After having both Democratic opponent Roxanne Qualls and the AFL-CIO hammer him on Social Security, U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot has called his mother.
The 1st District congressman's mother, Doris Chabot, is featured in a 30-second TV ad that debuts on Cincinnati stations today. In the ad, Mr. Chabot pledges to "stop government rip-offs and save Social Security."
"Who can ask for anything more out of a son?," Mrs. Chabot says in the ad. "We can trust Steve to protect Social Security. After all, Jerry and I raised him right."
The Chabot ad is a response to one that Ms. Qualls' campaign has been running in which she pledges that she won't vote for using any of the anticipated federal budget surplus until a plan to save Social Security is devised.
The AFL-CIO is running its own TV ad in Cincinnati, urging voters to "call Congressman Chabot" and urge him to protect Social Security. Last week, Mr. Chabot voted for a House GOP plan that would set aside 90 percent of the federal surplus for Social Security and distribute the remaining 10 percent in tax cuts.
The Hamilton County Republican and Democratic parties voted unanimously to endorse the mental health levy, which is Issue 10 on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The levy, proposed by the Community Mental Health Board, serves more than 18,000 low-income residents each year. The levy would renew another that expires this year and increase it by 35 percent, to raise $27.1 million a year for four years.
The current levy costs the owner of a $100,000 home $32.41 in property taxes annually. The new levy would cost that same homeowner $46.44.
Newt for Leising
House Speaker Newt Gingrich will appear at a fund-raising dinner tonight in Seymour, Ind., for 9th Congressional District candidate Jean Leising, a Republican.
Ms. Leising is in a tight race against Democrat Baron Hill for the seat being vacated by the retiring Lee Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton, a Democrat, has represented the sprawling, 21-county district for the last 34 years.
The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. (EST) at The Pines Evergreen Room, 4097 N. U.S. 31. Information: (812) 933-0353.
The Campaign Notebook is compiled by staff of The Cincinnati Enquirer and runs Tuesday-Saturday.
