BY SANDY THEIS and MICHAEL HAWTHORNE
Enquirer Columbus Bureau
COLUMBUS -- State Republican leaders are worried about their incumbent attorney general, think the Democrat running for state treasurer is a credible candidate and applaud their gubernatorial hopeful for "not making mistakes."
The assessments are laid out in a two-page "Statewide Political Briefing" prepared by the state GOP and obtained Thursday by the Enquirer.
Filled with military analogies, the memo predicts statewide contests will tighten as the Nov. 3 election nears. It also stresses the need for campaign cash to offset money and manpower that organized labor is expected to pour into Democratic races.
Sizing up the race for governor between Republican Bob Taft and Democrat Lee Fisher, the memo says, "It is imperative that he (Taft) continues to raise money in order to wage the most aggressive air war ever fought for governor."
Campaign finance reports filed Thursday showed that Mr. Taft maintained his fund-raising lead over Mr. Fisher last month. Mr. Taft raised $855,284, while Mr. Fisher collected $842,096.
While candidates don't have to report expenditures until next month, they traditionally spend the bulk of their money producing and airing campaign commercials. Mr. Fisher is expected to debut his first round of commercials next week. Mr. Taft has aired three so far.
Some of the spots already have generated controversy. The Ohio Elections Commission has ruled that Mr. Fisher's primary election campaign spot and one of Mr. Taft's general election commercials may have misled voters.
The GOP briefing paper makes reference to Mr. Taft's problem, saying, "While distracting, (it) is not debilitating."
"Taft has done a good job of keeping his campaign focused on organization over the summer and not making mistakes," the memo states.
Brett Bureck, Mr. Taft's spokesman, declined to comment on the memo, saying it represents the opinion of the party, not necessarily the Taft campaign.
Every race analyzed in the GOP briefing paper focuses on contributions, real or imagined, by organized labor. Although most of the beneficiaries are Democrats, the memo notes that unions also are supporting Republican Supreme Court Justice Paul Pfeifer.
"We may not like this situation," the GOP memo states, "but there appears to be little chance that it is going to change. He (Pfeifer) has the highest name ID of any judicial candidate."
The memo downplays the effect of an independent fund-raising campaign by insurance and business interests on behalf of Justice Pfeifer's opponent, Judge Ronald Suster of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.
"While Pfeifer apparently continues to be the target of an independent expenditure," the memo states, "it is difficult to image that enough money can be spent to defeat him."
In other races, the GOP memo says Democrat Richard Cordray "is doing a decent job raising money" in his campaign against incumbent Republican Attorney General Betty Montgomery.
"Expect this race to get very nasty as Cordray has already attempted to throw several hand grenades and will continue to do so," the paper states. "We need to keep an eye on this one and take nothing for granted."
Ms. Montgomery raised $175,016 last month, compared with $102,314 raised by Mr. Cordray.
In the race for secretary of state, Republican State Treasurer Ken Blackwell maintained his substantial fund-raising edge over his rival, State Rep. Charleta Tavares, D-Columbus.
Mr. Blackwell raised $101,058 during the month, compared with $23,266 raised by Ms. Tavares.
The GOP memo predicts this race could heat up, in part because of "the perception being perpetuated by the Democrats and picked up by the media that Blackwell does not want the office."
Before the May 5 primary, Mr. Blackwell indicated that he preferred to run for governor.
The memo also predicts a close campaign for treasurer between Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters, a Republican, and Democrat John Donofrio, the Summit County treasurer.
"This race will come down to which candidate can drive his name recognition highest by November 3," the memo states. "Donofrio is also one of the most credible candidates on the statewide Democratic ticket."
Mr. Deters raised $130,820 last month, while Mr. Donofrio raised $60,481.
