
legislation that passed the Senate July 31 but has not been brought to a
vote by the House's GOP leadership. The bill overlaps the administration's
plan in certain respects but contains several features Bush does not support that would make it more difficult for brand-name drug companies to keep generics out of the market -- and more powerful enforcement methods if companies flout the rules.”
http://lists.essential.org/pipermail/ip-health/2002-5) April 2001
HR 1708, The "Affordable Prescription Drugs Act", was introduced in Congress by Congressman Brown on April 27, 2001. It would establish compulsory licensing for prescription drugs, and it would require pharmaceutical companies to disclose financial information necessary to evaluate the prices charged.
http://home.cwru.edu/activism/sherrod.html6) April, 1999
The Global Sustainable Development Resolution, initiated by Congressman Bernie Sanders (VT) and cosponsored by Sherrod Brown (and others)....outlines a framework for reconstructing the global economy based on labor and human rights, protection of the environment, and new initiatives to encourage socially and environmentally sound national and local development
http://home.cwru.edu/activism/sherrod.html7) Letter to the Nation by Sherrod Brown
“I appreciated William Greider's November 13 editorial, "If Politics Got Real...," challenging the rationale sustaining this country's laissez-faire attitude toward inflated prescription drug prices. As the author of legislation (The Affordable Prescription Drugs Act) that would codify the compulsory licensing approach mentioned in the piece, I am quite familiar with the "lower prices imperil medical advancement" threat used by the drug industry to protect its current pricing practices.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20010101/letter8)FDA Cracks Down On Canadian Drug,s CBS News
"There's never been one shred of evidence, in my committee or anywhere else, that the Canadian drug safety process is not as rigorous as ours," said Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who co-wrote that letter. He accused the Bush administration of bowing to pharmaceutical companies who provided tens of millions of campaign dollars.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/03/22/health/main545412.shtmlMULTI-ISSUE
1)From the Right Wing Discoverthenetwork.org:
Brown urges enforcement of laws against importing goods made with slave labor in the Communist Peoples Republic of China. He does this both to improve human rights there and to reduce competition for union-made goods in the U.S. Brown also opposed most-favored nation trade status for Communist China, and he opposes letting Mexican trucks enter the U.S. as permitted by NAFTA. On many issues Rep. Brown acts as a sock puppet and rubber stamp for organized labor.”
http://www.discoverthenetwork.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=15142) A collection of Brown’s responses to letters posted by a constituents (one example):
Dear Mr. Schneider:
Thank you for expressing your concerns about the Bush administration's claims of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq, and the United States' inability to locate them. As the main conflict ended, the 75th Exploitation Task Force started looking for WMDs. By mid-May, the search was shutting down. They had expected to find what Secretary of State Colin Powell described at the UN: evidence of a nuclear weapons program, hundreds of tons of chemical and biological agents along with missiles to carry them. They found nothing.
http://home.earthlink.net/~todd3205/sherrod.html3) Under the Cover of Darkness by Sherrod Brown (Originally published Dec. 11, 2003 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
“Never before has the House of Representatives operated in such secrecy:
At 2:54 a.m. on a Friday in March, the House cut veterans benefits by three votes.
At 2:39 a.m. on a Friday in April, the House slashed education and health care by five votes.
At 1:56 a.m. on a Friday in May, the House passed the Leave No Millionaire Behind tax-cut bill by a handful of votes.
At 2:33 a.m. on a Friday in June, the House passed the Medicare privatization and prescription drug bill by one vote.
At 12:57 a.m. on a Friday in July, the House eviscerated Head Start by one vote.
And then, after returning from summer recess, at 12:12 a.m. on a Friday in October, the House voted $87 billion for Iraq.
Always in the middle of the night. Always after the press had passed their deadlines. Always after the American people had turned off the news and gone to bed.”
TRADE
1) Brown seeks to topple NAFTA with new book by Ron Simon
“Brown and other free trade opponents are in the minority, but he argued the public is beginning to see that all free trade has accomplished is to lose jobs for Americans. It has not helped raised the standard of living for those overseas workers who get those jobs, he said.”
http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/news/stories/20050130/localnews/1934118.html2) 6 myths of free trade from Rep. Browns book Myths of Free Trade: Why American Trade Policy Has Failed
* Myth #1: Corporate globalization is inevitable
* Myth #2: Free-trade agreements help fight the war on terrorism
* Myth #3: Free trade leaves most people better off — rich or poor
* Myth #4: Free trade will bring democracy, human rights, and freedom to authoritarian governments
* Myth #5: NAFTA has been a success
* Myth #6: Free trade is a great American tradition
http://brown2006.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_brown2006_archive.html3)Remarks of Congressman Sherrod Brown, House Ways and Means Committee Hearing on the Central America Free Trade Agreement
“You’ve got to hand it to the big drug companies. They did an end-run
around U.S. laws and positioned themselves to rake in billions in
windfall profits, and they used an unrelated trade agreement to do it.”
http://www.house.gov/sherrodbrown/CAFTADrugsWandM.pdf4)The City Club of Cleveland: Congressman Sherrod Brown
A leading progressive voice in Congress, Brown has fought trade agreements that threaten American jobs, undermine environmental safeguards and eliminate workplace safety protections. A fierce critic of NAFTA, he believes international trade agreements should include protections for workers in America and across the globe, including fair wages, decent working conditions and the right to unionize.
http://www.pluggedincleveland.com/events/2091/congressman-sherrod-brown.html5) At City Club 01.07.05: Sherrod Brown for "Fair" Trade
“He offered a brief background on free trade policy, explaining that before 1990 global trade policy was a below the public radar issue in congress, with limited media interest, handled by commissions and of greatest interest to multinational corporations and their lobbyists. Then came Fast Track, and NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), and PNTR (Preferred Nation Trade Relations). Then followed mounting trade deficits, and the WalMarting of America, and publicity of labor abuse by companies like Nike and the TV pop-star Kathy Lee Gifford, and the complete realignment of the American and world economy.”
http://realneo.us/node/6166) Interview Free Media December 8, 1999
“I think that US business all over the country -- and US government officials who attended the WTO -- were amazed by the depth of passion and breadth of support for labor and environmental standards that they saw on the streets. Few reporters and other observers predicted the strength of support for these standards, not just from the 40,000 or so peaceful protestors, but also from around the country.
http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/zforum/99/freemedia120899_a.htmMISC
1)The Death and Life of American Liberalism by Robert Kuttner, The American Prospect
“Conviction suggests character. Sherrod Brown, who represents a northern Ohio district that is partly blue collar and partly affluent suburb, found himself last fall with a friendly group of autoworkers that included both Kerry and Bush supporters. “Why are you backing Bush?” a Kerry man asked a Bush partisan. “Kerry wants to take away my gun,” came the reply. “Well, Sherrod wants to take away your gun,” gibed the first. “Yeah,” said the second, “but Sherrod fights for me.””
http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=9713
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