Columnist takes leave during husband's Senate campaign

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-23/1140046146162690.xml&storylist=cleveland

2/15/2006, 6:21 p.m. ET
The Associated Press

CLEVELAND (AP) — Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Connie Schultz has taken a leave of absence from The Plain Dealer while her husband, Sherrod Brown, campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat.

Schultz, who last year won the newspaper's first Pulitzer Prize in more than 50 years, announced her decision Wednesday on the paper's Web site in a column titled, "It's time to do what feels right."

She wrote that she is becoming more limited in her choice of column topics because she could be accused of campaigning for her husband of two years, currently a Democratic congressman. She also said her presence at the newspaper could create difficulties for her colleagues covering the Senate race.

"I hate to see a signature writer go from the pages of the paper, but I think it was the right decision from a journalistic perspective and it was a decision Connie came to on her own," said editor Doug Clifton...

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http://www.cleveland.com/schultz/index.ssf?/base/news/1138797018226220.xml&coll=2

It's time to do what feels right

Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Connie Schultz
Plain Dealer Columnist


...I still want to write about what's on my mind, but that is becoming increasingly difficult. Each passing week brings more limitations in my choice of topics because there is a concern that some will accuse me of using my column to stump for my husband.

As a woman and a feminist, the suggestion that I am merely parroting my husband both amuses and offends me.

As a journalist, however, I am sensitive to even the appearance of conflict. I am also keenly aware of the difficulties my remaining in this job could create for my colleagues who must cover the Senate race.

As a wife, I feel the pull to be the partner my husband deserves. Sherrod has been incredibly supportive of my career at every turn. Not once has he ever asked me not to write about an issue, even when he knew it might create problems with some of his constituents. I want to be just as unequivocally by his side now. I cannot play a significant role in his campaign as long as I work at this newspaper...



http://www.cleveland.com

[Erika]

1. Classy Lady -

Strong committed democrat family values.

[OzarkDem]

2. Glad she'll be out on the campaign trail

I hope the fanatics leave her alone this time, though not likely.

[efhmc]

3. The right way to do things. Good luck to her husband.