GOP ads try to sway Democratic primary, analysts say (Ohio)

[ProSense]

GOP ads try to sway Democratic primary, analysts say

Write-in candidate seen as real target
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Jack Torry and Jonathan Riskind
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

WASHINGTON — The Republicans are running a commercial critical of two Democratic congressional candidates in Ohio.

So, what’s the big deal? Republicans and Democrats blast away at each other all the time.

But in this instance, Republicans appear to be trying to sow confusion among those likely to vote next month in the Democratic primary for the seat being vacated by Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lisbon. It’s highly unusual for one party to run ads attempting to influence the vote in the other party’s primary.

However, in this convoluted campaign maneuver the GOP has simultaneously attacked state Sen. Charles Wilson, of Bridgeport, the party favorite who is waging a write-in campaign, and Bob Carr, a Democrat most people had never heard of before.

The commercial, aired throughout the eastern Ohio district, charges that Wilson is hostile to the environment while claiming Carr is a "liberal Democrat" who would favor "environmental regulations that would hurt business."

more...

http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/04/20/20060420-B6-00.html

[William769]

1. It's not unusual for the Repukes.

[OzarkDem]

2. Rove is focused on Ohio for 2006

He's already admitted it and has been to the state several times.

If the GOP loses Ohio in 2006, they will lose it in 2008 and no GOP candidate has ever been elected president without winning Ohio.

They are in big trouble here, will likely see a new Dem governor, Ted Strickland. They're trying to pick off Charlie Wilson, who is running for Ted's seat. They also seem to be working on OH-13, Sherrod Brown's seat. The Cleveland Plain Dealer, long known for its connections to GOP presidents, has been promoting the crooked GOP candidate for OH-13, while writing "hit pieces" against Tom Sawyer, former D Congressman from Akron who is the favorite Dem in the race.

There have also been a lot of odd new Ohio political blogs appearing, ostensibly liberal leaning, but who actually stir up a lot of crap.

Rove is very busy here in Ohio. Expect more of the same.