It's a bit late now LaTourette
LaTourette, seeking a seventh consecutive term in the 14th district, barely challenged the assertion of his opponent, Democrat Lewis Katz, that he and has colleagues had failed to provide the proper checks and balances on the administration. The two met during an endorsement interview with Plain Dealer reporters and editors."The question is, 'was there sufficient oversight?' " LaTourette said. "The answer is, no."
LaTourette argued that intelligence reports provided to the president and lawmakers before the war - since proven inaccurate - persuaded most of the necessity for action. Now that our forces are there, however, he believes the U.S. must succeed in establishing a credible democracy to thwart jihadists' momentum. But is the man responsible - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld - the man to achieve that aim?
"Rumsfeld has been a disaster," LaTourette said.
If the PeeDee endorse LaTourette after that admission then that's all the proof needed that newspaper endorsements are just another incumbent protection racket.
I'd also add that there should have been a follow up question. "Since admitting you didn't do your job, when are you going to start and how ?". Because you know these weasels are just going to go back to being rubber stamps if reelected.
Well, we've got four potentials in the state
12th
don't forget the 12th.
right now I'd rank the races as
18th
1st
15th
12th
2nd
in that order.
Katz is a longshot -- I agree
OH 1, 2, 12, 15, and 18 are stronger pickup opportunities. No doubt about it. BUT I still believe that on November 8, there will be two or three races in the country that have to go our way, and that no one ever saw coming, if we're going to re-take the House. In Ohio I see two possibilities: OH-14 with Katz and OH-3 with Chema.
I'd rank them like this:
OH-18
OH-15
OH-1
OH-2
OH-12
OH-14
OH-3
Three pickups would be great, but they may not be the top three on the list.
OH-5 too
The other four contenders for Republican held seats don't appear to be running aggressive, active campaigns.
LaTourette
Not to say saving those jobs wasn't important or something to hang your hat on, but if it's that alone, Steve's record is awfully thin. He's not the Lake County prosecutor anymore, after all.
The Plainly Republican
Now if they end up endorsing Greg Hartmann, claiming he's young and energetic and will bring "fresh ideas" to the Secretary of State's office, you will know the fix is in. There's no way you can look at his record and Jennifer Brunner's and say he's more qualified





Katz is the answer
I've just looked at the FEC filings for both LaTourette and Katz. Katz has raised $170,000, almost 90% from individual donors. LaTourette has raised 1.3 million, but only 38% from individual donors. LaTourette still enjoys a 10-1 COH advantage. If you'd like to fix that in some small amount, here is a good place to start.
Folks, we're going to need 2 or 3 major upsets to take the House. Katz is running the kind of campaign that could do it. No one is paying attention to this race, but Katz and his campaign just keep plugging away. We had 15 people canvassing in Aurora yesterday -- a heavy Republican area -- mining for D's and I's to come out and vote.
Foley's escapades and LaTourette's PD interview don't hurt the cause either.