Blade Slices

Ohio Senate president lauds Romney

COLUMBUS — On the campaign trail, Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R., Medina) has extolled the virtues of GOP contender Rick Santorum. On Monday, the other side of the Statehouse rotunda weighed in on the side of Mitt Romney.

"Ohioans are looking for a change in leadership," Senate President Tom Niehaus (R., New Richmond) said. "However, we cannot expect a creature of Washington to come in and change it. Mitt Romney is a conservative businessman who spent his life in the private sector. He owes nothing to special interests and his only ‘team' is the American people.

“Ohio needs a bold leader who will restore our economy and bring jobs back to our state," he said.

“Mitt Romney is that man and I am proud to support him. I urge my fellow conservatives who are looking for a fresh start with a true outsider to join me in standing with him."

-- Jim Provance

Blade Columbus Bureau

Barney Frank endorses Kucinich

U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich on Thursday announced he had the backing of Rep. Barney Frank (D., Massachusetts) in his 9th District primary contest.

Mr. Kucinich is up against U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo in the March 6 Democratic primary for the redrawn 9th Congressional District.

In a letter to contributors, Mr. Kucinich wrote:

"I have worked with Congressman Frank for fifteen years to challenge out-of-control military spending and to create an American economy which is focused on taking care of things here at home. Congressman Frank and I have worked side by side to endeavor to bring an end to discrimination of all kinds, including those which are based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

"His support is an affirmation of our work in Congress for social and economic justice everywhere. I am very grateful to receive Congressman Frank's powerful words of encouragement," Mr. Kucinich wrote.

Steve Fought, campaign manager for Miss Kaptur, said that Mr. Frank may still be ticked off by Miss Kaptur's vote against his financial regulation bill in December, 2009. She said at the time that it didn't do anything about banks that are "too big to fail."

Mr. Fought said Miss Kaptur has "a lot more support inside the Democratic caucus" than does Mr. Kucinich.

Here's Representative Franks' letter.

Ron Paul campaign gets the jump with sign

The first Republican presidential campaign sign of the March 6 primary? This recycled 2008 Ron Paul sign is attached to a fence on the Anthony Wayne Trail near the Toledo Zoo.