Before the crepe-papered red wagons, decorated dogs, flag-waving Boy Scouts, firetrucks and marching veterans came down the street, the "John Kerry for President'' team passed out litter bags at the Mount Washington Fourth of July parade.

"Do you really want that? Look what's on it,'' a woman asked her husband, who had one thrust into his hand.

He inspected Kerry's name like a guy spotting a smashed cicada on his freshly waxed SUV - then turned the bag inside out.

But Kerry's crowd was there in conservative Mount Washington, loud and proud. The Bush campaign was MIA. No marchers. No litter bags.

"We should have had someone there,'' said Hamilton County Republican Party chairman Mike Barrett.

County clerk of courts and Bush Campaign chairman Greg Hartmann said volunteers needed a break. "We'd rather have them make individual contacts with voters.''

About 4,500 volunteers for Bush have knocked on 10,000 doors and made 25,000 phone calls already, he said. Bush has been to Cincinnati three times and will be back enough to establish residency. "We're so far from taking voters for granted it's not funny,'' Hartmann said.

Still ... the party that runs the nation, Ohio and most of our region looks frayed at the elbows.

Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is being investigated by the FBI and the IRS for alleged campaign violations. He looks like he has "Caligulitis'' - named after the arrogant, crazy Roman emperor.

In Cincinnati, it looks like Republicans might three-putt a "gimme'' at City Hall.

They have nobody to run against Mayor Charlie Luken in 2005. They say it's too early.

But it's not too early for Ohio Sen. Mark Mallory. He's meeting with business leaders and community groups for a primary challenge to Luken. Both are Democrats.

"I haven't made up my mind yet, but I am strongly considering it - and I have been talking to people who are very supportive,'' said Mallory, a well-liked and respected moderate.

If he's the only African-American in the non-partisan September 2005 primary, he and Luken could split the Democratic vote and give a Republican a free pass to the November ballot.

"I am sure that there will be several candidates, and that will be healthy for Cincinnati,'' Luken said. "I know some on council are also considering a run.''

And the Republicans have ... maybe Ohio Appeals Court Judge Mark Painter - intelligent but not Mr. Popularity among many Republicans.

The local GOP is also dithering on districts - which could be the last best chance to hold onto its two seats at City Hall.

"The more City Council does dumb things,'' said Ohio Rep. Tom Brinkman, R-Mount Washington, "the more people say, 'Gee, we really need something different.' "

His idea of something different is petitions to put districts on the ballot in November. Districts bring more accountability and better representation of neighborhoods.

They also give Republicans a better chance to hold seats on council, but Brinkman says he is getting no support from the Republican Party.

Barrett said districts would be discussed soon by the policy committee.

Republicans didn't take over Ohio by being stupid. But one-party rule could be turned inside out if they miss too many parades.

E-mail pbronson@enquirer.com or call 768-8301.