| Religion Taking Front Seat in Ohio Gubernatorial Race |
|
|
|
| Written by Daniel White | |
| Tuesday, 29 November 2005 | |
|
Perhaps following Ken Blackwell's lead, two other top contenders for the top seat in Ohio are making religion a focal point of their campaigns. Since the very beginning, Blackwell has not been shy to talk about the role of religion in his life and has urged "Christian activism" in the political arena. Recently, another top republican candidate, current Attorney General Jim Petro, began airing ads "focusing on faith and values" that say "his faith gives him the chance to make more effective decisions." On the other end of the political spectrum, Decocratic Candidate Ted Strickland has taken a similar tact. "As he campaigns throughout Ohio, Strickland said, he not only will share his vision for Ohio's future but also will talk about his faith and core values, which he said would shape his decisions as governor." As Ohio voters seek to return to more traditional values and right the sinking ship that is Ohio, all three candidates are incorporating these ideals into their public positions and are no longer afraid to admit that it is ok to allow faith to influence your positions and guide your decisions. Notably absent from this list is Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, an anti-gun Democratic candidate who withdrew from the race today on the heels of several scandals. |