McEwen challenges Jean Schmidt to primary rematch ("to return dignity")

[Algorem]

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/13654382.htm

WASHINGTON - Former U.S. Rep. Bob McEwen said on Wednesday that he would challenge Rep. Jean Schmidt in the May primary election, promising to return dignity and experience to the seat.

"I spoke with former colleagues in the Congress and received significant encouragement in my effort to return to Congress someone in the mold of Rob Portman and Bill Harsha," McEwen told The Associated Press, referring to two former GOP congressmen from Ohio...

After McEwen's formal announcement of a rematch Wednesday at an Anderson Township hospital, Barry Bennett, Schmidt's chief of staff, said Schmidt would point out the failures in McEwen's 12 years in the U.S. House.

"It's appropos McEwen made his announcement from a hospital because his campaign is in critical condition," Bennett said. "This is all about Bob, this is about Bob's ego, and we'll make it about his record, and it's less than stellar."

[CottonBear]

1. Typical Repub response: smear the opponent and say his ego is big

and he only wants attention. It's the same thing they just did to Gore.
:(

[davidinalameda]

2. I don't care if they dig up Joe McCarthy to run against her

anyone would be better than her

George Bush would be better

(ducks for cover)

[CottonBear]

4. LOL! Mean Jean may have done herself in with the cut and run comments.

She is truly an awful, awful person. :(
ALMOST anyone would be better than her. I hope she gets her ass kicked in the election.

[joeybee12]

3. Good! Let's make it as nasty as possible!

This could be a good seat to pick up if the Dems run someone--the Repuke winner will be very, very bloodied.

[wicket]

6. Just what I was thinking!

:thumbsup:

[Algorem]

5. McEwen's conservative base not safe from Schmidt in GOP primary

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-22/113760565152000.xml&storylist=cleveland

1/18/2006, 6:08 p.m. ET
By DAVID HAMMER
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — ...

"This is going to be a very close election again," said Phil Burress, president of CCV Action, the lobbying arm of the conservative Citizens for Community Values in Cincinnati. "They are two totally different types of personalities. Bob is a statesman, and I love that. Jean will get in your face in a heartbeat, and I like that too."...

High-profile conservatives like former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan, former Attorney General Ed Meese and Focus on the Family chief James Dobson have backed McEwen in the past. Before last summer's special election to replace new U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman in Congress, Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, endorsed McEwen...

"Bounced checks, honoraria and residency," Bennett said, summing up Schmidt's plan for attacking McEwen's record.

Thor Jacobs, 47, a small construction company owner from Cincinnati with no political experience, is the only declared Democratic candidate.

[Judi Lynn]

7. GOP challenger sees kink in 'Mean Jean's' armor

GOP challenger sees kink in 'Mean Jean's' armor
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Bill Sloat
Plain Dealer Reporter
Cincinnati- U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt has been lampooned on "Saturday Night Live" and booed by Democrats on the House floor. Now, the downstate Republican faces a challenger from her own party.

Former U.S. Rep. Bob McEwen, voted out of office in 1992 after 12 years in the House, said Wednesday he will attempt his third comeback in May's GOP primary. He barely lost to Schmidt in a special primary election in June.

Their race is likely to be high-profile on the national stage.

Schmidt triggered an uproar in the House last year when she said "cowards cut and run, Marines never do," in remarks aimed at Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha, who served in Vietnam.
(snip/...)

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1137663539189680.xml&coll=2