DeWine's Dolors

It's been a bad month for Senator Mike DeWine. First, one of the most powerful interest groups in the country, the NRA, spoke openly about the possibility of backing potential Democrat challenger Rep. Tim Ryan over DeWine. Then, former AK Steel Corp. President John Hritz announced his intention to challenge DeWine from the right in a primary. Now, the Republican Governor in his state, who had an approval rating of 17% already, has been indicted and pled no contest to corruption charges. This, of course, comes just two months after the humiliating defeat of the Senator's son Pat in a primary for the special election in Ohio's second Congressional district.

DeWine's problems are not undeserved. He has long been disloyal on a number of fronts from hate crimes legislation to gun control. Most recently he participated in the unprincipled Gang of 14 agreement, a Republican capitulation that legitimized the unconstitutional Democrat filibusters of ten of President Bush's judicial nominees. Since the agreement, several conservative groups have attempted to recruit a primary challenger for the Senator, first former Rep. John Kasich then former Rep. Bob McEwen. Now, conservatives have their man.

Ohio presents conservatives an excellent opportunity to flex some muscle in a Republican primary. Though little is known of Hritz's policy positions, it appears that he will challenge DeWine on issues of concern to conservative activists. Hritz may be the Republicans' best hope of keeping the seat. DeWine's numbers are lagging in the 30's, and it will be easy for Democrats to tie him to the corrupt Gov. Taft. Republican corruption and displeasure with DeWine's participation in the Gang of 14 agreement could easily depress Republican turnout enough to make 2006 a banner year for Ohio Democrats. A vigorous primary upset by an conservative outsider calling DeWine to task for his betrayals of conservatives could be the only way to keep the Senate seat and give the eventual Republican Gubernatorial nominee a chance to retain the office.

Make no mistake that Senator DeWine is better on some issues than his potential challengers Rep. Tim Ryan and OH-2 Congressional nominee Paul Hackett. His transgressions are not acceptable, but he certainly doesn't go as far as some of the rest of the Republican left, such as Senators Chafee and Snowe. Conservatives should attempt to upgrade in the primary - assuming that Hritz is as conservative as he seems - but unless he fails to hold the Democrats to the "extraordinary circumstances" part of the Gang of 14 agreement, it would be prudent to get behind DeWine if he survives the primary.