I likewise have been in contact with my state rep. He concurred with what you have said, and doubted it would actually ever be debated on the floor without a petition.
He was even less sure that a petition would work at this late stage. Further, it is fairly well understood now that Brunner will lose the next election. If she is removed from office, then Strickland would be able to make the appointment. This person would probably then win in the next election.
Bottom line is that the GOP seems to have some sort of strategy here. Petitions might grab headlines, but removing Brunner from office before the election seems a long shot at best.
Sometimes actions must have consequenses. And not having a consequence right now.. based on a political calculation for sometime in the future is crazy. If the Ohio election is stolen now.. it may not matter who is SOS in Ohio in 2 years. The petition's greatest effect would be to grab attention and headlines that Ohio voters are furious. Where it goes past there is another question, but I am not going to wait 2 years to turn the rascals out if they are breaking the law and my heart today.
Look the process and the news of the process are more important than the completion, but the completion and trial of Brunner if this was to occur would send a notice to state officials all across the country that there are some prices that are merely political but betraying the citizenry of the whole United States is not merely a political act. It is a crime. Gees.
Getting the process done before the election is not necessary... getting a large down payment or a whole petition completed by the election probably would mean an extra 100,000 McCain votes at the ballot box. Each person who signs this complaint will not be voting for Obama. If we have grabbed 600,000 or 1,000,000 million signatures door to door.. this will move the ballot and would be an earthquake in Ohio.