Update [2005-7-28 16:27:58 by Bob Brigham]: Joe Braun says he's
still campaign manager. In other news, a BDSM profile was removed shortly after it was linked to Schmidt Campaign Manager Joe Braun. But you can see it
here.
NOTE: Tagaris has a wedding -- he's out, I'm in. I'll be on the red-eye tonight...in district in the morning. I'll have video and my new laptop cellular card and regular updates at www.SwingStateProject.com.
Big news in the Special Election. The Jean Schmidt campaign has been 100% taken over by Washington Republicans hell-bent orchestrating the worst smear campaign that Ohio has ever seen (quite a bold statement).
OH-02 has two sources on this.
It appears that Campaign Manager Joe Braun -- who had vowed NOT to go negative -- was forced out after Schmidt insisted on letting the D.C. hacks do their nastiest.
There is also word that the RNC is dumping $750,000 in smear ads into the district.
If any of this is true, it shows that the Schmidt campaign is desperately trying to hold onto a slim lead. The
polls are moving for Hackett, the netroots are providing the
resources to compete, and all the Schmidt campaign has left are
dirty tricks.
Schmidt's former Campaign Manager isn't the only Republican with a bad taste in his mouth, from
Cincinnati Blog:
In a press release today we get this treat:
The Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes announced today that it is launching a radio campaign urging Republicans, conservatives and advocates of limited government to stay at home on Tuesday and cautioning voters not to vote for Republican Jean Schmidt. COAST charged that Schmidt has been posing in the campaign as an advocate of limited government and lower taxes, when the truth is the exact opposite. The script for the radio spot is attached.
"During her tenure in the Ohio legislature, Jean Schmidt voted in favor of every single one of Bob Taft's tax increases, and for good measure, proposed more of her own," said COAST Chairman Jim Urling. "In her recent literature she says that she supports 'limited government and lower taxes.' Indeed, her voting record decidedly shows her beliefs are in bigger government and in higher taxes. She simply is a big-government advocate. Any statement by her to the contrary is a lie."
"COAST encourages its members and all those believing in limited government and lower taxes to stay home on Tuesday, election day," implored Urling. "Another primary and general election will be held in 2006 and we will elect a good representative at that time. Please do not cast a vote for Jean Schmidt -- it will be wasted."
That has to smart a bit. They are buying radio ads with the same message.
Wow, they full on called her a liar. And they're going on the air with it?
Hat-tip to OH-02.
The netroots have now raised $300,000, but if the RNC drops $750,000 on top of the NRCC $250,000, it could go a long way towards buying the election.
Hackett needs two things: money and volunteers. I've given $50.01 and I'm heading down to it -- join me.
I'll have more at www.SwingStateProject.com.