Ohio Republicans short $800,000 Ohio Republicans running for re-election this November say their races are competitive, but national GOP leaders aren't buying it.

        The Republican National Committee (RNC) gave state GOP Chairman Robert Bennett only about $200,000 in late August to help fund get-out-the-vote efforts planned for October and November. That's far less than the $1 million Mr. Bennett wanted.

MONEY

Want to get some idea of the imbalance in fund raising among candidates?     Consider that three Democratic challengers combined raised less than what one incumbent Republican spent on catering for one event.     Republicans have usually raised more money in southwest Ohio than Democrats, even when the race has been competitive.     But when the race is not considered competitive, the fundraising disparities are even more striking.     In the 1st Congressional District, incumbent Republican Steve Chabot has raised $505,526 through the end of June. Democrat Greg Harris has amassed $5,820.     The 2nd Congressional District, where Republican Rob Portman seeks another term, the difference is this: Mr. Portman, $1,155,453, to Democrat Charles Sanders' $6,450.     In the 8th Congressional District, Republican John Boehner has raised $767,206. His opponent, Democrat Jeff Hardenbrook, has raised $2,460.     This fundraising pattern, as recorded by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, is not unusual; incumbents of either party tend to raise more money than challengers.     As for the catering bill: Mr. Boehner's campaign spent $19,398 for food and beverages at Brown's Run Country Club in Middletown last year.     Elsewhere...     Republican Steve Chabot is touting his award from Americans for Tax Reform. The group says the 1st District congressman is 100 percent “pro-taxpayer” on such issues as tax relief and limits on federal spending.     His Democratic opponent, Greg Harris, criticizes Mr. Chabot for opposing the proposed tax increase for light rail.     Says Mr. Harris: “Rather than working vigorously to put in place a 21st century transportation infrastructure, Mr. Chabot instead pursues a narrow ideological agenda that comes at the expense of delivering much needed projects to our region.“     Debates scheduled: Hamilton County Commission candidates Jean Siebenaler, a Democrat, and Phil Heimlich, a Republican, are scheduled to appear at debates and candidate nights over the next six weeks.     Upcoming events:     Oct. 8 debate, at the University Club, downtown, 8:15 p.m.     Oct. 10 debate, at the Hall of Mirrors in the Omni Netherland, 12 p.m.     Oct. 17 debate, at Christ Church Cathedral, downtown, 12 p.m.     Debating debates: The two campaigns on each side of the light rail ballot issue are scheduled to meet today to discuss potential debates.

        “The RNC looks at races they feel are most in need,” explained Jason Mauk, the state party spokesman. “They have said publicly they feel Ohio has some fairly uncompetitive races.”

        The state party can borrow up to $900,000 to replace the hoped for funds but a final decision to do that hasn't been made. Mr. Mauk said Mr. Bennett is still talking with RNC leaders about getting more money.

        ———

        Bennett blasts conservatives

        Mr. Bennett has responded to party conservatives who are attacking Gov. Bob Taft's choice of running mate Jennette Bradley.

        Ms. Bradley's pro-abortion rights and gay rights stands have some conservatives threatening to stay home on election day.

        “I think people who have criticized the selection on this are guilty of hidden racism,” he said.

        Mr. Bennett said some of his friends in the Republican Party have forgotten the Reagan rule. “People who agree with us 80 percent of the time are our friends, not our enemies. I don't agree with her on every issue, but I don't agree with Bob Taft on every issue either. I still consider them to be good Republicans.”

        Flannery objects to decision

        The Democratic candidate for Ohio's secretary of state wants a Columbus judge to wipe away an elections complaint that backfired on him.

        State Rep. Bryan Flannery, D-Lakewood, filed an appeal with the Franklin County Common Pleas Court Thursday. He's objecting to an Ohio Elections Commission ruling that he violated state law when he filed an unsubstantiated claim of criminal wrongdoing against his opponent, Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell.

        Mr. Flannery claimed that the “Change Our World: Vote” posters the secretary of state's office put in polling places posters, which included Mr. Blackwell's name, violated a state law barring candidates from soliciting votes near voting booths.

        The commission said no law was broken and ruled 4-2 that Mr. Flannery violated Ohio law by making false statements.

        The commission didn't fine or otherwise punish Mr. Flannery, but the candidate said he doesn't want to let the ruling stand unchallenged.

        ———

        Hagan heads downtown

        So what did Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tim Hagan do after he ripped into downtown boycott leader Nathaniel Livingston last week? He went to an AFL-CIO dinner downtown.

        Mr. Hagan said avoiding downtown only hurts hotel workers and others who need a thriving downtown for their jobs.

        ———

        Enquirer Columbus Bureau Chief Debra Jasper and Columbus Bureau reporter Spencer Hunt report on the latest news from the statewide campaigns. E-mail djasper@enquirer.com and shunt@enquirer.com

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