From Cleveland Plain Dealer's blog (again, where is the Enquierer???)When former Air Force Lt. Col. John Mitchel dropped out of the Republican U.S.Senate primary earlier this month, he said he wouldn't publicly endorse anybody. The Dayton-area conservative mentioned that he had a favorite still in the race, but declined to name names.that is good advice for the anti-DeWine camp. Take the time to get to know both of these challengers. Look deep. I have no doubt that when you do, you'll become a Pierce supporter too.
Now his secret is out. Mitchel thinks longshot Bill Pierce is the "best qualified" Republican in the primary battle to knock off Sen. Mike DeWine. Pierce and David Smith, a newcomer who moved into Ohio about a year ago, are both running to the right of the two-term GOP senator.
But Mitchel, who received nearly 200,000 Republican votes in a primary against Sen. George Voinovich, pulled up somewhat short of granting Pierce his full blessing. Here's what he told the Buckeye Firearms Association in an e-mail message urging the statewide gun-rights group to target DeWine for defeat:
"Now is the time to get behind one of the remaining challengers, and in my opinion, the best qualified is Bill Pierce, however, I would caution everyone to learn more about both challengers before they cast their vote on May 2nd."
DISCLOSURE: I am the blog administrator for Pierce for Senate.
