Revisiting Social Issues in OH-18

In last night's post, I said:

This is a Republican primary. Jobs are vital, and Jeanette is talking about them, health care, illegal immigration, spending and taxes. But, this is a Republican primary... pro life, pro-gun, pro-traditional marriage and anti-bathroom sex are both policies and political stances that work in republican primaries. Look, there's another side to this... in the political environment of the GOP primary, it makes sense to be taking about the economy and the ACLU.

Social issues are important to Republicans. We can argue until we're blue in the face whether or not Jeanette's stand was an attempt to "scare gay-fearing conservatives" to the polls or if it was a serious attempt to illustrate her values and views. Either way, the discussion of the ACLU press release has generated has brought some light on an issue that otherwise may never have see nthe light of day in this campaign. Is there an epidemic of gay sex in the public restroom at an airport in the district? Not likely...but that isn't the point. The point is this candidate has declared a position on the subject.

What I failed to say is this: I find it rather weak to issue a press release on this subject without doing so on other issues that more directly effect the district. I would like to see more substantive issue statements from Jeanette on matters of concern to potential voters.

That Team Moll chose to issue the press release tells me is that they feel that they need to shore up support with the evangelical voters in the district. Which is a good strategy if they are feeling that that block may be the deciding factor in the race. Alternatively, if Team Moll thinks that her opponents have left this demographic behind then this strategy makes sense as well.

What doesn't make sense is that the campaign issues so few press releases (at least I don't get that many hitting my email box) that this one did kind of stick out as odd.

My personal opinion is that diverting into this "debate" has detracted Team Moll from addressing the more important issues facing the district. Not that Moll doesn't have ideas...it is the fact that the focus needs to be there and not in a Minnesota restroom.

...but then again, social issues really aren't my forte either...