Ohio U.S. Senate candidates split on gays, military, economy

COLUMBUS (AP) — The two leading candidates for Ohio’s open U.S. Senate seat sparred tonight over job losses and the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy as they entered the final stretch of their campaign.

Democrat Lee Fisher sought to paint Republican Rob Portman as a Washington insider who backed policies of the Bush administration that he said led to the nation’s recession.

“I think that it’s fair to say that Congressman Portman is not angry, he’s satisfied,” Fisher said.

Portman, a former congressman who served as President George W. Bush’s budget director and then trade ambassador, said voters can pick Fisher if they don’t want change. “He represents the status quo here in Ohio,” Portman said.

Both argued they’d be bipartisan if elected to the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. George Voinovich. The GOP needs to gain 10 seats to win control of the U.S. Senate.

For the complete story, see Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com