Ohio Supreme Court candidate Maureen O'Connor learned just how subjective judicial ratings can be.

After Ms. O'Connor met with representatives of four Cleveland organizations, each group came away from the meeting with a dramatically different opinion of her.

The Cuyahoga County Bar Association took the unusual step of labeling her "not recommended," meaning the group does not believe she is qualified for the job.

The Cleveland Bar Association, however, found her to be an "excellent" candidate. The Citizens League of Cleveland declared her a "good" candidate and the Norman S. Minor Bar Association rated her as "adequate."

The differences can't be blamed on a bad interview: Ms. O'Connor met with representatives of all four groups at the same time.

Her opponent, Cincinnatian Tim Black, was rated excellent or good by the four organizations.

College politics: Tim Hagan wants to cap tuition and enact a scholarship program to battle rising college costs he says threaten the state's future economy.

Mr. Hagan, the Democratic challenger for governor, touring college campuses around Ohio, noted that state budget cuts have led to big tuition jumps. He reminded students that Ohio is a leader in a discouraging category: the number of college graduates who leave to work in other states.

A spokesman for Mr. Taft wonders how Mr. Hagan proposes to pay for his program. He said the governor is also unhappy about higher education cuts and tuition increases, but can't promise anything until the budget crisis is resolved.

Light rail debates: The campaigns for and against the proposed Hamilton County sales tax hike that would help fund a proposed $2.6 billion light rail system for the county have agreed in principle to two debates for later this month.

The first is Tuesday and is scheduled somewhere in Anderson Township. A location has yet to be determined.

The second debate is at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Alter Hall on the campus of Xavier University and is sponsored by the Engineers and Scientists of Cincinnati. The two campaigns are in discussions about a possible third debate, which would be Oct. 29 at the Urban League's Community Room in Avondale, and would be broadcast live on WDBZ-AM (1230).

There are also talks about a joint public television appearance Oct. 31 on WCET-TV.