The Big Picture

Some may think that the possible GOTV infiltration is the story of the day. It just might be if, and it is a really big if, it really is happening. I suspect, that it is nothing more than a red herring designed to divert our attention from the big picture.

And I think today is the day for the big picture. Sherrod Brown's record during his 30 years in office has been marked throughout by three main features: ineffectiveness, scandal, and partisanship. Senator DeWine has worked in a bipartisan fashion to get things done on issues that matter to Ohioans (tax cuts, security, jobs), he's run a clean office, and he's going to make a difference for Ohio.

Voters need to look ahead and think about who they want in the Senate and controlling the Senate for the next six years. Do they want Sherrod Brown and his ultra-liberal policies? Do they want John Kerry, Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, and Ted Kennedy leading our country? Do they want their taxes raised and their values assaulted? If the answer to those questions is yes, by all means stay at home and don't vote. But if it is not -- if voters want more jobs created in Ohio, lower taxes, more conservative judges, tougher immigration laws, and an aggressive prosecution of the Global War on Terror, then they need to come out and vote for Mike DeWine and the rest of the Republican ticket.

Here are, as I see them, the key issues:

Doing What It Takes to Win the Global War on Terror

As a member of the Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, Senator DeWine helped write the PATRIOT Act, which has provided law enforcement agencies with tools to help detect terrorist cells, disrupt terrorist plots, and keep Americans safe. For over a decade, Senator DeWine has been working to upgrade our national intelligence capabilities. He has also authored a law that has provided over $3 billion for first responders since 2000, and has voted for numerous policy recommendations made by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.

Congressman Brown has voted not once, but twice against the PATRIOT Act, which passed in the House with over 350 votes and passed in the Senate 98-1. He has voted more than 10 times to slash intelligence funding and voted against intelligence programs following the September 11th attacks. Congressman Brown has even voted against key recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, including risk-based homeland security funding, interoperable communications for first responders, and explosives detection at airports. Rep. Brown has let us down on national security.

Lower Taxes for Ohio Families & Businesses

Senator DeWine strongly believes that taxpayers, not the federal government, know what’s best for the money they earn. That’s why he has voted to pass over $2 trillion in tax cuts into law in just the last six years. These cuts have meant lower taxes for over 4.4 million Ohioans, helped stimulate economic growth by providing tax relief to over 850,000 business taxpayers in the state, eliminated the “marriage penalty,” and provided families with children with an additional $500 per child tax credit. Senator DeWine will continue to fight for lower taxes, and supports full repeal (or, if that is not possible, a substantial reduction) of the Estate Tax.

Congressman Brown says he is for tax cuts, but he has voted for higher taxes over 100 times during his 14 years in Congress. Brown voted for the largest tax increase in U.S. history, which even raised gas taxes and taxes on Social Security benefits. Recently, Congressman Brown has claimed that he has voted 33 times for lower taxes, but 28 or these 33 votes were on bills or amendments that either did not pass or never became law. Rep. Brown is a lifelong tax raiser, and he can’t run from his record.

Working Together With Democrats and Republicans to Get Things Done

On issues from economic development to fighting crime to improving children’s health and welfare, Senator DeWine has proven that he has the ability to reach across the aisle to find solutions and pass them into law. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he has worked to secure over $1 billion for projects in Ohio, each and every one of which has made a difference, whether by way of improved infrastructure, expanded research & development programs, better hospitals, improved law enforcement, or in many other ways.

In 14 years, Congressman Brown has consistently chosen to launch partisan attacks while voting against legislation on major national issues such as energy independence and national securitt rather than working in a bipartisan fashion to find solutions. Brown has passed 4 bills in 14 years, three of which helped Taiwan, and he has missed 278 votes, including votes on funding for 9/11 Commission recommendations and protections for U.S. manufacturers. He is in the liberal extreme of his party, and he is ineffective.

Please remember to vote tomorrow as if your life depends on it...because it does. National security is still the most important issue facing this country. Sherrod Brown represents the ultra left "blame America first" wing of his party and he doesn't share Ohio's values.

Let's not forget that Sherrod Brown is another tax and spend liberal out to gouge your paycheck...

A vote for Sherrod Brown (or sitting it out) is not a vote for conservative principles.