OH AG Race - Lead paint watchers, we got a candidate, at last

It's D. Michael Crites.  That's our candidate in Ohio to oppose Richard Cordray for the unexpired term of former state Attorney General Marc Dann.  My first act of pro bono public relations/ghostwriting help for Crites is to suggest he ditch the "D." I used to have an "M" before the Jane and Manhattan public relations guru Jack O'Dwyer giggled so much that I was shamed into going as Plain Jane.

I hesitated on posting this until I received confirmation from mainstream media that this was a go.  The GOP have been playing everything from coy to cute on ducking announcing this.  But  confirmed  it is by Mark Naymik of the PLAIN DEALER. Naymik notes, "The Republican Party's central committee will officially name Crites in August, though he's already received unanimous support from the party's screening committee."

The reason the GOP has been unusually evasive is that it was tough getting anyone to oppose well-positioned Cordray.  As current state treasurer he's a known, and has deep political ties.  Governor Ted Strickland has every reason to pull out all stops supporting Cordray because that will hand him the treasurer's slot to fill. 

Late-starter Crites can, like Ronald Reagan always did, look for the pony in the piles of manure.  For one thing, he can put himself out there as bold and confident.  After all, he stepped up to the plate in a challenging campaign.  As an unknown, he is working from a clean slate.  He can create his own unique persona as well as message.  What we lead paint watchers are hoping is that part of that message will be tort reform such as dumping the ridiculous lead paint public nuisance lawsuit, just as Columbus recently did. There's more.

At a time when crime is rising nationally probably as a result of raging inflation and a tanking economy, Crites can leverage his track record as a federal prosecutor.  Among other things he took on the drug trade and had the courage to make Peter Rose pay for tax evasion. And as an attorney in private practice with Rich, Crites & Dittmer LLC which helps industry with product liability litigation, he knows how to establish a partnership between the OH business community and the legal system.  Incidentally, that was done in Mississippi, Toyota liked what it saw, and the most successful auto company in the world is building its new plant right down there in MISS.  The Buckeye State can be the model 21st century economy in the Midwest. 

I offer the Crites' team 40 hours volunteer help in whatever. Here they can check out my resume download disruptivewritereditor.doc. Yeah, I can start immediately.