DeWine toughens ad tactics
2006-10-19
Source: The Columbus Dispatch
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rss feedNational Republicans promised to pour millions of dollars into the faltering campaign of Sen. Mike DeWine only after he agreed to air much-tougher TV commercials against Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown. The new Republican strategy, which includes a less prominent role for longtime DeWine adviser Mike Dawson, was unveiled yesterday with a brand-new commercial in which three older women assail Brown on taxes and his voting record, with one woman concluding, "Sherrod Brown, I just don't trust you."
Republican sources in Washington say that even though DeWine is trailing in the polls, GOP leaders think he still can win his race by sharpening the differences between himself and Brown, a six-term congressman from Avon.
An independent analyst said DeWine has gotten more personal with his new negative ad, perhaps partly in response to an attack by Brown trying to tie DeWine to "Coingate" figure Thomas W. Noe and disgraced Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath. But it also may be DeWine’s last chance at rescuing his campaign, said Jennifer Duffy, Senate analyst for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
"DeWine's integrity has never really been questioned before. Sure it’s personal," Duffy said. But "at this point De-Wine’s job is to make Brown an unacceptable option. This is a little bit of a Hail Mary pass. This is sort of the last shot."
The GOP sources, who spoke with The Dispatch on condition of anonymity, said they repeatedly urged DeWine to adopt a tougher approach to throw Brown on the defensive. But they said Dawson, who has played a major supporting role in the Republican dominance of Ohio during the past decade, has opposed a more aggressive advertising campaign.
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