Howard Metzenbaum: Champion for the common man

Just a few words on the passing of Howard Metzenbaum, one of the last unabashedly liberal politicians of the great state of Ohio. As a young Democrat , I always felt that my interests and the interests of common, every day men and women in Ohio were being looked after while Senator Metzenbaum was in office.

Metzenbaum was a champion for the little guy, railing against corporate welfare through tax breaks. At times, it seemed as though the Senator was out of step with the more conservative Ohio voters, but he served in the Senate from his appointment in 1974, being elected in 1976 and re-elected twice, before leaving the Senate in January of 1995.

Howard made us proud to be Democrats during those years, and I think our state and country are worse off these days with the loss of men like Metzenbaum, as fewer and fewer of our elected officials exhibit the courage of their convictions as he did.

Like him or hate him, you knew where he stood, and in my opinion, that was on the side of working men and women in Ohio.

Rest in peace Senator.