http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003157694Rep. Schmidt Copied Material for Op-Eds in Ohio
CINCINNATI A column published recently in newspapers under an Ohio congresswoman's name was nearly identical to one released by another Ohio congresswoman in July.
An article ran under Rep. Jean Schmidt's name in several southwest Ohio newspapers in late August and last week. It said the new Medicare prescription drug benefit is saving local seniors money.
Almost the same article was in a packet of materials produced by the House Republican Conference. The office of Rep. Deborah Pryce, a Columbus-area lawmaker who leads the House GOP group, inserted data for her central Ohio district and put it on her congressional Web site on July 10.
There were about 600 words in the column submitted by Pryce. Fewer than 50 words were added or changed in the first six paragraphs of the column published under Schmidt's name. Three full paragraphs were copied with no changes. Schmidt's editorial contained an additional paragraph with her contact information.
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Two newspaper editors said Monday they were led to believe the article was written by Schmidt or her staff.