Correction: throughout

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The blue banner on the wall at Rep. Ted Celeste's campaign headquarters in Grandview Heights still reads, "All positive all the time."

Celeste said his campaign is sticking to his principles even as he is pummeled by negative Republican mail pieces featuring him standing with shadow outlines of strippers.

"The only way we're going to get people to believe that you can do it is to keep doing it," he said of positive campaigning, before holding up one of the attack mailings. "These folks, this is all they know how to do. They think the creative part is making these pretty pictures."

In many competitive legislative races, the mud is slinging early and often, as Democrats and Republicans struggle for control of the Ohio House. Democrats need a net four-seat gain to regain control of the chamber for the first time since 1994.

Two years ago, House Republicans held back on attacking Democratic candidate Ray Pryor over his opposition to a bill that would ban gay adoption. Why? House Speaker Jon Husted, a Kettering Republican who is adopted, his then-chief of staff, Scott Borgemenke, and a majority of legislative Republicans agreed with Pryor's position, stalling the proposal from serious consideration.

But this year, a mailing featuring a sad child and two groom figurines says Pryor "isn't looking out for our children's best interests."

The reversal is easy to explain.

"We didn't need to run the ad last time," said Borgemenke, chief strategist for the House Republican Campaign Committee. "Nobody wants to use it. I don't like it."

When the majority holds 60 of 99 seats in the House, decisions on whether to hold back some attacks are easier to make, Borgemenke said. When one district can decide which party controls the chamber — such as in Rep. John Schlichter's race against Pryor in the 85th District in southern Ohio, where Schlichter is under fire for owing more than $200,000 in back taxes — "those decisions are tougher."

The Pryor ad has even drawn attention from candidates in other races. "I hope that doesn't reflect on all Republicans. I know I don't feel that way," said Republican Tim Rankin, who is challenging Celeste in Franklin County's 24th District.

Asked about the strip-club ads House Republicans are running against Celeste, Rankin said, "I've told them what I think about their stuff. Let's just say I spend my money differently."

When it comes to the art of political advertising, few in Ohio have more expertise than Borgemenke, who has worked Republican legislative races for 16 years. He is considered very good at his job — and his job this year is to make sure that House Republicans hit 50 and stay in the majority.

"I don't think it's a good thing for the system. Nobody feels good about this," he said of the negative ads. But in House races where most voters don't know either candidate, Borgemenke has learned, "It just works."

He has seen focus groups where people initially are turned off by a negative ad but are later influenced by it. "The feeling (at the TV) and the feeling (later) are very disjointed."

Borgemenke also knows candidates often will try to distance themselves from attack ads, and occasionally throw him under the bus.

"The winners are going to say that they would have won by more had you not done what you did. The losers are going to say: You lost the race for me." Very rarely is either scenario true, he said.

In Franklin County, Rep. Jim McGregor, R-Gahanna, and Michael H. Keenan, GOP candidate for the 22nd Ohio House District, said that they get no input into the negative ads created by Borgemenke's team.

"I prefer the philosophy that you never use your opponent's name," McGregor said. "The parties generally feel it's better to use your opponent's name and point out all the deficiencies you can find."

Asked about ads attacking his opponent, John P. Carney, Keenan said, "I don't like that kind of campaign." However, he also has been hit several times by a union-led group supporting his Democratic opponent. "When I got fired on five or six times in a row before that came out, you lose a little bit of your sensitivity to it."

Borgemenke's assessment is blunt: "I don't think Keenan would have run this campaign on television. I don't think he would have a chance to win if he didn't."

Republicans are getting hit too, often by outside groups working to elect Democrats.

McGregor has been attacked for his environmental record, even though he is endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters. "There is not a better friend for clean water at the Statehouse than Jim McGregor. And there's not a better friend when it comes to clean energy," said veteran Statehouse environmental advocate Jack Shaner.

Borgemenke said this year's attack ads on either side are no worse than in past years. The difference, he said, is that the ads hit sooner because so many voters are voting early.

"This is not personal with anybody. We don't make people's opinions. We point out the differences. I don't know if it's going to work or not."

And the winning quote is: "with around $20k cash on hand to bury Moran in the final week."

Nero's going to bury his opponent with one mailer. That's funny!

Speaking of stupid, why would Nero go back to that same girl's house in twice?

NSR goes down to HQ for one night, make ten phone calls, and claim they are doing everything!

(I believe it is "Columbus has pulled out OF this race" idiot.

Columbus knows he has not done ANY campaigning, and he might have ten signs up throughtout the district!

This race is so over.

2. a) This race is not going to be won by money but by grass roots. b) You can determine the level of support a candidate has by the money being spent, and Nero has received zilch. Even Randy Cole has received more then Nero.

The first part does not mesh with the second.
Will money matter or will it not?

Oh and it's arshinkopf's fault Schuering, Stivers, etc. all lose…whatever.

Gallup Daily: Obama-McCain Gap NarrowsObama leads, 50% to 43%USA Election 2008 Gallup Daily Americas Northern America PRINCETON, NJ — The latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking report finds registered voters preferring Barack Obama (50%) to John McCain (43%) when asked who they would vote for if the presidential election were held today.

These results, based on Oct. 9-11 polling, represent a narrowing of Obama's lead over McCain. Obama led by double-digits for three consecutive days last week, but now his advantage is down to seven percentage points. Obama has led in each of the last three individual days' polling, but by less than double-digits each day, suggesting that the race is, in fact, tightening.

Likely Voter Estimates

Obama's current advantage is slightly less when estimating the preferences of likely voters, which Gallup will begin reporting on a regular basis between now and the election.

This race is not going to be won by money but by grass roots. Moran has been everywhere, he's gone door to door, and Nero has done absolutely nothing. The House knows it, and they are not going to throw money at a wasted effort.

Regarding the expensive Cleveland media market, (ooooh you really are smart you douche), the House has already been on tv there running ads for House Republicans.

Oh yes jackass, the House Republicans have also been running ads in the Columbus media market as well….weeks ago in fact. Last I checked that was a pretty expensive media market.

You can determine the level of support a candidate has by the money being spent, and Nero has received zilch. Even Randy Cole has received more then Nero.

It is humerous to know the New Summit Republicans have claimed this race as their own because there is such a pathetic effort being made. All they do is complain with no effort to back it up. Way to go "30 Percenters"!

The House has pulled out of this race. They have spent more money on Cole than Nero because Cole is actually campaigning. Nero has maybe ten signs up in the district, and those were placed without permission.

Nero has a reason to be mad and upset at the mailer. First, the accusations are not true. He voted earlier in the day for the Great Lakes Water Compact and once he knew the Senate was approving it with only minor adjustments, he flew back to make his previous commitment (Is Moran against people holding jobs in the 42nd?) Second, the bill passed 92-0. It was never in danger. Third, it does insult the Italian heritage and all voters in the 42nd district.

Moran's response has been pathetic and as the ABJ said he should be embarassed.