Espy rumored to be dropping from Ohio Supreme Court Race...

[WCGreen]

Rumors are sweeping through the democratic party that former State Senator and Ohio State Football player, Ben Espy, is going to ask that his name be removed from the November ticket...

A source, who wishes to remain anonymous, heard Espy telling the AFL-CIO and the Trial Lawyers in a meeting earlier this week that they had not delivered on the support they had promised...

Espy has until 4:30 today to drop off the ticket so that his name would not appear on the November ballot...

Those close to the situation give the chances of Espy withdrawing at better than 50%....

If he does, in fact withdraw, the state democratic party would have a chance to replace Espy on the ticket through a vote of the state party Executive Committee....

Espy, as other state wide candidates, has had a hard time raising the money needed to fund a statewide run. The Espy campaign has already been forced to let go what remained of his primary campaign staff.

"All the money is going to the big guys, Brown and Strickland," quipped one veteran dem strategist. "Can you blame them. This time they have a solid chance to take two high profile seats that republicans have held onto for almost a generation. "

[liberalnurse]

1. I heard there was some "irritability" a few weeks ago felt by Espy

and Skyles....nothing memorable to speak of as the causality of the tension,....I was impressed with their presence on the Turn Ohio Around Bus Tour this weekend and assumed all was resolved.

I enjoyed talking with Ben Espy on Saturday.....I'm disappointed if he does drop out....Resnick recommended him for her seat.

[geiger]

2. I think it is going to be a grueling race....

[WCGreen]

5. IHe is frustrate, a proud man who is in a situation that he

isn't totally in control of....

I know how frustrating that is...

I was there in '96 when I ran for the State Senate....

We need a Dean approach to this race....

Not an old time let's just take care of the top of the ticket mentality that has ended up costing the whole state government...

[cmd]

3. William O'Neill won't have that problem

He is holding to his No Money From No Body Pledge. You can go to his website and download flyers or join his campaign team. Susan Gwinn and Paul Hackett are co-chairs of his campaign.

http://www.oneillforjustice.org/index.php

[geiger]

4. that is good news; I hadn't heard this yet

I am really proud of Paul Hackett, for stepping up to the challenge.
And, Susan Gwinn is excellent!