[July 4th]

Two questions: why was the seat open, and shouldn't the vote have had a higher Republican percentage?

[paulat]

Two questions: why was the seat open, and shouldn't the vote have had a higher Republican percentage?

One of the answers in the story posted earlier:

"Schmidt, 53, will replace Republican Rob Portman, who stepped down this year after being named U.S. trade representative by President Bush."

[Tribune7]

I was just reading that the Pub is a bit of a RINO and was opposed by the Club For Growth in the primary.

Also, the Dem is a Marine who just got back from Iraq and ran as a conservative.

[AntiGuv]

The seat was open because GWB nominated Rob Portman as U.S. Trade Representative, and yes, the vote should've been much more solidly Republican but there were a number of factors converging to make it a close race. A win is a win anyhow. Close doesn't cut it for the losers though.

[okie01]

Two questions: why was the seat open, and shouldn't the vote have had a higher Republican percentage?

The incumbent, Rob Portman, accepted a position in the Bush administration as National Trade Representative.

Portman was a seven-term Congressman who won with a 72% majority in '04. Yes, it should have been a higher Republican percentage, but these seem to have been the mitigating factors:

1. Schmidt was a State Rep, little known outside her home base (Clermont County).

2. Hackett, the Dem challenger, was a Marine who had seen duty in Iraq and he was very well-funded. His commercials never identified him by party, and he related himself to the President, the military and Iraq.

3. Turnout was pitifully low...but there were several school levies on the ballot in key districts. This was probably a major factor, in that it insured high turnout by the teacher's union.

In other words, a little-known Republican defeated a well-funded Democrat who ran as a Republican.

[TASMANIANRED]

Seat was open because President Bush appointed him to an administration position.

The reason it was so close is the Democrat in question concealed that he was a Democrat and even used Bush in his campaign adds.

He was stealth liberal.

[Preachin']

"Two questions: why was the seat open, and shouldn't the vote have had a higher Republican percentage?"

The president had placed the former rep in an administration position, and the democrat ran as Kerry-like was hero.

His campaign ads never stated that he was a democrat, but he went as far as stating that he was with the president on the war.

The funny thing is, he had previously stated that President Bush is the most dangerous man in the world, and also called the president a SOB.

It amazes me that so many people are completely unaware of politics. They voted for this guy because he allegedly states support of the war, but have no idea that he's a democrat.

[moose2004]

Rob Portman held this seat until Bush named him US Trade Representative. The district covers Cincinnati and southwestern Ohio, very conservative area. Jean Schmidt was not a great candidate for our side, she is considered a RINO by many, as well as an ally of Repub Gov Bob Taft whom currently enjoys a 19% approval rating due to scandals and the fact he raised taxes. Her opponent fought in the Iraqi war, and basically ran as a Repub.

[ONETWOONE]

Rush exposed this guy a Marine Reserve Lawyer who went there in a non-combat position. His adds never really mentioned that he was a Democrat.