Diff'rent Strokes : Brunner Talks Policy, Fisher Talks Politics

Today, while Jennifer Brunner was making her case for dramatically rethinking the U.S. commitment to the war in Afghanistan, her U.S. Senate opponent, Lee Fisher was announcing a another wave of regional endorsements, this time focusing on Lucas County and the Metro Toledo area.

In his release today, Fisher accepted the support of Lucas County Commission President Pete Gerken, Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak, Auditor Anita Lopez, Clerk of Courts Bernie Quilter, Recorder Jeanine Perry, Treasurer Wade Kapszukiewicz, Engineer Keith Earley, Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, City Council President Joe McNamara, Ohio House Speaker Pro Tempore Matt Szollosi and State Representatives Edna Brown and State Representative Peter Ujvagi.

Of course, many of these elected officials endorsed Fisher months ago, but the campaign has not been shy about repurposing and rewriting past releases to appear to be locking down even more endorsements than they already have. At some point (and we may already be there), these endorsements won't seem all that significant anymore. However, a single notable endorsement switch from Fisher to Brunner would probably cause a tremendous political backdraft in the state. It's something worth watching.

But let's be clear about Team Fisher. They've got a lot of endorsements. Give the campaign their due props on the political work behind the scenes. That being said, we're still not sure where they're headed politically. Today's Afghan piece by Brunner almost makes our argument. Why is Fisher not engaging in a more meaningful, agressive way on these controversial issues? I assume the answer is to protect his electability for the fall 2010 election, but without taking some stands on tough issues - and doing it proactively, not as a response - he may not find himself in a race to worry about next fall.

On a weekly basis, Brunner continues to look like a senator while Fisher still comes off as overly political (although not nearly as much as Rob Portman). I realize that the styles of Brunner and Fisher are very hard to balance, and one way isn't ultimately better than the other (at least if you hope to win a seat in the senate for your party). Fisher is incredibly bright, thoughtful and articulate. Brunner has some sharp elbows and a set of brass knuckles sitting in her coat pocket. Just once, I'd like to see both candidates switch tactics for a few days, show us their other sides, and give us a taste of what else they're made of.