The first live television debate between the major candidates for Ohio governor was short on showmanship but long on political differences.

Near the end of the debate, each candidate was allowed to ask a question of the other. Each used the opportunity to make a short speech before getting to the question. Taft went first, accusing Hagan of flip-flopping on a number of issues, "including concealed weapons".

Both candidates said they would not support a concealed weapons bill without provisions for strict background checks, training and the support of law enforcement. Hagan insisted his position has been consistent, that he has always opposed the current bill in the General Assembly.

Read about the debate in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Yet another major Ohio newspaper has endorsed Justice Evelyn Stratton (R) and Lt. Gov. Maureen O'Connor (R) for Ohio Supreme Court.

According to the Dispatch, "The biggest problem facing the Ohio Supreme Court is the polarization and politicization that has grown more marked over the past decade."

"The greatest need on the high court is for justices who are independent, impartial, deliberative and devoted to applying the law, not to rewriting it."

"As a step toward building a court that understands the limits of its role in the constitutional system, The Dispatch recommends that voters on Nov. 5 retain incumbent Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton and elect Lt. Gov. Maureen O'Connor."

"Evelyn Lundberg Stratton (R) is running for a second, six-year term on the Supreme Court. Stratton, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in March 1996 and won election to a full term that November, has built a reputation for integrity, hard work and attention to detail."

"When the court has split 4-3 on important cases, Stratton usually has been among the three who have stood up for the principle that the judiciary should avoid making policy. Her voice and outlook are critically needed".

"Maureen O'Connor (R) vies for the open seat created by the retirement of Justice Andrew Douglas. O'Connor's judicial experience is at a higher level than her opponent, Tim Black (D). And Black cannot match the breadth of O'Connor's public service."

"When it comes to the judiciousness that each candidate would bring to the
high court, Black has compromised himself. When he won the Democratic nod
in January to run for this position, he declared, 'This is labor's seat.' Since then, Black has said he regrets making the remark, and so he should. The job of a Supreme Court justice is to represent the law, not a special interest."

The Columbus Dispatch joins the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Toledo Blade and the Canton Repository (not to mention OFCC PAC!) in its enthusiastic support for Stratton and O'Connor for the Ohio Supreme Court.

After undergoing major media criticism for considering a proposed direct-mail campaign attacking two Republican candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court, leaders of the political action committee Citizens for an Independent Court vowed just two weeks ago to junk the proposal.

Yesterday, the PAC began airing commercials in all major Ohio media markets that link the candidates to big business. The ad shows men laughing inside a limousine versus a family seated at a picnic table. "Their side," a voice says, linked to video with the limo. "Maureen O'Connor and Eve Stratton put large corporations ahead of working families."

Republican Ohio Supreme Court candidates Evelyn Stratton and Maureen O'Connor yesterday asked their Democratic opponents to request that a negative television ad be pulled off the air.

So what do the Democrat candidates have to say about these ads, which are designed to benefit them? Janet Burnside, who had not seen the ad but had the transcript read to her, would not say if she will denounce the commercial. Tim Black, a trial attorney, declined to comment on the request, other than to claim he hadn't seen the commercial.

OFCC PAC Commentary:
Citizens for an Independent Court, a group made up of trial lawyers and union leaders, has clearly decided their promise wasn't a promise, invoking memories of other such lawyers trying to determine what the definition of "is" is.

These big business charges (and even the name of the PAC that is paying for them) ring a bit hollow, considering the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Toledo Blade, Canton Repository, and the Columbus Dispatch have all pointed out the very reason they are endorsing Stratton & O'Connor is because they DO represent the best opportunity for an independent court.

Read the entire story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

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