OH-5: Negative Campaigning Not Well Received; Latta (R) Proposes Truce

The sharply negative turn of the struggle between GOP front-runners State Sen. Steve Buehrer (R-Delta) and State Rep. Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) in the 5th Congressional District special primary is provoking a distinctly cool reception from the far-flung, largely rural community. This report from Toledo's ABC affiliate is facially impassive but drips with disapproval between the lines:

Two men running for the open fifth district congressional seat have a disagreement over campaign tactics. One is charging the other with going after his family. The tactic in this case involves looking into the work records of your opponent's wife. It is just another incident in a tough campaign.

Latta believes his wife is under attack because she works on his campaign. Latta insists his wife Marcia takes time off from the university to work on the campaign. But he also believes Buehrer is out of bounds here.

Bob Latta says, "A family member, a spouse and your kids are out of bounds when it comes to campaigns."

Steve Buehrer says, "The fact of the matter is, this week he has launched an automated negative phone call that called me a liar. He has also filed a lawsuit against me and has launched a negative TV campaign."

UT political science professor Dr. David Davis says Buehrer's campaign isn't really doing anything wrong by looking into Marcia Latta's work records. But he says the real target may not be Latta's wife.

Buehrer's campaign says it will not use the information it gets on Latta's wife. Marcia Latta is the development director at BGSU and helps the university raise money.

Seeking to rise above the fray, the Latta campaign today sent an open letter to Robert Bennett, chair of the Ohio Republican Party, proposing a truce:

October 14, 2007

Chairman Robert T. Bennett
211 South Fifth Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Dear Chairman Bennett:

The Republican Party has always believed in open competition and fair play in campaigns and elections. The free exchange of ideas and debate is a GOP hallmark.

I have always encouraged a robust debate on the issues, but the campaign to choose a successor to Congressman Paul Gillmor adopted a discouraging tone when outside special interests intervened.

As I kicked off my campaign on September 14, I discussed my desire to represent the people of the 5th District by defending our values, standing up for lower taxes, less spending and winning the war on terror. I spoke of the need to return to the tried and true GOP principles championed by Ronald Reagan and my dad who helped build the cornerstone of the Reagan economic revolution.

What happened next was pure tragedy. An outside special interest group endorsed my opponent and quickly launched a despicable negative attack ad which attacked my character and family name. My long-time service to the GOP was ridiculed, my voting record was distorted and my reputation was impugned.

I have worked hard over the last 17 years to maintain my family’s good name. But, in the quickness of a thirty-second attack-ad launched by an out-of-state group, my name was besmirched. Just last month, this same outside group agreed to pay a $350,000 fine after being investigated and hauled into court by the bipartisan Federal Election Commission.

Now, they stand under investigation here in Ohio by the state Elections Commission for misleading voters on my record.

My opponent, Mr. Buehrer, also took the unprecedented action of investigating my wife who works at Bowling Green State University and that action is totally out-of-bounds and beneath contempt.

Let the record show that the first attack in this campaign came from Steve Buehrer and his out-of-state allies. My first campaign message was uplifting in tone and spirit. Please take the time to view my ad by visiting my website at www.lattaforcongress.com to see for yourself. Mr. Buehrer’s first message was to mislead voters and attack my integrity and that’s why he’s now under investigation by the Ohio Elections Commission.

Few GOP leaders have questioned my right to defend myself after these unprovoked and underhanded attacks because they fundamentally understand the value of fair play. I appreciate that sentiment but regret it had to come to this.

I still believe this campaign should be about leadership and ideas. We can still declare a new day and stop the politics of tear-down by telling voters who we are and what we stand for. The voters expect an honest debate on the issues facing our nation.

Therefore, I am proposing a new beginning in this campaign. I am proposing a clean campaign pledge which is simple and achievable. Here’s what I propose:

One: Mr. Buehrer must denounce the out-of-state Club for Growth’s endorsement and TV ads which falsely attack me and mislead the voters about my record. These negative ads set the tone in this campaign and it will take leadership from Mr. Buehrer to re-establish a positive tone.

Two: Mr. Buehrer must demand the out-of-state Club for Growth group to pull their ads immediately from Ohio airwaves.

Three: Mr. Buehrer must pledge to return the bundled financial donations he has received from the Club for Growth.

Once these conditions are met:

· Both campaigns must agree to not mention the other candidate in any television advertising, radio advertising, mail pieces, phone calls, speeches, etc.

· The candidates in this primary must respect Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment which is: Thou Shall Not Speak Ill of a Fellow Republican.

If these conditions are agreed upon, a new day will exist in this campaign where issues and ideas triumph --- and the voters benefit.

I support the declaration of a positive campaign and will do my part. If Mr. Buehrer agrees with my clean campaign pledge, I will forgo the use of comparative advertising or the mentioning of his name in paid campaign communications. We can then debate the issues which benefits all voters.

Because, my opponent initiated this negative campaign, I must remind him that any violation of this pledge will result in an immediate termination of this agreement.

I hope we can all agree that this is the best course of action for the Republican Party and more importantly, the voters of the 5th Congressional District who deserve to know where we stand on the important issues facing our great nation.

With kind regards and best wishes,

Sincerely,

State Rep. Bob Latta

Will Buehrer respond to this letter as a genuine effort to improve the tone of the campaign, or as an underhanded attack? Or, perhaps, as an admission of weakness?