BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DAYTON, Ohio -- President Clinton's troubles and the question of impeachment should not be a campaign issue, the highest-ranking Republican in the country said Thursday.
House Speaker Newt Gingrich, campaigning on behalf of Ohio Lt. Gov. Nancy Hollister for the 6th Congressional District, said any move toward impeachment should be approached as a constitutional issue and a matter of conscience, not a decision following party lines.
"We're going to keep the two very separate," Mr. Gingrich said.
It's a message some of his fellow Republicans across the country either haven't heard or aren't following. In a year where Republicans edge out Democrats by 11 seats in the House, every race counts. And every political card is played. Even Mrs. Hollister has made the Clinton scandal an issue.
Earlier this month, she called on Ted Strickland to refuse any campaign money raised by President Clinton. To accept the cash would be an indication Mr. Strickland supports the president's actions, Mrs. Hollister said.
The former Marietta mayor said Thursday she does not discuss the scandal while stumping unless she's asked about it. And she said her previous comments were aimed at pointing out Mr. Strickland's inconsistencies, not to make the president's troubles an issue.
She wants voters in the 14-county district that stretches from Marietta into Warren County to cast their ballots Republican because of her platform, not in retaliatory anger for the president's actions.
Her slate of issues closely mirrors the plank of GOP leadership and Mr. Gingrich: shore up Social Security; use some of the budget surplus for tax cuts; and make national defense a top priority.
Mr. Gingrich urged a room of about 80 people Thursday to support Mrs. Hollister because she believes in the Republican way. And she can vote for a Republican Speaker of the House, he said.
But with the event held in Dayton -- outside of the 6th District -- few of the attendees can vote for Mrs. Hollister Nov. 3. What they can do is donate to her campaign chest, which lags Mr. Strickland's by about $200,000.
And they did, to the tune of $150 for breakfast, $500 for a photo with Mr. Gingrich. The event was expected to generate about $20,000, Hollister spokeswoman Rachael Sweeny said.
Mr. Strickland also called on a big gun to campaign for him Thursday. House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt appeared with Mr. Strickland in Ross County to talk about education and ways to prop up struggling districts throughout southern Ohio.
The Democratic agenda calls for a $12.4 billion infusion over seven years into local schools to reduce class sizes, hire teachers and modernize school facilities.
"As you all know, we've got to learn computers today. Everything is computers. Everything is high technology," Mr. Gephardt told about 100 seniors and members of the National Honor Society at a Ross County high school.
"If you don't have a building -- and I didn't see a building here today, I'm sorry to tell you -- that can accommodate the high technology . . . you're going to be at a huge disadvantage when you get out in the world."
