OHIO REPUBLICANS Auditor criticizes party's scandal

By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Ohio Auditor Betty Montgomery, a 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate, looks at her political party and isn't pleased with what she sees.
"A small group of people have brought a great blot on the party," Montgomery told The Vindicator during a telephone interview. "A small group of people who should have been paying attention didn't do that. I am pretty appalled at what we see unfolding."
She specifically mentioned the involvement of state Sen. Jeff Jacobson, who was to be the next state Senate president, and Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, who plans to run in 2006 for auditor, with two political consultants under state and federal investigation. The investigation involves allegations of campaign finance irregularities.
Facing consequences
Montgomery said she was pleased that Jacobson of Brookville opted to withdraw his name from consideration for the presidency.
"He stepped aside rather than bring more shame" to the Republican Party, she said.
As for Householder, Montgomery said, "I feel sad for anyone in a situation where their dreams have come crashing down around him. If what is being said is true, then you live by the sword, you die by the sword."
Montgomery wouldn't comment on whether Householder of Glenford should resign, saying those decisions should be made by Ohio House Republicans.
She gave a brief comment on an investigation into the office of Treasurer Joseph T. Deters regarding its involvement with a Cleveland stock broker, who pleaded guilty to bribing an unnamed "public servant or party official."
That investigation is being conducted by a special prosecutor appointed by Cuyahoga County Prosecutor William Mason, who, like Deters, is looking to run for attorney general in 2006.
"I was a former prosecutor and if there is a problem, the criminal system works," she said. "If, however, this is the use of a grand jury for political purposes, then it's the most corrupt use of the system I've ever seen. I hope it's an honest investigation done with honest intentions."
Montgomery said the Ohio Republican Party needs to make changes and focus on public policy and less on politics. That means some members of the party's leadership should be ousted, though she didn't give any names, and there needs to be a bipartisan approach to government in the state.
Priorities
Montgomery said she is working hard to get President Bush re-elected in November, and then she will get her 2006 gubernatorial campaign into full gear. She said Attorney General Jim Petro, another Republican gubernatorial candidate, is doing the same thing. But Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, also a Republican gubernatorial candidate, isn't.
"Ken has had the gloves off for a while," she said. "Jim raised a lot of money early, but given all that's going on, he's wisely stepped back a little bit. But Blackwell is pushing hard. I'm trying to keep above the fray. The starting gun will begin the day after [the November general] election and then it will be more full blown."
The presidential election will be a tight one, she said, even though U.S. Sen. John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee, is having a hard time gaining momentum.
"People aren't pro-Kerry as much as being anti-Bush," Montgomery said of those who favor Kerry over the Republican president.
Montgomery served eight years as attorney general before becoming state auditor in January 2003. Montgomery said she enjoys the job, particularly meeting with local and county officials in the state. As attorney general, Montgomery said she didn't get that interaction with those officials.
skolnick@vindy.com