Sherrod Brown fares well as ad wars roll

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/elizabeth_auster/index.ssf?/base/opinion/115900046537770.xml&coll=2

Sunday, September 24, 2006
Elizabeth Auster
Plain Dealer Columnist

Sherrod Brown clearly had a tough time last year deciding whether to give up his safe House seat to challenge Sen. Mike DeWine. But Brown, who irritated more than a few Democrats when he first announced he wouldn't run and then changed his mind, is now seeing the vindication of his final decision.

With the release last week of two respected polls showing him running statistically even or slightly ahead of DeWine, the Avon Democrat has got to be pleased.

Republicans already have deployed two of their toughest weapons - TV commercials accusing him of being soft on defense and opposed to large tax cuts. Yet Brown is not only still standing, he's improved his position in the polls from earlier in the race.

DeWine, meanwhile, is struggling in the crucial battle for Ohio's middle-of-the-road voters, even though his voting record places him closer to the political center than Brown...

[Yogi]

1. Brown leading

in Columbus Dispatch poll

http://www.dispatch.com/news/news.php?story=dispatch/2006/09/24/20060924-A10-05.html