Social issues loom large in GOP primary

Some Republican candidates running in next month's primary say their conservative views on social issues are as important as -- or more important than -- their conservative views on economic issues.
No candidate is more effectively using this concept than Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, a Republican gubernatorial candidate.
When it became obvious shortly after the 2002 election that Blackwell, Attorney General Jim Petro and Auditor Betty Montgomery were all eyeing the gubernatorial post in 2006, the secretary of state was viewed by some as a long-shot to win his party's nomination.
But here we sit less than a month before the primary and Blackwell is clearly the leading Republican candidate in polls taken on the race.
Montgomery, a moderate Republican who trailed Blackwell in polls, dropped out of the race, and opted to run for attorney general. Petro lags behind Blackwell, and only gained momentum when he ran campaign commercials in January touting himself as a pro-life candidate and a defender of the "sanctity of marriage."
While Blackwell emphasizes his Tax Expenditure Limitation amendment to limit state and local government spending, he has done an extraordinary job getting the Christian conservative movement behind his campaign.
Part of that is being a fiscal conservative. But it's primarily because of Blackwell's conservative views on social issues and his pride in talking about them.
When asked if he embraces being called an "extreme right-wing Christian conservative," Blackwell said: "I'm an elected public leader who is conservative, a man of faith shaped by his experiences, which includes the civil rights movement that wouldn't have [existed] without the faith community's involvement. ... Is it extreme to believe that families can spend their money better than the government? Is it extreme to believe in the principle of limited government? Is it extreme to protect innocent life?"
Others are following Blackwell's lead.
Ashtabula County Auditor Sandra O'Brien is criticizing Treasurer Jennette Bradley for her moderate position on social issues, including being pro-choice. O'Brien is challenging Bradley, a fellow Republican, in the May 2 primary for state treasurer.
O'Brien said she is constantly asked about social issues while campaigning for treasurer, a job that has absolutely nothing to do with social issues.
Voters "don't ask about my plans for the office, although I'm ready to talk about them," O'Brien recently said. "They want to know about my position on social issues."
Bradley says social issues should play no factor in this race.
In the 12-county 6th Congressional District race, the four Republican candidates -- some more so than others -- say social issues are an important part of their campaign.
The district includes several socially conservative counties so the strategy may work. But those same counties are economically depressed and voters should be more interested in what their next congressman can do to resolve that problem.
Timothy E. Ginter of East Liverpool, a pastor, said it's the government's responsibility to "legislate morality" such as protecting traditional marriages and the unborn as well as stopping all embryonic stem cell research.
Noble County Commissioner Danny Harmon of Quaker City and Richard D. Stobbs of Dillonvale, two other Republicans in the 6th District primary, also mention protecting the sanctity of marriage and being pro-life as key aspects of their campaigns.
While state Rep. Charles Blasdel of East Liverpool, considered the leading Republican in this race, points to jobs and economic development as his main focus, he says social issues are important, and are the No. 1 priority for some voters.
Even state Sen. Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville, considered the leading Democrat in the 6th District race, doesn't shy away from his support of the sanctity of marriage and his pro-life position.
The state passed a constitutional amendment in 2004 to define marriage as only between one man and one woman, an issue that played a role in President Bush winning Ohio. Candidates are using social issues to a greater extent this year. We should expect even more of an emphasis in November and future elections.