By Dan Klepal
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FAIRFIELD - Leaders of the Butler County Republican Party said Saturday that a group called Conservative Republicans For A Change is a "bogus" organization and most of the candidates endorsed by the group are either Democrats, or Republicans who have done very little for the party.

The group has circulated about 20,000 fliers to registered Republicans in the county. They feature a picture of President Bush next to the sentence: "Will you help us elect Republicans?"

County Republican Party Chairman Joe Schwarz said information in the flier violates state election laws because it is misleading. The organization, he said, is not endorsed by the Bush-Cheney campaign nor is it endorsed by the Butler County Republican Party.

"This reflects everything that is wrong with politics today," Schwarz said. "It's an attempt to hijack the Republican Party. It's dangerous and it's wrong. Hard-working (Republican incumbents) are being challenged by people who have never cast a Republican ballot."

Members and supporters say the fight is over how Republican candidates are selected. Donald Spurlock, a candidate for precinct committeeman, said Republicans are chosen to run for office to avoid having party members run against each other in primary elections.

E-mail dklepal@enquirer.com