Insider Beltway publication The Hill also reported today on the possible fallout from Mike DeWine’s filibuster compromise to his son’s bid for Ohio 2.

While McEwen gave no indication yesterday that he would make an issue out of DeWine’s father or his support for a pact that has angered many conservatives, a spokeswoman for state Rep. Tom Brinkman, also a candidate, suggested Brinkman plans to run with it.

Schmidt did not return phone calls yesterday. But one of her key backers, Jana Morford Widmeyer, the director of Ohio Right to Life’s political action committee, said Sen. DeWine’s support for the filibuster agreement would undoubtedly factor into the race.

“All I can tell is people are very upset,’ Widmeyer said. “I just spoke to my friend in Mike DeWine’s office who said the phones are ringing off the hook.’

Widmeyer, like other Republicans interviewed, added that Pat DeWine’s name recognition, which had been his greatest asset heading into the primary, is also his greatest liability.

“Pat’s going to be tainted with it,’ Widmeyer said, referring to the filibuster agreement. “Either because people realize it’s his dad, and they’re going to want to know where he stands on it, or they’re not going to know the difference between the two.’

Pat DeWine’s campaign manager, Shannon Jones, did not return calls yesterday seeking comment about the House candidate’s thoughts about the filibuster agreement or how it might influence the outcome of his race.

Other Republicans who are officially unaligned with any of the House campaigns said they didn’t expect the filibuster debate to have much impact on the race, adding that voters regard Pat DeWine as his own man…
…Denise Mackura, Ohio Right to Life’s executive director, said an endorsement vote this week by the Cincinnati chapter of her group will be more significant than the filibuster debate in shaping the House race.

Mackura said she expects Right to Life to endorse more than one candidate in the race, including one or more of the three leading contenders, DeWine, McEwen and Schmidt.


It would seem that these evangelical political factions will tolerate nothing but blind obedience from their politicians. If there is one thing that I’ve been able to agree on with my Republican friends it’s that these groups are truly frightening.

The thing is that if they have overreached, you will not hear about it from the pulpits or in the media. The only way you will be able to tell will be by the conspicuous lack of voters on August 2nd.