Richard Tafoya
Sep 27th, 2006, 11:02 AM
Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/26/AR2006092601262.html?nav=rss_politics
Joy Padgett, the GOP's new congressional candidate in Ohio, has been in a jam when it comes to finding a big-name Republican who could come to town and bring more than trouble.
Gov. Bob Taft? He was convicted of illegally accepting gifts. GOP gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell? He is getting trounced in the polls. Bob Ney, the current congressman? He admitted taking bribes and then checked himself in for alcohol rehabilitation.
...
Democrats are pressing the scandal issue relentlessly, and it appears to be working with some voters. Vicki Sugar, a Granville resident who attended the Bush fundraiser, said: "This is the first time I have ever felt like I wanted to back out. Does it really matter if I vote Democrat and Republican?"
In a year when Republicans are battling low poll numbers nationally, there are few places where the GOP brand is more scuffed than in Ohio, where, since President Bush's election-night triumph here two years ago, national and local scandals have polluted the political atmosphere for GOP candidates.
A poll released this week by the Columbus Dispatch indicated Democrats could sweep races for U.S. Senate as well as Ohio governor, auditor, treasurer and secretary of state. This would be a remarkable turnaround after 16 years in which Republicans have enjoyed uninterrupted control of the governorship and dominated most statewide races.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/26/AR2006092601262.html?nav=rss_politics
Joy Padgett, the GOP's new congressional candidate in Ohio, has been in a jam when it comes to finding a big-name Republican who could come to town and bring more than trouble.
Gov. Bob Taft? He was convicted of illegally accepting gifts. GOP gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell? He is getting trounced in the polls. Bob Ney, the current congressman? He admitted taking bribes and then checked himself in for alcohol rehabilitation.
...
Democrats are pressing the scandal issue relentlessly, and it appears to be working with some voters. Vicki Sugar, a Granville resident who attended the Bush fundraiser, said: "This is the first time I have ever felt like I wanted to back out. Does it really matter if I vote Democrat and Republican?"
In a year when Republicans are battling low poll numbers nationally, there are few places where the GOP brand is more scuffed than in Ohio, where, since President Bush's election-night triumph here two years ago, national and local scandals have polluted the political atmosphere for GOP candidates.
A poll released this week by the Columbus Dispatch indicated Democrats could sweep races for U.S. Senate as well as Ohio governor, auditor, treasurer and secretary of state. This would be a remarkable turnaround after 16 years in which Republicans have enjoyed uninterrupted control of the governorship and dominated most statewide races.